The metabolism and environmental fate of the cyanobacterial neurotoxin Beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine
- Authors: Downing, Simoné
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Cyanobacteria , Neurotoxic agents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4225 , vital:20569
- Description: The neurotoxic amino acid β-‐N-‐methylamino-Lalanine (BMAA)is present in environmentally ubiquitous cyanobacteria and bioaccumulates and biomagnifies within the environment. The implication of BMAA in the development of neurodegenerative disease has raised concerns over the potential risk of human exposure to this neurotoxin, and has focussed attention on identifying possible routes of exposure that include direct contact with cyanobacteria and the ingestion of BMAA-‐containing plant and animal products.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The natural history and conservation of Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphins (Sousa plumbea) in South African waters
- Authors: Plön, Stephanie , Cockcroft, Victor G , Froneman, P William
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68207 , vital:29219 , https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.amb.2015.08.005
- Description: Publisher version , Although most knowledge on the biology of Sousa plumbea has primarily come from South African waters, a number of research gaps remain on the natural history and status of the species in the region. Research on two populations in South African waters for which some historical data exist may aid in highlighting long-term changes in the biology and natural history of this little known coastal delphinid. Recent studies on the age, growth and reproduction of animals incidentally caught in shark nets in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, yielded a lower maximum age estimate of 24 (previously 46) growth-layer-groups (GLGs), sexual maturity of 7.5 and 8 GLGs in males and females (previously 12–13 and 10 GLGs, respectively), an ovulation rate of 0.2 and a 5-year calving interval (previously 0.3 and 3-year calving interval) than previously reported. These differences may be due to a difference in the interpretation of GLGs between observers or a predominance of young males being caught in the shark nets. Stomach content analysis revealed a change in the relative proportions of the main prey items over the past 25 years, but no difference in species richness or diversity was found between the sexes. No change in trophic level was recorded between 1972 and 2009. Field studies in Algoa Bay, Eastern Cape, conducted 16 years apart indicated a decline in the mean group size (from 7 to 3 animals), a decline in the maximum group size (from 24 to 13 animals), an increase in solitary individuals (15.4–36%), and a change in behaviour from predominantly foraging (64–18%) to mainly travelling (24–49%). The observed changes are suggestive of a change in food availability, resulting in a range shift or a potential decline in numbers. These studies indicate the importance of long-term studies to monitor population changes and their possible causes. A number of threats, such as shark nets, pollution (noise and chemical), and coastal development and disturbance, to the humpback dolphin populations in South Africa have been identified. Urgent action is required to ensure continued existence of the species in South African waters.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2015
The nocturnal larvae of a specialist folivore perform better on C hromolaena odorata leaves from a shaded environment
- Authors: Osariyekemwen O. Uyi , Costas Zachariades , Hill, Martin P , Conlong, Desmond
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/424855 , vital:72189 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1111/eea.12321"
- Description: Increasing evidence suggests that individuals of the same plant species occurring in different micro-habitats often show a degree of phenotypic and phytochemical variation. Consequently, insect herbivores associated with such plant species must deal with environment-mediated changes or variability in the traits of their host plants. In this study, we examined the effects of habitat condition (shadedvs. full-sun habitats) on plant traits and leaf characteristics of the invasive alien plant, Chromolaenaodorata (L.) King and Robinson (Asteraceae). In addition, the performance was evaluated in two generations of a specialist folivore, Pareuchaetes insulata (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae), on leaves obtained from both shaded and full-sun habitats. The study was done in an area where the insect was introduced as a biological control agent. Leaves growing in shade were less tough, had higher water and nitrogen content, and lower total non-structural carbohydrate, compared with leaves growing in full sun. Plants growing in shade had longer leaves and were taller, but above-ground biomass was significantly reduced compared with plants growing in full sun. In both generations (parents and offspring), P. insulata developed faster and had larger pupal mass, increased growth rate, and higher fecundity when reared on shaded foliage compared with full-sun foliage. Although immature survival and adult longevity did not differ between habitats, Maw’s host suitability index indicated that shaded leaves were more suitable for the growth and reproduction of P. insulata. We suggest that the benefits obtained by P.insulata feeding on shaded foliage are associated with reduced toughness and enhanced nitrogen and water content of leaves. These results demonstrate that light-mediated changes in plant traits and leaf characteristics can affect insect folivore performance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The nonlinear absorption in new lanthanide double decker pyridine-based phthalocyanines in solution and thin films
- Authors: Sekhosana, Kutloana E , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189307 , vital:44836 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optmat.2015.05.022"
- Description: The optical behavior of bis-{2(3), 9(10), 16(17), 23(24)-(tetrapyridin-4-yloxy phthalocyaninato)} lanthanum (III) (2) and its ytterbium (3) counterpart in dimethyl sulfoxide are presented and compared to bis-{1(4), 8(11), 15(18), 22(25)-(tetrapyridin-4-yloxy phthalocyaninato)} ytterbium (III) (4). We report on the third-order susceptibility, second-order hyperpolarizability and the limiting threshold values. The nonlinear optical limiting threshold values of complexes 2, 3 and 4 showed improvement in the solid state (thin films), with complex 4 giving the best value at 0.033 J cm−2.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The oxygen isotope composition of Karoo and Etendeka picrites: High δ18O mantle or crustal contamination?
- Authors: Harris, Chris , Le Roux, Petrus , Cochrane, Ryan , Martin, Laure , Duncan, Andrew R , Marsh, Julian S , Le Roex, A P
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: article , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60774 , vital:27829 , https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00410-015-1164-1
- Description: Olivine and orthopyroxene phenocrysts from picrite and picrate basalt lavas and dykes (Mg# 64-80) from the Tuli and Mwanezi (Nuanetsi) regions of the ~180 Ma Karoo Large Igneous province (LIP) have δ18O values that range from 6.0 to 6.7 ‰ (Fig. 1), suggesting that they crystallized from magmas having δ18O values about 1 to 1.5 ‰ higher than expected in an entirely mantle-derived magma. Olivines from picrite and picrite basalt dykes from the 135 Ma Etendeka LIP of Namibia and Karoo-age picrite dykes from Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica do not have such elevated δ18O values. The Etendeka picrites show good correlations between δ18O value and Sr-, Nd- and Pb-isotope ratios that are consistent with previously proposed models of crustal contamination (e.g. Thompson et al., 2007). Explanations for the high δ18O values in Tuli/Mwenezi picrites are limited to (i) alteration, (ii) crustal contamination, and (iii) derivation from mantle with an abnormally high δ18O. The lack of variation in olivine and orthopyroxene δ18O values, together with the lack of correlation between mineral and whole-rock δ18O values are not consistent with alteration being the cause of high δ18O values. The high δ18O values in selected olivine cores have been confirmed by SIMS, and aggressive cleaning of crystals with HF makes no difference to the δ18O value obtained. Average εNd and εSr values of -8 and +16, and high concentrations of incompatible elements such as K are typical of picrites from the Mwanezi (Nuanetsi) region, which have been explained by a variety of models that range from crustal contamination to derivation from the ‘enriched’ mantle lithosphere. The primitive character of the magmas combined with the lack of correlation between δ18O values and radiogenic isotope composition and MgO content or Mg# are inconsistent with crustal contamination, and lend weight to arguments in favour of an 18O-enriched mantle source having high incompatible trace element concentration and enriched radiogenic isotope composition. Although elevated initial Sr isotope ratios, εNd values of -8, and δ18O values about 1 ‰ higher than expected for mantle-derived magma are also a feature of the Bushveld mafic and ultramafic magmas, it is unlikely that a long-lived 18O-enriched mantle source would have survived for nearly 2 Ga. Incorporation of crustal material into the mantle by subduction or delamination of the lower crust are the most likely mechanisms for enriching the mantle in 18O.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The palladacycle, AJ-5, exhibits anti-tumour and anti-cancer stem cell activity in breast cancer cells:
- Authors: Aliwaini, Saeb , Peres, Jade , Kröger, Wendy L , Blanckenberg, Angelique , de la Mare, Jo-Anne , Edkins, Adrienne L , Mapolie, Selwyn , Prince, Sharon
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/164874 , vital:41180 , DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2014.11.027
- Description: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy amongst women worldwide but despite enormous efforts to address this problem, there is still limited success with most of the current therapeutic strategies. The current study describes the anti-cancer activity of a binuclear palladacycle complex (AJ-5) in oestrogen receptor positive (MCF7) and oestrogen receptor negative (MDA-MB-231) breast cancer cells as well as human breast cancer stem cells. AJ-5 is shown to induce DNA double strand breaks leading to intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis and autophagy cell death pathways which are mediated by the p38 MAP kinase. This study provides evidence that AJ-5 is potentially an effective compound in the treatment of breast cancer.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The perceptions of professional nurses with regard to the process of withdrawing life-support treatment in a private intensive care unit
- Authors: Pheiffer, Evette
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Artificial respiration , Cardiotonic agents , Life support systems (Critical care)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3115 , vital:20400
- Description: Life-support treatment is regarded as the support of vital functions of respiration and circulation such as mechanical ventilation and inotropic support, and life-sustaining therapy which incorporate therapies such as artificial hydration, nutrition and haemodialysis. Life-support treatment is rendered to critically ill patients within the intensive care units. However, when treatment options are maximised, and the patient’s condition is unchanged, a decision is often made to withdraw treatment. Professional nurses are usually involved in the process of withdrawal of life-support treatment as they care for this population of patients. The study followed a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research paradigm in order to explore and describe the perceptions of professional nurses with regard to the process of withdrawing life-support treatment in a private intensive care unit. Data was collected by means of interviews, which were transcribed according to Tesch’s method of analysis. Field notes were used to supplement the data findings. Based on the data collected, it is clear that professional nurses experience difficulties when performing withdrawal of life-support treatment. There are a number of communication concerns which need to be addressed and suggestions were also made by the interview participants regarding these concerns. The study makes recommendations to assist professional nurses with the process of withdrawing life-support treatment in a private intensive care unit. The findings of the study will be disseminated to the relevant hospital and unit managers. Ethical principles were maintained throughout the study by adhering to the principles of privacy, confidentiality, anonymity and beneficence.
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- Date Issued: 2015
The Personal Wellbeing Index in the South African isiXhosa translation: a qualitative focus group study
- Authors: Moller, Valerie , Roberts, Benjamin J , Zani, Dalindyebo
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/67125 , vital:29034 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-014-0820-6
- Description: publisher version , International scholars who rely on the Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI) to compare cross-cultural quality of life have often been confronted with the problems of nuances getting ‘lost in translation’. This qualitative study explored the meaning of the isiXhosa version of the PWI in focus group discussions with native speakers. Participants in the study discussed how they understood and rated their lives on each item in the index. The discourse conveyed the different shades of meaning associated with the PWI items of life satisfaction and eight domains of life. The study found that PWI items related to material well-being, living standards, achievements in life and future (financial) security were best understood. The PWI items referring to personal relationships and community connectedness were seen as nearly identical in meaning. Both translation and cultural factors may be responsible for the conflation of these two items. Noteworthy is that the PWI item on religion and spirituality was seen to embrace both Christian and traditional African beliefs and practice, without prejudice. A new item on daily activities was piloted with good results. The focus group study also showcased the manner in which discussants worked with the rating scale and drew on social comparisons when evaluating global and domain satisfactions. It is concluded that cognitive testing of PWI items in different translations will serve not only to appraise the validity of PWI ratings across cultures, but importantly also opens a window on what makes for a life of quality in a particular social setting.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2015
The photophysical properties of multi-functional quantum dots-magnetic nanoparticles—indium octacarboxyphthalocyanine nanocomposite
- Authors: Tshangana, Charmaine , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/189876 , vital:44942 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10895-014-1497-6"
- Description: This work presents the development of a multifunctional hybrid nanoparticle made of L-glutathione capped quantum dots (GSH-CdSe@ZnS), amino functionalized Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles and indium octacarboxy phthalocyanine (ClInPc(COOH)8). In this work we investigate the photophysical properties of the individual components and the hybrid nanoparticle, in addition we study the energy transfer (Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET)) in the complex. FRET efficiencies of ~48 % were obtained for energy transfer between the QDs (when alone or linked to MNPs). Both triplet yields and lifetimes of ClInPc(COOH)8 increase in the nanocomposite, with a decrease in fluorescence lifetime. The hybrid nanoparticle showed improved photophysical properties and as a result can be used in photodynamic therapy.
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- Date Issued: 2015
The political and administrative interface on the local government sphere :|bNelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Authors: Maqoko, Zandile
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Politicians -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5757 , vital:20999
- Description: Municipalities in South Africa are experiencing serious challenges in dealing with the interface between politicians and administrators. The study is based on the political and administrative interface (the relationship between the politicians and administration) in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. An introductory background as well as a theoretical perspective on the phenomenon of ‘politics-administration interface’ and highlights on the significant role that this phenomenon plays in promoting good governance in local government is provided. The study analyses the legislative and policy framework that regulates local government and provides various theoretical models that deal with the political administrative relationships such as the dichotomy model, politicised model and complementarity model. The qualitative research method was used in the study, that is, a secondary data design as a method to collect data, which was supplemented by an extensive literature review. Secondary data sources such as reports, policies, newspapers, books were used to collect data. The descriptive case study and the documentary analysis methods were utilised to investigate the relationship between the politicians and administrators in the municipality. The major challenge in local government is that both politicians and administrators interfere in each other’s roles and responsibilities and this results in major conflict in the municipalities and frustration among the staff because they are not free to undertake their daily functions without interference. The findings reflected that there is a need to professionalise and de-politicised local government. The study makes a number of recommendations which included, inter alia, regulating political interference in administration, clarity of roles and responsibilities of politicians and administrators and separating the municipal administration from politics.
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- Date Issued: 2015
The politics of erasure: thinking critically about anonymity and confidentiality
- Authors: Marx, Jacqueline , Macleod, Catriona I
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/143827 , vital:38286 , https://ischp.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/ischp_2015_abstract_booklet.pdf
- Description: Anonymity and confidentiality are prominent features in research ethics codes. In this paper we critically examine the ethical imperative to change or eradicate research participant’s names and the distinctive, individually identifying characteristics of their lives. Drawing on examples from a research ethics application for a project involving women who had extricated themselves from relationships in which they had experienced intimate partner violence, and an ethnographic case study of cross-dressing and drag, consideration is given to the multiple ways in which anonymity and confidentiality can be put to work, both promoting and undermining what it means to do ethical research. We argue that the requirement for anonymity and confidentiality cannot be assessed without taking into account historicity and the socio-political contexts in which a study and its participants are located. The paper concludes with some consideration of the implications of a situated ethics approach for institutional review board protocols.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The politics of interweaving performance cultures
- Authors: Krueger, Anton
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/225719 , vital:49252 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10137548.2015.1014170"
- Description: According to the former president of the International Federation of Theatre Research (IFTR), Brian Singleton, the study of ‘[i]nterculturalism as a practice and a theory gained currency with Richard Schechner’s anthropologically-inspired new discipline of performance studies’ (p. 79). Schechner’s new discipline led to the formation of the annual Performance Studies International (PSI) conferences, and earlier this year I attended the twentieth instalment in Shanghai, which was held under the rubric of ‘Tradition and the Avant-Garde’. One of the things which struck me was the extent to which the (relatively) newly economically empowered Chinese theatre makers were creating grand productions based on Western theatre traditions. For example, many of the presentations for delegates were based on Western texts (such as Hamlet, Miss Julie and even a play by Woody Allen). And yet these productions were performed in Mandarin, using purist Chinese forms, such as Beijing Opera. During the discussions there seemed to be an awkward defensiveness from some of the Chinese hosts who insisted they were not ‘copying’ Western theatre, but that they were using it to express a pure Chinese aesthetic. There were also other performances at the conference, such as a series of parables called Confucius Disciples, which told didactic tales with content very foreign to a Western audience. A visiting troupe from Bulgaria presented their own version of some of these parables, using a strongly East European aesthetic to convey a Chinese message. In this way, experiments with cultural forms and content were clearly foregrounded by the conference presentations.
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- Date Issued: 2015
The politics of philosophy in Africa
- Authors: Jones, Ward E , Metz, Thaddeus
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/275733 , vital:55074 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/02580136.2015.1104797"
- Description: The background to the present discussion is the prevalence of political and personal criticisms in philosophical discussions about Africa. As philosophers in South Africa—both white and black—continue to philosophise seriously about Africa, responses to their work sometimes take the form of political and personal criticisms of, if not attacks on, the philosopher exploring and defending considerations about the African continent. One of us (TM) has been the target of such critiques in light of his work. Our aim in this conversation is not to diminish or deflect such critiques. On the contrary, our aim is to understand them, to make them as strong as possible, and to bring them into the cooler realm of philosophical discussion.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The position of asylum seekers in South African social security law
- Authors: Gugwana, Monde Barrington
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Asylum, Right of -- South Africa , Social security -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6159 , vital:21044
- Description: The legal position of asylum seekers in South African social security system is more nuanced as a result of their transitional stay or status in the country. Asylum seekers may often be present in South Africa for a quite a long time but their social security entitlement is more restricted, and similar to that of temporary residents. For example, asylum seekers’ social security position is completely different from that of refugees. Refugees enjoy the same social security treatment similarly to South African citizens and permanent residents. Refugees qualify for the constitutionally entrenched right to have access to social security, including appropriate social assistance. Refugees also qualify for other socio-economic rights contained in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. The exclusion of asylum seekers occurs despite the fact they are one of the vulnerable groups of noncitizens. Such exclusion forces asylum seekers to live under precarious conditions. It is fundamentally accepted that the drafters of the Constitution included the right to have access to social security, in order to ensure that everyone, irrespective of nationality and citizenship enjoys an acceptable standard of living. It is also fundamentally accepted that the right to have access to social security contained in section 27(1)(c) is limited by section 27(2) of the Constitution. Section 27(2) requires the State to take reasonable legislative measures, within its available resources, to achieve the progressive realisation of the right to have access to social security. The South African courts had on several occasions confirmed that the content of section 27(1)(c) is limited by section 27(2) of the Constitution and that the state cannot implement the right to have access to social security on demand. It had also been confirmed that the right to have access to social security is enforceable. This means the beneficiaries of this right may seek recourse from the courts of law when they are not satisfied about the progress relating to the implementation of the programmes relevant to the right to have access to social security. The right to have access to social security is also limited by section 36(1) of the Constitution. In the international arena, the right to have access to social security is recognised as the entitlement of everyone, but in some instances differential treatment can be made by the states. Such differential treatment should serve the legitimate state objective and all noncitizens should be treated equally.
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- Date Issued: 2015
The potential of dance education to promote social cohesion in a post-conflict society: perspectives of South African pre-service student teachers
- Authors: Marx, Margaretha Elizabeth
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Student teachers -- South Africa , Dance in education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4474 , vital:20605
- Description: This study constitutes a theoretical and qualitative investigation into the meanings and locations of social cohesion in dance education. Theoretical connections between culture, dance education and social cohesion are explored. The empirical investigation is designed as a qualitative case study interrogating pre-service student teachers’ experiences and perceptions of a particular dance education course in a culturally and politically diverse university classroom in post-apartheid South Africa. Open-ended questionnaires, reflective journals and focus group interviews were employed to generate data. Findings indicate that involvement in creative movement and ethno-cultural dances raised awareness of the Self and the Other, engendering perspective and personal transformation, important requisites for social transformation and subsequently social cohesion in a formerly divided society, such as South Africa. In addition, these dance education experiences provided participants with unique encounters with the Other’s culture. These occurred through embodied experiences of the culture of the Other, as well as through bodily negotiations with the Other. These findings lead me to argue that dance education, as pertaining to this particular course, can facilitate spaces conducive to cohesion amongst culturally and politically diverse participants in post-apartheid South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The presentation of African government leaders or Sovereigns' in selected African and mainstream films
- Authors: Tjalle, Rosalie Olivia Vanessa
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Motion pictures -- Political aspects -- Africa Political science -- Philosophy , Sovereignty
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12392 , vital:27062
- Description: African Cinema is an entity as diverse as the various countries, languages and cultures on this continent. The entertainment value of Cinema has been more popular than the study of its ideological significance, but nevertheless in a contemporary Africa where politics affect the social, cultural and economical survival of its citizens, Cinema can be used as a valuable asset and a powerful means of communication that can conscientize and educate African audiences. Thomas Hobbes’s leadership model and political theory of sovereignty, though a XVIIth century framework, can theoretically contribute in the analysis of the representation of African leadership styles in Cinema. This article analyzes four fiction films representing four different political leaders in, respectively, South Africa, Uganda, Cameroon and Nigeria. A film content analysis will explore the different representation of leadership styles, the personality of each leader, the power struggles in each society and how this may suggest value judgments about African leadership to the films’ various target audiences.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The prevalence of planning and management frameworks for trees and green spaces in urban areas of South Africa
- Authors: Chishaleshale, M , Shackleton, Charlie M , Gambiza, James , Gumbo, Davison
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/180884 , vital:43659 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2015.09.012"
- Description: Optimisation of the benefits from urban forestry and greening to urban dwellers and the environment rests on proactive and appropriate management planning, implementation and resourcing. Yet, lessons from the developed world show marked variability in development and adoption of urban tree and green space (UTGS) strategic plans and systematic monitoring and maintenance. Although financial and human resources for UTGS may be constrained in developing world contexts, there is no knowledge of the extent to which local authorities engage in appropriate and timely planning, management and monitoring. Here we examine the UTGS resourcing, planning, maintenance and integration across 28 local municipalities in the two poorest provinces in South Africa. It was revealed that most local municipalities were not managing their UTGS in a planned or systematic manner due to constraining factors such as insufficient funds, insufficient personnel, lack of equipment and lack of political support. Only 7% of the surveyed municipalities had an urban tree management plan and an estimate of the urban tree stock; 32% had tree policies; 21% had tree planting schedules; 11% had tree maintenance schedules. Over 65% claimed to engage other stakeholders in tree planting, but much was passive receipt of trees for planting rather than citizen engagement around species, places and values. Generally, the prevalence of most planning and maintenance elements increased with increasing size of the municipality and the presence of personnel specifically for UTGS management. It is likely that the prevalence of planning and maintenance functions will increase with greater political support from municipal councillors which may also decrease funding challenges.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The process of naturalisation of refugees under international and South African law and its implications for human rights
- Authors: Masumbe, Paul Sakwe
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Naturalization -- Africa Human rights -- Africa Refugees -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- Sout -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , LLD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5608 , vital:29351
- Description: This study seeks to examine the naturalisation of refugees under international law with specific focus on the South African refugee system. The universalised nature of human rights and the difficulties of refugees finding new roots in host states form the basis of this study. This study takes a closer look at the South African refugee system and the path to naturalisation of refugees. It identifies policy and legal gaps in the process of naturalisation of refugees and argues that the practice as it stands today, fundamentally abuses the rights of refugees and questions South Africa’s good faith in meeting its international obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention. It argues further that the biopolitical philosophy upon which South African citizenship is anchored is itself a hindrance to the realisation of efforts aimed at naturalising refugees and their descendants. The research methodology used in this study is non-empirical. This is so because the study is based on available data, information already available in print or on the internet. The study attempts to accomplish the above by undertaking an in-depth analysis of the history of refugees, the current position of naturalisation under international law, and identifies the inherent challenges. In the South African context, the study makes use of extensive statutory, constitutional and case law materials to justify that the current treatment of refugees in their quest for naturalisation is indefensible within the context of a human rights-based approach and the dictates of the Constitution. This study concludes by making recommendations that would help close the legal and policy gaps that obtain presently. These include amendments to the Refugees, Immigration and Citizenship Acts and strengthening policy implementation at the DHA. It is hoped that the recommendations will strengthen and evolve a human rights culture and bring refugee, immigration and citizenship laws in line with the Constitution. It will also pave the way for a more just and peaceful South Africa as she strives to meet her obligations under regional and international law.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The productive utilisation of child support grants in Benoni
- Authors: Njingti, Yvonne Senge
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Child support -- South Africa -- Benoni , Social security beneficiaries -- South Africa -- Benoni
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4879 , vital:20718
- Description: This treatise investigated the productive utilisation of child support grants (CSGs) with particular reference to Benoni town. The South African government introduced the CSG, which replaced the old maintenance grant in 1998. The aim of the CSG is to cater for the needs of vulnerable children living in South Africa such as education, basic health, food, shelter and protection. Since its introduction, CSG has been able to reach millions of vulnerable children in South Africa. Despite this success, the grant is still fraught with administrative inefficiencies and fraudulent activities committed by some CSG recipients. The researcher’s findings exposed the inappropriate and wasteful expenditure associated with the grant usage, by recipients of CSG. The researcher discovered that some mothers use grant money to buy alcohol and beauty products for themselves instead of the child’s needs. The reason associated to this wasteful expenditure was that the child is kept under the care of the grandmother who takes good care of the child, thus giving the mother the opportunity to use the grant she collects as she wishes. The main aim of this investigation was to find out how CSGs can be effectively and efficiently utilised by parents and guardians in Benoni and to make recommendations for better usage. The study also examined the effects of CSGs on children in Benoni and whether they are beneficial or not. The qualitative method of research was used and the study was descriptive in nature. Questionnaires were distributed to state officials and interviews conducted with CSG recipients. The findings from this research revealed that some of the respondents use the money to buy alcohol and beauty product for themselves instead of the child’s needs, making the implementation of CSGs ineffective and inefficient. This shows that there is a misuse of state funds by recipients of CSGs whereas there are millions of vulnerable children out there who do not have access to this cash transfer. The department of social security is encouraged to ensure effective and efficient utilisation of CSGs by recipients through state officials.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The programmatic enforcement of affirmative action
- Authors: Ncume, Ali Zuko
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Affirmative action programs -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Discrimination in employment -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5521 , vital:20873
- Description: Historically, racism was deeply rooted in the workplace in South Africa where white people were largely afforded better opportunities than their black counterparts. This position changed after South Africa became a democratic country. In the new South Africa, legislation has been adopted to combat unfair discrimination. This legislation is founded upon the equality clause contained in section 9 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. Section 9 prohibits unfair direct or indirect discrimination against any person on any of the listed grounds. It also makes provision for protection against unfair discrimination on unlisted grounds. The Employment Equity Act was enacted to bring equality to the workplace and to give effect to section 9(2) of the constitution. The Employment Equity Act promotes equal opportunities and fair treatment and seeks to eliminate unfair discrimination. Section 6 of the Employment Equity Act contains the main thrust of the Act’s prohibition against unfair discrimination. However not all discrimination is unfair. Section 6(2) of the Employment Equity Act provides that discrimination based on the inherent requirements of a job or in terms of affirmative action measures will not be unfair. This section implies that there are grounds of justification which may cause discrimination to be fair. These grounds are affirmative action and inherent requirements of a job. Affirmative action is a purposeful and planned placement and development of competent or potentially competent persons in or to positions from which they were debarred in the past. Affirmative action is an attempt to redress past population, on local and national level. One of the requirements of affirmative action in South Africa is that it must target persons who have been discriminated by unfair discrimination in the past. There are affirmative action measures incorporated in the Employment Equity Act. There exists also a designed programmatic enforcement of affirmative action measures.
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- Date Issued: 2015