A retrospective assessment of the Port Alfred linefishery with respect to the changes in the South African fisheries management environment
- Authors: Donovan, Bruce
- Date: 2013-07-18
- Subjects: Fishery management -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Fisheries -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , South Africa. Marine & Coastal Management , Coastal zone management -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Fishing -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Fisheries -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Fish stock assessment -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Fishing surveys -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Marine fishes -- South Africa -- Port Alfred
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5353 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008298 , Fishery management -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Fisheries -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , South Africa. Marine & Coastal Management , Coastal zone management -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Fishing -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Fisheries -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Fish stock assessment -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Fishing surveys -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Marine fishes -- South Africa -- Port Alfred
- Description: Since the study on the Port Alfred/Kenton-on-Sea/Boknes linefishery by Hecht and Tilney (1989) there have been substantive changes to the linefish management environment in South Africa. Using the Port Alfred linefishery as a model, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the linefish management regulations that were implemented by Marine and Coastal Management (MCM) since 1992, and to assess the behaviour and 'status' of the fishery in response to these changes. Changes to both the licensing structure and catch regulations have had a significant effect on the functioning of many aspects of the Port Alfred linefishery (fishing effort, catch composition, cpue) as well as on the structure of the fishery and its socio-economic profile. Overall commercial cpue decreased from 1985 to 1998. Since 1998 there has been a significant increase in cpue (from 2.3 Kg.fisher⁻¹ hour⁻¹ to a peak of 4.8 Kg.fisher⁻¹.hour⁻¹ in 2005. This was attributed to good catches of geelbek, particularly in 2005, 2007 and 2008 (during these years geelbek contributed an average of 35% to the total landings in comparison to a mean contribution of II % between 1985 and 2004). However, size spectra analysis suggests that the increase in overall cpue since 1998 misrepresents the actual status of the fishery. If geelbek is excluded from the analysis on the grounds that it is the only species in the fishery that is highly migratory, susceptible to recruitment fluctuations and it does not contribute to the catches on a year round basis, then the results suggest that the fishery is still in a declining phase despite the 80% reduction in commercial effort and numerous stricter catch regulations (e.g. size/bag limits). Furthermore, the cpue of silver kob, which has been the "mainstay" species of the fishery, has consistently declined over the last 23 year period (from 1.69 Kg.fisher⁻1 .hour1 in 1986 to 0.86 Kg.fisher⁻1.hour⁻1in 2007). The substantial reduction in commercial effort in the fishery from 33 vessels in 2001 to 13 in 2002 resulted in a shift from commercial to recreational fishing. The number of active commercial vessels in Port Alfred alone decreased from 29 in 1989 (Hecht 1993) to four in 2008. During the same timeframe, the number of regularly active recreational vessels had almost doubled (16 in 1989 to 26 in 2008). Despite the greater number of recreational boats in the fishery they only landed approximately half the average yearly tonnage of the commercial vessels (21,5 and 44,7 tonnes,annum-I , respectively) between 2006 and 2008, This was ascribed to the differences in catch regulations for the two sectors, Furthermore, it was speculated that increasing operating costs and narrowing profit margins have contributed to lower levels of compliance in both the commercial and recreational sectors since 2006, For example, 16% of silver kob landed during 2006-08 were under the minimum size, Despite the changes made to the regulations since 1998 and the 60,6% reduction In legislated commercial effort in the fishery between 2001 and 2002 it was concluded that the fishery has continued to decline, Except for the good recruitment of geelbek (which may be due to regulatory changes made in 1992) the changes in the management environment have had no measurable positive effect on this fishery, It is recommended that commercial effort should not be allowed to increase beyond the current number of active boats, that there should be an area restriction on all commerciallinefish vessels, that the current recreational bag limit for silver kob should be re-assessed, there should also be a concerted and nationally funded effort to educate recreational anglers about the merits of catch and release, and the frequency of catch inspections of both sectors should be increased, , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Authors: Donovan, Bruce
- Date: 2013-07-18
- Subjects: Fishery management -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Fisheries -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , South Africa. Marine & Coastal Management , Coastal zone management -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Fishing -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Fisheries -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Fish stock assessment -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Fishing surveys -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Marine fishes -- South Africa -- Port Alfred
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5353 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008298 , Fishery management -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Fisheries -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , South Africa. Marine & Coastal Management , Coastal zone management -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Fishing -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Fisheries -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Fish stock assessment -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Fishing surveys -- South Africa -- Port Alfred , Marine fishes -- South Africa -- Port Alfred
- Description: Since the study on the Port Alfred/Kenton-on-Sea/Boknes linefishery by Hecht and Tilney (1989) there have been substantive changes to the linefish management environment in South Africa. Using the Port Alfred linefishery as a model, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the linefish management regulations that were implemented by Marine and Coastal Management (MCM) since 1992, and to assess the behaviour and 'status' of the fishery in response to these changes. Changes to both the licensing structure and catch regulations have had a significant effect on the functioning of many aspects of the Port Alfred linefishery (fishing effort, catch composition, cpue) as well as on the structure of the fishery and its socio-economic profile. Overall commercial cpue decreased from 1985 to 1998. Since 1998 there has been a significant increase in cpue (from 2.3 Kg.fisher⁻¹ hour⁻¹ to a peak of 4.8 Kg.fisher⁻¹.hour⁻¹ in 2005. This was attributed to good catches of geelbek, particularly in 2005, 2007 and 2008 (during these years geelbek contributed an average of 35% to the total landings in comparison to a mean contribution of II % between 1985 and 2004). However, size spectra analysis suggests that the increase in overall cpue since 1998 misrepresents the actual status of the fishery. If geelbek is excluded from the analysis on the grounds that it is the only species in the fishery that is highly migratory, susceptible to recruitment fluctuations and it does not contribute to the catches on a year round basis, then the results suggest that the fishery is still in a declining phase despite the 80% reduction in commercial effort and numerous stricter catch regulations (e.g. size/bag limits). Furthermore, the cpue of silver kob, which has been the "mainstay" species of the fishery, has consistently declined over the last 23 year period (from 1.69 Kg.fisher⁻1 .hour1 in 1986 to 0.86 Kg.fisher⁻1.hour⁻1in 2007). The substantial reduction in commercial effort in the fishery from 33 vessels in 2001 to 13 in 2002 resulted in a shift from commercial to recreational fishing. The number of active commercial vessels in Port Alfred alone decreased from 29 in 1989 (Hecht 1993) to four in 2008. During the same timeframe, the number of regularly active recreational vessels had almost doubled (16 in 1989 to 26 in 2008). Despite the greater number of recreational boats in the fishery they only landed approximately half the average yearly tonnage of the commercial vessels (21,5 and 44,7 tonnes,annum-I , respectively) between 2006 and 2008, This was ascribed to the differences in catch regulations for the two sectors, Furthermore, it was speculated that increasing operating costs and narrowing profit margins have contributed to lower levels of compliance in both the commercial and recreational sectors since 2006, For example, 16% of silver kob landed during 2006-08 were under the minimum size, Despite the changes made to the regulations since 1998 and the 60,6% reduction In legislated commercial effort in the fishery between 2001 and 2002 it was concluded that the fishery has continued to decline, Except for the good recruitment of geelbek (which may be due to regulatory changes made in 1992) the changes in the management environment have had no measurable positive effect on this fishery, It is recommended that commercial effort should not be allowed to increase beyond the current number of active boats, that there should be an area restriction on all commerciallinefish vessels, that the current recreational bag limit for silver kob should be re-assessed, there should also be a concerted and nationally funded effort to educate recreational anglers about the merits of catch and release, and the frequency of catch inspections of both sectors should be increased, , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
"The secret rapport between photography and philosophy" considering the South African photographic apparatus through Veleko, Rose, Goldblatt, Ractliffe and Mofokeng
- Authors: Mountain, Michelle Fiona
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Veleko, Nontsikelelo Rose, Tracy Goldblatt, David Ractliffe, Jo 1961- Mofokeng, Santu, 1956- Photographers -- South Africa Photography -- Philosophy Photography -- Social aspects -- South Africa Apartheid in art Documentary photography -- South Africa Space (Art) -- South Africa South Africa Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2415 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002211
- Description: This thesis is an attempt at understanding South African photography through the lens of Nontsikelelo “Lolo” Veleko, Tracy Rose, David Goldblatt, Jo Ractliffe and Santu Mofokeng. Through the works discussed this thesis intends to unpack photography as a complex medium similar to that of language and text, as well as attempt to understand how exploring South African experiences and spaces through the lens of photography shapes and mediates them. Furthermore it also attempts to understand how these experiences and spaces conversely affect the discourse of photography or at the very least our perception of it. Through these photographers and their works it is hoped that ultimately the interconnected relationship of exchanging codes that takes place between photography and society will be highlighted. The example of connectivity or dialogue I believe exists between the medium of photography and the physical/social and psychological spaces it photographs will be mediated through Deleuze and Guattari‟s conception of “the wasp and the orchid” where “the wasp becomes the orchid, just as the orchid becomes the wasp...an exchanging or capturing of each other‟s codes”. Other theorists I will be looking at include Vilém Flusser, focusing in particular on his book Towards a Philosophy of Photography, as well as Susan Sontag, Roland Barthes and others. The main aims and objectives of this thesis are to understand the veracity of the documentary image and whether or not the image harbours any objective truth, as well as whether truth, if it can truly be said to exist in the world, resides between the camera and the seen world. This dichotomy is further complicated by the matter of subject-hood and technical and philosophical understandings of the camera as an apparatus. At no point do I aim to be conclusive, rather it is hoped that by developing the dynamic tension between the theory and the image world that I will be able to bring fresh insight into the reading of a changing South African condition and the subject position of the photographer in relation to this condition.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Mountain, Michelle Fiona
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Veleko, Nontsikelelo Rose, Tracy Goldblatt, David Ractliffe, Jo 1961- Mofokeng, Santu, 1956- Photographers -- South Africa Photography -- Philosophy Photography -- Social aspects -- South Africa Apartheid in art Documentary photography -- South Africa Space (Art) -- South Africa South Africa Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2415 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002211
- Description: This thesis is an attempt at understanding South African photography through the lens of Nontsikelelo “Lolo” Veleko, Tracy Rose, David Goldblatt, Jo Ractliffe and Santu Mofokeng. Through the works discussed this thesis intends to unpack photography as a complex medium similar to that of language and text, as well as attempt to understand how exploring South African experiences and spaces through the lens of photography shapes and mediates them. Furthermore it also attempts to understand how these experiences and spaces conversely affect the discourse of photography or at the very least our perception of it. Through these photographers and their works it is hoped that ultimately the interconnected relationship of exchanging codes that takes place between photography and society will be highlighted. The example of connectivity or dialogue I believe exists between the medium of photography and the physical/social and psychological spaces it photographs will be mediated through Deleuze and Guattari‟s conception of “the wasp and the orchid” where “the wasp becomes the orchid, just as the orchid becomes the wasp...an exchanging or capturing of each other‟s codes”. Other theorists I will be looking at include Vilém Flusser, focusing in particular on his book Towards a Philosophy of Photography, as well as Susan Sontag, Roland Barthes and others. The main aims and objectives of this thesis are to understand the veracity of the documentary image and whether or not the image harbours any objective truth, as well as whether truth, if it can truly be said to exist in the world, resides between the camera and the seen world. This dichotomy is further complicated by the matter of subject-hood and technical and philosophical understandings of the camera as an apparatus. At no point do I aim to be conclusive, rather it is hoped that by developing the dynamic tension between the theory and the image world that I will be able to bring fresh insight into the reading of a changing South African condition and the subject position of the photographer in relation to this condition.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
A comparison of ecosystem health and services provided by subtropical thicket in and around the Bathurst commonage
- Authors: Stickler, Meredith Mercedes
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Ecosystem services -- South Africa -- Bathurst , Ecosystem management , Commons -- South Africa -- Bathurst , Natural resources, Communal -- South Africa -- Bathurst , Land use, Rural -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ecosystem health -- South Africa -- Bathurst
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4766 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007169 , Ecosystem services -- South Africa -- Bathurst , Ecosystem management , Commons -- South Africa -- Bathurst , Natural resources, Communal -- South Africa -- Bathurst , Land use, Rural -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ecosystem health -- South Africa -- Bathurst
- Description: Municipal commonage in South Africa offers previously disadvantaged, landless residents access to both direct ecosystem goods and services (EGS) that provide additional income options and indirect social and cultural services. Given that EGS production is a function of ecosystem health, it is imperative that commonage land be managed to maximize current local benefit streams while ensuring future options through the maintenance of natural ecosystem functions. The payments for ecosystem services (PES) model potentially offers an opportunity for contributing to local economic development while providing fiscal incentives for environmentally sustainable natural resource management. PES depends on the demonstration of quantifiable changes in EGS delivery due to improvement in or maintenance of high ecosystem health that are a verifiable result of modifications in management behavior. This thesis therefore compared spatial variations in (i) ecosystem health and (ii) nine direct and indirect EGS values derived from natural resources on the Bathurst municipal commonage and neighboring Waters Meeting Nature Reserve (NR) to explore how different land use intensities affect ecosystem health and the resulting provision of EGS. The results indicate that the total economic value of annually produced EGS on the study site is nearly R 9.8 million (US$ 1.2 million), with a standing stock of natural capital worth some R 28 million (US$ 3.4 million). Nearly 45% of the total annual production is attributed to Waters Meeting NR, with roughly 34% from the low use zone of the commonage and the remaining 22% from the high use zone. Of the total annual production value on the study site, roughly 59% is derived from indirect (non-consumptive) uses of wildlife for the study site as a whole, though this proportion varies from 25% in the high use zone of the commonage to 94% on Waters Meeting NR. The two largest annual production values on the study site derive from ecotourism (R 3.5 million, US$ 0.4 million) and livestock production (R 2.6 million, US$ 0.3 million), suggesting that while increased production of indirect EGS could generate significant additional revenues, especially on Waters Meeting NR and in the low use zone of the commonage, direct (consumptive) EGS will likely remain an important component of land use on the commonage. A PES project to support the adoption of silvo-pastoral practices could provide positive incentives for improved land use practices on the commonage and potentially be financed by conservation-friendly residents of the Kowie River catchment and/or increased ecotourism revenues from Waters Meeting NR. Allowing carefully designed and monitored local access to natural resources within Waters Meeting NR could also reduce pressure on commonage resources. Together, these approaches could lead to a more sustainable subtropical thicket landscape and ensure that critical natural resources remain available to support local livelihoods in the long-term.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Stickler, Meredith Mercedes
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Ecosystem services -- South Africa -- Bathurst , Ecosystem management , Commons -- South Africa -- Bathurst , Natural resources, Communal -- South Africa -- Bathurst , Land use, Rural -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ecosystem health -- South Africa -- Bathurst
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4766 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007169 , Ecosystem services -- South Africa -- Bathurst , Ecosystem management , Commons -- South Africa -- Bathurst , Natural resources, Communal -- South Africa -- Bathurst , Land use, Rural -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ecosystem health -- South Africa -- Bathurst
- Description: Municipal commonage in South Africa offers previously disadvantaged, landless residents access to both direct ecosystem goods and services (EGS) that provide additional income options and indirect social and cultural services. Given that EGS production is a function of ecosystem health, it is imperative that commonage land be managed to maximize current local benefit streams while ensuring future options through the maintenance of natural ecosystem functions. The payments for ecosystem services (PES) model potentially offers an opportunity for contributing to local economic development while providing fiscal incentives for environmentally sustainable natural resource management. PES depends on the demonstration of quantifiable changes in EGS delivery due to improvement in or maintenance of high ecosystem health that are a verifiable result of modifications in management behavior. This thesis therefore compared spatial variations in (i) ecosystem health and (ii) nine direct and indirect EGS values derived from natural resources on the Bathurst municipal commonage and neighboring Waters Meeting Nature Reserve (NR) to explore how different land use intensities affect ecosystem health and the resulting provision of EGS. The results indicate that the total economic value of annually produced EGS on the study site is nearly R 9.8 million (US$ 1.2 million), with a standing stock of natural capital worth some R 28 million (US$ 3.4 million). Nearly 45% of the total annual production is attributed to Waters Meeting NR, with roughly 34% from the low use zone of the commonage and the remaining 22% from the high use zone. Of the total annual production value on the study site, roughly 59% is derived from indirect (non-consumptive) uses of wildlife for the study site as a whole, though this proportion varies from 25% in the high use zone of the commonage to 94% on Waters Meeting NR. The two largest annual production values on the study site derive from ecotourism (R 3.5 million, US$ 0.4 million) and livestock production (R 2.6 million, US$ 0.3 million), suggesting that while increased production of indirect EGS could generate significant additional revenues, especially on Waters Meeting NR and in the low use zone of the commonage, direct (consumptive) EGS will likely remain an important component of land use on the commonage. A PES project to support the adoption of silvo-pastoral practices could provide positive incentives for improved land use practices on the commonage and potentially be financed by conservation-friendly residents of the Kowie River catchment and/or increased ecotourism revenues from Waters Meeting NR. Allowing carefully designed and monitored local access to natural resources within Waters Meeting NR could also reduce pressure on commonage resources. Together, these approaches could lead to a more sustainable subtropical thicket landscape and ensure that critical natural resources remain available to support local livelihoods in the long-term.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
A comparison of two sampling methods for surveying mammalian herbivore impacts on beetle communities in the canopy of Acacia drepanolobium in Kenya
- Kuria, Simon K, Villet, Martin H, Palmer, T M, Stanton, M L
- Authors: Kuria, Simon K , Villet, Martin H , Palmer, T M , Stanton, M L
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6860 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011150
- Description: Even though several methods are used to sample and monitor canopy arthropods, there are no studies to indicate which of these methods is more effective.We compared the efficacy of the beating and canopy fogging methods in collecting beetles that inhabit Acacia drepanolobium (Harms) tree canopies at Mpala Research Centre in Laikipia district, Kenya. These trees grow naturally on the black cotton soils of the Laikipia ecosystem, accounting for more than 98%of the overstorey at the study site, and are important for local cattle and wildlife production. The ultimate objective of this study was to determine the effect of differential grazing and browsing pressure from large mammalian herbivores on the beetle communities of A. drepanolobium. Seven hundred and twenty trees 1.0–2.5 m tall were sampled using each method, making a total of 1440 trees. Sampling using the two methods was done concurrently and repeated quarterly over a period of 14 months. In total, 4320 individuals were collected, 1456 by beating and 2864 by fogging. The methods jointly yielded beetle specimens from 13 families and 55 morphospecies. Fogging collected significantly more beetle morphospecies than beating, and there was a significant interaction effect between method and sampling date. We found that numerically Anthicidae and Curculionidae responded positively to the presence of cattle.We also found that Anthicidae sp. A and Myllocerus sp. A numbers significantly increased in plots where livestock were grazed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Kuria, Simon K , Villet, Martin H , Palmer, T M , Stanton, M L
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6860 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011150
- Description: Even though several methods are used to sample and monitor canopy arthropods, there are no studies to indicate which of these methods is more effective.We compared the efficacy of the beating and canopy fogging methods in collecting beetles that inhabit Acacia drepanolobium (Harms) tree canopies at Mpala Research Centre in Laikipia district, Kenya. These trees grow naturally on the black cotton soils of the Laikipia ecosystem, accounting for more than 98%of the overstorey at the study site, and are important for local cattle and wildlife production. The ultimate objective of this study was to determine the effect of differential grazing and browsing pressure from large mammalian herbivores on the beetle communities of A. drepanolobium. Seven hundred and twenty trees 1.0–2.5 m tall were sampled using each method, making a total of 1440 trees. Sampling using the two methods was done concurrently and repeated quarterly over a period of 14 months. In total, 4320 individuals were collected, 1456 by beating and 2864 by fogging. The methods jointly yielded beetle specimens from 13 families and 55 morphospecies. Fogging collected significantly more beetle morphospecies than beating, and there was a significant interaction effect between method and sampling date. We found that numerically Anthicidae and Curculionidae responded positively to the presence of cattle.We also found that Anthicidae sp. A and Myllocerus sp. A numbers significantly increased in plots where livestock were grazed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
A critical investigation of the interpretation and implementation of the Parzival main lesson within the context of the Waldorf curriculum : a multiple case study
- Authors: Swanepoel, Elizabeth
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Waldorf method of education Education -- Philosophy Teaching -- South Africa Perceval (Legendary character) Perceval (Legendary character) -- Study and teaching Grail Legends -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1483 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003364
- Description: The Steiner/Waldorf school movement is currently one of the fastest growing independent school movements internationally. In several countries it seems to have developed into the most popular form of alternative education. South Africa has 17 Waldorf schools and one full-time teacher training facility. This study investigated the interpretation and implementation of the Parzival main lesson within the wider context of the Waldorf curriculum. The main lesson system is an essential constituent of the Waldorf curriculum. Most academic subjects in a Waldorf school are taught in a three- or four-week main lesson block. The main lesson occupies the first two hours of the school day. A main lesson consists of a particular three-part structure, and the main lesson book is the keystone to the Waldorf evaluative process. The Parzival main lesson is specifically taught in Class 11, and most Waldorf schools consider it as one of the most important main lessons in the high school. The interpretivist model was ideally suited to this research. The investigation was conducted as a multiple case study, and the main source of data was provided by classroom observation. This was supported by interviews and classroom artifacts. The study involved two South African Waldorf schools at which the Parzival main lesson is taught. This main lesson is presented at only three South African Waldorf schools. I teach at the remaining school, and therefore conducted my research at the other two schools. The teachers who facilitated the Parzival main lesson, as well as the Class students at the selected schools voluntarily participated in the research. My research findings indicate that the possibility exists for the teacher to exercise a certain degree of freedom and creativity within the parameters of Waldorf methodology and the Waldorf curriculum. The study also determines that teachers often find it difficult to integrate the three-part structure, as indicated by Waldorf methodology, in a single main lesson. Furthermore, my research establishes that main lesson books can indeed serve as both text and as an assessment tool. I therefore conclude and maintain in this study, with particular reference to the Parzival main lesson, that despite the prescriptive structure of the Waldorf system and Steiner pedagogy, teachers need not necessarily sacrifice their freedom and creativity within the classroom.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Swanepoel, Elizabeth
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Waldorf method of education Education -- Philosophy Teaching -- South Africa Perceval (Legendary character) Perceval (Legendary character) -- Study and teaching Grail Legends -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1483 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003364
- Description: The Steiner/Waldorf school movement is currently one of the fastest growing independent school movements internationally. In several countries it seems to have developed into the most popular form of alternative education. South Africa has 17 Waldorf schools and one full-time teacher training facility. This study investigated the interpretation and implementation of the Parzival main lesson within the wider context of the Waldorf curriculum. The main lesson system is an essential constituent of the Waldorf curriculum. Most academic subjects in a Waldorf school are taught in a three- or four-week main lesson block. The main lesson occupies the first two hours of the school day. A main lesson consists of a particular three-part structure, and the main lesson book is the keystone to the Waldorf evaluative process. The Parzival main lesson is specifically taught in Class 11, and most Waldorf schools consider it as one of the most important main lessons in the high school. The interpretivist model was ideally suited to this research. The investigation was conducted as a multiple case study, and the main source of data was provided by classroom observation. This was supported by interviews and classroom artifacts. The study involved two South African Waldorf schools at which the Parzival main lesson is taught. This main lesson is presented at only three South African Waldorf schools. I teach at the remaining school, and therefore conducted my research at the other two schools. The teachers who facilitated the Parzival main lesson, as well as the Class students at the selected schools voluntarily participated in the research. My research findings indicate that the possibility exists for the teacher to exercise a certain degree of freedom and creativity within the parameters of Waldorf methodology and the Waldorf curriculum. The study also determines that teachers often find it difficult to integrate the three-part structure, as indicated by Waldorf methodology, in a single main lesson. Furthermore, my research establishes that main lesson books can indeed serve as both text and as an assessment tool. I therefore conclude and maintain in this study, with particular reference to the Parzival main lesson, that despite the prescriptive structure of the Waldorf system and Steiner pedagogy, teachers need not necessarily sacrifice their freedom and creativity within the classroom.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Adult African sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus, population dynamics in a small invaded warm-temperate impoundment
- Booth, Anthony J, Traas, Graham R L, Weyl, Olaf L F
- Authors: Booth, Anthony J , Traas, Graham R L , Weyl, Olaf L F
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/123596 , vital:35461 , https://doi.10.3377/004.045.0208
- Description: African sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822), is a potamodromous species that is naturally distributed from Turkey to the Orange River, South Africa (Skelton 1993). It is omnivorous, feeding on plankton, vegetation, invertebrates, carrion and fish (de Moor & Bruton 1988) and may exhibit pack-hunting behaviour when foraging for small fish (Bruton 1979; Merron 1993). Clarias gariepinus is a large (>150 cm TL, >30 kg; Bruton 1976), long-lived (validated to at least 15 years, Weyl & Booth 2008) and fast-growing (Bruton & Allanson 1980; Quick & Bruton 1984; Richardson et al. 2009) fish that attains sexual maturity within two years of age (de Moor & Bruton 1988). It is eurythermic (80–35°C), mesohalic (0–10 ppt) and has the ability to airbreathe. These attributes predispose it to surviving in all but the most adverse of conditions and have directly contributed to its wide use as an aquaculture species. These attributes have also contributed to its ability to invade waterbodies beyond its natural range (de Moor & Bruton 1988) and after inadvertent introductions such as by escape from aquaculture facilities or through water transfer schemes, C. gariepinus has established populations in many non-native environments. Such invasions include the Philippines (Mercene 1997), Bangladesh (Arthur & Ahmed 2002), Thailand (Vidthayanon 2005), India (Bhakta & Bandyopadhyay 2007) and Brazil (Cambray 2005; Vitule et al. 2006; Rocha & Schiavetti 2007). In South Africa, C. gariepinus invaded the temperate Great Fish River catchment after the species was translocated from the Orange River through a Interbasin Water Transfer (IBWT) scheme (Laurenson et al. 1989). Potential threats include predation of and competition with indigenous species, habitat degradation, and the spread of diseases and parasites (Dudgeon et al. 2006).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Booth, Anthony J , Traas, Graham R L , Weyl, Olaf L F
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/123596 , vital:35461 , https://doi.10.3377/004.045.0208
- Description: African sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822), is a potamodromous species that is naturally distributed from Turkey to the Orange River, South Africa (Skelton 1993). It is omnivorous, feeding on plankton, vegetation, invertebrates, carrion and fish (de Moor & Bruton 1988) and may exhibit pack-hunting behaviour when foraging for small fish (Bruton 1979; Merron 1993). Clarias gariepinus is a large (>150 cm TL, >30 kg; Bruton 1976), long-lived (validated to at least 15 years, Weyl & Booth 2008) and fast-growing (Bruton & Allanson 1980; Quick & Bruton 1984; Richardson et al. 2009) fish that attains sexual maturity within two years of age (de Moor & Bruton 1988). It is eurythermic (80–35°C), mesohalic (0–10 ppt) and has the ability to airbreathe. These attributes predispose it to surviving in all but the most adverse of conditions and have directly contributed to its wide use as an aquaculture species. These attributes have also contributed to its ability to invade waterbodies beyond its natural range (de Moor & Bruton 1988) and after inadvertent introductions such as by escape from aquaculture facilities or through water transfer schemes, C. gariepinus has established populations in many non-native environments. Such invasions include the Philippines (Mercene 1997), Bangladesh (Arthur & Ahmed 2002), Thailand (Vidthayanon 2005), India (Bhakta & Bandyopadhyay 2007) and Brazil (Cambray 2005; Vitule et al. 2006; Rocha & Schiavetti 2007). In South Africa, C. gariepinus invaded the temperate Great Fish River catchment after the species was translocated from the Orange River through a Interbasin Water Transfer (IBWT) scheme (Laurenson et al. 1989). Potential threats include predation of and competition with indigenous species, habitat degradation, and the spread of diseases and parasites (Dudgeon et al. 2006).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
An analysis of challenges facing decentralisation of sector education and training authorities in the province of the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Gazi, Luvo Ndileka
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Schools -- Decentralization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8193 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1346 , Schools -- Decentralization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: It is largely believed that decentralisation promotes efficiency in organisations. This paper analyses the challenges facing decentralisation of Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) in the Province of the Eastern Cape. It is demonstrated that the form of decentralisation followed by SETAs in the Province of the Eastern Cape, where constant referral of matters to head offices for decisions and instruction before any action is taken, by them is the biggest challenge. Yet these important institutions are mandated by government to equip South Africans with skills to enable them to succeed in the global market and to offer opportunities to individuals and communities for self advancement and to play a productive role in society are frustrated by unnecessary interference from SETA national offices on their affairs at the provincial government level, which constrains effective decentralisation. However, the objectives of the study are to: - Analyse the challenges of decentralisation by SETAs in the Province of the Eastern Cape; - Provide an overview of the impact of SETA provincial offices on requisite skills in the province; - Investigate the advantages and disadvantages of decentralising SETAs in the provinces. These objectives have been achieved by providing empirical evidence as indicated in chapter four, where it shows that participants believe that decentralisation promotes efficiency and SETAs in the Province of the Eastern Cape are not granted discretionary powers to make decisions a primary reason that leads to delays being experienced. This lack of discretionary power is proof that decision-making is still centralised. The study has the following strategies for the SETAs in the Province of the Eastern Cape to carry out their skills development mandate: - Clear strategic intent about SETA provincial offices; - Sector Skills Plans (SSP) to reflect provincial focus; - Provincial offices to exercise some discretionary powers; - Adequate financial resources; - Skilled workforce. In order to be more effective and efficient, a variety of recommendations to SETAs, with respect to decentralisation of SETAs, were made. It is hoped that these recommendations assist in improvement of the implementation of a decentralisation strategy. More importantly decentralisation of SETAs should allow and enable branch offices to exercise discretionary powers. In addition, they should have adequate financial resources to manage their affairs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Gazi, Luvo Ndileka
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Schools -- Decentralization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:8193 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1346 , Schools -- Decentralization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: It is largely believed that decentralisation promotes efficiency in organisations. This paper analyses the challenges facing decentralisation of Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) in the Province of the Eastern Cape. It is demonstrated that the form of decentralisation followed by SETAs in the Province of the Eastern Cape, where constant referral of matters to head offices for decisions and instruction before any action is taken, by them is the biggest challenge. Yet these important institutions are mandated by government to equip South Africans with skills to enable them to succeed in the global market and to offer opportunities to individuals and communities for self advancement and to play a productive role in society are frustrated by unnecessary interference from SETA national offices on their affairs at the provincial government level, which constrains effective decentralisation. However, the objectives of the study are to: - Analyse the challenges of decentralisation by SETAs in the Province of the Eastern Cape; - Provide an overview of the impact of SETA provincial offices on requisite skills in the province; - Investigate the advantages and disadvantages of decentralising SETAs in the provinces. These objectives have been achieved by providing empirical evidence as indicated in chapter four, where it shows that participants believe that decentralisation promotes efficiency and SETAs in the Province of the Eastern Cape are not granted discretionary powers to make decisions a primary reason that leads to delays being experienced. This lack of discretionary power is proof that decision-making is still centralised. The study has the following strategies for the SETAs in the Province of the Eastern Cape to carry out their skills development mandate: - Clear strategic intent about SETA provincial offices; - Sector Skills Plans (SSP) to reflect provincial focus; - Provincial offices to exercise some discretionary powers; - Adequate financial resources; - Skilled workforce. In order to be more effective and efficient, a variety of recommendations to SETAs, with respect to decentralisation of SETAs, were made. It is hoped that these recommendations assist in improvement of the implementation of a decentralisation strategy. More importantly decentralisation of SETAs should allow and enable branch offices to exercise discretionary powers. In addition, they should have adequate financial resources to manage their affairs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
An examination of international trophy hunters' South African hunting experiences
- Authors: Han, Xiliang
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Hunting trophies -- South Africa , Big game hunting -- South Africa , Big game animals -- South Africa , Safaris -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9362 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1244 , Hunting trophies -- South Africa , Big game hunting -- South Africa , Big game animals -- South Africa , Safaris -- South Africa
- Description: The diversity of wildlife resources and the highly-developed trophy hunting and game ranching industry make South Africa a sought-after destination for travelling hunters. Significant economic, social and ecological benefits result from the annual visits of 16 000 hunters. These benefits, in turn, accelerate industry competition. To maintain or increase the clientele base, hunting providers should continue to manage and improve their clients’ safari experiences. This research investigated visiting hunters’ South African safari experiences by measuring their perceptions of service quality, satisfaction and behavioural intention. The results of the research could assist hunting providers in identifying areas where service expectations are not met and understanding the impact of service quality and satisfaction on clients’ loyalty. The literature study contextualised the South African trophy hunting industry within the tourism environment, the realms of wildlife tourism, and the characteristics of hunting tourism. An overview of tourism services, service quality, customer satisfaction, and behavioural intention was also provided. The resulting conceptual model hypothesised relationships among the safari experience variables (service quality, satisfaction and behavioural intention). ii The empirical data were collected by means of a mail survey, using a self-administered questionnaire distributed to 2 000 foreign hunters who had participated in a South African hunting safari at least once between 2003 and 2007. Two hundred and thirty six completed questionnaires were returned, giving a response rate of 13.2%. The majority of the hunters were male, aged between 40 and 60 years, and from the United States of America and Europe. Hunters perceived the level of service quality delivery by hunting providers to be relatively high and were generally satisfied with their South African safaris. As a result, they were willing to return for another hunting experience and were very likely to speak positively about their experiences. By performing exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, a three-factor (augmented services, core services and supporting services) service quality construct was identified and confirmed. Multiple regression analyses found that core services was the strongest predictor of overall satisfaction; overall satisfaction was significantly related to revisit intention; and revisit intention significantly predicted word-of-mouth intention. An empirical model was accordingly constructed to replace the original conceptual model. iii It is recommended that South African hunting safari providers should: {u10007A} use the suggested measuring instrument to monitor their performance of service quality delivery on a regular basis; {u10007A} train their employees to ensure that they are knowledgeable and well prepared for field guidance and to promote ethical hunting practices; {u10007A} ensure an abundance of game and a wilderness atmosphere in the hunting area; {u10007A} conduct focus group studies to further understand the factors that shape clients’ perceptions of the safari experience; and {u10007A} invest in developing long-term relationships with existing clients.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Han, Xiliang
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Hunting trophies -- South Africa , Big game hunting -- South Africa , Big game animals -- South Africa , Safaris -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9362 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1244 , Hunting trophies -- South Africa , Big game hunting -- South Africa , Big game animals -- South Africa , Safaris -- South Africa
- Description: The diversity of wildlife resources and the highly-developed trophy hunting and game ranching industry make South Africa a sought-after destination for travelling hunters. Significant economic, social and ecological benefits result from the annual visits of 16 000 hunters. These benefits, in turn, accelerate industry competition. To maintain or increase the clientele base, hunting providers should continue to manage and improve their clients’ safari experiences. This research investigated visiting hunters’ South African safari experiences by measuring their perceptions of service quality, satisfaction and behavioural intention. The results of the research could assist hunting providers in identifying areas where service expectations are not met and understanding the impact of service quality and satisfaction on clients’ loyalty. The literature study contextualised the South African trophy hunting industry within the tourism environment, the realms of wildlife tourism, and the characteristics of hunting tourism. An overview of tourism services, service quality, customer satisfaction, and behavioural intention was also provided. The resulting conceptual model hypothesised relationships among the safari experience variables (service quality, satisfaction and behavioural intention). ii The empirical data were collected by means of a mail survey, using a self-administered questionnaire distributed to 2 000 foreign hunters who had participated in a South African hunting safari at least once between 2003 and 2007. Two hundred and thirty six completed questionnaires were returned, giving a response rate of 13.2%. The majority of the hunters were male, aged between 40 and 60 years, and from the United States of America and Europe. Hunters perceived the level of service quality delivery by hunting providers to be relatively high and were generally satisfied with their South African safaris. As a result, they were willing to return for another hunting experience and were very likely to speak positively about their experiences. By performing exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, a three-factor (augmented services, core services and supporting services) service quality construct was identified and confirmed. Multiple regression analyses found that core services was the strongest predictor of overall satisfaction; overall satisfaction was significantly related to revisit intention; and revisit intention significantly predicted word-of-mouth intention. An empirical model was accordingly constructed to replace the original conceptual model. iii It is recommended that South African hunting safari providers should: {u10007A} use the suggested measuring instrument to monitor their performance of service quality delivery on a regular basis; {u10007A} train their employees to ensure that they are knowledgeable and well prepared for field guidance and to promote ethical hunting practices; {u10007A} ensure an abundance of game and a wilderness atmosphere in the hunting area; {u10007A} conduct focus group studies to further understand the factors that shape clients’ perceptions of the safari experience; and {u10007A} invest in developing long-term relationships with existing clients.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
An exploration of school-community links in enabling environmental learning through food growing : a cross-cultural study
- Authors: Köhly, Nicolette
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Environmental education -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Environmental education -- New York (State) -- Case studies Sustainable agriculture -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Sustainable agriculture -- New York (State) -- Case studies Environmental education -- Study and teaching -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Environmental education -- Study and teaching -- New York (State) -- Case studies Conservation of natural resources -- Study and teaching -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Conservation of natural resources -- Study and teaching -- New York (State) -- Case studies Active learning -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Active learning -- New York (State) -- Case studies Community education -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Community education -- New York (State) -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1534 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003416
- Description: Agricultural and educational researchers recognize the critical value of an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to education in building a food-secure world, reducing poverty, and conserving and enhancing natural resources. However, schools generally contribute little to communities in the context of food growing and environmental learning. The main objective of this qualitative research was to explore the role of school-community relationships in enabling environmental learning in the context of food growing activities. Findings suggest that the role of school-community links in enhancing environmental learning is more likely where community members are actively involved in school programs that have an emphasis on an experiential learning approach. However, this depends to a large extent on the availability of parents or concerned community members and their willingness to engage in voluntary school-based activities. Factors that could potentially strengthen the role of school-community links in supporting environmental learning include: allowing space for informal learning, mediating learning in civil society settings, ongoing facilitation by a committed coordinator, community buy-in and accountability, and addressing public interests through tangible benefits. A major challenge is to find an appropriate balance between social justice and practical food security concerns, while remaining true to ecological considerations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Köhly, Nicolette
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Environmental education -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Environmental education -- New York (State) -- Case studies Sustainable agriculture -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Sustainable agriculture -- New York (State) -- Case studies Environmental education -- Study and teaching -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Environmental education -- Study and teaching -- New York (State) -- Case studies Conservation of natural resources -- Study and teaching -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Conservation of natural resources -- Study and teaching -- New York (State) -- Case studies Active learning -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Active learning -- New York (State) -- Case studies Community education -- Africa, Southern -- Case studies Community education -- New York (State) -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1534 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003416
- Description: Agricultural and educational researchers recognize the critical value of an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to education in building a food-secure world, reducing poverty, and conserving and enhancing natural resources. However, schools generally contribute little to communities in the context of food growing and environmental learning. The main objective of this qualitative research was to explore the role of school-community relationships in enabling environmental learning in the context of food growing activities. Findings suggest that the role of school-community links in enhancing environmental learning is more likely where community members are actively involved in school programs that have an emphasis on an experiential learning approach. However, this depends to a large extent on the availability of parents or concerned community members and their willingness to engage in voluntary school-based activities. Factors that could potentially strengthen the role of school-community links in supporting environmental learning include: allowing space for informal learning, mediating learning in civil society settings, ongoing facilitation by a committed coordinator, community buy-in and accountability, and addressing public interests through tangible benefits. A major challenge is to find an appropriate balance between social justice and practical food security concerns, while remaining true to ecological considerations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
An intergrated learning programme for the Knysna Montessori school
- Authors: Nel, Andri
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Education -- South Africa Curricula , Competency-based education -- South Africa , Education, Primary -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DEd
- Identifier: vital:9443 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1142 , Education -- South Africa Curricula , Competency-based education -- South Africa , Education, Primary -- South Africa
- Description: In line with Montessori methodology, the Knysna Montessori School runs its programmes in an integrated and holistic manner. Learning programmes are based on a blend of various Montessori learning programmes and the Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS). Classes are divided into three year-age groupings; and integrated learning programmes are in place within the pre-school, (including grade R), the grade 1 to 3 class, and the grade 4 to 6 class. However, the grade 7 to 9 Montessori class has been running in a more traditional and less integrated manner since its inception in 2004. That has motivated the undertaking of this study. The main aim of this qualitative study has been to determine how to best arrange the RNCS according to Montessori principles, that is to say, in a holistic and integrated manner, with the intention of presenting a learning programme for the grade 7 to 9 class. This aim was based on a constructivist philosophical foundation and addressed in conjunction with interpretivism and critical theory. The grounded theory research paradigm was followed. In this paradigm research findings are grounded in the data gathering and the analysis. Three methods of data collection were applied, namely a literature review, interviews and document analysis. A literature review was conducted to gain a better overview and understanding of the RNCS and Outcomes-Based Education (OBE). Furthermore, through the literature review, an in-depth understanding of the Montessori method of education, adolescent development and integrated and holistic education have been achieved. Interviews were conducted with staff from the Knysna Montessori School, with the purpose of gathering information on the Knysna Montessori School and its current application to the RNCS, from pre-school to grade 6. An availability and purposive sampling method was applied, in order to determine which staff members to interview. Finally, document analysis was done. The learning areas for the senior phase (grades 7 to 9) of the General Education and Training Band (GET) of the RNCS were coded and analysed in order to discover emergent themes within the RNCS and how these link with the Montessori curriculum arrangement for this age group. It became apparent that Montessori classrooms, both prior to and for the senior phase, are divided into three areas, namely language, mathematics and cultural studies. Based on this knowledge, as well as the documentary analysis, an integrated learning programme, grounded in the data analysis, was designed. It was found that the RNCS matches well with Montessori’s curriculum arrangement. Thus, this learning programme is in line with Montessori’s curriculum arrangement for the senior phase of the GET band. Such a curriculum arrangement integrates the learning outcomes and assessment standards from arts and culture, economic and management sciences, life orientation, natural sciences, social sciences and technology into different studies. These are globally referred to as cultural studies. However, specific attention was also given to moral education, self-expression through music, art and drama, entrepreneurship, career education and sport. The conclusion was reached that an integrated learning programme, based on Montessori principles and in line with the RNCS requirement, is possible for the Knysna Montessori School.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Nel, Andri
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Education -- South Africa Curricula , Competency-based education -- South Africa , Education, Primary -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DEd
- Identifier: vital:9443 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1142 , Education -- South Africa Curricula , Competency-based education -- South Africa , Education, Primary -- South Africa
- Description: In line with Montessori methodology, the Knysna Montessori School runs its programmes in an integrated and holistic manner. Learning programmes are based on a blend of various Montessori learning programmes and the Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS). Classes are divided into three year-age groupings; and integrated learning programmes are in place within the pre-school, (including grade R), the grade 1 to 3 class, and the grade 4 to 6 class. However, the grade 7 to 9 Montessori class has been running in a more traditional and less integrated manner since its inception in 2004. That has motivated the undertaking of this study. The main aim of this qualitative study has been to determine how to best arrange the RNCS according to Montessori principles, that is to say, in a holistic and integrated manner, with the intention of presenting a learning programme for the grade 7 to 9 class. This aim was based on a constructivist philosophical foundation and addressed in conjunction with interpretivism and critical theory. The grounded theory research paradigm was followed. In this paradigm research findings are grounded in the data gathering and the analysis. Three methods of data collection were applied, namely a literature review, interviews and document analysis. A literature review was conducted to gain a better overview and understanding of the RNCS and Outcomes-Based Education (OBE). Furthermore, through the literature review, an in-depth understanding of the Montessori method of education, adolescent development and integrated and holistic education have been achieved. Interviews were conducted with staff from the Knysna Montessori School, with the purpose of gathering information on the Knysna Montessori School and its current application to the RNCS, from pre-school to grade 6. An availability and purposive sampling method was applied, in order to determine which staff members to interview. Finally, document analysis was done. The learning areas for the senior phase (grades 7 to 9) of the General Education and Training Band (GET) of the RNCS were coded and analysed in order to discover emergent themes within the RNCS and how these link with the Montessori curriculum arrangement for this age group. It became apparent that Montessori classrooms, both prior to and for the senior phase, are divided into three areas, namely language, mathematics and cultural studies. Based on this knowledge, as well as the documentary analysis, an integrated learning programme, grounded in the data analysis, was designed. It was found that the RNCS matches well with Montessori’s curriculum arrangement. Thus, this learning programme is in line with Montessori’s curriculum arrangement for the senior phase of the GET band. Such a curriculum arrangement integrates the learning outcomes and assessment standards from arts and culture, economic and management sciences, life orientation, natural sciences, social sciences and technology into different studies. These are globally referred to as cultural studies. However, specific attention was also given to moral education, self-expression through music, art and drama, entrepreneurship, career education and sport. The conclusion was reached that an integrated learning programme, based on Montessori principles and in line with the RNCS requirement, is possible for the Knysna Montessori School.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
An investigation into parental involvements in the learning of mathematics : a case study involving grade 5 San learners and their parents
- Hamukwaya, Shemunyenge Taleiko
- Authors: Hamukwaya, Shemunyenge Taleiko
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Mathematics (Elementary) -- Study and teaching -- Namibia , Mathematics (Elementary) -- Study and teaching -- Activity programs -- Namibia , Mathematics (Elementary) -- Study and teaching -- Parent participation -- Namibia , Parent-teacher relationships -- Namibia , Marginality, Social -- Namibia , Literacy -- Social aspects -- Namibia , Khoisan (African people) -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1598 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003480 , Mathematics (Elementary) -- Study and teaching -- Namibia , Mathematics (Elementary) -- Study and teaching -- Activity programs -- Namibia , Mathematics (Elementary) -- Study and teaching -- Parent participation -- Namibia , Parent-teacher relationships -- Namibia , Marginality, Social -- Namibia , Literacy -- Social aspects -- Namibia , Khoisan (African people) -- Namibia
- Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate and document parental involvement in a San community in Namibia over a period of two months. The emphasis was to investigate whether San parents in the Omusati region were involved in the learning of mathematics of their children. The learner participants were selected according to those who were open to sharing their ideas. An interpretive approach was used to collect and analyse data. The collected data was gathered from 9 participants (4 learners in grade 5 together with their parents, plus their mathematics teacher). Semi-structured interviews, parental contributions and home visit observations were the three tools that I used to collect data. The selected school is located in a rural area in the Omusati region of northern Namibia. The interviews were conducted in Oshiwambo (the participants‟ mother tongue) and translated into English and then analyzed. I discovered that the selected San parents were involved in some but limited school activities. The findings of this study emphasizes that illiteracy may be one of the contributing factors of low or non-involvement of parents among the San community. Other factors which I found caused parents not to assist their children with homework was parents spending much of their time at the local cuca shops during the day until late in the evenings. The study also highlights possible strategies that can be carried out by teachers to encourage parental involvement in school activities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Hamukwaya, Shemunyenge Taleiko
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Mathematics (Elementary) -- Study and teaching -- Namibia , Mathematics (Elementary) -- Study and teaching -- Activity programs -- Namibia , Mathematics (Elementary) -- Study and teaching -- Parent participation -- Namibia , Parent-teacher relationships -- Namibia , Marginality, Social -- Namibia , Literacy -- Social aspects -- Namibia , Khoisan (African people) -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1598 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003480 , Mathematics (Elementary) -- Study and teaching -- Namibia , Mathematics (Elementary) -- Study and teaching -- Activity programs -- Namibia , Mathematics (Elementary) -- Study and teaching -- Parent participation -- Namibia , Parent-teacher relationships -- Namibia , Marginality, Social -- Namibia , Literacy -- Social aspects -- Namibia , Khoisan (African people) -- Namibia
- Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate and document parental involvement in a San community in Namibia over a period of two months. The emphasis was to investigate whether San parents in the Omusati region were involved in the learning of mathematics of their children. The learner participants were selected according to those who were open to sharing their ideas. An interpretive approach was used to collect and analyse data. The collected data was gathered from 9 participants (4 learners in grade 5 together with their parents, plus their mathematics teacher). Semi-structured interviews, parental contributions and home visit observations were the three tools that I used to collect data. The selected school is located in a rural area in the Omusati region of northern Namibia. The interviews were conducted in Oshiwambo (the participants‟ mother tongue) and translated into English and then analyzed. I discovered that the selected San parents were involved in some but limited school activities. The findings of this study emphasizes that illiteracy may be one of the contributing factors of low or non-involvement of parents among the San community. Other factors which I found caused parents not to assist their children with homework was parents spending much of their time at the local cuca shops during the day until late in the evenings. The study also highlights possible strategies that can be carried out by teachers to encourage parental involvement in school activities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
An investigation into the readability of the grade 10 physical science textbooks : a case study
- Authors: Van Heerden, Lesley Lynne
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Textbooks -- South Africa -- Readability , Readability (Literary style) , Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1993 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013365
- Description: In her newsletter “Curriculum News, Improving the Quality of Learning and Teaching: Planning for 2010 and Beyond”, Mrs Angie Motshekga, MP, Minister of Basic Education, positions the textbook very definitely as central to the curriculum and states that it is one of the most effective tools through which to deliver the curriculum and support assessment. Acknowledging the importance of the accessibility of textbooks for the South African classroom audience, this study has sought to investigate the readability of the chemistry section of grade 10 science textbooks. Readability research is concerned with the relationship between the textbook, the reader and the context in which the book is read; research supports the use of both classical quantitative measures and a qualitative cognitive-structural form of analysis to investigate this relationship. The research design is a mixed method one where quantitative and qualitative data were collected simultaneously: the methodical application of selected readability formulae gave rise to quantitative data while the line-by-line textual analysis, tracing cognitive-structural aspects, and focus-group discussions with teachers gave rise to the qualitative data. The results of the merged data analysis were then interpreted together to provide a better understanding of the readability of the texts for a South African audience. The results of the investigation reveal that readability is greatly impaired for a number of reasons, the primary one being a lack of articulation between the textbook writers/editors and the audience for which they are writing and preparing the texts. This is particularly reflected in the inadequate preparation of the material for the English Second Language reader, as certain textbooks are completely out of their reach. Furthermore, this lack of articulation can be traced to the lack of time available for piloting the textbooks: an invaluable intervention in the process of textbook production.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Van Heerden, Lesley Lynne
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Textbooks -- South Africa -- Readability , Readability (Literary style) , Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1993 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013365
- Description: In her newsletter “Curriculum News, Improving the Quality of Learning and Teaching: Planning for 2010 and Beyond”, Mrs Angie Motshekga, MP, Minister of Basic Education, positions the textbook very definitely as central to the curriculum and states that it is one of the most effective tools through which to deliver the curriculum and support assessment. Acknowledging the importance of the accessibility of textbooks for the South African classroom audience, this study has sought to investigate the readability of the chemistry section of grade 10 science textbooks. Readability research is concerned with the relationship between the textbook, the reader and the context in which the book is read; research supports the use of both classical quantitative measures and a qualitative cognitive-structural form of analysis to investigate this relationship. The research design is a mixed method one where quantitative and qualitative data were collected simultaneously: the methodical application of selected readability formulae gave rise to quantitative data while the line-by-line textual analysis, tracing cognitive-structural aspects, and focus-group discussions with teachers gave rise to the qualitative data. The results of the merged data analysis were then interpreted together to provide a better understanding of the readability of the texts for a South African audience. The results of the investigation reveal that readability is greatly impaired for a number of reasons, the primary one being a lack of articulation between the textbook writers/editors and the audience for which they are writing and preparing the texts. This is particularly reflected in the inadequate preparation of the material for the English Second Language reader, as certain textbooks are completely out of their reach. Furthermore, this lack of articulation can be traced to the lack of time available for piloting the textbooks: an invaluable intervention in the process of textbook production.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
An investigation into what influences action competence-oriented teaching and learning processes in a school environmental club
- Authors: James, Alison
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Environmental education -- South Africa -- East London Environmental education -- Activity programs -- South Africa -- East London Environmental literacy -- South Africa -- East London Environmental literacy -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- East London Active learning -- South Africa -- East London Competency-based education -- South Africa -- East London Teacher-student relationships -- South Africa -- East London
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1619 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003501
- Description: This interpretive case study sought to determine what influenced action competence-oriented teaching and learning processes in a high school environmental club. The goals were to describe a year of activities, within the TALON environmental club at Hudson Park High School in East London, South Africa and to identify how pedagogical, contextual and relational factors influenced action competence processes amongst club members. I explored how action competence theory and praxis have helped in other school education settings with the aim of establishing better environmental practices. The IVAC model of pedagogy (Jensen & Schnack, 1997) was used as a framework to operationalise action competence processes within the TALON Club. This entailed carefully examining investigative, visioning, action and change processes unfolding through the four themes of the club: plants, animal welfare, waste issues and our community outreach programme at Bongulethu High School. Using questionnaires, interviews, observation and a journal as the main methods of data collection I was able to make five analytical statements that related to the influence of pedagogy, the influence of context and the influence of relational dynamics within the TALON Club. The pedagogical processes were affected by the TALON members wanting to avoid any activities that were ‘too much like school’. However this served to compromise the action and visioning phases within the club, resulting in superficial and poorly-informed action-taking. The influence of context served to both enable and constrain action competence processes. The club and school structures therefore shaped the form that fledgling actions took as the TALON members participated in the meetings and outings and fulfilling the traditional expectations of the school community. Relational dynamics and a desire for fun took precedence over the action competence processes. Although the Club members were motivated by a sense of moral responsibility they were unable to articulate this concept into the club activities. In addition there were the power gradients between the educators and members to consider as determinants of the extent of participatory, democratic interactions. This complex interplay of factors influenced the action competence processes in the club. Recommendations were made on how best to work with the concepts of participation and democracy towards improving the reflexivity and knowledge base of both the educators and learners. In this way action competence processes will be better supported within the club in future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: James, Alison
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Environmental education -- South Africa -- East London Environmental education -- Activity programs -- South Africa -- East London Environmental literacy -- South Africa -- East London Environmental literacy -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- East London Active learning -- South Africa -- East London Competency-based education -- South Africa -- East London Teacher-student relationships -- South Africa -- East London
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1619 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003501
- Description: This interpretive case study sought to determine what influenced action competence-oriented teaching and learning processes in a high school environmental club. The goals were to describe a year of activities, within the TALON environmental club at Hudson Park High School in East London, South Africa and to identify how pedagogical, contextual and relational factors influenced action competence processes amongst club members. I explored how action competence theory and praxis have helped in other school education settings with the aim of establishing better environmental practices. The IVAC model of pedagogy (Jensen & Schnack, 1997) was used as a framework to operationalise action competence processes within the TALON Club. This entailed carefully examining investigative, visioning, action and change processes unfolding through the four themes of the club: plants, animal welfare, waste issues and our community outreach programme at Bongulethu High School. Using questionnaires, interviews, observation and a journal as the main methods of data collection I was able to make five analytical statements that related to the influence of pedagogy, the influence of context and the influence of relational dynamics within the TALON Club. The pedagogical processes were affected by the TALON members wanting to avoid any activities that were ‘too much like school’. However this served to compromise the action and visioning phases within the club, resulting in superficial and poorly-informed action-taking. The influence of context served to both enable and constrain action competence processes. The club and school structures therefore shaped the form that fledgling actions took as the TALON members participated in the meetings and outings and fulfilling the traditional expectations of the school community. Relational dynamics and a desire for fun took precedence over the action competence processes. Although the Club members were motivated by a sense of moral responsibility they were unable to articulate this concept into the club activities. In addition there were the power gradients between the educators and members to consider as determinants of the extent of participatory, democratic interactions. This complex interplay of factors influenced the action competence processes in the club. Recommendations were made on how best to work with the concepts of participation and democracy towards improving the reflexivity and knowledge base of both the educators and learners. In this way action competence processes will be better supported within the club in future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
An investigation of prior knowledge about amphibians amongst Grade 7 learners : towards the development of a resource pack
- Authors: Gordon, Louise
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Amphibians -- Study and teaching -- South Africa Environmental education -- South Africa Natural sciences -- Study and teaching -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1641 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003523
- Description: The value of frogs is compared to the value of canaries used in coalmines: they are indicators of the environmental status of our environments, thus crucial to our survival. One third of all frogs worldwide are threatened with extinction. Frogs are found in our immediate environment. Are our Natural Science educators, teaching the Life and Living curriculum aware of this threat, the possible impact that the extinction of frogs will have on our welfare? Are our educators making use of the resources in their immediate environment? This study aimed to investigate the prior knowledge in both the horizontal and vertical discourse, in Grade7 learners and their educators, to inform the design of an amphibian resource pack. By investigating their prior knowledge an insight would be gained in their knowledge of Natural Science concepts as well as their everyday knowledge of their immediate natural environment. It would also highlight any misconceptions formed as well as alternative concepts within both educator and learner groups. These insights would be used to inform the contents of said resource pack.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Gordon, Louise
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Amphibians -- Study and teaching -- South Africa Environmental education -- South Africa Natural sciences -- Study and teaching -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1641 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003523
- Description: The value of frogs is compared to the value of canaries used in coalmines: they are indicators of the environmental status of our environments, thus crucial to our survival. One third of all frogs worldwide are threatened with extinction. Frogs are found in our immediate environment. Are our Natural Science educators, teaching the Life and Living curriculum aware of this threat, the possible impact that the extinction of frogs will have on our welfare? Are our educators making use of the resources in their immediate environment? This study aimed to investigate the prior knowledge in both the horizontal and vertical discourse, in Grade7 learners and their educators, to inform the design of an amphibian resource pack. By investigating their prior knowledge an insight would be gained in their knowledge of Natural Science concepts as well as their everyday knowledge of their immediate natural environment. It would also highlight any misconceptions formed as well as alternative concepts within both educator and learner groups. These insights would be used to inform the contents of said resource pack.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Analysis processes as antecedents for decision-making related to growth strategies of South African Game Ranchers
- Authors: Van Eyk, Marlé
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Tourism -- Marketing , Game farms -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DTech
- Identifier: vital:9356 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1546 , Tourism -- Marketing , Game farms -- South Africa
- Description: Game ranching offers an economic alternative to conventional stock farming and is a means of supplementing income derived from agricultural activities. Competition is intensifying as ranchers continuously look for ways to improve and expand their businesses and gain a competitive advantage. Ranchers consequently have to find strategies that can ensure growth. Since a reciprocal relationship and dependency exists between a game ranch and the environment in which it operates, it is essential that ranchers take cognizance of aspects in the marketing environment that can either limit, and hence encumber the choice of growth strategy, or stimulate the growth potential of game ranches. As the objective of marketing is to offer customers superior value, it is pertinent for ranchers to know and understand the needs, requirements and motivations of visitors. Failure to do so will cause visitors to patronise other game ranches, or alternative tourism offerings that meet their expectations. A literature review was conducted to define strategy and assist in identifying growth strategies available to a game ranch. The literature review assisted in categorising elements in the external, internal and customer analysis phases of strategic marketing management. Surveys were conducted by means of self-completion questionnaires which were distributed throughout South Africa. Two sets of questionnaires were distributed - one to respondents with prior experience of a game ranch, and one to respondents with no-prior experience. A qualifying question directed the fieldworker to decide which questionnaire should be completed by the respondent. The surveys were constructed in such a way as to determine to what extent various factors would persuade respondents to visit a ranch or extend their stay. Based on a factor analysis, an eight factor structure emerged which represented the personal values of respondents and their levels of expectation for each of the factors. The eight factors were stimulation, universalism, tradition, security, hedonism, power, socialisation, and self-direction. The study revealed the following. - The majority of respondents with no-prior experience of a game ranch is either unaware of the offerings of game ranches, or perceives them as too expensive. - The sustainable use of natural resources is not only essential for the existence of a game ranch, but is also an important motivator for respondents to either visit a game ranch or extend their stay at a ranch. - Staff play a critical role in the overall experience of visitors and act as an important motivator to either visit/revisit a game ranch or extend their stay at the ranch. - Clean and comfortable overnight facilities are deemed important by all respondents. - Respondents have a strong desire to relax and spend time with family and friends. A decision-making framework from which game ranches can select applicable growth strategies resulted from the study. The decision-making framework comprises a three-phase process; phase 1 is the identification of a game ranch's target market; phase 2 is the use of a simplistic framework to determine a possible growth strategy for a game ranch; phase 3 is the identification of ways to implement the selected strategy. As the game ranch industry makes significant contributions to the economic, social and ecological welfare of South Africa, this study added to the body of knowledge of game ranching in South Africa, particularly with regard to the growth options available to game ranches. Recommendations for consideration of future research included the following. - As the current study investigated hunting and tourism, future research on growth strategies for game ranches could also include other aspects of game ranching such as the sale of live game and game products. - More focused empirical research into external and internal strategic analysis should be considered to supplement the empirical research into customer analysis resulting from the current study. - Finally, additional information obtained on the external and internal strategic analysis process could lead to expanding the decision-making framework developed in this study into a more holistic tool to be used in selecting a growth strategy, or combination of strategies for a game ranch3.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Van Eyk, Marlé
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Tourism -- Marketing , Game farms -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DTech
- Identifier: vital:9356 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1546 , Tourism -- Marketing , Game farms -- South Africa
- Description: Game ranching offers an economic alternative to conventional stock farming and is a means of supplementing income derived from agricultural activities. Competition is intensifying as ranchers continuously look for ways to improve and expand their businesses and gain a competitive advantage. Ranchers consequently have to find strategies that can ensure growth. Since a reciprocal relationship and dependency exists between a game ranch and the environment in which it operates, it is essential that ranchers take cognizance of aspects in the marketing environment that can either limit, and hence encumber the choice of growth strategy, or stimulate the growth potential of game ranches. As the objective of marketing is to offer customers superior value, it is pertinent for ranchers to know and understand the needs, requirements and motivations of visitors. Failure to do so will cause visitors to patronise other game ranches, or alternative tourism offerings that meet their expectations. A literature review was conducted to define strategy and assist in identifying growth strategies available to a game ranch. The literature review assisted in categorising elements in the external, internal and customer analysis phases of strategic marketing management. Surveys were conducted by means of self-completion questionnaires which were distributed throughout South Africa. Two sets of questionnaires were distributed - one to respondents with prior experience of a game ranch, and one to respondents with no-prior experience. A qualifying question directed the fieldworker to decide which questionnaire should be completed by the respondent. The surveys were constructed in such a way as to determine to what extent various factors would persuade respondents to visit a ranch or extend their stay. Based on a factor analysis, an eight factor structure emerged which represented the personal values of respondents and their levels of expectation for each of the factors. The eight factors were stimulation, universalism, tradition, security, hedonism, power, socialisation, and self-direction. The study revealed the following. - The majority of respondents with no-prior experience of a game ranch is either unaware of the offerings of game ranches, or perceives them as too expensive. - The sustainable use of natural resources is not only essential for the existence of a game ranch, but is also an important motivator for respondents to either visit a game ranch or extend their stay at a ranch. - Staff play a critical role in the overall experience of visitors and act as an important motivator to either visit/revisit a game ranch or extend their stay at the ranch. - Clean and comfortable overnight facilities are deemed important by all respondents. - Respondents have a strong desire to relax and spend time with family and friends. A decision-making framework from which game ranches can select applicable growth strategies resulted from the study. The decision-making framework comprises a three-phase process; phase 1 is the identification of a game ranch's target market; phase 2 is the use of a simplistic framework to determine a possible growth strategy for a game ranch; phase 3 is the identification of ways to implement the selected strategy. As the game ranch industry makes significant contributions to the economic, social and ecological welfare of South Africa, this study added to the body of knowledge of game ranching in South Africa, particularly with regard to the growth options available to game ranches. Recommendations for consideration of future research included the following. - As the current study investigated hunting and tourism, future research on growth strategies for game ranches could also include other aspects of game ranching such as the sale of live game and game products. - More focused empirical research into external and internal strategic analysis should be considered to supplement the empirical research into customer analysis resulting from the current study. - Finally, additional information obtained on the external and internal strategic analysis process could lead to expanding the decision-making framework developed in this study into a more holistic tool to be used in selecting a growth strategy, or combination of strategies for a game ranch3.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Assessing the diet of the Cape leopard (panthera pardus) in the Cederberg and Gamka mountains, South Africa
- Authors: Rautenbach, Therèsè
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Leopard -- South Africa , Animal feeding -- South Africa , Predation (Biology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10699 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1078 , Leopard -- South Africa , Animal feeding -- South Africa , Predation (Biology)
- Description: As limited prey availability and persecution by humans in response to livestock predation are key conservation concerns for the Cape leopard (Martins & Martins 2006), the present study aimed to provide more information regarding their feeding habits. The first objective was to determine whether the Cape leopard was subject to a change in their prey base and how they responded to the change. This was established by comparison of their current diet in the Cederberg and Gamka Mountains, determined by using scat analysis techniques, with a previous dietary assessment (Norton et al. 1986). The second aim was to provide a preliminary assessment of the prey preference of the Cape leopard and examine the utility of camera trap surveys to determine leopard prey preference. Leopard diet in the Cederberg and Gamka Mountains consisted largely of small- (1-10 kg) and medium-sized (10-40 kg) mammals; rock hyraxes (Procavia capensis) and klipspringers (Oreotragus oreotragus) were key prey items. In terms of regional variation in leopard diet, there was a significant difference in the average weight of prey utilized in the Cederberg and Gamka Mountains. Despite the importance of prey availability of suitable size, their flexibility in terms of prey size utilization reflected their ability to switch to smaller prey to fulfil their dietary requirements, when prey is limited. The study suggested a dietary shift, with significant variation in prey species utilization in both regions. The shift did not appear to be in response to prey scarcity, but rather a reduction in key prey species, particularly the rock hyrax. The shift involved an increase in the number of species utilized, and only a very small increase in livestock predation in both areas. There was however no significant variation in prey size category utilization. This demonstrated their dietary flexibility, as well as the importance of suitable prey sizes rather than the presence of specific prey species to fulfil their dietary requirements. The camera trap survey revealed a strong correlation between the number of camera trap days and the number of photographs taken of identifiable species. Variation of this correlation between different habitats supported the notion that individual images are a better unit to determine sampling efficiency than trap days. The camera trap survey also showed that small rodent availability was underestimated by camera trap surveillance, which resulted in poor prey preference estimation. It was therefore suggested that camera trap surveys be restricted to the surveillance of larger prey species (> 1 kg). By excluding small rodents from the analysis, prey preference could be estimated for other species and prey size categories. Small- and medium-sized mammals were significantly preferred, whereas large mammals were significantly avoided by the Cape leopard.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Rautenbach, Therèsè
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Leopard -- South Africa , Animal feeding -- South Africa , Predation (Biology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10699 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1078 , Leopard -- South Africa , Animal feeding -- South Africa , Predation (Biology)
- Description: As limited prey availability and persecution by humans in response to livestock predation are key conservation concerns for the Cape leopard (Martins & Martins 2006), the present study aimed to provide more information regarding their feeding habits. The first objective was to determine whether the Cape leopard was subject to a change in their prey base and how they responded to the change. This was established by comparison of their current diet in the Cederberg and Gamka Mountains, determined by using scat analysis techniques, with a previous dietary assessment (Norton et al. 1986). The second aim was to provide a preliminary assessment of the prey preference of the Cape leopard and examine the utility of camera trap surveys to determine leopard prey preference. Leopard diet in the Cederberg and Gamka Mountains consisted largely of small- (1-10 kg) and medium-sized (10-40 kg) mammals; rock hyraxes (Procavia capensis) and klipspringers (Oreotragus oreotragus) were key prey items. In terms of regional variation in leopard diet, there was a significant difference in the average weight of prey utilized in the Cederberg and Gamka Mountains. Despite the importance of prey availability of suitable size, their flexibility in terms of prey size utilization reflected their ability to switch to smaller prey to fulfil their dietary requirements, when prey is limited. The study suggested a dietary shift, with significant variation in prey species utilization in both regions. The shift did not appear to be in response to prey scarcity, but rather a reduction in key prey species, particularly the rock hyrax. The shift involved an increase in the number of species utilized, and only a very small increase in livestock predation in both areas. There was however no significant variation in prey size category utilization. This demonstrated their dietary flexibility, as well as the importance of suitable prey sizes rather than the presence of specific prey species to fulfil their dietary requirements. The camera trap survey revealed a strong correlation between the number of camera trap days and the number of photographs taken of identifiable species. Variation of this correlation between different habitats supported the notion that individual images are a better unit to determine sampling efficiency than trap days. The camera trap survey also showed that small rodent availability was underestimated by camera trap surveillance, which resulted in poor prey preference estimation. It was therefore suggested that camera trap surveys be restricted to the surveillance of larger prey species (> 1 kg). By excluding small rodents from the analysis, prey preference could be estimated for other species and prey size categories. Small- and medium-sized mammals were significantly preferred, whereas large mammals were significantly avoided by the Cape leopard.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Assessment of the environmental condition, Ecosystem service provision and sustainability of use of two wetlands in the Kamiesberg uplands:
- Kotze, Donovan C, Malan, H, Ellery, William F N, Samuals, I, Saul, L
- Authors: Kotze, Donovan C , Malan, H , Ellery, William F N , Samuals, I , Saul, L
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/157135 , vital:40089 , http://www.wrc.org.za/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/TT439-09 Conservation of Water Ecosystems.pdf
- Description: This report is one of the outputs of the Wetland Health and Importance (WHI) research programme which was funded by the Water Research Commission. The WHI represents Phase II of the National Wetlands Research Programme and was formerly known as “Wetland Health and Integrity”. Phase I, under the leadership of Professor Ellery, resulted in the “WET-Management” series of publications. Phase II, the WHI programme, was broadly aimed at assessing wetland environmental condition and socio-economic importance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Kotze, Donovan C , Malan, H , Ellery, William F N , Samuals, I , Saul, L
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/157135 , vital:40089 , http://www.wrc.org.za/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/TT439-09 Conservation of Water Ecosystems.pdf
- Description: This report is one of the outputs of the Wetland Health and Importance (WHI) research programme which was funded by the Water Research Commission. The WHI represents Phase II of the National Wetlands Research Programme and was formerly known as “Wetland Health and Integrity”. Phase I, under the leadership of Professor Ellery, resulted in the “WET-Management” series of publications. Phase II, the WHI programme, was broadly aimed at assessing wetland environmental condition and socio-economic importance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Attracting and retaining customers in South Adrica's banking sector
- Authors: Anani, Ajibola Plakunle
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Banks and banking -- Customer services -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Customer relations -- Management , Consumer satisfaction -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8575 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1532 , Banks and banking -- Customer services -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Customer relations -- Management , Consumer satisfaction -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: The business environment and the economy of the society today are continuously witnessing the impact of globalisation. Telecommunication advancement and transportation has greatly made the impact of globalisation to be felt. Globalisation though argued to have its merits and its demerits have resulted in fierce competition amongst businesses. The banking industry is not isolated from these competitions. Any business wishing to survive and stay profitable in the recent world must be able to compete in the global economy. Hence, for any bank to sustain itself and remain profitable it must be able to withstand the competition in the environment it operates. To be able to compete in the banking industry means delivering better services to customers than competitors. This study presents how the South African banks can satisfy their customers and remain profitable in the face of competition. The South African banking industry consists of local and foreign banks and these banks compete for customers in the environment in which they are located. Increase in different branches by different banks has made the competition even fierce. In other to suggest recommendations for the South African banks to satisfy their customers and become profitable, the researcher identified some problem areas that need to be improved upon. These include customer loyalty, relationship banking and electronic banking. These variables were researched to understand how they affect the banks and the customers and where tested using both a qualitative and a quantitative analysis to ascertain if the customers were satisfied with the banks‟ approach of managing these variables. The results indicated that the customers were satisfied to a lesser extent. Any bank wishing to satisfy its customers and remain profitable in other to compete in the industry needs to satisfy the customer to a large extent. Therefore, recommendations where suggested based on the empirical results to help improve the banking industry‟s ways of attracting and retaining customers. The former will lead to customer satisfaction which again will lead to increased profitability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Anani, Ajibola Plakunle
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Banks and banking -- Customer services -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Customer relations -- Management , Consumer satisfaction -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8575 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1532 , Banks and banking -- Customer services -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Customer relations -- Management , Consumer satisfaction -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: The business environment and the economy of the society today are continuously witnessing the impact of globalisation. Telecommunication advancement and transportation has greatly made the impact of globalisation to be felt. Globalisation though argued to have its merits and its demerits have resulted in fierce competition amongst businesses. The banking industry is not isolated from these competitions. Any business wishing to survive and stay profitable in the recent world must be able to compete in the global economy. Hence, for any bank to sustain itself and remain profitable it must be able to withstand the competition in the environment it operates. To be able to compete in the banking industry means delivering better services to customers than competitors. This study presents how the South African banks can satisfy their customers and remain profitable in the face of competition. The South African banking industry consists of local and foreign banks and these banks compete for customers in the environment in which they are located. Increase in different branches by different banks has made the competition even fierce. In other to suggest recommendations for the South African banks to satisfy their customers and become profitable, the researcher identified some problem areas that need to be improved upon. These include customer loyalty, relationship banking and electronic banking. These variables were researched to understand how they affect the banks and the customers and where tested using both a qualitative and a quantitative analysis to ascertain if the customers were satisfied with the banks‟ approach of managing these variables. The results indicated that the customers were satisfied to a lesser extent. Any bank wishing to satisfy its customers and remain profitable in other to compete in the industry needs to satisfy the customer to a large extent. Therefore, recommendations where suggested based on the empirical results to help improve the banking industry‟s ways of attracting and retaining customers. The former will lead to customer satisfaction which again will lead to increased profitability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Collaborative monitoring in ecosystem management in South Africa's communal lands
- Authors: Bolus, Cosman
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa , Natural resources -- South Africa -- Management , Community development -- South Africa -- Citizen participation , Conservation of natural resources -- Social aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4743 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006948 , Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa , Natural resources -- South Africa -- Management , Community development -- South Africa -- Citizen participation , Conservation of natural resources -- Social aspects -- South Africa
- Description: Internationally there is an increasing focus on involving local communities in natural resource management and monitoring. Monitoring methods which are professionally driven appear to be inadequate to deal with the monitoring of natural resource use and biodiversity conservation, globally. This is especially evident in areas such as South African rural communal land. Two community based natural resource management (CBNRM) programmes in areas which are communally governed in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, namely Nqabara and Machubeni, were used as part of this research study. This thesis identified and tested potentially simple and cost effective monitoring methods related to the utilization of the local rangelands and indigenous forests. The criteria that were tested include 1) appropriateness and effectiveness in measuring change, and 2) contribution to building adaptive capacity among local land managers through learning. The criteria were assessed using a scoring system for each monitoring method in order to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses . This was done by using both quantitative and qualitative data. Contribution to building adaptive capacity was assessed by evaluating technical capacity gained, local ecological knowledge contributed and learning by participants. This was done using qualitative data. The results show that the monitoring methods had different strengths and weaknesses in relation to the criteria, making them more appropriate for different priorities such as effectively measuring change or building adaptive capacity. It is argued that an adaptive approach is a useful component in the participatory monitoring process. An adaptive framework was developed from lessons learnt in this study for collaborative monitoring. Challenges such as low literacy levels and adequate training still need to be addressed to strengthen efforts towards participatory monitoring. Factors such as incentives, conflict and local values may negatively affect the legitimacy and sustainability of participatory monitoring and therefore also need to be addressed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Bolus, Cosman
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa , Natural resources -- South Africa -- Management , Community development -- South Africa -- Citizen participation , Conservation of natural resources -- Social aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4743 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006948 , Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa , Natural resources -- South Africa -- Management , Community development -- South Africa -- Citizen participation , Conservation of natural resources -- Social aspects -- South Africa
- Description: Internationally there is an increasing focus on involving local communities in natural resource management and monitoring. Monitoring methods which are professionally driven appear to be inadequate to deal with the monitoring of natural resource use and biodiversity conservation, globally. This is especially evident in areas such as South African rural communal land. Two community based natural resource management (CBNRM) programmes in areas which are communally governed in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, namely Nqabara and Machubeni, were used as part of this research study. This thesis identified and tested potentially simple and cost effective monitoring methods related to the utilization of the local rangelands and indigenous forests. The criteria that were tested include 1) appropriateness and effectiveness in measuring change, and 2) contribution to building adaptive capacity among local land managers through learning. The criteria were assessed using a scoring system for each monitoring method in order to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses . This was done by using both quantitative and qualitative data. Contribution to building adaptive capacity was assessed by evaluating technical capacity gained, local ecological knowledge contributed and learning by participants. This was done using qualitative data. The results show that the monitoring methods had different strengths and weaknesses in relation to the criteria, making them more appropriate for different priorities such as effectively measuring change or building adaptive capacity. It is argued that an adaptive approach is a useful component in the participatory monitoring process. An adaptive framework was developed from lessons learnt in this study for collaborative monitoring. Challenges such as low literacy levels and adequate training still need to be addressed to strengthen efforts towards participatory monitoring. Factors such as incentives, conflict and local values may negatively affect the legitimacy and sustainability of participatory monitoring and therefore also need to be addressed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Connectivity between marine reserves and exploited areas in the philopatric reef fish Chrysoblephus laticeps (Teleostei: Sparidae)
- Teske, Peter R, Forget, Fabian R G, Cowley, Paul D, von der Heyden, Sophie, Beheregaray, Luciano B
- Authors: Teske, Peter R , Forget, Fabian R G , Cowley, Paul D , von der Heyden, Sophie , Beheregaray, Luciano B
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6776 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008086
- Description: "No-take‟ Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are successful in protecting populations of many exploited fish species, but it is often unclear whether networks of MPAs are adequately spaced to ensure connectivity among reserves, and whether spillover occurs into adjacent exploited areas. Such issues are particularly important in species with low dispersal potential, many of which exist as genetically distinct regional stocks.The roman, Chrysoblephus laticeps, is an overexploited, commercially important fishery species endemic to South Africa. Post-recruits display resident behavior and occupy small home ranges, making C. laticeps a suitable model species to investigate connectivity in marine teleosts with potentially low dispersal ability. We used multilocus data from two types of highly variable genetic markers (mitochondrial DNA control region and microsatellites) to clarify patterns of genetic connectivity and population structure in C. laticeps using samples from two MPAs and several moderately or severely exploited regions. Despite using analytical tools that are sensitive to detect even subtle genetic structure, we found that this species exists as a single, well-mixed stock throughout its core distribution. This finding lends supports to the status of MPAs as an adequate tool for managing overexploited marine teleosts. Even though adult dispersal out of MPAs is limited, the fact that the large adults in these reserves produce exponentially more offspring than their smaller counterparts in exploited areas makes MPAs a rich source of recruits. We nonetheless caution against concluding that the lack of structure identified in C. laticeps and several other southern African teleosts can be considered to be representative of marine teleosts in this region in general. Many such species are represented in more than one marine biogeographic province and may be comprised of regionally-adapted stocks that need to be managed individually.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Teske, Peter R , Forget, Fabian R G , Cowley, Paul D , von der Heyden, Sophie , Beheregaray, Luciano B
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6776 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008086
- Description: "No-take‟ Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are successful in protecting populations of many exploited fish species, but it is often unclear whether networks of MPAs are adequately spaced to ensure connectivity among reserves, and whether spillover occurs into adjacent exploited areas. Such issues are particularly important in species with low dispersal potential, many of which exist as genetically distinct regional stocks.The roman, Chrysoblephus laticeps, is an overexploited, commercially important fishery species endemic to South Africa. Post-recruits display resident behavior and occupy small home ranges, making C. laticeps a suitable model species to investigate connectivity in marine teleosts with potentially low dispersal ability. We used multilocus data from two types of highly variable genetic markers (mitochondrial DNA control region and microsatellites) to clarify patterns of genetic connectivity and population structure in C. laticeps using samples from two MPAs and several moderately or severely exploited regions. Despite using analytical tools that are sensitive to detect even subtle genetic structure, we found that this species exists as a single, well-mixed stock throughout its core distribution. This finding lends supports to the status of MPAs as an adequate tool for managing overexploited marine teleosts. Even though adult dispersal out of MPAs is limited, the fact that the large adults in these reserves produce exponentially more offspring than their smaller counterparts in exploited areas makes MPAs a rich source of recruits. We nonetheless caution against concluding that the lack of structure identified in C. laticeps and several other southern African teleosts can be considered to be representative of marine teleosts in this region in general. Many such species are represented in more than one marine biogeographic province and may be comprised of regionally-adapted stocks that need to be managed individually.
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- Date Issued: 2010