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Evaluation and mapping of the spatial variability of soil fertility at Zanyokwe Irrigation Scheme in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

- Manyevere, Alen

Evaluation of cover crop species for biomass production, weed suppression and maize yields under irrigation in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

- Musunda, Bothwell Zvidzai

  • Authors: Musunda, Bothwell Zvidzai
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Cover crops , Biomass energy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , No-tillage , Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Weeds
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Crop Science)
  • Identifier: vital:11867 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/347 , Cover crops , Biomass energy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , No-tillage , Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Weeds
  • Description: Achieving high biomass yields of cover crops has been a challenge to the success of Conservation Agriculture (CA) practices in the Eastern Cape (EC). A study was conducted to evaluate strategies for optimizing cover crop biomass production. Trials were carried out to screen summer and winter cover crops, as well as evaluate intercropping patterns and planting dates for biomass, weed suppression and subsequent maize yield under irrigation. Four summer legume cover crop species were evaluated under a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) design. The cover crops were fertilized with 13.34 kg ha-1 of N, 20 kg ha-1 P and 26.66 kg ha-1 K. In the 2008/09 summer season a maize crop was superimposed on the 2007/08 screening trial under no-till. The crop was fertilized with 60 kg ha-1 of N. An intercropping trial was conducted over two seasons as a way of investigating the best way of incorporating cover crops into farmers cropping systems. This was done bearing in mind the limitation of resources such as land. The trial evaluated 3 factors laid as a 2 x 2 x 3 factorial arranged in a split-plot design. The main factor was cover crop planting date (planting at maize planting or 2 weeks after maize planting). The sub plot factor was intercropping pattern (strip intercropping and between row intercropping). A trial was also conducted to evaluate the effect of planting date (End of April and mid May) and four winter legume cover crop species on cover crop biomass, weed suppression and maize grain yield. The experiment was laid out as a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated 3 times. In the subsequent summer season a maize crop was superimposed on the winter trial to test the residual effects of the cover crop species. Another study was conducted to evaluate winter cereal cover crop species for biomass accumulation, weed suppression and subsequent maize grain yield. The cover crops as well as a weedy fallow control plot treatments were laid out as a Randomised Complete Block Design replicated 3 times. In the subsequent summer season a maize crop was superimposed on the site under no-till to evaluate the residual effect of the cover crops on maize. The results showed sunhemp, cowpea and lablab as the best cover crops with high biomass and weed suppression whilst mucuna was the least. Sunhemp consistently yielded higher cover biomass averaging 11200 kg ha-1 over the two seasons whilst mucuna had a consistently lowest average biomass yield of 4050 kg ha-1. These cover crops were above the critical 6 t ha-1 for effective weed suppression. There was a significant (p<0.01) relationship of cover crop dry weight and weed dry weight in both seasons. Subsequent maize grain yield was significantly higher in the sunhemp plots (64.2 %) than the weedy fallow plot. Mucuna, lablab and cowpea had maize grain yield increases of 16.6%, 33% and 43.2% respectively. Intercropping cover crops at maize planting yielded higher cover crop dry weights than a delay in intercropping cover crops. A delay in intercropping resulted in significantly higher average maize grain yield of 4700 kg ha-1 compared to intercropping at maize planting (3800 kg ha-1) and sole maize (4300 kg ha-1) over the two seasons. Strip intercropping also yielded higher (5000 kg ha- 1) average maize grain yield compared to row intercropping (3600 kg ha-1) and sole maize (4300 kg ha-1). There was a significant (p<0.05) relationship between cover crop dry weight in the 2007/08 season and maize grain yield in the 2008/09 season. Early planting grazing vetch gave the highest biomass yield of 8100 kg ha-1 whilst early planted red clover had the lowest biomass of 635 kg ha-1. Low weed dry weights were also obtained from the early planted grazing vetch as opposed to the other treatments. There was a significant (p<0.001) relationship of cover crop dry weight and weed dry weight. In the subsequent 2008/09 summer season early planted grazing vetch had the highest maize yield of 7500 kg ha-1 which was 56.3 % more than the weedy fallow plot had 4800 kg ha-1. The weedy fallow plot also had high weed infestation than the cover crop plots. There were significant (p<0.01) relationships between cover crop dry weight and maize grain yield, winter weed dry weight and maize grain yield and summer weed dry weight and maize grain yield. The results also showed triticale (13900 kg ha-1) as the best winter cover crop for biomass production. Italian ryegrass (6500 kg ha-1) produced the least amount of biomass. In The subsequent maize crop white oats gave highest maize grain yield (6369 kg ha-1) which was 33 % more than the weedy fallow plot (4784 kg ha- 1). There were also significant (p< 0.01) relationships of maize grain yield and winter weed dry weight, maize grain yield and summer growing weeds. The various studies demonstrated that there is opportunity for high biomass production under small scale farmers irrigated conditions using cover crops both in winter and summer. Best bet cover crops were sunhemp, cowpea and lablab for summer and triticale, white oats, barley, Italian ryegrass and grazing vetch for winter. Cover crops can also be incorporated into farmers cropping systems as sole crops or intercrops within the maize based cropping systems. Strip intercropping can be used by farmers as a way of introducing cover crops. Critical to achievement of high biomass is the time of planting cover crops with high biomass when planting is done early. A 2 week delay in strip intercropping cover crop into maize can be used as a way of incorporating cover crops into farmers cropping systems with minimal maize yield reduction.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

Evaluation of plant extracts used in ethno-veterinary control of gastro-intestinal parasites in village chickens in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

- Mwale, Marizvikuru

Evaluation of water service rendering in the Amathole District Municipality

- Mqolo, Abner Zamindawo

  • Authors: Mqolo, Abner Zamindawo
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water-supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal water supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water-supply, Rural -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: vital:11639 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001248 , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water-supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal water supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water-supply, Rural -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Description: The rural areas of Amathole district municipality continue to experience difficulty in accessing water services. The people experience problems despite the fact that the Amathole district municipality, since 2003 has been made a water service authority in its municipal area, which consists of eight local municipalities, namely; Mnquma, Mbashe, Nkonkobe, Amahlathi, Great Kei, Ngqushwa, Nxuba, and Buffalo City. With the water service authority powers devolved from national government to the district municipalities the intention was to speed service delivery. This study investigates the causes of the delays in water service delivery experienced in rural areas of this district municipality. The Buffalo City local municipality is excluded in the study because Buffalo City has as well been given the responsibility of being the water service authority in its municipal area. This study used the questionnaires as data collection tool, and it was distributed to these respondents; chief officials, councilors, and citizens. Due to vastness of the target population sampling was used to reduce the bulkiness of the data. The questionnaire content is based on the phases of the systems theory to see if the policy making processes of the Amathole district municipality are carried out in accordance with the systems theory. The study has found that the citizens are not adequately involved in all the policy processes including the policy analysis and evaluation. This has been found to be a contributory factor in the ineffectiveness of the municipality water service delivery.The spheres of government that operate in silos compromised policy analysis and evaluation of the municipality, and disjuncture of the delivery programs of the spheres and state enterprises caused a huge service delivery challenges for this municipality. The study has confirmed that the Amathole district municipality is experiencing problems, delays, and challenges that make it to be ineffective as a water service authority.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

Exploratory study on empowering rural communities of O.R Tambo District with special reference to Mqanduli

- Mbelu, Ntandokazi Busisa

  • Authors: Mbelu, Ntandokazi Busisa
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Rural development Rural population Social services, Rural South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , M Sw
  • Identifier: vital:18479 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1009453
  • Description: The aim of the study was to explore development of rural communities in the Mqanduli Administrative Area. The exploratory study was further conducted to examine delivery of service to these rural communities. One of the objectives was to empower rural communities for purposes of improving their daily living standards and also to bring about social change.In determining the sample size, forty (40) respondents were selected from Mqanduli Administrative Area. Out of the forty (40) respondents, thirty (30) respondents were selected from the Mqanduli community members, five (5) were O.R.Tambo District Municipality stakeholders and the other five (5) were Social workers from Mqanduli Administrative Area. The instrument utilized to collect data was a questionnaire. Data was analysed using the quantitative and qualitative measure. The outcome of the study indicates that the majority of rural communities in the Mqanduli Administrative Area were in dire need of empowerment which will enable these disadvantaged communities towards development and social change.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

Exploring self concept and social identities in the context of online intimate relationships

- Van Staden, Phillip

  • Authors: Van Staden, Phillip
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Self , Group identity , Online dating
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:9881 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1276 , Self , Group identity , Online dating
  • Description: Many South Africans are developing online relationships. Due to the anonymous and artificial context of the online environment it is possible that a person’s identity differs within the on- and offline environment. Sternberg’s (1986) Triangular Model of Love as well as Rogers’ Self Theory (1951) were utilized as a theoretical base for investigating online identity and intimacy. Using a qualitative, exploratory design, the study explored this phenomenon by analysing open ended questionnaires administered online to people in intimate online relationships. Participants were selected by means of non-probability snowball sampling. The findings indicated that Internet socialisers vary in their experience of their online identities. Individuals may have a multitude of genuine online selves, each one represented differently depending on the anonymity and level of intimacy in the relationship. Selfdisclosure and deception play an important role in identity representation and exploration and both are experienced as being affected by the online context.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

Exploring the use of interactive teaching and learning strategies in HIV and AIDS education

- May, Melissa

  • Authors: May, Melissa
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa -- Prevention , AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Education -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:9480 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1510 , AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa -- Prevention , AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Education -- South Africa
  • Description: Schools play a major role in shaping the attitudes, opinions and behaviour of young people and so are ideal environments for teaching the social, as well as biological aspects of HIV and AIDS. However, literature indicates that learners are displaying “AIDS fatigue” and may be resistant to teaching around HIV and AIDS. In order to enhance learner engagement and learning, there is therefore a need for teachers to employ interactive teaching and learning strategies that are interactive, inexpensive and fun. This dissertation outlines the research design of an investigation into how such strategies can be used in HIV and AIDS prevention education. An action research design was made use of in this study and the manner in which several teachers presented HIV and AIDS education to his/her learners was initially observed. In addition, qualitative interviews were used to determine the teachers‟ need for development in this regard. Based on the findings of the problem identification step, teachers were introduced to active teaching and learning strategies and supported to implement them. Evaluation and refinement of the strategies, developmental workshops and training followed, which in turn lead to recommendations and the formulation of guidelines to influence teacher education with regard to HIV and AIDS prevention education.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

Facilitating customer retention in hotels in the Garden Route

- Slabbert, Gabriel Johannes

  • Authors: Slabbert, Gabriel Johannes
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Hospitality industry -- South Africa -- Garden Route , Customer relations
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:8613 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1552 , Hospitality industry -- South Africa -- Garden Route , Customer relations
  • Description: Over the past few decades, customer satisfaction, customer retention and policies and procedures to sustain the above mentioned, have earned great amount of lip service. The importance of satisfied customer percentage have been emphasized by theories even longer before the best advised companies have done so. It is only recently, on the eve of the Soccer World cup 2010 that the issue has been narrowed down to truly hard relationships and one hard question: “Will the guest visiting the hospitality establishment frequent the hotel?” Two vital financial catalysts were used as basis for customer retention. The first is that of old customer’s costs much less than acquisition of new ones and the profit generated from the retained customer must therefore handsomely exceed the harvest reaped from the new clientele. Retaining customers have become an intangible asset in the sense that their value demonstrates the return that is won by successful efforts to satisfy the customers so greatly that they and their custom literally and figuratively stays with you. South Africa has lured even the loneliest traveller to the scenic beauty that is cradled by the country and its surroundings. When taking the former into consideration, South African businesses have enjoyed an increased appreciation and application of Business Management and its accompanying principles. The hospitality industry should therefore embrace the business management principles with specific emphasis on Total Quality Management (TQM); providing managers with the capacity to think strategically about the organisation, its business position, how it can gain sustainable competitive advantage and how its business management strategy can be implemented and executed successfully. The latter forms the basis for ensuring the smooth running of operations and ultimately, ensuring guests have a wonderful experience at the particular establishment. There is a strong belief that lodging facilities in the Garden Route area has experienced low customer retention due to a lack of comprehensive implementation of Total Quality Management principles which impedes on the establishments to reach their optimum profit levels. It is for this reason that this thesis will argue the importance of the systematic client retention as a strategic mandate in today’s service markets. Commercial reality demand long and lasting relationships that are beneficial to both the hospitality related establishment and their customers. The hypothesis used is the application of Total Quality Management as a Business Management Strategy which will facilitate customer retention in hospitality related industries such as hotels situated in the Garden Route area. Research shows that service expectations of customers and potential customers have escalated. Hospitality businesses found that implementation of quality processes to be a vital competitive component. However, many hotels are still struggling to reach a real understanding of what is meant by TQM. The research data indicates that 93 percent of hotels in the Garden Route do not follow a TQM program although all the hotels were familiar with the concept. This might be the reason why most hotels neglect customer retention activities. The literature reviewed in chapter two considers the customer retention activities evaluated in the questionnaire as important to retain guests. Hotels in the Garden Route do not perform these activities to the extent of success. Hotel managers thus know what to do in order to retain guests but the problem is quite simple, they do not always implement the necessary strategies.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

Factors affecting information technology implementation in the mobile telecommunications industry: a family business case

- De Jong, Piet

  • Authors: De Jong, Piet
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Mobile communication systems -- Technological innovations , Family-owned business enterprises -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:8629 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1486 , Mobile communication systems -- Technological innovations , Family-owned business enterprises -- South Africa
  • Description: This treatise investigates how information technology (I.T.) enables growth in a family business (the firm) in Port Elizabeth. The firm operates in the mobile telecommunications sector. The objective of the study is to gain a deeper understanding on why family businesses adopt information technology in their firm by means of a case study. The firm found its technology (or lack thereof) completely out-dated compared to the competition and customer demands. The future of the firm was in jeopardy. The study starts with a literature review of the following three topics which form part of the scope of the research: 1. Family businesses; 2. Influence of I.T. as a driver of growth in business; and 3. An introduction into the mobile telecommunications industry. Data are collected through structured interviews with family members involved in the business. The data are consequently linked to the theory and provides insight as to what the drivers are for I.T. adoption and the required core competencies or critical success factors of the firm. Although it might seem trivial for a small family business to adopt information technology, the research concludes that I.T. is critical for continuous growth and survival of this family business. Conversely due to a lack of internal skills the firm is heavily reliant upon outside consultants for advice, implementation and support. Recommendations which are of particular interest to family businesses in a similar environment are: • Embrace technology early, utilise I.T. solutions to grow and enhance current competitive advantage, do not see I.T. as a competitive advantage alone (Pavlou & Sawy, 2006); • If information expertise is not present within the company it is advisable to invest in that expertise through recruitment, training, partnership, or outsourcing; • Ensure software meets specification / is effective enough – this can be achieved by frequent releases cycles with small changes instead of infrequent release cycles with many big changes; • Engage the consultants in a partnership by i.e. providing a profit share – this will ensure that the consultants are committed to the cause and will also ensure that their involvement is also in their own best interest; • Choose local consultants who are easily accessible – build relationships and focus on trust; • Create lock-in (Amit & Zott, 2001), provide tools free-ofcharge for customers, this will make switching to competitor more difficult; • Automate as much as possible, enable standard work practices, routinize; • Be ready to adjust the organisational structure or relinquish control (Bruquea & Moyanob, 2007)
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  • Date Issued: 2010

Fairness of a dismissal from a contractural and administrative law perspective

- Voultsos, Leon

  • Authors: Voultsos, Leon
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Employees -- Dismissal of -- South Africa , Unfair labor practices -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
  • Identifier: vital:10217 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1288 , Employees -- Dismissal of -- South Africa , Unfair labor practices -- South Africa
  • Description: Section 157 of the LRA provides for the nature and extent of the Labour Courts jurisdiction. This provision has been subjected to extensive interpretation by the Judiciary and the various interpretations of the courts have not been entirely consistent. Specific mention is made of the relevance and applicability of section 157(1) and (2) of the LRA regarding the overlap between administrative law and contractual law into labour law. Reference will be made to case law specifically dealing with cases concerning the jurisdiction of the civil courts and labour courts where cases concerning employment and labour matters were brought either in terms of the PAJA or on the basis of contract law. The question arose whether matters which appear to be quintessential labour matters but simultaneously also capable of being entertained on the basis of the PAJA or in terms of contract law are matters which, generally, in terms of section 157(1) of the LRA fall within the exclusive preserve of the Labour Court or, in terms of section 157(2) of the LRA, fall within the concurrent jurisdiction of the High Court and the Labour Court. The discussion which follows will also include reference to the current legal position pertaining to the prohibition of public sector employees from pressing their claims relating to employment or labour matters in the civil courts on the basis of the PAJA as decided in the Chirwa v Transnet Ltd (2008) 2 BLLR 97 (CC) and; the impact thereof on employees pressing claims pertaining to employment and labour matters in the civil courts on the basis of contract law. In addition the similarity of considerations which are common to both administrative law and contract law regarding the “overlap” of each into labour law will be considered and discussed. In the light of the discussion which follows agreement will be expressed with certain decisions of the High Court and the SCA where civil courts were held to retain jurisdiction to entertain common law contractual claims concerning labour and iv employment matters as opposed to restricting all employment and labour matters to the forums established under the LRA and to claims and remedies which are provided for by the LRA.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

Farm wages and working conditions in the Albany District, 1957-2008

- Roberts, Tamaryn Jean

  • Authors: Roberts, Tamaryn Jean
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Agricultural laborers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural wages -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural laborers -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- South Africa , Agricultural laborers -- Protection -- South Africa , Agricultural laws and legislation -- South Africa , Labour laws and legislation -- South Africa , Labour economics -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: vital:978 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002712
  • Description: Agriculture is a major employer of labour in South Africa with about 8.8% of the total labour force directly involved in agricultural production (StatsSA, 2007a). Farm wages and working conditions in the Albany district were researched in 1957 by Roberts (1958) and 1977 by Antrobus (1984). Research in 2008, involving face-to-face interviews of a sample survey of 40 Albany farmers, was undertaken to update the situation facing farm labourers and allowed for comparisons with the work previously done. Farm workers were governed by common law until 1994 when the government intervened with legislation. The introduction of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (1997) for farm workers, amended in 2002 to include minimum wage legislation, and the Extension of Security of Tenure Act (ESTA) of 1997 impacted the supply and demand of farm workers. Other impacts have been due to the Albany district experiencing an increase in the establishment of Private Game Reserves and game-tourism with a simultaneous decline in conventional farming. It was concluded from the survey conducted that minimum wage legislation decreased the demand for regular and increased the demand for casual labour, which incur lower costs including transaction costs, than their regular counterparts. The ESTA of 1997 contributed to a decreased number of farm residents, which had spin-off affects on the supply of labour. Farmers experienced a simultaneous price-cost squeeze, which furthermore decreased the demand for labour. Studying the working and living conditions showed that farm workers had limited access to educational and recreational facilities which negatively impacted the supply of labour.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

Framing the foreigner : a close reading of readers' comments on Thought leader blogs on xenophobia published between May and June, 2008

- Mwilu, Lwanga Racheal

  • Authors: Mwilu, Lwanga Racheal
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Xenophobia in mass media -- South Africa Immigrants in mass media -- South Africa Mail & Guardian Thought leader Blogs -- South Africa Online hate speech -- South Africa Freedom of expression -- South Africa Online journalism -- Moral and ethical aspects
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:3472 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002927
  • Description: This study was conducted to identify and analyse Mail and Guardian Online moderation outputs which contradicted the platform‟s own stated policy on hate speech and other forms of problematic speech. The moderation outputs considered were a battery of readers‟ comments that were posted in response to Thought Leader blogs on xenophobia published between May and June, 2008. This was the same period a series of xenophobic attacks was taking place in some parts of South Africa, leaving an estimated 62 people dead, more than 30,000 displaced, and countless victims injured and robbed of their property. The attacks were a catalytic moment that enabled a whole range of discursive positions to be articulated, defended, contested and given form in the media. They also made visible the potential tensions between free speech on the one hand, and hate and other problematic speech on the other. Using qualitative methods of thematic content analysis, document review, individual interviews, and an eclectic approach of framing analysis and rhetorical argumentation, this study found instances of divergence between the M&G policy and practice on User Generated Content. It found that some moderator-approved content advocated hate, hatred, hostility, incitement to violence and/or harm, and unfair discrimination against foreign residents, contrary to the M&G policy which is informed by the constitutional provisions in both section 16 of the Bill of Rights and section 10 of the Equality Act. Based on examples in the readers‟ comments of how „the foreigner‟ was made to signify unemployment, poverty, disease, unfair competition, and all manner of deprivation, and bearing in mind how such individuals have also become a site for the violent convergence of different unresolved tensions in the country, the study‟s findings argue that the M&G – a progressive paper dealing with a potentially xenophobic readership (at least a portion of it) – should have implemented its policy on acceptable speech more effectively. The study also argues that the unjustifiable reference to foreigners as makwerekwere, illegals, illegal aliens, parasites, invaders and border jumpers, among other terms, assigned them a diminished place – that of unwanted foreigner – thereby reproducing the order of discourse that utilises nationality as a space for the expurgation of the „other‟. The study argues that the use of bogus (inflated) immigration statistics and repeated reference to the foreigners‟ supposedly parasitic relationship to the country‟s resources also unfairly constructed them as the „threatening other‟ and potentially justified action against them.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

Gender and racial stereotyping in rape coverage: an analysis of rape coverage in Grocott's Mail

- Bonnes, Stephanie Marie

Generation of polyclonal antibodies against Theiler's Murine Encephalomyelitis virus protein 2C, and their use in investigating localisation of the protein in infected cells

- Jauka, Tembisa Innocencia

  • Authors: Jauka, Tembisa Innocencia
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Picornaviruses , RNA viruses , Immunoglobulins , Encephalomyelitis
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:3959 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004018 , Picornaviruses , RNA viruses , Immunoglobulins , Encephalomyelitis
  • Description: The Picornavirus family of positive sense RNA viruses includes some significant human and animal pathogens including Poliovirus (PV), Foot-and-Mouth disease virus (FMDV) and Human Rhinovirus (HRV). The genome is translated within the host cell into a polyprotein that is proteolytically cleaved into the structural and nonstructural proteins. The highly conserved, non-structural protein 2C has numerous roles during the virus life cycle and is essential for virus replication. Although the protein has been well studied in the case of PV, its interactions with the host cell during picornavirus infection is poorly understood. Theiler’s Encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) is a picornavirus that infects mice, and is being used in our laboratory as a model in which to study the 2C protein. In this study, polyclonal antibodies against the TMEV 2C protein were generated and used to localise the protein in infected cells by indirect immunofluorescence. To produce antigen for immunisation purposes, the TMEV-2C protein sequence was analysed to identify hydrophilic and antigenic regions. An internal region of the 2C representing amino acid residues 31-210 was selected, expressed in bacteria and purified by nickel NTA affinity chromatography. Time course analysis of 2C (31-210) showed that the peptide was maximally expressed at 5 hours post induction. The peptide was solubilised using a mild detergent and 1.5 mg of purified antigen was used for immunisation of rabbits. Western blot analysis confirmed that the antibodies could detect both bacteriallyexpressed antigen, and virally-expressed 2C. Examination of virus-infected baby hamster kidney cells by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy using the antiserum (anti-TMEV 2C antibodies) showed that the protein had a diffuse distribution upon early infection and at later stages it was located in a large perinuclear structure representing the viral replication complex. Furthermore, 2C localised to the Golgi apparatus as revealed by dual-label immunofluorescence using anti-TMEV 2C antibodies and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA). Furthermore, it was shown that TMEV infection results in changes in cell morphology and a redistribution of the cytoskeletal protein, β-actin. The successful production of antibodies that recognise TMEV 2C opens the way for further studies to investigate interactions between 2C and hostencoded factors.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

Geographies of juvenile crime: a study of crime in selected high schools in East London, South Africa

- Ladokun, Ayodele Olanrewaju

  • Authors: Ladokun, Ayodele Olanrewaju
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Juvenile delinquency -- South Africa -- East London , School violence -- South Africa -- East London , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- East London , High schools -- South Africa -- East London , School management and organization -- South Africa -- East London , Crime--South Africa -- East London
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geography)
  • Identifier: vital:11507 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/345 , Juvenile delinquency -- South Africa -- East London , School violence -- South Africa -- East London , Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- East London , High schools -- South Africa -- East London , School management and organization -- South Africa -- East London , Crime--South Africa -- East London
  • Description: Youth crime has been and still is a social problem in South Africa. It is a problem that shakes the very fabric of the society. The problem with the youth in modern society is both a national concern and an important subject for academic study. High school environments are where youths converge for learning purposes, but they have also turned to hotspots for crime. Different theories on explanations for high school crime have been developed over time. This particular study, conducted in 2008, adopts the criminal opportunity theory to study the social, economic and the demographic characteristics of selected environments in which high schools are located to determine significant factors that are conducive for high schools to be crime hotspots. Three schools were selected in different neighbourhoods in East London for the study. The study used an intensive case design technique to conduct the research. Different characteristics of the communities in which the schools that were studied were located showed different crime pattern. The Law enforcement agencies also realize these differences and they try to address crime issues in various communities in the study areas individually
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  • Date Issued: 2010

Geology of the Kroonstad kimberlite cluster, South Africa

- Howarth, Geoffrey H

  • Authors: Howarth, Geoffrey H
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Geology -- South Africa -- Kroonstad , Kimberlite -- South Africa -- Kroonstad
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:4961 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005573 , Geology -- South Africa -- Kroonstad , Kimberlite -- South Africa -- Kroonstad
  • Description: The Cretaceous (133Ma) Kroonstad Group II Kimberlite Cluster is located approximately 200km south west of Johannesburg on the Kaapvaal Craton. The cluster is made up of six kimberlite pipes and numerous other intrusive dike/sill bodies. Three of the pipes are analysed in this study, which includes the: Voorspoed, Lace (Crown) and Besterskraal North pipes. These pipes were emplaced at surface into the Karoo Supergroup, which is comprised of older sedimentary rocks (300-185Ma) overlain by flood basalts (185Ma). At depth the pipes have intruded the Transvaal (2100-2600Ma) and Ventersdorp (2700Ma) Supergroups, which are comprised dominantly of carbonates and various volcanic units respectively. The pipes have typical morphology of South African pipes with circular to sub-circular plan views and steep 82o pipe margins. The Voorspoed pipe is 12ha in size and is characterised by the presence of a large block of Karoo basalt approximately 6ha in size at the current land surface. This large basalt block extends to a maximum of 300m below the current land surface. The main Lace pipe is 2ha is size with a smaller (<0.5ha) satellite pipe approximately 50m to the west. No information is available on the morphology of the Besterskraal North pipe as it is sub-economic and no mining has occurred. Samples from the Besterskraal North pipe were collected from the De Beers archives. The Kroonstad Cluster has been subjected to approximately 1750m of erosion post-emplacement, which has been calculated by the analysis of the crustal xenoliths with the pipe infill. The hypabyssal kimberlite from the three pipes shows a gradational evolution in magma compositions, indicated by the mineralogy and geochemistry. The Lace pipe is the least evolved and has characteristics more similar to Group I kimberlites. The Voorspoed and Besterskraal North kimberlite are intermediately and highly evolved respectively. The gradational evolution is marked by an increase in SiO2 and Na2O contents. Furthermore the occurrence of abundant primary diopside, aegirine, sanidine, K-richterite and leucite indicates evolution of the magma. The root zones of the pipes are characterised by globular segregationary transitional kimberlite, which is interpreted to be hypabyssal and not the result of pyroclastic welding/agglutination. The hypabyssal transitional kimberlite (HKt) is characterised by incipient globular segregationary textures only and the typical tuffisitic transitional kimberlite (TKt) end member (Hetman et al. 2004) is not observed. The HKt contact with the overlying volcaniclastic kimberlite (VK) infill is sharp and not gradational. The presence of HKt in the satellite blind pipe at Lace further indicates that the distinct kimberlite rock type must be forming sub-volcanically. The HKt is distinctly different at the Voorspoed and Lace pipes, which is likely a result of differing compositions of the late stage magmatic liquid. Microlitic clinopyroxene is only observed at the Lace HKt and is interpreted to form as a result of both crustal xenolith contamination and CO2 degassing. Furthermore the HKt is intimately associated with contact breccias in the sidewall. The root zones of the Kroonstad pipes are interpreted to form through the development of a sub-volcanic embryonic pipe. The volcaniclastic kimberlite (VK) infill of the Kroonstad pipes is not typical of South African tuffisitic Class 1 kimberlite pipes. The VK at Voorspoed is characterised by numerous horizontally layered massive volcaniclastic kimberlite (MVK) units, which are interpreted to have formed in a deep open vent through primary pyroclastic deposition. MVK is the dominant rock type infilling the Voorspoed pipe, however numerous other minor units occur. Normally graded units are interpreted to form through gravitational collapse of the tuff ring. MVK units rich in Karoo basalt and/or Karoo sandstone are interpreted to form through gravitational sidewall failure deep within an open vent. Magmaclasts are interpreted to form in the HKt during the development of an embryonic pipe and therefore the term autolith or nucleated autolith may be applied. Debate on the validity of the term nucleated autolith is beyond this study and therefore the term nucleated magmaclast is used to refer to spherical magmaclasts in the VK. The emplacement of the Kroonstad pipes is particularly complex and is not similar to typical Class 1 tuffisitic kimberlites. However the initial stage of pipe emplacement is similar to typical South African kimberlites and is interpreted to be through the development of an embryonic pipe as described by Clement (1982). The vent clearing eruption is interpreted to be from the bottom up through the exsolution of juvenile volatiles and the pipe shape is controlled by the depth of the eruption (+/-2km) (Skinner, 2008). The initial embryonic pipe development and explosive eruption is similar to other South African kimberlites, however the vent is cleared and left open, which is typical of Class 2 Prairies type and Class 3 Lac de Gras type pipes. The latter vent infilling processes are similar to Class 3 kimberlites from Lac de Gras and are dominated at the current level by primary pyroclastic deposition.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

Goat production in the Northern Cape: what are the impacts of farmer training?

- Burgess, Roberta

  • Authors: Burgess, Roberta
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Northern Cape (South Africa) Animal culture -- South Africa -- Northern Cape -- Management Animal culture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Northern Cape Goat farmers -- South Africa -- Northern Cape -- Education
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:747 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003868
  • Description: The main millennium development goal is to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger in the world by 2015. South Africa is one of the countries that signed this pledge at the millennium summit in 2000. The Department of Agriculture, has initiated a number of projects to assist farmers and communities with reaching this goal. In the Northern Cape, the commercialization of goats is one such anchor project. The major activities of this project is to train farmers in applied and appropriate production practices, assist them with accessing markets and supporting them with improved livestock. The main aim of this research was to evaluate whether the project has achieved its outcome and whether this outcome, is having an impact on the livelihoods of the farmers involved in the project. After reviewing the literature on evaluation research and programme evaluation across time, the different paradigms and approaches, participatory methodology was used in this study. A case study approach was applied to evaluate the outcomes and effects of the training received by farmers, as part of the commercialization of goats programme. The results of the study proved that the training received by members of the Campbell Agricultural Co-operative Enterprises, changed their goat production practices. The training also had a secondary impact. Trained farmers were imparting (technology transfer) their acquired knowledge to other members of the co-operative. This appeared very effective as all members of the cooperative were farming more scientifically. These changes to the production practices had a positive impact on the livelihoods of the farmers, as their animals were of a better quality and they were able to sell their animals at different markets and for better prices. This has however not commercialized their farming operations as they are still faced with many challenges. These challenges are the lack of a proper marketing structure, access to financial assistance, proper infrastructure and adequate transport for the animals to mention a few. If the Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs is serious about assisting these farmers to move from the status of “emerging farmer” to “commercial farmer” they will have to look at addressing the problems experienced with financial access and access to adequate and appropriate transport.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2010

Hippocampus: seahorse; brain-structure; spatial map; concept

- Armstrong, Beth Diane

  • Authors: Armstrong, Beth Diane
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Hippocampus (Brain) Sea horses -- Symbolic representation Meaning (Philosophy) Deleuze, Gilles, 1925-1995 Escher, M C (Maurits Cornelis), 1898-1972 Visual perception Space perception Optical art Art -- Themes, motives
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
  • Identifier: vital:2427 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002224
  • Description: Through an exploration of both sculptural and thought processes undertaken in making my Masters exhibition, ‘Hippocampus’, I unpack some possibilities, instabilities, and limitations inherent in representation and visual perception. This thesis explores the Hippocampus as image (seahorse) and concept (brain-structure involved in cognitive mapping of space). Looking at Gilles Deleuze’s writings on representation, I will expand on the notion of the map as being that which does not define and fix a structure or meaning, but rather is open, extendable and experimental. I explore the becoming, rather than the being, of image and concept. The emphasis here is on process, non-representation, and fluidity of meaning. This is supportive of my personal affirmation of the practice and process of art-making as research. I will refer to the graphic prints of Maurits Cornelis Escher as a means to elucidate a visual contextualization of my practical work, particularly with regard to the play with two- and three-dimensional space perception. Through precisely calculated ‘experiments’ that show up the partiality of our visual perception of space, Escher alludes to things that either cannot actually exist as spatial objects or do exist, but resist representation. Similarly I will explore how my own sculptures, although existing in space resist a fixed representation and suggest ideas of other spaces, non-spaces; an in-between space that does not pin itself down and become fixed to any particular image, idea, objector representation.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

How can educators in the intermediate phase be empowered to cope with the demands they face in an inclusive classroom situation?

- Bosman, Ysanne Bosman

  • Authors: Bosman, Ysanne Bosman
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Learning disabilities , Children with disabilities -- Education (Elementary) , Inclusive education , Teachers of problem children , Classroom management , Special education teachers -- Training of , Teachers -- Uganda
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:9507 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1234 , Learning disabilities , Children with disabilities -- Education (Elementary) , Inclusive education , Teachers of problem children , Classroom management , Special education teachers -- Training of , Teachers -- Uganda
  • Description: The rationale of my research was to make sure that all learners are treated as equals in the education afforded to them. The researcher noticed that not all educators in mainstream schools facing learners experiencing learning problems could deal with the Curriculum and that many had difficulty in coping in an inclusive classrooms setting. Furthermore, the researcher noticed that many educators percieve that they did not have the knowledge and skills to identify and support learners experiencing learning problems. Consequently, the educators felt that they could not effectively help these learners in their learning progress. While the educators struggle to cope, learners ended up having to repeat a grade or being promoted to the next grade without having attained the neccesary skills yet. The researcher set out to research what the available literature stated about how educators could be empowered to cope with teaching learners experiencing learning problems in an inclusive classroom situation. For this research study, a qualitative approach was followed, as it best matched the type of interactive investigation considered necessary. Due to time, financial and resources constraints, purpose sampling was used as the most effective method of yielding data. The qualitative approach embraced a multi-perspective approach, in terms of which methods of data collection were used, such as collection questionnaires, conducting interviews and using observations. The researcher trusts that her understanding as presented in the research findings and the recommendations made will benefit not only herself, but will empower all educators coping with the stress of teaching learners experiencing learning problems and improving their skills and self-esteem in the educational environment.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences theory, outcomes-based education and curriculum implementation in South Africa : a critique of music education in the general education and training phase

- Clench, Renate

  • Authors: Clench, Renate
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Music -- Instruction and study -- South Africa , School music -- Instruction and study -- South africa , Music in education , Intellect
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
  • Identifier: vital:8507 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1218 , Music -- Instruction and study -- South Africa , School music -- Instruction and study -- South africa , Music in education , Intellect
  • Description: This study examines the current curriculum for primary schools in South Africa – Curriculum 2005 (C2005) and the subsequent Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS), with Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) as its fundamental educational approach - with specific reference to the place of music education in it. While the underlying principles and scope of this curriculum has many positive attributes, numerous studies have shown that there are still major stumbling blocks in the way of its successful implementation. Since the emphasis of the Arts and Culture Learning Area is on the nurturing of generic values and attitudes towards culture, it does not provide for sufficient development of subject-specific musical skills and knowledge. Instead this vital form of musical learning continues to be provided in the form of extra-curricular music programmes by those few schools who have the staff expertise and the funding to do so. Music therefore remains accessible only to the privileged few. .Although C2005 encourages and requires significant levels of integration in Learning Outcomes and Assessment Standards within and across Learning Areas, this is currently one of the least successful aspects of its implementation. This lack of success, it is argued, is in part the result of severe limitations in the training of teachers and the availability of necessary resources in schools, and in part the result of the curriculum’s own limited interpretation of integration. Psychologist Dr Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences is a holistic approach to education that stresses, amongst other things, that Musical Intelligence is one of eight vital forms of intelligence that should be accessible to all children. It is argued that educational approaches based on Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory provide some insights into the integration of Musical Intelligence with other forms of learning that may usefully be applied in C2005.
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  • Date Issued: 2010
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