The influence of biophysical and socio-economic factors on the effectiveness of private land conservation areas in preventing natural land cover loss across South Africa
- Shumba, Tafadzwa, de Vos, Alta, Biggs, Reinette, Esler, Karen J, Clements, Hayley S
- Authors: Shumba, Tafadzwa , de Vos, Alta , Biggs, Reinette , Esler, Karen J , Clements, Hayley S
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/415940 , vital:71302 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01670"
- Description: There is increasing interest in the potential of private land conservation areas (PLCAs) as a complementary biodiversity conservation strategy to state-owned protected areas. However, there is limited understanding of how the diverse social-ecological contexts of PLCAs influence their effectiveness in conserving biodiversity. Here, we investigated how the effectiveness of South African PLCAs in conserving biodiversity varied across social-ecological contexts, using natural land cover as a proxy. Social-ecological contexts were represented by biophysical and legal factors (distance to towns and roads, elevation, slope, terrain ruggedness, rainfall, PLCA size, distance to state-owned national parks, and presence of legal protection) and, for a subset of commercially-operated PLCAs, management factors (adopted business model, and profitability).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Shumba, Tafadzwa , de Vos, Alta , Biggs, Reinette , Esler, Karen J , Clements, Hayley S
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/415940 , vital:71302 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01670"
- Description: There is increasing interest in the potential of private land conservation areas (PLCAs) as a complementary biodiversity conservation strategy to state-owned protected areas. However, there is limited understanding of how the diverse social-ecological contexts of PLCAs influence their effectiveness in conserving biodiversity. Here, we investigated how the effectiveness of South African PLCAs in conserving biodiversity varied across social-ecological contexts, using natural land cover as a proxy. Social-ecological contexts were represented by biophysical and legal factors (distance to towns and roads, elevation, slope, terrain ruggedness, rainfall, PLCA size, distance to state-owned national parks, and presence of legal protection) and, for a subset of commercially-operated PLCAs, management factors (adopted business model, and profitability).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
The invasion ecology of Pontederia cordata L. (Pontederiaceae) in South Africa
- Authors: Wansell, Sage Nora-Lee
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Plant invsions -- South AFrica , Invasive plants -- Ecology -- South Africa , Pontederiaceae -- South AFrica
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172433 , vital:42200
- Description: Pontederia cordata L. (Pontederiaceae) is a tristylous invasive macrophyte – originating from North and South America – that has caused detrimental environmental, agricultural and socio-economic impacts in South Africa (SA). This novel study investigates the invasive ecology of P. cordata in SA by determining population genetics, pollination ecology and floral traits. Preliminary field surveys suggest that only one of three tristylous forms of P. cordata is invading SA and no seeds have been observed in any invasive populations. This study therefore determined the population genetics, mode of spread of P. cordata in SA and possible reasons for the lack of seed production, as well as providing suggestions for future control and management strategies. Inter Simple Sequence Repeats of leaf samples from invasive populations in SA and the native range of the United States of America (USA) were performed to determine the population genetics of P. cordata. The clarification of population structure of an alien invasive plant can provide insight into founder effects, introduction events and modes of spread and is important for the development of management plans such as biological control. Results from the genetic analyses indicated that P. cordata populations have low genetic diversity within and amongst invasive populations in comparison to native populations. This suggests that high gene flow and sexual reproduction is not present in invasive populations, and that only a single or very few introductory events have occurred in SA. Furthermore, invasive P. cordata populations shared the highest genetic similarity with native samples from Belle Haven, Virginia, USA, and thus further sampling and future genetic surveys should be conducted in this area to identify source populations to survey for potential biological control agents. Following these findings, I investigated whether sexual reproduction and seed production is absent from invasive P. cordata populations in SA as speculated. Floral traits from populations throughout all the invaded provinces were measured and, along with pollen grain measurements, it was determined that only short-morphed plants are present in SA. It was speculated that the absence of native pollinators in the invasive range may be responsible for the absence of sexual reproduction. However, a pollination study confirmed the presence of generalist insect pollinators. Thereafter, artificial pollination experiments on 8 865 flowers were conducted to determine whether an incompatibility system was present which prevented seed production. No seeds were produced and it was concluded that illegitimate pollination of the short-morphed plants prevented seed production and rhizomes are responsible for the invasion of P. cordata throughout SA. The implications of these findings and possible management strategies such as biological control is discussed in Chapter 4. These findings suggest that control programmes should target the plants rhizomes to prevent and reduce spread. Preventing the introduction of medium- and long-morphed plants into SA is crucial to prevent P. cordata from producing seeds and intensifying invasion further through both asexual and sexual spread.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Wansell, Sage Nora-Lee
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Plant invsions -- South AFrica , Invasive plants -- Ecology -- South Africa , Pontederiaceae -- South AFrica
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172433 , vital:42200
- Description: Pontederia cordata L. (Pontederiaceae) is a tristylous invasive macrophyte – originating from North and South America – that has caused detrimental environmental, agricultural and socio-economic impacts in South Africa (SA). This novel study investigates the invasive ecology of P. cordata in SA by determining population genetics, pollination ecology and floral traits. Preliminary field surveys suggest that only one of three tristylous forms of P. cordata is invading SA and no seeds have been observed in any invasive populations. This study therefore determined the population genetics, mode of spread of P. cordata in SA and possible reasons for the lack of seed production, as well as providing suggestions for future control and management strategies. Inter Simple Sequence Repeats of leaf samples from invasive populations in SA and the native range of the United States of America (USA) were performed to determine the population genetics of P. cordata. The clarification of population structure of an alien invasive plant can provide insight into founder effects, introduction events and modes of spread and is important for the development of management plans such as biological control. Results from the genetic analyses indicated that P. cordata populations have low genetic diversity within and amongst invasive populations in comparison to native populations. This suggests that high gene flow and sexual reproduction is not present in invasive populations, and that only a single or very few introductory events have occurred in SA. Furthermore, invasive P. cordata populations shared the highest genetic similarity with native samples from Belle Haven, Virginia, USA, and thus further sampling and future genetic surveys should be conducted in this area to identify source populations to survey for potential biological control agents. Following these findings, I investigated whether sexual reproduction and seed production is absent from invasive P. cordata populations in SA as speculated. Floral traits from populations throughout all the invaded provinces were measured and, along with pollen grain measurements, it was determined that only short-morphed plants are present in SA. It was speculated that the absence of native pollinators in the invasive range may be responsible for the absence of sexual reproduction. However, a pollination study confirmed the presence of generalist insect pollinators. Thereafter, artificial pollination experiments on 8 865 flowers were conducted to determine whether an incompatibility system was present which prevented seed production. No seeds were produced and it was concluded that illegitimate pollination of the short-morphed plants prevented seed production and rhizomes are responsible for the invasion of P. cordata throughout SA. The implications of these findings and possible management strategies such as biological control is discussed in Chapter 4. These findings suggest that control programmes should target the plants rhizomes to prevent and reduce spread. Preventing the introduction of medium- and long-morphed plants into SA is crucial to prevent P. cordata from producing seeds and intensifying invasion further through both asexual and sexual spread.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
The nature of violence in South African universities African universities: The politics of process
- Mutongoza, Bonginkosi Hardy https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2939-1274
- Authors: Mutongoza, Bonginkosi Hardy https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2939-1274
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Education, Higher -- Political aspects , Universities and colleges -- South Africa , Campus violence
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27909 , vital:70816
- Description: The high levels of violence that plague South Africa’s universities are symptomatic of an education system that is under attack, with institutions of higher learning not reflecting the peacefulness and safety which are oftentimes associated with the pursuit of learning. While violence in societies and educational institutions globally continues to intensify in viciousness and frequency, this is especially worrisome for South Africa, a country regarded as one of the most violent in the world. South African education institutions are admittedly extremely violent, yet there are relatively few mechanisms to enable the verification of trends in violence, or to cross-reference and compare incidents, thus making the reduction of violence problematic. The contention is that the general outlook of violence at educational institutions appears to echo the relentless violence which haunts South African communities in general. Against this background, the current study sought to explore the nature of violence in South African universities. To achieve this, the study was guided by an exploration of student and staff experiences of violence in universities, the causes of violence in such sites, and the recording thereof. Underpinned by a pragmatist paradigm, this study utilised a mixed-methods approach to ‘get under the skin’ of the problem of violence in universities. Within the mixed-methods approach, the study employed a single-phase convergent design, which enabled the researcher to reach comprehensive conclusions on violence in universities, by merging and comparing qualitative and quantitative datasets. In the quantitative phase of the study, a simple random sampling technique was used to select a total of 1 776 students and 250 staff, while 32 students and four staff were conveniently sampled during the qualitative phase. The data for this study were collected using an online survey in the quantitative phase, and semi-structured interviews and document reviews in the qualitative phase. The findings of this investigation revealed that violence happened in six main configurations, namely student-on-student violence, staff-on-student violence, staff-on-staff violence, student-on-staff violence, self-directed violence, and protest-related violence. In addition, the findings revealed diverse causes of violence in universities, chief of which were alcohol and drug abuse, poor security, the abuse of power or authority, impunity, and psychosocial factors, among others. Factors that impeded the recording of violence in universities included the normalisation of violence, a lack of consequences for the perpetrators, a lack of procedural awareness, cronyism and brotherhoods, and a lack of protection from reprisal for reporting perpetrators. The production of violence in South African universities was also found to be significantly shaped by wider structures that included sexuality, gender, age, socioeconomic status, and race and ethnicity. These structures were found to be prominent in increasing the likelihood of violence being perpetrated. Based on the reported findings, the study moved to recommend that, in order to reduce experiences of violence in South African universities, institutions adopt multidimensional approaches to combatting this scourge. The fact that violence was noted to occur in multiple configurations, means multiple viewpoints are required to reduce and ultimately combat it. This calls for a multi-stakeholder approach that transcends a reliance on the traditional university policymakers, and a concerted consultative process to formulate and renew policies that can help to address university violence. The study further recommended that reporting structures be decentralised at universities, in a bid to improve the smoothness of related processes. In this respect, it will be essential for universities to consider setting up anonymous reporting platforms online, to move with the times and ensure more urgent responses, as opposed to a continued reliance on present systems that are replete with red tape. Additionally, universities may consider outsourcing divisions that deal with violence reporting, to minimise conflicts of interest when dealing with such cases. The researcher concluded that violence in universities threatens the very purpose of tertiary education – members of the university community must be able to freely pursue their aspirations in peaceful environments. As such, for as long as campuses experience violence in any of its varied forms, a proverbial dark cloud will forever frustrate the quest for quality and transformative education that has the potential to reverse-engineer inequality, poverty, and underdevelopment in South Africa, as contemplated in various development plans. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Mutongoza, Bonginkosi Hardy https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2939-1274
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Education, Higher -- Political aspects , Universities and colleges -- South Africa , Campus violence
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27909 , vital:70816
- Description: The high levels of violence that plague South Africa’s universities are symptomatic of an education system that is under attack, with institutions of higher learning not reflecting the peacefulness and safety which are oftentimes associated with the pursuit of learning. While violence in societies and educational institutions globally continues to intensify in viciousness and frequency, this is especially worrisome for South Africa, a country regarded as one of the most violent in the world. South African education institutions are admittedly extremely violent, yet there are relatively few mechanisms to enable the verification of trends in violence, or to cross-reference and compare incidents, thus making the reduction of violence problematic. The contention is that the general outlook of violence at educational institutions appears to echo the relentless violence which haunts South African communities in general. Against this background, the current study sought to explore the nature of violence in South African universities. To achieve this, the study was guided by an exploration of student and staff experiences of violence in universities, the causes of violence in such sites, and the recording thereof. Underpinned by a pragmatist paradigm, this study utilised a mixed-methods approach to ‘get under the skin’ of the problem of violence in universities. Within the mixed-methods approach, the study employed a single-phase convergent design, which enabled the researcher to reach comprehensive conclusions on violence in universities, by merging and comparing qualitative and quantitative datasets. In the quantitative phase of the study, a simple random sampling technique was used to select a total of 1 776 students and 250 staff, while 32 students and four staff were conveniently sampled during the qualitative phase. The data for this study were collected using an online survey in the quantitative phase, and semi-structured interviews and document reviews in the qualitative phase. The findings of this investigation revealed that violence happened in six main configurations, namely student-on-student violence, staff-on-student violence, staff-on-staff violence, student-on-staff violence, self-directed violence, and protest-related violence. In addition, the findings revealed diverse causes of violence in universities, chief of which were alcohol and drug abuse, poor security, the abuse of power or authority, impunity, and psychosocial factors, among others. Factors that impeded the recording of violence in universities included the normalisation of violence, a lack of consequences for the perpetrators, a lack of procedural awareness, cronyism and brotherhoods, and a lack of protection from reprisal for reporting perpetrators. The production of violence in South African universities was also found to be significantly shaped by wider structures that included sexuality, gender, age, socioeconomic status, and race and ethnicity. These structures were found to be prominent in increasing the likelihood of violence being perpetrated. Based on the reported findings, the study moved to recommend that, in order to reduce experiences of violence in South African universities, institutions adopt multidimensional approaches to combatting this scourge. The fact that violence was noted to occur in multiple configurations, means multiple viewpoints are required to reduce and ultimately combat it. This calls for a multi-stakeholder approach that transcends a reliance on the traditional university policymakers, and a concerted consultative process to formulate and renew policies that can help to address university violence. The study further recommended that reporting structures be decentralised at universities, in a bid to improve the smoothness of related processes. In this respect, it will be essential for universities to consider setting up anonymous reporting platforms online, to move with the times and ensure more urgent responses, as opposed to a continued reliance on present systems that are replete with red tape. Additionally, universities may consider outsourcing divisions that deal with violence reporting, to minimise conflicts of interest when dealing with such cases. The researcher concluded that violence in universities threatens the very purpose of tertiary education – members of the university community must be able to freely pursue their aspirations in peaceful environments. As such, for as long as campuses experience violence in any of its varied forms, a proverbial dark cloud will forever frustrate the quest for quality and transformative education that has the potential to reverse-engineer inequality, poverty, and underdevelopment in South Africa, as contemplated in various development plans. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
The need for an urban ecology of the Global South
- Shackleton, Charlie M, Cilliers, Sarel S, du Toit, Marie J, Davoren, Elandre
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M , Cilliers, Sarel S , du Toit, Marie J , Davoren, Elandre
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/433744 , vital:72998 , ISBN 978-3-030-67650-6 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67650-6_1
- Description: Urban ecology is a key discipline in guiding urban development, sustainability and consequently human wellbeing. However, most urban ecological research has, and continues to be, undertaken in the Global North, and thus urban ecological methods, principles and frameworks are dominated by contributions and understandings from the Global North. However, there are a multitude of local- and national-scale contextual differences between the Global North and the Global South that limit or question the universal application of Global North perspectives and knowledge. This chapter lays the foundation for the rest of the book in two ways. First, it explores the development and definitions of the terms ‘urban ecology’ and ‘Global South’. Second, it presents the major biophysical and socio-economic contextual characteristics of Global South towns and cities that differentiate them from those in the Global North. These contextual differences need to be accounted for in urban ecological research, theory and application towards the development of an urban ecology that is more relevant for the Global South, and when conjoined with understandings from the Global North allow for the exploration and development of truly universal urban ecology principles and frameworks.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Shackleton, Charlie M , Cilliers, Sarel S , du Toit, Marie J , Davoren, Elandre
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/433744 , vital:72998 , ISBN 978-3-030-67650-6 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67650-6_1
- Description: Urban ecology is a key discipline in guiding urban development, sustainability and consequently human wellbeing. However, most urban ecological research has, and continues to be, undertaken in the Global North, and thus urban ecological methods, principles and frameworks are dominated by contributions and understandings from the Global North. However, there are a multitude of local- and national-scale contextual differences between the Global North and the Global South that limit or question the universal application of Global North perspectives and knowledge. This chapter lays the foundation for the rest of the book in two ways. First, it explores the development and definitions of the terms ‘urban ecology’ and ‘Global South’. Second, it presents the major biophysical and socio-economic contextual characteristics of Global South towns and cities that differentiate them from those in the Global North. These contextual differences need to be accounted for in urban ecological research, theory and application towards the development of an urban ecology that is more relevant for the Global South, and when conjoined with understandings from the Global North allow for the exploration and development of truly universal urban ecology principles and frameworks.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
The perception of police officers towards corruption in South African police services: a case study of Polokwane cluster policing area in Limpopo Province
- Authors: Rathogwa, Emmah Mufanadzo
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Corruption , Police corruption , Police misconduct
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27314 , vital:66935
- Description: The 1996 National Crime Prevention Strategy identified corruption within the criminal justice sector as the greatest threat to the governance of security. Police corruption has been a huge obstacle within the South African Police Service’s endeavours to tackle improper activities of police officers. A general definition of corruption is “use of public office for private gain”; this includes bribery and extortion, which involves at least two parties, and other types of malfeasance that a public official can carry out alone, including fraud and embezzlement. The corruption of police officers impinges on the capacity and ability of the entire force in ensuring that all citizens abide by the law. This study explored the perceptions of police officers towards corruption activities in South African Police Services (SAPS) within the Polokwane Cluster (Capricorn District) Policing Area in Limpopo province. In this study, a qualitative research design was used. The researcher used purposive sampling to select participants. For collection of data, semi-structured interviews were used where the researcher interviewed police officers within the Polokwane Cluster Capricorn District Policing Area. The researcher conducted fifty 50 interviews with five police officers from 10 police stations within the Polokwane Cluster Capricorn District Policing Area, namely: Botlokwa, Lebowakgomo, Polokwane,Westernburg, Seshego, Mankweng, Mashashane, Matlala, Mogwadi and Zebediela police stations. In addition, secondary sources were used where the researcher relied on documents from the Independent Police Investigations IPID on statistics on police corruption, among other scales of measurements. For the analysis of data, thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data collected through interviews whilst document analysis was used for analysing data collected from secondary sources. The findings gathered in this study revealed that police corruption is widespread within the Polokwane Cluster Capricorn District Policing Area in Limpopo province due some police officers’ fear of victimisation of their families or loved ones if they expose corrupt acts by other police officers. Furthermore, corruption of the South African Police Services personnel has been reported where potential police recruits are required to pay bribes for them to be placed for the job. Weak leadership within the South African police service and poor policy formulation and implementation have been identified by participants to be some of the main determinants of corruption within the South African Police Services. As a recommendation to counter the adverse effects of police corruption, a number of strategies have been formulated in this study such as the establishment of vibrant anticorruption mechanisms. It is essential for the government to recall passionate former police officials to investigate all the corrupt officials. The South African government should establish a very sophisticated anti-corruption body independent from the SAPS to spearhead the strategy to combat corruption. The recruitment of police personnel should culminate into hiring individuals who would see the police job as a calling and do it passionately. They should firstly target people who choose police related courses are already studying courses in crime investigation from grassroots level. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Rathogwa, Emmah Mufanadzo
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Corruption , Police corruption , Police misconduct
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27314 , vital:66935
- Description: The 1996 National Crime Prevention Strategy identified corruption within the criminal justice sector as the greatest threat to the governance of security. Police corruption has been a huge obstacle within the South African Police Service’s endeavours to tackle improper activities of police officers. A general definition of corruption is “use of public office for private gain”; this includes bribery and extortion, which involves at least two parties, and other types of malfeasance that a public official can carry out alone, including fraud and embezzlement. The corruption of police officers impinges on the capacity and ability of the entire force in ensuring that all citizens abide by the law. This study explored the perceptions of police officers towards corruption activities in South African Police Services (SAPS) within the Polokwane Cluster (Capricorn District) Policing Area in Limpopo province. In this study, a qualitative research design was used. The researcher used purposive sampling to select participants. For collection of data, semi-structured interviews were used where the researcher interviewed police officers within the Polokwane Cluster Capricorn District Policing Area. The researcher conducted fifty 50 interviews with five police officers from 10 police stations within the Polokwane Cluster Capricorn District Policing Area, namely: Botlokwa, Lebowakgomo, Polokwane,Westernburg, Seshego, Mankweng, Mashashane, Matlala, Mogwadi and Zebediela police stations. In addition, secondary sources were used where the researcher relied on documents from the Independent Police Investigations IPID on statistics on police corruption, among other scales of measurements. For the analysis of data, thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data collected through interviews whilst document analysis was used for analysing data collected from secondary sources. The findings gathered in this study revealed that police corruption is widespread within the Polokwane Cluster Capricorn District Policing Area in Limpopo province due some police officers’ fear of victimisation of their families or loved ones if they expose corrupt acts by other police officers. Furthermore, corruption of the South African Police Services personnel has been reported where potential police recruits are required to pay bribes for them to be placed for the job. Weak leadership within the South African police service and poor policy formulation and implementation have been identified by participants to be some of the main determinants of corruption within the South African Police Services. As a recommendation to counter the adverse effects of police corruption, a number of strategies have been formulated in this study such as the establishment of vibrant anticorruption mechanisms. It is essential for the government to recall passionate former police officials to investigate all the corrupt officials. The South African government should establish a very sophisticated anti-corruption body independent from the SAPS to spearhead the strategy to combat corruption. The recruitment of police personnel should culminate into hiring individuals who would see the police job as a calling and do it passionately. They should firstly target people who choose police related courses are already studying courses in crime investigation from grassroots level. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
The photodynamic activities of the gold nanoparticle conjugates of phosphorus (V) and gallium (III) A3 meso-triarylcorroles
- Soy, Rodah C, Babu, Balaji, Mack, John, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Soy, Rodah C , Babu, Balaji , Mack, John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/184978 , vital:44313 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2021.109631"
- Description: The synthesis and characterization of series of P(V) and Ga(III) A3 triarylcorrole complexes with 4-methylthiophenyl (2a, 3a), thien-3-yl (2b, 3b) and thien-2-yl (2c, 3c) meso-groups are reported along with the physicochemical and photodynamic activity properties of the dyes and their gold nanoparticle (AuNP) conjugates. The Ga(III) corrole series have lower fluorescence quantum yields and higher singlet oxygen quantum yields than the analogous P(V) complexes. Upon conjugation to AuNPs, the fluorescence quantum yields of the P(V) and Ga(III) corroles decrease, while the singlet oxygen quantum yields increase due to an external heavy atom effect. The P(V) and Ga(III) corroles exhibit relatively low in vitro dark cytotoxicity, which was further enhanced upon conjugation to AuNPs. The P(V) complexes and their AuNP conjugates display more favorable PDT activity properties upon illumination with a Thorlabs 625 nm light-emitting diode (288 J cm−2) with phototoxicity indices > 18.5 and 20.8, respectively, for the meso-thienyl-substituted 2b-AuNP and 2c-AuNP conjugates. Optical spectroscopy analyses demonstrate that this can be attributed to there being significantly less aggregation due to the presence of two trans-hydroxy axial ligands.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Soy, Rodah C , Babu, Balaji , Mack, John , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/184978 , vital:44313 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2021.109631"
- Description: The synthesis and characterization of series of P(V) and Ga(III) A3 triarylcorrole complexes with 4-methylthiophenyl (2a, 3a), thien-3-yl (2b, 3b) and thien-2-yl (2c, 3c) meso-groups are reported along with the physicochemical and photodynamic activity properties of the dyes and their gold nanoparticle (AuNP) conjugates. The Ga(III) corrole series have lower fluorescence quantum yields and higher singlet oxygen quantum yields than the analogous P(V) complexes. Upon conjugation to AuNPs, the fluorescence quantum yields of the P(V) and Ga(III) corroles decrease, while the singlet oxygen quantum yields increase due to an external heavy atom effect. The P(V) and Ga(III) corroles exhibit relatively low in vitro dark cytotoxicity, which was further enhanced upon conjugation to AuNPs. The P(V) complexes and their AuNP conjugates display more favorable PDT activity properties upon illumination with a Thorlabs 625 nm light-emitting diode (288 J cm−2) with phototoxicity indices > 18.5 and 20.8, respectively, for the meso-thienyl-substituted 2b-AuNP and 2c-AuNP conjugates. Optical spectroscopy analyses demonstrate that this can be attributed to there being significantly less aggregation due to the presence of two trans-hydroxy axial ligands.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
The photophysicochemical properties and photodynamic therapy activity of Schiff base substituted phthalocyanines doped into silica nanoparticles and conjugated to folic acid
- Magadla, Aviwe, Babu, Balaji, Sen, Pinar, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Magadla, Aviwe , Babu, Balaji , Sen, Pinar , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/185407 , vital:44384 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2021.115227"
- Description: This work explores the synthesis, photophysicochemical properties and photodynamic activity (PDT) of tetrakis [N,N’–bis (4-(diethylamino)benzylidene) amino)propan-2-yl)oxy) phthalocyaninato] Zn (II) (3) and tetra-phenoxy N,N-dimethyl-4-((methylimino) Zn (II) (4) when the encapsulated into silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) followed by conjugation of folic acid (FA). The synthesised complexes and their doped analogues are examined for their PDT activity using MCF-7 cells. All the complexes showed dark toxicity that is >80%. The folic acid conjugates, MPc@SiNPs-FA showed greater photocytoxicity against MCF-7 cells upon irradiation with laser light.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Magadla, Aviwe , Babu, Balaji , Sen, Pinar , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/185407 , vital:44384 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2021.115227"
- Description: This work explores the synthesis, photophysicochemical properties and photodynamic activity (PDT) of tetrakis [N,N’–bis (4-(diethylamino)benzylidene) amino)propan-2-yl)oxy) phthalocyaninato] Zn (II) (3) and tetra-phenoxy N,N-dimethyl-4-((methylimino) Zn (II) (4) when the encapsulated into silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) followed by conjugation of folic acid (FA). The synthesised complexes and their doped analogues are examined for their PDT activity using MCF-7 cells. All the complexes showed dark toxicity that is >80%. The folic acid conjugates, MPc@SiNPs-FA showed greater photocytoxicity against MCF-7 cells upon irradiation with laser light.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
The politics of postgraduate education: supervising in a troubled world
- Authors: McKenna, Sioux
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/434502 , vital:73069 , ISBN 9781991201225 , https://www.google.co.za/books/edition/The_Global_Scholar/KvQ3EAAAQBAJ?hl=enandgbpv=0
- Description: In our rapidly globalising world, "the global scholar" is a key concept for reimagining the roles of academics at the nexus of the global and the local. This book critically explores the implications of the concept for understanding postgraduate studies and supervision. It uses three conceptual lenses - "horizon", "currency" and "trajec-tory" - to organise the thirteen chapters, concluding with a reflection on the implica-tions of Covid-19 for postgraduate studies and supervision. Authors bring their perspectives on the global scholar from a variety of contexts, including South Afri-ca, Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Chile, Germany, Cyprus, Kenya and Israel. They explore issues around policy, research and practice, sharing a con-cern with the relation between the local and the global, and a passion for advancing postgraduate studies and supervision.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: McKenna, Sioux
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/434502 , vital:73069 , ISBN 9781991201225 , https://www.google.co.za/books/edition/The_Global_Scholar/KvQ3EAAAQBAJ?hl=enandgbpv=0
- Description: In our rapidly globalising world, "the global scholar" is a key concept for reimagining the roles of academics at the nexus of the global and the local. This book critically explores the implications of the concept for understanding postgraduate studies and supervision. It uses three conceptual lenses - "horizon", "currency" and "trajec-tory" - to organise the thirteen chapters, concluding with a reflection on the implica-tions of Covid-19 for postgraduate studies and supervision. Authors bring their perspectives on the global scholar from a variety of contexts, including South Afri-ca, Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Chile, Germany, Cyprus, Kenya and Israel. They explore issues around policy, research and practice, sharing a con-cern with the relation between the local and the global, and a passion for advancing postgraduate studies and supervision.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
The potential conflict of interest associated with the management of Rosa rubiginos L. (Rosehip) in South Africa
- Authors: Westwood, Timothy
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Invasive plants -- South Africa , Biological invasions -- Economic aspects , Rose hips -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Roses -- South Africa , Rose culture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172458 , vital:42204
- Description: Rosa rubiginosa L. is a category 1b invasive plant species in South Africa and must be controlled according to NEM:BA. However, R. rubiginosa has the potential to provide economic benefit in South Africa due to the expanding market for the shrubs fruit, rosehips. The shrub is not permitted to be cultivated in South Africa due to legislation, limiting the economic potential as the rosehips are only able to be collected from wild R. rubiginosa shrubs. In order to expand the rosehip market in South Africa a downgrade or removal of R. rubiginosa from the invasive species list would be required, as wild harvest is limited. This study aims to assess the benefits and cost associated with R. rubiginosa in order to determine whether the legislation should be altered allowing for the cultivation of the shrub in South Africa. Due to the limited literature surrounding R. rubiginosa three different questionnaires and a case study were used in order to assess the benefits and negatives associated with the shrub. Experts in the field of invasion biology were surveyed to bridge the gap in the R. rubiginosa literature. Landowners, where the shrub is abundant, were surveyed to determine the negative impacts of R. rubiginosa. Rosehip companies were surveyed in order to determine the current size and potential of the R. rubiginosa (rosehip) market. The case study looked at how a rosehip company would benefit if R. rubiginosa was allowed to be cultivated in South Africa. The study found R. rubiginosa to have great economic potential and market growth, with very little negative economic impact. The case study showed that one rosehip company would grow from 1500 tons of raw rosehip to 20 000 tons if cultivation was allowed, resulting in a growth in turnover from R57 million to R760 million ($1=R14.8). The findings in the study show that R. rubiginosa does not significantly affect landowners where it is abundant. Therefore, it is suggested that a change to the legislation should be considered allowing for the cultivation of R. rubiginosa should be implemented.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Westwood, Timothy
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Invasive plants -- South Africa , Biological invasions -- Economic aspects , Rose hips -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Roses -- South Africa , Rose culture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172458 , vital:42204
- Description: Rosa rubiginosa L. is a category 1b invasive plant species in South Africa and must be controlled according to NEM:BA. However, R. rubiginosa has the potential to provide economic benefit in South Africa due to the expanding market for the shrubs fruit, rosehips. The shrub is not permitted to be cultivated in South Africa due to legislation, limiting the economic potential as the rosehips are only able to be collected from wild R. rubiginosa shrubs. In order to expand the rosehip market in South Africa a downgrade or removal of R. rubiginosa from the invasive species list would be required, as wild harvest is limited. This study aims to assess the benefits and cost associated with R. rubiginosa in order to determine whether the legislation should be altered allowing for the cultivation of the shrub in South Africa. Due to the limited literature surrounding R. rubiginosa three different questionnaires and a case study were used in order to assess the benefits and negatives associated with the shrub. Experts in the field of invasion biology were surveyed to bridge the gap in the R. rubiginosa literature. Landowners, where the shrub is abundant, were surveyed to determine the negative impacts of R. rubiginosa. Rosehip companies were surveyed in order to determine the current size and potential of the R. rubiginosa (rosehip) market. The case study looked at how a rosehip company would benefit if R. rubiginosa was allowed to be cultivated in South Africa. The study found R. rubiginosa to have great economic potential and market growth, with very little negative economic impact. The case study showed that one rosehip company would grow from 1500 tons of raw rosehip to 20 000 tons if cultivation was allowed, resulting in a growth in turnover from R57 million to R760 million ($1=R14.8). The findings in the study show that R. rubiginosa does not significantly affect landowners where it is abundant. Therefore, it is suggested that a change to the legislation should be considered allowing for the cultivation of R. rubiginosa should be implemented.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
The potential influence of commercial plant nurseries in shaping the urban forest in South Africa
- Arnoldi, Marco, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Arnoldi, Marco , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/398408 , vital:69409 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2021.127254"
- Description: A substantial portion of urban green infrastructure is under private tenure in residents’ and business/corporate gardens. Therefore, the ways that urban residents manage their gardens can influence the type, quantity and quality of ecosystem services and disservices in urban areas. Plant nurseries are a major source of trees for urban residents, and so the types of trees and species that nurseries stock influence the composition of private gardens. Consequently, this study aimed to examine the roles that plant nurseries play in shaping the urban forest in South Africa. To do so, an online and direct questionnaire was used to gather data from 30 nurseries across 19 urban centres in South Africa. The main questions included species selection criteria, customer tree inquiries, best-selling tree species, attitudes towards increasing urban tree cover and diversity and whether they think climate change will affect the selection of species to stock. The results show that there is a strong preference for indigenous trees, which were also most commonly listed as best-sellers. Non-native species that were commonly sold were ones that provided provisioning services, particularly edible fruits. Drought tolerance influenced selection criteria and customer demand. Vachellia spp. and Olea europaea were commonly inquired about and most commonly listed amongst the best-sellers. Nursery owners valued the importance of increasing tree cover and diversity in urban areas, listing many perceived benefits for doing so. We conclude that there is a clear preference for indigenous tree species by customers and nursery owners, which in time could increase the proportion and cover of native species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Arnoldi, Marco , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/398408 , vital:69409 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2021.127254"
- Description: A substantial portion of urban green infrastructure is under private tenure in residents’ and business/corporate gardens. Therefore, the ways that urban residents manage their gardens can influence the type, quantity and quality of ecosystem services and disservices in urban areas. Plant nurseries are a major source of trees for urban residents, and so the types of trees and species that nurseries stock influence the composition of private gardens. Consequently, this study aimed to examine the roles that plant nurseries play in shaping the urban forest in South Africa. To do so, an online and direct questionnaire was used to gather data from 30 nurseries across 19 urban centres in South Africa. The main questions included species selection criteria, customer tree inquiries, best-selling tree species, attitudes towards increasing urban tree cover and diversity and whether they think climate change will affect the selection of species to stock. The results show that there is a strong preference for indigenous trees, which were also most commonly listed as best-sellers. Non-native species that were commonly sold were ones that provided provisioning services, particularly edible fruits. Drought tolerance influenced selection criteria and customer demand. Vachellia spp. and Olea europaea were commonly inquired about and most commonly listed amongst the best-sellers. Nursery owners valued the importance of increasing tree cover and diversity in urban areas, listing many perceived benefits for doing so. We conclude that there is a clear preference for indigenous tree species by customers and nursery owners, which in time could increase the proportion and cover of native species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
The practice and design of social-ecological systems research
- de Vos, Alta, Maciejewski, Kristine, Bodin, Orjan, Norstrom, Albert, Schluter, Maja, Tengo, Maria
- Authors: de Vos, Alta , Maciejewski, Kristine , Bodin, Orjan , Norstrom, Albert , Schluter, Maja , Tengo, Maria
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/433826 , vital:73003 , ISBN 9781000401516 , https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/49560
- Description: Studying social-ecological systems (SES) can be a challenging task, as explained in Chapter 2. Phenomena of interest and characteristics of SES research result from both social and ecological processes, and complicated feedback dynamics blur the distinction between cause and effect (Young et al. 2006). Furthermore, multiple causal processes may be operating simultaneously, outcomes are strongly influenced by the system’s context and it is difficult to determine system boundaries (Bodin and Prell 2011).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: de Vos, Alta , Maciejewski, Kristine , Bodin, Orjan , Norstrom, Albert , Schluter, Maja , Tengo, Maria
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/433826 , vital:73003 , ISBN 9781000401516 , https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/49560
- Description: Studying social-ecological systems (SES) can be a challenging task, as explained in Chapter 2. Phenomena of interest and characteristics of SES research result from both social and ecological processes, and complicated feedback dynamics blur the distinction between cause and effect (Young et al. 2006). Furthermore, multiple causal processes may be operating simultaneously, outcomes are strongly influenced by the system’s context and it is difficult to determine system boundaries (Bodin and Prell 2011).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
The Primacy of Effective Human Capital Management to the Growth of Entrepreneurship Ventures. A Study of Cases from the Fast Food Restaurant Sector in Cape Town
- Asoba, Samson Nambei, Patricia, Nteboheng Mefi
- Authors: Asoba, Samson Nambei , Patricia, Nteboheng Mefi
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship Human capital Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/8135 , vital:61400 , xlink:href="https://www.abacademies.org/articles/the-primacy-of-effective-human-capital-management-to-the-growth-of-entrepreneurship-ventures-a-study-of-cases-from-the-fast-food-r-10259.html"
- Description: This paper draws on two fields, human resources management and entrepreneurship to examine the observed problem of stalled established business ownership even despite favourable Total Early Stage entrepreneurship (TEA) among many nations. The aim of the study was to established the perceptions of entrepreneurs on the influence of human capital on the growth and sustainability of entrepreneurial ventures from the restaurant sector in Cape Town. The study adopted a qualitative research design which was based on interviews to infer the entrepreneurs’ perceptions on the role of effective human capital management to growth of entrepreneurial ventures. Fifteen interviews were conducted and analysed following a thematic analyse procedure. Various themes and sub themes which pointed to the critically of effective human capital management were established. It was found the people possess certain social, philosophical, psychological and ideological attributes that cannot be found from other resources. At the end of the analysis, it was established that human resources are central to the growth of entrepreneurial ventures as they possess certain exploitable entrepreneurial talents, are capable of unlocking the value of other resources and also they are the drivers of growth. Following these findings, it was recommended that entrepreneurs should centralise effective human capital management for growth. Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Human Capital, Small Businesses, Business Growth, Competitive Advantage
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Asoba, Samson Nambei , Patricia, Nteboheng Mefi
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship Human capital Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/8135 , vital:61400 , xlink:href="https://www.abacademies.org/articles/the-primacy-of-effective-human-capital-management-to-the-growth-of-entrepreneurship-ventures-a-study-of-cases-from-the-fast-food-r-10259.html"
- Description: This paper draws on two fields, human resources management and entrepreneurship to examine the observed problem of stalled established business ownership even despite favourable Total Early Stage entrepreneurship (TEA) among many nations. The aim of the study was to established the perceptions of entrepreneurs on the influence of human capital on the growth and sustainability of entrepreneurial ventures from the restaurant sector in Cape Town. The study adopted a qualitative research design which was based on interviews to infer the entrepreneurs’ perceptions on the role of effective human capital management to growth of entrepreneurial ventures. Fifteen interviews were conducted and analysed following a thematic analyse procedure. Various themes and sub themes which pointed to the critically of effective human capital management were established. It was found the people possess certain social, philosophical, psychological and ideological attributes that cannot be found from other resources. At the end of the analysis, it was established that human resources are central to the growth of entrepreneurial ventures as they possess certain exploitable entrepreneurial talents, are capable of unlocking the value of other resources and also they are the drivers of growth. Following these findings, it was recommended that entrepreneurs should centralise effective human capital management for growth. Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Human Capital, Small Businesses, Business Growth, Competitive Advantage
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
The Profit motive and the enabling environment for Growth of Survivalist Township Entrepreneurship: A Study at a Township in Cape Town
- Asoba, Samson Nambei, Patricia, Nteboheng Mefi
- Authors: Asoba, Samson Nambei , Patricia, Nteboheng Mefi
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Small Business Entrepreneurship Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/8141 , vital:61398 , "https://www.abacademies.org/articles/the-profit-motive-and-the-enabling-environment-for-growth-of-survivalist-township-entrepreneurship-a-study-at-a-township-in-cape-t-10396.html"
- Description: The paper draws attention to the profit motive in respect of survivalist entrepreneurship at a township environment in Cape Town. Survivalist entrepreneurs have received little specific focus yet they represent a significant portion of economic activities in South Africa townships. Essentially the study considers the problem of failure to grow among survivalist entrepreneurs as reported in related literature. Many survivalist entrepreneurs fail to grow beyond the survivalist phase and there is no consensus on the underlying cause for such a phenomenon. With the Covid-19 pandemic, there is an expectation that survivalist entrepreneurs are likely to multiply owing to the collapse of many small businesses as well as the loss of employment arising from the pandemic. Two specific objective were formulated for the study: (1) to inquire into the business motives of survivalist entrepreneurs and (2) to assess the perception of the survivalist entrepreneurs on the degree to which the small business environment in supportive of motive attainment. The study adopted a quantitative research design based on the selection of respondents using a convenience sampling strategy. The evidence established from this study suggest that survivalist entrepreneurs do not pursue the profit motive significantly but they faced inhibitions presented by the economic environment in which they operate. Government and other stakeholders in the national economy are recommended to develop a suitable legal and institutional framework with strong structures to ensure the growth of survivalist entrepreneurs Keywords: Survivalist Entrepreneur, Township Entrepreneurship, Profit Motive, Small Businesses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Asoba, Samson Nambei , Patricia, Nteboheng Mefi
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Small Business Entrepreneurship Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/8141 , vital:61398 , "https://www.abacademies.org/articles/the-profit-motive-and-the-enabling-environment-for-growth-of-survivalist-township-entrepreneurship-a-study-at-a-township-in-cape-t-10396.html"
- Description: The paper draws attention to the profit motive in respect of survivalist entrepreneurship at a township environment in Cape Town. Survivalist entrepreneurs have received little specific focus yet they represent a significant portion of economic activities in South Africa townships. Essentially the study considers the problem of failure to grow among survivalist entrepreneurs as reported in related literature. Many survivalist entrepreneurs fail to grow beyond the survivalist phase and there is no consensus on the underlying cause for such a phenomenon. With the Covid-19 pandemic, there is an expectation that survivalist entrepreneurs are likely to multiply owing to the collapse of many small businesses as well as the loss of employment arising from the pandemic. Two specific objective were formulated for the study: (1) to inquire into the business motives of survivalist entrepreneurs and (2) to assess the perception of the survivalist entrepreneurs on the degree to which the small business environment in supportive of motive attainment. The study adopted a quantitative research design based on the selection of respondents using a convenience sampling strategy. The evidence established from this study suggest that survivalist entrepreneurs do not pursue the profit motive significantly but they faced inhibitions presented by the economic environment in which they operate. Government and other stakeholders in the national economy are recommended to develop a suitable legal and institutional framework with strong structures to ensure the growth of survivalist entrepreneurs Keywords: Survivalist Entrepreneur, Township Entrepreneurship, Profit Motive, Small Businesses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
The relationship between organisational leadership and job satisfaction of three generational age groups in a school context
- Haasbroek, Juan Gert Diedericks
- Authors: Haasbroek, Juan Gert Diedericks
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Educational leadership -- South Africa , High Schools -- Administration -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Management , High school teachers -- South Africa -- Western Cape -- Case studies , High school teachers -- South Africa -- Western Cape -- Job satisfaction , High school teachers -- South Africa -- Western Cape -- Attitudes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/170802 , vital:41961
- Description: With multiple generations in education, there are different leadership styles preferred by schoolteachers that affect their job satisfaction (Cufaude and Riemersma, 1999:1-3). Schools should ensure that leadership works toward satisfied teachers to reach sustainable organisational performance. The resource-based view argues that organisations should look within the organisation, particularly human resources, to find sources that lead to improved organisational performance (Jurevicius, 2013:1). Therefore, organisations should equip themselves with the required leadership style(s) to meet employee expectations. Furthermore, it is imperative to look at different generations within the school’s context, as it will strengthen or weaken the relationship between organisational leadership and job satisfaction. The study adopted a quantitative approach, using the Multiple Leadership Questionnaire and the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire as instruments for collecting primary data. The population consists of high school teachers in the Eden District, Western Cape that work at affluent schools, which are declared as quantile 4 and 5 model schools. There is a total of 13 high schools that fall within this specification with a total population of 220 teachers. In total, 111 questionnaires were distributed, of which 73 were returned. Sixty-eight were considered usable. Both sample parameters specified by the research instruments were met. The primary purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between leadership within the organisation (referring to transformational, transactional, and passive-avoidant organisational leadership styles) and employee job satisfaction of high school teachers in the Eden District. Different generations, from the age group perspective, is composed as a moderating variable in the relationship between organisational leadership and job satisfaction. The empirical study established that the independent variables, the leadership styles employed by the organisation, are directly related to employee job satisfaction. Of the three independent variables, transformational leadership and, to a lesser extent, transactional leadership proved to have a positive association with job satisfaction. In contrast, passive-avoidant leadership has a negative relationship with job satisfaction. It is also established that the relationship is stronger or weaker based on generations, positioning generations from the age group perspective as satisfactory moderator. It was found that Millennials prefer the transactional leadership style as this will strengthen the relationship between organisational leadership and job satisfaction. Baby Boomers prefer transformational leadership for the greatest positivity. To a lesser extent, transactional leadership will also contribute to the relationship’s strength between organisational leadership and job satisfaction. Generation X is indifferent to transactional or transformational leadership.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Haasbroek, Juan Gert Diedericks
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Educational leadership -- South Africa , High Schools -- Administration -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Management , High school teachers -- South Africa -- Western Cape -- Case studies , High school teachers -- South Africa -- Western Cape -- Job satisfaction , High school teachers -- South Africa -- Western Cape -- Attitudes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/170802 , vital:41961
- Description: With multiple generations in education, there are different leadership styles preferred by schoolteachers that affect their job satisfaction (Cufaude and Riemersma, 1999:1-3). Schools should ensure that leadership works toward satisfied teachers to reach sustainable organisational performance. The resource-based view argues that organisations should look within the organisation, particularly human resources, to find sources that lead to improved organisational performance (Jurevicius, 2013:1). Therefore, organisations should equip themselves with the required leadership style(s) to meet employee expectations. Furthermore, it is imperative to look at different generations within the school’s context, as it will strengthen or weaken the relationship between organisational leadership and job satisfaction. The study adopted a quantitative approach, using the Multiple Leadership Questionnaire and the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire as instruments for collecting primary data. The population consists of high school teachers in the Eden District, Western Cape that work at affluent schools, which are declared as quantile 4 and 5 model schools. There is a total of 13 high schools that fall within this specification with a total population of 220 teachers. In total, 111 questionnaires were distributed, of which 73 were returned. Sixty-eight were considered usable. Both sample parameters specified by the research instruments were met. The primary purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between leadership within the organisation (referring to transformational, transactional, and passive-avoidant organisational leadership styles) and employee job satisfaction of high school teachers in the Eden District. Different generations, from the age group perspective, is composed as a moderating variable in the relationship between organisational leadership and job satisfaction. The empirical study established that the independent variables, the leadership styles employed by the organisation, are directly related to employee job satisfaction. Of the three independent variables, transformational leadership and, to a lesser extent, transactional leadership proved to have a positive association with job satisfaction. In contrast, passive-avoidant leadership has a negative relationship with job satisfaction. It is also established that the relationship is stronger or weaker based on generations, positioning generations from the age group perspective as satisfactory moderator. It was found that Millennials prefer the transactional leadership style as this will strengthen the relationship between organisational leadership and job satisfaction. Baby Boomers prefer transformational leadership for the greatest positivity. To a lesser extent, transactional leadership will also contribute to the relationship’s strength between organisational leadership and job satisfaction. Generation X is indifferent to transactional or transformational leadership.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
The relevance of ecosystem services to land reform policies: Insights from South Africa
- Clements, Hayley S, de Vos, Alta, Bezerra, Joana C, Coetzer, Kaera, Maciejewski, Kristine, Mograbi, Penelope J, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Clements, Hayley S , de Vos, Alta , Bezerra, Joana C , Coetzer, Kaera , Maciejewski, Kristine , Mograbi, Penelope J , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2021
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/175767 , vital:42622 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2020.104939
- Description: Land reform is an important socio-political strategy in many countries. Despite the importance of ecosystem health in attaining land reform objectives, human-nature interactions have been largely absent from contemporary land reform discussions. In this perspectives paper, we highlight why land reform programmes could benefit from considering ecosystem services in their planning processes, to better achieve their goals of socio-economic development and equity. Drawing on examples from South Africa, we argue that an ecosystem services lens can help achieve equity in land reform programmes by providing insight into how land-use legacies and the multi-functional nature of landscapes influence who benefits from land reform across space and through time.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Clements, Hayley S , de Vos, Alta , Bezerra, Joana C , Coetzer, Kaera , Maciejewski, Kristine , Mograbi, Penelope J , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2021
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/175767 , vital:42622 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2020.104939
- Description: Land reform is an important socio-political strategy in many countries. Despite the importance of ecosystem health in attaining land reform objectives, human-nature interactions have been largely absent from contemporary land reform discussions. In this perspectives paper, we highlight why land reform programmes could benefit from considering ecosystem services in their planning processes, to better achieve their goals of socio-economic development and equity. Drawing on examples from South Africa, we argue that an ecosystem services lens can help achieve equity in land reform programmes by providing insight into how land-use legacies and the multi-functional nature of landscapes influence who benefits from land reform across space and through time.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
The role of causal knowledge in stigma considerations in African genomics research
- Matshabane, Olivia P, Campbell, Megan M, Appelbaum, Paul S, Marshall, Patricia A, Stein, Dan J, de Vries, Jantina
- Authors: Matshabane, Olivia P , Campbell, Megan M , Appelbaum, Paul S , Marshall, Patricia A , Stein, Dan J , de Vries, Jantina
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/302578 , vital:58209 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.113902"
- Description: Introduction: Advances in genomics research have raised several ethical concerns. One concern is the potential impact of genomics research on stigma experienced by people affected by a disease. Studies have found that the type of illness as well as disease causal beliefs impact on the relation between genetic attribution and stigma. This study explored the potential impact of genetic attribution of disease on stigma among Xhosa people with Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD). Methods: Study participants were 46 Xhosa people with RHD living in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Using video vignettes in 7 focus group discussions we explored whether and how genetic attribution may impact on disease-stigma. Vignettes introduced participants to non-genetic and genetic causal explanations and were followed-up with a series of open-ended questions eliciting their perceptions of non-genetic disease causes as well as genetic causation and its impact on internalised stigma. Results: This study found that Xhosa people with RHD have a general understanding of genetics and genetic attribution for disease. Additionally, and not withstanding their genetic knowledge, these participants hold multiple disease causal beliefs including genetic, infectious disease, psychosocial, behavioural and cultural explanations. While there was evidence of internalised stigma experiences among participants, these appeared not to be related to a genetic attribution to the disease. Discussion: The findings of this study provide clues as to why it is unlikely that a genetic conceptualisation of disease impacts internalised stigma experiences of Xhosa people. The causal explanations provided by participants reflect their cultural understandings and their context, namely, living in low-income and poverty-stricken environments. Divergence in these findings from much of the evidence from high-income countries emphasises that context matters when considering the impact of genetic attribution on stigma and caution against generalising findings from one part of the globe to another.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Matshabane, Olivia P , Campbell, Megan M , Appelbaum, Paul S , Marshall, Patricia A , Stein, Dan J , de Vries, Jantina
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/302578 , vital:58209 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.113902"
- Description: Introduction: Advances in genomics research have raised several ethical concerns. One concern is the potential impact of genomics research on stigma experienced by people affected by a disease. Studies have found that the type of illness as well as disease causal beliefs impact on the relation between genetic attribution and stigma. This study explored the potential impact of genetic attribution of disease on stigma among Xhosa people with Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD). Methods: Study participants were 46 Xhosa people with RHD living in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Using video vignettes in 7 focus group discussions we explored whether and how genetic attribution may impact on disease-stigma. Vignettes introduced participants to non-genetic and genetic causal explanations and were followed-up with a series of open-ended questions eliciting their perceptions of non-genetic disease causes as well as genetic causation and its impact on internalised stigma. Results: This study found that Xhosa people with RHD have a general understanding of genetics and genetic attribution for disease. Additionally, and not withstanding their genetic knowledge, these participants hold multiple disease causal beliefs including genetic, infectious disease, psychosocial, behavioural and cultural explanations. While there was evidence of internalised stigma experiences among participants, these appeared not to be related to a genetic attribution to the disease. Discussion: The findings of this study provide clues as to why it is unlikely that a genetic conceptualisation of disease impacts internalised stigma experiences of Xhosa people. The causal explanations provided by participants reflect their cultural understandings and their context, namely, living in low-income and poverty-stricken environments. Divergence in these findings from much of the evidence from high-income countries emphasises that context matters when considering the impact of genetic attribution on stigma and caution against generalising findings from one part of the globe to another.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
The Role of Ecological Infrastructure (EI) in Mitigating the Impacts of Droughts
- Mantel, Sukhmani K, Xoxo, Sinetemba, Mahlaba, Bawinile, Tanner, Jane L, Le Maître, David
- Authors: Mantel, Sukhmani K , Xoxo, Sinetemba , Mahlaba, Bawinile , Tanner, Jane L , Le Maître, David
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/438209 , vital:73443 , ISBN 978-0-6392-0304-1 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/2928_web.pdf
- Description: To explain how well-managed ecological infrastructure can help to miti-gate the impacts of droughts on human livelihoods and well-being and to propose strategic responses that will maintain and enhance the value of this service that people will embrace and implement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Mantel, Sukhmani K , Xoxo, Sinetemba , Mahlaba, Bawinile , Tanner, Jane L , Le Maître, David
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , report
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/438209 , vital:73443 , ISBN 978-0-6392-0304-1 , https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/2928_web.pdf
- Description: To explain how well-managed ecological infrastructure can help to miti-gate the impacts of droughts on human livelihoods and well-being and to propose strategic responses that will maintain and enhance the value of this service that people will embrace and implement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
The role of mass-rearing in weed biological control projects in South Africa
- Hill, Martin P, Conlong, Desmond, Zachariades, Costas, Coetzee, Julie A, Paterson, Iain D, Miller, Benjamin E, Foxcroft, Llewellyn, Van der Westhuizen, Liamé
- Authors: Hill, Martin P , Conlong, Desmond , Zachariades, Costas , Coetzee, Julie A , Paterson, Iain D , Miller, Benjamin E , Foxcroft, Llewellyn , Van der Westhuizen, Liamé
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/407094 , vital:70335 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-ento_v29_n3_a22"
- Description: It has been documented that the continual release of high numbers of biological control (biocontrol) agents for weeds increases the likelihood of agent establishment and has been shown to reduce the time between the first release and subsequent control of the target weed. Here we review the mass-rearing activities for weed biocontrol agents in South Africa between 2011 and 2020. Some 4.7 million individual insects from 40 species of biocontrol agent have been released on 31 weed species at over 2000 sites throughout South Africa during the last decade. These insects were produced at mass-rearing facilities at eight research institutions, five schools and 10 Non-Governmental Organizations. These mass-rearing activities have created employment for 41 fulltime, fixed contract staff, of which 11 are people living with physical disabilities. To improve the uptake of mass-rearing through community engagement, appropriate protocols are required to ensure that agents are produced in high numbers to suppress invasive alien plant populations in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Hill, Martin P , Conlong, Desmond , Zachariades, Costas , Coetzee, Julie A , Paterson, Iain D , Miller, Benjamin E , Foxcroft, Llewellyn , Van der Westhuizen, Liamé
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/407094 , vital:70335 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-ento_v29_n3_a22"
- Description: It has been documented that the continual release of high numbers of biological control (biocontrol) agents for weeds increases the likelihood of agent establishment and has been shown to reduce the time between the first release and subsequent control of the target weed. Here we review the mass-rearing activities for weed biocontrol agents in South Africa between 2011 and 2020. Some 4.7 million individual insects from 40 species of biocontrol agent have been released on 31 weed species at over 2000 sites throughout South Africa during the last decade. These insects were produced at mass-rearing facilities at eight research institutions, five schools and 10 Non-Governmental Organizations. These mass-rearing activities have created employment for 41 fulltime, fixed contract staff, of which 11 are people living with physical disabilities. To improve the uptake of mass-rearing through community engagement, appropriate protocols are required to ensure that agents are produced in high numbers to suppress invasive alien plant populations in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
The shame of drinking alcohol while pregnant: The production of avoidance and ill-health
- Matebese, Sibongile, Macleod, Catriona I, Tsetse, A Nontozamo
- Authors: Matebese, Sibongile , Macleod, Catriona I , Tsetse, A Nontozamo
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441360 , vital:73880 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1177/0886109920985139"
- Description: In this article, we examine the operation of shame in the alcohol use habits of pregnant women and the responses of their families and associated institutions. Using a narrative–discursive approach, we interviewed 13 women, living in a low-resource setting in South Africa, who had consumed alcohol while pregnant. Narratives showed how both the act of drinking and “inappropriately” timed pregnancy (early and out of wedlock) were judged to be unacceptable. Women who engaged in these activities were positioned as bad mothers or promiscuous. Their actions were seen as resulting in the suffering of others—the future child, the family, and even the community. These narratives were underpinned by cultural and religious discourses. Women managed the shame accruing to them through avoidance and concealment; families instructed women to self-exclude or distanced themselves from the women’s behavior; and institutions subtly or overtly excluded women. The shaming of these women, and the mechanisms by which such shame was managed, did little to decrease drinking or to increase maternal health and welfare. Overall, this article demonstrates how the shame of drinking alcohol during pregnancy produces avoidance behavior, concealment, and exclusion, which are not constructive in terms of maternal health and well-being. The implications for a feminist narrative approach to drinking during pregnancy are outlined: moving beyond a focus on individual behavior change to locating personal stories within the meta-narratives and social discourses that shape pregnant women’s lives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Matebese, Sibongile , Macleod, Catriona I , Tsetse, A Nontozamo
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/441360 , vital:73880 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1177/0886109920985139"
- Description: In this article, we examine the operation of shame in the alcohol use habits of pregnant women and the responses of their families and associated institutions. Using a narrative–discursive approach, we interviewed 13 women, living in a low-resource setting in South Africa, who had consumed alcohol while pregnant. Narratives showed how both the act of drinking and “inappropriately” timed pregnancy (early and out of wedlock) were judged to be unacceptable. Women who engaged in these activities were positioned as bad mothers or promiscuous. Their actions were seen as resulting in the suffering of others—the future child, the family, and even the community. These narratives were underpinned by cultural and religious discourses. Women managed the shame accruing to them through avoidance and concealment; families instructed women to self-exclude or distanced themselves from the women’s behavior; and institutions subtly or overtly excluded women. The shaming of these women, and the mechanisms by which such shame was managed, did little to decrease drinking or to increase maternal health and welfare. Overall, this article demonstrates how the shame of drinking alcohol during pregnancy produces avoidance behavior, concealment, and exclusion, which are not constructive in terms of maternal health and well-being. The implications for a feminist narrative approach to drinking during pregnancy are outlined: moving beyond a focus on individual behavior change to locating personal stories within the meta-narratives and social discourses that shape pregnant women’s lives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
The stories African lawyers could tell when analysing legal issues: Lessons for social sciences teachers
- Authors: Zongwe, Dunia P
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Decolonization Storytelling Law--Study and teaching Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6989 , vital:52634 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v77i2.6828"
- Description: Activists and academics have clamoured for the decolonisation of knowledge, including law. But, unfortunately hardly anyone has put forth strategies for how faculties should decolonise the law. A number of jurists have underscored the necessity to draw on customary laws and traditional values. Still, the #RhodesMustFall movement has, for the most part, been loud on the outcomes, but quiet on the methodologies. Joining the conversation on the decolonisation of epistemologies, this article contributes to the ongoing efforts to sanitise the law by proposing to revive African oral storytelling cultures as a way to analyse the questions of law facing society. To live up to this task, this article adopts decolonial theory and, through stylised examples, illustrates how lawyers and social scientists in Africa can utilise storytelling to contextualise, (de)construct, and comprehend those questions. This article assumes that lawyers can use African storytelling alongside the prevailing doctrinal method. That method, relaying the coloniality of law and captured by the acronym IRAC (issue(s), rules, application, and conclusion), trains students to approach conflict in society through a highly abstract and decontextualised problem-solving model. Lately, some (Western) social scientists have (re)discovered the practicality of storytelling in presenting analysis and research. However, in African oral traditions, stories worked differently from the manner in which those scientists employ them. African storytelling played a leading role, not only in conveying collective wisdom and social memory from one generation to the next, but also as a medium through which communities transmit the values that hold them together. Contribution: This article adds to the scholarship on storytelling and narratology by showing how educators can utilise stories to analyse legal questions. That rich scholarship in the humanities and the social sciences has so far not taken seriously the possibility of using stories to analyse research problems. Instead, scholars focus on storytelling mainly as a way of presenting science, not as an analytical tool. This article bridges that gap and demonstrates the analytical value of storytelling. Keywords: decolonisation of knowledge; decolonial theory; storytelling; Africa; analysis; epistemology; legal education; oral tradition.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021
- Authors: Zongwe, Dunia P
- Date: 2021
- Subjects: Decolonization Storytelling Law--Study and teaching Article
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/6989 , vital:52634 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v77i2.6828"
- Description: Activists and academics have clamoured for the decolonisation of knowledge, including law. But, unfortunately hardly anyone has put forth strategies for how faculties should decolonise the law. A number of jurists have underscored the necessity to draw on customary laws and traditional values. Still, the #RhodesMustFall movement has, for the most part, been loud on the outcomes, but quiet on the methodologies. Joining the conversation on the decolonisation of epistemologies, this article contributes to the ongoing efforts to sanitise the law by proposing to revive African oral storytelling cultures as a way to analyse the questions of law facing society. To live up to this task, this article adopts decolonial theory and, through stylised examples, illustrates how lawyers and social scientists in Africa can utilise storytelling to contextualise, (de)construct, and comprehend those questions. This article assumes that lawyers can use African storytelling alongside the prevailing doctrinal method. That method, relaying the coloniality of law and captured by the acronym IRAC (issue(s), rules, application, and conclusion), trains students to approach conflict in society through a highly abstract and decontextualised problem-solving model. Lately, some (Western) social scientists have (re)discovered the practicality of storytelling in presenting analysis and research. However, in African oral traditions, stories worked differently from the manner in which those scientists employ them. African storytelling played a leading role, not only in conveying collective wisdom and social memory from one generation to the next, but also as a medium through which communities transmit the values that hold them together. Contribution: This article adds to the scholarship on storytelling and narratology by showing how educators can utilise stories to analyse legal questions. That rich scholarship in the humanities and the social sciences has so far not taken seriously the possibility of using stories to analyse research problems. Instead, scholars focus on storytelling mainly as a way of presenting science, not as an analytical tool. This article bridges that gap and demonstrates the analytical value of storytelling. Keywords: decolonisation of knowledge; decolonial theory; storytelling; Africa; analysis; epistemology; legal education; oral tradition.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021