Targeting and characterizing potentially high yield aquifers in the neotectonic zones in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa
- Authors: Madi, Kakaba
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Geology)
- Identifier: vital:11530 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021270
- Description: The Eastern Cape Province has, besides the three known neotectonic belts (southern, eastern and northern) a fourth zone, which is inactive. This inactive zone is located almost in its central part north of the southern neotectonic zone, and south of the northern neotectonic belt. The three above mentioned neotectonic belts (southern, eastern and northern) were chosen for this study, each one with its own characteristics. This study aims at characterizing and targeting potentially high yield aquifers in the neotectonic zones in the Eastern Cape Province. The methods used in this study include: 1) A comprehensive literature review on neotectonics in South Africa in general and in the Eastern Cape Province in particular; 2) Extraction of lineaments through remote sensing and examination of digital elevation models; 3) Examination of seismic data for the subsurface visualization onshore and offshore; 4) Study on the genesis of the Grahamstown kaolin deposits through the structural component; and 5) Acquisition and interpretation of magnetic, electromagnetic and radiometric data from three of the hot springs in the northern neotectonic belt. The results indicate the following: 1) Old map of seismic epicentres in South Africa need to be reviewed continually. The Eastern Cape was regarded as quiescent in terms of seismicity. However, the investigation from recent seismic epicenters downloadable from the IRIS website has shown that recent seismic events occurred in the Eastern Cape Province especially in the northern and southern neotectonic belts. The central part located north of the southern neotectonic belt and south of the northern neotectonic belt is inactive. This inactive zone can be considered for the storage of nuclear wastes. 2) The eastern neotectonic belt has, like the northern neotectonic belt, a higher density of lineaments oriented northwest-southeast, which makes it the second important neotectonic belt. These lineaments correlate with the normalized difference vegetation index indicative of a good circulation of groundwater. In the south, the Eastern Cape great lineament oriented east-west is now considered a neotectonic domain because many seismic epicentres occur therein. Its geomorphologic shape in graben type form is a favourable structure for groundwater catchment. The surface topography is not uniform and high elevations in the east are related to the uplift that took place in the Quaternary. Most vector gradients are oriented east-west, a fact to be reckon with in the study of surface water flow and aquifers characterization. 3) Offshore along the east coast, the subsurface is affected by neotectonic faults, which are probably splays of the Agulhas Falkland Fractured Zone (AFFZ). The folds that occur are related to the regional compressional stress known as the Wegener Stress Anomaly (WSM). On land, straight lines from seismic profiles indicate that weathering occurs in consolidated materials probably along faults or fractures, unconsolidated sediments always have wavy profiles. On the other hand, field observations in King Williams Town have clearly shown that a tectonic uplift took place on a dolerite sill overlain by mudstones and sandstones. The uplift is possibly related to the Amatole-Swaziland event that occurred in the last five millions years. The escarpment along this dolerite sill overlain by sedimentary rocks is a meso-scale fault with a dip-slip component. Healthy vegetation and a river flowing parallel to the cliff indicate groundwater flow in the zone of weakness. 4) In the southern neotectonic belt there is a clear northwest-southeast horizontal compression and a southwest-northeast vertical to sub-vertical extension. Enrichment of granitic breccias and feldspar in the Grahamstown Dwyka tillite is the source for the formation of kaolin deposits. The weathering starts in the granitic breccias through their extensional fractures and then extends in the matrix, which has micro-fractures that are only visible with the transmitted microscope. Combined extensional strike-slip and dip-slip faulting is responsible for the earthquakes in the region of Grahamstown where the kaolin is formed. There is also an unreported thermal (quartz veins) and neotectonic event identified in this region. 5) The hot springs in the northern neotectonic belt are connected by a regional neotectonic fault. The use of magnetic and electromagnetic methods helped to decipher the occurrence of faults, fractures, dolerite dykes, and variable degree of weathering. Uranium/potassium ratios derived from radiometric surveys show that areas around some hot springs are characterized by enrichment in uranium. High concentrations of thorium are related to its low capacity of being easily dissolved in water. It can be concluded that seismicity, hot springs and accordingly deep groundwater circulation, high density of lineaments, quaternary tectonic uplift, are the predominate characteristics of the three neotectonic zones. Furthermore, on the environmental point of view, thorium concentration is higher than that of either uranium or potassium. Although it is nonetheless below the world average threshold of 7.4 ppm according to United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), it may be a source of radiation hazard to humans and animals if they are subjected to prolonged exposure. All the neotectonic zones in the Eastern Cape Province present potentials to host good and important aquifers. It is suggested that the Eastern Cape great lineament in the southern neotectonic belt and the Kokstad-Koffiefontein seismic belt in the northern neotectonic belt, be monitored for future research regarding, neotectonics, seismic risk assessment and hydrogeology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Madi, Kakaba
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Geology)
- Identifier: vital:11530 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021270
- Description: The Eastern Cape Province has, besides the three known neotectonic belts (southern, eastern and northern) a fourth zone, which is inactive. This inactive zone is located almost in its central part north of the southern neotectonic zone, and south of the northern neotectonic belt. The three above mentioned neotectonic belts (southern, eastern and northern) were chosen for this study, each one with its own characteristics. This study aims at characterizing and targeting potentially high yield aquifers in the neotectonic zones in the Eastern Cape Province. The methods used in this study include: 1) A comprehensive literature review on neotectonics in South Africa in general and in the Eastern Cape Province in particular; 2) Extraction of lineaments through remote sensing and examination of digital elevation models; 3) Examination of seismic data for the subsurface visualization onshore and offshore; 4) Study on the genesis of the Grahamstown kaolin deposits through the structural component; and 5) Acquisition and interpretation of magnetic, electromagnetic and radiometric data from three of the hot springs in the northern neotectonic belt. The results indicate the following: 1) Old map of seismic epicentres in South Africa need to be reviewed continually. The Eastern Cape was regarded as quiescent in terms of seismicity. However, the investigation from recent seismic epicenters downloadable from the IRIS website has shown that recent seismic events occurred in the Eastern Cape Province especially in the northern and southern neotectonic belts. The central part located north of the southern neotectonic belt and south of the northern neotectonic belt is inactive. This inactive zone can be considered for the storage of nuclear wastes. 2) The eastern neotectonic belt has, like the northern neotectonic belt, a higher density of lineaments oriented northwest-southeast, which makes it the second important neotectonic belt. These lineaments correlate with the normalized difference vegetation index indicative of a good circulation of groundwater. In the south, the Eastern Cape great lineament oriented east-west is now considered a neotectonic domain because many seismic epicentres occur therein. Its geomorphologic shape in graben type form is a favourable structure for groundwater catchment. The surface topography is not uniform and high elevations in the east are related to the uplift that took place in the Quaternary. Most vector gradients are oriented east-west, a fact to be reckon with in the study of surface water flow and aquifers characterization. 3) Offshore along the east coast, the subsurface is affected by neotectonic faults, which are probably splays of the Agulhas Falkland Fractured Zone (AFFZ). The folds that occur are related to the regional compressional stress known as the Wegener Stress Anomaly (WSM). On land, straight lines from seismic profiles indicate that weathering occurs in consolidated materials probably along faults or fractures, unconsolidated sediments always have wavy profiles. On the other hand, field observations in King Williams Town have clearly shown that a tectonic uplift took place on a dolerite sill overlain by mudstones and sandstones. The uplift is possibly related to the Amatole-Swaziland event that occurred in the last five millions years. The escarpment along this dolerite sill overlain by sedimentary rocks is a meso-scale fault with a dip-slip component. Healthy vegetation and a river flowing parallel to the cliff indicate groundwater flow in the zone of weakness. 4) In the southern neotectonic belt there is a clear northwest-southeast horizontal compression and a southwest-northeast vertical to sub-vertical extension. Enrichment of granitic breccias and feldspar in the Grahamstown Dwyka tillite is the source for the formation of kaolin deposits. The weathering starts in the granitic breccias through their extensional fractures and then extends in the matrix, which has micro-fractures that are only visible with the transmitted microscope. Combined extensional strike-slip and dip-slip faulting is responsible for the earthquakes in the region of Grahamstown where the kaolin is formed. There is also an unreported thermal (quartz veins) and neotectonic event identified in this region. 5) The hot springs in the northern neotectonic belt are connected by a regional neotectonic fault. The use of magnetic and electromagnetic methods helped to decipher the occurrence of faults, fractures, dolerite dykes, and variable degree of weathering. Uranium/potassium ratios derived from radiometric surveys show that areas around some hot springs are characterized by enrichment in uranium. High concentrations of thorium are related to its low capacity of being easily dissolved in water. It can be concluded that seismicity, hot springs and accordingly deep groundwater circulation, high density of lineaments, quaternary tectonic uplift, are the predominate characteristics of the three neotectonic zones. Furthermore, on the environmental point of view, thorium concentration is higher than that of either uranium or potassium. Although it is nonetheless below the world average threshold of 7.4 ppm according to United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), it may be a source of radiation hazard to humans and animals if they are subjected to prolonged exposure. All the neotectonic zones in the Eastern Cape Province present potentials to host good and important aquifers. It is suggested that the Eastern Cape great lineament in the southern neotectonic belt and the Kokstad-Koffiefontein seismic belt in the northern neotectonic belt, be monitored for future research regarding, neotectonics, seismic risk assessment and hydrogeology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Performance monitoring and evaluation for sustainable low-cost housing delivery: the case of Lukhanji and Malahleni local Municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province South Africa
- Authors: Gomomo, Mzwakhe Gugu
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: vital:11747 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1018529
- Description: One of the serious problems facing South Africa is that of the provision of adequate low-cost housing for the poorest of poor. Only about 56% lived in fully-owned formal dwellings in 2009. (Stats SA: 2009). The problem is not only about the inability of the government to decrease backlogs in the provision of adequate low-cost houses. These contributory factors include the standard of construction, land as well as continuous urbanisation. International commitments such as the UN’s Millennium Goals put further pressure on government to permanently resolve the issue. Adequate housing is recognised globally as a basic human right. This includes access to running water and sanitation and electricity. The aim of the study is not to investigate construction techniques or methods, specific choices of location or any other planning-related issues, but to find an approach that is more appealing to the challenge of the provision of housing as per the afore-mentioned challenges combined with, amongst others, the provision of the necessary resources and relevant political processes as well as monitoring and evaluation. The provision of low-cost housing is unique in nature as it can never be fully resolved. To assist the process because of its nature, future studies suggest systems theory as a best recognised and more successful way to address wicked problems. By investigating low-cost housing programmes in Chile and Australia, identifying the elements of systems theory used, it was possible to find pointers to help formulate a set of steps (or actions) to use to address South Africa’s low-cost housing challenge. This research report proposes that, while the challenge of housing provision in a country like South Africa will most probably always be present, it can be alleviated by applying systems thinking to the problem. The study therefore puts forth Participatory Housing Delivery Monitoring Model (PHDMM). The model will assist in providing the beneficiaries of low-cost houses space to participate in the housing process and projects. It will also necessitate accountability by various participants in housing development. Capacity building will also be part of the package.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Gomomo, Mzwakhe Gugu
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (in Public Administration)
- Identifier: vital:11747 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1018529
- Description: One of the serious problems facing South Africa is that of the provision of adequate low-cost housing for the poorest of poor. Only about 56% lived in fully-owned formal dwellings in 2009. (Stats SA: 2009). The problem is not only about the inability of the government to decrease backlogs in the provision of adequate low-cost houses. These contributory factors include the standard of construction, land as well as continuous urbanisation. International commitments such as the UN’s Millennium Goals put further pressure on government to permanently resolve the issue. Adequate housing is recognised globally as a basic human right. This includes access to running water and sanitation and electricity. The aim of the study is not to investigate construction techniques or methods, specific choices of location or any other planning-related issues, but to find an approach that is more appealing to the challenge of the provision of housing as per the afore-mentioned challenges combined with, amongst others, the provision of the necessary resources and relevant political processes as well as monitoring and evaluation. The provision of low-cost housing is unique in nature as it can never be fully resolved. To assist the process because of its nature, future studies suggest systems theory as a best recognised and more successful way to address wicked problems. By investigating low-cost housing programmes in Chile and Australia, identifying the elements of systems theory used, it was possible to find pointers to help formulate a set of steps (or actions) to use to address South Africa’s low-cost housing challenge. This research report proposes that, while the challenge of housing provision in a country like South Africa will most probably always be present, it can be alleviated by applying systems thinking to the problem. The study therefore puts forth Participatory Housing Delivery Monitoring Model (PHDMM). The model will assist in providing the beneficiaries of low-cost houses space to participate in the housing process and projects. It will also necessitate accountability by various participants in housing development. Capacity building will also be part of the package.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Re-appraising entertainment-education praxis and reception in subaltern spaces: the case of Tsha Tsha in South Africa
- Authors: Makwambeni, Blessing
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Com)
- Identifier: vital:11369 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015380
- Description: The entertainment education (E-E) strategy has gained currency in development communication scholarship and praxis. However, the theoretical treatment of the strategy has mostly emphasised questions of effectiveness thereby paying minimal attention to substantial resistances encountered at the message reception level. This study investigates the praxis and reception of the E-E television drama Tsha Tsha. It uses the Cultural Studies approach and reception theory to explore the consumption of Tsha Tsha by subaltern black South African youths located within specific socio-historical contexts. Audiences’ negotiated readings were used to critique the assumption that E-E messages are ‘unproblematically’ received by target audiences. Tsha Tsha’s E-E strategy and its theoretical and methodological inputs were also appraised with a view to locating the intervention within the trajectory of E-E and development communication interventions. The emerging insights were critical in understanding whether contemporary E-E interventions have transcended modernisation practice. While the focused synthesis approach, consisting of qualitative content analysis, document analysis and literature review, was used to evaluate Tsha Tsha’s use of the E-E strategy, reception analysis comprising of focus group discussions and follow up in-depth interviews with selected subaltern black South African youths was employed to explore viewers’ social production of meaning from the media text. This process enabled the study to identify the locus of meaning between the two contenting poles: the media text and situated readers. The study’s findings indicate that some contemporary E-E interventions have transended ‘modernisation practice’. Their conceptual and methodological approaches have embraced the central tenets of communication for social change. The results from the reception study also clearly indicated that E-E enterventions face resistances in subaltern discursive spaces. Situated readers’ negotiation of Tsha Tsha showed that viewers are not passive readers of E-E texts. Rather they are engaged in an ongoing process of re-interpreting and resisting the ‘preferred text’. Audiences situated discourses and lived experiences at times provided alternative frameworks through which the ‘dominant meanings’ were re-interpreted and even opposed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Makwambeni, Blessing
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Com)
- Identifier: vital:11369 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015380
- Description: The entertainment education (E-E) strategy has gained currency in development communication scholarship and praxis. However, the theoretical treatment of the strategy has mostly emphasised questions of effectiveness thereby paying minimal attention to substantial resistances encountered at the message reception level. This study investigates the praxis and reception of the E-E television drama Tsha Tsha. It uses the Cultural Studies approach and reception theory to explore the consumption of Tsha Tsha by subaltern black South African youths located within specific socio-historical contexts. Audiences’ negotiated readings were used to critique the assumption that E-E messages are ‘unproblematically’ received by target audiences. Tsha Tsha’s E-E strategy and its theoretical and methodological inputs were also appraised with a view to locating the intervention within the trajectory of E-E and development communication interventions. The emerging insights were critical in understanding whether contemporary E-E interventions have transcended modernisation practice. While the focused synthesis approach, consisting of qualitative content analysis, document analysis and literature review, was used to evaluate Tsha Tsha’s use of the E-E strategy, reception analysis comprising of focus group discussions and follow up in-depth interviews with selected subaltern black South African youths was employed to explore viewers’ social production of meaning from the media text. This process enabled the study to identify the locus of meaning between the two contenting poles: the media text and situated readers. The study’s findings indicate that some contemporary E-E interventions have transended ‘modernisation practice’. Their conceptual and methodological approaches have embraced the central tenets of communication for social change. The results from the reception study also clearly indicated that E-E enterventions face resistances in subaltern discursive spaces. Situated readers’ negotiation of Tsha Tsha showed that viewers are not passive readers of E-E texts. Rather they are engaged in an ongoing process of re-interpreting and resisting the ‘preferred text’. Audiences situated discourses and lived experiences at times provided alternative frameworks through which the ‘dominant meanings’ were re-interpreted and even opposed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
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