Synthesis and evaluation of pyrene grafted onto zinc oxide nanoparticles for the removal of organic contaminants from wastewater
- Authors: Samuel, Zipho
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Land treatment of wastewater , Zinc oxide , Water pollution control industry
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27754 , vital:69407
- Description: Drinking water scarcity is a global crisis even though water covers about three quarters of the earth. One of the major causes of this scarcity is water pollution, which is a result of human activities. This has been noticed and reported for a number of years but is still unsolved and intensifying. Hence, scientists are busy trying to find solutions to this global menace. In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesised via co-precipitation, a cost reasonable method and functionalized by grafting a pyrene ligand on its surface in order to provide a scaffold to which many other functionalities can be adsorbed. By so doing, the efficiency and capacity of bare nanoparticles is improved. The synthesised pyrene ligand was successfully characterised with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR). The adsorbent was characterized using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), FTIR, energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) and thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). The choice of zinc oxide nanoparticles as preferred adsorbent was due to their exceptional properties including large surface area, thermal and chemical stabilities. These properties are the reason zinc oxide nanoparticles possess high adsorption efficiency and capacity. The results of characterization indicated a decreased particle size and improved thermal stabilities of the pyrene grafted zinc oxide nanoparticles compared to the zinc oxide nanoparticles, showing that this material can be employed even at higher temperatures. The average particle size of the bare nanoparticles decreased from 290 to 181 nm after functionalization. Thermal stability increased from 550oC in the bare nanoparticles to 650oC in the functionalized nanoparticles. Characteristic reflections of zinc oxide nanoparticles in the XRD analysis were maintained even after functionalization However, diffractogram roughness was noticed for the functionalized nanoparticles due to the introduction of the amorphous layer from the ligand. This novel material was employed for the removal of an herbicide, simazine as well as two dyes, methyl violet and brilliant green from aqueous solutions by batch adsorption experiments. The kinetics and isotherm studies of the different adsorption processes were carried out by using three of the commonly used kinetic and isotherm models (pseudo-first order, intraparticle diffusion and pseudo-second order) and (Langmuir, Temkin isotherms and Freundlich) respectively. From all batch adsorption experiments conducted for simazine removal, the adsorbent showed effectiveness and high adsorption capacity for the removal of simazine. The highest observed efficiency and capacity were 71.3 percent and 137 mg/g respectively at pH equals 2, time equals 60 minutes, adsorbent dose equals 20 mg and adsorbate conc equals 0. 281 mg/L. Kinetics study for the adsorption of simazine favoured pseudo-first order. However, Langmuir isotherm could also be applicable to understand the adsorption process. The material also showed reusability potential of up to three cycles for this contaminant indicating that this material can be re-used. In the case of the removal of methyl violet from aqueous solution, the adsorbent showed a reasonable adsorption maximum capacity (qmax) (31.5 mg/g) at contact time equals 360 min, adsorbent dose approximately equals 40 mg, temperature equals 20 plus 2oC and pH equals 6.5, when compared to other adsorbents previously reported for the removal of methyl violet (MV) in literature. Kinetics and isotherm studies indicated that the process for the removal of this pollutant with this pyrene grafted onto zinc oxide nanoparticles proceeded via pseudo-first order (R2 equals 0.931) and Langmuir isotherm models (R2 equals 0.980) respectively. These results indicated that this material could serve as alternate material to already established materials for the removal of recalcitrant organic pollutants from aqueous solutions. Moreover, the adsorbent also showed reusability potential for this contaminant. Similarly, the adsorbent showed high removal efficiency and capacity in all batch adsorption experiments for brilliant green (BG) adsorption. The highest adsorption efficiency of 88.8 percent was accomplished with 79.8 mg at pH 6.50 and temperature of 20 equals 2oC within 360 minutes. BG adsorption rate mechanism was best explained by the pseudo-first order kinetic model (R2 equals 0.903). Dye adsorption behaviour was best explained using Langmuir isotherm (R2 equals 0.980). Reusability of the adsorbent showed that the adsorbent is efficient after three runs. The overall results of adsorption by a way of comparison of the adsorption capacity of this novel material with respect to the contaminants is in this trend: brilliant green greater methyl violet greater simazine. This study indicates that this novel material can serve as new material for the removal of herbicides and dyes as well as vast variety of pollutants from wastewater considering its high adsorption efficiency and its recyclability. Thus, industries can explore the use of this material for the removal of varying pollutants from wastewater. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2022
- Full Text:
- Authors: Samuel, Zipho
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Land treatment of wastewater , Zinc oxide , Water pollution control industry
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27754 , vital:69407
- Description: Drinking water scarcity is a global crisis even though water covers about three quarters of the earth. One of the major causes of this scarcity is water pollution, which is a result of human activities. This has been noticed and reported for a number of years but is still unsolved and intensifying. Hence, scientists are busy trying to find solutions to this global menace. In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesised via co-precipitation, a cost reasonable method and functionalized by grafting a pyrene ligand on its surface in order to provide a scaffold to which many other functionalities can be adsorbed. By so doing, the efficiency and capacity of bare nanoparticles is improved. The synthesised pyrene ligand was successfully characterised with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR). The adsorbent was characterized using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), FTIR, energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) and thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). The choice of zinc oxide nanoparticles as preferred adsorbent was due to their exceptional properties including large surface area, thermal and chemical stabilities. These properties are the reason zinc oxide nanoparticles possess high adsorption efficiency and capacity. The results of characterization indicated a decreased particle size and improved thermal stabilities of the pyrene grafted zinc oxide nanoparticles compared to the zinc oxide nanoparticles, showing that this material can be employed even at higher temperatures. The average particle size of the bare nanoparticles decreased from 290 to 181 nm after functionalization. Thermal stability increased from 550oC in the bare nanoparticles to 650oC in the functionalized nanoparticles. Characteristic reflections of zinc oxide nanoparticles in the XRD analysis were maintained even after functionalization However, diffractogram roughness was noticed for the functionalized nanoparticles due to the introduction of the amorphous layer from the ligand. This novel material was employed for the removal of an herbicide, simazine as well as two dyes, methyl violet and brilliant green from aqueous solutions by batch adsorption experiments. The kinetics and isotherm studies of the different adsorption processes were carried out by using three of the commonly used kinetic and isotherm models (pseudo-first order, intraparticle diffusion and pseudo-second order) and (Langmuir, Temkin isotherms and Freundlich) respectively. From all batch adsorption experiments conducted for simazine removal, the adsorbent showed effectiveness and high adsorption capacity for the removal of simazine. The highest observed efficiency and capacity were 71.3 percent and 137 mg/g respectively at pH equals 2, time equals 60 minutes, adsorbent dose equals 20 mg and adsorbate conc equals 0. 281 mg/L. Kinetics study for the adsorption of simazine favoured pseudo-first order. However, Langmuir isotherm could also be applicable to understand the adsorption process. The material also showed reusability potential of up to three cycles for this contaminant indicating that this material can be re-used. In the case of the removal of methyl violet from aqueous solution, the adsorbent showed a reasonable adsorption maximum capacity (qmax) (31.5 mg/g) at contact time equals 360 min, adsorbent dose approximately equals 40 mg, temperature equals 20 plus 2oC and pH equals 6.5, when compared to other adsorbents previously reported for the removal of methyl violet (MV) in literature. Kinetics and isotherm studies indicated that the process for the removal of this pollutant with this pyrene grafted onto zinc oxide nanoparticles proceeded via pseudo-first order (R2 equals 0.931) and Langmuir isotherm models (R2 equals 0.980) respectively. These results indicated that this material could serve as alternate material to already established materials for the removal of recalcitrant organic pollutants from aqueous solutions. Moreover, the adsorbent also showed reusability potential for this contaminant. Similarly, the adsorbent showed high removal efficiency and capacity in all batch adsorption experiments for brilliant green (BG) adsorption. The highest adsorption efficiency of 88.8 percent was accomplished with 79.8 mg at pH 6.50 and temperature of 20 equals 2oC within 360 minutes. BG adsorption rate mechanism was best explained by the pseudo-first order kinetic model (R2 equals 0.903). Dye adsorption behaviour was best explained using Langmuir isotherm (R2 equals 0.980). Reusability of the adsorbent showed that the adsorbent is efficient after three runs. The overall results of adsorption by a way of comparison of the adsorption capacity of this novel material with respect to the contaminants is in this trend: brilliant green greater methyl violet greater simazine. This study indicates that this novel material can serve as new material for the removal of herbicides and dyes as well as vast variety of pollutants from wastewater considering its high adsorption efficiency and its recyclability. Thus, industries can explore the use of this material for the removal of varying pollutants from wastewater. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2022
- Full Text:
The contribution of efficient financial management on public health service delivery at King Cetshwayo District in KwaZulu Natal
- Authors: Msane, Sihlesabambo Londiwe
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Public health -- Finance
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21882 , vital:51839
- Description: The aim of this research is to develop strategies that the DOH could put into place to improve its internal controls in financial management in order to contribute towards service delivery at Ngwelezane, Queen Nandi and Eshowe hospitals within King Cetshwayo District. The study used a mix of qualitative and quantitative study methods, however using one research instrument to collect both qualitative and quantitative data from 37 financial managers in these three hospitals. Data analysis using content analysis (of qualitative data) and percentage frequency analysis (of quantitative date) yielded study findings. This study found that financial managers are fairly competent regarding ‘effective communication’, ‘team work’, and ‘financial leadership’; the study results did not show respondents’ clear comprehension of Auditor General findings and processes followed to implement the recommendations in order to assess internal controls; and findings also indicate that financial managers meet objectives of financial management through cash flow, budget forecasts and expenditure. Developing a framework that will guide and monitor the application of financial strategies with the aim of improving service delivery will involve enhancing financial managers’ knowledge of District and Institution Service Delivery Plans, allocating resources properly and efficiently during the budgeting exercise, establishing internal strategies to maximise accountability and transparency, having fraud prevention strategies in these institution, and putting measures in place to be able to forecast budgetary adverse. It is recommended that the Executive Management facilitates strategic break-away sessions for the financial managers to workshop them on practical ways to improve the efficiency of financial management on public health service delivery, as outlined in this study. , Thesis (MPH) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
- Authors: Msane, Sihlesabambo Londiwe
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Public health -- Finance
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21882 , vital:51839
- Description: The aim of this research is to develop strategies that the DOH could put into place to improve its internal controls in financial management in order to contribute towards service delivery at Ngwelezane, Queen Nandi and Eshowe hospitals within King Cetshwayo District. The study used a mix of qualitative and quantitative study methods, however using one research instrument to collect both qualitative and quantitative data from 37 financial managers in these three hospitals. Data analysis using content analysis (of qualitative data) and percentage frequency analysis (of quantitative date) yielded study findings. This study found that financial managers are fairly competent regarding ‘effective communication’, ‘team work’, and ‘financial leadership’; the study results did not show respondents’ clear comprehension of Auditor General findings and processes followed to implement the recommendations in order to assess internal controls; and findings also indicate that financial managers meet objectives of financial management through cash flow, budget forecasts and expenditure. Developing a framework that will guide and monitor the application of financial strategies with the aim of improving service delivery will involve enhancing financial managers’ knowledge of District and Institution Service Delivery Plans, allocating resources properly and efficiently during the budgeting exercise, establishing internal strategies to maximise accountability and transparency, having fraud prevention strategies in these institution, and putting measures in place to be able to forecast budgetary adverse. It is recommended that the Executive Management facilitates strategic break-away sessions for the financial managers to workshop them on practical ways to improve the efficiency of financial management on public health service delivery, as outlined in this study. , Thesis (MPH) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, 2022
- Full Text:
The implementation of new public management principles towards effective service delivery in the Eastern Cape government
- Authors: Gwavu, Luzuko
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Performance--Management. , Public administration. , Performance--Evaluation.
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21903 , vital:51841
- Description: New Public Management (NPM) is a new paradigm of public administration which highlights the failures and inadequacies of the public sector performance over time. NPM was developed in order to enhance performance and service delivery within the public sector through adopting principles of the public sector. The nature and process of the activities within the public sector and the traditional public administration have been seen as problematic. As such, the birth of NPM is grounded in the need to offer more efficient mechanisms for service delivery. This study aimed at assessing the implementation of NPM principles towards effective service delivery within the Eastern Cape government. The study was underpinned by the New Public Management Approach. A qualitative desktop review was adopted to find answers to research questions of the study. The data was evaluated qualitatively through thematic analysis. The study findings reveal that the Eastern Cape government is making strides to effectively implement NPM principles towards improving service delivery. The implemented principles are privatisation, managerialism, performance management, decentralisation and customer oriented. The effectiveness of strategies aimed at enhancing effective implementation of NPM principles for improved service delivery was also assessed. The findings show that the strategies are effective although there are some inherent issues that derail effective implementation. Poor reporting, corruption, poor management, shortage of trained managers and staff shortages were identified as challenges affecting effective implementation of NPM principles. The study recommends the need for effective implementation of anti-corruption policies as well as facilitating training and skills development. , Thesis (MPA) -- University of Fort Hare, 2022
- Full Text:
- Authors: Gwavu, Luzuko
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Performance--Management. , Public administration. , Performance--Evaluation.
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21903 , vital:51841
- Description: New Public Management (NPM) is a new paradigm of public administration which highlights the failures and inadequacies of the public sector performance over time. NPM was developed in order to enhance performance and service delivery within the public sector through adopting principles of the public sector. The nature and process of the activities within the public sector and the traditional public administration have been seen as problematic. As such, the birth of NPM is grounded in the need to offer more efficient mechanisms for service delivery. This study aimed at assessing the implementation of NPM principles towards effective service delivery within the Eastern Cape government. The study was underpinned by the New Public Management Approach. A qualitative desktop review was adopted to find answers to research questions of the study. The data was evaluated qualitatively through thematic analysis. The study findings reveal that the Eastern Cape government is making strides to effectively implement NPM principles towards improving service delivery. The implemented principles are privatisation, managerialism, performance management, decentralisation and customer oriented. The effectiveness of strategies aimed at enhancing effective implementation of NPM principles for improved service delivery was also assessed. The findings show that the strategies are effective although there are some inherent issues that derail effective implementation. Poor reporting, corruption, poor management, shortage of trained managers and staff shortages were identified as challenges affecting effective implementation of NPM principles. The study recommends the need for effective implementation of anti-corruption policies as well as facilitating training and skills development. , Thesis (MPA) -- University of Fort Hare, 2022
- Full Text:
Threatened plant species in Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, Limpopo province, South Africa: Problems and prospects of conservation and utilization
- Ramarumo, Luambo Jeffrey https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2393-6982
- Authors: Ramarumo, Luambo Jeffrey https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2393-6982
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Plants -- Extinction , Rare plants , Botany, Economic
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22754 , vital:52738
- Description: Threatened plant species are those species that are vulnerable or at the risk of extinction. According to Version 3.1 of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s Red List Categories and Criteria, the three categories of threat in order of increasing risk of extinction are: Vulnerable (VU), Endangered (EN) and Critically Endangered (CR). These species are oftenly protected by both national and international obligations. Scientific evidence suggests that threatened plants are disappearing at an alarming rate. The current expansion of agricultural land, urbanization, over-exploitation of biological resources, climate change and invasive alien species are regarded as major drivers of biodiversity loss and high rate of species extinction worldwide. Scientists and conservation managers are seeking to understand and monitor plant species that are likely to be on the verge of extinction. Monitoring of threatened plants can be better achieved through insights about indigenous knowledge dynamics associated with such species. Scientific scholars including botanists, ethnobotanists, conservationists and anthropologists, all share common interest about the use of indigenous knowledge for livelihoods, scientific and economic growth. As a result, there is a growing interest on indigenous knowledge researches, particularly involving utilization and conservation of plant species. Given the fact that recent scientific evidence suggests that such studies are lacking in South African Biosphere Reserves, as well as the fact that scientist and conservation managers are seeking to understand species likely to be on the verge of extinction risk. It is within this context that this study is aimed at investigating threatened plant species utilization, conservation statuses and distribution in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, Limpopo Province in South Africa. The hypothesis of this study states that traditional knowledge about utilization, distribution and conservation statuses of threatened plant species provide suggestions for appropriate conservation practices. Since the current study is ethnobotanical in nature that is focusing on human interactions with plants, the research methods used addressed multidisciplinary aspects and involved disciplinary integration. An integrated participatory research approach focusing on shared learning, forging collaborative relations with participants, analyzing and validating the shared knowledge was used to document ethnobotanical data within the study area. This research approach was selected as it is considered to be a quick and effective way of acquiring data associated with indigenous knowledge systems. To offset the elements of bias during data collection, the research technique was designed to accommodate core principles that interlinked participatory rural appraisal (PRA) and rapid rural appraisal (RRA). Furthermore, the integrated core principles of participatory rural appraisal and rapid rural appraisal were used with conventional methods such as field surveys and interviews using questionnaires. Therefore, ethnobotanical data were collected through interviews with 203 participants. The data associated with threatened plant’s population size were gathered through literal counting of individual plants as per the IUCN’s Red List Criteria. Data associated with the conservation statuses were gathered from both the South African National Biodiversity Institute and IUCN databases. A total of 13 useful threatened plants belonging to 12 families were recorded with their conservation statuses ranging from being Vulnerable to Critically Endangered. The majority of the threatened plant species (46.0percent) were used for medicinal purposes only, followed by species used for medicinal purposes and as ornamentals (23.0percent). The frequently cited useful threatened species with use values (UV) > 0.024, relative frequency citation (RFC) > 0.059 and fidelity level percentage (FLpercent) > 5.911percent, included Asparagus sekukuniensis, Bowiea volubilis, Brackenridgea zanguebarica, Ocotea bullata, Rhynchosia vendae, Siphonochilus aethiopicus and Warburgia salutaris. About 47.0percent of the recorded useful threatened plants were distributed in remote areas of the Thathe Vonḓo and its surroundings. Threatened plants with population size < 100 adult individuals constituted the majority (61.54percent). Birdlime-making plant species were also documented in the current study. A total of 12 birdlime-making plants belonging to six families were recorded, including threatened Huernia nouhuysii, which is categorized as Vulnerable in South Africa. Amongst the recorded families, Loranthaceae and Euphorbiaceae were categorized as the most frequently utilized families. Among the recorded species, six of them were reported to being used in the birdlime-making for the first time and these species include Euphorbia pulvinata (17.2percent), followed by Tapinanthus forbesii (8percent), Tapinanthus rubromarginatus (7.2percent), Erianthemum ngamicum (7.2percent), Englerophytum magalismon-tanum (3.6percent), Huernia nouhuysii (2.0percent), and Euphorbia tirucalli (0.8percent). Only three plant parts were utilized for birdlime-making. The milky latex was preferred plant part (58.3percent), followed by fruit (33.3percent) and root bark (8.4percent). Birdlime-making techniques involved crushing, which accounted for 55.7percent, followed by air blown (29.6percent) and boiling (14.7percent). Furthermore, the complementary contribution of birdlime toward human development included, being used for bird hunting or trapping small birds (45.8percent), adhesion (23.2percent), teeth cleaning (17.2percent) and roof-waterproofing (13.8percent). The indigenous conservation strategies employed by participants included harvesting of single lateral root per individual medicinal plant (15.3percent), medicinal and timber materials are only harvested during winter season (16.7percent), the use of moist soil to cover injured plant part after bark harvest (18.2percent), prohibit harvesting of and/ or from an injured plant (11.8percent), collection of dried or fallen plants for firewood (8.4percent), issuing of permits by traditional council through the chief or headman to allow collection of medicinal materials and timber (9.9percent), prohibit chopping down of medicinal plant species (13.8percent) and collection of some Critically Endangered plant species such as Brackenridgea zanguebarica and Siphonochilus aethiopicus during the night by authorized people only (5.9percent). The hypothesis which stated that traditional knowledge about utilization, distribution and conservation statuses of threatened plant species provide suggestions for appropriate conservation practices can therefore, not be rejected as there is room for further and more detailed ethnobotanical investigations that is focused on human interactions with threatened plant species. The data presented in this thesis could be used as baseline information for formulating new conservation strategies, monitoring and management plans of threatened plant species not only in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, but in other regions of South African. This study provided insights associated with ethnomedicinal uses of Asparagus sekukuniensis, Protea laetans and Encephalartos hirsutus. Results of this study could also stimulate interest in other scientific disciplines such as the phytochemistry, pharmacology, bioprocessing, conservation and anthropology involving documentation threatened plant species. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2022
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ramarumo, Luambo Jeffrey https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2393-6982
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Plants -- Extinction , Rare plants , Botany, Economic
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22754 , vital:52738
- Description: Threatened plant species are those species that are vulnerable or at the risk of extinction. According to Version 3.1 of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s Red List Categories and Criteria, the three categories of threat in order of increasing risk of extinction are: Vulnerable (VU), Endangered (EN) and Critically Endangered (CR). These species are oftenly protected by both national and international obligations. Scientific evidence suggests that threatened plants are disappearing at an alarming rate. The current expansion of agricultural land, urbanization, over-exploitation of biological resources, climate change and invasive alien species are regarded as major drivers of biodiversity loss and high rate of species extinction worldwide. Scientists and conservation managers are seeking to understand and monitor plant species that are likely to be on the verge of extinction. Monitoring of threatened plants can be better achieved through insights about indigenous knowledge dynamics associated with such species. Scientific scholars including botanists, ethnobotanists, conservationists and anthropologists, all share common interest about the use of indigenous knowledge for livelihoods, scientific and economic growth. As a result, there is a growing interest on indigenous knowledge researches, particularly involving utilization and conservation of plant species. Given the fact that recent scientific evidence suggests that such studies are lacking in South African Biosphere Reserves, as well as the fact that scientist and conservation managers are seeking to understand species likely to be on the verge of extinction risk. It is within this context that this study is aimed at investigating threatened plant species utilization, conservation statuses and distribution in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, Limpopo Province in South Africa. The hypothesis of this study states that traditional knowledge about utilization, distribution and conservation statuses of threatened plant species provide suggestions for appropriate conservation practices. Since the current study is ethnobotanical in nature that is focusing on human interactions with plants, the research methods used addressed multidisciplinary aspects and involved disciplinary integration. An integrated participatory research approach focusing on shared learning, forging collaborative relations with participants, analyzing and validating the shared knowledge was used to document ethnobotanical data within the study area. This research approach was selected as it is considered to be a quick and effective way of acquiring data associated with indigenous knowledge systems. To offset the elements of bias during data collection, the research technique was designed to accommodate core principles that interlinked participatory rural appraisal (PRA) and rapid rural appraisal (RRA). Furthermore, the integrated core principles of participatory rural appraisal and rapid rural appraisal were used with conventional methods such as field surveys and interviews using questionnaires. Therefore, ethnobotanical data were collected through interviews with 203 participants. The data associated with threatened plant’s population size were gathered through literal counting of individual plants as per the IUCN’s Red List Criteria. Data associated with the conservation statuses were gathered from both the South African National Biodiversity Institute and IUCN databases. A total of 13 useful threatened plants belonging to 12 families were recorded with their conservation statuses ranging from being Vulnerable to Critically Endangered. The majority of the threatened plant species (46.0percent) were used for medicinal purposes only, followed by species used for medicinal purposes and as ornamentals (23.0percent). The frequently cited useful threatened species with use values (UV) > 0.024, relative frequency citation (RFC) > 0.059 and fidelity level percentage (FLpercent) > 5.911percent, included Asparagus sekukuniensis, Bowiea volubilis, Brackenridgea zanguebarica, Ocotea bullata, Rhynchosia vendae, Siphonochilus aethiopicus and Warburgia salutaris. About 47.0percent of the recorded useful threatened plants were distributed in remote areas of the Thathe Vonḓo and its surroundings. Threatened plants with population size < 100 adult individuals constituted the majority (61.54percent). Birdlime-making plant species were also documented in the current study. A total of 12 birdlime-making plants belonging to six families were recorded, including threatened Huernia nouhuysii, which is categorized as Vulnerable in South Africa. Amongst the recorded families, Loranthaceae and Euphorbiaceae were categorized as the most frequently utilized families. Among the recorded species, six of them were reported to being used in the birdlime-making for the first time and these species include Euphorbia pulvinata (17.2percent), followed by Tapinanthus forbesii (8percent), Tapinanthus rubromarginatus (7.2percent), Erianthemum ngamicum (7.2percent), Englerophytum magalismon-tanum (3.6percent), Huernia nouhuysii (2.0percent), and Euphorbia tirucalli (0.8percent). Only three plant parts were utilized for birdlime-making. The milky latex was preferred plant part (58.3percent), followed by fruit (33.3percent) and root bark (8.4percent). Birdlime-making techniques involved crushing, which accounted for 55.7percent, followed by air blown (29.6percent) and boiling (14.7percent). Furthermore, the complementary contribution of birdlime toward human development included, being used for bird hunting or trapping small birds (45.8percent), adhesion (23.2percent), teeth cleaning (17.2percent) and roof-waterproofing (13.8percent). The indigenous conservation strategies employed by participants included harvesting of single lateral root per individual medicinal plant (15.3percent), medicinal and timber materials are only harvested during winter season (16.7percent), the use of moist soil to cover injured plant part after bark harvest (18.2percent), prohibit harvesting of and/ or from an injured plant (11.8percent), collection of dried or fallen plants for firewood (8.4percent), issuing of permits by traditional council through the chief or headman to allow collection of medicinal materials and timber (9.9percent), prohibit chopping down of medicinal plant species (13.8percent) and collection of some Critically Endangered plant species such as Brackenridgea zanguebarica and Siphonochilus aethiopicus during the night by authorized people only (5.9percent). The hypothesis which stated that traditional knowledge about utilization, distribution and conservation statuses of threatened plant species provide suggestions for appropriate conservation practices can therefore, not be rejected as there is room for further and more detailed ethnobotanical investigations that is focused on human interactions with threatened plant species. The data presented in this thesis could be used as baseline information for formulating new conservation strategies, monitoring and management plans of threatened plant species not only in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, but in other regions of South African. This study provided insights associated with ethnomedicinal uses of Asparagus sekukuniensis, Protea laetans and Encephalartos hirsutus. Results of this study could also stimulate interest in other scientific disciplines such as the phytochemistry, pharmacology, bioprocessing, conservation and anthropology involving documentation threatened plant species. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2022
- Full Text:
Water governance and social equity in South Africa: a case study of Amathole District Municipality.
- Authors: Hutete, Clarity
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Municipal water supply
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21931 , vital:51844
- Description: South Africa has reformed its water governance to remedy the prominent disparities in water service provision that resulted from the legacy of apartheid. However, despite the new policy reforms and strategies adopted, inequities in water governance remain prevalent. Those residing in marginalised and poor rural areas are the most vulnerable and highly affected by this phenomenon. While this has been attributed to several factors, such as fragmentation of the water sector and lack of capacity, among other reasons, an analysis of the literature revealed that the absence of a water governance framework for social equity is highly prevalent in the context of Amathole District Municipality (ADM) where the research was conducted. Hence, the study's main objective was to develop a water governance framework for social equity that can be utilised to advise councils and policymakers on the attainment of social equity by water service providers at the local level. The study utilised the constructivist research philosophy by adopting a qualitative case study research design and an inductive research approach to address the research questions. Focus group discussions, semi-structured interviews, participant observations and document analysis were used to collect data. A total sample of thirty-four (n=34) participants was purposefully selected; twenty participants (n=20) participated in semi-structured interviews, while fourteen (n=14) participants were engaged through focus group discussions. Findings obtained from the thematic data analysis utilised revealed that while human rights principles and social equity values underpin South Africa’s water reforms, Amathole District Municipality is yet to fully absorb these foundational concepts into its water governance. The study revealed that this is largely attributed to a lack of meaningful participation, limited transparency and accountability in the processes and procedures of the municipality. Results also revealed that persistent inequities still exist in Amathole District Municipality as reflected by the unequal distribution of water services, inconsistency in services provision, lack of transparency and established procedures to guarantee procedural fairness and limited impact on interventions specifically in rural areas. Furthermore, the study revealed that the municipality’s efforts to address water inequities are highly undermined by various economic, environmental, socio- economic, and institutional governance factors. Therefore, the study recommended a Water Governance Framework for Social Equity (WGFSE) and proffered recommendations to enhance social equity for Amathole District Municipality and other municipalities with similar contexts. , Thesis (MPA) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
- Full Text:
- Authors: Hutete, Clarity
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Municipal water supply
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21931 , vital:51844
- Description: South Africa has reformed its water governance to remedy the prominent disparities in water service provision that resulted from the legacy of apartheid. However, despite the new policy reforms and strategies adopted, inequities in water governance remain prevalent. Those residing in marginalised and poor rural areas are the most vulnerable and highly affected by this phenomenon. While this has been attributed to several factors, such as fragmentation of the water sector and lack of capacity, among other reasons, an analysis of the literature revealed that the absence of a water governance framework for social equity is highly prevalent in the context of Amathole District Municipality (ADM) where the research was conducted. Hence, the study's main objective was to develop a water governance framework for social equity that can be utilised to advise councils and policymakers on the attainment of social equity by water service providers at the local level. The study utilised the constructivist research philosophy by adopting a qualitative case study research design and an inductive research approach to address the research questions. Focus group discussions, semi-structured interviews, participant observations and document analysis were used to collect data. A total sample of thirty-four (n=34) participants was purposefully selected; twenty participants (n=20) participated in semi-structured interviews, while fourteen (n=14) participants were engaged through focus group discussions. Findings obtained from the thematic data analysis utilised revealed that while human rights principles and social equity values underpin South Africa’s water reforms, Amathole District Municipality is yet to fully absorb these foundational concepts into its water governance. The study revealed that this is largely attributed to a lack of meaningful participation, limited transparency and accountability in the processes and procedures of the municipality. Results also revealed that persistent inequities still exist in Amathole District Municipality as reflected by the unequal distribution of water services, inconsistency in services provision, lack of transparency and established procedures to guarantee procedural fairness and limited impact on interventions specifically in rural areas. Furthermore, the study revealed that the municipality’s efforts to address water inequities are highly undermined by various economic, environmental, socio- economic, and institutional governance factors. Therefore, the study recommended a Water Governance Framework for Social Equity (WGFSE) and proffered recommendations to enhance social equity for Amathole District Municipality and other municipalities with similar contexts. , Thesis (MPA) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
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