Teacher' views and experiences on learners' drug and substances abuse : a case of two secondary schools in King William's Town education district
- Authors: Malisi, Nyaniso Victor
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Drug abuse--South Africa--Eastern Cape Substance abuse--South Africa--Eastern Cape High school students--Substance use
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Education
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11630 , vital:39091
- Description: Drug and substance abuse amongst secondary school children is a universal phenomenon and it has increased at an unprecedented rate over the past decade and still rising. In South Africa, drug and substance abuse has continued to ruin the youth and subsequently education despite various measures taken to stop it. This study aimed at investigating teachers’ views and experiences on drug and substance abuse by learners. Teachers have a responsibility to ensure that learners do not involve themselves in the use of drugs and substances at school. A case study research was conducted to investigate the views of eight teachers in two selected rural secondary schools in the King William’s Town Education District. Qualitative research guided the research process and the interpretivist paradigm served as bases for data collection. Face-to- face semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect data. It emerged from the data that alcohol and substance abuse by learners have a negative effect on their academic work as learners abusing drugs could not concentrate on their studies and bunk classes. The data also showed that learners become violent and most of the time important time that could have been spent teaching is lost dealing with alcohol and substance abuse users. The findings also indicated that there was a lack of parental and community support to effectively deal with drugs in schools. From the findings it can be concluded that there are serious social and academic problems that are caused by drug and substance abuse in the rural schools. It can also be concluded that teachers and school managers had no clear and coherent strategies to deal with drug and substance abuse in schools. In view of the above, I recommend that a comprehensive model should be adopted to fight dug and substance abuse by learners.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Malisi, Nyaniso Victor
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Drug abuse--South Africa--Eastern Cape Substance abuse--South Africa--Eastern Cape High school students--Substance use
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Education
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11630 , vital:39091
- Description: Drug and substance abuse amongst secondary school children is a universal phenomenon and it has increased at an unprecedented rate over the past decade and still rising. In South Africa, drug and substance abuse has continued to ruin the youth and subsequently education despite various measures taken to stop it. This study aimed at investigating teachers’ views and experiences on drug and substance abuse by learners. Teachers have a responsibility to ensure that learners do not involve themselves in the use of drugs and substances at school. A case study research was conducted to investigate the views of eight teachers in two selected rural secondary schools in the King William’s Town Education District. Qualitative research guided the research process and the interpretivist paradigm served as bases for data collection. Face-to- face semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect data. It emerged from the data that alcohol and substance abuse by learners have a negative effect on their academic work as learners abusing drugs could not concentrate on their studies and bunk classes. The data also showed that learners become violent and most of the time important time that could have been spent teaching is lost dealing with alcohol and substance abuse users. The findings also indicated that there was a lack of parental and community support to effectively deal with drugs in schools. From the findings it can be concluded that there are serious social and academic problems that are caused by drug and substance abuse in the rural schools. It can also be concluded that teachers and school managers had no clear and coherent strategies to deal with drug and substance abuse in schools. In view of the above, I recommend that a comprehensive model should be adopted to fight dug and substance abuse by learners.
- Full Text:
Teachers' views regarding the influence of quintile-based school categorisation on the culture of teaching and learning in no fee schools
- Authors: Sakati, Zukiswa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Education -- South Africa -- Finance Education and state -- South Africa Educational law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4981 , vital:28882
- Description: The main aim of the study is to determine the views of teachers in the East London district on the influence of quintile-based school categorization on the culture of teaching and learning in No Fee Schools (NFS). The study is motivated by the high rate of underperformance registered by the NFS despite the huge amount of support and intervention directed to them. The study is located in the interpretive paradigm and hence used, was a qualitative approach and case study design. Purposive sampling technique was followed to identify participants. Twelve (12) teachers from three research sites, which are NFS, participated in the study. Data was gathered through observations, document analysis and one-on-one semi-structured interviews, respectively. In each school, a principal, a School Management Team (SMT) member and two Grade 12 teachers were interviewed as participants in order to enrich the study. The study is underpinned by the Social Identity Theory (SIT) which is guided by the pursuit of evaluative positive social identity through positive intergroup distinctiveness, which is, in turn, motivated by the need for positive self-esteem (Tafjel & Tunner in 1979). Thus, according to Hogg (2006), social identity is motivated by self-enhancement and uncertainty reduction, which causes groups to strive to be both better than and distinct from other groups. This theory afforded the researcher the opportunity to understand how teachers’ personal identity and professional identities are influenced by the categorisation status of their schools as well as by their associates. This study revealed that the no fee categorisation status seems to affect the teacher identity and their professional identities which in turn appears to affect the culture of teaching and learning in NFS. This is indicated by data that some of the teachers in NFS seem to be in denial or feel rejected whilst some are proud and embracing teaching in these disadvantaged schools. The study further reveals inadequacy of the funding systems to address lack of resources in NFS means teaches have to provide for these in one way or another. One of the main findings of this study is that various strategies used by the NFS in trying to enhance the culture of teaching and learning in their schools produces differentiated results depending on teacher’s attitudes, commitment, determination and hard work. The study also reveals that teachers from the same communities as the schools in which they work are more dedicated and willing to go an extra mile to plough back. In addition to this, teachers from similar environments seem to be driven by their backgrounds to help and support destitute learners. Amongst the strategies used in schools, matric revision camp, cell phone policy and parenting of learners by teachers are the most effective in terms of enhancing culture of teaching and learning thereby improving matric results. Moreover, the study further divulges that some of the teachers in NFS are committed, motivated and hardworking despite the contextual factors found in these schools. Furthermore, learners in these schools tend to mirror their teacher’s positive attitudes, hard work and determination towards their work which in turn they apply in their own studies. The study concludes with the findings that the teachers in underperforming NFS have to prove their worth to their associates in affluent schools or high performing NFS. Structural committees used at school levels have a positive contribution in the effective implementation of the intervention and support programs directed at NFS.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Sakati, Zukiswa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Education -- South Africa -- Finance Education and state -- South Africa Educational law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4981 , vital:28882
- Description: The main aim of the study is to determine the views of teachers in the East London district on the influence of quintile-based school categorization on the culture of teaching and learning in No Fee Schools (NFS). The study is motivated by the high rate of underperformance registered by the NFS despite the huge amount of support and intervention directed to them. The study is located in the interpretive paradigm and hence used, was a qualitative approach and case study design. Purposive sampling technique was followed to identify participants. Twelve (12) teachers from three research sites, which are NFS, participated in the study. Data was gathered through observations, document analysis and one-on-one semi-structured interviews, respectively. In each school, a principal, a School Management Team (SMT) member and two Grade 12 teachers were interviewed as participants in order to enrich the study. The study is underpinned by the Social Identity Theory (SIT) which is guided by the pursuit of evaluative positive social identity through positive intergroup distinctiveness, which is, in turn, motivated by the need for positive self-esteem (Tafjel & Tunner in 1979). Thus, according to Hogg (2006), social identity is motivated by self-enhancement and uncertainty reduction, which causes groups to strive to be both better than and distinct from other groups. This theory afforded the researcher the opportunity to understand how teachers’ personal identity and professional identities are influenced by the categorisation status of their schools as well as by their associates. This study revealed that the no fee categorisation status seems to affect the teacher identity and their professional identities which in turn appears to affect the culture of teaching and learning in NFS. This is indicated by data that some of the teachers in NFS seem to be in denial or feel rejected whilst some are proud and embracing teaching in these disadvantaged schools. The study further reveals inadequacy of the funding systems to address lack of resources in NFS means teaches have to provide for these in one way or another. One of the main findings of this study is that various strategies used by the NFS in trying to enhance the culture of teaching and learning in their schools produces differentiated results depending on teacher’s attitudes, commitment, determination and hard work. The study also reveals that teachers from the same communities as the schools in which they work are more dedicated and willing to go an extra mile to plough back. In addition to this, teachers from similar environments seem to be driven by their backgrounds to help and support destitute learners. Amongst the strategies used in schools, matric revision camp, cell phone policy and parenting of learners by teachers are the most effective in terms of enhancing culture of teaching and learning thereby improving matric results. Moreover, the study further divulges that some of the teachers in NFS are committed, motivated and hardworking despite the contextual factors found in these schools. Furthermore, learners in these schools tend to mirror their teacher’s positive attitudes, hard work and determination towards their work which in turn they apply in their own studies. The study concludes with the findings that the teachers in underperforming NFS have to prove their worth to their associates in affluent schools or high performing NFS. Structural committees used at school levels have a positive contribution in the effective implementation of the intervention and support programs directed at NFS.
- Full Text:
Template-assisted sol-gel synthesis of carbon doped titanium dioxide nanotubes and their characterization
- Authors: Takata, Nwabisa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Nanotechnology Titanium dioxide Nanostructures
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13194 , vital:39473
- Description: This study reveals the effects of doping on the morphological, structural and optical properties of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotubes (TNTs), synthesized by sol-gel template-assisted sol-gel technique. The nanotubes (TNTs) were prepared in anodic alumina membranes (AAM) with a pore diameter range of 110-210 nm by using titanium tetra butoxide as a sol-gel precursor and oxalic acid dihydrate as a dopant source. The synthesized nanotubes were evaluated using scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), confocal Raman spectroscopy (CRS) and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). SEM analysis has revealed the presence of closely-packed TNTs, with a modal external tube diameters of 150, 170, 210,190 and 210 nm for the un-doped TNTs, 9 mM carbon doped-TNTs (C-TNTs), 27 mM C-TNTs, 45 mM C-TNTs and 75 mM C-TNTs respectively. The diameters are consistent with the AAM diameter range. EDX spectra revealed the presence of Ti peaks at 0.45 and 4.9 keV corresponding to Kα1 and Kβ1 emission lines respectively. Oxygen exhibits a signal at 0.5 keV corresponding to Kα1 emission line. The occurrence of these peaks in the EDX spectra endorses the existence of Ti and O atoms in the prepared titanium dioxide nanotubes. FTIR spectroscopy has revealed the presence of vibration modes at 580-660 cm-1 indicating the presence of Ti-O bonds and additional vibration modes at 2324 cm-1 resulting from C-O stretching in the C-TNTs. The XRD analysis has revealed the presence of a mixed anatase-brookite phase with diffraction peaks at 2θ angles of 25.49⁰, 38.11⁰, 40.60º, 48.14⁰, 54.58⁰, 63.00⁰, 70.11⁰ and 75.66⁰. Additionally, XRD analysis has revealed elongation of lattice parameter “c” from 9.143 to 9.830 Å with carbon concentration increase. Lattice expansion indicates the possibility of carbon substituting oxygen sites. Raman large area scan has revealed the presence of rutile, brookite and anatase for the undoped samples. On doping the rutile phase of TiO2 has shown to be suppressed by the presence of carbon atoms such that the doped samples consist of brookite and anatase phases only. The Eg1 mode of anatase of the undoped TNTs at 153. 78 cm-1 was red shifted by Δ9.78 cm-1 relative to the bulk anatase TiO2. This was attributed to decrease in particle size, presence of brookite and phonon confinement. Upon doping, the 9 mM C-TNTs, 27 mM TNTs and 75 mM TNTs have shown a red shift of Δ0. 09 cm-1, Δ1. 39 cm-1 and 1.81 cm-1 respectively, suggesting the incorporation of carbon in the TiO2 matrix. CRS depth profiling in the XZ direction has also validated the presence of a mixed anatase-brookite phase at Raman active modes 153.19 cm-1, 208.87 cm-1, 404.55 cm-1, 523.26 cm-1 and 648.55 cm-1. Photoluminescence spectra of carbon doped TiO2 showed two emission peaks at 398 nm attributed to annihilation of excitons while the broad peak at 400-460 nm was attributed to the presence of oxygen vacancies. The peak intensity of the 45 mM C-TNTs has shown a lower PL intensity suggesting that efficiency of charge separation was higher and recombination rate was lower than other carbon containing samples.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Takata, Nwabisa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Nanotechnology Titanium dioxide Nanostructures
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13194 , vital:39473
- Description: This study reveals the effects of doping on the morphological, structural and optical properties of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotubes (TNTs), synthesized by sol-gel template-assisted sol-gel technique. The nanotubes (TNTs) were prepared in anodic alumina membranes (AAM) with a pore diameter range of 110-210 nm by using titanium tetra butoxide as a sol-gel precursor and oxalic acid dihydrate as a dopant source. The synthesized nanotubes were evaluated using scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), confocal Raman spectroscopy (CRS) and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). SEM analysis has revealed the presence of closely-packed TNTs, with a modal external tube diameters of 150, 170, 210,190 and 210 nm for the un-doped TNTs, 9 mM carbon doped-TNTs (C-TNTs), 27 mM C-TNTs, 45 mM C-TNTs and 75 mM C-TNTs respectively. The diameters are consistent with the AAM diameter range. EDX spectra revealed the presence of Ti peaks at 0.45 and 4.9 keV corresponding to Kα1 and Kβ1 emission lines respectively. Oxygen exhibits a signal at 0.5 keV corresponding to Kα1 emission line. The occurrence of these peaks in the EDX spectra endorses the existence of Ti and O atoms in the prepared titanium dioxide nanotubes. FTIR spectroscopy has revealed the presence of vibration modes at 580-660 cm-1 indicating the presence of Ti-O bonds and additional vibration modes at 2324 cm-1 resulting from C-O stretching in the C-TNTs. The XRD analysis has revealed the presence of a mixed anatase-brookite phase with diffraction peaks at 2θ angles of 25.49⁰, 38.11⁰, 40.60º, 48.14⁰, 54.58⁰, 63.00⁰, 70.11⁰ and 75.66⁰. Additionally, XRD analysis has revealed elongation of lattice parameter “c” from 9.143 to 9.830 Å with carbon concentration increase. Lattice expansion indicates the possibility of carbon substituting oxygen sites. Raman large area scan has revealed the presence of rutile, brookite and anatase for the undoped samples. On doping the rutile phase of TiO2 has shown to be suppressed by the presence of carbon atoms such that the doped samples consist of brookite and anatase phases only. The Eg1 mode of anatase of the undoped TNTs at 153. 78 cm-1 was red shifted by Δ9.78 cm-1 relative to the bulk anatase TiO2. This was attributed to decrease in particle size, presence of brookite and phonon confinement. Upon doping, the 9 mM C-TNTs, 27 mM TNTs and 75 mM TNTs have shown a red shift of Δ0. 09 cm-1, Δ1. 39 cm-1 and 1.81 cm-1 respectively, suggesting the incorporation of carbon in the TiO2 matrix. CRS depth profiling in the XZ direction has also validated the presence of a mixed anatase-brookite phase at Raman active modes 153.19 cm-1, 208.87 cm-1, 404.55 cm-1, 523.26 cm-1 and 648.55 cm-1. Photoluminescence spectra of carbon doped TiO2 showed two emission peaks at 398 nm attributed to annihilation of excitons while the broad peak at 400-460 nm was attributed to the presence of oxygen vacancies. The peak intensity of the 45 mM C-TNTs has shown a lower PL intensity suggesting that efficiency of charge separation was higher and recombination rate was lower than other carbon containing samples.
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The 'failure-success' dichotomy in migration discourse and practice : revisiting reverse migration deterrents for South Africa based Zimbabwean skilled migrants
- Authors: Nzima, Divane
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Return migration -- Zimbabwe Return migration -- South Africa Zimbabwe -- Emigration and immigration -- Economic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5434 , vital:29243
- Description: The study was conceptualised against the background that leading migration theories explain return migration based on failure and success alone. The neo-classical economics theory of migration perceives return migration as a by-product of a failed migration experience while the new economics of labour migration perceives return as occurring after successful achievement of migration objectives. This study questions these theoretical positions through an exploration of the factors that deter South Africa-based Zimbabwean skilled migrants from returning home permanently notwithstanding a successful or failed migration experience. Furtive economic factors in Zimbabwe and South Africa that dissuade skilled migrants from returning home permanently are explored. Social factors in Zimbabwe and in South Africa that influence return migration decision making are also examined. Furthermore, the study analysed whether and how Zimbabwean skilled migrants are forced into a permanent settlement in South Africa as a result of what this study calls the ‘diaspora trap’. This ‘diaspora trap’ framework argues that Zimbabwean skilled migrants in South Africa do not return following their experiences of failure and success in South Africa. Central to the absence of return is the social construction of migrants as successful in Zimbabwe. Skilled migrants are deterred from returning due to their failure to meet family and communal expectations of success. In addition, return migration is deferred as a means to hide poverty in South Africa. Moreover, new diaspora family ties weaken attachments with Zimbabwe and contribute to deferred return migration. Skilled migrants are thus entrapped in South Africa by their failure to live up to the success social construct and the inability to mitigate adversities in the host country.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nzima, Divane
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Return migration -- Zimbabwe Return migration -- South Africa Zimbabwe -- Emigration and immigration -- Economic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5434 , vital:29243
- Description: The study was conceptualised against the background that leading migration theories explain return migration based on failure and success alone. The neo-classical economics theory of migration perceives return migration as a by-product of a failed migration experience while the new economics of labour migration perceives return as occurring after successful achievement of migration objectives. This study questions these theoretical positions through an exploration of the factors that deter South Africa-based Zimbabwean skilled migrants from returning home permanently notwithstanding a successful or failed migration experience. Furtive economic factors in Zimbabwe and South Africa that dissuade skilled migrants from returning home permanently are explored. Social factors in Zimbabwe and in South Africa that influence return migration decision making are also examined. Furthermore, the study analysed whether and how Zimbabwean skilled migrants are forced into a permanent settlement in South Africa as a result of what this study calls the ‘diaspora trap’. This ‘diaspora trap’ framework argues that Zimbabwean skilled migrants in South Africa do not return following their experiences of failure and success in South Africa. Central to the absence of return is the social construction of migrants as successful in Zimbabwe. Skilled migrants are deterred from returning due to their failure to meet family and communal expectations of success. In addition, return migration is deferred as a means to hide poverty in South Africa. Moreover, new diaspora family ties weaken attachments with Zimbabwe and contribute to deferred return migration. Skilled migrants are thus entrapped in South Africa by their failure to live up to the success social construct and the inability to mitigate adversities in the host country.
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The approaches of traditional healers in the treatment of HIV/ AIDS: the case of Chris Hani District Municipality, Cala, Tsengiwe, Eastern cape, South Africa
- Authors: Mati, Similo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: People with HIV and AIDS disease -- healers -- South Africa --Eastern Cape Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Healers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape HIV infections -- Treatment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5249 , vital:29171
- Description: In South Africa, just like in any other country within the African continent, traditional healing remains an integral part of many communities and this is not just restricted to the rural communities only, as is sometimes assumed. The main aim of this research was to explore the approaches of traditional healers in the treatment of HIV/AIDS in the Chris Hani District Municipality, Eastern Cape. The following research objectives were followed regarding the approaches of traditional healers in the treatment of HIV/AIDS: (i) to assess how traditional healers and people living with HIV/AIDS in Tsengiwe village understand HIV/AIDS, (ii) to investigate the reasons people living with HIV/AIDS consult traditional healers in Tsengiwe village, (iii) to assess Tsengiwe village traditional healers’ treatment strategies for HIV/AIDS, (iv) to establish how traditional healers view their role in the treatment of HIV/AIDS in Tsengiwe village. A qualitative research design was utilized, using in-depth interviews with traditional healers and focus group discussions with caregivers and people living with HIV/AIDS respectively. A type of non-probability sampling known as purposive sampling was used. A total of sixteen (16) participants were interviewed. The findings in this research revealed the following themes: (i) HIV/AIDS is incurable and it is understood by symptoms, (ii) belief system entrenched in traditional healing, (iii) cleansing rituals and traditional medicinal remedies and, (iv) strengthening relations between stakeholders. While traditional healers expressed a willingness to work with biomedical professionals in the management of HIV/AIDS, caregivers and people living with HIV/AIDS preferred going to clinics and hospitals for treatment. Furthermore, people living with HIV/AIDS in this research never admitted to consulting traditional healers for their ailments, only saying that they choose to self-medicate.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mati, Similo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: People with HIV and AIDS disease -- healers -- South Africa --Eastern Cape Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Healers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape HIV infections -- Treatment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5249 , vital:29171
- Description: In South Africa, just like in any other country within the African continent, traditional healing remains an integral part of many communities and this is not just restricted to the rural communities only, as is sometimes assumed. The main aim of this research was to explore the approaches of traditional healers in the treatment of HIV/AIDS in the Chris Hani District Municipality, Eastern Cape. The following research objectives were followed regarding the approaches of traditional healers in the treatment of HIV/AIDS: (i) to assess how traditional healers and people living with HIV/AIDS in Tsengiwe village understand HIV/AIDS, (ii) to investigate the reasons people living with HIV/AIDS consult traditional healers in Tsengiwe village, (iii) to assess Tsengiwe village traditional healers’ treatment strategies for HIV/AIDS, (iv) to establish how traditional healers view their role in the treatment of HIV/AIDS in Tsengiwe village. A qualitative research design was utilized, using in-depth interviews with traditional healers and focus group discussions with caregivers and people living with HIV/AIDS respectively. A type of non-probability sampling known as purposive sampling was used. A total of sixteen (16) participants were interviewed. The findings in this research revealed the following themes: (i) HIV/AIDS is incurable and it is understood by symptoms, (ii) belief system entrenched in traditional healing, (iii) cleansing rituals and traditional medicinal remedies and, (iv) strengthening relations between stakeholders. While traditional healers expressed a willingness to work with biomedical professionals in the management of HIV/AIDS, caregivers and people living with HIV/AIDS preferred going to clinics and hospitals for treatment. Furthermore, people living with HIV/AIDS in this research never admitted to consulting traditional healers for their ailments, only saying that they choose to self-medicate.
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The broadcasting of criminal trials : upholding the freedom of expression or undermining the right to fair trial?
- Authors: Nunu, Sukoluhle Belinda
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Free press and fair trial -- South Africa Freedom of expression -- South Africa Freedom of the press -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2832 , vital:28102
- Description: This study investigated the tension between the right to freedom of expression and the right to a fair trial in the context of the public broadcasting of criminal trials. The aim of the study was to determine whether the right of the media to broadcast criminal trials can be reconciled with the right of an accused person to a fair trial. To accomplish the above aim, the research undertook a review of the case law relating to televised criminal trials in order to determine how the courts have addressed the fair trial-free expression conflict. The study concluded that the ‘balancing exercise’ employed by the courts does not seem to have addressed this tension. Given that televised criminal trials are prone to sensationalism and the danger of fabrication of evidence, the study concludes that the broadcasting of criminal trials undermines the right to a fair trial. The study makes recommendations that are designed to ensure a proper balance between the freedom of expression as exercised by the media through the broadcasting of criminal trials on the one hand and the right of accused persons to a fair trial on the other.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nunu, Sukoluhle Belinda
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Free press and fair trial -- South Africa Freedom of expression -- South Africa Freedom of the press -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2832 , vital:28102
- Description: This study investigated the tension between the right to freedom of expression and the right to a fair trial in the context of the public broadcasting of criminal trials. The aim of the study was to determine whether the right of the media to broadcast criminal trials can be reconciled with the right of an accused person to a fair trial. To accomplish the above aim, the research undertook a review of the case law relating to televised criminal trials in order to determine how the courts have addressed the fair trial-free expression conflict. The study concluded that the ‘balancing exercise’ employed by the courts does not seem to have addressed this tension. Given that televised criminal trials are prone to sensationalism and the danger of fabrication of evidence, the study concludes that the broadcasting of criminal trials undermines the right to a fair trial. The study makes recommendations that are designed to ensure a proper balance between the freedom of expression as exercised by the media through the broadcasting of criminal trials on the one hand and the right of accused persons to a fair trial on the other.
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The collapse of the Zimbabwe currency and its soci-economic consequences on the middle class : the case of Msasa Park Suburb in Harare
- Authors: Mambiravana, Tafadzwa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Devaluation of currency -- Zimbabwe Currency crises -- Zimbabwe Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8375 , vital:32401
- Description: Currency crashing is one of the recurring problems in emerging economies. The crashes are as a result of the following factors; poor government policies, fiscal imbalances, trade deficits, higher inflations, monetary policies, and liquidity shortage among others. The crashing of currencies poses socio-economic problems that are devastating to different classes of people. To this end, this study sought to investigate the social consequences of currency crash to the middle class in Zimbabwe with a particular focus on the case of Msasa Park suburb in Harare. The study sought to investigate how the middle class households adapted to the situation induced by the crash of the Zimbabwean dollar, to examine how the currency crisis in Zimbabwe affected consumption patterns of the middle class at a household level and to identify the effects of currency crashes to the middle class’ national feeling and identity. The study utilized a qualitative research method in the form of in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The process was made possible through the use of purposive sampling and quota sampling to generate the targeted participants of the study. The findings of the study have shown that the crash of the Zimbabwean dollar resulted in massive retrenchments, dwindling work opportunities, shrinkages in salaries and wages of employees particularly the middle class. This led to the rampant growth of the informal sector whereby people ended up engaging into extra economic activities outside their professions so as to supplement their incomes. Moreover, the study has shown that some middle class households began to cut out luxurious goods and prioritize basics. As such, their consumption patterns began to change in that their daily meals were reduced. The main reason given by the participants were that groceries were no longer available in shops. Resultantly, the majority of the participants said that they had to either grow their own food or import it from neighboring countries such as Botswana, Zambia and South Africa. In addition, the study yields that crash of the Zimbabwean dollar exacerbated migration of the working class to other countries. Last but not least, the study has shown that the crashing of the Zimbabwean dollar had effects on the class identity of the middle class in that the majority of them completely lost their status since they were experiencing downward mobility.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mambiravana, Tafadzwa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Devaluation of currency -- Zimbabwe Currency crises -- Zimbabwe Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8375 , vital:32401
- Description: Currency crashing is one of the recurring problems in emerging economies. The crashes are as a result of the following factors; poor government policies, fiscal imbalances, trade deficits, higher inflations, monetary policies, and liquidity shortage among others. The crashing of currencies poses socio-economic problems that are devastating to different classes of people. To this end, this study sought to investigate the social consequences of currency crash to the middle class in Zimbabwe with a particular focus on the case of Msasa Park suburb in Harare. The study sought to investigate how the middle class households adapted to the situation induced by the crash of the Zimbabwean dollar, to examine how the currency crisis in Zimbabwe affected consumption patterns of the middle class at a household level and to identify the effects of currency crashes to the middle class’ national feeling and identity. The study utilized a qualitative research method in the form of in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The process was made possible through the use of purposive sampling and quota sampling to generate the targeted participants of the study. The findings of the study have shown that the crash of the Zimbabwean dollar resulted in massive retrenchments, dwindling work opportunities, shrinkages in salaries and wages of employees particularly the middle class. This led to the rampant growth of the informal sector whereby people ended up engaging into extra economic activities outside their professions so as to supplement their incomes. Moreover, the study has shown that some middle class households began to cut out luxurious goods and prioritize basics. As such, their consumption patterns began to change in that their daily meals were reduced. The main reason given by the participants were that groceries were no longer available in shops. Resultantly, the majority of the participants said that they had to either grow their own food or import it from neighboring countries such as Botswana, Zambia and South Africa. In addition, the study yields that crash of the Zimbabwean dollar exacerbated migration of the working class to other countries. Last but not least, the study has shown that the crashing of the Zimbabwean dollar had effects on the class identity of the middle class in that the majority of them completely lost their status since they were experiencing downward mobility.
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The contribution of communal sheep production to household welfare in Nyadeni local municipality under alternative extension regimes
- Authors: Ngqulana, Athenkosi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Sheep -- Breeding -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Communal rangelands -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MAgric
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13270 , vital:39629
- Description: Sheep farming seems to have a rich profile in the improvement of the livelihoods in the deprived parts of developing countries throughout the world. The broad objective of this study is to assess the contribution of sheep production to household welfare under alternative extension regimes. Specifically, this research investigated the methods used to deliver extension services, perceptions of communal sheep farmers towards extension delivery services and contribution of communal sheep production to household welfare. The study was conducted in Nyandeni Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province and employed survey data obtained from 105 households practising sheep production. Cross-sectional research design and purposive sampling technique was used. Descriptive statistics was used to examine socio-economic characteristics and extension methods used to improve sheep production. Likert scale was used to rate perceptions of sheep producers and extension services given And a T-test analyses was conducted to test its reliability. Linear multiple regression model was used to estimate the contribution of sheep production to rural household’s welfare. The descriptive statistics results show that males were dominant with a representation of 55.2 percent and 44.8 percent were females. Moreover, the majority of households were aged, being above 61 years on average. The results showed high levels of illiteracy amongst household sheep producers with 54 percent having no formal education and average number of years farmers spent in school was 7 years and less. About 62 percent of the households were married and 54 percent was found to be unemployed. Farming was found to be the major agricultural economic activity. The results also shows that there is one type of extension method used in the area which was the group method through the use of group meetings. This finding was surprising as it was different from the results that were expected given prior information obtained from the literature and extension service. Therefore the study was unable to conclude on which of the extension method was most effective since the households were not exposed to different regimes. From the Likert-scale analysis, although all households received extension services many (58 percent) of respondents were not satisfied with the services they received. In order to run the regression, diagnostic checks were done to check if multicollinearity existed in the variables. Linear multiple regression analysis results indicate that sheep production contributes to household income and welfare. However, household sheep production was influenced by a number of factors such as educational level, household size, number of sheep sold and sheep price while age was found to adversely affect sheep production in the study area. Farmers require to be trained on sheep production and necessary methods required for sheep production as to increase percent received extension services many (58 percent) of respondents were not satisfied with the services they received. In order to run the regression, diagnostic checks were done to check if multicollinearity existed in the variables. Linear multiple regression analysis results indicate that sheep production contributes to household income and welfare. However, household sheep production was influenced by a number of factors such as educational level, household size, number of sheep sold and sheep price while age was found to adversely affect sheep production in the study area. Farmers require to be trained on sheep production and necessary methods required for sheep production as to increase their household income and welfare through the improvement of the factors that affected sheep significantly. Also since the farmers were exposed on one regime there is a need for extension agents to use more than one extension regime to improve production.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ngqulana, Athenkosi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Sheep -- Breeding -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Communal rangelands -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MAgric
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13270 , vital:39629
- Description: Sheep farming seems to have a rich profile in the improvement of the livelihoods in the deprived parts of developing countries throughout the world. The broad objective of this study is to assess the contribution of sheep production to household welfare under alternative extension regimes. Specifically, this research investigated the methods used to deliver extension services, perceptions of communal sheep farmers towards extension delivery services and contribution of communal sheep production to household welfare. The study was conducted in Nyandeni Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province and employed survey data obtained from 105 households practising sheep production. Cross-sectional research design and purposive sampling technique was used. Descriptive statistics was used to examine socio-economic characteristics and extension methods used to improve sheep production. Likert scale was used to rate perceptions of sheep producers and extension services given And a T-test analyses was conducted to test its reliability. Linear multiple regression model was used to estimate the contribution of sheep production to rural household’s welfare. The descriptive statistics results show that males were dominant with a representation of 55.2 percent and 44.8 percent were females. Moreover, the majority of households were aged, being above 61 years on average. The results showed high levels of illiteracy amongst household sheep producers with 54 percent having no formal education and average number of years farmers spent in school was 7 years and less. About 62 percent of the households were married and 54 percent was found to be unemployed. Farming was found to be the major agricultural economic activity. The results also shows that there is one type of extension method used in the area which was the group method through the use of group meetings. This finding was surprising as it was different from the results that were expected given prior information obtained from the literature and extension service. Therefore the study was unable to conclude on which of the extension method was most effective since the households were not exposed to different regimes. From the Likert-scale analysis, although all households received extension services many (58 percent) of respondents were not satisfied with the services they received. In order to run the regression, diagnostic checks were done to check if multicollinearity existed in the variables. Linear multiple regression analysis results indicate that sheep production contributes to household income and welfare. However, household sheep production was influenced by a number of factors such as educational level, household size, number of sheep sold and sheep price while age was found to adversely affect sheep production in the study area. Farmers require to be trained on sheep production and necessary methods required for sheep production as to increase percent received extension services many (58 percent) of respondents were not satisfied with the services they received. In order to run the regression, diagnostic checks were done to check if multicollinearity existed in the variables. Linear multiple regression analysis results indicate that sheep production contributes to household income and welfare. However, household sheep production was influenced by a number of factors such as educational level, household size, number of sheep sold and sheep price while age was found to adversely affect sheep production in the study area. Farmers require to be trained on sheep production and necessary methods required for sheep production as to increase their household income and welfare through the improvement of the factors that affected sheep significantly. Also since the farmers were exposed on one regime there is a need for extension agents to use more than one extension regime to improve production.
- Full Text:
The effect of fire management on chemical and physical properties of rangelands
- Authors: Magomani, Matimba Israel
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Rangelands -- Fire management Soil ecology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6191 , vital:29506
- Description: The use of fire in rangeland has become standard practice for decades; however, there is no shared understanding of how fire affects soil properties. The exact relationship between fire and soil properties is still yet to be understood. The differences in fire frequency, fire intensity, fire severity, the period between fire and sampling resulted in contradictory results amongst studies. A long-term trial at the University of Fort Hare provides a valuable experimental layout for fire research. The trial was established in 1980 with the aim of investigating the effect of burning frequency on vegetation species composition and biomass production. The objective of this study was however to determine the effect of fire management on soil chemical and physical properties under the long-term burning experiment. The treatments of the study site were: no burn (K), annual (B1), biennial (B2), triennial (B3), quadrennial (B4) and sexennial (B6) burns. A line intercept sampling technique was used to collect the soil samples from the surface (0 to 75 mm) for both chemical and physical analysis. All Burning treatments significantly (p < 0.05) increased the bulk density (Db), soil pH, total cations, Magnesium (Mg) and Calcium (Ca), but reduced the soil porosity and exchangeable acidity when compared to the control. Hydraulic conductivity (Ks), water conducting macroporosity (WCM) and total nitrogen were reduced under more frequent burning treatments (B1, B2), as compared to less frequent burning treatments (B3, B4, B6). The aggregate stability showed an opposite trend. Total organic carbon (TOC) was reduced only under annual burning treatment. Burning frequencies did not impact the extractable Phosphorus (p), Potassium (K), Sodium, soil water repellency and water content significantly (P > 0.05). The risk associated with annual burning showed in this study might facilitate processes such as overflow that lead to soil degradation. Triennial burning in rangeland ecosystem supports soil conservation practices. Further studies that measure the quality of rangeland in triennial burning is necessary.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Magomani, Matimba Israel
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Rangelands -- Fire management Soil ecology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6191 , vital:29506
- Description: The use of fire in rangeland has become standard practice for decades; however, there is no shared understanding of how fire affects soil properties. The exact relationship between fire and soil properties is still yet to be understood. The differences in fire frequency, fire intensity, fire severity, the period between fire and sampling resulted in contradictory results amongst studies. A long-term trial at the University of Fort Hare provides a valuable experimental layout for fire research. The trial was established in 1980 with the aim of investigating the effect of burning frequency on vegetation species composition and biomass production. The objective of this study was however to determine the effect of fire management on soil chemical and physical properties under the long-term burning experiment. The treatments of the study site were: no burn (K), annual (B1), biennial (B2), triennial (B3), quadrennial (B4) and sexennial (B6) burns. A line intercept sampling technique was used to collect the soil samples from the surface (0 to 75 mm) for both chemical and physical analysis. All Burning treatments significantly (p < 0.05) increased the bulk density (Db), soil pH, total cations, Magnesium (Mg) and Calcium (Ca), but reduced the soil porosity and exchangeable acidity when compared to the control. Hydraulic conductivity (Ks), water conducting macroporosity (WCM) and total nitrogen were reduced under more frequent burning treatments (B1, B2), as compared to less frequent burning treatments (B3, B4, B6). The aggregate stability showed an opposite trend. Total organic carbon (TOC) was reduced only under annual burning treatment. Burning frequencies did not impact the extractable Phosphorus (p), Potassium (K), Sodium, soil water repellency and water content significantly (P > 0.05). The risk associated with annual burning showed in this study might facilitate processes such as overflow that lead to soil degradation. Triennial burning in rangeland ecosystem supports soil conservation practices. Further studies that measure the quality of rangeland in triennial burning is necessary.
- Full Text:
The effect of gold price volatility on stock market returns in South Africa
- Authors: Gcadana, Nqabisa Mary
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Stock exchanges --South Africa.
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Economics)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13359 , vital:39637
- Description: The South African stock market has become a major player in the African Securities Exchanges Association through its performance. Gold is one of the commodities that are traded at Johannesburg Stock Exchange, hence gold price fluctuations are the crucial factor that JSE needs to keep its eye on. The demand for gold in South Africa is continuously rising because gold has full security, less credit risk and is a highly liquid instrument. Based on the given background, the study examines the effect of gold price volatility on stock market returns in South Africa, employing the Generalised Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (GARCH) (1.1) model. The study used monthly data covering the period from 2005 to 2017. The Storage model and discounted cash flows model which are the theories that connect gold price and stock market were specified. The research findings are supported by previous studies. The gold price volatility was found to have a negative effect on stock market returns, and the proxy of stock market returns is the All Share Index. The study will help to provide an understanding of how gold price volatility affects the stock market that will help policymakers to come up with policies that are relevant to volatility of gold price towards stock market.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Gcadana, Nqabisa Mary
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Stock exchanges --South Africa.
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Economics)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13359 , vital:39637
- Description: The South African stock market has become a major player in the African Securities Exchanges Association through its performance. Gold is one of the commodities that are traded at Johannesburg Stock Exchange, hence gold price fluctuations are the crucial factor that JSE needs to keep its eye on. The demand for gold in South Africa is continuously rising because gold has full security, less credit risk and is a highly liquid instrument. Based on the given background, the study examines the effect of gold price volatility on stock market returns in South Africa, employing the Generalised Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (GARCH) (1.1) model. The study used monthly data covering the period from 2005 to 2017. The Storage model and discounted cash flows model which are the theories that connect gold price and stock market were specified. The research findings are supported by previous studies. The gold price volatility was found to have a negative effect on stock market returns, and the proxy of stock market returns is the All Share Index. The study will help to provide an understanding of how gold price volatility affects the stock market that will help policymakers to come up with policies that are relevant to volatility of gold price towards stock market.
- Full Text:
The effect of phosphorus fertilizer application on growth, biomass and nutritive value of Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) varieties in Alice, South Africa
- Authors: Mpabanga, Nkosi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Phosphatic fertilizers Soil fertility Plants -- Effect of phosphorus on
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6180 , vital:29501
- Description: Low soil fertility has been identified to be among the major causes of low pasture quantity and quality. Scarcity of high quality forage mainly during the dry season threatens animal productivity in some areas of South Africa, thus the need for identifying livestock feed alternatives. Pigeon pea is a woody legume that has continually been an important shrub in agroforestry and can provide protein-rich livestock feed during times of shortage. Soil fertility to support the production of pigeon pea can be enhanced by application of fertilisers. Therefore, this study was carried out firstly, to determine the effect of phosphorus fertiliser on the growth performance and biomass production of three pigeon pea varieties, and secondly, to investigate the influence of phosphorus application on the nutrient and anti-nutrient content of three pigeon pea varieties. The field experiment was done at the University of Fort Hare research farm in Alice, South Africa. The factors investigated were three pigeon pea varieties namely Chitedze 1, Chitedze 2 and CIMMYT 1 and three phosphorus fertiliser application rates of 0, 40 and 60 kg P/ha. The study was a 3× 3 factorial experiment set up in a randomised complete block design and was replicated three times. The growth performance attributes evaluated in this study include the number of branches, plant height and root collar diameter. Root collar diameter was not significantly (p>0.05) different among the pigeon pea varieties and phosphorus levels. Likewise, the application of phosphorus was not significant (p>0.05) on plant height and the number of branches of all the varieties. However, when P level was varied, there were significant differences among the varieties, and so were the interaction (p<0.05) between variety and phosphorus on plant height and the number of branches. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference among the phosphorus levels on the fresh leaf yield of Chitedze 1 and Chitedze 2, but phosphorus application at 40 kg P/ha increased the fresh leaf yield of CIMMYT 1. Phosphorus application at 60 kg P/ha increased (p<0.05) the dry matter content of Chitedze 1 and Chitedze 2. Furthermore, the results of the trial show that the application of 40 kg P/ha and 60 kg P/ha increased (p<0.05) the dry matter yield of the varieties CIMMYT 1 and Chitedze 2, respectively. The effects of phosphorus application on the nutrient composition of the three pigeon pea varieties varied. The composition of hemicellulose of all the varieties was significantly (p<0.05) increased by the application of 40 kg P/ha. Conversely, the concentration of crude protein, phosphorus, copper and iron, and the calcium to phosphorus ratio of all the pigeon pea varieties was not significantly (p>0.05) affected by phosphorus application and there was no interactive effect of variety and phosphorus. The proximate compositions of fat, total non-structural carbohydrates, ash, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, cellulose, neutral detergent insoluble nitrogen, acid detergent insoluble nitrogen of the pigeon pea varieties varied significantly (p<0.05) at different phosphorus application levels. There was an interactive (p<0.05) effect of variety and the level of phosphorus on the concentration of calcium (Ca), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sodium, zinc, manganese, and the K/(Ca+Mg) ratio. The digestible dry matter, dry matter intake and the relative feed value were significantly (p<0.05) different among the pigeon pea varieties at varying phosphorus levels. The anti-nutrient composition of Chitedze 2 was not significantly (p>0.05) affected by phosphorus application but the concentration of phenols and saponins of Chitedze 1 was significantly (p<0.05) increased when 60 kg P/ha was applied, but these anti-nutrients were reduced (p<0.05) for CIMMYT 1 at 60 kg P/ha. It can be concluded that phosphorus application influences the biomass production and chemical composition while the optimum phosphorus level vary among the pigeon pea varieties.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mpabanga, Nkosi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Phosphatic fertilizers Soil fertility Plants -- Effect of phosphorus on
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6180 , vital:29501
- Description: Low soil fertility has been identified to be among the major causes of low pasture quantity and quality. Scarcity of high quality forage mainly during the dry season threatens animal productivity in some areas of South Africa, thus the need for identifying livestock feed alternatives. Pigeon pea is a woody legume that has continually been an important shrub in agroforestry and can provide protein-rich livestock feed during times of shortage. Soil fertility to support the production of pigeon pea can be enhanced by application of fertilisers. Therefore, this study was carried out firstly, to determine the effect of phosphorus fertiliser on the growth performance and biomass production of three pigeon pea varieties, and secondly, to investigate the influence of phosphorus application on the nutrient and anti-nutrient content of three pigeon pea varieties. The field experiment was done at the University of Fort Hare research farm in Alice, South Africa. The factors investigated were three pigeon pea varieties namely Chitedze 1, Chitedze 2 and CIMMYT 1 and three phosphorus fertiliser application rates of 0, 40 and 60 kg P/ha. The study was a 3× 3 factorial experiment set up in a randomised complete block design and was replicated three times. The growth performance attributes evaluated in this study include the number of branches, plant height and root collar diameter. Root collar diameter was not significantly (p>0.05) different among the pigeon pea varieties and phosphorus levels. Likewise, the application of phosphorus was not significant (p>0.05) on plant height and the number of branches of all the varieties. However, when P level was varied, there were significant differences among the varieties, and so were the interaction (p<0.05) between variety and phosphorus on plant height and the number of branches. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference among the phosphorus levels on the fresh leaf yield of Chitedze 1 and Chitedze 2, but phosphorus application at 40 kg P/ha increased the fresh leaf yield of CIMMYT 1. Phosphorus application at 60 kg P/ha increased (p<0.05) the dry matter content of Chitedze 1 and Chitedze 2. Furthermore, the results of the trial show that the application of 40 kg P/ha and 60 kg P/ha increased (p<0.05) the dry matter yield of the varieties CIMMYT 1 and Chitedze 2, respectively. The effects of phosphorus application on the nutrient composition of the three pigeon pea varieties varied. The composition of hemicellulose of all the varieties was significantly (p<0.05) increased by the application of 40 kg P/ha. Conversely, the concentration of crude protein, phosphorus, copper and iron, and the calcium to phosphorus ratio of all the pigeon pea varieties was not significantly (p>0.05) affected by phosphorus application and there was no interactive effect of variety and phosphorus. The proximate compositions of fat, total non-structural carbohydrates, ash, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, cellulose, neutral detergent insoluble nitrogen, acid detergent insoluble nitrogen of the pigeon pea varieties varied significantly (p<0.05) at different phosphorus application levels. There was an interactive (p<0.05) effect of variety and the level of phosphorus on the concentration of calcium (Ca), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sodium, zinc, manganese, and the K/(Ca+Mg) ratio. The digestible dry matter, dry matter intake and the relative feed value were significantly (p<0.05) different among the pigeon pea varieties at varying phosphorus levels. The anti-nutrient composition of Chitedze 2 was not significantly (p>0.05) affected by phosphorus application but the concentration of phenols and saponins of Chitedze 1 was significantly (p<0.05) increased when 60 kg P/ha was applied, but these anti-nutrients were reduced (p<0.05) for CIMMYT 1 at 60 kg P/ha. It can be concluded that phosphorus application influences the biomass production and chemical composition while the optimum phosphorus level vary among the pigeon pea varieties.
- Full Text:
The effect of quantitative feed restriction on growth performance, carcass characteristics and selected meat quality parameters in broiler chickens
- Authors: Velele, Siphelo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Broilers (Chickens) Poultry -- Breeding Meat -- Quality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8888 , vital:33907
- Description: The study investigated the effects of quantitative feed restriction on growth performance, carcass characteristics, internal organs, breast muscle pH and meat colour in broiler chickens. A total of 90, un-sexed, day-old broiler chicks were procured from an accredited supplier and were used for the current trial. For the first 14 days, all birds were brooded in one house and subjected to a uniform day-to-day management. Water was supplied throughout the trial, whereas, feed was only supplied ad libitum between days 1-14 and 29-35 days in feed restricted birds. Feed phases included starter (1-14 days), grower (15-28) and finisher (29-35), respectively. On day 15, birds were randomly allocated to three treatments; each treatment was replicated three times with 10 birds per replicate. The first treatment (T1) group, which acted as control group, was ad libitum feeding for the whole trial duration (1-35 days). For treatments 2 (T2) and 3(T3), 85 percent and 70 percent of the Cobb 500 broiler feed intake standards were applied for a period of 14 days (days 15-28), respectively. Average daily feed intake (ADFI) was determined daily and then average body weight (ABW) was determined weekly. Feed conversion ratio and average daily weight gain was thus computed for each experimental unit (replicate). On day 35, broiler birds were electrically stunned and slaughtered by a sharp knife and then hung for complete bleeding. Data collected included slaughter, carcass, breast, thigh, wing, drumstick, feet, head, spleen, heart, gizzard, intestines (small & large) and liver weights. Breast muscle was further used for the determination of colour (L*, b* and a*), initial (pHi) and ultimate breast pH (pHu) measurements. Although, quantitative feed restriction (T2 & T3) significantly affected growth performance in weeks 3 and 4, birds submitted to T2 performed similar (P>0.05) to control in the final stage, whilst birds in T3 was the poorest (P<0.05). Furthermore, birds subjected to T2 showed no differences of edible carcass portions to the control, however, T3 group showed lower (P<0.05) slaughter and wing weights. Breast ultimate pH values of birds under T2 were similar to control, but birds in T3 had significantly higher (P<0.05) values. Birds under T2 had less (P<0.05) reddish breast meat colour than control at 45 minutes. At 24 hours post-mortem, birds in T3 had lower (P<0.05) lightness values and birds submitted to T2 had higher (P<0.05) yellowness values. Liver weight was significantly lower in birds under T3 and higher (P<0.05) gizzard weights were found in birds subjected to T2. Birds under T2 performed similar to control and were able to compensate for the weight loss when high plane of feed was re-introduced. It can be concluded from the results that restricting 15 percent of feed from Cobb 500 standard feed intake had moderately affected broiler performance. Moreover, restricting 15percent of feed significantly reduced feed intake in broiler chicken.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Velele, Siphelo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Broilers (Chickens) Poultry -- Breeding Meat -- Quality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8888 , vital:33907
- Description: The study investigated the effects of quantitative feed restriction on growth performance, carcass characteristics, internal organs, breast muscle pH and meat colour in broiler chickens. A total of 90, un-sexed, day-old broiler chicks were procured from an accredited supplier and were used for the current trial. For the first 14 days, all birds were brooded in one house and subjected to a uniform day-to-day management. Water was supplied throughout the trial, whereas, feed was only supplied ad libitum between days 1-14 and 29-35 days in feed restricted birds. Feed phases included starter (1-14 days), grower (15-28) and finisher (29-35), respectively. On day 15, birds were randomly allocated to three treatments; each treatment was replicated three times with 10 birds per replicate. The first treatment (T1) group, which acted as control group, was ad libitum feeding for the whole trial duration (1-35 days). For treatments 2 (T2) and 3(T3), 85 percent and 70 percent of the Cobb 500 broiler feed intake standards were applied for a period of 14 days (days 15-28), respectively. Average daily feed intake (ADFI) was determined daily and then average body weight (ABW) was determined weekly. Feed conversion ratio and average daily weight gain was thus computed for each experimental unit (replicate). On day 35, broiler birds were electrically stunned and slaughtered by a sharp knife and then hung for complete bleeding. Data collected included slaughter, carcass, breast, thigh, wing, drumstick, feet, head, spleen, heart, gizzard, intestines (small & large) and liver weights. Breast muscle was further used for the determination of colour (L*, b* and a*), initial (pHi) and ultimate breast pH (pHu) measurements. Although, quantitative feed restriction (T2 & T3) significantly affected growth performance in weeks 3 and 4, birds submitted to T2 performed similar (P>0.05) to control in the final stage, whilst birds in T3 was the poorest (P<0.05). Furthermore, birds subjected to T2 showed no differences of edible carcass portions to the control, however, T3 group showed lower (P<0.05) slaughter and wing weights. Breast ultimate pH values of birds under T2 were similar to control, but birds in T3 had significantly higher (P<0.05) values. Birds under T2 had less (P<0.05) reddish breast meat colour than control at 45 minutes. At 24 hours post-mortem, birds in T3 had lower (P<0.05) lightness values and birds submitted to T2 had higher (P<0.05) yellowness values. Liver weight was significantly lower in birds under T3 and higher (P<0.05) gizzard weights were found in birds subjected to T2. Birds under T2 performed similar to control and were able to compensate for the weight loss when high plane of feed was re-introduced. It can be concluded from the results that restricting 15 percent of feed from Cobb 500 standard feed intake had moderately affected broiler performance. Moreover, restricting 15percent of feed significantly reduced feed intake in broiler chicken.
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The effect of strategic leadership on competitive advantage & innovation performance : a case of small business in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Authors: Maziti, Lindah
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Small business -- Technological innovations Small business -- Management Competition
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8619 , vital:33200
- Description: Orientation: The manner in which Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) perform is important for the sustainability of the enterprise. The role of strategic leadership on competitive advantage and innovation performance are investigated within this. Research purpose: To determine whether strategic leadership has an effect on competitive advantage and innovation performance in SMMEs. Secondly, to determine if innovation performance has an effect on competitive advantage. Motivation for the study: Contradictory views still exist on the concept of strategic leadership and its effect on competitive advantage and innovation performance and the effect of innovation performance on competitive advantage in SMMEs. This study contributes to these views within the South African SMME context. Research design, approach and method: A cross-sectional survey design was used and a questionnaire self-administered to a sample of 275 SMMEs in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality drawn through simple random sampling from a population 950 SMMEs available from the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) database. Main findings: The result showed that strategic leadership have a positive effect on competitive advantage and innovation performance in SMMEs. Furthermore, the results showed that there is a positive effect of innovation performance on competitive advantage in SMMEs. Practical implications: More is needed to develop strategic leadership. This can be done through leadership training and development, support from government of leaders of SMMEs and finally, a leader can take personal efforts to acquire competencies that allow them to make better decisions in managing the small business. Contribution: The study advances theory on leadership by showing its role on competitive advantage and innovation performance.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Maziti, Lindah
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Small business -- Technological innovations Small business -- Management Competition
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8619 , vital:33200
- Description: Orientation: The manner in which Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) perform is important for the sustainability of the enterprise. The role of strategic leadership on competitive advantage and innovation performance are investigated within this. Research purpose: To determine whether strategic leadership has an effect on competitive advantage and innovation performance in SMMEs. Secondly, to determine if innovation performance has an effect on competitive advantage. Motivation for the study: Contradictory views still exist on the concept of strategic leadership and its effect on competitive advantage and innovation performance and the effect of innovation performance on competitive advantage in SMMEs. This study contributes to these views within the South African SMME context. Research design, approach and method: A cross-sectional survey design was used and a questionnaire self-administered to a sample of 275 SMMEs in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality drawn through simple random sampling from a population 950 SMMEs available from the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) database. Main findings: The result showed that strategic leadership have a positive effect on competitive advantage and innovation performance in SMMEs. Furthermore, the results showed that there is a positive effect of innovation performance on competitive advantage in SMMEs. Practical implications: More is needed to develop strategic leadership. This can be done through leadership training and development, support from government of leaders of SMMEs and finally, a leader can take personal efforts to acquire competencies that allow them to make better decisions in managing the small business. Contribution: The study advances theory on leadership by showing its role on competitive advantage and innovation performance.
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The effectiveness of medium-fidelity simulation on the clinical readiness of student midwives
- Authors: Ntlokonkulu, Zukiswa Brenda
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Obstetrics Midwifery Emergency medical services , Simulated patients
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4503 , vital:28345
- Description: Simulation affords the student a safe and supportive environment in which to practise skills repeatedly without causing any harm to a real patient. The Department of Nursing Sciences at the University of Fort Hare has a laboratory that offers lowto medium-fidelity simulation in the form of task trainers and mannequins. These task trainers and mannequins are used in general nursing, and in community and midwifery nursing sciences, for the demonstration of skills, the practising of skills by students and for formative assessments. In midwifery, task trainers are used for vaginal examinations, abdominal palpation breech and vaginal deliveries and the management of post-partum haemorrhage (PPH). Given that in a real-life clinical environment limited opportunities exist for students to practise during an obstetrical emergency, medium-fidelity simulation (MFS) in midwifery ideally positions the student in a practical environment without risking the patient’s safety. Despite the availability of MFS at UFH, its benefit on the clinical readiness of student midwives is not known. The present study was designed to assess the effectiveness of MFS in enhancing the clinical readiness of student midwives at the University of Fort Hare. The main research objective of the study was to explore, describe and analyse the effect of medium-fidelity simulation on student midwives’ confidence, critical thinking ability, communication, satisfaction and team work in an obstetrical clinical emergency environment. This was a qualitative, interpretive, phenomenological analysis designed to explore the student midwives’ lived experiences regarding the effectiveness of mediumfidelity simulation and the effect of these experiences on clinical readiness. The target population was fourth-year Bachelor of nursing student midwives at the University of Fort Hare. Purposive sampling was used to select five student midwives who were team leaders during the management of PPH using MFS. Ethical approval was granted by the University of Fort Hare Ethics Committee. Informed consent was obtained from the participants prior to data collection. Trustworthiness was ensured by observing the principles of transferability, credibility, confirmability and dependability. Data was collected through individual face-to-face interviews and a semi-structured interview guide. All fourth-year student midwives had viewed an on-line video entitled Essential Steps in Management of Obstetrical Emergency(ESMOE) Postpartum Haemorrhage, in which the procedure was demonstrated. The video, sent via Backboard, was presented in such a way that student midwives had the opportunity to watch it repeatedly in order to thoroughly comprehend the demonstrated skill. A semi-structured interview guide was used for data collection. Interviews were conducted in the simulation laboratory. A Samsung smartphone was used to record interviews and a notepad was used to make notes of gestures, such as smiles or other facial expressions. Data was analysed using thematic content analysis applicable to interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) studies using the six steps: reading and re-reading; initial noting taking; developing emergent themes; searching for connections across the emergent themes; moving to the next case and lastly, looking for patterns across cases. The major findings indicated that the participants had differing views regarding the concept of clinical readiness; some held that clinical readiness meant being ready or prepared to handle any eventuality in the course of work, others opined that it was a state of being conversant with the policies and procedures in the clinical ward. Participants believed that clinical readiness was parallel to being competent and that midwives should always be ready to anticipate complications that might arise with the patient, endeavouring to analyse and interpret such conditions clinically. Participants expressed the need to see the simulation skill demonstrated repeatedly for thorough understanding of the technique, so that they could work independently in an obstetrical emergency situation. During simulation, participants were confident in delegating duties to team members, affirming that in order to ensure that tasks were carried out, team leaders should receive regular updates from team members.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ntlokonkulu, Zukiswa Brenda
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Obstetrics Midwifery Emergency medical services , Simulated patients
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4503 , vital:28345
- Description: Simulation affords the student a safe and supportive environment in which to practise skills repeatedly without causing any harm to a real patient. The Department of Nursing Sciences at the University of Fort Hare has a laboratory that offers lowto medium-fidelity simulation in the form of task trainers and mannequins. These task trainers and mannequins are used in general nursing, and in community and midwifery nursing sciences, for the demonstration of skills, the practising of skills by students and for formative assessments. In midwifery, task trainers are used for vaginal examinations, abdominal palpation breech and vaginal deliveries and the management of post-partum haemorrhage (PPH). Given that in a real-life clinical environment limited opportunities exist for students to practise during an obstetrical emergency, medium-fidelity simulation (MFS) in midwifery ideally positions the student in a practical environment without risking the patient’s safety. Despite the availability of MFS at UFH, its benefit on the clinical readiness of student midwives is not known. The present study was designed to assess the effectiveness of MFS in enhancing the clinical readiness of student midwives at the University of Fort Hare. The main research objective of the study was to explore, describe and analyse the effect of medium-fidelity simulation on student midwives’ confidence, critical thinking ability, communication, satisfaction and team work in an obstetrical clinical emergency environment. This was a qualitative, interpretive, phenomenological analysis designed to explore the student midwives’ lived experiences regarding the effectiveness of mediumfidelity simulation and the effect of these experiences on clinical readiness. The target population was fourth-year Bachelor of nursing student midwives at the University of Fort Hare. Purposive sampling was used to select five student midwives who were team leaders during the management of PPH using MFS. Ethical approval was granted by the University of Fort Hare Ethics Committee. Informed consent was obtained from the participants prior to data collection. Trustworthiness was ensured by observing the principles of transferability, credibility, confirmability and dependability. Data was collected through individual face-to-face interviews and a semi-structured interview guide. All fourth-year student midwives had viewed an on-line video entitled Essential Steps in Management of Obstetrical Emergency(ESMOE) Postpartum Haemorrhage, in which the procedure was demonstrated. The video, sent via Backboard, was presented in such a way that student midwives had the opportunity to watch it repeatedly in order to thoroughly comprehend the demonstrated skill. A semi-structured interview guide was used for data collection. Interviews were conducted in the simulation laboratory. A Samsung smartphone was used to record interviews and a notepad was used to make notes of gestures, such as smiles or other facial expressions. Data was analysed using thematic content analysis applicable to interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) studies using the six steps: reading and re-reading; initial noting taking; developing emergent themes; searching for connections across the emergent themes; moving to the next case and lastly, looking for patterns across cases. The major findings indicated that the participants had differing views regarding the concept of clinical readiness; some held that clinical readiness meant being ready or prepared to handle any eventuality in the course of work, others opined that it was a state of being conversant with the policies and procedures in the clinical ward. Participants believed that clinical readiness was parallel to being competent and that midwives should always be ready to anticipate complications that might arise with the patient, endeavouring to analyse and interpret such conditions clinically. Participants expressed the need to see the simulation skill demonstrated repeatedly for thorough understanding of the technique, so that they could work independently in an obstetrical emergency situation. During simulation, participants were confident in delegating duties to team members, affirming that in order to ensure that tasks were carried out, team leaders should receive regular updates from team members.
- Full Text:
The effects of municipal demarcation board decisions on health care services in the Eastern Cape: a case of Alfed Nzo District Municipality
- Authors: Makali, Andile Ernest
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Health-care services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13546 , vital:39678
- Description: The study sought to assess the effects of municipal demarcation board decisions on health care services. Since the democratic elections, the South African government was faced with the task of eliminating the racially based municipal system that segregated certain groups of people in service delivery. To deal with the determination and re-determination of municipal boundaries the Municipal Demarcation Board (MBD) was established in 1998. The study used secondary data to achieve its objectives. A number of official documents and sources that were used for this study. These included government documents, municipal documents, NGO documents, private sector documents. Results showed that municipal revenue is negatively affected by demarcations. Alfred Nzo District Municipality is no exception to this. Furthermore, demarcation processes have implications for health human resources and other municipal health processes. Human resources such as nurses and doctors are sometimes shifted from one municipality to another. Other negative consequences (especially in the transition period) may result from issues related to the supply chain, long-term contracts, municipal plans and policies, financial and other systems, information and databases, asset registers and asset maintenance, and repairs.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Makali, Andile Ernest
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Health-care services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13546 , vital:39678
- Description: The study sought to assess the effects of municipal demarcation board decisions on health care services. Since the democratic elections, the South African government was faced with the task of eliminating the racially based municipal system that segregated certain groups of people in service delivery. To deal with the determination and re-determination of municipal boundaries the Municipal Demarcation Board (MBD) was established in 1998. The study used secondary data to achieve its objectives. A number of official documents and sources that were used for this study. These included government documents, municipal documents, NGO documents, private sector documents. Results showed that municipal revenue is negatively affected by demarcations. Alfred Nzo District Municipality is no exception to this. Furthermore, demarcation processes have implications for health human resources and other municipal health processes. Human resources such as nurses and doctors are sometimes shifted from one municipality to another. Other negative consequences (especially in the transition period) may result from issues related to the supply chain, long-term contracts, municipal plans and policies, financial and other systems, information and databases, asset registers and asset maintenance, and repairs.
- Full Text:
The effects of Real Exchange Rate (RER) on the export competitiveness of South African fruit industry
- Authors: Peter, Bathathu
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Foreign exchange rates -- South Africa Free trade -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15732 , vital:40514
- Description: South Africa has diverse climatic conditions that allow it to grow and produce various fruit cultivars across the country. Limpopo, Western Cape, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Northern Cape are South Africa’s main fruit production regions. In 2015, fruits ranked the 7th largest sector on exports and the largest in South Africa’s agricultural exports. South Africa’s major export partners for fruit in the same year were Netherlands, United Kingdom, Russian Federation, United Arab Emirate, and Hong Kong China. Correspondingly, exports to non-traditional markets such as India and China have increased rapidly. South Africa has prioritized exports as the engine for economic growth and job creation. The country has two major export destinations namely; the high income countries of Europe and North America, and the low-income markets of Africa, especially Southern African Customs Union (SADC) countries. South Africa’s Real Exchange Rates (RER) fluctuated widely since early 1970’s. This occurred after the collapse of the Bretton Woods system of fixed exchange rates in 1973. South Africa’s RER has been depreciating since then. Consequently, there has been a proliferation of debates on the relationship between the RER and exports performance. The most commonly held belief is that the RER depresses trade thereby increasing riskiness of trading activity. The South African fruit industry has been operating in the background of the depreciating RER. A high degree of RER volatility has posed a serious challenge to policy making environment because the magnitude of its impacts on trade flows is still unknown. The policy making environment becomes stagnant. Policy makers and researchers continue to examine the effects of RER on trade for an indefinite period. The South African fruit producers are unable to anticipate income earnings from trade due to increased risks associated with RER. South Africa’s agricultural sector encompasses the Historically Disadvantaged Individuals (HDI) which the country wants to prioritise and give them opportunities to participate in trade. The risks associated with the RER impair the development of the HDIs. The Thesis seeks to examine South Africa’s trade performance and the competitiveness of South African fruit industry as well as the effects of the RER. Specifically, the Thesis examines South Africa’s global fruit trade performance, explores the export competitiveness of South African fruit industry, and estimates the export demand equation for South African fruit exports to the world. The Thesis used the data obtained from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) for the period of 1080 to 2015 to estimate the export demand equation. The data from the International Trade Centre (ITC) for the period of 2001 to 2015 was used to examine South Africa’s global trade performance and competitiveness. The analytical framework followed incorporates the South Africa’s fruit Trade Performance Index (TPI) and the effects of RER on South African fruit industry. The TPI presents South Africa’s global fruit trade and its competitiveness using Trade Map, while the effects of RER are investigated on local fruit sales and on exports using the regression model. The Trade Map is the dominant trade analysis tool increasingly being used by the researchers and policy makers to make informed decisions on trade issues. The Thesis also made use of the Trade Map tools to examine South Africa’s global fruit trade performance and its competitiveness. The market analysis tools developed by the International Trade Centre (ITC) are: Trade Map, Market Access Map, Investment Map, Trade Competitiveness Map, Standard Map, and the Procurement Map. Trade Map, Trade Competitiveness Map, and the Market Access Map are used. Subsequently, the Thesis applied econometric techniques to examine the effects of RER on South Africa’s fruit exports and on fruit sales on local markets using the regression model. In this regard, the Thesis followed the export demand equation used by Todani and Munyama (2005). De Vita & Abbott (2004), and Tandra-Ragoobur & Emamdy (2011). Todani & Munyama (2005), to estimate the relationship between exchange rate volatility and South African export. Real exports and the exchange rate volatility were the main variables used in the model. The relative prices and the income of South Africa’s trading partner were also included in the model. The results show that South Africa was the 11th largest fruit exporter after Viet Nam and Spain in 2015. During the same year, the U.S. was the largest exporter of fruit with 14percent in the world, followed by Spain and Netherlands with 9percent and 6percent, respectively. The fruit industry ranked 8th largest exporter and the largest in agricultural sectors in 2015. Its exports totaled R 37 133 million in 2015, from R 30 566 million in 2014. South Africa’s total fruit exports accounted for a 33percent share on total agricultural exports and 4percent on South Africa’s total exports in 2015. The coefficients of the regression model were all statistically significant. Most importantly, an inverse relationship between the relative price and South Africa’s real fruit exports was established. Moreover, the RER had a significant negative effect on the South Africa’s fruit export competitiveness. This imposes more pain on the development of the HDIs in South Africa’s agricultural sector. South Africa has desire to move away from the export of raw materials and traditional export commodities and promote the export of value added products, including the agro processing products. Accordingly, this affects the entire value chain of the agricultural sector, since trade cannot be anticipated. On the basis of the regression results shown by the variables included in the model, the objectives of the study were accomplished. South Africa’s fruit exports are said to be more competitive to the European markets as a result of the weaker rand relative to other countries. The overview of South Africa’s fruit trade shows that South African fruit exports are more competitive across the globe. This is probably because the South Africa’s fruit exports for the top ten commodities are ranked almost the first five in the European markets and the first ten for the world. The results are supported by previous documented research, which emphasised that the weaker rand leads to more South African fruit produce being absorbed by the international markets. The evidence from the results shows that the RER stimulates the fruit export competitiveness.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Peter, Bathathu
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Foreign exchange rates -- South Africa Free trade -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15732 , vital:40514
- Description: South Africa has diverse climatic conditions that allow it to grow and produce various fruit cultivars across the country. Limpopo, Western Cape, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Northern Cape are South Africa’s main fruit production regions. In 2015, fruits ranked the 7th largest sector on exports and the largest in South Africa’s agricultural exports. South Africa’s major export partners for fruit in the same year were Netherlands, United Kingdom, Russian Federation, United Arab Emirate, and Hong Kong China. Correspondingly, exports to non-traditional markets such as India and China have increased rapidly. South Africa has prioritized exports as the engine for economic growth and job creation. The country has two major export destinations namely; the high income countries of Europe and North America, and the low-income markets of Africa, especially Southern African Customs Union (SADC) countries. South Africa’s Real Exchange Rates (RER) fluctuated widely since early 1970’s. This occurred after the collapse of the Bretton Woods system of fixed exchange rates in 1973. South Africa’s RER has been depreciating since then. Consequently, there has been a proliferation of debates on the relationship between the RER and exports performance. The most commonly held belief is that the RER depresses trade thereby increasing riskiness of trading activity. The South African fruit industry has been operating in the background of the depreciating RER. A high degree of RER volatility has posed a serious challenge to policy making environment because the magnitude of its impacts on trade flows is still unknown. The policy making environment becomes stagnant. Policy makers and researchers continue to examine the effects of RER on trade for an indefinite period. The South African fruit producers are unable to anticipate income earnings from trade due to increased risks associated with RER. South Africa’s agricultural sector encompasses the Historically Disadvantaged Individuals (HDI) which the country wants to prioritise and give them opportunities to participate in trade. The risks associated with the RER impair the development of the HDIs. The Thesis seeks to examine South Africa’s trade performance and the competitiveness of South African fruit industry as well as the effects of the RER. Specifically, the Thesis examines South Africa’s global fruit trade performance, explores the export competitiveness of South African fruit industry, and estimates the export demand equation for South African fruit exports to the world. The Thesis used the data obtained from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) for the period of 1080 to 2015 to estimate the export demand equation. The data from the International Trade Centre (ITC) for the period of 2001 to 2015 was used to examine South Africa’s global trade performance and competitiveness. The analytical framework followed incorporates the South Africa’s fruit Trade Performance Index (TPI) and the effects of RER on South African fruit industry. The TPI presents South Africa’s global fruit trade and its competitiveness using Trade Map, while the effects of RER are investigated on local fruit sales and on exports using the regression model. The Trade Map is the dominant trade analysis tool increasingly being used by the researchers and policy makers to make informed decisions on trade issues. The Thesis also made use of the Trade Map tools to examine South Africa’s global fruit trade performance and its competitiveness. The market analysis tools developed by the International Trade Centre (ITC) are: Trade Map, Market Access Map, Investment Map, Trade Competitiveness Map, Standard Map, and the Procurement Map. Trade Map, Trade Competitiveness Map, and the Market Access Map are used. Subsequently, the Thesis applied econometric techniques to examine the effects of RER on South Africa’s fruit exports and on fruit sales on local markets using the regression model. In this regard, the Thesis followed the export demand equation used by Todani and Munyama (2005). De Vita & Abbott (2004), and Tandra-Ragoobur & Emamdy (2011). Todani & Munyama (2005), to estimate the relationship between exchange rate volatility and South African export. Real exports and the exchange rate volatility were the main variables used in the model. The relative prices and the income of South Africa’s trading partner were also included in the model. The results show that South Africa was the 11th largest fruit exporter after Viet Nam and Spain in 2015. During the same year, the U.S. was the largest exporter of fruit with 14percent in the world, followed by Spain and Netherlands with 9percent and 6percent, respectively. The fruit industry ranked 8th largest exporter and the largest in agricultural sectors in 2015. Its exports totaled R 37 133 million in 2015, from R 30 566 million in 2014. South Africa’s total fruit exports accounted for a 33percent share on total agricultural exports and 4percent on South Africa’s total exports in 2015. The coefficients of the regression model were all statistically significant. Most importantly, an inverse relationship between the relative price and South Africa’s real fruit exports was established. Moreover, the RER had a significant negative effect on the South Africa’s fruit export competitiveness. This imposes more pain on the development of the HDIs in South Africa’s agricultural sector. South Africa has desire to move away from the export of raw materials and traditional export commodities and promote the export of value added products, including the agro processing products. Accordingly, this affects the entire value chain of the agricultural sector, since trade cannot be anticipated. On the basis of the regression results shown by the variables included in the model, the objectives of the study were accomplished. South Africa’s fruit exports are said to be more competitive to the European markets as a result of the weaker rand relative to other countries. The overview of South Africa’s fruit trade shows that South African fruit exports are more competitive across the globe. This is probably because the South Africa’s fruit exports for the top ten commodities are ranked almost the first five in the European markets and the first ten for the world. The results are supported by previous documented research, which emphasised that the weaker rand leads to more South African fruit produce being absorbed by the international markets. The evidence from the results shows that the RER stimulates the fruit export competitiveness.
- Full Text:
The effects of rhizobium inoculation on growth performance, forage production, nutrient and anti-nutrient content of lablab purpureus cultivars
- Senti, Sibongile Portia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4906-9570
- Authors: Senti, Sibongile Portia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4906-9570
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Livestock productivity , Rhizobium japonicum
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22864 , vital:53011
- Description: Declining soil fertility and inadequate low quality feed resources limit smallholder livestock production in the semi-arid regions of Eastern Cape in South Africa. Smallholder farmers are facing problems of high cost of artificial fertilisers limiting them in production of cereal crops and also fodder for their livestock. This leads to poor nutrition, particularly in the dry season, it affects livestock production. Planting Lablab purpureus and inoculating with Rhizobium would limit the necessity for buying expensive protein supplements and nitrogen fertilisers. Lablab purpureus can provide feed in the dry season for the improvement of livestock production. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Bradyrhizobium japonicum inoculation on growth performance, biomass production, nutrient and anti-nutrient content of the two Lablab purpureus cultivars (Rongai and Highworth). The experiment was conducted at Fort Hare Research Farm in Alice, South Africa. Data was collected on plant seedling emergence, plant height, stem diameter, plant vigour, chlorophyll content, nodule numbers as well as dry matter content, biomass yield, nutrient and anti-nutrient contents at 30, 60 and 90 DAP. Samples of Lablab purpureus were harvested at flowering stage and analysed for dry matter content, biomass yield, chemical, mineral and anti-ntrient composition. The results showed that Rhizobium inoculation significantly increased (p<0.05) seedling emergence, plant height and stem diameter of both Lablab purpureus cultivars. Rhizobium inoculation had no significant effect (p>0.05) on chlorophyll content for both cultivars. Highworth had significantly higher (p<0.05) plant vigour than Rongai on both inoculated and uninoculated. Varieties and inoculation effects were significant (p<0.05) for number of nodules, nodulation rate, active nodules and nodule dry yield. Rhizobium inoculation significantly (p<0.05) increased fresh matter yield, dry matter yied and dry matter content on both cultivars. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in NDF, ADIN, ADL, ADF, and Na between inoculated and uninoculated plants for both cultivars. The inoculation of Rhizobium improved CP (15.65%) in Highworth cultivar. The inoculation of Rhizobium significantly increased Ca (1.76-1.84%), Zn (191.91-2 8.33ppm) and Cu (3.50-6.16ppm) compared to un-inoculated plants. Varieties and Rhizobium had no interaction (p>0.05) with condensed tannin, hydrolysable tannin, total polyphenols and saponins . Therefore, the Rhizobium inoculation assisted in improving quality in terms of nutrient composition and decreasing anti-nutrients. It is recommended to use both cultivars of Lablab purpureus. Based on the results of this study it is concluded that Rhizobium inoculation increases yield and forage quality of Lablab purpureus. It is recommended that Highworth cultivar can be used by communal farmers in the Eastern Cape. This cultivar showed that it needs Rhizobium inoculation inorder to produce high quality that can increase livestock production. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2017
- Full Text:
- Authors: Senti, Sibongile Portia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4906-9570
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Livestock productivity , Rhizobium japonicum
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22864 , vital:53011
- Description: Declining soil fertility and inadequate low quality feed resources limit smallholder livestock production in the semi-arid regions of Eastern Cape in South Africa. Smallholder farmers are facing problems of high cost of artificial fertilisers limiting them in production of cereal crops and also fodder for their livestock. This leads to poor nutrition, particularly in the dry season, it affects livestock production. Planting Lablab purpureus and inoculating with Rhizobium would limit the necessity for buying expensive protein supplements and nitrogen fertilisers. Lablab purpureus can provide feed in the dry season for the improvement of livestock production. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Bradyrhizobium japonicum inoculation on growth performance, biomass production, nutrient and anti-nutrient content of the two Lablab purpureus cultivars (Rongai and Highworth). The experiment was conducted at Fort Hare Research Farm in Alice, South Africa. Data was collected on plant seedling emergence, plant height, stem diameter, plant vigour, chlorophyll content, nodule numbers as well as dry matter content, biomass yield, nutrient and anti-nutrient contents at 30, 60 and 90 DAP. Samples of Lablab purpureus were harvested at flowering stage and analysed for dry matter content, biomass yield, chemical, mineral and anti-ntrient composition. The results showed that Rhizobium inoculation significantly increased (p<0.05) seedling emergence, plant height and stem diameter of both Lablab purpureus cultivars. Rhizobium inoculation had no significant effect (p>0.05) on chlorophyll content for both cultivars. Highworth had significantly higher (p<0.05) plant vigour than Rongai on both inoculated and uninoculated. Varieties and inoculation effects were significant (p<0.05) for number of nodules, nodulation rate, active nodules and nodule dry yield. Rhizobium inoculation significantly (p<0.05) increased fresh matter yield, dry matter yied and dry matter content on both cultivars. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in NDF, ADIN, ADL, ADF, and Na between inoculated and uninoculated plants for both cultivars. The inoculation of Rhizobium improved CP (15.65%) in Highworth cultivar. The inoculation of Rhizobium significantly increased Ca (1.76-1.84%), Zn (191.91-2 8.33ppm) and Cu (3.50-6.16ppm) compared to un-inoculated plants. Varieties and Rhizobium had no interaction (p>0.05) with condensed tannin, hydrolysable tannin, total polyphenols and saponins . Therefore, the Rhizobium inoculation assisted in improving quality in terms of nutrient composition and decreasing anti-nutrients. It is recommended to use both cultivars of Lablab purpureus. Based on the results of this study it is concluded that Rhizobium inoculation increases yield and forage quality of Lablab purpureus. It is recommended that Highworth cultivar can be used by communal farmers in the Eastern Cape. This cultivar showed that it needs Rhizobium inoculation inorder to produce high quality that can increase livestock production. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2017
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The experiences of young adults raised in single-parent families in the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Makoni, Mavis
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Single-parent families , Children of single parents Young adults
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5292 , vital:29184
- Description: Although the single-parent family is becoming an increasingly common family structure, it is associated with a great many hardships. Owing to the heavy responsibilities which fall on single parents, most fail to meet all of the needs of their children, particularly with respect to the financial needs which are entailed by providing educational necessities, safe, stable and permanent accommodation, adequate food and nutrition and healthcare. This study adopted the parental loss perspective, the economic hardship perspective and the interparental conflict perspective in investigating the experiences of young adults who were raised in single-parent families. A qualitative approach was adopted to conduct the research and data was collected from 26 male and female participants between the ages of 22 and 39 years who resided within the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality. The researcher sought permission to conduct this study from all the community leaders including the councillors and chiefs, thereby acquiring the first referrals. The study made use of purposive sampling and snowballing to select the research sample. The data was collected by using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions and analysed through the use of thematic analysis. The principal findings of the study indicate that although children who are raised in single-parent homes can attain high levels of education and have solid functional relationships in later life, a lack of finance and active parental involvement in their educational activities and social lives can serve to limit their development. As single-mother households face more economic hardships than any other family structures, financial assistance from both the government and their communities would undoubtedly increase the likelihood of children in single-mother families attaining their true academic potential. In addition, free counselling services would also help children who are forced to live under these circumstances overcome the emotional burden which inevitably accompanies either losing or being separated from one parent.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Makoni, Mavis
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Single-parent families , Children of single parents Young adults
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5292 , vital:29184
- Description: Although the single-parent family is becoming an increasingly common family structure, it is associated with a great many hardships. Owing to the heavy responsibilities which fall on single parents, most fail to meet all of the needs of their children, particularly with respect to the financial needs which are entailed by providing educational necessities, safe, stable and permanent accommodation, adequate food and nutrition and healthcare. This study adopted the parental loss perspective, the economic hardship perspective and the interparental conflict perspective in investigating the experiences of young adults who were raised in single-parent families. A qualitative approach was adopted to conduct the research and data was collected from 26 male and female participants between the ages of 22 and 39 years who resided within the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality. The researcher sought permission to conduct this study from all the community leaders including the councillors and chiefs, thereby acquiring the first referrals. The study made use of purposive sampling and snowballing to select the research sample. The data was collected by using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions and analysed through the use of thematic analysis. The principal findings of the study indicate that although children who are raised in single-parent homes can attain high levels of education and have solid functional relationships in later life, a lack of finance and active parental involvement in their educational activities and social lives can serve to limit their development. As single-mother households face more economic hardships than any other family structures, financial assistance from both the government and their communities would undoubtedly increase the likelihood of children in single-mother families attaining their true academic potential. In addition, free counselling services would also help children who are forced to live under these circumstances overcome the emotional burden which inevitably accompanies either losing or being separated from one parent.
- Full Text:
The experiences of young adults raised in single-parent families in the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Makoni, Mavis
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Single-parent families Children of single parents Young adults
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sci
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2083 , vital:27607
- Description: Although the single-parent family is becoming an increasingly common family structure, it is associated with a great many hardships. Owing to the heavy responsibilities which fall on single parents, most fail to meet all of the needs of their children, particularly with respect to the financial needs which are entailed by providing educational necessities, safe, stable and permanent accommodation, adequate food and nutrition and healthcare. This study adopted the parental loss perspective, the economic hardship perspective and the interparental conflict perspective in investigating the experiences of young adults who were raised in single-parent families. A qualitative approach was adopted to conduct the research and data was collected from 26 male and female participants between the ages of 22 and 39 years who resided within the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality. The researcher sought permission to conduct this study from all the community leaders including the councillors and chiefs, thereby acquiring the first referrals. The study made use of purposive sampling and snowballing to select the research sample. The data was collected by using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions and analysed through the use of thematic analysis. The principal findings of the study indicate that although children who are raised in single-parent homes can attain high levels of education and have solid functional relationships in later life, a lack of finance and active parental involvement in their educational activities and social lives can serve to limit their development. As single-mother households face more economic hardships than any other family structures, financial assistance from both the government and their communities would undoubtedly increase the likelihood of children in single-mother families attaining their true academic potential. In addition, free counselling services would also help children who are forced to live under these circumstances overcome the emotional burden which inevitably accompanies either losing or being separated from one parent.
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- Authors: Makoni, Mavis
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Single-parent families Children of single parents Young adults
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sci
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2083 , vital:27607
- Description: Although the single-parent family is becoming an increasingly common family structure, it is associated with a great many hardships. Owing to the heavy responsibilities which fall on single parents, most fail to meet all of the needs of their children, particularly with respect to the financial needs which are entailed by providing educational necessities, safe, stable and permanent accommodation, adequate food and nutrition and healthcare. This study adopted the parental loss perspective, the economic hardship perspective and the interparental conflict perspective in investigating the experiences of young adults who were raised in single-parent families. A qualitative approach was adopted to conduct the research and data was collected from 26 male and female participants between the ages of 22 and 39 years who resided within the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality. The researcher sought permission to conduct this study from all the community leaders including the councillors and chiefs, thereby acquiring the first referrals. The study made use of purposive sampling and snowballing to select the research sample. The data was collected by using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions and analysed through the use of thematic analysis. The principal findings of the study indicate that although children who are raised in single-parent homes can attain high levels of education and have solid functional relationships in later life, a lack of finance and active parental involvement in their educational activities and social lives can serve to limit their development. As single-mother households face more economic hardships than any other family structures, financial assistance from both the government and their communities would undoubtedly increase the likelihood of children in single-mother families attaining their true academic potential. In addition, free counselling services would also help children who are forced to live under these circumstances overcome the emotional burden which inevitably accompanies either losing or being separated from one parent.
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The impact of emotional intelligence on the work and carrer performance of early career academics at the University of Fort Hare
- Authors: Marembo, Mathew
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Career development Emotional intelligence Personnel management -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8541 , vital:33091
- Description: Orientation – Early Career Academics (ECAs) in their quest to make significant strides in their academic career are faced with a changing academic context, limited support from employers and circumstances emanating from globalization. All these may arouse emotions, fears, anxieties and uncertainties. Many authorities have exhibited emotional intelligence (EI) to be important in terms of self-management, coping and adaptation. In this regard EI may be influential in the career performance of ECAs. Research Purpose – The main aim of this study was to investigate the effect of EI on the career and work performance of ECAs at the University of Fort Hare. Motivation of the Study – EI is criticized for not being easily measurable and also for not being a sufficient predicting factor to individual performance. Little research exists on EI as a predictor to ECAs career progression. Research Approach, Design and Method – The study utilized quantitative data measurement scales. The Schutte Emotional Intelligence Scale was used to measure EI whilst career performance was measured using the Perceived Career Success Scale. The principles of structural equation modelling were applied in formulating the research hypotheses and in data analysis. Main Findings - Exploratory factor analysis extracted four factors from the SEIS, which were named expression of emotion, perception of emotion, use of emotion and regulation of emotion. Expression, perception and regulation of emotions were found to significantly influence job success, interpersonal success, non-organisational success and hierarchical success. The overall EI was not significant to explain change in ECAs career performance. The researcher also found no significant differences in the EI scores on the basis of ECAs age, gender and work experience. Practical/Managerial Implications - The findings to this study may be useful for career counselling and personal development such that an individual may be able to maximize performance and achievement of career goals. The study recommends that EI may be incorporated in learning programs so that ECAs and other professionals may improve their EI. Future research is encouraged on both ECAs and their senior counterparts in the same context of EI. Contribution or value-add – The study contributes to the debate on the predictive power of EI which is criticised by some authorities in the field.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Marembo, Mathew
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Career development Emotional intelligence Personnel management -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8541 , vital:33091
- Description: Orientation – Early Career Academics (ECAs) in their quest to make significant strides in their academic career are faced with a changing academic context, limited support from employers and circumstances emanating from globalization. All these may arouse emotions, fears, anxieties and uncertainties. Many authorities have exhibited emotional intelligence (EI) to be important in terms of self-management, coping and adaptation. In this regard EI may be influential in the career performance of ECAs. Research Purpose – The main aim of this study was to investigate the effect of EI on the career and work performance of ECAs at the University of Fort Hare. Motivation of the Study – EI is criticized for not being easily measurable and also for not being a sufficient predicting factor to individual performance. Little research exists on EI as a predictor to ECAs career progression. Research Approach, Design and Method – The study utilized quantitative data measurement scales. The Schutte Emotional Intelligence Scale was used to measure EI whilst career performance was measured using the Perceived Career Success Scale. The principles of structural equation modelling were applied in formulating the research hypotheses and in data analysis. Main Findings - Exploratory factor analysis extracted four factors from the SEIS, which were named expression of emotion, perception of emotion, use of emotion and regulation of emotion. Expression, perception and regulation of emotions were found to significantly influence job success, interpersonal success, non-organisational success and hierarchical success. The overall EI was not significant to explain change in ECAs career performance. The researcher also found no significant differences in the EI scores on the basis of ECAs age, gender and work experience. Practical/Managerial Implications - The findings to this study may be useful for career counselling and personal development such that an individual may be able to maximize performance and achievement of career goals. The study recommends that EI may be incorporated in learning programs so that ECAs and other professionals may improve their EI. Future research is encouraged on both ECAs and their senior counterparts in the same context of EI. Contribution or value-add – The study contributes to the debate on the predictive power of EI which is criticised by some authorities in the field.
- Full Text: