A model for retention-to-graduation of undergraduate nursing students at universities in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Nkutu, Nonyaniso Trustina
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Universities and colleges--South Africa--Eastern Cape College students--South Africa--Eastern Cape Nursing students--South Africa--Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Nursing
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15946 , vital:40566
- Description: The retention of nursing students in the undergraduate programme in universities is a global concern for the health care system, because of the low rate of nurse graduates. The strategies for retention for nursing students in undergraduate programmes in South African universities arguably have limited success in curbing failure to graduate. The failure to graduate rate of nursing students is a global phenomenon, where for example in 2009, the rate of failure to graduate in the United States of America was 30%. However, countries like Jamaica and Australia reported good retention rates through the use of various successful initiatives, such as student bursaries, student loans, scholarships and academic assistance. Previous studies in South Africa have showed that the incidence of nursing students’ failure to graduate rate is an ongoing challenge since the 1960s. Further, research has found that, despite the high annual enrolment of students into universities, only few nursing students graduate on time, while others fail to graduate. This phenomenon affects the rendering and quality of services to patients and clients in the health care facilities. When students fail to graduate from the programme, patients and clients get deprived of the services they would have got, had the students completed and graduated from the programme. On the other hand, the students themselves get frustrated due to the failure to complete the programme. Nursing Education Institutions (NEIs) also share in the disappointment and the loss of even one student who fails to graduate, because it is their obligation to graduate more nurses. Previous studies have sought to understand why students fail to complete their studies, and many factors have been identified. Therefore, there is need to further understand the factors associated with nursing student failure to complete their programme in different contexts such as South Africa. It is for this reason that the aim of this study was to develop a model for retention of nursing students in order to facilitate progression towards graduation in the undergraduate programme at the universities in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study endeavoured to answer the following research questions: What are the factors associated with retention-to-graduation of nursing students from the undergraduate nursing programme in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa? What are the strategies to enhance retention to graduation of nursing students in universities in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa? What conceptual framework can be developed for retention-to-graduation of nursing students from the undergraduate programme in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa? What model could be developed for retention-to-graduation of nursing students from the undergraduate nursing programme in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa? What guidelines should be formulated for the implementation of the model for retention-to-graduation of nursing students from the undergraduate nursing programme in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa? To answer these questions, quantitative research approach with a descriptive, contextual and theory generation design was used. The study was conducted in four phases. Phase 1 used deductive concept identification to describe factors and strategies to enhance retention –to-graduation of nursing students in the undergraduate nursing programme. Phase 2 used inductive concept analysis for the development of a conceptual framework. In phase 3 reasoning strategies (inductive, deductive, derivation, synthesis and analysis) informed by data as well as the literature were used in order to generate a theory for model development. In phase 4, the guidelines for developing a preliminary model were formulated for theory implementation. The study setting was in the Eastern Cape universities, within faculties of Health Sciences. The researcher adapted Jeffreys’ Nursing Undergraduate Retention and Success (NURS) 2012 model as a data collecting instrument, which was pilot tested for reliability and validity. Permission to utilize the model was obtained. The targeted population was full time nursing students in the undergraduate nursing programme. A multistage stratified random sample from first year to fourth year level was used. The inclusion criterion was based on one being full time nursing student, aged between 18 and 50 years and from the Eastern Cape Province universities. Student nurses in colleges and part-time students were excluded from this study. The study adhered to research ethics and procedures by for example obtaining ethical clearance from the ethics committee of the University of Fort Hare and the other two selected universities. The ethical components were met: The Ethical clearance based on the following aspects: written consent to undertake the study; approval from the two of the selected universities; and permission to conduct a pilot study from the University of Fort Hare. Permission was also sought and obtained from Quality Assurance Unit in the Eastern Cape Province, in Bisho. The principle of beneficence; respect for human dignity; the right to self-determination based on the ethical principle of respect for persons; the principle of self-determination; the principle of justice, the right to fair treatment, the right to privacy, the right to informed consent were all considered. Data analysis was done through Statistical Analysis Systems (SAS) version 9.3 for quantitative data and Atlas Ti was used to analyse and quantify the open-ended section of the questionnaire. The results showed multidimensional factors associated with retention-to-graduation of the nursing students in the undergraduate programme. Strategies to enhance retention –to graduation were also indicated although there was no one perfect example since they were not evaluated for effectiveness. A retention-to-graduation model for nursing students in the undergraduate nursing programme was developed based on the results.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nkutu, Nonyaniso Trustina
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Universities and colleges--South Africa--Eastern Cape College students--South Africa--Eastern Cape Nursing students--South Africa--Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Nursing
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15946 , vital:40566
- Description: The retention of nursing students in the undergraduate programme in universities is a global concern for the health care system, because of the low rate of nurse graduates. The strategies for retention for nursing students in undergraduate programmes in South African universities arguably have limited success in curbing failure to graduate. The failure to graduate rate of nursing students is a global phenomenon, where for example in 2009, the rate of failure to graduate in the United States of America was 30%. However, countries like Jamaica and Australia reported good retention rates through the use of various successful initiatives, such as student bursaries, student loans, scholarships and academic assistance. Previous studies in South Africa have showed that the incidence of nursing students’ failure to graduate rate is an ongoing challenge since the 1960s. Further, research has found that, despite the high annual enrolment of students into universities, only few nursing students graduate on time, while others fail to graduate. This phenomenon affects the rendering and quality of services to patients and clients in the health care facilities. When students fail to graduate from the programme, patients and clients get deprived of the services they would have got, had the students completed and graduated from the programme. On the other hand, the students themselves get frustrated due to the failure to complete the programme. Nursing Education Institutions (NEIs) also share in the disappointment and the loss of even one student who fails to graduate, because it is their obligation to graduate more nurses. Previous studies have sought to understand why students fail to complete their studies, and many factors have been identified. Therefore, there is need to further understand the factors associated with nursing student failure to complete their programme in different contexts such as South Africa. It is for this reason that the aim of this study was to develop a model for retention of nursing students in order to facilitate progression towards graduation in the undergraduate programme at the universities in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study endeavoured to answer the following research questions: What are the factors associated with retention-to-graduation of nursing students from the undergraduate nursing programme in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa? What are the strategies to enhance retention to graduation of nursing students in universities in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa? What conceptual framework can be developed for retention-to-graduation of nursing students from the undergraduate programme in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa? What model could be developed for retention-to-graduation of nursing students from the undergraduate nursing programme in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa? What guidelines should be formulated for the implementation of the model for retention-to-graduation of nursing students from the undergraduate nursing programme in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa? To answer these questions, quantitative research approach with a descriptive, contextual and theory generation design was used. The study was conducted in four phases. Phase 1 used deductive concept identification to describe factors and strategies to enhance retention –to-graduation of nursing students in the undergraduate nursing programme. Phase 2 used inductive concept analysis for the development of a conceptual framework. In phase 3 reasoning strategies (inductive, deductive, derivation, synthesis and analysis) informed by data as well as the literature were used in order to generate a theory for model development. In phase 4, the guidelines for developing a preliminary model were formulated for theory implementation. The study setting was in the Eastern Cape universities, within faculties of Health Sciences. The researcher adapted Jeffreys’ Nursing Undergraduate Retention and Success (NURS) 2012 model as a data collecting instrument, which was pilot tested for reliability and validity. Permission to utilize the model was obtained. The targeted population was full time nursing students in the undergraduate nursing programme. A multistage stratified random sample from first year to fourth year level was used. The inclusion criterion was based on one being full time nursing student, aged between 18 and 50 years and from the Eastern Cape Province universities. Student nurses in colleges and part-time students were excluded from this study. The study adhered to research ethics and procedures by for example obtaining ethical clearance from the ethics committee of the University of Fort Hare and the other two selected universities. The ethical components were met: The Ethical clearance based on the following aspects: written consent to undertake the study; approval from the two of the selected universities; and permission to conduct a pilot study from the University of Fort Hare. Permission was also sought and obtained from Quality Assurance Unit in the Eastern Cape Province, in Bisho. The principle of beneficence; respect for human dignity; the right to self-determination based on the ethical principle of respect for persons; the principle of self-determination; the principle of justice, the right to fair treatment, the right to privacy, the right to informed consent were all considered. Data analysis was done through Statistical Analysis Systems (SAS) version 9.3 for quantitative data and Atlas Ti was used to analyse and quantify the open-ended section of the questionnaire. The results showed multidimensional factors associated with retention-to-graduation of the nursing students in the undergraduate programme. Strategies to enhance retention –to graduation were also indicated although there was no one perfect example since they were not evaluated for effectiveness. A retention-to-graduation model for nursing students in the undergraduate nursing programme was developed based on the results.
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A model of support for divorced professional nurses in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Murray, Daphne
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Divorce counseling -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Divorce -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Employees -- Counseling of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Nursing
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10028 , vital:35293
- Description: The purpose of this research study was to develop a support model for divorced professional nurses in the health-care facilities of the Department of Health, Eastern Cape, with guidelines to operationalise the model. Divorce is a process with psychological as well as social implications, and with a series of economic causes it also has implications in terms of the society and culture in which individuals operate. The main causes for divorce are adultery and domestic violence, especially against women and children (Lurea, 2011:99). A need for support from managers in the health-care facilities of the Department of Health, Eastern Cape during the process of divorce was identified by divorced professional nurses, since a lack of support and all the negativity that encompasses divorce could lead to severe depression, which will later have a negative effect on work performance (Abdul Kadir & Bifulco, 2010:858). The literature in this field of study, along with experience, indicates that it is imperative for divorced professional nurses to be supported in the workplace to help them to cope emotionally with their work demands, as prescribed by the South African Nursing Council. An explorative, descriptive and contextual qualitative design with theory generation was used to achieve the purpose of the study. Snowball sampling was employed to select participants, namely divorced professional nurses who were unknown to the researcher. A sample of 21 divorced professional nurses who work in health-care facilities in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape participated in the study. Data was collected by means of individual face-face interviews with divorced professional nurses. The interviews continued until data saturation was reached. Field notes supplemented data that could not be portrayed by audio-taped interviews, such as non- verbal communication in observed interactions. Data analysis was done using Tesch’s approach to open coding in qualitative research. Themes, categories and sub-categories emerged from the data analysis and were fully discussed, becoming fundamental units in the development of the conceptual framework as well as in the model. The researcher did a thorough literature review to conceptualise the identified concepts on which the model was based. The description and evaluation of the model, along with guidelines to operationalise the model, were done in accordance with the method described by Chinn and Kramer (2011:197). The justification of the research, the limitations, and the recommendations for operationalisation of the model of support for divorced professional nurses working in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality of the Department of Health, Eastern Cape Province, and South Africa were indicated accordingly.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Murray, Daphne
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Divorce counseling -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Divorce -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Employees -- Counseling of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Nursing
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10028 , vital:35293
- Description: The purpose of this research study was to develop a support model for divorced professional nurses in the health-care facilities of the Department of Health, Eastern Cape, with guidelines to operationalise the model. Divorce is a process with psychological as well as social implications, and with a series of economic causes it also has implications in terms of the society and culture in which individuals operate. The main causes for divorce are adultery and domestic violence, especially against women and children (Lurea, 2011:99). A need for support from managers in the health-care facilities of the Department of Health, Eastern Cape during the process of divorce was identified by divorced professional nurses, since a lack of support and all the negativity that encompasses divorce could lead to severe depression, which will later have a negative effect on work performance (Abdul Kadir & Bifulco, 2010:858). The literature in this field of study, along with experience, indicates that it is imperative for divorced professional nurses to be supported in the workplace to help them to cope emotionally with their work demands, as prescribed by the South African Nursing Council. An explorative, descriptive and contextual qualitative design with theory generation was used to achieve the purpose of the study. Snowball sampling was employed to select participants, namely divorced professional nurses who were unknown to the researcher. A sample of 21 divorced professional nurses who work in health-care facilities in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape participated in the study. Data was collected by means of individual face-face interviews with divorced professional nurses. The interviews continued until data saturation was reached. Field notes supplemented data that could not be portrayed by audio-taped interviews, such as non- verbal communication in observed interactions. Data analysis was done using Tesch’s approach to open coding in qualitative research. Themes, categories and sub-categories emerged from the data analysis and were fully discussed, becoming fundamental units in the development of the conceptual framework as well as in the model. The researcher did a thorough literature review to conceptualise the identified concepts on which the model was based. The description and evaluation of the model, along with guidelines to operationalise the model, were done in accordance with the method described by Chinn and Kramer (2011:197). The justification of the research, the limitations, and the recommendations for operationalisation of the model of support for divorced professional nurses working in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality of the Department of Health, Eastern Cape Province, and South Africa were indicated accordingly.
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A trust based model for enhanced adoption of diabetes self-management mobile applications
- Authors: Mainoti, Ganizani Fidelis
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Medical records -- Data processing Medical records -- Management Mobile communication systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11041 , vital:37011
- Description: Information technology (IT) trust is an important concept as people today rely more on IT to perform their tasks than before. Extensive research in Information Systems (IS) has explored trust and how it affects clients’ selection of different IT artefacts. Literature found trust to be a key determinant of technology use and an accelerator of understanding user perceptions regarding technology. Users’ perception of a technology’s characteristics influences their initial decision to adopt it; they are less likely to try the technology once they perceive significant risk linked to the technology exploration. The study focused on trust in relation to adoption of mobile applications (apps) for self-management of diabetic treatment regimens. The aim was to identify factors that should be incorporated in these apps to positively influence user perception of trustworthiness for enhanced adoption. According to extant literature, there are a myriad of apps which are available and ready for use, but diabetic patients are not maximising these opportunities to actively participate in managing their conditions. This is in spite of the numerous benefits accruable from using these apps to aid treatment regimens away from clinical settings or with minimal involvement of health personnel. This work is a qualitative study that investigated the reasons behind the low levels of trust in mobile applications for self-management of diabetes. The research design involved a survey and the study employed interviews for primary data collection. Twenty participants were engaged in the intervention. Some of these respondents were diabetic patients on treatment and others were health staff specialising in diabetes treatment. The participants were asked to download and try, for one month or more, the Diabetes:M app from Google play store for android devices or from iTunes for IOS devices. Thereafter, interviews were held with the participants to investigate their perceptions of the diabetes management app. Based on the outcome of the investigation, the researcher put forward a model proposing the attributes of trustworthiness of diabetes self-management mobile apps for enhanced adoption. Research findings showed that the apps for diabetes self-management should be usable, possess sufficient functionalities, give accurate information for decision-making, be reliable, and secure in order to enhance the trust of diabetic patients.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mainoti, Ganizani Fidelis
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Medical records -- Data processing Medical records -- Management Mobile communication systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11041 , vital:37011
- Description: Information technology (IT) trust is an important concept as people today rely more on IT to perform their tasks than before. Extensive research in Information Systems (IS) has explored trust and how it affects clients’ selection of different IT artefacts. Literature found trust to be a key determinant of technology use and an accelerator of understanding user perceptions regarding technology. Users’ perception of a technology’s characteristics influences their initial decision to adopt it; they are less likely to try the technology once they perceive significant risk linked to the technology exploration. The study focused on trust in relation to adoption of mobile applications (apps) for self-management of diabetic treatment regimens. The aim was to identify factors that should be incorporated in these apps to positively influence user perception of trustworthiness for enhanced adoption. According to extant literature, there are a myriad of apps which are available and ready for use, but diabetic patients are not maximising these opportunities to actively participate in managing their conditions. This is in spite of the numerous benefits accruable from using these apps to aid treatment regimens away from clinical settings or with minimal involvement of health personnel. This work is a qualitative study that investigated the reasons behind the low levels of trust in mobile applications for self-management of diabetes. The research design involved a survey and the study employed interviews for primary data collection. Twenty participants were engaged in the intervention. Some of these respondents were diabetic patients on treatment and others were health staff specialising in diabetes treatment. The participants were asked to download and try, for one month or more, the Diabetes:M app from Google play store for android devices or from iTunes for IOS devices. Thereafter, interviews were held with the participants to investigate their perceptions of the diabetes management app. Based on the outcome of the investigation, the researcher put forward a model proposing the attributes of trustworthiness of diabetes self-management mobile apps for enhanced adoption. Research findings showed that the apps for diabetes self-management should be usable, possess sufficient functionalities, give accurate information for decision-making, be reliable, and secure in order to enhance the trust of diabetic patients.
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An appraisal of the role of cash and in-kind transfers in addressing urban household food insecurity in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Ndlovu, Sibonokuhle
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Transfer payments--Zimbabwe Food supply--Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Social Science
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15155 , vital:40191
- Description: This thesis examines the role of cash and in-kind transfers in alleviating urban household food insecurity in Makokoba and Njube townships in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. This assessment focuses on understanding the extent to which these transfers improve poor household access to food. The implications of cash and in-kind transfers on household dietary diversification are also examined. The thesis also scrutinises factors that deter the effectiveness of these transfers in addressing urban household food insecurity in the two townships. The study is guided by the Entitlement Approach (Sen, 1981) and Household Livelihood Security Framework (Frankenberger et al., 1995). The study combined qualitative and quantitative research methods in gathering and analysing data. Semi structured in-depth interviews, questionnaires, and key informant interviews were used to collect primary data. The thesis finds that cash and in-kind transfers have not significantly alleviated urban household food insecurity in Makokoba and Njube townships. As a result households receiving these transfers have not meaningfully improved their food consumption behaviours. Households continued to experience food insecurity characterised by skipping meals and eating small portions. Most households prioritised non-food expenditures and this has resulted in expending a small proportion of their cash transfers on purchasing inadequate food items. Both transfers have not meaningfully played a complementary role in enabling poor households to access a variety of food groups necessary for diversifying diets. The thesis also finds that a legion of factors deter the effectiveness of cash transfers in these townships. These include irregular distributions, low cash transfer value, incomplete food baskets, weak targeting mechanisms, less flexible implementation processes, automatic deletion of households from beneficiary database and duration of programmes. This thesis recommends redesigning of these cash and in-kind transfer programmes to effectively alleviate urban household food insecurity.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ndlovu, Sibonokuhle
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Transfer payments--Zimbabwe Food supply--Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Social Science
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15155 , vital:40191
- Description: This thesis examines the role of cash and in-kind transfers in alleviating urban household food insecurity in Makokoba and Njube townships in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. This assessment focuses on understanding the extent to which these transfers improve poor household access to food. The implications of cash and in-kind transfers on household dietary diversification are also examined. The thesis also scrutinises factors that deter the effectiveness of these transfers in addressing urban household food insecurity in the two townships. The study is guided by the Entitlement Approach (Sen, 1981) and Household Livelihood Security Framework (Frankenberger et al., 1995). The study combined qualitative and quantitative research methods in gathering and analysing data. Semi structured in-depth interviews, questionnaires, and key informant interviews were used to collect primary data. The thesis finds that cash and in-kind transfers have not significantly alleviated urban household food insecurity in Makokoba and Njube townships. As a result households receiving these transfers have not meaningfully improved their food consumption behaviours. Households continued to experience food insecurity characterised by skipping meals and eating small portions. Most households prioritised non-food expenditures and this has resulted in expending a small proportion of their cash transfers on purchasing inadequate food items. Both transfers have not meaningfully played a complementary role in enabling poor households to access a variety of food groups necessary for diversifying diets. The thesis also finds that a legion of factors deter the effectiveness of cash transfers in these townships. These include irregular distributions, low cash transfer value, incomplete food baskets, weak targeting mechanisms, less flexible implementation processes, automatic deletion of households from beneficiary database and duration of programmes. This thesis recommends redesigning of these cash and in-kind transfer programmes to effectively alleviate urban household food insecurity.
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An assessment of the implementation of small, medium and micro enterprise strategy : a case of Amathole Municipality
- Authors: Oyelana, Akeem Adewale
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Small business--South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Public Administration
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15171 , vital:40193
- Description: The implementation of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) strategy are not well understood and have rarely been addressed all nationally. The objectives of this study are, therefore, to establish a base level of understanding in order to assess the implementation of SMME strategy used by the Amathole District Municipality (ADM) Local Economic Development (LED) managers in disseminating information; analyse the structure for implementing SMME strategy used by the ADM LED managers; examine the challenges confronting the ADM LED managers in implementing SMME strategy; examine the skills needed by the ADM LED managers to adequately formulate and implement SMME strategy; and make recommendations to the municipality on how best the implementation of SMME strategy can support growth and development in the ADM. The study used a qualitative research design that involves a systematic review of documents. Data was collected through the review and analysis of available existing documents. Data analysis included using the documentary analysis derived from the journals, and books as well as reviewing the various data analysis done in relation to an assessment of the implementation of SMME strategy: A Case of Amathole District Municipality. Findings from previous literature revealed that there are constraints faced by the Amathole District Municipality (ADM) Local Economic Development (LED) Managers in implementing SMME strategy. The study confirmed some of the operational challenges were due to incompetency among the municipal managers, and lack of clear understanding of the implementation of SMME strategy used to support grow and development of SMME in the Amathole District. This study provides effective solutions to the identified challenges and impact as well as strategies to be adopted in order to alleviate poverty and provide job opportunities to the local communities. The implications of the findings are that unless the barriers named above are resolved, poverty and unemployment will continues escalating, communities will continue receiving and experiencing poor service delivery in the ADM and thus, would undoubtedly lead to poor economic growth and development. Management of the municipality must ensure that qualified ADM Managers are permanently employed and allowed to partake in the implementation of SMME strategy and community participation should be well encouraged as well as embarking on effective implementation of SMME strategy that would create an enabling and conducive environment for the small firm enterprises.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Oyelana, Akeem Adewale
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Small business--South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Public Administration
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15171 , vital:40193
- Description: The implementation of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) strategy are not well understood and have rarely been addressed all nationally. The objectives of this study are, therefore, to establish a base level of understanding in order to assess the implementation of SMME strategy used by the Amathole District Municipality (ADM) Local Economic Development (LED) managers in disseminating information; analyse the structure for implementing SMME strategy used by the ADM LED managers; examine the challenges confronting the ADM LED managers in implementing SMME strategy; examine the skills needed by the ADM LED managers to adequately formulate and implement SMME strategy; and make recommendations to the municipality on how best the implementation of SMME strategy can support growth and development in the ADM. The study used a qualitative research design that involves a systematic review of documents. Data was collected through the review and analysis of available existing documents. Data analysis included using the documentary analysis derived from the journals, and books as well as reviewing the various data analysis done in relation to an assessment of the implementation of SMME strategy: A Case of Amathole District Municipality. Findings from previous literature revealed that there are constraints faced by the Amathole District Municipality (ADM) Local Economic Development (LED) Managers in implementing SMME strategy. The study confirmed some of the operational challenges were due to incompetency among the municipal managers, and lack of clear understanding of the implementation of SMME strategy used to support grow and development of SMME in the Amathole District. This study provides effective solutions to the identified challenges and impact as well as strategies to be adopted in order to alleviate poverty and provide job opportunities to the local communities. The implications of the findings are that unless the barriers named above are resolved, poverty and unemployment will continues escalating, communities will continue receiving and experiencing poor service delivery in the ADM and thus, would undoubtedly lead to poor economic growth and development. Management of the municipality must ensure that qualified ADM Managers are permanently employed and allowed to partake in the implementation of SMME strategy and community participation should be well encouraged as well as embarking on effective implementation of SMME strategy that would create an enabling and conducive environment for the small firm enterprises.
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An Investigation of victims' perspectives of "Ukuthwala" practice :a case study of Mbizana Local Municipality
- Authors: Voyi, Ziyanda
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Forced marriage -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Girls -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Crimes againts Child abuse -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10361 , vital:35441
- Description: This research was an investigation of victims’ perspectives of ukuthwala practice in Mbizana Local Municipality. The aim of the study was to describe the consequences and experiences of ukuthwala practice relating to infringement of Human Rights, to identify the modus operandi men use to abduct (thwala) these victims, to investigate the reasons that hinder victims from reporting the practice to the police officials and to investigate programs that can be implemented to prevent the ukuthwala practice. This study focused on victims’ perspectives of ukuthwala practice, which seemed to be on the rise in Mbizana Local Municipality. The study used the feminist theory and the social exchange theory. The study is qualitative in nature and it employed the exploratory research design. The study collected data from married and divorced females aged between 16 and 45 years, who were residing in Mbizana Local Municipality at the time of the study and who were also victims of ukuthwala practice. The study used snowball non-probability sampling. In non-probability sampling, the chances of selecting a particular individual are not known. The study collected data using semi-structured in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. The research findings show that there are a number of women and girls in Mbizana Local municipality who are in forced marriages. The study also found that the practice of ukuthwala (forced marriage) is still practiced in rural areas of Mbizana Local Municipality and victims face many challenges in these marriages. The findings reveal that girls as young as twelve years are forced to marry older men, in some cases with the consent of their parents or guardians. Most victims are unaware that the ukuthwala practice is illegal. Those who are aware are afraid to disappoint their families. The findings of the study also show that community members are keen help stop the ukuthwala practice. The study shows the important for the relevant government stakeholders to intervene. The study recommends that government departments and community members should work hand in hand in order to fight the issue of ukuthwala practice in the municipality.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Voyi, Ziyanda
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Forced marriage -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Girls -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Crimes againts Child abuse -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10361 , vital:35441
- Description: This research was an investigation of victims’ perspectives of ukuthwala practice in Mbizana Local Municipality. The aim of the study was to describe the consequences and experiences of ukuthwala practice relating to infringement of Human Rights, to identify the modus operandi men use to abduct (thwala) these victims, to investigate the reasons that hinder victims from reporting the practice to the police officials and to investigate programs that can be implemented to prevent the ukuthwala practice. This study focused on victims’ perspectives of ukuthwala practice, which seemed to be on the rise in Mbizana Local Municipality. The study used the feminist theory and the social exchange theory. The study is qualitative in nature and it employed the exploratory research design. The study collected data from married and divorced females aged between 16 and 45 years, who were residing in Mbizana Local Municipality at the time of the study and who were also victims of ukuthwala practice. The study used snowball non-probability sampling. In non-probability sampling, the chances of selecting a particular individual are not known. The study collected data using semi-structured in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. The research findings show that there are a number of women and girls in Mbizana Local municipality who are in forced marriages. The study also found that the practice of ukuthwala (forced marriage) is still practiced in rural areas of Mbizana Local Municipality and victims face many challenges in these marriages. The findings reveal that girls as young as twelve years are forced to marry older men, in some cases with the consent of their parents or guardians. Most victims are unaware that the ukuthwala practice is illegal. Those who are aware are afraid to disappoint their families. The findings of the study also show that community members are keen help stop the ukuthwala practice. The study shows the important for the relevant government stakeholders to intervene. The study recommends that government departments and community members should work hand in hand in order to fight the issue of ukuthwala practice in the municipality.
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Appraisal of wastewater final effluents and river water as reservoirs of cholera and non-cholera causing vibrio species : case study of the Amatole and OR Tambo District Municipalities
- Authors: Nontongana, Nolonwabo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Vibrio -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Vibrio cholerae Disease Reservoirs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Microbiology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9929 , vital:35146
- Description: Vibrio infections remain a serious threat to public health. In the last decade, Vibrio disease outbreaks have created a painful awareness of the personal, economic, societal, and public health costs associated with the impact of inadequately treated wastewater effluents. This study was therefore designed to assess the occurrence of cholera and non-cholera causing Vibrio species in the final effluents of wastewater treatment plants and river waters in the Amatole (BT WWTP) and OR Tambo District municipalities (MT WWTP and QN River) of the Eastern Cape Province. Samples were collected monthly from December 2016 to November 2017 from the final effluent, 500 meters upstream and downstream of the discharge points and analysed for physicochemical parameters, Vibrio pathogens prevalence and their antibiogram characteristics using both culture-based and molecular techniques. Samples were collected aseptically using sterile 1L glass bottles containing 0.5 ml of sterile sodium thiosulphate solution and transported on ice to the laboratory for analyses within 6hrs of collection. The membrane filtration method was used for enumeration of presumptive Vibrio densities on thiosulfate citrate bile salt (TCBS) agar plates. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was then used to confirm the identities of the presumptive Vibrio species using the species-specific primers. The confirmed isolates were further subjected to molecular characterization to confirm their respective pathotypes. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done by the standard disc diffusion method recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. The recovered Vibrio species were tested against a panel of 17 antibiotics. Physicochemical parameters measured include pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, salinity, turbidity, total dissolved solid (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chlorine (only for BT WWTP). Unacceptably high levels of the assayed parameters were observed in many cases for TDS (66 - 879 mg/l), turbidity (2.0 -722.33 NTU) and DO (2.5 – 9.7 mg/l) as well as chlorine (0.2 – 3.2 mg/L). Presumptive Vibrio densities varied from 2.91 to 3.91 log10 CFU/100 ml and 2.67 to 3.18 log CFU/100ml, for BT WWTP and MT WWTP respectively. The densities for the QN River ranged between 2.51 to 3.99 log10 CFU/100mL. Out of 720 presumptive isolates recovered, 619 (86 percent) were found to be positive for the Vibrio genus. Molecular confirmation of the presumptive Vibrio species revealed the presence of V. fluvialis (16), V. vulnificus (12), V aliginolyticus (9), V. parahaemolyticus (37) and V. cholerae (5) isolates were confirmed. The susceptibility against 17 different antibiotics by the recovered species were examined. V. cholerae was notably resistant against nalidixic acid (3) and Ampicilin (2), all the V. vulnificus isolates were resistant against ampicillin (16), V. fluvialis showed resistance against ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid, all (9) isolates for V. alginolyticus were resistant against ampicillin. V. parahaemolyticus showed resistance against cefutoxime (16), cefuxime (8) and ampicillin (13). The recovery of Vibrio in the discharged effluents throughout the sampling period even in adequately disinfected effluents is not acceptable considering that Vibrio are pathogenic bacteria. The findings of this study underline the need for constant monitoring of the physicochemical and microbiological qualities of discharged effluents and might also be suggestive for a review of the disinfection methods used at the treatment works as this might pose adverse health risk to the communities which still rely heavily on these surface waters.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nontongana, Nolonwabo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Vibrio -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Vibrio cholerae Disease Reservoirs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Microbiology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9929 , vital:35146
- Description: Vibrio infections remain a serious threat to public health. In the last decade, Vibrio disease outbreaks have created a painful awareness of the personal, economic, societal, and public health costs associated with the impact of inadequately treated wastewater effluents. This study was therefore designed to assess the occurrence of cholera and non-cholera causing Vibrio species in the final effluents of wastewater treatment plants and river waters in the Amatole (BT WWTP) and OR Tambo District municipalities (MT WWTP and QN River) of the Eastern Cape Province. Samples were collected monthly from December 2016 to November 2017 from the final effluent, 500 meters upstream and downstream of the discharge points and analysed for physicochemical parameters, Vibrio pathogens prevalence and their antibiogram characteristics using both culture-based and molecular techniques. Samples were collected aseptically using sterile 1L glass bottles containing 0.5 ml of sterile sodium thiosulphate solution and transported on ice to the laboratory for analyses within 6hrs of collection. The membrane filtration method was used for enumeration of presumptive Vibrio densities on thiosulfate citrate bile salt (TCBS) agar plates. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was then used to confirm the identities of the presumptive Vibrio species using the species-specific primers. The confirmed isolates were further subjected to molecular characterization to confirm their respective pathotypes. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done by the standard disc diffusion method recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. The recovered Vibrio species were tested against a panel of 17 antibiotics. Physicochemical parameters measured include pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, salinity, turbidity, total dissolved solid (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chlorine (only for BT WWTP). Unacceptably high levels of the assayed parameters were observed in many cases for TDS (66 - 879 mg/l), turbidity (2.0 -722.33 NTU) and DO (2.5 – 9.7 mg/l) as well as chlorine (0.2 – 3.2 mg/L). Presumptive Vibrio densities varied from 2.91 to 3.91 log10 CFU/100 ml and 2.67 to 3.18 log CFU/100ml, for BT WWTP and MT WWTP respectively. The densities for the QN River ranged between 2.51 to 3.99 log10 CFU/100mL. Out of 720 presumptive isolates recovered, 619 (86 percent) were found to be positive for the Vibrio genus. Molecular confirmation of the presumptive Vibrio species revealed the presence of V. fluvialis (16), V. vulnificus (12), V aliginolyticus (9), V. parahaemolyticus (37) and V. cholerae (5) isolates were confirmed. The susceptibility against 17 different antibiotics by the recovered species were examined. V. cholerae was notably resistant against nalidixic acid (3) and Ampicilin (2), all the V. vulnificus isolates were resistant against ampicillin (16), V. fluvialis showed resistance against ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid, all (9) isolates for V. alginolyticus were resistant against ampicillin. V. parahaemolyticus showed resistance against cefutoxime (16), cefuxime (8) and ampicillin (13). The recovery of Vibrio in the discharged effluents throughout the sampling period even in adequately disinfected effluents is not acceptable considering that Vibrio are pathogenic bacteria. The findings of this study underline the need for constant monitoring of the physicochemical and microbiological qualities of discharged effluents and might also be suggestive for a review of the disinfection methods used at the treatment works as this might pose adverse health risk to the communities which still rely heavily on these surface waters.
- Full Text:
Assessment of the impact of land use practices on vegetation , soil and carbon-nitrogen sequestration potential in Mopane rangelands of Central Northern Namibia
- Authors: Kahumba, Absalom
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Rural development Land use Land tenure
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Pasture Science
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11718 , vital:39100
- Description: This study was conducted in Ogongo district, situated in Omusati Region of the central northern Namibia. The objectives of this study were to assess the impact of land use practices on 1) vegetation distribution and status; 2) soil properties; 3) carbon-nitrogen sequestration potential, and 4) investigate the indigenous pastoralists’ knowledge and perceptions on livestock production, rangeland degradation and its indicators in three villages (Omaandi, Epukunoyana and Oshitutuma) in Mopane savannah rangelands of central northern Namibia. For vegetation and soil assessment, three grazing land management systems (communal, game reserve and cattle ranch) were identified adjacent to each other. In each grazing system, three sites (for game reserve and cattle ranch, these were camps) were selected. In each site, three belt transects of 50 m x 5 m2 were marked to record vegetation and soil data as well as to collect vegetation samples for analysis. Grass species composition was recorded using step point methods from 250 points per belt transect. A total of five 0.25 m2 quadrats were randomly laid within each 250 m2 belt transect to record the herbaceous plant density, tuft diameter, tuft distance and biomass. All woody plants in the belt transect (250 m2) were measured and recorded for species plant height and canopy diameters. Three soil samples per belt transect were collected at the time of forage sampling down to a depth of 20 cm using a soil auger. Soil and plant samples were analysed for macro and micro minerals, total organic carbon, total nitrogen, carbon-nitrogen ratios, and carbon and nitrogen isotopes. For bulk density, soil samples were collected using soil core samplers. In the social study, a total of 90 households were randomly selected from three villages and a total of 48 elders were purposefully selected based on the age, time spent in the village and livestock ownership. A combination of structured and semi-structured questionnaires were used to gather household information, while a structured questionnaire and open ended discussion were used to interview elders on the constraints of livestock production, rangeland degradation related issues and their consequences on livelihood. Field vegetation and soil data were analyzed using a General Linear Model (GLM) in SAS (2007), whereas the social data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 (2014). A total of 23 grass species were identified in all three land management systems, of which 48% were perennials and the remaining 52% were annuals. Aristida meridionalis dominated the game reserve and the ranch, whereas Eragrostis trichophora was dominant in all land management systems. Forbs occurred commonly in the game reserve and the ranch, but were dominant in the communal areas. The abundance of A. meridionalis responded significantly (P < 0.001) to land management systems with the game reserve showing remarkably greater abundance than the ranch. In summer, the abundance of E. trichophora was high (P < 0.001) in the game reserve followed by the communal and ranch sites, whereas in winter, the species had still greater abundance in the game reserve followed by the ranch. In summer, the mean grass density was greatest (P < 0.001) in the game reserve and least in the communal lands, but vice versa for the tuft distance. In summer, the average distance between tufts showed great variations (P < 0.001) with the communal areas having greater values than the ranch and game reserve. In winter, both the game reserve and the ranch showed records of similar grass tuft density and distance between tufts, whereas these values were nil for communal areas, because, there were no grasses recorded. Herbaceous plant dry matter was significantly greater (P < 0.05) in the game reserve followed by the ranch and the least in the communal areas. Results on biomass showed remarkably higher values (P < 0.001) in summer than winter in all land management systems. The total woody plant density was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the ranch (542 TE ha-1) than the game reserve (449 TE ha-1) and communal area (324 TE ha-1). However, percentage of canopy cover did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) between the three land management systems. Woody plant density of height classes were significantly different (P < 0.05) between three land management systems. The abundance of seedlings, saplings and young shrubs were significantly greater (P < 0.05) in the ranch than the game reserve and communal area. The mature trees had a significantly greater density (P < 0.05) in the game reserve than the ranch and communal area. Soil analysis results showed that Magnesium (Mg), Potassium (K), Manganese (Mn) and Copper (Cu) had similar (P > 0.05) concentrations in soils obtained from all land management systems in both seasons. Soil Calcium (Ca) levels showed differences between land management systems in winter only being greater (P < 0.001) in the game reserve than the ranch and the communal lands. Soil Phosphorus (P) and Iron (Fe) also showed variations between land management systems in winter being significantly greater (P < 0.001) in the ranch than the other land management systems. The concentration of soil K differed between the two seasons in soils collected from the ranch and the communal lands, being greater (P < 0.001) in winter than summer seasons. Soil Zinc (Zn) also showed differences between land management systems in summer being greater (P < 0.001) in the game reserve than in the ranch and communal land. Seasonal variations were observed in soil P level of samples collected from the ranch being greater (P < 0.001) in winter than summer season. The concentration of soil Zn was higher (P < 0.001) in the soil collected from the game reserve and the ranch in summer than winter season. Woody forage analysis results showed that browse samples harvested from the ranch had greater (P < 0.001) Nitrogen (N) level than the other land management systems in both seasons. The browse samples harvested from the game reserve had greater (P < 0.001) Ca level than the other land management systems in winter season only. The level of P showed variations (P < 0.05) between land management systems in samples harvested during winter only being greater (P < 0.001) in samples from the ranch than the other land management systems. Similarly, browse harvested during winter showed significant differences (P < 0.05) in K levels being lowest in samples collected from game reserves, where the Ca level was greatest. Browse samples collected from the communal land and the ranch had the lowest Mg levels in summer and winter seasons, respectively. In all management systems, browse harvested during summer had greater (P < 0.001) N and P levels than those harvested in winter, and the reverse holds true for K and Ca levels. Browse samples harvested during winter had greater (P < 0.001) Mn levels in samples from the communal area and game reserve than the ranch, but in summer, the game reserve had higher Mn level than the other two sites. Browse samples harvested during winter only showed differences (P < 0.05) in Cu and Zn levels being greatest (P < 0.001) in samples collected from ranch and game reserves. In all management systems, browse samples harvested during winter had greater (P < 0.001) Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu (except for the game reserve and communal land) levels than those harvested in summer. Herbaceous analysis results showed that samples harvested in summer from the game reserve and ranch had greater (P < 0.001) TOC levels than the communal area, but in winter, samples from the game reserve and ranch had similar TOC levels, except for communal areas that had no herbaceous vegetation. Herbaceous samples harvested in winter from the ranch had greater (P < 0.001) TN levels than the game reserve, and that made the C:N ratio higher (P < 0.001) in the game reserve. Woody foliar samples harvested in winter from the game reserve and communal lands had greater (P < 0.001) TOC than the ranch. Values on C:N ratio showed that in winter, the communal and ranch had greater (P < 0.001) C:N than the game reserve, but in summer, the ranch had higher (P < 0.001) C:N than the game reserve and communal area. The vegetation TOC (kg ha-1) showed the order of the game reserve > ranch > communal area and the trend was similar in both seasons. In summer, the game reserve had the greatest (P < 0.001) TN (kg ha-1) followed by the ranch and the lowest in the communal area, but in winter the game reserve and ranch had similar and higher (P < 0.001) TN (kg ha-1) than the communal areas. In summer, both the game reserve and ranch recorded greater (P < 0.001) herbaceous δ13C and lowest δ15N than the communal area, but in winter, the game reserve had higher (P < 0.001) δ13C than the ranch, though both the game reserve and ranch had similar (P > 0.001) δ15N values. In summer, both the communal and ranch had slightly higher (P < 0.001) woody foliar δ13C than the game reserve, but in winter the ranch had greater (P < 0.001) δ13C than game reserve and communal areas. Woody foliar samples harvested from the ranch showed variations (P < 0.05) in δ15N between seasons being higher (P < 0.001) in summer than winter. The TOC was greatest in summer, in soils collected from the game reserve followed by the ranch and least in the communal land, but in winter, the lowest TOC was recorded in soils collected from the ranch. The soil C:N ratio varied between land management systems in soils collected during summer only being greater (P < 0.001) in the game and ranch than the communal area. The soil TOC (kg ha-1) and TN (kg ha-1) did not show (P > 0.05) differences between land management systems. Soil δ13C level was remarkably (P < 0.05) affected by land management systems, but did not interact with seasons. In both seasons, the communal land had slightly higher (P < 0.001) δ13C level than the other two land management systems. In both seasons, δ15N levels showed great differences (P < 0.001) between land management systems, with highest soil δ15N levels observed in the communal area than the ranch and game reserve. Results on social survey showed that the majority of the interviewed households in Omaandi (63percent), Oshitutuma (53percent) and Epukunoyana (50percent) were female headed families and the remaining were male headed. The mean population of goats and cattle were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in Omaandi and Epukunoyana than in Oshitutuma village, respectively. In this study, household respondents in all villages indicated that all livestock species were primarily kept for wealth status and provision of meat for consumption. Respondents in all villages also indicated that lack of grazing lands and shortage of feed were the primary constraints of livestock production followed by water scarcity and recurring droughts. Elder respondents in all villages perceived overgrazing and climate change as the primary cause of rangeland degradation. Elder interviewees in Omaandi and Oshitutuma villages regarded low grass cover and dominance of poor quality grass (Epukunoyana only) as the primary vegetation indicators of rangeland degradation. The animal related indicators such as stunted animal body as a result of mineral deficiency, high livestock mortality, emaciated body and animals traveling long distance for grazing and water (Oshitutuma only) were regarded in all villages as the primary livestock related indicators of rangeland degradation. Elders from Epukunoyana village ranked low rainfall, high soil and atmospheric temperatures as the primary climate related indicators of rangeland degradation, although in Omaandi and Oshitutuma, high soil and atmospheric temperatures were considered as the primary climate related indicators of rangeland degradation. Based on the findings, this study concludes that land management systems had great influences on the distribution and production of herbaceous and woody vegetation in summer and winter seasons. This study also observed that land management systems interacted strongly with season to influence most vegetation and soil variables. Lastly, based on the study findings, the study concludes that all three communal rangelands are degraded and degradation led to a gradual declining trend in the livestock population over the past 10 to 20 years in the communal areas as a result of feed shortage.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kahumba, Absalom
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Rural development Land use Land tenure
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Pasture Science
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11718 , vital:39100
- Description: This study was conducted in Ogongo district, situated in Omusati Region of the central northern Namibia. The objectives of this study were to assess the impact of land use practices on 1) vegetation distribution and status; 2) soil properties; 3) carbon-nitrogen sequestration potential, and 4) investigate the indigenous pastoralists’ knowledge and perceptions on livestock production, rangeland degradation and its indicators in three villages (Omaandi, Epukunoyana and Oshitutuma) in Mopane savannah rangelands of central northern Namibia. For vegetation and soil assessment, three grazing land management systems (communal, game reserve and cattle ranch) were identified adjacent to each other. In each grazing system, three sites (for game reserve and cattle ranch, these were camps) were selected. In each site, three belt transects of 50 m x 5 m2 were marked to record vegetation and soil data as well as to collect vegetation samples for analysis. Grass species composition was recorded using step point methods from 250 points per belt transect. A total of five 0.25 m2 quadrats were randomly laid within each 250 m2 belt transect to record the herbaceous plant density, tuft diameter, tuft distance and biomass. All woody plants in the belt transect (250 m2) were measured and recorded for species plant height and canopy diameters. Three soil samples per belt transect were collected at the time of forage sampling down to a depth of 20 cm using a soil auger. Soil and plant samples were analysed for macro and micro minerals, total organic carbon, total nitrogen, carbon-nitrogen ratios, and carbon and nitrogen isotopes. For bulk density, soil samples were collected using soil core samplers. In the social study, a total of 90 households were randomly selected from three villages and a total of 48 elders were purposefully selected based on the age, time spent in the village and livestock ownership. A combination of structured and semi-structured questionnaires were used to gather household information, while a structured questionnaire and open ended discussion were used to interview elders on the constraints of livestock production, rangeland degradation related issues and their consequences on livelihood. Field vegetation and soil data were analyzed using a General Linear Model (GLM) in SAS (2007), whereas the social data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 (2014). A total of 23 grass species were identified in all three land management systems, of which 48% were perennials and the remaining 52% were annuals. Aristida meridionalis dominated the game reserve and the ranch, whereas Eragrostis trichophora was dominant in all land management systems. Forbs occurred commonly in the game reserve and the ranch, but were dominant in the communal areas. The abundance of A. meridionalis responded significantly (P < 0.001) to land management systems with the game reserve showing remarkably greater abundance than the ranch. In summer, the abundance of E. trichophora was high (P < 0.001) in the game reserve followed by the communal and ranch sites, whereas in winter, the species had still greater abundance in the game reserve followed by the ranch. In summer, the mean grass density was greatest (P < 0.001) in the game reserve and least in the communal lands, but vice versa for the tuft distance. In summer, the average distance between tufts showed great variations (P < 0.001) with the communal areas having greater values than the ranch and game reserve. In winter, both the game reserve and the ranch showed records of similar grass tuft density and distance between tufts, whereas these values were nil for communal areas, because, there were no grasses recorded. Herbaceous plant dry matter was significantly greater (P < 0.05) in the game reserve followed by the ranch and the least in the communal areas. Results on biomass showed remarkably higher values (P < 0.001) in summer than winter in all land management systems. The total woody plant density was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the ranch (542 TE ha-1) than the game reserve (449 TE ha-1) and communal area (324 TE ha-1). However, percentage of canopy cover did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) between the three land management systems. Woody plant density of height classes were significantly different (P < 0.05) between three land management systems. The abundance of seedlings, saplings and young shrubs were significantly greater (P < 0.05) in the ranch than the game reserve and communal area. The mature trees had a significantly greater density (P < 0.05) in the game reserve than the ranch and communal area. Soil analysis results showed that Magnesium (Mg), Potassium (K), Manganese (Mn) and Copper (Cu) had similar (P > 0.05) concentrations in soils obtained from all land management systems in both seasons. Soil Calcium (Ca) levels showed differences between land management systems in winter only being greater (P < 0.001) in the game reserve than the ranch and the communal lands. Soil Phosphorus (P) and Iron (Fe) also showed variations between land management systems in winter being significantly greater (P < 0.001) in the ranch than the other land management systems. The concentration of soil K differed between the two seasons in soils collected from the ranch and the communal lands, being greater (P < 0.001) in winter than summer seasons. Soil Zinc (Zn) also showed differences between land management systems in summer being greater (P < 0.001) in the game reserve than in the ranch and communal land. Seasonal variations were observed in soil P level of samples collected from the ranch being greater (P < 0.001) in winter than summer season. The concentration of soil Zn was higher (P < 0.001) in the soil collected from the game reserve and the ranch in summer than winter season. Woody forage analysis results showed that browse samples harvested from the ranch had greater (P < 0.001) Nitrogen (N) level than the other land management systems in both seasons. The browse samples harvested from the game reserve had greater (P < 0.001) Ca level than the other land management systems in winter season only. The level of P showed variations (P < 0.05) between land management systems in samples harvested during winter only being greater (P < 0.001) in samples from the ranch than the other land management systems. Similarly, browse harvested during winter showed significant differences (P < 0.05) in K levels being lowest in samples collected from game reserves, where the Ca level was greatest. Browse samples collected from the communal land and the ranch had the lowest Mg levels in summer and winter seasons, respectively. In all management systems, browse harvested during summer had greater (P < 0.001) N and P levels than those harvested in winter, and the reverse holds true for K and Ca levels. Browse samples harvested during winter had greater (P < 0.001) Mn levels in samples from the communal area and game reserve than the ranch, but in summer, the game reserve had higher Mn level than the other two sites. Browse samples harvested during winter only showed differences (P < 0.05) in Cu and Zn levels being greatest (P < 0.001) in samples collected from ranch and game reserves. In all management systems, browse samples harvested during winter had greater (P < 0.001) Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu (except for the game reserve and communal land) levels than those harvested in summer. Herbaceous analysis results showed that samples harvested in summer from the game reserve and ranch had greater (P < 0.001) TOC levels than the communal area, but in winter, samples from the game reserve and ranch had similar TOC levels, except for communal areas that had no herbaceous vegetation. Herbaceous samples harvested in winter from the ranch had greater (P < 0.001) TN levels than the game reserve, and that made the C:N ratio higher (P < 0.001) in the game reserve. Woody foliar samples harvested in winter from the game reserve and communal lands had greater (P < 0.001) TOC than the ranch. Values on C:N ratio showed that in winter, the communal and ranch had greater (P < 0.001) C:N than the game reserve, but in summer, the ranch had higher (P < 0.001) C:N than the game reserve and communal area. The vegetation TOC (kg ha-1) showed the order of the game reserve > ranch > communal area and the trend was similar in both seasons. In summer, the game reserve had the greatest (P < 0.001) TN (kg ha-1) followed by the ranch and the lowest in the communal area, but in winter the game reserve and ranch had similar and higher (P < 0.001) TN (kg ha-1) than the communal areas. In summer, both the game reserve and ranch recorded greater (P < 0.001) herbaceous δ13C and lowest δ15N than the communal area, but in winter, the game reserve had higher (P < 0.001) δ13C than the ranch, though both the game reserve and ranch had similar (P > 0.001) δ15N values. In summer, both the communal and ranch had slightly higher (P < 0.001) woody foliar δ13C than the game reserve, but in winter the ranch had greater (P < 0.001) δ13C than game reserve and communal areas. Woody foliar samples harvested from the ranch showed variations (P < 0.05) in δ15N between seasons being higher (P < 0.001) in summer than winter. The TOC was greatest in summer, in soils collected from the game reserve followed by the ranch and least in the communal land, but in winter, the lowest TOC was recorded in soils collected from the ranch. The soil C:N ratio varied between land management systems in soils collected during summer only being greater (P < 0.001) in the game and ranch than the communal area. The soil TOC (kg ha-1) and TN (kg ha-1) did not show (P > 0.05) differences between land management systems. Soil δ13C level was remarkably (P < 0.05) affected by land management systems, but did not interact with seasons. In both seasons, the communal land had slightly higher (P < 0.001) δ13C level than the other two land management systems. In both seasons, δ15N levels showed great differences (P < 0.001) between land management systems, with highest soil δ15N levels observed in the communal area than the ranch and game reserve. Results on social survey showed that the majority of the interviewed households in Omaandi (63percent), Oshitutuma (53percent) and Epukunoyana (50percent) were female headed families and the remaining were male headed. The mean population of goats and cattle were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in Omaandi and Epukunoyana than in Oshitutuma village, respectively. In this study, household respondents in all villages indicated that all livestock species were primarily kept for wealth status and provision of meat for consumption. Respondents in all villages also indicated that lack of grazing lands and shortage of feed were the primary constraints of livestock production followed by water scarcity and recurring droughts. Elder respondents in all villages perceived overgrazing and climate change as the primary cause of rangeland degradation. Elder interviewees in Omaandi and Oshitutuma villages regarded low grass cover and dominance of poor quality grass (Epukunoyana only) as the primary vegetation indicators of rangeland degradation. The animal related indicators such as stunted animal body as a result of mineral deficiency, high livestock mortality, emaciated body and animals traveling long distance for grazing and water (Oshitutuma only) were regarded in all villages as the primary livestock related indicators of rangeland degradation. Elders from Epukunoyana village ranked low rainfall, high soil and atmospheric temperatures as the primary climate related indicators of rangeland degradation, although in Omaandi and Oshitutuma, high soil and atmospheric temperatures were considered as the primary climate related indicators of rangeland degradation. Based on the findings, this study concludes that land management systems had great influences on the distribution and production of herbaceous and woody vegetation in summer and winter seasons. This study also observed that land management systems interacted strongly with season to influence most vegetation and soil variables. Lastly, based on the study findings, the study concludes that all three communal rangelands are degraded and degradation led to a gradual declining trend in the livestock population over the past 10 to 20 years in the communal areas as a result of feed shortage.
- Full Text:
Assessment of the integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum at a university in the Eastern Cape: views of students and educators
- Terblanche, Delcia Jill Nora
- Authors: Terblanche, Delcia Jill Nora
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching , AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention , Universities and colleges
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12359 , vital:39256
- Description: Background: HIV/AIDS is a major global public health problem. The higher education sector too, is affected by the scourge of HIV/AIDS. Universities are considered to be high- risks areas for HIV infection because many students indulged in high risky behaviour link to HIV infection; therefore developing ways to prevent students for acquiring HIV and as well reducing HIV prevalence rates through training and teaching about HIV/AIDS will contribute to change in behaviour of students. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the majority of the students at Fort Hare lack the general awareness and education in HIV/AIDS due to lack of information coupled with their general disadvantaged background with the ultimate result being threatened by high infection rates. The University of Fort Hare (UFH), in a bid to capacitate the academic staff in respect of the laudable initiative to integrate HIV/AIDS in curricula, decided to embark on a pilot study that is anticipated to form fundamental strategies to sustainable HIV/AIDS curricula integration across all faculties, at least by the end of 2030. The university has planned to engage in the curriculum integration process by implementing a two year cycle pilot study during the grant period. Aim: The main aim of the study was to assess the challenges faced by students and educators concerning the integration and implementation of HIV/AIDS curriculum at the University of Fort Hare. Methods: The study adopted a quantitative, explorative descriptive design to examine the challenges associated with the Integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum at the University of Fort Hare. The target population was the educators and students who had training and teaching in the Integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum. A purposive sampling was used to select 487 students and 23 educators from across three departments: Nursing Science, LKA (Life, Knowledge and Action) and Law involved in the HIV/AIDS Curriculum Integration programme at the university. A self-design questionnaire was used for data collection focusing on the demographic profiles of the participants, the teaching strategies and methodologies adopted in the Integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum, the usefulness and relevance of the newly integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum content in addressing the needs of the students and the community, and the challenges faced by the educators and students in the Integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum. Ethical approved was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee of the University of Fort Hare. Permission was obtained from the participants through written consent forms. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency counts, percentage, means and standard deviations (SD)). The Chi-square test was used to examine the relationship between the variables of interest across the departments. A p-value of 0.05 was set for statistical significant testing. Results: The majority of the participants have adequate knowledge of HIV transmission, as 93.2 percent indicated HIV can be contracted through unprotected sex, sharing of needles (92.1 percent), receiving a blood transfusion that has not been screened for HIV (83.9 percent), sharing razor blades that has not been disinfected (83.0 percent), and having more than one sexual partner (86 percent). Age, gender, race and department were significantly associated with knowledge of route of HIV transmission. The present study indicated that the participants experienced several challenges during the teaching of the Integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum. Time allocated was the biggest challenge (58.3 percent), followed by undated materials, and curriculum overloading and teaching. The study indicated that majority of the students would like to compile a portfolio of evidence in the teaching of HIV, followed by creative arts, DVD/movies, and internet research. The majority of the lecturers preferred to teach HIV/AIDS through expressive arts, followed by role play, and formal lectures. The majority of the participants stated that HIV/AIDS information would be useful to them to apply in their communities and in their profession (97 percent), emphasizing that such knowledge and information will empower them to participate in roadshows and voluntary work at HIV/AIDS Shelters. The findings of this study pertaining to the challenges faced by educators during the implementation of the Integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum revealed that the majority of the participants stated that the HIV information was not updated, heavy workload, and adequate training. The lecturers expressed that they would prefer to teach HIV/AIDS curriculum by expressive art through drawing and creating art that expresses HIV and the relevance in the students’ community. Conclusions: Majority of the students received teaching of HIV as part of a course, and HIV teaching as an integrated component in a subject, while few received it as a stand-alone subject offered by a lecturer/facilitator. The present study indicated that the participants experienced several challenges during the teaching of the Integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum. Time allocated was the biggest challenge (58.3percent), followed by undated materials, and curriculum overloading and teaching. The majority of students preferred HIV/AIDS to be taught by their peers experience in HIV, by face-to face by a person who is HIV/AIDS infected or affected. The majority of the lecturers preferred to teach HIV/AIDS through expressive arts, followed by role play, and formal lectures. The majority of the participants affirmed the relevancy of HIV information taught. They further indicated that the information and knowledge gain would able them to make informed decisions on sexual behaviour. The majority of the participants stated that the HIV information was not updated, heavy workload, and adequate training. Most of the educators used formal lectures, followed by compilation of a portfolio of evidence, storytelling, DVD and movies, and experiential learning in hospitals and clinics in teaching HIV/AIDS integrated curriculum. The lecturers expressed that they would prefer to teach HIV/AIDS curriculum by expressive art through drawing and creating art that expresses HIV and the relevance in the students’ community. It is recommended that student’s involvement in the decision making processes of the integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum at the University of Fort Hare would make the programme more successful. HIV/AIDS resource materials need to be updated regularly and relevant to provide educators with specialized knowledge to be able to teach HIV/AIDS.
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- Authors: Terblanche, Delcia Jill Nora
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching , AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention , Universities and colleges
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12359 , vital:39256
- Description: Background: HIV/AIDS is a major global public health problem. The higher education sector too, is affected by the scourge of HIV/AIDS. Universities are considered to be high- risks areas for HIV infection because many students indulged in high risky behaviour link to HIV infection; therefore developing ways to prevent students for acquiring HIV and as well reducing HIV prevalence rates through training and teaching about HIV/AIDS will contribute to change in behaviour of students. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the majority of the students at Fort Hare lack the general awareness and education in HIV/AIDS due to lack of information coupled with their general disadvantaged background with the ultimate result being threatened by high infection rates. The University of Fort Hare (UFH), in a bid to capacitate the academic staff in respect of the laudable initiative to integrate HIV/AIDS in curricula, decided to embark on a pilot study that is anticipated to form fundamental strategies to sustainable HIV/AIDS curricula integration across all faculties, at least by the end of 2030. The university has planned to engage in the curriculum integration process by implementing a two year cycle pilot study during the grant period. Aim: The main aim of the study was to assess the challenges faced by students and educators concerning the integration and implementation of HIV/AIDS curriculum at the University of Fort Hare. Methods: The study adopted a quantitative, explorative descriptive design to examine the challenges associated with the Integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum at the University of Fort Hare. The target population was the educators and students who had training and teaching in the Integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum. A purposive sampling was used to select 487 students and 23 educators from across three departments: Nursing Science, LKA (Life, Knowledge and Action) and Law involved in the HIV/AIDS Curriculum Integration programme at the university. A self-design questionnaire was used for data collection focusing on the demographic profiles of the participants, the teaching strategies and methodologies adopted in the Integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum, the usefulness and relevance of the newly integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum content in addressing the needs of the students and the community, and the challenges faced by the educators and students in the Integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum. Ethical approved was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee of the University of Fort Hare. Permission was obtained from the participants through written consent forms. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency counts, percentage, means and standard deviations (SD)). The Chi-square test was used to examine the relationship between the variables of interest across the departments. A p-value of 0.05 was set for statistical significant testing. Results: The majority of the participants have adequate knowledge of HIV transmission, as 93.2 percent indicated HIV can be contracted through unprotected sex, sharing of needles (92.1 percent), receiving a blood transfusion that has not been screened for HIV (83.9 percent), sharing razor blades that has not been disinfected (83.0 percent), and having more than one sexual partner (86 percent). Age, gender, race and department were significantly associated with knowledge of route of HIV transmission. The present study indicated that the participants experienced several challenges during the teaching of the Integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum. Time allocated was the biggest challenge (58.3 percent), followed by undated materials, and curriculum overloading and teaching. The study indicated that majority of the students would like to compile a portfolio of evidence in the teaching of HIV, followed by creative arts, DVD/movies, and internet research. The majority of the lecturers preferred to teach HIV/AIDS through expressive arts, followed by role play, and formal lectures. The majority of the participants stated that HIV/AIDS information would be useful to them to apply in their communities and in their profession (97 percent), emphasizing that such knowledge and information will empower them to participate in roadshows and voluntary work at HIV/AIDS Shelters. The findings of this study pertaining to the challenges faced by educators during the implementation of the Integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum revealed that the majority of the participants stated that the HIV information was not updated, heavy workload, and adequate training. The lecturers expressed that they would prefer to teach HIV/AIDS curriculum by expressive art through drawing and creating art that expresses HIV and the relevance in the students’ community. Conclusions: Majority of the students received teaching of HIV as part of a course, and HIV teaching as an integrated component in a subject, while few received it as a stand-alone subject offered by a lecturer/facilitator. The present study indicated that the participants experienced several challenges during the teaching of the Integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum. Time allocated was the biggest challenge (58.3percent), followed by undated materials, and curriculum overloading and teaching. The majority of students preferred HIV/AIDS to be taught by their peers experience in HIV, by face-to face by a person who is HIV/AIDS infected or affected. The majority of the lecturers preferred to teach HIV/AIDS through expressive arts, followed by role play, and formal lectures. The majority of the participants affirmed the relevancy of HIV information taught. They further indicated that the information and knowledge gain would able them to make informed decisions on sexual behaviour. The majority of the participants stated that the HIV information was not updated, heavy workload, and adequate training. Most of the educators used formal lectures, followed by compilation of a portfolio of evidence, storytelling, DVD and movies, and experiential learning in hospitals and clinics in teaching HIV/AIDS integrated curriculum. The lecturers expressed that they would prefer to teach HIV/AIDS curriculum by expressive art through drawing and creating art that expresses HIV and the relevance in the students’ community. It is recommended that student’s involvement in the decision making processes of the integrated HIV/AIDS curriculum at the University of Fort Hare would make the programme more successful. HIV/AIDS resource materials need to be updated regularly and relevant to provide educators with specialized knowledge to be able to teach HIV/AIDS.
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Assessment of the Tyhume river health status using macroinvertebrates as indicators
- Authors: Fasi, Nokonwaba Nellineth
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Invertebrates -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Rivers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Zoology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10861 , vital:35879
- Description: Ten sampling sites were selected along the Tyhume River corresponding to the upper, mid and lower reaches of the River. In total 48 families were collected during the study. The study observed different types of macroinvertebrate taxa; very low tolerant to pollution (e.g Heptageniidae; Notonemouridae; Perlidae), moderately pollution-tolerant (e.g. Caenidae; Chlorolestidae; Tricorythidae) and very tolerant of polluted conditions (e.g. Chironomidae; Muscidae; Oligochaetae). Both univariate and multivariate analyses were done using PRIMER V6. Above Confluence (ABCON, Site 10) had the highest number (37) of species while Mtloko (MTLOK, Site 2) had the lowest number (24) (Chi-square = 0.87; p < 0.05). The highest number of individuals (4023) was recorded at Macfairlane (MACFA, Site 5) while the lowest number (1240) at Honeydale (HONEY, Site 8) (Chi-square = 0.00; p < 0.05). Margalef’s index indicated Above Confluence (ABCON, Site 10; 4.762), had the highest values of species richness while Mtloko (MTLOK, Site 2; 3.227) had the lowest values (Chi-square = 1; p < 0.05). Pielou's evenness index indicated that Gqumashe (GQUMA, Site 7) had the highest values (0.7137), while Macfairlane (MACFA; Site 5) had the lowest (0.5109) (chi-square = 1; p < 0.05). Shannon-Wiener diversity indices, the highest diversity index values (2.573) of macroinvertebrates was recorded at Honeydale (HONEY, Site 8), and the lowest (1.684) at Macfairlane (MACFA, Site 5) (chi-square = 1; p < 0.05). The ASPT Scores did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) across sites. No significant difference was observed in the ASPT scores across the 10 sites (F = 0.75; df = 9.60; P > 0.05). Site 4 had the highest mean ASPT Scores with mean of 7.6), whereas the lowest. Three biotopes types, namely: stone, vegetation, gravel-sand-mud, stone and vegetation being the dominant biotopes at the 10 sites. The cluster analyses showed that macroinvertebrates were dependent on biotope preference while stone biotope showing greater macroinvertebrate densities. Euclidean distance of site classification with respect to physico-chemical parameters showed very low stress value (0.01) implying that physico-chemical parameters influenced species distribution within each sampling site. The results also showed that good health conditions existed at the most upstream sites than the lower reaches of the river, thus, indicating impacts of pollution within the river.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Fasi, Nokonwaba Nellineth
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Invertebrates -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Rivers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Zoology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10861 , vital:35879
- Description: Ten sampling sites were selected along the Tyhume River corresponding to the upper, mid and lower reaches of the River. In total 48 families were collected during the study. The study observed different types of macroinvertebrate taxa; very low tolerant to pollution (e.g Heptageniidae; Notonemouridae; Perlidae), moderately pollution-tolerant (e.g. Caenidae; Chlorolestidae; Tricorythidae) and very tolerant of polluted conditions (e.g. Chironomidae; Muscidae; Oligochaetae). Both univariate and multivariate analyses were done using PRIMER V6. Above Confluence (ABCON, Site 10) had the highest number (37) of species while Mtloko (MTLOK, Site 2) had the lowest number (24) (Chi-square = 0.87; p < 0.05). The highest number of individuals (4023) was recorded at Macfairlane (MACFA, Site 5) while the lowest number (1240) at Honeydale (HONEY, Site 8) (Chi-square = 0.00; p < 0.05). Margalef’s index indicated Above Confluence (ABCON, Site 10; 4.762), had the highest values of species richness while Mtloko (MTLOK, Site 2; 3.227) had the lowest values (Chi-square = 1; p < 0.05). Pielou's evenness index indicated that Gqumashe (GQUMA, Site 7) had the highest values (0.7137), while Macfairlane (MACFA; Site 5) had the lowest (0.5109) (chi-square = 1; p < 0.05). Shannon-Wiener diversity indices, the highest diversity index values (2.573) of macroinvertebrates was recorded at Honeydale (HONEY, Site 8), and the lowest (1.684) at Macfairlane (MACFA, Site 5) (chi-square = 1; p < 0.05). The ASPT Scores did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) across sites. No significant difference was observed in the ASPT scores across the 10 sites (F = 0.75; df = 9.60; P > 0.05). Site 4 had the highest mean ASPT Scores with mean of 7.6), whereas the lowest. Three biotopes types, namely: stone, vegetation, gravel-sand-mud, stone and vegetation being the dominant biotopes at the 10 sites. The cluster analyses showed that macroinvertebrates were dependent on biotope preference while stone biotope showing greater macroinvertebrate densities. Euclidean distance of site classification with respect to physico-chemical parameters showed very low stress value (0.01) implying that physico-chemical parameters influenced species distribution within each sampling site. The results also showed that good health conditions existed at the most upstream sites than the lower reaches of the river, thus, indicating impacts of pollution within the river.
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Bayesian spatial modelling of tuberculosis and its effects on socio-economic and demographic factors in South Africa : a case study of the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Obaromi, Abiodun Davies
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Tuberculosis -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Tuberculosis -- Epidemiology -- Statistics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9648 , vital:34813
- Description: This dissertation is concerned with evolving and extending statistical models in the area of Bayesian spatial modelling, an increasingly important field of spatial epidemiology with particular interest towards application to Tuberculosis data in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. In spatial epidemiology, the diseases to be examined usually occur within a map that needs spatial statistical methods that are appropriate, to model the observed data in the presence of some covariates and also cater for the variation of the disease. In this thesis, the Bayesian models were developed in such a way that they allowed several factors classified as fixed and random effects, to be included in the models and using the Bayesian approach. The basic model used in disease mapping is the Besag, York and Mollie model, which incorporates two random effects; one which is spatially structured and the other random effect which is spatially unstructured. The effects (fixed and random) were the covariate effects, socio-economic and demographic variability and the spatial variability respectively, which were all investigated in seven different hierarchical/multilevel Bayesian models. These factors showed varying and substantial effects in the posterior relative risk estimation of the disease. We assumed a negative binomial and generalized Poisson distributions to the response variable or relative risk estimate, 𝑦𝑖 ,to capture the over-dispersion phenomenon that is common and inherent with Poisson density for counts data. Spatial and non-spatial models were developed to model over-dispersion with all the distributions; Poisson, negative binomial and generalized Poisson. Negative binomial and generalized Poisson showed varying properties from comparisons with DIC values and parameter estimates to standard errors, which made either of them fit depending on the choice of model selection. It was found that a lower DIC value could be insufficient to determine a best fit model, if other models present estimates with lower variances even at higher DIC values. The generalized Poisson, a two parameter distribution like the negative binomial, which also has the ability to capture both under-dispersion and over-dispersion, was found to perform better in the results than the negative binomial on the basis of a lower variance and with more exact parameter estimates. A new weighted prior distribution, the “Besag2” ICAR model for the structured spatial random effects, which is an extension of the traditional ICAR prior model with two hyperparameters, was also developed and compared with some existing prior models; BYM and ICAR, to measure for spatial dependency in the regions. This new prior distribution was found to show a better fit, when compared to the basic ICAR prior usually assumed for the spatial random effect in the BYM model. This newly parameterized prior distribution in the Besag, York and Mollie model also led to improved parameter control, as the hyperparameters can be seen independently from each other. The result also showed that the new model performed well, both presenting good learning abilities and good shrinkage behaviour. In terms of model choice criteria, the proposed model performed at least equally well and better than the existing models, and the new formulation also gave parameters that are interpretable and have a clearer meaning. To interpolate scattered or regularly distributed data, there are imprecise or exact methods, but there are some of these methods that could be used for interpolating data in a regular grid and others in an irregular grid. Linear and biharmonic spline methods were implemented in MATLAB, to compare for smoothing in the distribution patterns of tuberculosis in the province. This smoothing spline is a method of fitting a smooth curve to a set of noisy observations using a spline function. This new method is rarely used in disease mapping applications, but it has a superior advantage to be assessed at subjective locations rather than only on a rectangular grid as seen in most traditional GIS methods of geospatial analyses. The proposed new models and methods in this thesis were found to be flexible and robust, since they can be reduced or extended according to the nature of the data. Nevertheless, great care must be considered in the choice of prior densities. The approaches developed in this dissertation helped to broaden the scope for spatial analysis and disease mapping applications in epidemiology and public health studies.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Obaromi, Abiodun Davies
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Tuberculosis -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Tuberculosis -- Epidemiology -- Statistics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9648 , vital:34813
- Description: This dissertation is concerned with evolving and extending statistical models in the area of Bayesian spatial modelling, an increasingly important field of spatial epidemiology with particular interest towards application to Tuberculosis data in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. In spatial epidemiology, the diseases to be examined usually occur within a map that needs spatial statistical methods that are appropriate, to model the observed data in the presence of some covariates and also cater for the variation of the disease. In this thesis, the Bayesian models were developed in such a way that they allowed several factors classified as fixed and random effects, to be included in the models and using the Bayesian approach. The basic model used in disease mapping is the Besag, York and Mollie model, which incorporates two random effects; one which is spatially structured and the other random effect which is spatially unstructured. The effects (fixed and random) were the covariate effects, socio-economic and demographic variability and the spatial variability respectively, which were all investigated in seven different hierarchical/multilevel Bayesian models. These factors showed varying and substantial effects in the posterior relative risk estimation of the disease. We assumed a negative binomial and generalized Poisson distributions to the response variable or relative risk estimate, 𝑦𝑖 ,to capture the over-dispersion phenomenon that is common and inherent with Poisson density for counts data. Spatial and non-spatial models were developed to model over-dispersion with all the distributions; Poisson, negative binomial and generalized Poisson. Negative binomial and generalized Poisson showed varying properties from comparisons with DIC values and parameter estimates to standard errors, which made either of them fit depending on the choice of model selection. It was found that a lower DIC value could be insufficient to determine a best fit model, if other models present estimates with lower variances even at higher DIC values. The generalized Poisson, a two parameter distribution like the negative binomial, which also has the ability to capture both under-dispersion and over-dispersion, was found to perform better in the results than the negative binomial on the basis of a lower variance and with more exact parameter estimates. A new weighted prior distribution, the “Besag2” ICAR model for the structured spatial random effects, which is an extension of the traditional ICAR prior model with two hyperparameters, was also developed and compared with some existing prior models; BYM and ICAR, to measure for spatial dependency in the regions. This new prior distribution was found to show a better fit, when compared to the basic ICAR prior usually assumed for the spatial random effect in the BYM model. This newly parameterized prior distribution in the Besag, York and Mollie model also led to improved parameter control, as the hyperparameters can be seen independently from each other. The result also showed that the new model performed well, both presenting good learning abilities and good shrinkage behaviour. In terms of model choice criteria, the proposed model performed at least equally well and better than the existing models, and the new formulation also gave parameters that are interpretable and have a clearer meaning. To interpolate scattered or regularly distributed data, there are imprecise or exact methods, but there are some of these methods that could be used for interpolating data in a regular grid and others in an irregular grid. Linear and biharmonic spline methods were implemented in MATLAB, to compare for smoothing in the distribution patterns of tuberculosis in the province. This smoothing spline is a method of fitting a smooth curve to a set of noisy observations using a spline function. This new method is rarely used in disease mapping applications, but it has a superior advantage to be assessed at subjective locations rather than only on a rectangular grid as seen in most traditional GIS methods of geospatial analyses. The proposed new models and methods in this thesis were found to be flexible and robust, since they can be reduced or extended according to the nature of the data. Nevertheless, great care must be considered in the choice of prior densities. The approaches developed in this dissertation helped to broaden the scope for spatial analysis and disease mapping applications in epidemiology and public health studies.
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Critical assessment of the human resource capacity needs of senior management at Thaba Chweu Municipality in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa
- Authors: Dube, Boy David
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Municipal government Rural poor Senior leadership teams
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12172 , vital:39193
- Description: The terrain of local government is not only very complex, dynamic, and challenging, but also very unique. The quality of human resources is vital in a public institution, particularly in institutions that are meant to service communities by providing sustainable basic services. Amongst the concerns raised at a municipal level are the lack of professionalism and the required competency and capacity amongst the workforce that must perform the actual duties of servicing the local communities. This study was aimed at identifying and analysing human resource development and human resource management policies, strategies and needs in line with the current circumstances and conditions at a particular municipality. A series of challenges (that a number of community members, newspaper articles, community leaders and both the Mpumalanga Provincial Government and other spheres of government raised and complained about) prompted this study. Constant complaints are leveled against municipalities about appropriate and well qualified candidates being overlooked for employment opportunities at the expense of nepotism, cronyism and blatant corrupt activities. This study is a combination of both quantitative and qualitative methods. In line with the quantitative method of generating and assembling information, the researcher used the judgement sampling method. Questionnaires were administered to collect quantitative data while primary data was collected via interviews. Data was obtained from 45 participants in Thaba Chweu Municipality. The findings show that the majority of respondents (in the form of percentages) spoke against the capacity of the officials. A smaller percentage spoke in favour of the availability of capacity. These respondents stated that municipal officials have the required skills and capacity to perform their duties. Furthermore, the study found that there was inconsistency in the implementation of council resolutions and interference in administrative matters. These factors compromised achieving the objectives of the municipal strategies and policies. The study recommends that the municipality ensures that the human resource management and development departments are consonant with current and modernised needs and that delegations to line functionaries are properly assigned and documented.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Dube, Boy David
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Municipal government Rural poor Senior leadership teams
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12172 , vital:39193
- Description: The terrain of local government is not only very complex, dynamic, and challenging, but also very unique. The quality of human resources is vital in a public institution, particularly in institutions that are meant to service communities by providing sustainable basic services. Amongst the concerns raised at a municipal level are the lack of professionalism and the required competency and capacity amongst the workforce that must perform the actual duties of servicing the local communities. This study was aimed at identifying and analysing human resource development and human resource management policies, strategies and needs in line with the current circumstances and conditions at a particular municipality. A series of challenges (that a number of community members, newspaper articles, community leaders and both the Mpumalanga Provincial Government and other spheres of government raised and complained about) prompted this study. Constant complaints are leveled against municipalities about appropriate and well qualified candidates being overlooked for employment opportunities at the expense of nepotism, cronyism and blatant corrupt activities. This study is a combination of both quantitative and qualitative methods. In line with the quantitative method of generating and assembling information, the researcher used the judgement sampling method. Questionnaires were administered to collect quantitative data while primary data was collected via interviews. Data was obtained from 45 participants in Thaba Chweu Municipality. The findings show that the majority of respondents (in the form of percentages) spoke against the capacity of the officials. A smaller percentage spoke in favour of the availability of capacity. These respondents stated that municipal officials have the required skills and capacity to perform their duties. Furthermore, the study found that there was inconsistency in the implementation of council resolutions and interference in administrative matters. These factors compromised achieving the objectives of the municipal strategies and policies. The study recommends that the municipality ensures that the human resource management and development departments are consonant with current and modernised needs and that delegations to line functionaries are properly assigned and documented.
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Effects of production systems and canola meal supplementation on carcass and meat quality characteristics of spent laying hens
- Authors: Semwogerere, Farouk
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Broilers (Chickens) -- Feeding and feeds Chickens -- Feeding and feeds Chicken industry -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9242 , vital:34309
- Description: This study evaluated the carcass and meat quality traits of spent laying hens as influenced by production systems (conventional cages and free range) and the inclusion/exclusion of canola meal in their diets. A total of 30 free range and 60 battery cage reared Lohmann Brown-Elite spent laying hens were obtained from a commercial egg producer. The 30 free range hens (53 weeks of age) and 30 of the caged hens (40 weeks of age) were fed a conventional diet, while the remaining 30 caged hens (48 weeks of age) were fed a diet supplemented with canola meal (20 percent). Carcass, portion and organ weights were determined. Physical attributes and proximate composition were analyzed for, with additional fatty acids and sensory profiles being determined for the effects of canola meal inclusion in the diet. Caged hens had heavier (P ≤ 0.05) warm and cold carcasses, thigh, wing and feet compared to free range hens. The percentages of the breast (26.1 ± 0.51 vs. 28.3 ± 0.28), drum, breast bones, breast thaw and cooking losses and thigh cooking loss were lower (P ≤ 0.05) for caged hens than for free range hens. Free range hens had heavier (P ≤ 0.05) gizzards (33.9 ± 1.04 vs. 30.5 ± 0.73) and bones and a lower (P ≤ 0.05) breast meat percentage (47.3 ± 0.94 vs. 51.7 ± 1.35). Meat redness (a*) (0.54 ± 0.222 vs. 1.40 ± 0.135) and hue angle value, skin redness (a*), breast and thigh, Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) values (breast: 12.37 ± 0.411 vs. 17.10 ± 0.751, thigh: 29.68 ± 0.306 vs. 39.75 ± 0.826), breast moisture and thigh ash content were lower (P ≤ 0.05) for caged hens than free range hens. Caged hens had higher (P ≤ 0.05) thigh thaw loss and breast ash content than free range hens. Canola-fed hens had higher (P ≤ 0.05) drum percentages, breast bone weights and percentages, with lower (P ≤ 0.05) thigh and breast meat percentages. Canola-fed hens had lower (P ≤ 0.05) thaw losses, skin yellowness (b*) and Chroma values, breast fat content with higher cooking losses, skin redness (a*) and hue angle value, as well as breast WBSF (12.37 ± 0.411 vs. 15.43 ± 0.600). Palmitic acid, stearic acid, heneicosanoic acid acid, palmitoleic acid, saturated fatty acids (SFA) (34.0 ± 0.56 vs. 38.7 ± 0.71), n-6:n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) ratio (5.5 ± 0.13 vs. 7.2 ± 0.28), atherogenic index (IA), thrombogenic index (IT), delta-5 desaturase (D5D, elongase index and thiosterase index were lower (P ≤ 0.05) for canola-fed hen breast meat. Breast meat from conventionally fed hens had lower (P ≤ 0.05) myristic acid, lignoceric acid, nervonic acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), PUFA:SFA ratio (0.7 ± 0.05 vs. 0.9 ± 0.02), n-3 PUFA (3.4 ± 0.31 vs. 5.1 ± 0.17), hypocholesterolemic:Hypercholesterolaemic (h/H), stearoyl-CoA desaturase 16 (SCD16) and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 18 (SCD18). The breast meat from conventionally fed hens had lower (P ≤ 0.05) metallic flavor than that from canola-fed hens. Strong positive correlations were observed for overall aroma with chicken (r = 0.965, P < 0.001) and brothy aroma (r = 0.827, P < 0.001); overall aroma with overall flavor (r = 0.680, P < 0.001), chicken flavor (r = 0.668, P < 0.001) and brothy flavor (r = 0.548, P = 0.006); initial juiciness with sustained juiciness (r = 0.771, P < 0.001) and tenderness (r = 0.537, P = 0.007); sustained juiciness with tenderness (r = 0.790, P < 0.001) and chewiness with residue (r = 0.783, P < 0.001). Whilst strong negative correlations were observed for: sustained juiciness with chewiness (r = -0.655, P = 0.001) and residue (r = 0.783, P < 0.001) and for tenderness with chewiness (r = 0.845, P < 0.001) and residue (r = -0.855, P < 0.001). Results of this study highlight that a free range production system when compared to a conventional cage system increased undesirable carcass and physical meat traits of spent laying hens. On the other hand, canola meal inclusion incorporates beneficial health aspects without affecting the sensory profile of meat derived from spent laying hens, both groups of hens being reared in battery cage system. Spent laying hen breasts can be consumed as a functional food (especially canolafed) since the fat content and composition was observed to be close to that which is recommended for a healthy diet.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Semwogerere, Farouk
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Broilers (Chickens) -- Feeding and feeds Chickens -- Feeding and feeds Chicken industry -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9242 , vital:34309
- Description: This study evaluated the carcass and meat quality traits of spent laying hens as influenced by production systems (conventional cages and free range) and the inclusion/exclusion of canola meal in their diets. A total of 30 free range and 60 battery cage reared Lohmann Brown-Elite spent laying hens were obtained from a commercial egg producer. The 30 free range hens (53 weeks of age) and 30 of the caged hens (40 weeks of age) were fed a conventional diet, while the remaining 30 caged hens (48 weeks of age) were fed a diet supplemented with canola meal (20 percent). Carcass, portion and organ weights were determined. Physical attributes and proximate composition were analyzed for, with additional fatty acids and sensory profiles being determined for the effects of canola meal inclusion in the diet. Caged hens had heavier (P ≤ 0.05) warm and cold carcasses, thigh, wing and feet compared to free range hens. The percentages of the breast (26.1 ± 0.51 vs. 28.3 ± 0.28), drum, breast bones, breast thaw and cooking losses and thigh cooking loss were lower (P ≤ 0.05) for caged hens than for free range hens. Free range hens had heavier (P ≤ 0.05) gizzards (33.9 ± 1.04 vs. 30.5 ± 0.73) and bones and a lower (P ≤ 0.05) breast meat percentage (47.3 ± 0.94 vs. 51.7 ± 1.35). Meat redness (a*) (0.54 ± 0.222 vs. 1.40 ± 0.135) and hue angle value, skin redness (a*), breast and thigh, Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) values (breast: 12.37 ± 0.411 vs. 17.10 ± 0.751, thigh: 29.68 ± 0.306 vs. 39.75 ± 0.826), breast moisture and thigh ash content were lower (P ≤ 0.05) for caged hens than free range hens. Caged hens had higher (P ≤ 0.05) thigh thaw loss and breast ash content than free range hens. Canola-fed hens had higher (P ≤ 0.05) drum percentages, breast bone weights and percentages, with lower (P ≤ 0.05) thigh and breast meat percentages. Canola-fed hens had lower (P ≤ 0.05) thaw losses, skin yellowness (b*) and Chroma values, breast fat content with higher cooking losses, skin redness (a*) and hue angle value, as well as breast WBSF (12.37 ± 0.411 vs. 15.43 ± 0.600). Palmitic acid, stearic acid, heneicosanoic acid acid, palmitoleic acid, saturated fatty acids (SFA) (34.0 ± 0.56 vs. 38.7 ± 0.71), n-6:n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) ratio (5.5 ± 0.13 vs. 7.2 ± 0.28), atherogenic index (IA), thrombogenic index (IT), delta-5 desaturase (D5D, elongase index and thiosterase index were lower (P ≤ 0.05) for canola-fed hen breast meat. Breast meat from conventionally fed hens had lower (P ≤ 0.05) myristic acid, lignoceric acid, nervonic acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), PUFA:SFA ratio (0.7 ± 0.05 vs. 0.9 ± 0.02), n-3 PUFA (3.4 ± 0.31 vs. 5.1 ± 0.17), hypocholesterolemic:Hypercholesterolaemic (h/H), stearoyl-CoA desaturase 16 (SCD16) and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 18 (SCD18). The breast meat from conventionally fed hens had lower (P ≤ 0.05) metallic flavor than that from canola-fed hens. Strong positive correlations were observed for overall aroma with chicken (r = 0.965, P < 0.001) and brothy aroma (r = 0.827, P < 0.001); overall aroma with overall flavor (r = 0.680, P < 0.001), chicken flavor (r = 0.668, P < 0.001) and brothy flavor (r = 0.548, P = 0.006); initial juiciness with sustained juiciness (r = 0.771, P < 0.001) and tenderness (r = 0.537, P = 0.007); sustained juiciness with tenderness (r = 0.790, P < 0.001) and chewiness with residue (r = 0.783, P < 0.001). Whilst strong negative correlations were observed for: sustained juiciness with chewiness (r = -0.655, P = 0.001) and residue (r = 0.783, P < 0.001) and for tenderness with chewiness (r = 0.845, P < 0.001) and residue (r = -0.855, P < 0.001). Results of this study highlight that a free range production system when compared to a conventional cage system increased undesirable carcass and physical meat traits of spent laying hens. On the other hand, canola meal inclusion incorporates beneficial health aspects without affecting the sensory profile of meat derived from spent laying hens, both groups of hens being reared in battery cage system. Spent laying hen breasts can be consumed as a functional food (especially canolafed) since the fat content and composition was observed to be close to that which is recommended for a healthy diet.
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Ethnicity, conflict and the developmental state in Rwanda
- Authors: Muleya, Emmison
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Rwanda -- Politics and government -- 1994- Rwanda -- Politics and government -- 1962-1994 Rwanda -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Development Studies)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10083 , vital:35334
- Description: Socioeconomic development is a crucial means of improving standards of living and increasing the incomes of developing countries. This study is premised upon the assumption that the concepts of the developmental state and socioeconomic development are inextricably interrelated. The concept of a developmental state has gained a significant amount of traction in both academic and non-academic circles in recent times. This study took the form of a case study of Rwanda and its developmental trajectory since the country gained independence in 1962. By adopting a historical approach, this study determined that the factors which continue to retard socioeconomic development in post-colonial and post-genocide Rwanda are rooted in a lingering colonial legacy. Although Rwanda has achieved a significant degree of socioeconomic development since 1994, the sustainability of the nascent developmental state which appears to be emerging could still be undermined by ethnic divisions. Accordingly, it was recommended on the basis of the findings of this study that the Rwandan state and its development partners should pursue transformative socioeconomic policies which ensure an equitable distribution of socioeconomic resources, in order to facilitate the creation of an enabling environment for local entrepreneurs and a reduction of dependence upon foreign aid through the effective mobilisation of domestic resources.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Muleya, Emmison
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Rwanda -- Politics and government -- 1994- Rwanda -- Politics and government -- 1962-1994 Rwanda -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Development Studies)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10083 , vital:35334
- Description: Socioeconomic development is a crucial means of improving standards of living and increasing the incomes of developing countries. This study is premised upon the assumption that the concepts of the developmental state and socioeconomic development are inextricably interrelated. The concept of a developmental state has gained a significant amount of traction in both academic and non-academic circles in recent times. This study took the form of a case study of Rwanda and its developmental trajectory since the country gained independence in 1962. By adopting a historical approach, this study determined that the factors which continue to retard socioeconomic development in post-colonial and post-genocide Rwanda are rooted in a lingering colonial legacy. Although Rwanda has achieved a significant degree of socioeconomic development since 1994, the sustainability of the nascent developmental state which appears to be emerging could still be undermined by ethnic divisions. Accordingly, it was recommended on the basis of the findings of this study that the Rwandan state and its development partners should pursue transformative socioeconomic policies which ensure an equitable distribution of socioeconomic resources, in order to facilitate the creation of an enabling environment for local entrepreneurs and a reduction of dependence upon foreign aid through the effective mobilisation of domestic resources.
- Full Text:
In silico analysis, isolation and kinetic characterisation of red algae (Rhodophyta) catalases
- Authors: Nodangala, Sinovuyo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Red algae Marine algae
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/14626 , vital:40024
- Description: Catalase (EC: 1.11.1.6) is produced by almost all aerobic organism ranging from bacteria to human and is an essential antioxidant enzyme that catalyses the conversion of hydrogen peroxide to water and molecular oxygen, therefore neutralising hydrogen peroxide toxicity. The present study aimed to purify and characterise catalase from Pachymenia orbitosa, a marine red algae found in the Algoa Bay region of South Africa. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to confirm the presence of a catalase gene in the red algae genome. In silico analysis of the Chondrus crispus genome was performed to predict the functional and structural characterisation of the protein encoded by the gene. The Pachymenia orbitosa catalase enzyme was purified to homogeneity using 60% ammonium sulphate precipitation and Sephacryl S-200 gel filtration chromatography. InterProScan confirmed that the Chondrus crispus genome encodes a catalase protein, which is from the mono-functional and heme-dependent catalase-like superfamily. The purified Pachymenia orbitosa catalase enzyme displayed a specific activity of 23 000 units per mg of protein with a 14.94% recovery and 222.91 fold purification. Sodium dodecyl sulphatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated a single band, with a molecular weight of around 50kDa. The catalase enzyme exhibited a maximum activity at pH 7 and a temperature of 30℃. It was stable up to 40℃ and rapidly denatured at temperatures above this. The Km and Vmax values for the purified catalase, using hydrogen peroxide as a substrate, were determined from the Lineweaver-Burk plot to be 22.22mM and 1.11x10-4mM.min-1 , respectively, while from the Hanes-Woolf plot, to be 23.4mM and 1.17x10-4mM.min-1 , respectively. The Heme catalase inhibitor (ferricyanide) inhibited the enzyme activity markedly, while sodium chloride and citric acid had only a slight inhibitory effect. Copper sulphate showed a slight stimulatory effect. The physiochemical properties suggest a good application potential in both the pharmaceutical and food industries
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nodangala, Sinovuyo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Red algae Marine algae
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/14626 , vital:40024
- Description: Catalase (EC: 1.11.1.6) is produced by almost all aerobic organism ranging from bacteria to human and is an essential antioxidant enzyme that catalyses the conversion of hydrogen peroxide to water and molecular oxygen, therefore neutralising hydrogen peroxide toxicity. The present study aimed to purify and characterise catalase from Pachymenia orbitosa, a marine red algae found in the Algoa Bay region of South Africa. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to confirm the presence of a catalase gene in the red algae genome. In silico analysis of the Chondrus crispus genome was performed to predict the functional and structural characterisation of the protein encoded by the gene. The Pachymenia orbitosa catalase enzyme was purified to homogeneity using 60% ammonium sulphate precipitation and Sephacryl S-200 gel filtration chromatography. InterProScan confirmed that the Chondrus crispus genome encodes a catalase protein, which is from the mono-functional and heme-dependent catalase-like superfamily. The purified Pachymenia orbitosa catalase enzyme displayed a specific activity of 23 000 units per mg of protein with a 14.94% recovery and 222.91 fold purification. Sodium dodecyl sulphatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated a single band, with a molecular weight of around 50kDa. The catalase enzyme exhibited a maximum activity at pH 7 and a temperature of 30℃. It was stable up to 40℃ and rapidly denatured at temperatures above this. The Km and Vmax values for the purified catalase, using hydrogen peroxide as a substrate, were determined from the Lineweaver-Burk plot to be 22.22mM and 1.11x10-4mM.min-1 , respectively, while from the Hanes-Woolf plot, to be 23.4mM and 1.17x10-4mM.min-1 , respectively. The Heme catalase inhibitor (ferricyanide) inhibited the enzyme activity markedly, while sodium chloride and citric acid had only a slight inhibitory effect. Copper sulphate showed a slight stimulatory effect. The physiochemical properties suggest a good application potential in both the pharmaceutical and food industries
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Investigation of strategies employed in rural households to improve food security in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality : a case of Zihlahleni Location in Middledrift, Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Gqozo, Odwa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Households -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10758 , vital:35752
- Description: Eastern Cape is one of the provinces experiencing a rapid increase in food prices while household income is increasing at a slower rate. Against this background, the main objective of this study was to investigate strategies used by rural households to improve food security in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality formally known as Nkonkobe in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Data were collected from 100 households using a questionnaire as the main instrument by using simple random sampling. Data were analyzed by employing simple descriptive statistics to describe household food security. Results revealed that most (50.3percent) households that were interviewed were male headed and unemployment was high (73.6percent). Moreover, the average age of the interviewed household heads was 59 years. Most (68percent) of the households owned home gardens and had access to arable land which was not being cultivated. Most (87percent) households indicated that lack of capital was the main cause of food security and depended on government grants. Most (100percent) of the interviewed household heads depend mostly on food purchases rather than their own production. The recommendation is that the government should continue fostering its agenda of improving agriculture as a strategy in rural households for curbing food insecurity.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Gqozo, Odwa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Households -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10758 , vital:35752
- Description: Eastern Cape is one of the provinces experiencing a rapid increase in food prices while household income is increasing at a slower rate. Against this background, the main objective of this study was to investigate strategies used by rural households to improve food security in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality formally known as Nkonkobe in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Data were collected from 100 households using a questionnaire as the main instrument by using simple random sampling. Data were analyzed by employing simple descriptive statistics to describe household food security. Results revealed that most (50.3percent) households that were interviewed were male headed and unemployment was high (73.6percent). Moreover, the average age of the interviewed household heads was 59 years. Most (68percent) of the households owned home gardens and had access to arable land which was not being cultivated. Most (87percent) households indicated that lack of capital was the main cause of food security and depended on government grants. Most (100percent) of the interviewed household heads depend mostly on food purchases rather than their own production. The recommendation is that the government should continue fostering its agenda of improving agriculture as a strategy in rural households for curbing food insecurity.
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Isolation and characterization of E. coli and Campylobacter spp. from diarrhoeal samples collected from selected hospitals in Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Omolajaiye, Sunday Abraham
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Escherichia coli infections Campylobacter infections Diarrhea
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6213 , vital:29515
- Description: Approximately 2-4 billion cases of infectious diarrhoea occur every year, with the highest numbers recorded in sub-Saharan Africa. It remains the most common public health issue among children in developing nations. The purpose of this research was to unfold the prevalence of diarrhoeagenic E. coli and Campylobacter pathotypes as well as elucidate their antibiogram characteristics in diarrhoeal stool samples collected in some medical facilities in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Two hundred stool samples were collected from both inpatients and outpatients from male and females of all age groups attending selected medical facilities in the study area. Isolation and characterization of both organisms were done using culture based and molecular methods. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns of identified isolates were determined against a panel of 12 antimicrobial agents. One hundred and twenty presumptive E. coli isolates and 42 presumptive isolates of Campylobacter spp. Were isolated. Eighty-two percent (82 percent) of the presumptive E. coli isolates were confirmed as E. coli while 46.3 percent belonged to Campylobacter spp. Pathotyping of the diarrhoeagenic E. coli isolates by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed the following prevalences: DAEC 43 (32 percent), EHEC 18 (17 percent), EIEC 11 (10 percent) and EPEC 18 (17 percent). EAEC and ETEC were not detected, while for Campylobacter spp. 37 (88 percent) were C. jejuni, and C. coli was not detected. A total of 12 (32.4 percent) of the confirmed Campylobacter jejuni isolates were found to possess the fliM gene, 9 (24.3 percent) possessed the flhA gene and only 6 (16.2 percent) harboured the gene flgE2. None were positive for the flaA, flab and flhB genes.The antibiotic resistance patterns observed among the E. coli isolates were high against ampicillin (98.1 percent), chloramphenicol (94.3 percent) and tetracycline (90.6 percent). For Campylobacter spp., resistance observed were: chloramphenicol (91.6 percent), tetracycline (25.2 percent), erythromycin (49.6 percent) and gentamycin (56.4 percent). A lesser resistance against imipenem (35.9 percent) and quinolone (ciprofloxacin) (45.5 percent) were exhibited by the E.coli isolates. 10.8 percent and 20.3 percent of the Campylobacter isolates were resistant to imipenem and ciprofloxacin respectively. The presence of chloramphenicol (CatA1) and tetracycline (tetA) resistance genes were detected in 94 percent and 89 percent of E. coli isolates respectively while 98 percent of Campylobacter spp. Harboured the catA1 resistance gene. It could be deduced from this study that E. coli and Campylobacter spp. are predomiant enteric pathogens as the etiologic agents of diarrhoea in the study community, and that their antimicrobial resistance is high in the study location. The need to develop strategies to prevent infection and control resistant organisms is evident.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Omolajaiye, Sunday Abraham
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Escherichia coli infections Campylobacter infections Diarrhea
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6213 , vital:29515
- Description: Approximately 2-4 billion cases of infectious diarrhoea occur every year, with the highest numbers recorded in sub-Saharan Africa. It remains the most common public health issue among children in developing nations. The purpose of this research was to unfold the prevalence of diarrhoeagenic E. coli and Campylobacter pathotypes as well as elucidate their antibiogram characteristics in diarrhoeal stool samples collected in some medical facilities in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Two hundred stool samples were collected from both inpatients and outpatients from male and females of all age groups attending selected medical facilities in the study area. Isolation and characterization of both organisms were done using culture based and molecular methods. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns of identified isolates were determined against a panel of 12 antimicrobial agents. One hundred and twenty presumptive E. coli isolates and 42 presumptive isolates of Campylobacter spp. Were isolated. Eighty-two percent (82 percent) of the presumptive E. coli isolates were confirmed as E. coli while 46.3 percent belonged to Campylobacter spp. Pathotyping of the diarrhoeagenic E. coli isolates by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed the following prevalences: DAEC 43 (32 percent), EHEC 18 (17 percent), EIEC 11 (10 percent) and EPEC 18 (17 percent). EAEC and ETEC were not detected, while for Campylobacter spp. 37 (88 percent) were C. jejuni, and C. coli was not detected. A total of 12 (32.4 percent) of the confirmed Campylobacter jejuni isolates were found to possess the fliM gene, 9 (24.3 percent) possessed the flhA gene and only 6 (16.2 percent) harboured the gene flgE2. None were positive for the flaA, flab and flhB genes.The antibiotic resistance patterns observed among the E. coli isolates were high against ampicillin (98.1 percent), chloramphenicol (94.3 percent) and tetracycline (90.6 percent). For Campylobacter spp., resistance observed were: chloramphenicol (91.6 percent), tetracycline (25.2 percent), erythromycin (49.6 percent) and gentamycin (56.4 percent). A lesser resistance against imipenem (35.9 percent) and quinolone (ciprofloxacin) (45.5 percent) were exhibited by the E.coli isolates. 10.8 percent and 20.3 percent of the Campylobacter isolates were resistant to imipenem and ciprofloxacin respectively. The presence of chloramphenicol (CatA1) and tetracycline (tetA) resistance genes were detected in 94 percent and 89 percent of E. coli isolates respectively while 98 percent of Campylobacter spp. Harboured the catA1 resistance gene. It could be deduced from this study that E. coli and Campylobacter spp. are predomiant enteric pathogens as the etiologic agents of diarrhoea in the study community, and that their antimicrobial resistance is high in the study location. The need to develop strategies to prevent infection and control resistant organisms is evident.
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Perception of climate change impacts, adaptation responses and national response policy outreach by smallholder farmers in Amathole District, South Africa
- Popoola, Oluwaseun Oluwabunmi
- Authors: Popoola, Oluwaseun Oluwabunmi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Climatic changes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Global environmental change Climate change mitigation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9000 , vital:34181
- Description: The climate is changing, with imminent threats. Projections for increased inconsistencies in climatic elements such as rainfall and temperature have continued to raise concerns particularly amongst farmers. The majority of South African smallholder and resource-poor farmers rely heavily on rain-fed agriculture, making them vulnerable to the vagaries of climate change risks. As sustainability is crucial to the continuous survival of this population, this study assessed the farmers’ perceptions of climate change impacts on agricultural production activities as well as their adaptation responses. The South African national climate change response policy was developed and approved in October 2011 in order to institute a responsive intervention system for the moderation of climate change impacts on South Africa’s citizens. Amongst its priorities is building capacity and resilience in the country’s agricultural sector, with the public agricultural extension system as a principal component for climate change sensitisation, education and capacity-building. With current global climate change conditions, the urgency to provide agricultural knowledge on adaptation has risen. Smallholder farmers, in particular, are challenged in this regard, and face numerous restraining factors. Therefore, this study investigated several key issues related to climate change sensitization activities and response. A multistage sampling procedure was used in the selection of the study sample (n = 301) residing in the rural settlements of Mbahashe Local Municipality, in Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. A cross-sectional household survey was carried out in eighteen villages surrounding the three major towns in the municipality – Idutywa, Elliotdale and Willowvale. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used for data analysis. Findings revealed a perceived increase in temperature levels and a drastic decline in rainfall; perceived harsh and aggressive climatic conditions, with attendant problems of drought. There is a perceived increased difficulty in production activities as a result of water scarcity. Poor soil conditions, pest infestations and disease infections, poor vegetation and limited grazing, decreased livestock growth rate, reduced livestock weight, milk production and reproduction rates, reduction in quantity of egg production, egg quality and sizes, are amongst many other perceived challenges. There is a growing threat of unsustainable agricultural production, which may in due course increase poverty levels among the smallholder farmers. Adaptation responses were extremely limited. Findings also revealed that there is an extremely low awareness of the national climate change response policy, and a dearth of sensitisation campaigns and capacity-building training of smallholder farmers in the study area. There is also a significant lack of access to agricultural extension services that might disseminate information and build capacity for an appropriate climate change response. Analysis also revealed that public extension services play a minute role in rural farmers’ climate change knowledge; they get their information elsewhere. The most critical constraint to climate change coping and adaptation in the study area was lack of access to agricultural extension services. The study recommends government intervention in the form of appropriate, functional extension services, particularly for carrying out climate change coping and adaptation education and support. It also strongly endorses the tower gardening concept, practised in a number of countries, including parts of South Africa to facilitate an exigent intervention project to curb declining crop production and sustain the livelihoods of farmers, before major intervention schemes are set up by various governing bodies. There is an immense need to buffer the adaptation capacities of livestock smallholder farmers in rural communities through the implementation of adaptation promotional schemes for rural livestock sustainability. Productivity and efficient commercialization of both indigenous and hybrid poultry production should be beefed up by encouraging poultry breeding programs and breed improvement activities, subsidizing commercial feeds to encourage supplementary feeding, provision of better infrastructure for improved housing and the facilitation of health care systems like vaccination programs. This study also recommends that efforts to create awareness, knowledge and skills in relation to climate change be intensified through an enhanced use of all media. In addition, agricultural extension departments functioning at the local level should be financially and technically capacitated to allow for enhanced performance by their field officers.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Popoola, Oluwaseun Oluwabunmi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Climatic changes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Global environmental change Climate change mitigation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9000 , vital:34181
- Description: The climate is changing, with imminent threats. Projections for increased inconsistencies in climatic elements such as rainfall and temperature have continued to raise concerns particularly amongst farmers. The majority of South African smallholder and resource-poor farmers rely heavily on rain-fed agriculture, making them vulnerable to the vagaries of climate change risks. As sustainability is crucial to the continuous survival of this population, this study assessed the farmers’ perceptions of climate change impacts on agricultural production activities as well as their adaptation responses. The South African national climate change response policy was developed and approved in October 2011 in order to institute a responsive intervention system for the moderation of climate change impacts on South Africa’s citizens. Amongst its priorities is building capacity and resilience in the country’s agricultural sector, with the public agricultural extension system as a principal component for climate change sensitisation, education and capacity-building. With current global climate change conditions, the urgency to provide agricultural knowledge on adaptation has risen. Smallholder farmers, in particular, are challenged in this regard, and face numerous restraining factors. Therefore, this study investigated several key issues related to climate change sensitization activities and response. A multistage sampling procedure was used in the selection of the study sample (n = 301) residing in the rural settlements of Mbahashe Local Municipality, in Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. A cross-sectional household survey was carried out in eighteen villages surrounding the three major towns in the municipality – Idutywa, Elliotdale and Willowvale. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used for data analysis. Findings revealed a perceived increase in temperature levels and a drastic decline in rainfall; perceived harsh and aggressive climatic conditions, with attendant problems of drought. There is a perceived increased difficulty in production activities as a result of water scarcity. Poor soil conditions, pest infestations and disease infections, poor vegetation and limited grazing, decreased livestock growth rate, reduced livestock weight, milk production and reproduction rates, reduction in quantity of egg production, egg quality and sizes, are amongst many other perceived challenges. There is a growing threat of unsustainable agricultural production, which may in due course increase poverty levels among the smallholder farmers. Adaptation responses were extremely limited. Findings also revealed that there is an extremely low awareness of the national climate change response policy, and a dearth of sensitisation campaigns and capacity-building training of smallholder farmers in the study area. There is also a significant lack of access to agricultural extension services that might disseminate information and build capacity for an appropriate climate change response. Analysis also revealed that public extension services play a minute role in rural farmers’ climate change knowledge; they get their information elsewhere. The most critical constraint to climate change coping and adaptation in the study area was lack of access to agricultural extension services. The study recommends government intervention in the form of appropriate, functional extension services, particularly for carrying out climate change coping and adaptation education and support. It also strongly endorses the tower gardening concept, practised in a number of countries, including parts of South Africa to facilitate an exigent intervention project to curb declining crop production and sustain the livelihoods of farmers, before major intervention schemes are set up by various governing bodies. There is an immense need to buffer the adaptation capacities of livestock smallholder farmers in rural communities through the implementation of adaptation promotional schemes for rural livestock sustainability. Productivity and efficient commercialization of both indigenous and hybrid poultry production should be beefed up by encouraging poultry breeding programs and breed improvement activities, subsidizing commercial feeds to encourage supplementary feeding, provision of better infrastructure for improved housing and the facilitation of health care systems like vaccination programs. This study also recommends that efforts to create awareness, knowledge and skills in relation to climate change be intensified through an enhanced use of all media. In addition, agricultural extension departments functioning at the local level should be financially and technically capacitated to allow for enhanced performance by their field officers.
- Full Text:
Play as an indicator of public opinion in online political commentary : a content analysis of online news forums leading up to the 2014 South African General Elections
- Authors: Moyo, Lungisani
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Online journalism Content analysis (Communication)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10678 , vital:35667
- Description: This study seeks to look at play as an indicator of public opinion in online political commentary of online news forums leading to the 2014 South African general elections. A qualitative content analysis was used to analyse viewers’s comments about 2014 South African general elections posted online. The concepts of critical discourse analysis, frame analysis play theory and network analysis were applied to extend and inform the study. A corpus of all commentary appended to 2014 South African general election news reports published online by Media24, Times Media Group, Mail &Guardian, Independent Newspapers, Caxton CTP, and TNA Media were selected. The study employed a purposive sampling technique and 1000 comments were extracted. The sample began four weeks before the election and ended two weeks after the event. NVIVO 11 was utilized to code these readers’ comments into their respective categories. The core findings of this thesis reflect that online readers do not just engage in play but are more interactive and participative on these online public forums and their political discourse echo political affiliations with different political parties, bearing in mind that South Africa has 13 political parties that participated and are represented in parliament. In addition, the findings revealed that, play cannot be parted with and remains inseparable with "what is real"; instead, play renews the real world by giving it sense and meaning. Play does not "re-present" nor falsify certainty but it enunciates certainty. The findings also revealed that most participants identify themselves with the ANC as the ruling party, the DA as the main opposition, the EFF as the most vocal party and then other parties. The findings further revealed that participants have different perspectives on different economic and socio-political matters such as, entertainment, slate politics, and political affiliation, cadre deployment, political bias, economic meltdown, diaspora, and western influence, abuse of power by those in high places, land reform programme, political power struggles, leadership change and corruption.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Moyo, Lungisani
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Online journalism Content analysis (Communication)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10678 , vital:35667
- Description: This study seeks to look at play as an indicator of public opinion in online political commentary of online news forums leading to the 2014 South African general elections. A qualitative content analysis was used to analyse viewers’s comments about 2014 South African general elections posted online. The concepts of critical discourse analysis, frame analysis play theory and network analysis were applied to extend and inform the study. A corpus of all commentary appended to 2014 South African general election news reports published online by Media24, Times Media Group, Mail &Guardian, Independent Newspapers, Caxton CTP, and TNA Media were selected. The study employed a purposive sampling technique and 1000 comments were extracted. The sample began four weeks before the election and ended two weeks after the event. NVIVO 11 was utilized to code these readers’ comments into their respective categories. The core findings of this thesis reflect that online readers do not just engage in play but are more interactive and participative on these online public forums and their political discourse echo political affiliations with different political parties, bearing in mind that South Africa has 13 political parties that participated and are represented in parliament. In addition, the findings revealed that, play cannot be parted with and remains inseparable with "what is real"; instead, play renews the real world by giving it sense and meaning. Play does not "re-present" nor falsify certainty but it enunciates certainty. The findings also revealed that most participants identify themselves with the ANC as the ruling party, the DA as the main opposition, the EFF as the most vocal party and then other parties. The findings further revealed that participants have different perspectives on different economic and socio-political matters such as, entertainment, slate politics, and political affiliation, cadre deployment, political bias, economic meltdown, diaspora, and western influence, abuse of power by those in high places, land reform programme, political power struggles, leadership change and corruption.
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The contribution of small scale livestock farming to rural household income in the King William's Town area
- Authors: Mbangcolo, Nomalungisa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Farms, Small Livestock farms Rural poor
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MAgric
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13018 , vital:39432
- Description: The Eastern Cape Province have high numbers of livestock but high poverty rates remain very high. This study therefore, aimed to determine the contribution of smallscale livestock farming to rural household income in the King William’s Town area in five rural areas. Literature shows that the livestock sector contributes 40 percent of global value of agricultural output and supports the livelihoods and food security of almost a billion people. The data collected for this research were both quantitative and qualitative and cross-section design was employed for the research. The study used both simple random sampling and availability sampling to select 125 sample households, 25 respondents from each village. Descriptive statistics was used in the analysis of demographic and socio economic characteristics of households where graphs and tables were used to present the relevant information. Probit regression model was used to determine factors influencing the decision to practice livestock production and marginal analysis was calculated to determine the effect of changes of individual variables. For the assessment of the contribution of small-scale livestock farming to household income Propensity Score Matching (PSM) model was fitted. Results show that the highest percentage of livestock kept by households in 5 villages is 56 percent for poultry and the lowest percentage is 2 percent for pig. The main source of income for many households in the study area was the income from pensions and grants but livestock farming is also contributing to household’s income through income generated from sales of livestock for customary events such as traditional rituals and celebrations, lobola, funerals and weddings. Many of the households have secondary education and the reason might simply be that in olden days’ parents had no money to pay school fees of their children and that limited children to go further with their studies. The results of the marginal effects estimates for the probit model suggest that changes in the number of livestock sold would have important effects on household incomes. There are various challenges that livestock producers are facing in their production and the major challenge that households are facing is parasites and diseases as they decrease number of livestock kept by households. Parasites and diseases suck blood, causing the animals to become weak and sometimes resulting in high mortality rate. It is recommended that livestock producers should be made aware of the impacts of various challenges that affect livestock farming through awareness creation programmes and suggest solutions to overcome those challenges.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mbangcolo, Nomalungisa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Farms, Small Livestock farms Rural poor
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MAgric
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13018 , vital:39432
- Description: The Eastern Cape Province have high numbers of livestock but high poverty rates remain very high. This study therefore, aimed to determine the contribution of smallscale livestock farming to rural household income in the King William’s Town area in five rural areas. Literature shows that the livestock sector contributes 40 percent of global value of agricultural output and supports the livelihoods and food security of almost a billion people. The data collected for this research were both quantitative and qualitative and cross-section design was employed for the research. The study used both simple random sampling and availability sampling to select 125 sample households, 25 respondents from each village. Descriptive statistics was used in the analysis of demographic and socio economic characteristics of households where graphs and tables were used to present the relevant information. Probit regression model was used to determine factors influencing the decision to practice livestock production and marginal analysis was calculated to determine the effect of changes of individual variables. For the assessment of the contribution of small-scale livestock farming to household income Propensity Score Matching (PSM) model was fitted. Results show that the highest percentage of livestock kept by households in 5 villages is 56 percent for poultry and the lowest percentage is 2 percent for pig. The main source of income for many households in the study area was the income from pensions and grants but livestock farming is also contributing to household’s income through income generated from sales of livestock for customary events such as traditional rituals and celebrations, lobola, funerals and weddings. Many of the households have secondary education and the reason might simply be that in olden days’ parents had no money to pay school fees of their children and that limited children to go further with their studies. The results of the marginal effects estimates for the probit model suggest that changes in the number of livestock sold would have important effects on household incomes. There are various challenges that livestock producers are facing in their production and the major challenge that households are facing is parasites and diseases as they decrease number of livestock kept by households. Parasites and diseases suck blood, causing the animals to become weak and sometimes resulting in high mortality rate. It is recommended that livestock producers should be made aware of the impacts of various challenges that affect livestock farming through awareness creation programmes and suggest solutions to overcome those challenges.
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