Diet of the yellow mongoose (Cynictis penicillata) in the Albany Thicket Biome of South Africa
- Authors: Bizani, Mfundo
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Zoology)
- Identifier: vital:11796 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019840
- Description: The dietary habits of the yellow mongoose Cynictis penicillata were studied in the Albany Thicket Biome of South Africa (Great Fish River Reserve, Eastern Cape). The diet was investigated through the analysis of 1,056 scats that were sampled over a period of 7 years (2005−2009 and 2011−2012) mainly in three similar sites (Kelarny, Grasslands and Junction 10) that were used by at least three families or groups of yellow mongooses. Scats were collected near latrine sites, labelled and stored in a freezer. In the laboratory, scats were oven dried for a period of 24 hours at 50 C. Diet was determined by identifying undigested food remains in the scats. Hair samples were examined under the compound microscope to identify which mammals were ingested. In the field, both arthropod and small mammal abundance were determined in order to evaluate whether yellow mongooses are opportunistic or specialist feeders. Furthermore, inter-annual (2006–2008) and inter-group/inter-site variations in the diet were assessed. Based on faecal analysis, arthropods were the principal prey, while small mammals acted as supplementary food item. Other food categories like vegetation, reptiles and birds were only ingested or preyed upon infrequently. Intermediate dietary diversity, and low standardised diet breadth indices were obtained for all seasons, as well as for the whole sampling period. The diet overlaps calculated for pairs of seasons were very high and did not differ substantially. However, the diet of the yellow mongoose varied seasonally, yearly and between groups (sites), mostly due to variations in arthropod and small mammal consumption. Food availability displayed an increase in biomass of both small mammals and arthropods in summer and autumn. Results obtained in this study could suggest that the yellow mongoose at the GFRR is insectivorous by preferring to feed on insects (and arthropods in general) when both insects and rodents are abundant. However the fact that its diet varies both seasonally, yearly and locally, as well as the presence of remains of other food categories in the scats, indicates that this species is rather an opportunistic, generalist feeder than an insect specialist.
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Assessing the impact of class antagonism on administration of land redistribution in the Eastern Cape Amatole district (2004-2009)
- Authors: Njoli, P V
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1064 , vital:26522
- Description: The research is to investigate the equality and equity case with regards to land redistribution in the Amathole District of Eastern Cape. This research is based on the administration of land redistribution and reality that the majority of the poor and landless people reside in the rural areas. Therefore the land question is a focal point to which the main question of the research, assessing the impact of class antagonism on the administration of land redistribution, will be directed to. This research is mainly about the pursuit of policies that relate to redistribution of land, particularly the farms from the rich White farmers to the previously disadvantaged emerging rural Black farmers. Thus the land reform is viewed as one strategy to alleviate the crushing poverty situation in South Africa, particularly in the rural areas of Amathole District.The research is to investigate the administrative policies with regards to land redistribution and also check and confirm how the race and class intertwining affects the implementation of these administrative policies. Since S.A is a class society, the research has to actually investigate the impact of class antagonism on the process of redistribution. This is due to the conviction that the officials of the departments of state, in anywhere, are out in search of wealth hence the fraud and corruption. In S.A., land reform also has an ethical and political-economic dimension. It seeks to favour A over B. This research, therefore, intends to investigate whether the administrative policies of land redistribution are manipulated on the basis of race and class.
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Implementation challenges to Performance Management System (PMS) in Malawi`S Civil Service: case of Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MOEST)
- Authors: Kalowamfumbi, Frank Tisu
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11684 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1013563
- Description: The Malawi Government introduced the Performance Management System (hereafter referred to as PMS) in 2008 in an effort to enhance efficiency, effectiveness and productivity in the public service. However, since its introduction there have been indications that the system is encountering a number of challenges which are derailing and obstructing its implementation. This research was aimed at exploring those implementation challenges to PMS in the Malawi Civil Service with a case study of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST). Recommendations are made to the concerned parties for possible improvement in the implementation of PMS. The study took a qualitative approach whereby interviews with key informants, sampled purposively, were conducted in order to get relevant information to the problem. Besides the interviews, a study of official documents was done in accessing secondary data. The overall findings of the studyare that, although PMS plays a significant role in the improvement of productivity in an organisation, the Malawi government in general and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in particular, are failing to implement it effectively due to varying challenges that are generic to the entire Malawi Civil Service and also specific to the MoEST. The generic implementation challenges included: lack of correct understanding of the term performance management, design challenges and inadequate consultation, lack of linkage between rewards and performance, lack of leadership and management commitment, lack of knowledge and skills about the process and procedure of PMS, weak monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system, lack of clear legislation on PMS, lack of communication on organizational strategies,absence of performance standards, inadequate financial resources, attitude problem and social culture, political will not bending on performance and also the nature of the Civil Service. This research identified the following specific implementation challenges in the MoEST: inadequate sensitization and training on PMS, structural arrangements in the Ministry, numerous vacant positions and understaffing, unclear career path, duo lines of reporting, grade of employee determining the criterion of assessment, promotion interviews for teachers rarely happen, under qualified head teachers managing institutions, as well as administrative arrangements and political appointments to positions. The study upon giving recommendations to have the highlighted challenges addressed accordingly with a sense of commitment, concluded that the performance management system in Malawi Civil Service and MoEST in particular , while well-intentioned, is really fraught with numerous challenges that have adversely impacted on its implementation. At the individual level a lot of work has to be done in relation to making PMS being accepted. Most of the employees in the Malawi Civil Service and MoEST have little knowledge or none at all about the system as such effective implementation is failing to take place.
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