Assessment of the performance of smallholder irrigated sugarcane farming in Maphumulo municipality of KwaZulu-Natal Province
- Mdletshe, Sifiso Themba Clement
- Authors: Mdletshe, Sifiso Themba Clement
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Irrigation projects -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Sugarcane industry -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11221 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019822 , Irrigation projects -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Sugarcane industry -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Description: Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) is mainly composed of small-scale farmers with low production capacity and knowledge (ISRADS, 2004). The general problem is the performance of smallholder irrigation schemes, issues that cause low productivity; whereas the cost of purchasing machinery is too high. In the rural areas the majority of the people are unemployed due to different reasons such as lack of employment opportunities available to them, lack of skill, and low level of education and mostly they are inexperienced. This study identifies theperformance of irrigation projects amongst smallholder sugarcane farmers in KwaZulu Natal in order to uplift the livelihood of smallholder sugarcane production as well as its sustainability.This was done on the basis of demographics, historical background and agricultural potential. This dissertation will discusses all approaches used to conduct the study. The dissertation also describes the analytical framework used in this study, namely: The research design, sampling, sample size, data, data collection procedures, model description and the specific analyses carried out to address the study objectives. The results of net values of irrigated and non-irrigated lands, the irrigating households indicated13% of sugar cane production per hector more than non-irrigators. It is clearly indicated that water/ irrigation can contribute on maximizing sugarcane yield and promotes sustainability. Improving the technology from small scale growers’ point of view, extension officers from different areas that produce sugarcane should be scheduled to attend Refresher Courses at SASRI to train them on different aspect of irrigation management and sugarcane production. When there is newly established technology, such as invention of a new variety of sugarcane that is resistant to drought and diseases. It would be more essential for agricultural development to encourage government investment on more irrigation schemes facilities.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mdletshe, Sifiso Themba Clement
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Irrigation projects -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Sugarcane industry -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11221 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019822 , Irrigation projects -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Sugarcane industry -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Description: Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) is mainly composed of small-scale farmers with low production capacity and knowledge (ISRADS, 2004). The general problem is the performance of smallholder irrigation schemes, issues that cause low productivity; whereas the cost of purchasing machinery is too high. In the rural areas the majority of the people are unemployed due to different reasons such as lack of employment opportunities available to them, lack of skill, and low level of education and mostly they are inexperienced. This study identifies theperformance of irrigation projects amongst smallholder sugarcane farmers in KwaZulu Natal in order to uplift the livelihood of smallholder sugarcane production as well as its sustainability.This was done on the basis of demographics, historical background and agricultural potential. This dissertation will discusses all approaches used to conduct the study. The dissertation also describes the analytical framework used in this study, namely: The research design, sampling, sample size, data, data collection procedures, model description and the specific analyses carried out to address the study objectives. The results of net values of irrigated and non-irrigated lands, the irrigating households indicated13% of sugar cane production per hector more than non-irrigators. It is clearly indicated that water/ irrigation can contribute on maximizing sugarcane yield and promotes sustainability. Improving the technology from small scale growers’ point of view, extension officers from different areas that produce sugarcane should be scheduled to attend Refresher Courses at SASRI to train them on different aspect of irrigation management and sugarcane production. When there is newly established technology, such as invention of a new variety of sugarcane that is resistant to drought and diseases. It would be more essential for agricultural development to encourage government investment on more irrigation schemes facilities.
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Assessment of the prevalence of faecal coliforms and Escherichia coli o157:h7 in the final effluents of two wastewater treatment plants in Amahlathi Local Municipality of Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Ajibade, Adefisoye Martins
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Sewage disposal plants , Escherichia coli -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Escherichia coli O157:H7 , Escherichia coli , Effluent quality -- Testing , Whole effluent toxicity testing , Water -- Purification
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11283 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016166 , Sewage disposal plants , Escherichia coli -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Escherichia coli O157:H7 , Escherichia coli , Effluent quality -- Testing , Whole effluent toxicity testing , Water -- Purification
- Description: The production of final effluents that meet discharged requirements and guidelines remain a major challenge particularly in the developing world with the resultant problem of surface water pollution. This study assessed the physicochemical and microbiological qualities of two wastewater treatment works in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa in terms of the prevalence of faecal coliforms and Escherichia coli O157:H7 over a five month period. All physicochemical and microbiological analyses were carried out using standard methods. Data were collected in triplicates and analysed statistically using IBM SPSS version 20.0. The ranges of some of the physicochemical parameters that complied with set guidelines include pH (6.7 – 7.6), TDS (107 – 171 mg/L), EC (168 – 266 μS/cm), Temperature (15 – 24oC), NO3- (0 – 8.2 mg/L), NO2- (0.14 – 0.71 mg/L) and PO4 (1.05 – 4.50 mg/L). Others including Turbidity (2.64 – 58.00 NTU), Free Cl (0.13 – 0.65 mg/L), DO (2.20 – 8.48 mg/L), BOD (0.13 – 6.85 mg/L) and COD (40 – 482 mg/L) did not comply with set guidelines. The microbiological parameters ranged 0 – 2.7 × 104 CFU/100 ml for FC and 0 – 9.3 × 103 for EHEC CFU/100 ml, an indication of non-compliance with set guidelines. Preliminary identification of 40 randomly selected presumptive enterohemorrhagic E. coli isolates by Gram’s staining and oxidase test shows 100% (all 40 selected isolates) to be Gram positive while 90% (36 randomly selected isolates) were oxidase negative. Statistical correlation between the physicochemical and the microbiological parameters were generally weak except in the case of free chlorine and DO where they showed inverse correlation with the microbiological parameters. The recovery of EHEC showed the inefficiency of the treatment processes to effectively inactivate the bacteria, and possibly other pathogenic bacteria that may be present in the treated wastewater. The assessment suggested the need for proper monitoring and a review of the treatment procedures used at these treatment works.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ajibade, Adefisoye Martins
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Sewage disposal plants , Escherichia coli -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Escherichia coli O157:H7 , Escherichia coli , Effluent quality -- Testing , Whole effluent toxicity testing , Water -- Purification
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11283 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016166 , Sewage disposal plants , Escherichia coli -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Escherichia coli O157:H7 , Escherichia coli , Effluent quality -- Testing , Whole effluent toxicity testing , Water -- Purification
- Description: The production of final effluents that meet discharged requirements and guidelines remain a major challenge particularly in the developing world with the resultant problem of surface water pollution. This study assessed the physicochemical and microbiological qualities of two wastewater treatment works in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa in terms of the prevalence of faecal coliforms and Escherichia coli O157:H7 over a five month period. All physicochemical and microbiological analyses were carried out using standard methods. Data were collected in triplicates and analysed statistically using IBM SPSS version 20.0. The ranges of some of the physicochemical parameters that complied with set guidelines include pH (6.7 – 7.6), TDS (107 – 171 mg/L), EC (168 – 266 μS/cm), Temperature (15 – 24oC), NO3- (0 – 8.2 mg/L), NO2- (0.14 – 0.71 mg/L) and PO4 (1.05 – 4.50 mg/L). Others including Turbidity (2.64 – 58.00 NTU), Free Cl (0.13 – 0.65 mg/L), DO (2.20 – 8.48 mg/L), BOD (0.13 – 6.85 mg/L) and COD (40 – 482 mg/L) did not comply with set guidelines. The microbiological parameters ranged 0 – 2.7 × 104 CFU/100 ml for FC and 0 – 9.3 × 103 for EHEC CFU/100 ml, an indication of non-compliance with set guidelines. Preliminary identification of 40 randomly selected presumptive enterohemorrhagic E. coli isolates by Gram’s staining and oxidase test shows 100% (all 40 selected isolates) to be Gram positive while 90% (36 randomly selected isolates) were oxidase negative. Statistical correlation between the physicochemical and the microbiological parameters were generally weak except in the case of free chlorine and DO where they showed inverse correlation with the microbiological parameters. The recovery of EHEC showed the inefficiency of the treatment processes to effectively inactivate the bacteria, and possibly other pathogenic bacteria that may be present in the treated wastewater. The assessment suggested the need for proper monitoring and a review of the treatment procedures used at these treatment works.
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Attitudes, knowledge and behaviour of HIV positive pregnant women attending antenatal care in Buffalo city metropolitan district East London towards prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT)
- Matroshe, Florence Nozakhe Skoti
- Authors: Matroshe, Florence Nozakhe Skoti
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11915 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016150
- Description: The National HIV and AIDS and STI strategic plan for South Africa, 2007-2011 aims to reduce the rate of mother to child transmission to less than 5% by 2011. On the World Aids day in 2009, the Honorable President Jacob Zuma announced the intervention to improve antiretroviral therapy (ARV), access to priority group’s in order to decrease the disease burden, to address maternal and child mortality, and to improve life expectancy (PMTCT Guidelines: 2010). According to the literature reviewed, accepting attitudes may indicate better knowledge and understanding of HIV and AIDS. Marking a change in South Africa’s history of HIV the South African Government launched a major HIV Counseling and Testing program campaign (HCT) in 2010. For the PMTCT program to work and be acceptable, it needs to be known by its clients. It helps the individual to know about their status so that they make important choices for self and others. Amongst the important choices, medications for opportunistic medications, ARV’S, behavior change, etc, are included (Project Literacy 2006:40). Aim and Objectives: The study assessed the knowledge that the pregnant women have towards the prevention of mother to-child transmission which includes HIV testing, antiretroviral prophylaxis during pregnancy, labour, and post natal and feeding options. Methods: A quantitative descriptive method was used for this study. The questionnaires developed by the researcher were used for data collection. The items on the questionnaire were divided into four (4) subsections. The questionnaire was administered to all positive pregnant women coming for follow up visit and those available at the time of data collection. Conclusion: In this study evaluation of the level of knowledge and attitude of positive pregnant women with regard to PMTCT in 5 Buffalo City Municipality clinics was conducted. It was found that some of positive pregnant women have better knowledge about PMTC though there were still those that need further education. Recommendations: The service providers, who are the professional nurses, should be provided with proper training on PMTCT program to improve their standard of service delivery and to capacitate them with knowledge and skills. Integration of HIV related health aspects during assessment and treatment of pregnant women should be strengthened, as the purpose of implementation of PMTCT was to reduce mortality rate by 50%, and also to reach the 4th Millennium Development Goal of reducing these deaths by two-thirds by 2015.east london towards prevention of mother to child transmission (pmtct)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Matroshe, Florence Nozakhe Skoti
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11915 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016150
- Description: The National HIV and AIDS and STI strategic plan for South Africa, 2007-2011 aims to reduce the rate of mother to child transmission to less than 5% by 2011. On the World Aids day in 2009, the Honorable President Jacob Zuma announced the intervention to improve antiretroviral therapy (ARV), access to priority group’s in order to decrease the disease burden, to address maternal and child mortality, and to improve life expectancy (PMTCT Guidelines: 2010). According to the literature reviewed, accepting attitudes may indicate better knowledge and understanding of HIV and AIDS. Marking a change in South Africa’s history of HIV the South African Government launched a major HIV Counseling and Testing program campaign (HCT) in 2010. For the PMTCT program to work and be acceptable, it needs to be known by its clients. It helps the individual to know about their status so that they make important choices for self and others. Amongst the important choices, medications for opportunistic medications, ARV’S, behavior change, etc, are included (Project Literacy 2006:40). Aim and Objectives: The study assessed the knowledge that the pregnant women have towards the prevention of mother to-child transmission which includes HIV testing, antiretroviral prophylaxis during pregnancy, labour, and post natal and feeding options. Methods: A quantitative descriptive method was used for this study. The questionnaires developed by the researcher were used for data collection. The items on the questionnaire were divided into four (4) subsections. The questionnaire was administered to all positive pregnant women coming for follow up visit and those available at the time of data collection. Conclusion: In this study evaluation of the level of knowledge and attitude of positive pregnant women with regard to PMTCT in 5 Buffalo City Municipality clinics was conducted. It was found that some of positive pregnant women have better knowledge about PMTC though there were still those that need further education. Recommendations: The service providers, who are the professional nurses, should be provided with proper training on PMTCT program to improve their standard of service delivery and to capacitate them with knowledge and skills. Integration of HIV related health aspects during assessment and treatment of pregnant women should be strengthened, as the purpose of implementation of PMTCT was to reduce mortality rate by 50%, and also to reach the 4th Millennium Development Goal of reducing these deaths by two-thirds by 2015.east london towards prevention of mother to child transmission (pmtct)
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Balanced scorecard components as predictors of service performance management in first bank Nigeria plc 2009 – 2014
- Authors: Agomuonso, Clara Udochi
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: vital:11721 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1017866
- Description: Many institutions and organizations are set up to with a right motive but fail to actualize their vision. This cuts across both public and private institutions across the globe. A financial institution is selected for this research because of its sensitivity; hence getting it right with a delicate institution like a financial organization will assist usage of this monitoring system by other institutions. Modern banking in Nigeria started in 1892 with the free banking era which ended when the Banking Ordinance of 1952 was promulgated. First Bank was the pioneer bank that was established in Nigeria in 1894 as the Bank of British West Africa. The establishment of the First Bank of Nigeria predates the birth of the Nigerian nation as a sovereign entity. The bank which was registered as the bank of British West Africa in 1894 has therefore evolved along the path of political, social and economic changes and developments of Nigeria from the colonial period to independence and the experience of post-independence. It thus shared, in the process of its growth, the tidal experiences of the nation which, in retrospect, were sources of strength (Ndekwu, 1994).
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- Authors: Agomuonso, Clara Udochi
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: vital:11721 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1017866
- Description: Many institutions and organizations are set up to with a right motive but fail to actualize their vision. This cuts across both public and private institutions across the globe. A financial institution is selected for this research because of its sensitivity; hence getting it right with a delicate institution like a financial organization will assist usage of this monitoring system by other institutions. Modern banking in Nigeria started in 1892 with the free banking era which ended when the Banking Ordinance of 1952 was promulgated. First Bank was the pioneer bank that was established in Nigeria in 1894 as the Bank of British West Africa. The establishment of the First Bank of Nigeria predates the birth of the Nigerian nation as a sovereign entity. The bank which was registered as the bank of British West Africa in 1894 has therefore evolved along the path of political, social and economic changes and developments of Nigeria from the colonial period to independence and the experience of post-independence. It thus shared, in the process of its growth, the tidal experiences of the nation which, in retrospect, were sources of strength (Ndekwu, 1994).
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Barriers and incentives to potential adoption of biofuel crops by smallholder farmers in selected areas in the Chris Hani and O.R. Tambo district municipalities, South Africa
- Authors: Cheteni, Priviledge
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Renewable energy sources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Energy crops industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11225 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1020182 , Renewable energy sources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Energy crops industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Since the launch of the Biofuels Industrial Strategy in 2007 by the South African government, only a few smallholder farmers have adopted biofuels for production. The government hopes to stimulate economic development and alleviate poverty by targeting areas that were previously neglected for agriculture by the apartheid government. However, there still appears to be a lack of a clear and comprehensive policy framework for the development of a South African biofuel industry, because the proposed initiatives have not been implemented to date. There are also concerns among stakeholders that government policy is taking too long to formulate, compounding existing uncertainty in the industry. This study therefore aims to identify barriers and incentives that influence the potential adoption of biofuel crops in selected areas in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The study utilised a semi-structured questionnaire to record responses from 129 smallholder farmers that were identified through a snowballing sampling technique. Descriptive statistical analysis and a Heckman two-step model were applied to analyse the data. Analysis was done using SPSS 21 and EViews 8. Results obtained showed that the variables: arable land, incentives offered, challenges faced, labour source and farm experience were statistical significant at 5 or 10 percent p value to awareness of farmers to biofuel crops. Adoption of biofuel crops was statistically related to gender, qualification, membership to association and household size. The study recommends that the Biofuels Industrial Strategy Policy be revisited in order to have a mechanism of including smallholder farmers that it aims to empower with employment and improvement in their livelihoods. The government can help smallholder farmers by addressing the challenges they face in improving their output. Furthermore, it recommends that a national study on barriers and incentives that influence the adoption of biofuel crops be carried out in order to identify other factors that may hinder the Biofuels Strategy Policy aims in empowering the disadvantaged farmers.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Cheteni, Priviledge
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Renewable energy sources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Energy crops industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11225 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1020182 , Renewable energy sources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Energy crops industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Since the launch of the Biofuels Industrial Strategy in 2007 by the South African government, only a few smallholder farmers have adopted biofuels for production. The government hopes to stimulate economic development and alleviate poverty by targeting areas that were previously neglected for agriculture by the apartheid government. However, there still appears to be a lack of a clear and comprehensive policy framework for the development of a South African biofuel industry, because the proposed initiatives have not been implemented to date. There are also concerns among stakeholders that government policy is taking too long to formulate, compounding existing uncertainty in the industry. This study therefore aims to identify barriers and incentives that influence the potential adoption of biofuel crops in selected areas in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The study utilised a semi-structured questionnaire to record responses from 129 smallholder farmers that were identified through a snowballing sampling technique. Descriptive statistical analysis and a Heckman two-step model were applied to analyse the data. Analysis was done using SPSS 21 and EViews 8. Results obtained showed that the variables: arable land, incentives offered, challenges faced, labour source and farm experience were statistical significant at 5 or 10 percent p value to awareness of farmers to biofuel crops. Adoption of biofuel crops was statistically related to gender, qualification, membership to association and household size. The study recommends that the Biofuels Industrial Strategy Policy be revisited in order to have a mechanism of including smallholder farmers that it aims to empower with employment and improvement in their livelihoods. The government can help smallholder farmers by addressing the challenges they face in improving their output. Furthermore, it recommends that a national study on barriers and incentives that influence the adoption of biofuel crops be carried out in order to identify other factors that may hinder the Biofuels Strategy Policy aims in empowering the disadvantaged farmers.
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Basin analysis of the Soutpansberg and Tuli Coalfields, Limpopo Province of South Africa
- Authors: Malaza, Ntokozo
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Geology)
- Identifier: vital:11531 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021279
- Description: The Soutpansberg and Tuli Coalfields are both hosted in the Karoo Basin, Limpopo Province of South Africa. The Soutpansberg Coalfield is situated north of the Soutpansberg Mountain Range and has a strike length of about 200 km and width of about 80 km which is fault controlled and extends from Waterpoort in the west to the Kruger National Park in the east. The Tuli Coalfield occurs in a small intracratonic, east-west trending fault-controlled sedimentary basin with a preserved width of 80 km and length of 120 km. The east to west trend of the Tuli Coalfield parallels that of the Soutpansberg Coalfield further east, and the two coalfields link up with the north-south trending Lebombo Basin. The Tuli Coalfield occurs in the Tuli Basin, while the Soutpansberg Coalfield occurs in the Soutpansberg Basin. The two basins preserve a heterogeneous succession of the Upper Paleozoic to Lower Mesozoic sedimentary and volcanic rocks of the Karoo Supergroup. Because the area is largely covered by the Quaternary Kalahari Group sands, the stratigraphy of the succession is not as well understood as the Main Karoo Basin in South Africa. This study deals with the intra-basinal stratigraphic correlation, facies and depositional environments, petrography, geochemistry, provenance, geophysics, structural geology, diagenesis of sandstone, subsidence history and coal quality in the Soutpansberg and Tuli Coalfields. Based on the field work and detailed sedimentological analyses of over 2000 borehole data, seven facies associations (FAs) comprising sixteen major lithofacies were identified. The facies associations are: Glacial diamictite and sandstone (FA 1), Clast supported conglomerate and sandstone (FA 2), Tabular cross-bedded sandstone (FA 3), Trough and planar cross-bedded sandstone (FA 4), Fine calcareous and micaceous siltstone and mudstone (FA 5), Sandy shale/mudstone (FA 6), Laminated or thin-bedded Carbonaceous shale/mudstone and coal (FA 7). The facies associations (FA 1 to FA 7) correspond to the lithostratigraphic sub-divisions of the Tshidzi, Madzaringwe and Mikambeni Formations. The Madzaringwe Formation in this study is informally sub-divided into the Lower, Middle and Upper Members while the Mikambeni Formation is informally sub-divided into the Lower and Upper Members. Sedimentological characteristics of the identified facies associations indicate the following depositional environments: Fluvioglacial (braided streams) depositional environment (FA 1, Tshidzi Diamictite Formation); Floodplain ponds, lakes, marshes and backswamps (FA 6 and FA 7, Lower Member of the Madzaringwe Formation); Meandering and braided channels, crevasse splays, levees and crevasse channels (FA 2, FA 3, FA 4 and FA 5, Middle Member of the Madzaringwe Formation); Floodplain ponds, lakes and backswamps (FA 6 and FA 7, Upper Member of the Madzaringwe Formation); Meandering and braided channels, crevasse splays, swamps and shallow lakes (FA 5, FA 6 and FA 7, Lower Member of the Mikambeni Formation) and lastly braided channels, meandering channels, levees and crevasse channels (FA 2, FA 3, FA 4 and FA 5, Upper Member of the Mikambeni Formation). Paleocurrent directions were measured using directional structures (cross-bedding and asymmetric ripple marks). The paleocurrent analysis shows that the direction of the channels was from south-west to north-east in both coalfields. Based on the structural study and geophysical interpretations, the structural and tectonic settings of the two coalfields have been revealed, both coalfields are normal fault-bounded. The geological evolution of the Karoo strata, at least since the Upper Carboniferous, essentially follows the type model for passive continental margin terrain. Paleostress inversion techniques have been employed to interpret the stress regime of the two coalfields. The Soutpansberg Basin is characterised by W-E to ENE-WSW extension and N-S to NNW-SSE compression. The Tuli Basin is characterised by N-S to NNW-SSE compression and W-E to ENE-WSE extension. This stress field reflects the established structural trend of the two shear belts (the Tshipise and Siloam shear zones) bounding the Central Zone of the Limpopo Mobile Belt. The geophysical interpretations were focused on outlining structures, contacts and on the delineation of gravity, magnetic and radiometric signatures in areas defined as anomalous. The magnetic, gravity and radiometric data showed low amplitudes in the sedimentary strata compared to the surrounding and basement geological bodies. The E-N-E fault system has a notable signature, defining two magnetic domains on both southern and northern sides of the Soutpansberg Coalfield. The intrusive emplacements are mainly fault controlled and they trend in the same direction as the two fault systems. Jurassic volcanics (Letaba and Jozini Formations) follow a SW-NE trend, outcropping in the east (Soutpansberg Basin), producing a strong magnetic response in this area, and partly buried in the west, where magnetic intensity tends to be reduced. Petrographic and geochemical analyses of the Soutpansberg sandstones revealed immature sub-litharenite, sub-arkose and minor arkosic arenites in nature, dominated by sub-angular to rounded detrital grains, sourced from recycled orogens, craton interior to transitional continental. The sandstones of the Tuli Coalfield are classified as sub-arkoses and minor sub-litharenites and sourced from the craton interior and recycled orogen provenances. Both petrographic and geochemical results suggest a passive continental margin source. Petrographic and geochemical results of the samples of the Soutpansberg Coalfield suggest uplifted basement source areas dominated by sedimentary rocks with minor granite-gneiss rocks. The petrography and geochemistry of the Tuli sandstones suggest source areas dominantly composed of plutonic (granites) and metamorphic (gneisses and schists) rocks with a component from a sedimentary (quartz-arenites, quartzites, shales, arkoses and meta-arkoses) rocks. Diagenetic features of Mikambeni and Madzaringwe sandstones are subdivided into early, middle and late stages. Time is relative with the earliest diagenetic event occurring shortly after deposition and the latest occurring up until present time. The main diagenetic processes that have affected the sandstones include mechanical compaction, cementation and the dissolution of framework grains and cements. Early diagenetic processes include mechanical compaction, silica and calcite cementation, clay minerals (pore lining and pore-filling kaolinite, illite and smectite), feldspar authigenesis and the formation of hematite cements and coatings. Late diagenesis includes quartz and feldspar overgrowths, seritisation, chlorite alteration, grain deformation, pressure-solution and fracturing and albitisation. The subsidence of the basins is believed to be initiated and thermally controlled by tectonics (i.e. faults of basements blocks) rather than sedimentary burial. The subsidence within the basins supports the primary graben system which must have been centered within the present basins, and later became a region of major faulting. This gave way to the Late Carboniferous rapid subsidence, with areas of greater extension subsiding more rapidly. The Early Permian (last phase) is characterised by a slow subsidence representing the post-rift thermal subsidence. The rift flanks were gradually uplifted and, and then generally subsided as a results of thermal contraction after the extension terminated. Based on the coal analysis, both coalfields are characterised by coking bituminous coal. The study has revealed that the eastern Soutpansberg Coalfield is likely to present better opportunities for identification of potentially exploitable coal deposits as compared to the Tuli Coalfield.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Malaza, Ntokozo
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Geology)
- Identifier: vital:11531 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021279
- Description: The Soutpansberg and Tuli Coalfields are both hosted in the Karoo Basin, Limpopo Province of South Africa. The Soutpansberg Coalfield is situated north of the Soutpansberg Mountain Range and has a strike length of about 200 km and width of about 80 km which is fault controlled and extends from Waterpoort in the west to the Kruger National Park in the east. The Tuli Coalfield occurs in a small intracratonic, east-west trending fault-controlled sedimentary basin with a preserved width of 80 km and length of 120 km. The east to west trend of the Tuli Coalfield parallels that of the Soutpansberg Coalfield further east, and the two coalfields link up with the north-south trending Lebombo Basin. The Tuli Coalfield occurs in the Tuli Basin, while the Soutpansberg Coalfield occurs in the Soutpansberg Basin. The two basins preserve a heterogeneous succession of the Upper Paleozoic to Lower Mesozoic sedimentary and volcanic rocks of the Karoo Supergroup. Because the area is largely covered by the Quaternary Kalahari Group sands, the stratigraphy of the succession is not as well understood as the Main Karoo Basin in South Africa. This study deals with the intra-basinal stratigraphic correlation, facies and depositional environments, petrography, geochemistry, provenance, geophysics, structural geology, diagenesis of sandstone, subsidence history and coal quality in the Soutpansberg and Tuli Coalfields. Based on the field work and detailed sedimentological analyses of over 2000 borehole data, seven facies associations (FAs) comprising sixteen major lithofacies were identified. The facies associations are: Glacial diamictite and sandstone (FA 1), Clast supported conglomerate and sandstone (FA 2), Tabular cross-bedded sandstone (FA 3), Trough and planar cross-bedded sandstone (FA 4), Fine calcareous and micaceous siltstone and mudstone (FA 5), Sandy shale/mudstone (FA 6), Laminated or thin-bedded Carbonaceous shale/mudstone and coal (FA 7). The facies associations (FA 1 to FA 7) correspond to the lithostratigraphic sub-divisions of the Tshidzi, Madzaringwe and Mikambeni Formations. The Madzaringwe Formation in this study is informally sub-divided into the Lower, Middle and Upper Members while the Mikambeni Formation is informally sub-divided into the Lower and Upper Members. Sedimentological characteristics of the identified facies associations indicate the following depositional environments: Fluvioglacial (braided streams) depositional environment (FA 1, Tshidzi Diamictite Formation); Floodplain ponds, lakes, marshes and backswamps (FA 6 and FA 7, Lower Member of the Madzaringwe Formation); Meandering and braided channels, crevasse splays, levees and crevasse channels (FA 2, FA 3, FA 4 and FA 5, Middle Member of the Madzaringwe Formation); Floodplain ponds, lakes and backswamps (FA 6 and FA 7, Upper Member of the Madzaringwe Formation); Meandering and braided channels, crevasse splays, swamps and shallow lakes (FA 5, FA 6 and FA 7, Lower Member of the Mikambeni Formation) and lastly braided channels, meandering channels, levees and crevasse channels (FA 2, FA 3, FA 4 and FA 5, Upper Member of the Mikambeni Formation). Paleocurrent directions were measured using directional structures (cross-bedding and asymmetric ripple marks). The paleocurrent analysis shows that the direction of the channels was from south-west to north-east in both coalfields. Based on the structural study and geophysical interpretations, the structural and tectonic settings of the two coalfields have been revealed, both coalfields are normal fault-bounded. The geological evolution of the Karoo strata, at least since the Upper Carboniferous, essentially follows the type model for passive continental margin terrain. Paleostress inversion techniques have been employed to interpret the stress regime of the two coalfields. The Soutpansberg Basin is characterised by W-E to ENE-WSW extension and N-S to NNW-SSE compression. The Tuli Basin is characterised by N-S to NNW-SSE compression and W-E to ENE-WSE extension. This stress field reflects the established structural trend of the two shear belts (the Tshipise and Siloam shear zones) bounding the Central Zone of the Limpopo Mobile Belt. The geophysical interpretations were focused on outlining structures, contacts and on the delineation of gravity, magnetic and radiometric signatures in areas defined as anomalous. The magnetic, gravity and radiometric data showed low amplitudes in the sedimentary strata compared to the surrounding and basement geological bodies. The E-N-E fault system has a notable signature, defining two magnetic domains on both southern and northern sides of the Soutpansberg Coalfield. The intrusive emplacements are mainly fault controlled and they trend in the same direction as the two fault systems. Jurassic volcanics (Letaba and Jozini Formations) follow a SW-NE trend, outcropping in the east (Soutpansberg Basin), producing a strong magnetic response in this area, and partly buried in the west, where magnetic intensity tends to be reduced. Petrographic and geochemical analyses of the Soutpansberg sandstones revealed immature sub-litharenite, sub-arkose and minor arkosic arenites in nature, dominated by sub-angular to rounded detrital grains, sourced from recycled orogens, craton interior to transitional continental. The sandstones of the Tuli Coalfield are classified as sub-arkoses and minor sub-litharenites and sourced from the craton interior and recycled orogen provenances. Both petrographic and geochemical results suggest a passive continental margin source. Petrographic and geochemical results of the samples of the Soutpansberg Coalfield suggest uplifted basement source areas dominated by sedimentary rocks with minor granite-gneiss rocks. The petrography and geochemistry of the Tuli sandstones suggest source areas dominantly composed of plutonic (granites) and metamorphic (gneisses and schists) rocks with a component from a sedimentary (quartz-arenites, quartzites, shales, arkoses and meta-arkoses) rocks. Diagenetic features of Mikambeni and Madzaringwe sandstones are subdivided into early, middle and late stages. Time is relative with the earliest diagenetic event occurring shortly after deposition and the latest occurring up until present time. The main diagenetic processes that have affected the sandstones include mechanical compaction, cementation and the dissolution of framework grains and cements. Early diagenetic processes include mechanical compaction, silica and calcite cementation, clay minerals (pore lining and pore-filling kaolinite, illite and smectite), feldspar authigenesis and the formation of hematite cements and coatings. Late diagenesis includes quartz and feldspar overgrowths, seritisation, chlorite alteration, grain deformation, pressure-solution and fracturing and albitisation. The subsidence of the basins is believed to be initiated and thermally controlled by tectonics (i.e. faults of basements blocks) rather than sedimentary burial. The subsidence within the basins supports the primary graben system which must have been centered within the present basins, and later became a region of major faulting. This gave way to the Late Carboniferous rapid subsidence, with areas of greater extension subsiding more rapidly. The Early Permian (last phase) is characterised by a slow subsidence representing the post-rift thermal subsidence. The rift flanks were gradually uplifted and, and then generally subsided as a results of thermal contraction after the extension terminated. Based on the coal analysis, both coalfields are characterised by coking bituminous coal. The study has revealed that the eastern Soutpansberg Coalfield is likely to present better opportunities for identification of potentially exploitable coal deposits as compared to the Tuli Coalfield.
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Biological evaluation and semi-synthesis of Isolated compounds from (Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & Perry) Buds
- Authors: Sibusiso, Rali
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Chemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11352 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021140
- Description: Natural products play a fundamental role in modern drug discovery as they continue providing diverse bioactive lead compounds for new drug formulation. However, isolation of these valued compounds is problematic. On the other hand, the morbidity and mortality rates caused by non-communicable diseases are increasing with improved longevity. Thus, the study herein focused on the isolation of plant-derived compounds from Syzygium aromaticum and evaluated their biological properties. Syzygium aromaticum is a well-known plant which belongs to family Myrtaceae. Dried flower buds of S. aromaticum were subjected to sequential solvent extraction. The ethyl acetate extract (15.535 g) was subjected to column chromatography using a silica gel (0.063-0.200 mm) for isolation. This has led to the isolation of three distinct compounds that were identified as eugenol, maslinic acid (MA) and oleanolic acid (OA). The structural elucidation of these valued compounds was done using NMR, GC-MS, LC-MS, FT-IR and Mp. Further semi-synthesis of the oleanolic acid afforded acetate and ester OA-derived compounds with better solubility properties. All these compounds were evaluated for analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. All tested compounds were administered at a dose of 40 mg/kg to both Wistar rats and Swiss mice. Significant (p<0.01) analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties are obtained for all compounds. The effects of eugenol in all experiment were better except in the thermal-induced pain or tail flick test. In the case of modified compounds, the formalin induced pain test disclosed that oleanane derived compounds confessed analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects better than OA, whereas, in tale flick test oleanolic acid proved superior analgesic effects compared to all its derivatives with the exception of the acetyl-derivative. Acute anti-inflammatory test showed that acetyl-derivatives were more active than other compounds. In conclusion, chromatographic techniques and semi-synthesise of oleanolic acid have resulted to several plant-derived compounds with analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. The semi-synthesized compounds may serve as alternative drug candidates for new analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug formulation
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- Authors: Sibusiso, Rali
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Chemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11352 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021140
- Description: Natural products play a fundamental role in modern drug discovery as they continue providing diverse bioactive lead compounds for new drug formulation. However, isolation of these valued compounds is problematic. On the other hand, the morbidity and mortality rates caused by non-communicable diseases are increasing with improved longevity. Thus, the study herein focused on the isolation of plant-derived compounds from Syzygium aromaticum and evaluated their biological properties. Syzygium aromaticum is a well-known plant which belongs to family Myrtaceae. Dried flower buds of S. aromaticum were subjected to sequential solvent extraction. The ethyl acetate extract (15.535 g) was subjected to column chromatography using a silica gel (0.063-0.200 mm) for isolation. This has led to the isolation of three distinct compounds that were identified as eugenol, maslinic acid (MA) and oleanolic acid (OA). The structural elucidation of these valued compounds was done using NMR, GC-MS, LC-MS, FT-IR and Mp. Further semi-synthesis of the oleanolic acid afforded acetate and ester OA-derived compounds with better solubility properties. All these compounds were evaluated for analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. All tested compounds were administered at a dose of 40 mg/kg to both Wistar rats and Swiss mice. Significant (p<0.01) analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties are obtained for all compounds. The effects of eugenol in all experiment were better except in the thermal-induced pain or tail flick test. In the case of modified compounds, the formalin induced pain test disclosed that oleanane derived compounds confessed analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects better than OA, whereas, in tale flick test oleanolic acid proved superior analgesic effects compared to all its derivatives with the exception of the acetyl-derivative. Acute anti-inflammatory test showed that acetyl-derivatives were more active than other compounds. In conclusion, chromatographic techniques and semi-synthesise of oleanolic acid have resulted to several plant-derived compounds with analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. The semi-synthesized compounds may serve as alternative drug candidates for new analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug formulation
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Challenges faced by traditional healers when treating people living with HIV and AIDS: the case of Intsika Municipality, Eastern Cape province
- Authors: Zimba, Zibonele France
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: People with HIV and AIDS disease -- Healers -- South Africa , Traditional medicine -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Treatment -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M SW
- Identifier: vital:11768 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015357 , People with HIV and AIDS disease -- Healers -- South Africa , Traditional medicine -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Treatment -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment -- South Africa
- Description: The aim of the study was to examine the procedures followed by traditional healers treating people living with HIV and AIDS in the Instika Municipality and the challenges faced by them in this endeavour. Using the qualitative research method, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with twenty traditional healers. Among the significant findings of this study were the hardships encountered by traditional healers in terms of finance, the transport needed to collect medicinal plants, the shortage of medicinal plants, the lack of co-operation from the formal health care sector and the discrimination and abuse suffered at the hands of members of the community, with Christians and members of the SAPS being among the chief antagonists. It is also acknowledged in this study that traditional healers have been trained by the Department of Health concerning issues of hygiene and that traditional healers have knowledge of the symptoms of HIV and AIDS. It can therefore be concluded that traditional healers have a significant role to play in preventing the spread of HIV and AIDS if they employ preventative measures such as the use of protective gloves and limiting the use of a blade to one patient only. However, traditional healers are not supplied with safety kits or condoms to distribute to patients who consult them for treatment of STIs.
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- Authors: Zimba, Zibonele France
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: People with HIV and AIDS disease -- Healers -- South Africa , Traditional medicine -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Treatment -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M SW
- Identifier: vital:11768 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015357 , People with HIV and AIDS disease -- Healers -- South Africa , Traditional medicine -- South Africa , HIV infections -- Treatment -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment -- South Africa
- Description: The aim of the study was to examine the procedures followed by traditional healers treating people living with HIV and AIDS in the Instika Municipality and the challenges faced by them in this endeavour. Using the qualitative research method, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with twenty traditional healers. Among the significant findings of this study were the hardships encountered by traditional healers in terms of finance, the transport needed to collect medicinal plants, the shortage of medicinal plants, the lack of co-operation from the formal health care sector and the discrimination and abuse suffered at the hands of members of the community, with Christians and members of the SAPS being among the chief antagonists. It is also acknowledged in this study that traditional healers have been trained by the Department of Health concerning issues of hygiene and that traditional healers have knowledge of the symptoms of HIV and AIDS. It can therefore be concluded that traditional healers have a significant role to play in preventing the spread of HIV and AIDS if they employ preventative measures such as the use of protective gloves and limiting the use of a blade to one patient only. However, traditional healers are not supplied with safety kits or condoms to distribute to patients who consult them for treatment of STIs.
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Changing marriage practices: the case of urban working class in East London, South Africa
- Authors: Stofile, Zimkhitha Sphokazi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Marriage -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Interpersonal relations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (African Studies)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1283 , vital:26542 , Marriage -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Interpersonal relations
- Description: This research sought to examine changing meaning of marriage and meaning of family among urban working class residing in East London and how their perceptions of marriage have shifted from the orthodox norms. This study was conducted in Amalinda, which is one of the East London suburbs. Interviews were conducted with male and female informants. It is acknowledged in this study that marriage has traditionally been regarded as imperative in both African and Western cultures. However, there have been some drastic changes in the marriage institution in the twenty-first century. This study found out that people have shifted from the orthodox practices of marriage. The traditional culture has been influenced by various factors such as education, globalisation, and urbanisation. Furthermore, there has been a rise in the number of people who cohabit, increase in the age of first marriage, premarital childbearing and there has been a decline in the number of polygamous marriages and arranged marriages and a number of people have no problem with same-sex marriages. Furthermore, financial implications and financial securities play are influences on why some people choose or not choose to marry.
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- Authors: Stofile, Zimkhitha Sphokazi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Marriage -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Interpersonal relations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (African Studies)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1283 , vital:26542 , Marriage -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Interpersonal relations
- Description: This research sought to examine changing meaning of marriage and meaning of family among urban working class residing in East London and how their perceptions of marriage have shifted from the orthodox norms. This study was conducted in Amalinda, which is one of the East London suburbs. Interviews were conducted with male and female informants. It is acknowledged in this study that marriage has traditionally been regarded as imperative in both African and Western cultures. However, there have been some drastic changes in the marriage institution in the twenty-first century. This study found out that people have shifted from the orthodox practices of marriage. The traditional culture has been influenced by various factors such as education, globalisation, and urbanisation. Furthermore, there has been a rise in the number of people who cohabit, increase in the age of first marriage, premarital childbearing and there has been a decline in the number of polygamous marriages and arranged marriages and a number of people have no problem with same-sex marriages. Furthermore, financial implications and financial securities play are influences on why some people choose or not choose to marry.
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Characterization and computer simulation of corn stover/coal blends for co-gasification in a downdraft gasifier
- Authors: Mabizela, Polycarp Sbusiso
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Physics)
- Identifier: vital:11600 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1020203
- Description: The need for sustainable alternative energy technology is becoming more urgent as the demand for clean energy environment increases. For centuries, electricity in South Africa has been derived mostly from coal with results growing in multifold annually due to concerns about the impact of fossil fuel utilization related to emission of greenhouse gasses. It is practically impossible at the moment to replace coal with biomass resources because of the low energy value of biomass. However, the conversion of coal has experienced some challenges especially during its gasification which includes, but are not limited to a high reaction temperature exceeding 900°C which most gasifiers cannot achieve, and if achieved in most cases, combustion of the resulting syngas usually occur, leading to low conversion efficiency and the risk of reaching extremely high temperatures that may result in pressure build up and explosion may also occur. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the possibility of co-gasifying corn stover with coal with the ultimate aim establishing the best mixing ratio that would result in optimum co-gasification efficiency after computer simulation. Proximate and ultimate analysis, including energy values of corn stover and coal as well as their blends were undertaken and results showed significant differences between the two feedstocks and narrow range composition betwee their blends in terms of properties and energy value. Corn stover showed a higher fraction of volatile matter and lower ash content than coal, whereas those of their blends vary considerably in terms of physical properties. Differences in chemical composition also showed higher fraction of hydrogen and oxygen, and less carbon than coal while those of their blends vary according to the ratio of corn stover to coal and vice versa in the blends. The thermal stability of corn stover and coal as well as their blends were also established and the maximum temperature reached for thermal degradation of their blends was 900°C as depicted by TGA analysis. The SEM results revealed no changes in morphology of the pure samples of corn stover and coal which was due to the fact that a pre-treatment of the samples were not undertaken, whereas the blends showed significant changes in morphology as a result of blending. However, luminous and non-luminous features were noticed in both SEM images of the blends with the 10% coal/90% corn stover blend having higher percentages of luminosity as a result of higher quantities of coal in the blend. The energy density of the samples were also measured and found to be 16.1 MJ/kg and 22.8 MJ/kg for corn stover and coal respectively. Those of their blends varied from 16.9 to approximately 23.5 MJ/kg. These results were used to conduct computer simulation of the co-gasification process in order to establish the best blend that would result in maximum co-gasification efficiency. The blend 90% corn stover/10% coal was found to be the most suitable blend for co-gasification resulting in an efficiency of approximately 58% because its conversion was efficiently achieved at a temperature that is intermediate to that of coal and biomass independently. The simulation results were, however, compared with experimental data found in the literature and results showed only slight variation between them.
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- Authors: Mabizela, Polycarp Sbusiso
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Physics)
- Identifier: vital:11600 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1020203
- Description: The need for sustainable alternative energy technology is becoming more urgent as the demand for clean energy environment increases. For centuries, electricity in South Africa has been derived mostly from coal with results growing in multifold annually due to concerns about the impact of fossil fuel utilization related to emission of greenhouse gasses. It is practically impossible at the moment to replace coal with biomass resources because of the low energy value of biomass. However, the conversion of coal has experienced some challenges especially during its gasification which includes, but are not limited to a high reaction temperature exceeding 900°C which most gasifiers cannot achieve, and if achieved in most cases, combustion of the resulting syngas usually occur, leading to low conversion efficiency and the risk of reaching extremely high temperatures that may result in pressure build up and explosion may also occur. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the possibility of co-gasifying corn stover with coal with the ultimate aim establishing the best mixing ratio that would result in optimum co-gasification efficiency after computer simulation. Proximate and ultimate analysis, including energy values of corn stover and coal as well as their blends were undertaken and results showed significant differences between the two feedstocks and narrow range composition betwee their blends in terms of properties and energy value. Corn stover showed a higher fraction of volatile matter and lower ash content than coal, whereas those of their blends vary considerably in terms of physical properties. Differences in chemical composition also showed higher fraction of hydrogen and oxygen, and less carbon than coal while those of their blends vary according to the ratio of corn stover to coal and vice versa in the blends. The thermal stability of corn stover and coal as well as their blends were also established and the maximum temperature reached for thermal degradation of their blends was 900°C as depicted by TGA analysis. The SEM results revealed no changes in morphology of the pure samples of corn stover and coal which was due to the fact that a pre-treatment of the samples were not undertaken, whereas the blends showed significant changes in morphology as a result of blending. However, luminous and non-luminous features were noticed in both SEM images of the blends with the 10% coal/90% corn stover blend having higher percentages of luminosity as a result of higher quantities of coal in the blend. The energy density of the samples were also measured and found to be 16.1 MJ/kg and 22.8 MJ/kg for corn stover and coal respectively. Those of their blends varied from 16.9 to approximately 23.5 MJ/kg. These results were used to conduct computer simulation of the co-gasification process in order to establish the best blend that would result in maximum co-gasification efficiency. The blend 90% corn stover/10% coal was found to be the most suitable blend for co-gasification resulting in an efficiency of approximately 58% because its conversion was efficiently achieved at a temperature that is intermediate to that of coal and biomass independently. The simulation results were, however, compared with experimental data found in the literature and results showed only slight variation between them.
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Clinical experiences of third-year student nurses in a public college in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Tyanti, Mandisa
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11912 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016097
- Description: Clinical experience has always been an important part of nursing education. Nursing colleges require students to be placed in clinical areas in order to acquire new knowledge and skills. The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the clinical experiences during their clinical placement of the third-year student nurses at a public college in the Eastern Cape. The objectives of this study were: to explore and describe the experiences of the third-year student of a public nursing college in the Eastern Cape, and to describe strategies for the improvement of student learning during clinical practice. A qualitative, explorative and descriptive research design was used to describe the clinical experiences of these student nurses and the strategies for the improvement of student learning during clinical practice. Data were collected from focus group interviews, using a purposive and convenience sample from one college campus in the Eastern Cape. Tesch’s method of data analysis (in Creswell, 2003) was used to analyse data. Trustworthiness was ensured in this research by using Guba’s model (in Lincoln & Guba, 1985) of qualitative research. Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Fort Hare Research Ethics Committee, the Department of Health, Eastern Cape, the Head of the Nursing College, the Campus Head and the participants and ethical consideration was ensured throughout the research process. Themes and sub-themes emerged from data collected about the clinical experiences of the nurses. The study brought to light the experiences of third-year student nurses during allocation to clinical areas. The findings from this study revealed the need for proper clinical accompaniment by college staff to ensure that clinical learning is taking place. Strategies to improve learning in the clinical areas are described. and recommendations for nursing education and nursing practice are made. If this is applied, it will help the student nurses to be better professionals.
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- Authors: Tyanti, Mandisa
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11912 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016097
- Description: Clinical experience has always been an important part of nursing education. Nursing colleges require students to be placed in clinical areas in order to acquire new knowledge and skills. The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the clinical experiences during their clinical placement of the third-year student nurses at a public college in the Eastern Cape. The objectives of this study were: to explore and describe the experiences of the third-year student of a public nursing college in the Eastern Cape, and to describe strategies for the improvement of student learning during clinical practice. A qualitative, explorative and descriptive research design was used to describe the clinical experiences of these student nurses and the strategies for the improvement of student learning during clinical practice. Data were collected from focus group interviews, using a purposive and convenience sample from one college campus in the Eastern Cape. Tesch’s method of data analysis (in Creswell, 2003) was used to analyse data. Trustworthiness was ensured in this research by using Guba’s model (in Lincoln & Guba, 1985) of qualitative research. Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Fort Hare Research Ethics Committee, the Department of Health, Eastern Cape, the Head of the Nursing College, the Campus Head and the participants and ethical consideration was ensured throughout the research process. Themes and sub-themes emerged from data collected about the clinical experiences of the nurses. The study brought to light the experiences of third-year student nurses during allocation to clinical areas. The findings from this study revealed the need for proper clinical accompaniment by college staff to ensure that clinical learning is taking place. Strategies to improve learning in the clinical areas are described. and recommendations for nursing education and nursing practice are made. If this is applied, it will help the student nurses to be better professionals.
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Computational studies, synthesis and characterization of ruthenium (ii) anticancer complexes
- Authors: Adeniyi, Adebayo Azeez
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Chemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11338 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015577
- Description: This thesis is centred on the application of Ru-based complexes as a promising alternative to cis-platin in cancer chemotherapy. Cis-platin is known to be the most prescribed chemotherapy which has more than 70% application in cancer cases especially the testicular cancer. An insight is provided in Chapter One and Two into the literatures reports on the application of Ru(II)-based complexes in cancer chemotherapy. In order to address some of the pressing challenges in rational design of Ru-based anticancer complexes, section 3.3 and 3.4 deal with efforts to elucidate the complication of their chemistry and instability while in section 3.5 efforts are made to find solution to the lack of proper knowledge of their targets using different theoretical approaches as presented in Chapter Three. In addition to the theoretical study, this thesis also comprises of the synthesis of the bis-pyrazole derivatives type of ligands and the derivatives of their Ru(II)-based complexes as provided in Chapter Four and Five respectively. Also the computational methods were used to elucidate the structural and spectroscopic properties of the synthesised ligands and their Ru(II)-based complexes. The geometrical and electronic properties are studied in relation to the stability and the reported anticancer activities of Ru(II)-based complexes in section 3.3. In subsection 3.3.1, several quantum properties including the natural energy decomposition analysis (NEDA) and quantum theory of atoms in a molecule (QTAIM) are computed on three models of RAPTA-C complexes using DFT with hybrid functional and basis set with ECP and without ECP. The higher stability of Carbo-RAPTA-C and Oxalo-RAPTA-C over RAPTA-C comes from the lower exchange repulsion and higher polarization contributions to their stability which gives insight into experimental observation. A similar study was carried out in subsection 3.3.2 on half-sandwich Ru(II)-based anticancer complexes with 6-toluene and 6-trifluorotoluene.
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- Authors: Adeniyi, Adebayo Azeez
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Chemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11338 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015577
- Description: This thesis is centred on the application of Ru-based complexes as a promising alternative to cis-platin in cancer chemotherapy. Cis-platin is known to be the most prescribed chemotherapy which has more than 70% application in cancer cases especially the testicular cancer. An insight is provided in Chapter One and Two into the literatures reports on the application of Ru(II)-based complexes in cancer chemotherapy. In order to address some of the pressing challenges in rational design of Ru-based anticancer complexes, section 3.3 and 3.4 deal with efforts to elucidate the complication of their chemistry and instability while in section 3.5 efforts are made to find solution to the lack of proper knowledge of their targets using different theoretical approaches as presented in Chapter Three. In addition to the theoretical study, this thesis also comprises of the synthesis of the bis-pyrazole derivatives type of ligands and the derivatives of their Ru(II)-based complexes as provided in Chapter Four and Five respectively. Also the computational methods were used to elucidate the structural and spectroscopic properties of the synthesised ligands and their Ru(II)-based complexes. The geometrical and electronic properties are studied in relation to the stability and the reported anticancer activities of Ru(II)-based complexes in section 3.3. In subsection 3.3.1, several quantum properties including the natural energy decomposition analysis (NEDA) and quantum theory of atoms in a molecule (QTAIM) are computed on three models of RAPTA-C complexes using DFT with hybrid functional and basis set with ECP and without ECP. The higher stability of Carbo-RAPTA-C and Oxalo-RAPTA-C over RAPTA-C comes from the lower exchange repulsion and higher polarization contributions to their stability which gives insight into experimental observation. A similar study was carried out in subsection 3.3.2 on half-sandwich Ru(II)-based anticancer complexes with 6-toluene and 6-trifluorotoluene.
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Core self-evaluations, stress and work aspirations of Department of Education officers in selected districts in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Gabelana, Nomzamo
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Industrial Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/944 , vital:26511
- Description: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of core self-evaluations and stress on the aspiration levels of the Department of Education (DoE) officers. An additional interest was on checking if general relationships amongst the three variables exist and the magnitude of such relationships. A literature study was conducted on three aspects, which are core self-evaluations, stress and work aspirations. This was followed by a survey involving 250 education specialists from four selected districts in the Eastern Cape, which are, Dutywa, Butterworth, Fort Beaufort and Mthatha. Results of the current research indicated that there is a positive relationship between core self-evaluation and DoE stress levels (r=0.32409; p=0.0014). These findings indicate that some individuals have low core self-evaluations due to their exposure to stressful situations hence they negatively appraise themselves and are less confident of themselves. DoE Senior Management Team (SMT) has to strategise and adopt measures that reduce stress levels and encourage positive CSE so as to deal effectively with under-performance.
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- Authors: Gabelana, Nomzamo
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Industrial Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/944 , vital:26511
- Description: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of core self-evaluations and stress on the aspiration levels of the Department of Education (DoE) officers. An additional interest was on checking if general relationships amongst the three variables exist and the magnitude of such relationships. A literature study was conducted on three aspects, which are core self-evaluations, stress and work aspirations. This was followed by a survey involving 250 education specialists from four selected districts in the Eastern Cape, which are, Dutywa, Butterworth, Fort Beaufort and Mthatha. Results of the current research indicated that there is a positive relationship between core self-evaluation and DoE stress levels (r=0.32409; p=0.0014). These findings indicate that some individuals have low core self-evaluations due to their exposure to stressful situations hence they negatively appraise themselves and are less confident of themselves. DoE Senior Management Team (SMT) has to strategise and adopt measures that reduce stress levels and encourage positive CSE so as to deal effectively with under-performance.
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Determinants of cloud computing: adoption and application by high school learners
- Authors: Nyembezi, Nceba
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Cloud computing -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High schools -- Computer networks -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High school students -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Education)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1339 , vital:26547 , Cloud computing -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High schools -- Computer networks -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High school students -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The current study investigated the determinants of Internet services’ adoption and use among high school learners in the East London Education District, in the Eastern Cape. Underpinned by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, the research questions included: (1) What is the effect of performance expectancy on the learner’s intention to adopt and use Internet services? (2) What degree of variation exists for effort expectancy on the learner’s intention to adopt and use Internet services? (3) How much of the determinants explain the usage of Internet services? (4) Which is (are) the best predictor(s) of Internet service usage given a set of determinants? (5) What is the effect of confounding variables (if any) on Internet services’ adoption and usage? (6) Which model can be designed based on the best predictor(s) of Internet services’ adoption and usage for secondary school learners? A quantitative approach based on the positivist paradigm was used to quantify the relationships among various factors that contribute to Internet services’ adoption and use. The research design used was a survey. Data were collected through structured questionnaires. Out of 286 questionnaires issued, the response rate was 40.6%. The study sample size was 116 high school learners using simple random sampling. The data was analysed using the multiple regression analysis technique, and Pearson correlations. Out of the four determinants from the UTAUT, performance expectancy was the strongest predictor of intention to adopt Internet services. Large positive correlations ranging from r = 0.638 up to r = 0.989 were found among performance expectancy and effort expectancy variables towards the intention to use Internet services, significant at p < 0.05. To enhance the efficiency of the UTAUT model, this study has designed the Adoption and Application of Technology for Learning (AATL) model, which added the price of Internet, persistent use of Internet, and perceptions about Internet use.
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- Authors: Nyembezi, Nceba
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Cloud computing -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High schools -- Computer networks -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High school students -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Education)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1339 , vital:26547 , Cloud computing -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High schools -- Computer networks -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , High school students -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The current study investigated the determinants of Internet services’ adoption and use among high school learners in the East London Education District, in the Eastern Cape. Underpinned by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, the research questions included: (1) What is the effect of performance expectancy on the learner’s intention to adopt and use Internet services? (2) What degree of variation exists for effort expectancy on the learner’s intention to adopt and use Internet services? (3) How much of the determinants explain the usage of Internet services? (4) Which is (are) the best predictor(s) of Internet service usage given a set of determinants? (5) What is the effect of confounding variables (if any) on Internet services’ adoption and usage? (6) Which model can be designed based on the best predictor(s) of Internet services’ adoption and usage for secondary school learners? A quantitative approach based on the positivist paradigm was used to quantify the relationships among various factors that contribute to Internet services’ adoption and use. The research design used was a survey. Data were collected through structured questionnaires. Out of 286 questionnaires issued, the response rate was 40.6%. The study sample size was 116 high school learners using simple random sampling. The data was analysed using the multiple regression analysis technique, and Pearson correlations. Out of the four determinants from the UTAUT, performance expectancy was the strongest predictor of intention to adopt Internet services. Large positive correlations ranging from r = 0.638 up to r = 0.989 were found among performance expectancy and effort expectancy variables towards the intention to use Internet services, significant at p < 0.05. To enhance the efficiency of the UTAUT model, this study has designed the Adoption and Application of Technology for Learning (AATL) model, which added the price of Internet, persistent use of Internet, and perceptions about Internet use.
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Determinants of managers' attitudes toward employing people with disabilities in small and medium enterprises in Nkonkobe Municipality
- Ntunzi, Bulelwa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1068-3672
- Authors: Ntunzi, Bulelwa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1068-3672
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Discrimination against people with disabilities--South Africa , Discrimination in employment--South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24857 , vital:63662
- Description: In regard to employment, people with disabilities are discriminated. Unfavourable employer attitudes result in discrimination toward people with disabilities. Entering and progressing in employment create a sense of independency, responsibility and build the self-esteem of people with disabilities. This study sought to determine the influence of individualism-collectivism and demographic factors (age, gender, and level of education) of managers’ attitudes toward employing people with disabilities in small and medium enterprises in Nkonkobe Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province. The social and medical model of disability provided a framework for understanding the literature on attitudes toward people with disabilities. Data was collected from 110 respondents in small and medium enterprises using two scales (Individualism-collectivism Scale and Employer Attitudes toward People with Disabilities Scale). Independent t-tests were used to test each of the hypotheses in the study and ANOVA was used for comparisons among variables. No significant differences found in attitudes on individualistic and collectivistic oriented managers toward employing people with disabilities. In addition, no significant differences in attitudes of managers over age, gender and level of education toward employing people with disabilities in small and medium enterprises. People with disabilities can be a benefit to the organisations since their skills and talents can help the organisations to remain stable in the competitive global environment. , Thesis (MCom (IPS)) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2014
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- Authors: Ntunzi, Bulelwa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1068-3672
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Discrimination against people with disabilities--South Africa , Discrimination in employment--South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24857 , vital:63662
- Description: In regard to employment, people with disabilities are discriminated. Unfavourable employer attitudes result in discrimination toward people with disabilities. Entering and progressing in employment create a sense of independency, responsibility and build the self-esteem of people with disabilities. This study sought to determine the influence of individualism-collectivism and demographic factors (age, gender, and level of education) of managers’ attitudes toward employing people with disabilities in small and medium enterprises in Nkonkobe Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province. The social and medical model of disability provided a framework for understanding the literature on attitudes toward people with disabilities. Data was collected from 110 respondents in small and medium enterprises using two scales (Individualism-collectivism Scale and Employer Attitudes toward People with Disabilities Scale). Independent t-tests were used to test each of the hypotheses in the study and ANOVA was used for comparisons among variables. No significant differences found in attitudes on individualistic and collectivistic oriented managers toward employing people with disabilities. In addition, no significant differences in attitudes of managers over age, gender and level of education toward employing people with disabilities in small and medium enterprises. People with disabilities can be a benefit to the organisations since their skills and talents can help the organisations to remain stable in the competitive global environment. , Thesis (MCom (IPS)) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2014
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Determinants of psycho-social well-being of informal caregivers of physically challenged children in South-Western Nigeria
- Authors: Oyeleke, Isaac Ajiboye
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Social Work)
- Identifier: vital:11767 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015356
- Description: Informal caregiving denotes care that is provided by a family member or friend rather than by a professional who is reimbursed for services. Assuming a caregiving role can be stressful and burdensome. The effects of caregiving on the caregiver's health are moderated by individual differences in resources and vulnerabilities, such as socioeconomic status, prior health status, and level of social support. This work describes the determinant of psycho-social well-being of informal caregivers of physically challenged children in southwest of Nigeria. This study is guided theoretically by Ryff”s psychosocial well-being theory, The study adopted expo facto research design. Multistage samplings involving the use of random and purposive techniques were used to select 812 respondents who are informal caregivers. Social support questionnaire, Social support satisfaction level, Ryff’s psychological well-being scale were used. Findings indicated that social support predicted psycho-social well-being of informal caregivers of physically challenged children. Social support and satisfaction level combine together have impact on psycho-social well-being of informal caregivers of physically challenged children. More also, socio-economic factors such as occupation, educational level and income also predict psycho-social well-being of informal caregivers. Finally, marital status and gender also contribute to well-being of caregivers. It was therefore, recommended that social inclusion should be pursued with de-institutionalization of children with disability. Parents of children with disability should be encouraged to form support group and as well as encouraging fathers of children with disability to take an active part in ensuring their children with disability well-being. More also, there is need to empower informal caregivers through training and education. More importantly governments at the three levels ( Federal, State and local) should assist caregivers at ensuring their own and that of their children with disability well-being through improvement on various existing social welfare services in the country.
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- Authors: Oyeleke, Isaac Ajiboye
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Social Work)
- Identifier: vital:11767 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015356
- Description: Informal caregiving denotes care that is provided by a family member or friend rather than by a professional who is reimbursed for services. Assuming a caregiving role can be stressful and burdensome. The effects of caregiving on the caregiver's health are moderated by individual differences in resources and vulnerabilities, such as socioeconomic status, prior health status, and level of social support. This work describes the determinant of psycho-social well-being of informal caregivers of physically challenged children in southwest of Nigeria. This study is guided theoretically by Ryff”s psychosocial well-being theory, The study adopted expo facto research design. Multistage samplings involving the use of random and purposive techniques were used to select 812 respondents who are informal caregivers. Social support questionnaire, Social support satisfaction level, Ryff’s psychological well-being scale were used. Findings indicated that social support predicted psycho-social well-being of informal caregivers of physically challenged children. Social support and satisfaction level combine together have impact on psycho-social well-being of informal caregivers of physically challenged children. More also, socio-economic factors such as occupation, educational level and income also predict psycho-social well-being of informal caregivers. Finally, marital status and gender also contribute to well-being of caregivers. It was therefore, recommended that social inclusion should be pursued with de-institutionalization of children with disability. Parents of children with disability should be encouraged to form support group and as well as encouraging fathers of children with disability to take an active part in ensuring their children with disability well-being. More also, there is need to empower informal caregivers through training and education. More importantly governments at the three levels ( Federal, State and local) should assist caregivers at ensuring their own and that of their children with disability well-being through improvement on various existing social welfare services in the country.
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Determinants of rural households’ diversification of livelihood strategies: a case of Intsika Yethu farmers of the Eastern Cape province, South Africa
- Authors: Munhenga, Daniel
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farm management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11220 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019818 , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farm management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Despite the continuing perceived economic centrality of agriculture in Intsika Yethu local municipality, rural households engage and pursue diverse non-farm livelihood activities to cope with diverse challenges and risks such as drought. This study assessed the importance of existing livelihood strategies adopted by the different rural households in Intsika Yethu; the link between households’ ownership and access to different ‘assets’; factors determining households’ ability to adopt certain livelihood strategies in the area. A survey of 120 households in six administrative areas and informal discussions with key informants were used to collect demographic data, data on socio-economic activities and factors determining the choice of livelihood strategies of the households in Intsika Yethu. The research findings indicated that only about 10% of the interviewed households relied solely on on-farm livelihood strategy only. Credit, remittances, market distance, affiliating to cooperatives, education and household size have a potential of influencing households to shift from on-farm livelihood strategy to other livelihood strategies. The government may need to promote programs and awareness on how households can diversify their livelihood strategies as a way of coping with economic constraints in the area.
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- Authors: Munhenga, Daniel
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farm management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11220 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019818 , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farm management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Despite the continuing perceived economic centrality of agriculture in Intsika Yethu local municipality, rural households engage and pursue diverse non-farm livelihood activities to cope with diverse challenges and risks such as drought. This study assessed the importance of existing livelihood strategies adopted by the different rural households in Intsika Yethu; the link between households’ ownership and access to different ‘assets’; factors determining households’ ability to adopt certain livelihood strategies in the area. A survey of 120 households in six administrative areas and informal discussions with key informants were used to collect demographic data, data on socio-economic activities and factors determining the choice of livelihood strategies of the households in Intsika Yethu. The research findings indicated that only about 10% of the interviewed households relied solely on on-farm livelihood strategy only. Credit, remittances, market distance, affiliating to cooperatives, education and household size have a potential of influencing households to shift from on-farm livelihood strategy to other livelihood strategies. The government may need to promote programs and awareness on how households can diversify their livelihood strategies as a way of coping with economic constraints in the area.
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Determinants of the yield curve in South Africa
- Authors: Ngonyama, Nomasomi
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Com
- Identifier: vital:11496
- Description: The yield curve has been the subject of many studies for some time, mainly in predicting recessions, economic growth and inflation. However, scant work is available on what drives the yield spread. Given this, the paper examines the determinants of the yield curve in South Africa by using time series econometric analysis over the period 2000-2012. Some key variables considered include inflation, economic growth, budget deficit, and monetary policy. To separate the long and short run effects, VECM was employed after ensuring stationarity of the series. The study found that a long run relationship exist between the yield spread, inflation, GDP, budget deficit, Repo rate, Real effective exchange rate and a money supply (M1). The Results of this thesis have implications for policy and academic work.
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- Authors: Ngonyama, Nomasomi
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Com
- Identifier: vital:11496
- Description: The yield curve has been the subject of many studies for some time, mainly in predicting recessions, economic growth and inflation. However, scant work is available on what drives the yield spread. Given this, the paper examines the determinants of the yield curve in South Africa by using time series econometric analysis over the period 2000-2012. Some key variables considered include inflation, economic growth, budget deficit, and monetary policy. To separate the long and short run effects, VECM was employed after ensuring stationarity of the series. The study found that a long run relationship exist between the yield spread, inflation, GDP, budget deficit, Repo rate, Real effective exchange rate and a money supply (M1). The Results of this thesis have implications for policy and academic work.
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Development of a bench scale single batch biomass to liquid fuel facility
- Authors: Zhang, Yusheng
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Biomass energy , Renewable energy sources , Energy conversion , Electric power production
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Chemistry)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/811 , vital:26499 , Biomass energy , Renewable energy sources , Energy conversion , Electric power production
- Description: The research described in this dissertation was motivated by the global demand for energy that is not dependent on coal, oil, natural gas and other non-renewable fossil fuels. The technology used in this project is related to the use of biomass to produce a viable alternative to conventional sources of fuel. A bench scale biomass to liquid (BTL) facility was built and tested. This produced results confirming the feasibility of the BTL process. The findings of the pilot study outlined in this dissertation justified the conclusion that the next step will be to expand the capacity and productivity of the BTL pilot plant to an industrial scale. Biomass comes from a variety of renewable sources that are readily available. In this case, the material used in the fixed bed biomass gasification facility to generate wood gas was agricultural and forestry waste, such as straw and wood chips. The gasifier had the capacity to produce up to 10 cubic metres/hr of gas with a carbon monoxide and hydrogen content of between 20–40% by volume, when it was operated at ambient pressure and with air as the oxidizer. The gas, produced at a temperature above 700º C, was cooled in a quench/water scrubber in order to remove most of the mechanical impurities (tars and water-soluble inorganic particles), condensed and dried with corn cobs before being compressed in cylinders at over 100 bar (g) for use in the Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis (FTS). The syngas was subjected further to a series of refining processes which included removal of sulphur and oxygen. The sulphur removal technology chosen entailed applying modified activated carbon to adsorb H2S with the help of hydrolysis in order to convert organic sulphur impurities into H2S which reduced the sulphur content of the gas to less than 5 ppbv. Supported cobalt catalyst (100 grams), were loaded into a single-tube fixed bed FT reactor with an inner diameter of 50 mm. The reactor was fitted with a heating jacket through which, heated oil ran to cool the reactor during a normal reaction occurring at < 250 ºC, while nitrogen was used in the heating jacket during reduction, which occurred at temperatures up ~ 350 ºC. The FTS reaction was carried out at different pressures and temperatures. Liquid and wax products were produced from the facility. The properties of the liquid and solid hydrocarbons produced were found to be the same as FT products from other feed stocks, such as natural gas and coal.
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- Authors: Zhang, Yusheng
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Biomass energy , Renewable energy sources , Energy conversion , Electric power production
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Chemistry)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/811 , vital:26499 , Biomass energy , Renewable energy sources , Energy conversion , Electric power production
- Description: The research described in this dissertation was motivated by the global demand for energy that is not dependent on coal, oil, natural gas and other non-renewable fossil fuels. The technology used in this project is related to the use of biomass to produce a viable alternative to conventional sources of fuel. A bench scale biomass to liquid (BTL) facility was built and tested. This produced results confirming the feasibility of the BTL process. The findings of the pilot study outlined in this dissertation justified the conclusion that the next step will be to expand the capacity and productivity of the BTL pilot plant to an industrial scale. Biomass comes from a variety of renewable sources that are readily available. In this case, the material used in the fixed bed biomass gasification facility to generate wood gas was agricultural and forestry waste, such as straw and wood chips. The gasifier had the capacity to produce up to 10 cubic metres/hr of gas with a carbon monoxide and hydrogen content of between 20–40% by volume, when it was operated at ambient pressure and with air as the oxidizer. The gas, produced at a temperature above 700º C, was cooled in a quench/water scrubber in order to remove most of the mechanical impurities (tars and water-soluble inorganic particles), condensed and dried with corn cobs before being compressed in cylinders at over 100 bar (g) for use in the Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis (FTS). The syngas was subjected further to a series of refining processes which included removal of sulphur and oxygen. The sulphur removal technology chosen entailed applying modified activated carbon to adsorb H2S with the help of hydrolysis in order to convert organic sulphur impurities into H2S which reduced the sulphur content of the gas to less than 5 ppbv. Supported cobalt catalyst (100 grams), were loaded into a single-tube fixed bed FT reactor with an inner diameter of 50 mm. The reactor was fitted with a heating jacket through which, heated oil ran to cool the reactor during a normal reaction occurring at < 250 ºC, while nitrogen was used in the heating jacket during reduction, which occurred at temperatures up ~ 350 ºC. The FTS reaction was carried out at different pressures and temperatures. Liquid and wax products were produced from the facility. The properties of the liquid and solid hydrocarbons produced were found to be the same as FT products from other feed stocks, such as natural gas and coal.
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Development of an M-commerce security framework
- Murufu, Mufudzi Anesu Chapman
- Authors: Murufu, Mufudzi Anesu Chapman
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Mobile commerce , Telecommunication systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Computer Science)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/833 , vital:26501 , Mobile commerce , Telecommunication systems
- Description: Research shows how M-Commerce has managed to find its way to previously inaccessible parts of the world as a major Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) tool for development due to widespread introduction of mobile phones in remote areas. M-Commerce has offered valuable advantages: anytime, anywhere, more personal, more location-aware, more context-aware, more age aware, always online and instant connectivity. But this is not without its problems, of which security is high on the list. The security issues span the whole M-Commerce spectrum, from the top to the bottom layer of the OSI network protocol stack, from machines to humans. This research proposes a threat-mitigation modular framework to help address the security issues lurking in M-Commerce systems being used by marginalised rural community members. The research commences with a literature survey carried out to establish security aspects related to M-Commerce and to determine requirements for a security framework. The framework classifies M-Commerce security threat-vulnerability-risks into four levels: human behaviour and mobile device interaction security, mobile device security, M-Commerce access channel security, wireless network access security. This is followed by a review of the supporting structures or related frameworks that the proposed framework could leverage to address security issues on M-Commerce systems as ICT4D initiatives. The proposed security framework based on the requirements discovered is then presented. As a proof-of-concept, a case study was undertaken at the Siyakhula Living Lab at Dwesa in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa in order to validate the components of the proposed framework. Following the application of the framework in a case study, it can be argued that the proposed security framework allows for secure transacting by marginalised users using M-Commerce initiatives. The security framework is therefore useful in addressing the identified security requirements of M-Commerce in ICT4D contexts.
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- Authors: Murufu, Mufudzi Anesu Chapman
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Mobile commerce , Telecommunication systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Computer Science)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/833 , vital:26501 , Mobile commerce , Telecommunication systems
- Description: Research shows how M-Commerce has managed to find its way to previously inaccessible parts of the world as a major Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) tool for development due to widespread introduction of mobile phones in remote areas. M-Commerce has offered valuable advantages: anytime, anywhere, more personal, more location-aware, more context-aware, more age aware, always online and instant connectivity. But this is not without its problems, of which security is high on the list. The security issues span the whole M-Commerce spectrum, from the top to the bottom layer of the OSI network protocol stack, from machines to humans. This research proposes a threat-mitigation modular framework to help address the security issues lurking in M-Commerce systems being used by marginalised rural community members. The research commences with a literature survey carried out to establish security aspects related to M-Commerce and to determine requirements for a security framework. The framework classifies M-Commerce security threat-vulnerability-risks into four levels: human behaviour and mobile device interaction security, mobile device security, M-Commerce access channel security, wireless network access security. This is followed by a review of the supporting structures or related frameworks that the proposed framework could leverage to address security issues on M-Commerce systems as ICT4D initiatives. The proposed security framework based on the requirements discovered is then presented. As a proof-of-concept, a case study was undertaken at the Siyakhula Living Lab at Dwesa in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa in order to validate the components of the proposed framework. Following the application of the framework in a case study, it can be argued that the proposed security framework allows for secure transacting by marginalised users using M-Commerce initiatives. The security framework is therefore useful in addressing the identified security requirements of M-Commerce in ICT4D contexts.
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