Assessing the perceptions of academic staff towards an academic staff development programme in a selected university in the Eastern Cape province
- Authors: Mankayi, Mandisa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: College teachers -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Education, Higher -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Universities and colleges -- Employees -- Training of. -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8530 , vital:32869
- Description: Institutions of higher education offer diverse staff development programmes to all staff members as a means of improving their educational quality and standards. The current study investigated using interviews, if whether the academic staff perceived staff development as a means of skills development; what factors motivated academic staff to attend the skills development programmes offered by their organisation; and which staff development programmes are perceived to be contributing much to academic skills development in a selected university in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. Utilising a purposive sampling technique, the number of academic staff interviewed was 15 from five faculties. A structured interview guide was used to solicit responses from the selected participants. Questions in the interview schedule ranged from issues pertaining to their registration on the skills development programme and how their personal skills have improved due to the programme. Upon completing the interview with an audio recorder, it was then transcribed and a thematic analysis method was used. It was found that participants were not satisfied with the academic skills development programmes offered by the university. While most respondents seemed to be aware of the skills programme, many were adamant to provide conclusive evidence on the impact of the programmes. The major disjoint among the participants rested on the performance tools used by the university to promote staff, which was mainly based on research output. This view meant that teaching and learning were not recognized as a tool that can be used to improve staff skills development, and as such, the perception was that there was bias in the education system in terms of rewarding employees who participate in certain programmes. The majority of the participants stated that they do apply what they learn to their teaching approaches, although they felt they were not rewarded by the education system as a whole. The major implication coming from this study is that the duality of the education system in South Africa makes it harder to achieve an equilibrium were both academic staffs practicing teaching and learning, and researchers are seen as equals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mankayi, Mandisa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: College teachers -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Education, Higher -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Universities and colleges -- Employees -- Training of. -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8530 , vital:32869
- Description: Institutions of higher education offer diverse staff development programmes to all staff members as a means of improving their educational quality and standards. The current study investigated using interviews, if whether the academic staff perceived staff development as a means of skills development; what factors motivated academic staff to attend the skills development programmes offered by their organisation; and which staff development programmes are perceived to be contributing much to academic skills development in a selected university in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. Utilising a purposive sampling technique, the number of academic staff interviewed was 15 from five faculties. A structured interview guide was used to solicit responses from the selected participants. Questions in the interview schedule ranged from issues pertaining to their registration on the skills development programme and how their personal skills have improved due to the programme. Upon completing the interview with an audio recorder, it was then transcribed and a thematic analysis method was used. It was found that participants were not satisfied with the academic skills development programmes offered by the university. While most respondents seemed to be aware of the skills programme, many were adamant to provide conclusive evidence on the impact of the programmes. The major disjoint among the participants rested on the performance tools used by the university to promote staff, which was mainly based on research output. This view meant that teaching and learning were not recognized as a tool that can be used to improve staff skills development, and as such, the perception was that there was bias in the education system in terms of rewarding employees who participate in certain programmes. The majority of the participants stated that they do apply what they learn to their teaching approaches, although they felt they were not rewarded by the education system as a whole. The major implication coming from this study is that the duality of the education system in South Africa makes it harder to achieve an equilibrium were both academic staffs practicing teaching and learning, and researchers are seen as equals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Distribution of virulence determinants in Plesiomonas shigelloides and Vibrio species isolated from selected hospital wastewater effluents in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Mashudu, Mavhungu
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Vibrio
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/14505 , vital:39996
- Description: Plesiomonas shigelloides and some Vibrio species are amongst the bacteria species classified into the emerging pathogenic bacteria grouping, and they portend increasing virulence and high resistance to some of the most potent antimicrobial agents used as most important and critical lines of defence against pathogenic infectious agents. Hospital wastewater has attracted significant attention as a pool for the regurgitation of pathogens into the environment which eventually becomes a problem to public health. It has been variously reported that hospital wastewater critically serves also as a puddle for microbial genetic interaction with outcomes including the development of resistance to antimicrobial agents among other pathogenic traits. And, in the same vein, exchanges and gene recombination may have been leading to the emergence of virulence determinants not previously known owing to the capacity of hospital wastewater to encompass a vast diversity of pathogenic bacteria and antimicrobial agents at the same material time. Hence, this research aimed at the evaluation of the prevalence of virulence and antibiotic resistance in Plesiomonas shigelloides and some human pathogenic Vibrio species isolated from selected hospital wastewater in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Wastewater samples were collected at two weeks intervals throughout three months sampling duration from hospital wastewater facility in the Eastern Cape Province. The wastewater samples were from the secondary hospital and, tertiary hospital along with Limbede community wastewater facilities based in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The wastewater samples were aseptically screened for the presence of presumptive Plesiomonas shigelloides and selected Vibrio species using the culture-based method. The identity of the presumptive Plesiomonas shigelloides and Vibrio species (Vibrio cholerae, V. fluvialis, V. parahaemolyticus, and V. vulnificus) isolates were confirmed using species specific primers. After that, the presence 14 of virulence determinants and the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of the positive strains as well as the antimicrobial resistance factors were all determined. The distribution of the presumptive isolates was as follows; 322 Plesiomans shigelloides and 378 Vibrio species respectively. However, upon molecular confirmation studies, 85 out of 322; 26% of the total presumptive isolates, were confirmed as positive for Plesiomans shigelloides and, on the other hand, from the 378 presumptive Vibrio species, 71% (270) was as positive to Vibrio genus, and upon speciation of the positive isolates; 27% (73) was confirmed as Vibrio cholerae, 9% (24) as Vibrio parahaemolyticus, 4% (12) as Vibrio vulnificus and 3% (8) as Vibrio fluvialis. The remaining 57% (153) which was unaccounted for may belong to other Vibrio species not included in this studies. Various virulence determinants were shown to be present in the Vibrio species identified and the degree varied in line with the species. P. shigelloides showed high levels of resistance to impregnated antibiotics (18 different types). The antibiogram characteristics showed P. shigelloides to possess 100% resistance to Ciprofloxacin, Nalidixic acid, Trimethoprim, Ampicillin, Penicillin, Tetracycline, Doxycycline, Erythromycin, and Cephalothin. These findings are of crucial importance to public health and the science of infectology as it gives insight into the role of the hospital wastewater as a puddle for the recombination of antibiotic resistance determinants and virulence emergence in bacteria. On the strength of the finding of this research, it is essential to indicate that there is a need for an immediate review of hospital wastewater disposal process. Some form of treatment or pretreatment of the hospital wastewater is required before discharge into municipal wastewater treatment facilities. And, perhaps, continuous monitoring of hospital wastewater to reduce the risk posed to public health.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mashudu, Mavhungu
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Vibrio
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/14505 , vital:39996
- Description: Plesiomonas shigelloides and some Vibrio species are amongst the bacteria species classified into the emerging pathogenic bacteria grouping, and they portend increasing virulence and high resistance to some of the most potent antimicrobial agents used as most important and critical lines of defence against pathogenic infectious agents. Hospital wastewater has attracted significant attention as a pool for the regurgitation of pathogens into the environment which eventually becomes a problem to public health. It has been variously reported that hospital wastewater critically serves also as a puddle for microbial genetic interaction with outcomes including the development of resistance to antimicrobial agents among other pathogenic traits. And, in the same vein, exchanges and gene recombination may have been leading to the emergence of virulence determinants not previously known owing to the capacity of hospital wastewater to encompass a vast diversity of pathogenic bacteria and antimicrobial agents at the same material time. Hence, this research aimed at the evaluation of the prevalence of virulence and antibiotic resistance in Plesiomonas shigelloides and some human pathogenic Vibrio species isolated from selected hospital wastewater in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Wastewater samples were collected at two weeks intervals throughout three months sampling duration from hospital wastewater facility in the Eastern Cape Province. The wastewater samples were from the secondary hospital and, tertiary hospital along with Limbede community wastewater facilities based in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The wastewater samples were aseptically screened for the presence of presumptive Plesiomonas shigelloides and selected Vibrio species using the culture-based method. The identity of the presumptive Plesiomonas shigelloides and Vibrio species (Vibrio cholerae, V. fluvialis, V. parahaemolyticus, and V. vulnificus) isolates were confirmed using species specific primers. After that, the presence 14 of virulence determinants and the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of the positive strains as well as the antimicrobial resistance factors were all determined. The distribution of the presumptive isolates was as follows; 322 Plesiomans shigelloides and 378 Vibrio species respectively. However, upon molecular confirmation studies, 85 out of 322; 26% of the total presumptive isolates, were confirmed as positive for Plesiomans shigelloides and, on the other hand, from the 378 presumptive Vibrio species, 71% (270) was as positive to Vibrio genus, and upon speciation of the positive isolates; 27% (73) was confirmed as Vibrio cholerae, 9% (24) as Vibrio parahaemolyticus, 4% (12) as Vibrio vulnificus and 3% (8) as Vibrio fluvialis. The remaining 57% (153) which was unaccounted for may belong to other Vibrio species not included in this studies. Various virulence determinants were shown to be present in the Vibrio species identified and the degree varied in line with the species. P. shigelloides showed high levels of resistance to impregnated antibiotics (18 different types). The antibiogram characteristics showed P. shigelloides to possess 100% resistance to Ciprofloxacin, Nalidixic acid, Trimethoprim, Ampicillin, Penicillin, Tetracycline, Doxycycline, Erythromycin, and Cephalothin. These findings are of crucial importance to public health and the science of infectology as it gives insight into the role of the hospital wastewater as a puddle for the recombination of antibiotic resistance determinants and virulence emergence in bacteria. On the strength of the finding of this research, it is essential to indicate that there is a need for an immediate review of hospital wastewater disposal process. Some form of treatment or pretreatment of the hospital wastewater is required before discharge into municipal wastewater treatment facilities. And, perhaps, continuous monitoring of hospital wastewater to reduce the risk posed to public health.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Evaluation and identification of microbial contaminants in polyherbal medicines used for the treatment of tuberculosis in Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Famewo, Elizabeth Bosede
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Tuberculosis -- Treatment -- South Africa Mycobacterial diseases -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9680 , vital:34818
- Description: Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The emergence of drug-resistant strains of this organism has become a global public health problem. In the continuing search for effective treatment, polyherbal medicines offer a great hope in the development of alternative drugs for the treatment of tuberculosis. The use of herbal formulations for therapeutic purposes has significantly increased in the developed and developing countries because of their curative property, less toxicity and minimal side effects. However, there is little information on their safety and effectiveness in the literature. To address this, polyherbal medicines used for the treatment of tuberculosis in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa were evaluated. Ethno-medicinal survey was conducted through semi-structured questionnaires coupled with informal conversations with the herbal sellers in five communities in the study area. Bacterial and fungal DNA was extracted from the polyherbal medicines purchased. A fragment of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer region of the fungal rRNA operon were amplified with universal primers 27F and 518R, and ITS1 and ITS4 respectively. Following standard procedures, the amplicons were finally run on Illumina’s MiSeq platform. Furthermore, the remedies were screened against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv using Middlebrook 7H9 media and MGIT BACTEC 960 system. Agar dilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the remedies against eight bacteria and three fungi isolates. The herbal preparations were assayed for their toxicity using hatchability success and larval mortality of Artemia salina Leach. Finally, their nutritive properties were analysed using an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer for mineral analysis while the vitamins were determined using standardized methods A total of nine polyherbal preparations were collected. The herbs used for the preparation of these remedies belong to 20 families. Apiaceae [5(25 percent)] was the most prominent plant family used, followed by Liliaceae [4(20 percent)], Strychnaceae [4(20 percent)], Rutaceae [4(20 percent)] and Hypoxidaceae [3(15 percent)]. The two most frequently used plants were Allium sativum L. (Liliaceae) and Strychnos decussata (Pappe) Gilg. (Strychnaceae). Rhizomes was the most common parts used, followed by the roots and barks. The herbal medicines were prepared mainly by infusion and decoction. The presences of pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria were identified in the polyherbal medicines. Generally, the most common bacteria identified from the samples were Bacillus sp., Enterobacter sp., Klebsiella sp., Rahnella sp., Paenibacillus sp., Clostridium sp. and Pantoea sp. The predominant mycoflora obtained belongs to different genera or species of fungi; these include Alternaria, Candida, Ramularia, Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus and Malassezia. The susceptibility testing revealed that all the remedies contain anti-tubercular activity against M. tuberculosis H37Rv at concentrations below 50 ug/ml. Seven of the polyherbal preparations showed activity at concentrations below 25 ug/ml. The MIC values exhibited inhibitory activity at 1.562 μg/ml. However, isoniazid showed more inhibitory activity against M. tuberculosis at 0.05 μg/ml when compared to the polyherbal remedies. The inhibitory activity of the polyherbal medicines based on the overall MIC revealed that Hogsback first site (HBfs) and Fort Beaufort (FB) remedies were the most active remedies against the bacterial isolates at the concentration of 2.5 mg/mL. Among the nine herbal formulations, only King Williams Town site A (KWTa) remedy showed activity against Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus with the MIC valve of 2.5 mg/mL. While King Williams Town site C (KWTc) and Hogsback third site (HBts) had the highest activity at 1.25 mg/mL against Candida albicans, the remaining remedies were active at 2.5 mg/mL. The percentage hatchability of 44.42 percent, 42.96 percent and 39.70 percent were observed in A. salina cysts incubated with herbal preparations from KWTa, HBfs and HBts respectively. The hatching success of the cysts in these remedies was significantly higher than the positive control (nystatin) and the negative control (sea water) at p < 0.05. The mortality of A. salina nauplii incubated in Alice (AL), King Williams Town site B (KWTb) and KWTc remedies were significantly higher than when larvae were incubated in both controls. Based on Meyer’s index, the LD50 of each polyherbal medicine was between 2.9 and 4.0 mg/ml, the LD50 values greater than 1 mg/ml, an indication that they are not toxic. The polyherbal preparations were found to be rich in vitamins and mineral nutrients. Calcium was the highest macronutrient detected while the lowest nutrient was phosphorus. Iron was the highest micronutrient in the majority of the polyherbal preparations while the lowest value was recorded for copper. Vitamin C was absent in the herbal preparations while vitamin A and E were detected. This study provides significant ethno-medicinal information on polyherbal medicines used for the treatment of TB in the study area. The presence of the identified bacteria and fungi in the herbal formulations is a cause for concern. However, the ability of the remedies to possess activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other pathogenic microorganisms associated with tuberculosis infection makes them potential sources of new antimycobacterial agents. Also, they are rich sources of mineral nutrients, and are as well non-toxic, thus, they are safe for consumption. In view of their anti-tubercular properties, this study has provided a better understanding of the reasons why TB-patients make use of these polyherbal formulations. Also, the study supports the folkloric use of polyherbal medicines in the treatment of tuberculosis in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Famewo, Elizabeth Bosede
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Tuberculosis -- Treatment -- South Africa Mycobacterial diseases -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9680 , vital:34818
- Description: Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The emergence of drug-resistant strains of this organism has become a global public health problem. In the continuing search for effective treatment, polyherbal medicines offer a great hope in the development of alternative drugs for the treatment of tuberculosis. The use of herbal formulations for therapeutic purposes has significantly increased in the developed and developing countries because of their curative property, less toxicity and minimal side effects. However, there is little information on their safety and effectiveness in the literature. To address this, polyherbal medicines used for the treatment of tuberculosis in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa were evaluated. Ethno-medicinal survey was conducted through semi-structured questionnaires coupled with informal conversations with the herbal sellers in five communities in the study area. Bacterial and fungal DNA was extracted from the polyherbal medicines purchased. A fragment of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer region of the fungal rRNA operon were amplified with universal primers 27F and 518R, and ITS1 and ITS4 respectively. Following standard procedures, the amplicons were finally run on Illumina’s MiSeq platform. Furthermore, the remedies were screened against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv using Middlebrook 7H9 media and MGIT BACTEC 960 system. Agar dilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the remedies against eight bacteria and three fungi isolates. The herbal preparations were assayed for their toxicity using hatchability success and larval mortality of Artemia salina Leach. Finally, their nutritive properties were analysed using an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer for mineral analysis while the vitamins were determined using standardized methods A total of nine polyherbal preparations were collected. The herbs used for the preparation of these remedies belong to 20 families. Apiaceae [5(25 percent)] was the most prominent plant family used, followed by Liliaceae [4(20 percent)], Strychnaceae [4(20 percent)], Rutaceae [4(20 percent)] and Hypoxidaceae [3(15 percent)]. The two most frequently used plants were Allium sativum L. (Liliaceae) and Strychnos decussata (Pappe) Gilg. (Strychnaceae). Rhizomes was the most common parts used, followed by the roots and barks. The herbal medicines were prepared mainly by infusion and decoction. The presences of pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria were identified in the polyherbal medicines. Generally, the most common bacteria identified from the samples were Bacillus sp., Enterobacter sp., Klebsiella sp., Rahnella sp., Paenibacillus sp., Clostridium sp. and Pantoea sp. The predominant mycoflora obtained belongs to different genera or species of fungi; these include Alternaria, Candida, Ramularia, Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus and Malassezia. The susceptibility testing revealed that all the remedies contain anti-tubercular activity against M. tuberculosis H37Rv at concentrations below 50 ug/ml. Seven of the polyherbal preparations showed activity at concentrations below 25 ug/ml. The MIC values exhibited inhibitory activity at 1.562 μg/ml. However, isoniazid showed more inhibitory activity against M. tuberculosis at 0.05 μg/ml when compared to the polyherbal remedies. The inhibitory activity of the polyherbal medicines based on the overall MIC revealed that Hogsback first site (HBfs) and Fort Beaufort (FB) remedies were the most active remedies against the bacterial isolates at the concentration of 2.5 mg/mL. Among the nine herbal formulations, only King Williams Town site A (KWTa) remedy showed activity against Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus with the MIC valve of 2.5 mg/mL. While King Williams Town site C (KWTc) and Hogsback third site (HBts) had the highest activity at 1.25 mg/mL against Candida albicans, the remaining remedies were active at 2.5 mg/mL. The percentage hatchability of 44.42 percent, 42.96 percent and 39.70 percent were observed in A. salina cysts incubated with herbal preparations from KWTa, HBfs and HBts respectively. The hatching success of the cysts in these remedies was significantly higher than the positive control (nystatin) and the negative control (sea water) at p < 0.05. The mortality of A. salina nauplii incubated in Alice (AL), King Williams Town site B (KWTb) and KWTc remedies were significantly higher than when larvae were incubated in both controls. Based on Meyer’s index, the LD50 of each polyherbal medicine was between 2.9 and 4.0 mg/ml, the LD50 values greater than 1 mg/ml, an indication that they are not toxic. The polyherbal preparations were found to be rich in vitamins and mineral nutrients. Calcium was the highest macronutrient detected while the lowest nutrient was phosphorus. Iron was the highest micronutrient in the majority of the polyherbal preparations while the lowest value was recorded for copper. Vitamin C was absent in the herbal preparations while vitamin A and E were detected. This study provides significant ethno-medicinal information on polyherbal medicines used for the treatment of TB in the study area. The presence of the identified bacteria and fungi in the herbal formulations is a cause for concern. However, the ability of the remedies to possess activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other pathogenic microorganisms associated with tuberculosis infection makes them potential sources of new antimycobacterial agents. Also, they are rich sources of mineral nutrients, and are as well non-toxic, thus, they are safe for consumption. In view of their anti-tubercular properties, this study has provided a better understanding of the reasons why TB-patients make use of these polyherbal formulations. Also, the study supports the folkloric use of polyherbal medicines in the treatment of tuberculosis in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Protected area expansion and conservation stewardship in the Olifants Catchment: mechanisms, patterns and benefits
- Authors: Coetzer, Crystal Jeanne
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30006 , vital:30808
- Description: State Conservation Areas (SCAs), as state-owned and -run parks, form the foundation of recognised conservation actions. However, park expansion on the scale required to meet urgent conservation targets is limited by state budgets and parks are increasingly framed in the context of advancing broader societal needs. Motivating for the need to assess the efficacy of alternative conservation strategies, as both contrasting governance and legal mechanisms, this study aimed to rapidly assess the role of private land conservation (PLC) strategies in expanding protection. In particular, this included the role of emerging stewardship approaches, by using semi-structured interviews with park implementers on a national scale. Evaluating the biodiversity and ecosystem service representation and complementarity of contrasting conservation strategies on a catchment scale, using open-source spatial data was employed. Questionnaires tested park managers’ perceptions of benefits across different strategies in a conservation-oriented landscape. Results indicate a strategic shift toward PLC strategies to expand parks in the form of formalised, well-planned and supported contractual and stewardship agreements. SCAs are vital baselines for biodiversity and ecosystem service representation in the catchment with a variety of private mechanisms supplementing protection, especially in highly contested areas. The perceived benefits rated by managers revealed interesting links between benefits and contrasting governance types, legal mechanisms, legal status, size and age of reserves. State parks may be more relevant for generating socio-cultural benefits, while private parks, through the need to remain economically viable, valued a diverse range of socio-economic benefits. Informal conservation areas formed integral parts of the conservation-orientated landscape, rating benefits equally to more secure mechanisms. Private land must be incorporated into conservation through diverse mechanisms to meet the range of mutually exclusive conservation objectives of the 21st century.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Coetzer, Crystal Jeanne
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30006 , vital:30808
- Description: State Conservation Areas (SCAs), as state-owned and -run parks, form the foundation of recognised conservation actions. However, park expansion on the scale required to meet urgent conservation targets is limited by state budgets and parks are increasingly framed in the context of advancing broader societal needs. Motivating for the need to assess the efficacy of alternative conservation strategies, as both contrasting governance and legal mechanisms, this study aimed to rapidly assess the role of private land conservation (PLC) strategies in expanding protection. In particular, this included the role of emerging stewardship approaches, by using semi-structured interviews with park implementers on a national scale. Evaluating the biodiversity and ecosystem service representation and complementarity of contrasting conservation strategies on a catchment scale, using open-source spatial data was employed. Questionnaires tested park managers’ perceptions of benefits across different strategies in a conservation-oriented landscape. Results indicate a strategic shift toward PLC strategies to expand parks in the form of formalised, well-planned and supported contractual and stewardship agreements. SCAs are vital baselines for biodiversity and ecosystem service representation in the catchment with a variety of private mechanisms supplementing protection, especially in highly contested areas. The perceived benefits rated by managers revealed interesting links between benefits and contrasting governance types, legal mechanisms, legal status, size and age of reserves. State parks may be more relevant for generating socio-cultural benefits, while private parks, through the need to remain economically viable, valued a diverse range of socio-economic benefits. Informal conservation areas formed integral parts of the conservation-orientated landscape, rating benefits equally to more secure mechanisms. Private land must be incorporated into conservation through diverse mechanisms to meet the range of mutually exclusive conservation objectives of the 21st century.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The management of records for accountability by municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa : a case study of Mbizana Local Municipality
- Authors: Tseku, Zintle
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Records--Management Information organization Public records--Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Library and Information Science
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15254 , vital:40331
- Description: Records management is a major element for accountability in the municipality. The research topic was “the management of records for accountability by the municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa: A case study of Mbizana Local Municipality”. The objectives of the study were: to find out the types of records management programme maintained by Bizana Local Municipality, to describe available infrastructure that supports the records management programme in Mbizana Local Municipality, to find out the extent to which the management of records in Mbizana Local Municipality complies with statutory and legislative requirements, and to find out the possible constraints that affects the records management programme in Mbizana Local Municipality. The study was conducted in Mbizana Local Municipality which is under Alfred Ndzo District Municipality in Eastern Cape, South Africa. The sample was municipality staff and the residents of the municipality. The study used both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The findings were that Mbizana Local Municipality has a records management programme which is important for accountability, however, there is a need for security maintenance. In addition, the findings were that the municipality need to train its registry staff about records management or hire new people who are capable of managing records. The researcher recommended that Mbizana Local Municipality should provide more training to registry staff on the management of records. The municipality should introduce electronic records management system since nowadays records are created electronically. Electronic records can be easily retrieved when needed for accountability. Also the municipality should allow the public to have access to records.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Tseku, Zintle
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Records--Management Information organization Public records--Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Library and Information Science
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15254 , vital:40331
- Description: Records management is a major element for accountability in the municipality. The research topic was “the management of records for accountability by the municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa: A case study of Mbizana Local Municipality”. The objectives of the study were: to find out the types of records management programme maintained by Bizana Local Municipality, to describe available infrastructure that supports the records management programme in Mbizana Local Municipality, to find out the extent to which the management of records in Mbizana Local Municipality complies with statutory and legislative requirements, and to find out the possible constraints that affects the records management programme in Mbizana Local Municipality. The study was conducted in Mbizana Local Municipality which is under Alfred Ndzo District Municipality in Eastern Cape, South Africa. The sample was municipality staff and the residents of the municipality. The study used both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The findings were that Mbizana Local Municipality has a records management programme which is important for accountability, however, there is a need for security maintenance. In addition, the findings were that the municipality need to train its registry staff about records management or hire new people who are capable of managing records. The researcher recommended that Mbizana Local Municipality should provide more training to registry staff on the management of records. The municipality should introduce electronic records management system since nowadays records are created electronically. Electronic records can be easily retrieved when needed for accountability. Also the municipality should allow the public to have access to records.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
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