Synthesis, photophysical and photochemical studies of water soluble cationic zinc phthalocyanine derivatives
- Authors: Idowu, Mopelola A I , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/264245 , vital:53712 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2008.11.021"
- Description: Peripherally and non-peripherally 2-diethylaminoethanethiol tetra-substituted zinc phthalocyanine (5a and 6a) and their quaternized derivatives (5b and 6b) have been synthesized and characterized. The quaternized derivatives (5b and 6b) show excellent solubility in aqueous medium. The photophysical and photochemical properties of the 2-diethylaminoethanethiol appended zinc phthalocyanine in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) for the non-ionic (5a and 6a) and in both DMSO and aqueous medium (phosphate buffered saline solution PBS, pH 7.4) (in the presence and absence of cremophore EL (CEL)) for the quaternized (5b and 6b) derivatives were studied and compared with that of the peripherally octa-substituted derivatives (7a and 7b). The complexes have intense absorption in the visible/near-IR region though the quaternized forms (5b, 6b and 7b) were slightly blue shifted and highly aggregate in aqueous solution. The triplet state quantum yields (ΦT) and the triplet lifetimes (τT) were found to be higher in DMSO (ΦT values ranged from 0.57 to 0.75 while τT values ranged from 190 to 220 μs in DMSO for all complexes) compared to aqueous medium (ΦT values ranged from 0.15 to 0.17 while τT values ranged from 20 to 70 μs in pH 7.4 buffer). Addition of cremophore EL in aqueous solution resulted in induced disaggregation leading to increased ΦT and τT.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Synthesis, photophysics and photochemistry of novel tetra (quinoxalinyl) phthalocyaninato zinc (II) complexes
- Authors: Erdoğmuş, Ali , Ogunsipe, Abimbola , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/263441 , vital:53628 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2009.04.007"
- Description: The syntheses and spectral, photophysical and photochemical properties of some zinc phthalocyanine derivatives – {2, (3)-tetra(quinoxalinyl)phthalocyaninato zinc(II), (β-ZnPc) and 1, (4)-tetra(quinoxalinyl)phthalocyaninato zinc(II), (α-ZnPc)} – are presented. The β-substituted complex is more fluorescent and exhibits lower tendencies to undergo intersystem crossing than its α-substituted counterpart, as judged by the former's higher fluorescence quantum yield (ΦF) and lower triplet quantum yield (ΦT) than the latter's in three solvents (DMSO, DMF and toluene). Singlet oxygen quantum yield (ΦΔ) values show the same trends as ΦT values. The differences in the spectral and photophysical properties of α-ZnPc and β-ZnPc are partly attributed to greater molecular distortions in the former. Studies of the interaction of the triplet states of α-ZnPc and β-ZnPc with triplet oxygen showed that α-ZnPc is more vulnerable to oxygen quenching than β-ZnPc. Also, the smallest quenching rate constants were observed in DMSO, which is attributed to the higher viscosity of DMSO than DMF and toluene.
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- Date Issued: 2009
The formation of self-assembled monolayers of thiophthalocyanine complexes of titanium, vanadium and manganese and their use in l-cysteine electrocatalysis
- Authors: Mbambisa, Gcineka , Nombona, Nolwazi , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/263375 , vital:53622 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2009.04.009"
- Description: Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) based on octapentylthiophthalocyanine complexes of oxovanadium (IV) (OVOPThPc), titanium(IV) (OTiOPThPc), and manganese (III) acetate (AcMnOPThPc), and of tetraphenylthiophthalocyanine complexes of hydroxo manganese(III) (OHMnTPPc) and oxotitanium(IV) (OTiTPPc) are described. The oxidation of l-cysteine was observed at potentials which ranged from 0.52 V to 0.67 V. The detection limits for l-cysteine analysis were of the order of 10− 7 to 10− 6 M.
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- Date Issued: 2009
The role of macrophytes as a refuge and food source for the estuarine isopod Exosphaeroma hylocoetes ()
- Authors: Henninger, Tony O , Froneman, P William , Richoux, Nicole B , Hodgson, Alan N
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/458360 , vital:75735 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2009.01.01"
- Description: The role of submerged macrophytes as refugia from fish predation and as possible food sources for the estuarine isopod Exosphaeroma hylocoetes (Barnard, K.H., 1940) was investigated. Laboratory experiments tested the effectiveness of artificial vegetation, replicating submerged vegetation, in enabling isopods to elude selected fish predators Rhabdosargus holubi, Glossogobius callidus, Monodactylus falciformis and Clinus cottoides. Isopods preferentially hid in the vegetation (>90%), even in absence of fish. The predatory fish had varying success in finding isopods within the vegetation. Isopod mortality ranged from 2% (R. holubi) to a maximum of 87% (C. cottoides) within vegetation, depending on the fish predator present. Stable isotope and fatty acid analyses ruled out the submerged macrophyte Ruppia maritima and inundated fringing grasses as direct food sources, but highlighted the epiphytic biota (mainly diatoms) found on the submerged vegetation and sediments as more likely food sources. These findings are consistent with gut content analyses. The results suggest that the close association of E. hylocoetes with R. maritima is the result of the vegetation providing the isopod with a refuge against fish predation as well as areas of increased food availability.
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- Date Issued: 2009
The syntheses, characterization and fluorescence spectra of novel, octakis (alkylthiophthalocyanato) nickel (II) and palladium (II) complexes
- Authors: Ogunbayo, Taofeek Babatunde , Ogunsipe, Abimbola , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/263386 , vital:53623 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2009.03.009"
- Description: The syntheses, characterization and fluorescence studies of several {octakis(alkylthio)phthalocyanato} palladium(II) and nickel(II) complexes are presented. The absorption spectra of some of the complexes showed extra peaks which are attributable to non-planar distortion, the extent of which, was found to dependent on alkyl chain length. The fluorescence excitation spectra of the nickel(II) derivatives were not in agreement with their absorption spectra, owing to structural changes upon excitation. Fluorescence quantum yields were very low (more than 1%) for all complexes as a consequence of the open-shell electronic structures of nickel(II) and palladium(II).
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- Date Issued: 2009
The synthesis and photophysicochemical behaviour of novel water-soluble cationic indium (III) phthalocyanine
- Authors: Durmus, Mahmut , Erdoğmuş, Ali , Ogunsipe, Abimbola , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/263419 , vital:53626 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2009.01.008"
- Description: The syntheses and characterization of 2,3-octakis-(3-pyridyloxyphthalocyaninato) indium(III) and quaternized 2,3-octakis-(3-pyridyloxyphthalocyaninato) indium(III) are described. The ground state electronic absorption spectra, photophysics and photochemistry of both dyes in DMSO as well as that of the quaternized compound in aqueous solution are also presented. A comparison of the photophysical and photochemical parameters of the two dyes revealed that quaternized 2,3-octakis-(3-pyridyloxyphthalocyaninato) indium(III) was a better photosensitizer than its unquaternized counterpart. The quantum yield values of fluorescence (ΦF), triplet state formation (ΦT) and singlet oxygen formation (ΦΔ) for the cationic dye were found to be 0.03, 0.68 and 0.66 respectively in DMSO; these values were higher than those for 2,3-octakis-(3-pyridyloxyphthalocyaninato) indium(III), which exhibited values of 0.02, 0.66 and 0.63, respectively in DMSO. The values for the cationic dye in aq. solution were 0.02, 0.59 and 0.56 respectively, suggesting that the water-soluble quaternized 2,3-octakis-(3-pyridyloxyphthalocyaninato) indium(III) offers potential as a photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy treatment.
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- Date Issued: 2009
The synthesis and photophysicochemical properties of low-symmetry zinc phthalocyanine analogues
- Authors: Chidawanyika, Wadzanai J U , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/263397 , vital:53624 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2009.06.005"
- Description: The synthesis of a low-symmetry derivative, zinc mono-carboxy substituted phthalocyanine, ZnPc-COOH (4) has been reported. The photochemical and photophysical properties of ZnPc-COOH (4), ZnTMPyPc (5), ZnttbPc (6) and a previously synthesized low-symmetry derivative, ZnttbIPc (7), in various organic solvents are reported. The red-shifting of the spectra of 4 and 5 (relative to that of unsubstituted zinc phthalocyanine, ZnPc) is a function of the electron-donating sulfur-containing substituents attached to the periphery of the molecule. High triplet quantum yields (ФT) generally occur in response to substitution on the zinc phthalocyanine ring periphery. The highest ФT values and triplet lifetimes (τT) occur in DMSO for all derivatives as a result of the solvent's high viscosity. The strongly electron-withdrawing imido fused ring of ZnttbIPc (7) stabilizes it against photo-oxidative degradation relative to the other derivatives.
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- Date Issued: 2009
The synthesis, cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemical studies of Co (II) phthalocyanines tetra-substituted at the α and β positions with phenylthio groups
- Authors: Nombona, Nolwazi , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/264529 , vital:53742 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2008.06.002"
- Description: Non-peripherally substituted cobalt 1,(4)-(tetraphenylthiophthalocyaninato) and peripherally substituted cobalt 2,(3)-(tetraphenylthiophthalocyaninato) complexes were synthesized. Redox processes were observed at E1/2 = −1.44 V (I), −0.39 V (II), +0.37 V (III), +0.78 V (IV) and 1.15 V (V) for the non-peripherally substituted and at E1/2 = −1.42 V (I), −0.57, −0.39 V (II), +0.27 V (III), +0.79 V (IV) and +1.10 V (V) for the peripherally substituted complexes, respectively. The couples were assigned to CoIPc−2/CoIPc−3 (I), CoIIPc−2/CoIPc−2 (II), CoIIIPc−2/CoIIPc−2 (III), and CoIIIPc−1/CoIIIPc−2 (IV) using spectroelectrochemistry. The last process (V) could not be ascertained by spectroelectrochemistry but is associated with ring oxidation. Upon reduction or oxidation, the Q band of the non-peripherally substituted complex became less red shifted compared to that of its peripherally substituted counterpart.
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- Date Issued: 2009
Traditional food crops as a source of community resilience in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Shava, Soul , O'Donoghue, Rob B , Krasny, Marianne E , Zazu, Clayton
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/438804 , vital:73501 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/18186870903101982"
- Description: This article draws on local narratives and observations of food sustenance practices in relocated farming communities in Sebakwe, Zimbabwe. Local knowledge on traditional food crops and related agricultural practices was proven to be a source of local community resilience, enabling residents to sustain their livelihoods. Local community agency in maintaining, cultivating and processing traditional food crops was found to sustain their culture and livelihoods, thereby providing community resilience in a changing environment.
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- Date Issued: 2009
Understanding social learning processes in a citrus farming community of practice
- Authors: Downsborough, Linda
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/386949 , vital:68191 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/122819"
- Description: This paper focuses on what would traditionally be termed ‘non-formal’ learning processes in the context of a case study examining how citrus farming communities in the Patensie Valley in the Eastern Cape in South Africa were learning conservation practices. Communities of Practice theory was used to provide a conceptual framework for researching these learning interactions. Through historical and other qualitative research methods, I was able to establish that farmers in this community of practice learned mainly through responding to change and uncertainty, through forming and drawing on networks and community structures, through intergenerational learning, and through various interactions with each other. The historical research also pointed to the significance of policy and market-based changes in farmer learning, and their attachment to the land, which is shaped through historical associations with the land, and through embedded relations in farming practice cultures. The paper provides an example of how Communities of Practice theory, complemented by historical research, can be used to understand non-formal learning.
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- Date Issued: 2009
Utopianism and educational processes in the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development
- Authors: Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/184756 , vital:44269 , xlink:href="https://cjee.lakeheadu.ca/article/view/866"
- Description: Recent international policy literature on Education for Sustainable Development puts forward utopian concepts of sustainable development and transformed learning as objects for educational thinking and practice. This paper, drawing on three illustrative educational investigations with youth in a South African context, critically examines how we might engage with utopian concepts such as those put forward in the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. It incorporates an engagement with other related utopian concepts such as democracy and social justice, which feature strongly in post-apartheid societal reconstruction in South Africa. The paper argues that if we are to avoid valuable utopian concepts such as democracy, sustainability, and social justice from becoming doxic knowledge, a reflexive realist orientation might best guide our educational engagements with such concepts. Such an approach to utopianism would take account of contextual realities and situated learning processes, and foster a creativity of action that is constructivist in nature, but not relativist.
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- Date Issued: 2009
Water-soluble phthalocyanines mediated photodynamic effect on mesothelioma cells
- Authors: Saydan, Nil , Durmus, Mahmut , Dizge, Meltem G , Yaman, Hanif , Gürek, Ayşe G , Antunes, Edith M , Nyokong, Tebello , Ahsen, Vefa
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/263480 , vital:53631 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1142/S1088424609000863"
- Description: The new peripherally 2-mercaptopyridine tetrasubstituted zinc phthalocyanine (2) and its quaternized derivative (3) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR spectroscopy, electronic spectroscopy and mass spectra. The quaternized compound (3) shows excellent solubility in water, which makes it a potential photosensitizer for use in photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer. Fluorescence and singlet oxygen quantum yield measurements were conducted on 2-mercaptopyridine appended zinc phthalocyanines in dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) for both the non-ionic (2) and quaternized (3) derivatives, and in aqueous media for the water-soluble complex 3. General trends are described for fluorescence and singlet oxygen quantum yields of these compounds. In this study, the cells were incubated with a novel water-soluble zinc phthalocyanine derivative (3) and thereafter the cells were illuminated using broad-band incoherent light source of various energy levels. Cytotoxicity of PDT on two pleural malign mesothelioma cell lines was determined by colorimetric proliferation assay. In addition, after PDT treatment, determination of activity matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were evaluated using gelatine zymography.
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- Date Issued: 2009
What's wrong with Walden Two?
- Authors: Tabensky, Pedro
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/305791 , vital:58612 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC96066"
- Description: Despite being eminently forgettable from the literary point of view, B. F. Skinner's novel, Walden Two, provides us with an excellent opportunity, not so much to show what is wrong with mainstream accounts of free will, as Robert Kane thinks, but rather to explore another key and importantly neglected condition for genuine agency; namely, that properly lived human lives are those that are and must continue to be vulnerable to unforseable reversals, as Aldous Huxley speculates in his Brave New World. In short, I argue, perhaps scandalously, that one of the central conditions for genuine agency is that our lives are and must continue to be, to a large extent, out of our personal control. The promise of too much personal control, not too little (as Kane thinks), is what is wrong with Skinner's social utopia.
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- Date Issued: 2009
White Guys Can't Beg
- Authors: Krueger, Anton
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/229796 , vital:49711 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC47812"
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- Date Issued: 2009
Why ontology matters to reviewing environmental education
- Authors: Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182646 , vital:43850 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/13504620902807550"
- Description: This paper responds to a keynote paper presented by William Scott at the 2007 World Environmental Education Congress held in Durban, South Africa. The keynote address reviewed 30 years of environmental education research. In this response to William Scott's paper I contemplate the way in which environmental education research may enable reflexivity in modernity and develop knowledge that can serve as cultural mediator between individual and society. Through emphasizing ontology, I consider the reality of global knowledge production in relation to the way in which ontology may influence the reasons how and why we come to do particular forms of research, providing an ontological reference for the ever‐expanding pluralism that characterizes the field of environmental education research. The paper comments on various aspects of the Scott paper, but presents an argument for not only valuing pluralism, methodological experimentation and ‘reaching out’, but for embracing the cosmopolitan implications of wider ontological referents of environmental concerns in environmental education research. The paper argues that research in environmental education ought to become ontologically defensible at both local and global scales.
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- Date Issued: 2009
An evaluation of the integrated approach to community development: case study of Alfred Nzo Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Manqina, Nzaliseko Erasmus
- Date: 2009-01
- Subjects: Community development
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25162 , vital:63984
- Description: Development in South Africa during the apartheid era was characterized by separate development, where social welfare services and programmes for individuals and communities were fragmented and administered along racial lines (White Paper for Social Welfare, 1997). The segregated social policies prevented inter-sectoral collaboration and a holistic approach to the development of communities. This lack of integration resulted in fragmentation, duplication of services, inefficiency and ineffectiveness in meeting the needs of the majority of individuals and communities. This legacy continues to impact on the implementation of social services in the current context of democratic South Africa (White Paper for Social Welfare, 1997:5-6). This study examined how integration and the integrated approach by stakeholders/role players is applied in community development in the Alfred Nzo District Municipality. Alfred Nzo District was chosen as the case study area since it is one of the nodal points for the implementation in 2004 of the Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Program (ISRDP) initiated by the National government to address poverty in the rural areas of the Province. The research was qualitative in nature. The sample comprised of nine managers, fourteen practitioners and sixty two community members in eight focus groups. Data was collected through self administered interview schedules for managers and practitioners while focus group interviews were conducted by the researcher for community members involved in community development projects. The findings suggest varied understanding of the concepts of integration, ISRDP, community development and collaboration. The findings also revealed challenges in terms of integration and co-ordination by stakeholders in community development. The study established that there is a need for improvement of the integration efforts for community development processes that involves a number of role players. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2009
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- Date Issued: 2009-01
Assessment of the implementation of performance management system at Mnquma Local municipality of the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Mbiko, Khanyiso Livingstone
- Date: 2008-12
- Subjects: Performance -- Management , Personnel management
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24165 , vital:62439
- Description: The intention of this study was to assess the implementation of performance management system at the Mnquma local municipality. The municipality of Mnquma has in the past been plagued by service delivery challenges and thus the study sought to ascertain whether the challenges could be attributed to the failures of the performance management system within the municipality. It became apparent from the literature review that for any local municipality to play a meaningful role in ensuring that South Africa achieves the goal of becoming a developmental state, capable of confronting service delivery challenges, there needs to be a proper implementation of the performance management system. The study was also aimed at identifying the factors that support or hinder the implementation of the performance management system within the Mnquma local municipality. In order to achieve this objective, scheduled interviews were conducted with various respondents in the municipality. The respondents included the councilors from the four political parties comprising the municipality council, municipal manager and the rest of the Section 57 managers. The key findings that emerged from the data collected, was that the implementation of the performance management system has not been successful. It is also became apparent that there are brewing political tensions that are likely to affect the political stability of the municipality. In addition, it was also evident that there was a minimal or lack of involvement of the local communities in the municipal affairs such as the development of the Municipal Key Performance Indicators. It would therefore be critical important for the management of the Mnquma local municipality to take into account the results of this study and its recommendations so as to ensure that there is a proper implementation of the performance management system within the municipality. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2008
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- Date Issued: 2008-12
Re-imagining rural agrarian transformation in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mwangolela, Tafadzwa Fungayi
- Date: 2008-11
- Subjects: Agricultural development projects , Agricultural innovations , Rural development
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26559 , vital:65642
- Description: The research report is submitted to the School of Public Management and Development, University of Fort Hare as part of Masters in Public Administration requirements. The Provincial Growth and Development Plan 2004 2014 has identified agriculture as a critical pillar strategy of poverty reduction and growth in the Eastern Cape Province. The main aim of the study was to assess the viability of the agrarian transformation initiatives in the Eastern Cape. The study therefore was measuring the progress made by the agrarian transformation initiatives in selected areas versus the following variables food security, household community growth, participation and community involvement, and production support. In the attempt to achieve the main objectives, the study focused on the political economy of the rural as the policy context. The literature was an in-depth engagement with body of knowledge on agrarian transformations, with particular interest in governance participation and the impacts of agrarian initiatives in some countries. The product of literature analysis is the hypothetical model, termed the democratised rural agrarian transformation that should shape the policy implementation of agrarian reform. The study also undertook a field work that was guided by research methodology protocols from social science. The study thus collected primary data from 54 farmers participants drawn from 4 local municipalities within Chris Hani and Amathole District Municipalities. The findings of the study showed that there is still a challenge on the potential of rural agriculture to stimulate the improvement of food security status, and rural incomes. This reality is due to various factors such as poor farmer participation, weakness in coordination of the projects, limited access to extension services as a matter of capacity building. The study makes recommendations which are outlined a building local linkages integration with Local Economic Development initiatives and improvement of agrarian social infrastructure dynamic extension services, and political interventions. Conclusively there is need for an intergovernmental approach to the redress of the agrarian question in rural Eastern Cape. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2008
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- Date Issued: 2008-11
An evaluation of citizen participation in policy implementation in the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality
- Authors: Pafa, Zolekile Willie
- Date: 2008-09
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Citizen participation , Policy sciences -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24476 , vital:62980
- Description: The new political dispensation in South Africa requires that the municipal authorities should involve citizens in policy implementation. In this mini-dissertation, a study is undertaken to investigate the effectiveness of the citizen participation in policy implementation at the King Sabata Dalindyebo municipality. The study emanates from the assumption that citizens are not effectively involved in municipal matters. The main objectives of the study are provide a theoretical framework for policy implementation by describing and explaining its nature and place in Public Administration; provide a constitutional framework for citizen participation in South Africa; evaluate the role of citizens in policy implementation in the King Sabata Dalindyebo municipality; evaluate the interaction between citizens, the councillors and the chief officials in the above municipal authority; and where possible, include recommendations for the improvement of citizen participation in policy implementation in the above municipal authority. The study is envisaged as providing possible solution to the ineffective participation of citizens in municipal matters. The study presents an overview of the legislative framework and the role citizens can play. This is followed by the theoretical framework of the policy implementation within the municipal policy process. Based on the theoretical framework presented, an analysis is then made to prove whether citizens do participate in municipal matters in King Sabata Dalindyebo. It is envisaged that this study will promote the involvement of citizens in municipal matters in King Sabata Dalindyebo municipality. Finally, the study ends by providing recommendations to the problem of ineffective citizen participation in King Sabata Dalindyebo municipality. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2008
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- Date Issued: 2008-09
An investigation into the effect of corporate philanthropy on staff wellbeing at a small company in the South African marketing industry
- Authors: Schepers, Deborah Christine
- Date: 2008-03
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/191412 , vital:45095
- Description: In many service industries, the source of a company’s value has shifted from capital to knowledge and ideas, the quality of which is dependent on its employees (Wooldridge, 2006). In fact, human resources can be considered part of factor conditions which can positively impact on a firm’s competitive context. This impact can ultimately translate into improved financial results (Porter and Kramer, 2002). There is therefore a growing interest in ways to attract and retain talent. According to the managers of many big companies, well communicated corporate responsibility practices can improve staff attraction as well as retention rates by improving morale (CSRwire, 2002). To explore this, a small, creative company in Johannesburg which engages in charity work was selected as a case study, with the goal being to understand whether their culture of good deeds has a positive impact on staff wellbeing. While the owner of the company actively attempts to make the company an enjoyable place to work at, he appears to have initiated the philanthropic activities in a true spirit of giving, rather than with the motive of engaging staff in order to make more money. Nevertheless, the researcher’s investigative stance is that of an enlightened egoist, and the study focuses on the business case of giving being beneficial to the giver (ultimately the company) in the long term, as well as to the recipient. While the danger of suggesting that philanthropy could be instrumentalised is acknowledged (Morton, 2004), the investigation explores the possibility because such evidence could persuade other companies to become more socially concerned. Through a qualitative approach involving interviews, observation and analysis of video footage, it becomes apparent that there is clearly value for the staff in the charity work they do. Unfortunately the multiple initiatives undertaken to keep staff morale high at the company make it impossible to establish a clear link between the philanthropy and overall wellbeing, but as the study was conducted in the phenomenological paradigm the main concern was with understanding the experience of participants. However, an unexpected finding was that the employees derive great satisfaction from using their professional skills for charity work rather than just donating money to the charity. They feel that their skills uniquely position them to make significant changes to the lives of others, which gives them a sense of pride and achievement that they don’t necessarily experience in their ordinary activities at work. On the basis of this, it is recommended that companies look to involve staff with projects that require their specific expertise when evaluating philanthropic initiatives. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Investec Business School, 2008
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- Date Issued: 2008-03