Mineralogy, geochemistry and pebble morphology of the Katberg Formation around Graaff Reinet and East London, Eastern Cape province of South Africa
- Authors: Ndlazi, Nondumiso Zandile
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Mineralogy|
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18631 , vital:42615
- Description: The Katberg Formation forms the upper part of the Tarkastad Subgroup in the Beaufort Group of the main Karoo Supergroup. The Katberg Formation consists of siliciclastic sedimentary rocks mostly dominated by greyish sandstone, red mudstone with minor siltstone occurrences. The Katberg Formation also consists of calcareous and ferruginous concretions that formed during diagenesis. Braided streams deposited the Katberg Formation with a predominantly sand bed load. The Katberg Formation sandstones contain pebbles with no true conglomerates identified in the study area. This study was conducted in the Katberg Formation to understand the mineralogy, geochemistry, and pebble morphology around Graaff Reinet and East London areas. The major and trace elements were analyzed through X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) to deduce the source rock provenance, tectonic setting, paleo-weathering conditions, climatic conditions, and sediment maturity. The X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) was used to highlight a detailed distribution and variation of mineralogical polymorphs of the minerals present in sandstones and mudstones. The pebble morphology was used to confirm the depositional environment of the Katberg Formation. The use of The bivariate plots of the Maximum Projection Sphericity Index (MPSI) and the Oblate-Prolate Index (OPI) showed that 79 % of pebbles fall in the fluvial environment, whereas 21 % of pebbles fall in the beach environment. A small proportion of beach pebbles within the Katberg Formation suggests that the river reached the marginal marine environment during its flow. The majority of the pebbles yielded a bladed shape with a dominating Sphericity Index symptomatic of fluvial sediments. All the bivariate plots illustrate the fluvial depositional environment for the sediments of the Katberg Formation. Petrographic studies based on the prepared 15 thin sections indicated that the Katberg Formation rocks are dominated by quartz, feldspar, and clay minerals. However, they show more plagioclase feldspar than k-feldspars. The grains are poorly sorted and immature, with irregular grain sizes and shapes. The angularity of clasts indicates that the grains have travelled shorter distances. The abundance of feldspar minerals suggests that the arkose sandstone was derived either from situ or from a short distance. The albitization of plagioclase to illite and the replacement of plagioclase feldspars by calcite and laumontite is very common in the Katberg Formation, which points out deep burial diagenesis. The XRD analysis revealed the occurrence of 14 minerals in the siliciclastic rocks of the Katberg Formation, namely: quartz, albite, clinochlore, muscovite, phlogopite, annite, illite, orthoclase, anorthoclase, laumontite, calcite, and ankerite. Amongst these minerals, albite, clinochlore, muscovite, and phlogopite show variation in crystal forms known as polymorphs. Geochemical analysis of the Katberg Formation sandstones and mudrocks revealed that all samples show a high concentration of SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, K2O, Na2O, CaO, and MgO. The trace elements: TiO2, MnO, P2O5, BaO, SrO, ZrO2, and V2O5 are depleted with values ranging below 1 wt %. The geochemical classification of the Katberg Formation sandstones revealed the origin from wacke and arkose sources. The geochemical diagrams and indices of paleoweathering conditions suggested that the Katberg Formation underwent a moderate degree of chemical weathering. The geochemistry revealed that the sediments were 4 Final Submission of Thesis, Dissertation or Research Report/Project, Conference or Exam Paper deposited during the arid climate conditions. The studied sandstone and mudstone samples pointed an active continental margin and passive margin tectonic setting of the Katberg Formation.
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Social Media as Human Rights Watchdog: A critical Analysis of Facebook and WhatsApp use by Citizens and Civil Society Groups in the Run-up to the 2018 Elections in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mututwa, Wishes.T
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Social media Online social networks
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15837 , vital:40531
- Description: This study analysed the use of social media platforms, WhatsApp and Facebook in monitoring human rights ahead of Zimbabwe’s 2018 Harmonised elections. Zimbabwe has witnessed gross human rights violations since the attainment of independence in 1980 but most of these violations have been misrepresented, partially captured or ignored particularly by the partisan state media. While issues of human rights have been researched on, there has been a gap in research on the role of social media in safeguarding human rights in Zimbabwe, particularly during election times. There has also been a gap in research about the influences of social media, not just to inspire revolutions but to strengthen democratic practices in Zimbabwe through vibrant discussions of human rights issues on social media platforms. This study was informed by Habermas Theory of public sphere and Social network theory in order to analyse texts shared and discussed on WhatsApp and Facebook about human rights committed ahead of 2018 Harmonised elections. The aim was to establish use of social media as watchdog of human rights. A qualitative content analysis was applied to study texts shared on WhatsApp and Facebook about human rights violations across the country. Three WhatsApp groups and seven Facebook pages were selected for the study from which posts and responses from participants were extracted for analysis. The findings of the study revealed that social media can effectively strengthen democratic practices by exposing government’s unconstitutional practices. Further, social media can be useful in offering ordinary citizens a platform for engagement with civic society as they discuss issues that affect them. The findings of the study also hold the state accountable for the majority of human rights abuses committed throughout the election campaign period. The study then recommended that the government of Zimbabwe should go back to constitutionalism and abide by international human rights treaties to which they are signatory. Further, the study recommended that Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and other independent commissions be empowered so that human rights are fully enjoyed in Zimbabwe, not just during election campaign periods but all the time
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The use of textbooks by teachers in teaching mathematics at selected primary schools in East London education district
- Authors: Adu, K.O.
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Textbooks Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Primary)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd.
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8989 , vital:34180
- Description: Mathematics is the foundation for the economic and technological development of any nation. It has been asserted that Mathematics is expected to help in accelerating social, economic and technological progress of any society. The Primary school level is very important in any educational system and any lack at this level would permeate to other levels of the educational system. Hence, this dissertation examines the use of textbooks by teachers in teaching Mathematics at selected primary schools in East London Education district. The study adopted the interpretivist paradigm and employed the qualitative approach in investigating the phenomenon. The dissertation made use of phenomenology research design as it attempted to understand people’s (learners’ and teachers’) perceptions, perspectives and understandings of the use of textbooks in teaching Mathematics. Semi-structured interviews and observation were used to elicit information from the six mathematics teachers and three heads of department who were purposively selected. The data collected were analysed using thematic approach where themes were developed from the research questions after transcribing, sorting and categorizing them. The findings of the study demonstrated that the participants selected textbooks from the ones prescribed by the department that were written in the CAPS documents. They had no influence or decision on textbook selection. All the teachers believed that lesson plan is very important and it is a must to have a very detailed and comprehensive lesson plan that is well-aligned to the contents of CAPS document and the textbook. The study further revealed that, for effective delivery of lesson and planning, there is need for a practical use of textbooks by the teacher. The study concluded that one of the most fundamental issues to consider is the fact that, as good as the use of textbook for planning and delivery of lesson activities is, it can also be a problem if not carefully and professionally planned and used accordingly. The over-dependence on textbooks at the expense of other resources may cause ineffective learning and teaching of mathematics.
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Ruthenium sulphide nanoparticles derived from tri-dithiocarbamato ruthenium (III) complexes : synthesis, optical and structural studies
- Authors: Mbese, Johannes Zanoxolo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Nanoparticles Ruthenium compounds
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15420 , vital:40406
- Description: The present Thesis pioneer the application of single-source molecular precursor method for the synthesis of ruthenium sulfide nanoparticles using a series of novel self-prepared single-source molecular precursors. The preparation of precursors involved the design and synthesis of compounds containing all the desired elements required within the coordination compound. Good precursors are tailored to give reproducible, clean decomposition at moderate temperatures, leading to high quality, defect free, mono-dispersed nanoparticles. Nine (9) homonuclear tris-dithiocarbamato ruthenium(III) complexes, [Ru(S2CNR2)3] were prepared from a stoichiometric reaction of RuCl3·H2O with self-prepared dithiocarbamate ligands at room temperature in a molar ratio of Ru3+: Ligand of 1:3. Dithiocarbamate ligands were derived from a stoichiometric reaction of carbon disulfide with (aniline, N-allylmethylamine, p-toluidine, p-anisidine, N-ethyl-m-toluidine, piperidine, morpholine, di-isopropylamine, and diallylamine) in the presence of concentrated ammonia or potassium hydroxide in ice cold bath. The dithiocarbamate ligands and complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, UV-Vis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) was used to study the decomposition profiles of the precursor complexes. The results obtained from the TGA of precursors showed that the complexes decompose to ruthenium sulfide nanoparticles. The FTIR spectra of the ligands revealed prominent strong absorption bands ascribed to v(N-H) stretching vibrations and also confirm the bidentate coordination of the dithiocarbamate ligands. Ruthenium(III) complexes show absorption spectra in the visible region that exhibit bands attributed to n → π* electronic transitions located on the sulfur atoms located in the S–C–S and N–C–S chromophores of the bidentate dithiocarbamate ligands respectively. The absorption spectra also confirmed the geometry of ruthenium(III) complexes to be octahedral. The proposed structures of dithiocarbamate ligands and ruthenium(III) complexes were confirmed by the 1H- and 13C-NMR. The complexes were used as single-source molecular precursors for the synthesis of ruthenium sulfide nanoparticles. The structural and optical properties were studied using transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), UV-Vis absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. FTIR revealed that Ru2S3 nanoparticles are capped through the interaction of the –NH2 group of hexadecylamine HDA adsorbed on the surfaces of nanoparticles and it also showed that oleic acid (OA) is acting as both coordinating stabilizing surfactant and capping agent. The XRD confirmed the successful formation of Ru2S3 nanoparticles induced by the thermal decomposition of series of [Ru(S2CNR2)3] complexes. The diffraction peaks: 2θ = 29.43, 40.54, 49.33, 51.86, 61.92, and 75.94 were assign the Miler indices (hkl) to be (111), (211), (220), (300), (222) and (330) reflections, respectively, and were found to be in agreement with a cubic crystal structure reported in database file of (JCPDS 19-1107). The particle sizes estimated from Scherer's equation were found in a range between 2.5 and 4.9 nm. EDS spectra reveal that the prepared nanoparticles are mainly composed of Ru and S, confirming the presence of Ru2S3 nanoparticles in cubic phase. The inner morphology of nanoparticles was obtained by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and most nanoparticles had narrow particle size distribution characterized by an average diameter of 8.45 nm with a standard deviation of 1.6 nm. The optical band gap (Eg) determined from Tauc plot was found in the range (3.44 to 4.18 eV) values.
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Fathers' involvement in the social development of children under six years: a social capital perspective and implications for early childhood development in the East London Education District
- Authors: Adams, Clyde Glenith Graham
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Child development-- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Father and child -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Fatherhood -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5116 , vital:29077
- Description: The experiences of twenty fathers were explored to understand the involvement in the social development of children under six years. The main research question that guided the study was: what are fathers’ experiences with involvement in the social development of their children under the age of six years and what implications do these have for early childhood development? A social capital perspective was followed. The qualitative data was collected through the use of semi-structured interviews. The data was then analysed qualitatively. Results show that although most of the respondents could not give a definition of the concept of social development, they, however, understood the importance of parents playing a role in the development of a child. Fathers understood their role as supportive, nurturing and being there for their children. Fathers also understood their basic role as being the provider and protector. They also perceived their role as being authoritative and see themselves as the main disciplinarians. Results reveal that most schools do not offer programs specifically designed to encourage fathers to participate. Most importantly, results indicate that fathers’ interest in a variety of sporting activities, information sharing and talking about challenges both the schools as well as fathers face, are some of the ways fathers would like to be involved. Findings also indicate that although fathers acknowledged the role of the Department of Basic Education (DoBE) as mainly that of financial contributor in order to facilitate the skills development as well as that of information dissemination. However, fathers who took part in the study did not understand how the DoBE skills development agenda is envisaged for fathers. Notwithstanding, the respondents were quite clear that a father has an influential role to play in their children’s development. It also emerged that the greater the involvement, the more positive the influence on the child’s development. This study concludes that the presence of fathers in children’s lives is known to contribute significantly to their chances of experiencing positive developmental outcomes. Although the father-child relationship’s influences on children’s social competence have received increased attention in general, research on fathers’ understanding of their roles, involvement with their children as well as challenges confronting them with their involvement is scant. Based this the above, a number of recommendations have been made.
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Implementation of the business studies national curriculum statement: a case study of four high schools in the Fort Beaufort education district
- Authors: Tyilo, Nomakula
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Curriculum planning Curriculum planning Curriculum planning Education -- Curricula -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Educational change -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5829 , vital:29400
- Description: This study investigated the implementation of the Business Studies National Curriculum Statement in Schools in Fort Beaufort District. The interpretive paradigm was utilized in this study because it focuses on individual perceptions and experiences. In addition a qualitative approach was used for the collection of data so as to gain in-depth information on the implementation of the Business Studies National Curriculum. Semi- structured interviews, focus group interviews and document analysis were used as a form of collecting data. The participants were purposively selected for the sample of this study and comprised of 4 Principals, 3 Subject Advisors, 1 Provincial Subject Planner, 6 Teachers and 36 learners and interviews lasted for about 1 ½ hours. Data analysis was done in line with the research questions, aims and objectives of the study. Through the participants’ answers from schools under study, a transcript was formulated, coded and categorized in view of the implementation of Business Studies National Curriculum Statement in schools. Therefore, it was discovered from the data of the research study that the participants encounter a number of challenges with regard to teaching and implementing Business Studies in their schools. Namely: (1) lack of qualified personnel to teach Business Studies (2) lack of adequate teaching materials (3) lack of Subject Advisors executing their roles in helping teachers to teach Business Studies effectively (4) lack of training programmes and workshops on how to teach Business Studies in the classroom. Thus, there were variances in schools under study especially with relations to funding, availability of teaching material, support offered by School Heads and the Department of Education. As a result, emphasis was that the Department of Education had to come up with ways of continuously training the teachers and offering support in terms of teaching materials. Most of the participants from the school under study did not bother to plan their lessons when they were going to teach this subject. In sum, this study attempted to highlight the challenges that the participants encounter as they try to implement the Business Studies in their schools taking into the considering the educational history of their country. Hence some of the participants expressed why there is a need to create, cultivate and have a conducive and supportive working environment. The study recommends that the Department of Education provide teachers with special training on how to select relevant learning and teaching support material. Moreover, there is a greater need for Business Studies teachers to strike a balance between theory and practice in the deliverance of their lessons in Business Studies. Additionally, the District Officials must organise on-going training in Business Studies as this would help to rectify the problems that are currently being encountered in implementing Business Studies in schools.
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The mediating role of mobile technology in the linkage between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty
- Authors: Chihombori, Rumbidzai Anna
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Mobile commerce , Mobile communication systems , Customer services -- Management , Customer relations , Customer loyalty , Customer services -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Com (Business Management)
- Identifier: vital:11324 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1013388 , Mobile commerce , Mobile communication systems , Customer services -- Management , Customer relations , Customer loyalty , Customer services -- Evaluation
- Description: The main objective of this study was to critically investigate the mediating role that the use of mobile technology plays in the linkage between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty in a semi-urban environment. The research problem focused on the application of mobile technology in the linkage between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty in the clothing industry in King Williams Town. In accomplishing this objective, this research study hypothesised that mobile technology plays a mediating role in the linkage between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty of customers of clothing retailers in South Africa. Multiple regression was conducted to test for the first hypothesis. The first secondary objective aimed at establishing if there is disconfirmation between customer expectations and the performance of clothing retail outlets in King Williams Town. In exploring this objective, it was hypothesised that there is negative disconfirmation between customer expectations and performance. A paired sample test was conducted to test for this hypothesis. In addition, the influence of service quality and customer satisfaction on customer loyalty was explored. To accomplish these, it was hypothesised that both service quality and customer satisfaction have an influence on customer loyalty. Pearson’s Correlation and the Chi-Square Test were applied to test the influence of service quality and Customer satisfaction on Customer loyalty. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) statistical software. Regression analysis, chi-square tests, Paired sample tests and correlation reports were used to analyse data inferentially. Reliability and validity of the research was also tested using Cronchbach’s alpha test. The results show that mobile phones have become a basic necessity for customers and that mobile technology plays a mediating role in the linkage between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty; however, the mediation is partial. The results also show that there is positive disconfirmation between customer expectations and retailer performance; that both service quality and customer satisfaction have a positive correlation with customer loyalty and that mobile technology enhances customer loyalty. Finally, the results show that the total service experience of customers is favourable vii because the five components of service quality were rendered at a high level of service quality. The study offers several managerial recommendations. Firstly, retail managers should make strategic investments in mobile technology and use this technology to the full to reap the benefits of technologically advanced mobile communication. Secondly, managers should be creative in their use of this mobile technology to enhance customer satisfaction and, hence, customer loyalty. Thirdly, managers should prioritise the improvement of all five components of service quality in order to enhance customer loyalty. Finally, managers should provide a customer-centred service experience that exceeds customer expectations for service quality and mobile communication, one that maximises customer satisfaction and loyalty. The implementation of these recommendations could result in clothing retailers providing a customer-focused service experience in all five aspects of service quality. To successfully implement these recommendations, clothing retailers should: ensure that expectations created, could be accomplished or exceeded to build and enhance customer satisfaction; create expectations that are realistic to avoid negative disconfirmation and hence customer dissatisfaction; implement innovative and creative mobile communication strategies to build and enhance customer loyalty; and finally, improve loyalty programmes to enlarge the customer base.
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