Dynamic service orchestration in heterogeneous internet of things environments
- Authors: Chindenga, Edmore
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Internet of things
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8001 , vital:31457
- Description: Internet of Things (IoT) presents a dynamic global revolution in the Internet where physical and virtual “things” will communicate and share information. As the number of devices increases, there is a need for a plug-and–interoperate approach of deploying “things” to the existing network with less or no human need for configuration. The plug-and-interoperate approach allows heterogeneous “things” to seamlessly interoperate, interact and exchange information and subsequently share services. Services are represented as functionalities that are offered by the “things”. Service orchestration provides an approach to integration and interoperability that decouples applications from each other, enhancing capabilities to centrally manage and monitor components. This work investigated requirements for semantic interoperability and exposed current challenges in IoT interoperability as a means of facilitating services orchestration in IoT. The research proposes a platform that allows heterogeneous devices to collaborate thereby enabling dynamic service orchestration. The platform provides a common framework for representing semantics allowing for a consistent information exchange format. The information is stored and presented in an ontology thereby preserving semantics and making the information comprehensible to machines allowing for automated addressing, tracking and discovery as well as information representation, storage, and exchange. Process mining techniques were used to discover service orchestrations. Process mining techniques enabled the analysis of runtime behavior of service orchestrations and the semantic breakdown of the service request and creation in real time. This enabled the research to draw observations that led to conclusions presented in this work. The research noted that the use of semantic technologies facilitates interoperability in heterogeneous devices and can be implemented as a means to bypass challenges presented by differences in IoT “things”.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Chindenga, Edmore
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Internet of things
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8001 , vital:31457
- Description: Internet of Things (IoT) presents a dynamic global revolution in the Internet where physical and virtual “things” will communicate and share information. As the number of devices increases, there is a need for a plug-and–interoperate approach of deploying “things” to the existing network with less or no human need for configuration. The plug-and-interoperate approach allows heterogeneous “things” to seamlessly interoperate, interact and exchange information and subsequently share services. Services are represented as functionalities that are offered by the “things”. Service orchestration provides an approach to integration and interoperability that decouples applications from each other, enhancing capabilities to centrally manage and monitor components. This work investigated requirements for semantic interoperability and exposed current challenges in IoT interoperability as a means of facilitating services orchestration in IoT. The research proposes a platform that allows heterogeneous devices to collaborate thereby enabling dynamic service orchestration. The platform provides a common framework for representing semantics allowing for a consistent information exchange format. The information is stored and presented in an ontology thereby preserving semantics and making the information comprehensible to machines allowing for automated addressing, tracking and discovery as well as information representation, storage, and exchange. Process mining techniques were used to discover service orchestrations. Process mining techniques enabled the analysis of runtime behavior of service orchestrations and the semantic breakdown of the service request and creation in real time. This enabled the research to draw observations that led to conclusions presented in this work. The research noted that the use of semantic technologies facilitates interoperability in heterogeneous devices and can be implemented as a means to bypass challenges presented by differences in IoT “things”.
- Full Text:
Effect of Moringa oleifera leaf meal on growth performance, faecal ammonia emissions, carcass characteristics and the quality of meat from broiler chickens
- Authors: Mxunyelwa, Avela,
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Moringa oleifera Meat -- Quality Broilers (Chickens)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15034 , vital:40154
- Description: The objective of the study was to determine growth performance, faecal ammonia gas emission, carcass characteristics and physico-chemical meat traits from broilers fed one of the four dietary treatments, containing 0percent, 1percent, 3percent or 5percent Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) (T1, T2, T3, and T4, respectively). Dietary treatments were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric for a starter (0-14 days), grower (15-21days) and finisher (22-35 days). A total of 160 day old Cobb 500 broiler chickens, initially weighing an average of 45g were randomly allocated to each of the dietary treatments, each with four replicates, in 16 pens. Feed and water were offered ad libitum. Feed intakes (FI), average daily gain (ADG), body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) were measured weekly. At the end of the feeding trial, the feed was withdrawn from the birds for 12 hours with water available ad libitum and the birds were slaughtered using standard abattoir procedures. The breast muscle of each carcass was sampled for meat quality analysis. Organ and carcass weights differences were measured. Birds fed with T1 had the highest FI. Birds fed with T4 had the best FCE at day 14, 21 and 35. At day 7 and 35, there were no significant differences in FCE in all the treatments. At 0 to 35 days, faecal ammonia emission decreased (P<0.05) as MOLM concentration and age of birds increased. Moringa fed broilers had the highest body weights in all the periods despite the incorporation level in the diet. The results showed that inclusion of MOLM had a significant effect (P<0.05) on the heart, neck, and head weights but had no significant effect on liver, gizzard, intestine and feet. Broilers fed with T1 had heavier heart, neck and head weights compared to MOLM fed broilers. In terms of carcass traits, MOLM had a significant effect (P<0.05) on wings and thighs but had no significant effect (P>0.05) on breast and drumsticks. Moringa oleifera leaf meal had a significant effect on carcass weights, control diet had heavier weights (1185g ± 28.96) compared to chickens fed with MOLM diets (1121g±28.96, 1070g ± 28.96, 1030g± 28.96). Broilers fed with MOLM had higher values of lightness (L*) and (b*) values (P<0.05) at 45 minutes and 24 hours and no difference was observed in redness (a*) at 45 minutes and 24 hours. The L* values dropped at 24 hours for all the treatments and MOLM fed broilers had the lowest values (46.59 ± 0.76,46 ± 0.76,49 ± 0.76) compared to the control diet (50 ± 0.76). The pH levels were comparable after 24 hours; T2 had the highest pH values (5.95 ± 0.024) compared to other treatments (5.90 ± 0.024, 5.75 ± 0.024, 5.73 ± 0.024). The results of this study demonstrated that even though the FI was reduced in MOLM fed broilers, they efficiently consumed and used nutrients, as a result MOLM fed birds had higher weights and low ammonia concentration throughout the experiment, which may improve the house environment without affecting the quality of meat.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mxunyelwa, Avela,
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Moringa oleifera Meat -- Quality Broilers (Chickens)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15034 , vital:40154
- Description: The objective of the study was to determine growth performance, faecal ammonia gas emission, carcass characteristics and physico-chemical meat traits from broilers fed one of the four dietary treatments, containing 0percent, 1percent, 3percent or 5percent Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) (T1, T2, T3, and T4, respectively). Dietary treatments were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric for a starter (0-14 days), grower (15-21days) and finisher (22-35 days). A total of 160 day old Cobb 500 broiler chickens, initially weighing an average of 45g were randomly allocated to each of the dietary treatments, each with four replicates, in 16 pens. Feed and water were offered ad libitum. Feed intakes (FI), average daily gain (ADG), body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) were measured weekly. At the end of the feeding trial, the feed was withdrawn from the birds for 12 hours with water available ad libitum and the birds were slaughtered using standard abattoir procedures. The breast muscle of each carcass was sampled for meat quality analysis. Organ and carcass weights differences were measured. Birds fed with T1 had the highest FI. Birds fed with T4 had the best FCE at day 14, 21 and 35. At day 7 and 35, there were no significant differences in FCE in all the treatments. At 0 to 35 days, faecal ammonia emission decreased (P<0.05) as MOLM concentration and age of birds increased. Moringa fed broilers had the highest body weights in all the periods despite the incorporation level in the diet. The results showed that inclusion of MOLM had a significant effect (P<0.05) on the heart, neck, and head weights but had no significant effect on liver, gizzard, intestine and feet. Broilers fed with T1 had heavier heart, neck and head weights compared to MOLM fed broilers. In terms of carcass traits, MOLM had a significant effect (P<0.05) on wings and thighs but had no significant effect (P>0.05) on breast and drumsticks. Moringa oleifera leaf meal had a significant effect on carcass weights, control diet had heavier weights (1185g ± 28.96) compared to chickens fed with MOLM diets (1121g±28.96, 1070g ± 28.96, 1030g± 28.96). Broilers fed with MOLM had higher values of lightness (L*) and (b*) values (P<0.05) at 45 minutes and 24 hours and no difference was observed in redness (a*) at 45 minutes and 24 hours. The L* values dropped at 24 hours for all the treatments and MOLM fed broilers had the lowest values (46.59 ± 0.76,46 ± 0.76,49 ± 0.76) compared to the control diet (50 ± 0.76). The pH levels were comparable after 24 hours; T2 had the highest pH values (5.95 ± 0.024) compared to other treatments (5.90 ± 0.024, 5.75 ± 0.024, 5.73 ± 0.024). The results of this study demonstrated that even though the FI was reduced in MOLM fed broilers, they efficiently consumed and used nutrients, as a result MOLM fed birds had higher weights and low ammonia concentration throughout the experiment, which may improve the house environment without affecting the quality of meat.
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Effect of phosphorus application on dry matter yield and nutrient content of Mucuna Pruriens (L) in Alice
- Authors: Tshwati, Nolubabalo
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Legumes Phosphorus Fertilizers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12326 , vital:39253
- Description: The use of herbaceous legumes such as Mucuna (Mucuna pruriens) can assist to recapitalize soil fertility depletion and improve livestock productivity in the small holder farming sector of South Africa. The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of phosphorus fertilizer application (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg P/ha) on the dry matter yield and nutritive value of Mucuna pruriens. The study was conducted at University of Fort Hare Research farm in Alice, South Africa. The research design was a randomized complete block design with three replicates per treatment. Data collection included biomass production and nutrient content of Mucuna pruriens. The forage legume was harvested at flowering stage of growth and analysed for chemical composition. The results showed that with the application of 60 kg P/ha Mucuna had the highest (P < 0.05) fresh and dry matter yield of 19.58 kg/ha and 5.41 kg/ha, respectively compared to other treatments. However, all the other treatments differed from one another. Similarly, the fresh stem and leaf fractions yield and their dry matter yields showed the same trend with application of 60 kg P/ha having the greatest yield compared to the other treatments. Nevertheless, all the treatments differed (P<0.05) from one another with P0 having the least yields. The leaf to stem ratio did not show any significant (P>0.05) difference among all the treatments ranging from 1.44 to 1.62 in fresh forage and ranging from 1.31 to 1.50 in the dry forage. In terms of dry matter content, the control treatment had the highest dry matter content of 37.78percent, however, all the other treatments did not differ significantly (P < 0.05) from each other. There was no significant effect of P application (P > 0.05) in terms of ash, EE, ADF, CP, Ca, Mg, K, Na, P, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe of the whole plant forage among the treatments. The application of 40 kg P/ha fertilizer significantly (P < 0.05) increased the NDF (51.16percent) of the whole plant of Mucuna compared to the other treatments which did not differ (p>0.05) among themselves. Within the stem fraction there were no significant (P > 0.05) differences among the treatments for the ash, EE, ADF, NDF, and CP, hemicellulose, Ca, Mg, K, P, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe contents. However, the application of 40 kg P/ha fertilizer significantly (P < 0.05) increased the Na (0.05percent) content of the Mucuna stem fraction. In the leaf fraction of Mucuna there was no significant (P > 0.05) differences in terms of ash, EE, ADF, NDF, CP, hemicellulose, Ca, K, P, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe among the treatments. However, the application of 20 kg P/ha fertilizer significantly (P < 0.05) increased the Mg (0.52percent) of the Mucuna leaves compared to the other treatments. Therefore the study has shown that increase in P application (60 kg P/ha) has no major effect in the nutrient content of Mucuna. Furthermore, it is recommended that Mucuna can be grown as a protein supplement, based on the CP content values that were recorded in this study and to provide maintenance requirements for ruminants. It was therefore concluded that phosphorus fertilization particularly 60 kg P/ha is necessary and required for optimum growth of Mucuna pruriens in order to increase forage yield. Based on the nutrient content result it was concluded that there was no effect of P fertilizer application levels on the nutrient content of Mucuna pruriens in Alice.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Tshwati, Nolubabalo
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Legumes Phosphorus Fertilizers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12326 , vital:39253
- Description: The use of herbaceous legumes such as Mucuna (Mucuna pruriens) can assist to recapitalize soil fertility depletion and improve livestock productivity in the small holder farming sector of South Africa. The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of phosphorus fertilizer application (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg P/ha) on the dry matter yield and nutritive value of Mucuna pruriens. The study was conducted at University of Fort Hare Research farm in Alice, South Africa. The research design was a randomized complete block design with three replicates per treatment. Data collection included biomass production and nutrient content of Mucuna pruriens. The forage legume was harvested at flowering stage of growth and analysed for chemical composition. The results showed that with the application of 60 kg P/ha Mucuna had the highest (P < 0.05) fresh and dry matter yield of 19.58 kg/ha and 5.41 kg/ha, respectively compared to other treatments. However, all the other treatments differed from one another. Similarly, the fresh stem and leaf fractions yield and their dry matter yields showed the same trend with application of 60 kg P/ha having the greatest yield compared to the other treatments. Nevertheless, all the treatments differed (P<0.05) from one another with P0 having the least yields. The leaf to stem ratio did not show any significant (P>0.05) difference among all the treatments ranging from 1.44 to 1.62 in fresh forage and ranging from 1.31 to 1.50 in the dry forage. In terms of dry matter content, the control treatment had the highest dry matter content of 37.78percent, however, all the other treatments did not differ significantly (P < 0.05) from each other. There was no significant effect of P application (P > 0.05) in terms of ash, EE, ADF, CP, Ca, Mg, K, Na, P, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe of the whole plant forage among the treatments. The application of 40 kg P/ha fertilizer significantly (P < 0.05) increased the NDF (51.16percent) of the whole plant of Mucuna compared to the other treatments which did not differ (p>0.05) among themselves. Within the stem fraction there were no significant (P > 0.05) differences among the treatments for the ash, EE, ADF, NDF, and CP, hemicellulose, Ca, Mg, K, P, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe contents. However, the application of 40 kg P/ha fertilizer significantly (P < 0.05) increased the Na (0.05percent) content of the Mucuna stem fraction. In the leaf fraction of Mucuna there was no significant (P > 0.05) differences in terms of ash, EE, ADF, NDF, CP, hemicellulose, Ca, K, P, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe among the treatments. However, the application of 20 kg P/ha fertilizer significantly (P < 0.05) increased the Mg (0.52percent) of the Mucuna leaves compared to the other treatments. Therefore the study has shown that increase in P application (60 kg P/ha) has no major effect in the nutrient content of Mucuna. Furthermore, it is recommended that Mucuna can be grown as a protein supplement, based on the CP content values that were recorded in this study and to provide maintenance requirements for ruminants. It was therefore concluded that phosphorus fertilization particularly 60 kg P/ha is necessary and required for optimum growth of Mucuna pruriens in order to increase forage yield. Based on the nutrient content result it was concluded that there was no effect of P fertilizer application levels on the nutrient content of Mucuna pruriens in Alice.
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Effects of Pteronia incana (Blue bush) invasion on grass biomass production, soil chemical characteristics and peoples' livelihoods in Ngqushwa communal rangelands, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Ntutha, T
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Invasive plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Shrublands -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Rangelands -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4682 , vital:28493
- Description: The objective of the study was to assess the farmers’ knowledge and perceptions of P. incana invasion and impacts on rangeland, livestock production and livelihood in four communal grazing areas. Twenty households per village that own livestock were randomly selected to conduct an interview using an open and closed ended questionnaire. In each household, an old and knowledgeable respondent about P. incana invasion was used as a selection criterion. For scientific assessment of range condition, the experiment was conducted in a 270 m x 100 m trial plots that were established in 2014. The area was divided into 3 open and 3 fenced subplots each having an area of 45 m x 100 m established laid down a slope gradient. Each plot was divided into four equal subplots to apply the control treatments. Therefore, the trial layout was a stratified block experiment of four treatments replicated three times. The four control treatments applied to P. incana invasion were chopping and resting (CR), resting without chopping (RWOC), grazing and chopping (GC), grazing without chopping (GWOC). A step point method was applied in each transect to monitor species composition and P. incana cover. On the fenced plots two exclosures of 1mx1m size were randomly distributed to make sure that resting is maintained. Within exclosures 0.25 m2quadrates in each were put randomly to measure biomass. Density of P. incana was determined from 5 m x 5 m quadrates that were placed randomly within each sub-plot. The density and height of individual shrub plant was measured. All rooted live woody plants were recorded and counted in each quadrate. The results revealed that species composition was not affected (P>0.05) by the treatments applied. The herbage height and basal cover had greater values (P<0.05) under rested plus chopping (CR) treatment followed by grazed plus chopping (GC). Grass biomass production and essential nutrients showed a greater concentration (P<0.05) under CR treatment than any treatments applied. The results on perceptions revealed that goats had the highest mean household holding number than any other livestock species across the selected villages in all the villages. Respondents indicated that both goats and cattle had equal or more importance than sheep. Three out of four villages raised cattle primarily for income generation and secondarily for cultural purposes like slaughtering during weddings ceremonies, amazila and also during woman circumcisions (Ntonjane). Similarly, goats and sheep were primarily raised for cash income generation. The results revealed that livestock population decreased over ten to twenty years (one-two decades) and poor rangeland condition is assumed to be the cause of the situation as feed is the key factor for production. The area was dominated by the grasses rather than by browse woody species so the above results are possible as the P. incana is more competitive than grasses. It was concluded that P. incana is detrimental to both rangeland and animal production. Forage and animal performance as well as farmers’ economic status (livelihoods) were negatively affected by P. incana invasion and the scientific assessment reported it to be detrimental to agriculture. Thus chopping and resting (CR) treatment resulted in a greater improvement of the basal cover, biomass production, soil nutrients as well as grass height than the other treatments applied. Therefore it can be concluded that chopping and resting the veld invaded with P. incana can improve the range and consequently animal production.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ntutha, T
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Invasive plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Shrublands -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Rangelands -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4682 , vital:28493
- Description: The objective of the study was to assess the farmers’ knowledge and perceptions of P. incana invasion and impacts on rangeland, livestock production and livelihood in four communal grazing areas. Twenty households per village that own livestock were randomly selected to conduct an interview using an open and closed ended questionnaire. In each household, an old and knowledgeable respondent about P. incana invasion was used as a selection criterion. For scientific assessment of range condition, the experiment was conducted in a 270 m x 100 m trial plots that were established in 2014. The area was divided into 3 open and 3 fenced subplots each having an area of 45 m x 100 m established laid down a slope gradient. Each plot was divided into four equal subplots to apply the control treatments. Therefore, the trial layout was a stratified block experiment of four treatments replicated three times. The four control treatments applied to P. incana invasion were chopping and resting (CR), resting without chopping (RWOC), grazing and chopping (GC), grazing without chopping (GWOC). A step point method was applied in each transect to monitor species composition and P. incana cover. On the fenced plots two exclosures of 1mx1m size were randomly distributed to make sure that resting is maintained. Within exclosures 0.25 m2quadrates in each were put randomly to measure biomass. Density of P. incana was determined from 5 m x 5 m quadrates that were placed randomly within each sub-plot. The density and height of individual shrub plant was measured. All rooted live woody plants were recorded and counted in each quadrate. The results revealed that species composition was not affected (P>0.05) by the treatments applied. The herbage height and basal cover had greater values (P<0.05) under rested plus chopping (CR) treatment followed by grazed plus chopping (GC). Grass biomass production and essential nutrients showed a greater concentration (P<0.05) under CR treatment than any treatments applied. The results on perceptions revealed that goats had the highest mean household holding number than any other livestock species across the selected villages in all the villages. Respondents indicated that both goats and cattle had equal or more importance than sheep. Three out of four villages raised cattle primarily for income generation and secondarily for cultural purposes like slaughtering during weddings ceremonies, amazila and also during woman circumcisions (Ntonjane). Similarly, goats and sheep were primarily raised for cash income generation. The results revealed that livestock population decreased over ten to twenty years (one-two decades) and poor rangeland condition is assumed to be the cause of the situation as feed is the key factor for production. The area was dominated by the grasses rather than by browse woody species so the above results are possible as the P. incana is more competitive than grasses. It was concluded that P. incana is detrimental to both rangeland and animal production. Forage and animal performance as well as farmers’ economic status (livelihoods) were negatively affected by P. incana invasion and the scientific assessment reported it to be detrimental to agriculture. Thus chopping and resting (CR) treatment resulted in a greater improvement of the basal cover, biomass production, soil nutrients as well as grass height than the other treatments applied. Therefore it can be concluded that chopping and resting the veld invaded with P. incana can improve the range and consequently animal production.
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Environmental factors influencing ecotonal changes in an indigenous forest in the Keiskammahoek Forest Estate, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Kiva, Luthando
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Forest ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Forests and forestry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Forest conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2743 , vital:28071
- Description: This study investigates environmental factors influencing ecotonal changes in the Dontsa Forest Management Unit (FMU) of the Keiskammahoek Estate Forest which is located in the Amatole Mountains of the Eastern Cape in the Republic of South Africa. The patterns of forest edge movement were analysed to show trends of forest edge movement from 1975 to 1985, 1975 to 1992, 1975 to 2002, 1975 to 2014, 1985 to 1992, 1985 to 2002, 1985 to 2014, 1992 to 2002, 1992 to 2014 and 2002 to 2014 by digitizing and assessing the scale of forest edge movement using georeferenced aerial photographs. Belt transects were established in six sites that were selected on the basis of physiographic elements for determination of the driving forces of forest ecotonal changes. The results of the study show that the forest edge moved positive towards the grassland biome while in other sites there was contraction of the forest edge from 1975 to 2014. The findings of the study show that some forest patches moved with few individual pioneer species towards the grassland while indigenous species dominated in the ecotone area of the forest in other research sites. D whyteana, A latifolius, R melanophloes, A facultus, R prenoides, C aurea, C bispinosa, C inerme, and S martina are the plant species with high density in the forest ecotone while A latifolius, R prenoides, R melanophloes were highly distributed along the grassland area. The results also show that harvesting of Pinus patula and illegal harvesting of understory species are major factors that result in ecotonal changes of Dontsa FMU. The research sites adjacent to residential areas have experienced reduction of ecotone area as compared to the research sites in high altitude areas of the Amathole Mountains where there is less disturbance. The eastern facing aspect of the forest exhibited a high density of plants in the forest ecotone as compared to the west facing slope.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kiva, Luthando
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Forest ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Forests and forestry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Forest conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2743 , vital:28071
- Description: This study investigates environmental factors influencing ecotonal changes in the Dontsa Forest Management Unit (FMU) of the Keiskammahoek Estate Forest which is located in the Amatole Mountains of the Eastern Cape in the Republic of South Africa. The patterns of forest edge movement were analysed to show trends of forest edge movement from 1975 to 1985, 1975 to 1992, 1975 to 2002, 1975 to 2014, 1985 to 1992, 1985 to 2002, 1985 to 2014, 1992 to 2002, 1992 to 2014 and 2002 to 2014 by digitizing and assessing the scale of forest edge movement using georeferenced aerial photographs. Belt transects were established in six sites that were selected on the basis of physiographic elements for determination of the driving forces of forest ecotonal changes. The results of the study show that the forest edge moved positive towards the grassland biome while in other sites there was contraction of the forest edge from 1975 to 2014. The findings of the study show that some forest patches moved with few individual pioneer species towards the grassland while indigenous species dominated in the ecotone area of the forest in other research sites. D whyteana, A latifolius, R melanophloes, A facultus, R prenoides, C aurea, C bispinosa, C inerme, and S martina are the plant species with high density in the forest ecotone while A latifolius, R prenoides, R melanophloes were highly distributed along the grassland area. The results also show that harvesting of Pinus patula and illegal harvesting of understory species are major factors that result in ecotonal changes of Dontsa FMU. The research sites adjacent to residential areas have experienced reduction of ecotone area as compared to the research sites in high altitude areas of the Amathole Mountains where there is less disturbance. The eastern facing aspect of the forest exhibited a high density of plants in the forest ecotone as compared to the west facing slope.
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Evaluating farmers' perceptions and the impact of bush encroachment on herbaceous vegetation and soil nutrients in Sheshegu communal rangelands of the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Tokozwayo, Sive
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Range management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Brush -- Control -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Communal rangelands -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2733 , vital:28066
- Description: Communal rangelands occupy 13 percent of the agricultural land in South Africa, and these rangelands serve as a source of feed to livestock. These areas are threatened by bush encroachment due to poor rangeland management. This study was conducted in Alice (Sheshegu communal area) and the objective was to assess farmers' perceptions and the impact of bush encroachment on herbaceous vegetation and soil nutrients. Structured questionnaires were used to assess indigenous knowledge of communal farmers on the impact of bush encroachment on rangelands. Fourty (40) respondents from households who owned livestock were randomly selected and interviewed at Sheshegu village. About 89 percent of communal farmers perceived that change of their grasslands to encroached savannas was caused by unreliable rainfall, prolonged drought, and poor rangeland management. Rangeland assessment was performed at four sites (Scattered, Moderate, Mixed and Dense bushland. 100mx50m were demarcated per site, and four 100m transects were laid parallel to each other, 30m apart. The step point method was used to determine both species composition and basal cover. Biomass production was determined by harvesting forage within randomly-paced a 0.25m2 quadrats. Aristada congesta and Eragrostis obtuse were the most dominating grass species in dense, mixed and moderate bushland. Scattered bushland was dominated by Themeda triandra. Biomass production increases with increase in bush density and basal cover improved from winter to summer season. Increaser grass species increase with the increase in bush density, this indicated that the rangeland was poorly managed and palatable species were being replaced by less palatable ones. Species composition of woody plants was determined within a 200m2 belt transect in all sites. Maytenus polycantha, Aloe ferox, Erehia rigida and lucas capensis were the most dominant woody species in Mixed bushland while Acacia karroo was most dominated in Scattered, Moderate and Dense bushland. Woody density showed no significant differences (P> 0.05) between Dense, Mixed and Moderate bushland. Woody plant density in all these sites exceed 2500 plants/ha, which showed that the rangeland was encroached with woody plants. Soil nutrient content was determined for each site. Five samples of soil were collected per site to test the effect of bush encroachment on soil nutrient composition. The concentration of nitrogen and soil pH increased with increase in bush density, while that of potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, sodium and sulphur showed no significant differences (P>0.05) across all homogenous vegetation units. The study revealed that Sheshegu communal farmers are aware of both negative and positive effects of encroachment on their community, and also argue that the government is not willing to support communal farmers in the process of reducing the spread of bush encroachment. It was concluded that the concentration of nitrogen and soil pH increased with increasing bush density and that bush encroachment had negative effects on herbaceous species. It was recommended that communal farmers should be formulating rangeland rules and regulations to manage rangeland resources. Rangeland rules and regulations should be based on the management of livestock management during grazing and harvesting of rangeland resources. The harvesting of woody and good timing of application of fire can also reduce the spread of bush encroachment. Veld resting and rotational grazing can also improve fuel load which is required for burning of woody plants. Furthermore, Department of agriculture should also provide workshops or training to communal farmers use different approaches or cheap ways of reducing bush encroachment and conserving rangeland resources.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Tokozwayo, Sive
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Range management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Brush -- Control -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Communal rangelands -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2733 , vital:28066
- Description: Communal rangelands occupy 13 percent of the agricultural land in South Africa, and these rangelands serve as a source of feed to livestock. These areas are threatened by bush encroachment due to poor rangeland management. This study was conducted in Alice (Sheshegu communal area) and the objective was to assess farmers' perceptions and the impact of bush encroachment on herbaceous vegetation and soil nutrients. Structured questionnaires were used to assess indigenous knowledge of communal farmers on the impact of bush encroachment on rangelands. Fourty (40) respondents from households who owned livestock were randomly selected and interviewed at Sheshegu village. About 89 percent of communal farmers perceived that change of their grasslands to encroached savannas was caused by unreliable rainfall, prolonged drought, and poor rangeland management. Rangeland assessment was performed at four sites (Scattered, Moderate, Mixed and Dense bushland. 100mx50m were demarcated per site, and four 100m transects were laid parallel to each other, 30m apart. The step point method was used to determine both species composition and basal cover. Biomass production was determined by harvesting forage within randomly-paced a 0.25m2 quadrats. Aristada congesta and Eragrostis obtuse were the most dominating grass species in dense, mixed and moderate bushland. Scattered bushland was dominated by Themeda triandra. Biomass production increases with increase in bush density and basal cover improved from winter to summer season. Increaser grass species increase with the increase in bush density, this indicated that the rangeland was poorly managed and palatable species were being replaced by less palatable ones. Species composition of woody plants was determined within a 200m2 belt transect in all sites. Maytenus polycantha, Aloe ferox, Erehia rigida and lucas capensis were the most dominant woody species in Mixed bushland while Acacia karroo was most dominated in Scattered, Moderate and Dense bushland. Woody density showed no significant differences (P> 0.05) between Dense, Mixed and Moderate bushland. Woody plant density in all these sites exceed 2500 plants/ha, which showed that the rangeland was encroached with woody plants. Soil nutrient content was determined for each site. Five samples of soil were collected per site to test the effect of bush encroachment on soil nutrient composition. The concentration of nitrogen and soil pH increased with increase in bush density, while that of potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, sodium and sulphur showed no significant differences (P>0.05) across all homogenous vegetation units. The study revealed that Sheshegu communal farmers are aware of both negative and positive effects of encroachment on their community, and also argue that the government is not willing to support communal farmers in the process of reducing the spread of bush encroachment. It was concluded that the concentration of nitrogen and soil pH increased with increasing bush density and that bush encroachment had negative effects on herbaceous species. It was recommended that communal farmers should be formulating rangeland rules and regulations to manage rangeland resources. Rangeland rules and regulations should be based on the management of livestock management during grazing and harvesting of rangeland resources. The harvesting of woody and good timing of application of fire can also reduce the spread of bush encroachment. Veld resting and rotational grazing can also improve fuel load which is required for burning of woody plants. Furthermore, Department of agriculture should also provide workshops or training to communal farmers use different approaches or cheap ways of reducing bush encroachment and conserving rangeland resources.
- Full Text:
Evaluating revenue collection and allocation challenges faced by Ndlambe Local Municipality (Eastern Cape Province)
- Pieters, Nonkqubela Ntomboxolo
- Authors: Pieters, Nonkqubela Ntomboxolo
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Municipal corporations -- Taxation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Municipal finance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4442 , vital:28333
- Description: In this project, the researcher evaluates revenue collection and allocation challenges faced by South African Municipalities in the case of NDLAMBE Local Municipality and this research project consist of five Chapters. Chapter one introduces and outlines the setting of the study and also provides the problem statement, research questions, research objectives and significance of the study. The chapter further clarifies the key concepts and terms that were used in the study, delimitation and limitations of the study. Chapter two provides a critical discussion of the concept of revenue collection and allocation, focusing on the various perspective of revenue. A source of municipal revenue and revenue collection and allocation model is explained as well as theoretical framework that guides it. Chapter three gives an account of the research design and methodology used in the study and in this study the researcher used the qualitative research approach as a data collection technique and document surveys were used because it is cheap and it saves time. The chapter also highlights the revenue collection and allocation applicable to the study and conclude by discussing the data analysis techniques that were used in the empirical study. Chapter four dealt with the data analysis of data collected presentation and discussion of the results and the researcher analyzed data using the filtering technique and content analysis. Chapter five drew conclusions and made scientific recommendations based on the research findings.The municipality is largely dependent on grants from upper spheres of government and generate less than 20 percent of current expenditures from own resources. As a whole, the revenue collection and allocation challenge of the NDLAMBE Local Municipality, given the current scenario of flows, is a reason for concern. Due to historical and political factors, local governments in South Africa differ substantially in terms of potential revenue base, but it may be that in many cases potential revenue is not exploited and that the high level of dependency on grants, high level of bad debts and lack of political will to be more self-reliant is the result of poor revenue in NDLAMBE Local Municipality.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Pieters, Nonkqubela Ntomboxolo
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Municipal corporations -- Taxation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Municipal finance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4442 , vital:28333
- Description: In this project, the researcher evaluates revenue collection and allocation challenges faced by South African Municipalities in the case of NDLAMBE Local Municipality and this research project consist of five Chapters. Chapter one introduces and outlines the setting of the study and also provides the problem statement, research questions, research objectives and significance of the study. The chapter further clarifies the key concepts and terms that were used in the study, delimitation and limitations of the study. Chapter two provides a critical discussion of the concept of revenue collection and allocation, focusing on the various perspective of revenue. A source of municipal revenue and revenue collection and allocation model is explained as well as theoretical framework that guides it. Chapter three gives an account of the research design and methodology used in the study and in this study the researcher used the qualitative research approach as a data collection technique and document surveys were used because it is cheap and it saves time. The chapter also highlights the revenue collection and allocation applicable to the study and conclude by discussing the data analysis techniques that were used in the empirical study. Chapter four dealt with the data analysis of data collected presentation and discussion of the results and the researcher analyzed data using the filtering technique and content analysis. Chapter five drew conclusions and made scientific recommendations based on the research findings.The municipality is largely dependent on grants from upper spheres of government and generate less than 20 percent of current expenditures from own resources. As a whole, the revenue collection and allocation challenge of the NDLAMBE Local Municipality, given the current scenario of flows, is a reason for concern. Due to historical and political factors, local governments in South Africa differ substantially in terms of potential revenue base, but it may be that in many cases potential revenue is not exploited and that the high level of dependency on grants, high level of bad debts and lack of political will to be more self-reliant is the result of poor revenue in NDLAMBE Local Municipality.
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Evaluation of physiochemical qualities and heavy metal levels of the final effluents of some wastewater treatment facilities in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Kulati, Thanduxolo Cullinan
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Water -- Purification Sewage -- Purification
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1547 , vital:27417
- Description: Water is the most abundant substance in nature and vital for life activities. The major water sources for use are surface water bodies such as rivers and lakes, and underground aquifers and pore spaces down the water table (Ring, 2003). Water derived from these sources is not necessarily pure since it contains dissolved inorganic and organic substances, living organisms (viruses, bacteria, etc). For these reasons, water intended for domestic uses should be free from toxic substances and microorganisms that are of health significance (WHO, 2005). The availability and quality of water always have played an important role in determining the quality of life. Water quality is closely linked to water use and to the state of economic development (Chennakrishnan et al., 2008). Ground and surface waters can be contaminated by several sources. In urban areas, the careless disposal of industrial effluents and other wastes may contribute greatly to the poor quality of water (Mathuthu et al., 1997). In most developing countries, most areas are located on the watersheds which are the end points of effluents discharged from various industries (Oberholster and Ashton, 2008). South Africa, as a developing country, is experiencing rapid demographic changes due to urbanization, industrialization and population growth. The country has also been identified as being water-scarce, which can lead to a challenge of meeting the increasing water demand due to industrialization and urbanization. Such population growth increase may result in an increase in wastewater output, especially around urban areas.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kulati, Thanduxolo Cullinan
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Water -- Purification Sewage -- Purification
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1547 , vital:27417
- Description: Water is the most abundant substance in nature and vital for life activities. The major water sources for use are surface water bodies such as rivers and lakes, and underground aquifers and pore spaces down the water table (Ring, 2003). Water derived from these sources is not necessarily pure since it contains dissolved inorganic and organic substances, living organisms (viruses, bacteria, etc). For these reasons, water intended for domestic uses should be free from toxic substances and microorganisms that are of health significance (WHO, 2005). The availability and quality of water always have played an important role in determining the quality of life. Water quality is closely linked to water use and to the state of economic development (Chennakrishnan et al., 2008). Ground and surface waters can be contaminated by several sources. In urban areas, the careless disposal of industrial effluents and other wastes may contribute greatly to the poor quality of water (Mathuthu et al., 1997). In most developing countries, most areas are located on the watersheds which are the end points of effluents discharged from various industries (Oberholster and Ashton, 2008). South Africa, as a developing country, is experiencing rapid demographic changes due to urbanization, industrialization and population growth. The country has also been identified as being water-scarce, which can lead to a challenge of meeting the increasing water demand due to industrialization and urbanization. Such population growth increase may result in an increase in wastewater output, especially around urban areas.
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Exploring the use and relevance of narrative approaches to psycho-social interventions in the south African context : a mixed methods content analysis
- Authors: Smit, Christelle
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Narrative therapy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6432 , vital:29684
- Description: This study aims to explore the use and relevance of Narrative approaches to psycho-social interventions in the South African context. The profession of psychology in South Africa has been in a state of discontentment since the country’s turn to democracy in 1994 which has been voiced from both those within the profession and those it aims to assist. The loudest call is for a psychology that is relevant to the South African context – culturally, socially, and politically. Narrative approaches to psychotherapy and psycho-social intervention are grounded in post-modern and social-constructionist thought and offer an alternative to mainstream psychological theory. Narrative practice aims to promote social justice and views therapy as a political act. It is also an approach that values local knowledges and sees all therapeutic engagements as cross-cultural encounters which are approached with curiosity and a not-knowing stance, rather than an interpretive, analytical lens. This study has investigated what the existing literature has produced regarding the use and relevance of Narrative approaches in South Africa context. The research process was implemented using a mixed methods research methodology whereby a sample of 58 journal articles (n=58) were analysed using both quantitative and qualitative content analysis. The common themes that emerged from the articles were ‘viewing people in context’, ‘listening to the telling of stories’, ‘theoretical constructs of a narrative approach’, and ‘social phenomena’.
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- Authors: Smit, Christelle
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Narrative therapy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6432 , vital:29684
- Description: This study aims to explore the use and relevance of Narrative approaches to psycho-social interventions in the South African context. The profession of psychology in South Africa has been in a state of discontentment since the country’s turn to democracy in 1994 which has been voiced from both those within the profession and those it aims to assist. The loudest call is for a psychology that is relevant to the South African context – culturally, socially, and politically. Narrative approaches to psychotherapy and psycho-social intervention are grounded in post-modern and social-constructionist thought and offer an alternative to mainstream psychological theory. Narrative practice aims to promote social justice and views therapy as a political act. It is also an approach that values local knowledges and sees all therapeutic engagements as cross-cultural encounters which are approached with curiosity and a not-knowing stance, rather than an interpretive, analytical lens. This study has investigated what the existing literature has produced regarding the use and relevance of Narrative approaches in South Africa context. The research process was implemented using a mixed methods research methodology whereby a sample of 58 journal articles (n=58) were analysed using both quantitative and qualitative content analysis. The common themes that emerged from the articles were ‘viewing people in context’, ‘listening to the telling of stories’, ‘theoretical constructs of a narrative approach’, and ‘social phenomena’.
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Factors influencing attendance by diabetic patients for their yearly ophthalmic reviews at a private ophthalmic practice in East London, South Africa
- Authors: Arnolds, Nadine Chrystal
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11928 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021321
- Description: Diabetic retinopathies is a complication of diabetes mellitus causing blindness globally, and as patients live longer, cases of diabetic retinopathy increases. Despite efforts to educate patients at their eye visits, yearly follow up visits is still a major challenge. Key words: Diabetes, Diabetic retinopathy, health systems, non-attendance, knowledge, attitude, behaviour, gender, fear and anxiety Objectives: The objectives of the study were to investigate the reasons for non-compliance by determining the relationship among the selected factors (knowledge/ confidence/ fear and anxiety) and adherence to yearly reviews. Methods: Data were collected from adult diabetic patients who attended the private practice for an eye review by the ophthalmologist. The instrument used was a semi- structured questionnaire with sections covering demographics, statements regarding diabetes and diabetic eye care and one section with an open ended question to determine the reasons for non- attendance. Data analysis: Measures of central tendency were checked and expressed in terms of percentages and tables. The inferential statistics was also conducted to determine the relationship amongst variables. Chi square tests were used to determine the relationship amongst the categorical variables and eye reviews. Spearman’s correlation analysis was carried out to determine the association amongst variables, (behaviour, control, stigma and satisfaction). The open ended question was used to analyse the reason for non-compliance. Results: A total of 300 diabetic patients were randomly selected for the study. The participants were sampled in a stratified way such that each level of compliance is equally represented. The dataset was acceptably complete with very few missing values. The distribution of the participants across the different biographical variables was cross tabulated by compliance with annual reviews. Of the 300 participants, 151 (50.3%) were compliant. The results show that there were more females than males 166 (56.3%), more Africans than any other ethnic group 168 (57.1%), more married people than any other marital status group 183 (61.0%), more Christians than any other religion 227 (92.3%), and more living with their families than any other living arrangement 223 (74.8%). Of these variables 5 (1.7%) missing values were recorded for gender, 6 (2%) for ethnicity, and 2 (0.7%) for living arrangements, while marital status and religion were complete. The majority of the participants had a secondary school education 130 (43.3%), and most felt that they were in good health 148 (49.3%). As for payment of medical expenses, 255 (87%) had a medical aid, and yet 147 (51.6%) last visited a doctor more than a year from the date of data collection. Conclusion: Compliance with doctor’s visits was found to be associated with positive behaviour and more knowledge and control. Knowledgeable patients were more satisfied with the medical services. Fear of stigma associated with diabetes mellitus was found to be associated with demographic variables such as gender, race, marital status, employment status and educational level. The main reasons for non-compliance were lack of information, negligence, busy work schedules and lack of finance. These results suggested there is a need to raise awareness of eye health and access to affordable medical services.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Arnolds, Nadine Chrystal
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11928 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021321
- Description: Diabetic retinopathies is a complication of diabetes mellitus causing blindness globally, and as patients live longer, cases of diabetic retinopathy increases. Despite efforts to educate patients at their eye visits, yearly follow up visits is still a major challenge. Key words: Diabetes, Diabetic retinopathy, health systems, non-attendance, knowledge, attitude, behaviour, gender, fear and anxiety Objectives: The objectives of the study were to investigate the reasons for non-compliance by determining the relationship among the selected factors (knowledge/ confidence/ fear and anxiety) and adherence to yearly reviews. Methods: Data were collected from adult diabetic patients who attended the private practice for an eye review by the ophthalmologist. The instrument used was a semi- structured questionnaire with sections covering demographics, statements regarding diabetes and diabetic eye care and one section with an open ended question to determine the reasons for non- attendance. Data analysis: Measures of central tendency were checked and expressed in terms of percentages and tables. The inferential statistics was also conducted to determine the relationship amongst variables. Chi square tests were used to determine the relationship amongst the categorical variables and eye reviews. Spearman’s correlation analysis was carried out to determine the association amongst variables, (behaviour, control, stigma and satisfaction). The open ended question was used to analyse the reason for non-compliance. Results: A total of 300 diabetic patients were randomly selected for the study. The participants were sampled in a stratified way such that each level of compliance is equally represented. The dataset was acceptably complete with very few missing values. The distribution of the participants across the different biographical variables was cross tabulated by compliance with annual reviews. Of the 300 participants, 151 (50.3%) were compliant. The results show that there were more females than males 166 (56.3%), more Africans than any other ethnic group 168 (57.1%), more married people than any other marital status group 183 (61.0%), more Christians than any other religion 227 (92.3%), and more living with their families than any other living arrangement 223 (74.8%). Of these variables 5 (1.7%) missing values were recorded for gender, 6 (2%) for ethnicity, and 2 (0.7%) for living arrangements, while marital status and religion were complete. The majority of the participants had a secondary school education 130 (43.3%), and most felt that they were in good health 148 (49.3%). As for payment of medical expenses, 255 (87%) had a medical aid, and yet 147 (51.6%) last visited a doctor more than a year from the date of data collection. Conclusion: Compliance with doctor’s visits was found to be associated with positive behaviour and more knowledge and control. Knowledgeable patients were more satisfied with the medical services. Fear of stigma associated with diabetes mellitus was found to be associated with demographic variables such as gender, race, marital status, employment status and educational level. The main reasons for non-compliance were lack of information, negligence, busy work schedules and lack of finance. These results suggested there is a need to raise awareness of eye health and access to affordable medical services.
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Factors that influence smallholder farmers maize varietal choice: the case of Mhlontlo Local Municipality Eastern Cape
- Authors: Nkohla, Siviwe
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Agricultural productivity , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture extension work -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/3121 , vital:28263
- Description: In South Africa, maize is grown all over the country under various environments including both dry and irrigated agriculture. The majority of maize farmers are smallholders farming on small pieces of land with low input technologies. Additionally, South Africa`s smallholder maize farmers are characterised by low maize productivity, this is despite of the availability of many improved maize varieties on the market. It is clear that professional maize breeders are continuously developing many superior maize varieties with traits more suitable for the commercial farming sector than the smallholder sector. Against this background, this study used a descriptive statistics approach to find out maize varieties and traits preferred by smallholder farmers. The study also evaluated factors that influence smallholder farmers` maize varietal selection choice using descriptive statistics and multinomial regression. The data used for the empirical analysis was obtained from a survey of 200 smallholder farmers in Mhlontlo Local Municipality, in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nkohla, Siviwe
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Agricultural productivity , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture extension work -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/3121 , vital:28263
- Description: In South Africa, maize is grown all over the country under various environments including both dry and irrigated agriculture. The majority of maize farmers are smallholders farming on small pieces of land with low input technologies. Additionally, South Africa`s smallholder maize farmers are characterised by low maize productivity, this is despite of the availability of many improved maize varieties on the market. It is clear that professional maize breeders are continuously developing many superior maize varieties with traits more suitable for the commercial farming sector than the smallholder sector. Against this background, this study used a descriptive statistics approach to find out maize varieties and traits preferred by smallholder farmers. The study also evaluated factors that influence smallholder farmers` maize varietal selection choice using descriptive statistics and multinomial regression. The data used for the empirical analysis was obtained from a survey of 200 smallholder farmers in Mhlontlo Local Municipality, in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.
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Fatty acid composition, colour stability and lipid oxidation of mince produced from fresh and frozen/thawed fallow deer meat
- Authors: Chido, Chakanya
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Lipids -- Oxidation Meat -- Preservation Mincemeat
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2479 , vital:27874
- Description: The aim of the study was to determine the fatty acid composition, colour stability and lipid oxidation of fresh mince produced from fallow deer and to evaluate the effect of frozen storage duration on the retail display shelf life of the mince. A total of 31 fallow deer carcasses were used in the study. After cooling for 24hrs, the carcasses were deboned, external fat from the fore and hindquarter muscles removed and individually vacuum packed. For the first trial, seven fallow deer carcasses were used. Meat from the hind and fore-quarters of each carcass was divided into two equal batches per animal. One batch was minced (through a 5 mm die) and packed into oxygen permeable overwraps and refrigerated at 4°C for a period of eight days under retail display conditions. The second batch was vacuum packed and frozen at -20°C for 2 months at the end of which mince was also produced and monitored over an eight-day period under the same conditions that were used for the fresh mince. Colour, pH, lipid and myoglobin stability was determined. Proximate and fatty acid composition was also determined. No differences (P>0.05) were noted between proximate composition of fresh and frozen/thawed minced meat. The lipid content of fallow deer was 2.4 percent (±0.04). Total n3 fatty acids differed (P<0.05) between treatments and decreased with increased storage and display day. There were significant (P<0.05) treatment and time interactions on all measured colour parameters, TBARS and myoglobin forms. Fresh mince was lighter and had higher redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) values than mince from two months frozen stored meat. Hue angle for fresh mince remained stable throughout display whereas it increased for frozen/thawed mince. Fresh mince had lower TBARS values than frozen/thawed mince. Minced meat produced from frozen/thawed deer meat had higher surface met-myoglobin and total met-myoglobin percentages. Surface and total oxy-myoglobin percentage was higher in fresh mince. The first trial clearly showed colour and lipid stability differences between fresh mince and mince from frozen/thawed meat. It also showed that fresh mince has a longer retail display life than mince produced from frozen/thawed meat (six days and four days, respectively). In the second trial, the effects of frozen storage duration on colour and lipid stability were investigated. Twenty-four fallow deer were used. Twelve were harvested in June (6male 6female) and the other twelve in August (6 male 6female) of the same year.Twenty four hours after harvesting, the fore and hindquarter muscles of the carcasses were deboned, vacuum packed and kept at -20°C until October (i.e. 2months and 4months frozen storage period). Upon thawing, the meat was processed into mince following the same procedure used for the first trialand displayed for a fiveday period under retail display conditions. Frozen duration and gender had no effect (P>0.05) on the proximate composition of fallow deer meat. The total amount of saturated fatty acids (SFA) increased and total amount of poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) decreased as frozen duration and display day increased (P<0.05). Frozen duration affected (P<0.01) lipid oxidation and percentage oxy-myoglobin. Mince pH and all colour parameters (L*, a*, b*,hue and chroma) differed (P<0.05) between treatments on day zero and three. Display day was a significant factor (P<0.05) on all measured parameters. By day three all parameters except pH showed signs of extended oxidation and discolouration as evidenced by reduced redness, decreased colour intensity and high TBARS values. This study showed that prolonged frozen storage negatively affects the colour and lipid stability of meat and increases oxidation of PUFAs during frozen storage. However, the study also suggests that although frozen/thawed meat has a shorter retail display shelf life; the proximate composition of the meat remains unchanged.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Chido, Chakanya
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Lipids -- Oxidation Meat -- Preservation Mincemeat
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2479 , vital:27874
- Description: The aim of the study was to determine the fatty acid composition, colour stability and lipid oxidation of fresh mince produced from fallow deer and to evaluate the effect of frozen storage duration on the retail display shelf life of the mince. A total of 31 fallow deer carcasses were used in the study. After cooling for 24hrs, the carcasses were deboned, external fat from the fore and hindquarter muscles removed and individually vacuum packed. For the first trial, seven fallow deer carcasses were used. Meat from the hind and fore-quarters of each carcass was divided into two equal batches per animal. One batch was minced (through a 5 mm die) and packed into oxygen permeable overwraps and refrigerated at 4°C for a period of eight days under retail display conditions. The second batch was vacuum packed and frozen at -20°C for 2 months at the end of which mince was also produced and monitored over an eight-day period under the same conditions that were used for the fresh mince. Colour, pH, lipid and myoglobin stability was determined. Proximate and fatty acid composition was also determined. No differences (P>0.05) were noted between proximate composition of fresh and frozen/thawed minced meat. The lipid content of fallow deer was 2.4 percent (±0.04). Total n3 fatty acids differed (P<0.05) between treatments and decreased with increased storage and display day. There were significant (P<0.05) treatment and time interactions on all measured colour parameters, TBARS and myoglobin forms. Fresh mince was lighter and had higher redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) values than mince from two months frozen stored meat. Hue angle for fresh mince remained stable throughout display whereas it increased for frozen/thawed mince. Fresh mince had lower TBARS values than frozen/thawed mince. Minced meat produced from frozen/thawed deer meat had higher surface met-myoglobin and total met-myoglobin percentages. Surface and total oxy-myoglobin percentage was higher in fresh mince. The first trial clearly showed colour and lipid stability differences between fresh mince and mince from frozen/thawed meat. It also showed that fresh mince has a longer retail display life than mince produced from frozen/thawed meat (six days and four days, respectively). In the second trial, the effects of frozen storage duration on colour and lipid stability were investigated. Twenty-four fallow deer were used. Twelve were harvested in June (6male 6female) and the other twelve in August (6 male 6female) of the same year.Twenty four hours after harvesting, the fore and hindquarter muscles of the carcasses were deboned, vacuum packed and kept at -20°C until October (i.e. 2months and 4months frozen storage period). Upon thawing, the meat was processed into mince following the same procedure used for the first trialand displayed for a fiveday period under retail display conditions. Frozen duration and gender had no effect (P>0.05) on the proximate composition of fallow deer meat. The total amount of saturated fatty acids (SFA) increased and total amount of poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) decreased as frozen duration and display day increased (P<0.05). Frozen duration affected (P<0.01) lipid oxidation and percentage oxy-myoglobin. Mince pH and all colour parameters (L*, a*, b*,hue and chroma) differed (P<0.05) between treatments on day zero and three. Display day was a significant factor (P<0.05) on all measured parameters. By day three all parameters except pH showed signs of extended oxidation and discolouration as evidenced by reduced redness, decreased colour intensity and high TBARS values. This study showed that prolonged frozen storage negatively affects the colour and lipid stability of meat and increases oxidation of PUFAs during frozen storage. However, the study also suggests that although frozen/thawed meat has a shorter retail display shelf life; the proximate composition of the meat remains unchanged.
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Foundation Phase male student-teachers’ experiences during Teaching Practice: Implications for Initial Teacher Training
- Authors: Makeleni, Sive
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Student teaching -- South Africa Teachers -- Training of -- South Africa Teaching -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5171 , vital:29095
- Description: The aim of this study was to explore experiences of Foundation Phase male studentteachers during teaching practice. Four Bachelor of Education Foundation Phase male student-teachers were selected for the purpose of this study. Venturing of males in Foundation Phase specialisation is phenomenon. Foundation Phase has been viewed as a female territory for many years. As a result, there are few males teaching in FP. The study employed the qualitative approach as a suitable approach. As the study sought to explore experiences, a phenomenological design was followed. In a true phenomenological design, unstructured interviews and personal diaries are used for data collection. In this study data were collected through unstructured interviews and personal diaries of the participants. I employed interpretivism as a research paradigm. The study found that despite South Africa being a democratic country Foundation Phase is still viewed as a female space. Findings reveal that male student-teachers feel that in a democratic country, gender equality should be exercised. The study revealed that teaching profession is undermined. As much as participants reported about insecurities, they also reported about the benefits of being a male studentteacher in Foundation Phase specialisation. One of the benefits reported is knowledge and understanding of child development theories. The participants reported that during TP, they were seen as role-models, as father figures and resources. The research recommends that Initial Teacher Education Programme should do more in preparing male student-teachers venturing in Foundation Phase. The research also suggests that all stakeholders involved in education should have a programme focusing on developing teaching profession to be a prestigious profession. The government and all education stakeholders should also focus on gender equality within FP specialisation, both in Initial Teacher Education institutions and in schools.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Makeleni, Sive
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Student teaching -- South Africa Teachers -- Training of -- South Africa Teaching -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5171 , vital:29095
- Description: The aim of this study was to explore experiences of Foundation Phase male studentteachers during teaching practice. Four Bachelor of Education Foundation Phase male student-teachers were selected for the purpose of this study. Venturing of males in Foundation Phase specialisation is phenomenon. Foundation Phase has been viewed as a female territory for many years. As a result, there are few males teaching in FP. The study employed the qualitative approach as a suitable approach. As the study sought to explore experiences, a phenomenological design was followed. In a true phenomenological design, unstructured interviews and personal diaries are used for data collection. In this study data were collected through unstructured interviews and personal diaries of the participants. I employed interpretivism as a research paradigm. The study found that despite South Africa being a democratic country Foundation Phase is still viewed as a female space. Findings reveal that male student-teachers feel that in a democratic country, gender equality should be exercised. The study revealed that teaching profession is undermined. As much as participants reported about insecurities, they also reported about the benefits of being a male studentteacher in Foundation Phase specialisation. One of the benefits reported is knowledge and understanding of child development theories. The participants reported that during TP, they were seen as role-models, as father figures and resources. The research recommends that Initial Teacher Education Programme should do more in preparing male student-teachers venturing in Foundation Phase. The research also suggests that all stakeholders involved in education should have a programme focusing on developing teaching profession to be a prestigious profession. The government and all education stakeholders should also focus on gender equality within FP specialisation, both in Initial Teacher Education institutions and in schools.
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Foundation phase male student-teacher’s experiences during teaching practice: implications for initial teacher training
- Authors: Makeleni, Sive
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Student teaching -- South Africa Teachers -- Training of -- South Africa Teaching -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4780 , vital:28519
- Description: The aim of this study was to explore experiences of Foundation Phase male student teachers during teaching practice. Four Bachelor of Education Foundation Phase male student-teachers were selected for the purpose of this study. Venturing of males in Foundation Phase specialisation is phenomenon. Foundation Phase has been viewed as a female territory for many years. As a result, there are few males teaching in FP. The study employed the qualitative approach as a suitable approach. As the study sought to explore experiences, a phenomenological design was followed. In a true phenomenological design, unstructured interviews and personal diaries are used for data collection. In this study data were collected through unstructured interviews and personal diaries of the participants. I employed interpretivism as a research paradigm.
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- Authors: Makeleni, Sive
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Student teaching -- South Africa Teachers -- Training of -- South Africa Teaching -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4780 , vital:28519
- Description: The aim of this study was to explore experiences of Foundation Phase male student teachers during teaching practice. Four Bachelor of Education Foundation Phase male student-teachers were selected for the purpose of this study. Venturing of males in Foundation Phase specialisation is phenomenon. Foundation Phase has been viewed as a female territory for many years. As a result, there are few males teaching in FP. The study employed the qualitative approach as a suitable approach. As the study sought to explore experiences, a phenomenological design was followed. In a true phenomenological design, unstructured interviews and personal diaries are used for data collection. In this study data were collected through unstructured interviews and personal diaries of the participants. I employed interpretivism as a research paradigm.
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Gender possibilities in the African context as explored by Mariama Ba's So long a letter, Neshani Andrea's The purple violet of Oshaantu and Sindiwe Magona's Beauty gift
- Authors: Goremusandu, Tania
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Women and literature Feminist fiction -- History and criticism Women authors, African
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6469 , vital:29739
- Description: Gender oppression has been a significant discussion to the development of gender, cultural and feminist theories. The primary focus of this study is to investigate how patriarchal traditions, colonialism, and religious oppression force women to struggle under constrictions oppositional to empowerment. Thus, the project provides a comparative analysis of three texts from different African postcolonial societies by three African female writers: Mariama Bâ, Neshani Andreas and Sindiwe Magona. The author‟s biographies and historical context of their novels will be analyzed, as well as a summary of their stories will be included in order to provide the context for gender criticism. These writer‟s work; So Long a Letter, The Purple Violet of Oshaantu and Beauty‟s Gift depict patriarchal, cultural and religious laws which exist in Senegal, Namibia and South Africa, respectively, that limit the position of women. Therefore, this study will interrogate the experience of African women as inscribed in these selected texts, uncovering the literary expressions of gender oppression as well as the possibilities of empowerment. The selected texts will be analyzed through the lens of Gender studies, African feminism and Cultural studies. From these theories, the focus of the study is on the struggles of the female characters living in patriarchal societies as well as on the idea that gender is constructed socially and culturally in the African context. In conclusion, the emergence of these renowned female African writers together with the emancipation of African countries from colonial supremacy has opened a space for women to compensate and correct the stereotyped female images in African literature and post- colonial societies. Most contemporary African writers like Buchi Emecheta, Tsitsi Dangarembga, Sindiwe Magona, Mariama Bâ and Neshani Andreas have shown that women are seeking to attain empowerment. As a result, this study can be viewed as an opportunity to highlight such experiences by continuing to interrogate the writings of African women writers and to explore their gender-based themes so as to inform and or inspire the implementation of women empowerment. It will broaden and encourage further academic discussion in the field of Cultural studies and gender criticism of women‟s literature within the African context.
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- Authors: Goremusandu, Tania
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Women and literature Feminist fiction -- History and criticism Women authors, African
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6469 , vital:29739
- Description: Gender oppression has been a significant discussion to the development of gender, cultural and feminist theories. The primary focus of this study is to investigate how patriarchal traditions, colonialism, and religious oppression force women to struggle under constrictions oppositional to empowerment. Thus, the project provides a comparative analysis of three texts from different African postcolonial societies by three African female writers: Mariama Bâ, Neshani Andreas and Sindiwe Magona. The author‟s biographies and historical context of their novels will be analyzed, as well as a summary of their stories will be included in order to provide the context for gender criticism. These writer‟s work; So Long a Letter, The Purple Violet of Oshaantu and Beauty‟s Gift depict patriarchal, cultural and religious laws which exist in Senegal, Namibia and South Africa, respectively, that limit the position of women. Therefore, this study will interrogate the experience of African women as inscribed in these selected texts, uncovering the literary expressions of gender oppression as well as the possibilities of empowerment. The selected texts will be analyzed through the lens of Gender studies, African feminism and Cultural studies. From these theories, the focus of the study is on the struggles of the female characters living in patriarchal societies as well as on the idea that gender is constructed socially and culturally in the African context. In conclusion, the emergence of these renowned female African writers together with the emancipation of African countries from colonial supremacy has opened a space for women to compensate and correct the stereotyped female images in African literature and post- colonial societies. Most contemporary African writers like Buchi Emecheta, Tsitsi Dangarembga, Sindiwe Magona, Mariama Bâ and Neshani Andreas have shown that women are seeking to attain empowerment. As a result, this study can be viewed as an opportunity to highlight such experiences by continuing to interrogate the writings of African women writers and to explore their gender-based themes so as to inform and or inspire the implementation of women empowerment. It will broaden and encourage further academic discussion in the field of Cultural studies and gender criticism of women‟s literature within the African context.
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Genotypic and phenotypic characterization of enterococci from cow dung and environmental water sources in three selected dairy farms in Amathole District
- Authors: Tanih, Godfred Ngu
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Enterobacteriaceae Water -- Microbiology Enterococcus faecalis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2348 , vital:27755
- Description: Enterococcus species are integral members of the gastrointestinal microfloral of humans, animals, birds, as well as insects. Their presence in water and food has been greatly associated with faecal contamination. This study was aimed at evaluating the incidence of Enterococcus species in cow dung and environmental water sources in three commercial dairy farms. In addition, their antibiotic profiles were determined as well as resistance and virulence genes. Furthermore, the genetic relatedness of the isolates was determined by molecular typing method (RAPD PCR). Three hundred and thirty four water and faecal samples consisting of 117, 116 and 101 were collected from Seven Star Middle Drift and Fort Hare Dairy trusts respectively. Of the 334 samples collected, 289 were of faecal origin and 45 from water sources within the farms. All samples were screened for enterococci using culture base growth media and molecular methods targeting the tuf gene. Speciation was done using species-specific primers and the incidences of various species within the farms determined. Furthermore resistance to antibiotics and multidrug-resistant phenotypes were established using the disk diffusion method. Genes coding for virulence and resistance were also determined. From the samples collected, 313 (289 faecal and 24 water) presumptive enteroccocci were isolated, 305 of 313 (97.45 percent) were confirmed as Enterococcus of which 239 of 305 (78.38 percent) were identified as E. hirae, 15 of 305 (4.92 percent) as E. faecium, 12/305 (3.93 percent) as E. durans, 6 of 305 (1.97 percent) as E. faecalis and 33 of 305 (10.82 percent) were unidentified. Out of the five virulence genes that were targeted in the study only gelE (71.80 percent of 219/305) and ace (27.2 percent 83/305) were present in the isolates. Phenotypic resistance to antibiotics was observed is in all twelve antibiotics tested with multidrug resistance phenotypes detected in some enterococcal isolates most predominant in Seven Star and Middledrift dairy trust. Finally RAPD profiles of the isolates showed high relatedness between the strains from water and cow dung sources in all three commercial dairy farms suggesting possible contamination from cow dung to the water sources or vice versa.
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- Authors: Tanih, Godfred Ngu
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Enterobacteriaceae Water -- Microbiology Enterococcus faecalis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2348 , vital:27755
- Description: Enterococcus species are integral members of the gastrointestinal microfloral of humans, animals, birds, as well as insects. Their presence in water and food has been greatly associated with faecal contamination. This study was aimed at evaluating the incidence of Enterococcus species in cow dung and environmental water sources in three commercial dairy farms. In addition, their antibiotic profiles were determined as well as resistance and virulence genes. Furthermore, the genetic relatedness of the isolates was determined by molecular typing method (RAPD PCR). Three hundred and thirty four water and faecal samples consisting of 117, 116 and 101 were collected from Seven Star Middle Drift and Fort Hare Dairy trusts respectively. Of the 334 samples collected, 289 were of faecal origin and 45 from water sources within the farms. All samples were screened for enterococci using culture base growth media and molecular methods targeting the tuf gene. Speciation was done using species-specific primers and the incidences of various species within the farms determined. Furthermore resistance to antibiotics and multidrug-resistant phenotypes were established using the disk diffusion method. Genes coding for virulence and resistance were also determined. From the samples collected, 313 (289 faecal and 24 water) presumptive enteroccocci were isolated, 305 of 313 (97.45 percent) were confirmed as Enterococcus of which 239 of 305 (78.38 percent) were identified as E. hirae, 15 of 305 (4.92 percent) as E. faecium, 12/305 (3.93 percent) as E. durans, 6 of 305 (1.97 percent) as E. faecalis and 33 of 305 (10.82 percent) were unidentified. Out of the five virulence genes that were targeted in the study only gelE (71.80 percent of 219/305) and ace (27.2 percent 83/305) were present in the isolates. Phenotypic resistance to antibiotics was observed is in all twelve antibiotics tested with multidrug resistance phenotypes detected in some enterococcal isolates most predominant in Seven Star and Middledrift dairy trust. Finally RAPD profiles of the isolates showed high relatedness between the strains from water and cow dung sources in all three commercial dairy farms suggesting possible contamination from cow dung to the water sources or vice versa.
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Good governance as a key to effective and efficient service delivery in South Africa : a case of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Authors: Mutangabende, Shepherd
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/7815 , vital:30720
- Description: In South Africa service delivery has become an everyday song as citizens are gradually questioning for a workable way out of their daily problems stimulated by the unsolved challenges of shortage of clean drinkable water, electricity, poor health facilities and poverty, housing, hunger and refuse removal among other things. All these problems are attributed to lack of accountability, transparency and participation in the manner public institutions and officials are operating. Thus, one can argue that good governance in the public sector is a key to improve service delivery because these protests “reflect very little opportunity for community participation and poor governance”. This in turn means, the crisis in service delivery is a crisis in transparency, participation and accountability because these three are narrowly inter-related as participation and transparency are a precondition for real accountability. The primary focus of this study is on accountability which is the outcome of a combination of transparency and public participation. The prevailing characteristics of governance in BCMM lack robust public participation and transparent which collaborates and empowers citizens by involving them in all the processes as indicated by missing links. The inescapable conclusion is that if good governance is to be achieved in BCMM according to its vision, public participation in service delivery, implementation, monitoring, evaluation in a transparent way and accountability has to be done like in the case of Brazil and India who have both found formidable ways of fostering accountability and improved service delivery. This study used a descriptive research design and a mixed methods approach.
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- Authors: Mutangabende, Shepherd
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/7815 , vital:30720
- Description: In South Africa service delivery has become an everyday song as citizens are gradually questioning for a workable way out of their daily problems stimulated by the unsolved challenges of shortage of clean drinkable water, electricity, poor health facilities and poverty, housing, hunger and refuse removal among other things. All these problems are attributed to lack of accountability, transparency and participation in the manner public institutions and officials are operating. Thus, one can argue that good governance in the public sector is a key to improve service delivery because these protests “reflect very little opportunity for community participation and poor governance”. This in turn means, the crisis in service delivery is a crisis in transparency, participation and accountability because these three are narrowly inter-related as participation and transparency are a precondition for real accountability. The primary focus of this study is on accountability which is the outcome of a combination of transparency and public participation. The prevailing characteristics of governance in BCMM lack robust public participation and transparent which collaborates and empowers citizens by involving them in all the processes as indicated by missing links. The inescapable conclusion is that if good governance is to be achieved in BCMM according to its vision, public participation in service delivery, implementation, monitoring, evaluation in a transparent way and accountability has to be done like in the case of Brazil and India who have both found formidable ways of fostering accountability and improved service delivery. This study used a descriptive research design and a mixed methods approach.
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Grade 12 learners' perceptions of the effect of urban agriculture on life satisfaction in Duncan Village
- Authors: Beni, Ntombomzi Octavia
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Urban agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Agricultural education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17861 , vital:41461
- Description: The importance of agricultural sciences in the school curriculum all over the world cannot be over-emphasized. It includes an alternative source of fresh produce, improved life satisfaction and a way to preserve cultural identity and traditions. This research study seeks to investigate the perception of Grade 12 learners on the effects of urban agriculture on life satisfaction in Duncan Village. The study adopts a descriptive survey design to elicit information from the respondents on their perceptions on the effects of urban agriculture on life satisfaction. A validated structured questionnaire whose reliability co-efficient is 0.81 was used to collect information. The simple random sampling technique was used to select 78 (seventy-eight) Grade 12 learners. The study reveals among others some components of life satisfaction as a result of urban agriculture. These components are; nutrition, self-employment, food security and poverty eradication and they have positive effects on life satisfaction of the respondents. The study recommends that the South Africa Government should make agriculture education as a compulsory subject for grade 10 and 11 learners in rural areas. This will enable them to develop entrepreneurial skills and self-reliance mentality before they finish their secondary school careers. Similarly, the practical components of this subject should constitute 50percent if not more from the overall marks. Realisation of this idea will alleviate, to some extent burden of unemployment and food scarcity as school leavers will be able to implement right away agricultural skills already acquired.
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- Authors: Beni, Ntombomzi Octavia
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Urban agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Agricultural education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17861 , vital:41461
- Description: The importance of agricultural sciences in the school curriculum all over the world cannot be over-emphasized. It includes an alternative source of fresh produce, improved life satisfaction and a way to preserve cultural identity and traditions. This research study seeks to investigate the perception of Grade 12 learners on the effects of urban agriculture on life satisfaction in Duncan Village. The study adopts a descriptive survey design to elicit information from the respondents on their perceptions on the effects of urban agriculture on life satisfaction. A validated structured questionnaire whose reliability co-efficient is 0.81 was used to collect information. The simple random sampling technique was used to select 78 (seventy-eight) Grade 12 learners. The study reveals among others some components of life satisfaction as a result of urban agriculture. These components are; nutrition, self-employment, food security and poverty eradication and they have positive effects on life satisfaction of the respondents. The study recommends that the South Africa Government should make agriculture education as a compulsory subject for grade 10 and 11 learners in rural areas. This will enable them to develop entrepreneurial skills and self-reliance mentality before they finish their secondary school careers. Similarly, the practical components of this subject should constitute 50percent if not more from the overall marks. Realisation of this idea will alleviate, to some extent burden of unemployment and food scarcity as school leavers will be able to implement right away agricultural skills already acquired.
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Heavy mineral characterization and provenance interpretation of the Ecca Group of geological formations in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Sinuka, Sikhulule
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Minerals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Classification Geology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Formations (Geology) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2911 , vital:28125
- Description: The aim of the research focuses on characterizing heavy mineral assemblages and interpretation of the provenance of the Ecca Group of in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. In South Africa, the Ecca Group outcrops extensively in the Main Karoo Basin. Mudstone, siltstone, sandstone, minor conglomerate and coal are the major constituent lithologies within the group. For descriptive purposes, the Ecca is categorized into three different geographical areas: the southern area, the western and northwestern area and the northeastern area. Six of the sixteen geological formations, namely the Prince Albert, Whitehill, Collingham, Ripon, Fort Brown, Waterford and Koonap Formations are present in the study area and are best exposed in road cuttings. For purposes of comparison, the underlying Witteberg Group, the Dwyka (which has Formation status here), and the overlying Koonap Formation of the Beaufort Group, are included in the study. This study is motivated by the relatively little information that is available on the heavy minerals of the Ecca Group, and that research of this nature had not been undertaken in the study area before. Another contributing motivation was to determine whether heavy mineral assemblages could be used to identify formations of the Ecca Group and for correlating between different localities in accordance with studies done elsewhere. Additionally, diagnostic heavy mineral assemblages could aid with stratigraphic selection of future boreholes in the Ecca Group. Heavy minerals are natural provenance tracers because of their stable nature and hydrodynamic behaviour. They are both non-opaque and opaque, with apatite, epidote, garnet, rutile, staurolite, tourmaline and zircon being good examples of non-opaque grains while ilmenite and magnetite are the most common opaques. Heavies are either derived from stable minor accessory minerals or from abundant but unstable mafic components of the host rock. They are very useful in interpreting the provenance due to the fact that some minerals are diagnostic of certain source rocks. However, sediments are exposed to several factors (conditions) such as weathering, erosion, breakage due to abrasion, mixing and recycling during transportation from the source to the depositional area. This implies that there are parameters other than the parent lithology that determine their final composition.
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- Authors: Sinuka, Sikhulule
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Minerals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Classification Geology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Formations (Geology) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2911 , vital:28125
- Description: The aim of the research focuses on characterizing heavy mineral assemblages and interpretation of the provenance of the Ecca Group of in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. In South Africa, the Ecca Group outcrops extensively in the Main Karoo Basin. Mudstone, siltstone, sandstone, minor conglomerate and coal are the major constituent lithologies within the group. For descriptive purposes, the Ecca is categorized into three different geographical areas: the southern area, the western and northwestern area and the northeastern area. Six of the sixteen geological formations, namely the Prince Albert, Whitehill, Collingham, Ripon, Fort Brown, Waterford and Koonap Formations are present in the study area and are best exposed in road cuttings. For purposes of comparison, the underlying Witteberg Group, the Dwyka (which has Formation status here), and the overlying Koonap Formation of the Beaufort Group, are included in the study. This study is motivated by the relatively little information that is available on the heavy minerals of the Ecca Group, and that research of this nature had not been undertaken in the study area before. Another contributing motivation was to determine whether heavy mineral assemblages could be used to identify formations of the Ecca Group and for correlating between different localities in accordance with studies done elsewhere. Additionally, diagnostic heavy mineral assemblages could aid with stratigraphic selection of future boreholes in the Ecca Group. Heavy minerals are natural provenance tracers because of their stable nature and hydrodynamic behaviour. They are both non-opaque and opaque, with apatite, epidote, garnet, rutile, staurolite, tourmaline and zircon being good examples of non-opaque grains while ilmenite and magnetite are the most common opaques. Heavies are either derived from stable minor accessory minerals or from abundant but unstable mafic components of the host rock. They are very useful in interpreting the provenance due to the fact that some minerals are diagnostic of certain source rocks. However, sediments are exposed to several factors (conditions) such as weathering, erosion, breakage due to abrasion, mixing and recycling during transportation from the source to the depositional area. This implies that there are parameters other than the parent lithology that determine their final composition.
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Impact of smallholder irrigation schemes on rural livelihoods of farmers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa: the case of Melani Irrigation Scheme
- Authors: Magqibelo, Sinovuyo
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Irrigation farming -- Economic aspects Irrigation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1774 , vital:27557
- Description: Irrigation farming is one of the most important rural development investments that can have both direct and indirect impacts on poverty and food security. The irregular and unreliable rainfall in the Eastern Cape Province has caused the smallholder farmers to deepen the irrigation farming systems as a strategy to cope with food shortage, income and poverty. South Africa has invested substantially in smallholder irrigation to benefit smallholder farmers in the less developed areas. Although the investment on small scale irrigation was to improve the welfare of the people, the performance and welfare impact of smallholder irrigation schemes has been poor and fall far short of the expectations of many stakeholders. The broad objective of the study was to examine the contribution of smallholder irrigation scheme on rural livelihoods of smallholder farmers at the project area. The null hypothesis was that smallholder irrigation schemes have no impact on farmer’s livelihoods. The alternative hypothesis for this study was that Melani irrigation scheme is contributing in improving rural livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the area. Cross study research design was used in the methodology. The purposive sampling was applied in order to choose a sample of 107 respondents that were interviewed using questionnaires, including both irrigating and non-irrigating farmers. A multiple linear regression analysis was used to find out whether the performance of the two groups of farmers is different and to what extent. To determine the specific role of irrigation an Independent T-Test was ran. Out of the selected sample 68 percent of households were farmers, 7.5 percent informal employed and 27 percent unemployed. It was found that the majority of participants were males and were uneducated. They depended on social grants for a living. The findings from the study showed that 84 percent of the respondents agreed that there is no market available in the village and farmers had limited access to credits. The crop income was the most contributing factor to household income. The results showed that whether the farmer is a non-irrigator or an irrigator the performance is not significant. Irrigation scheme improvement attained by smallholder farmers need to be maintained.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Magqibelo, Sinovuyo
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Irrigation farming -- Economic aspects Irrigation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1774 , vital:27557
- Description: Irrigation farming is one of the most important rural development investments that can have both direct and indirect impacts on poverty and food security. The irregular and unreliable rainfall in the Eastern Cape Province has caused the smallholder farmers to deepen the irrigation farming systems as a strategy to cope with food shortage, income and poverty. South Africa has invested substantially in smallholder irrigation to benefit smallholder farmers in the less developed areas. Although the investment on small scale irrigation was to improve the welfare of the people, the performance and welfare impact of smallholder irrigation schemes has been poor and fall far short of the expectations of many stakeholders. The broad objective of the study was to examine the contribution of smallholder irrigation scheme on rural livelihoods of smallholder farmers at the project area. The null hypothesis was that smallholder irrigation schemes have no impact on farmer’s livelihoods. The alternative hypothesis for this study was that Melani irrigation scheme is contributing in improving rural livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the area. Cross study research design was used in the methodology. The purposive sampling was applied in order to choose a sample of 107 respondents that were interviewed using questionnaires, including both irrigating and non-irrigating farmers. A multiple linear regression analysis was used to find out whether the performance of the two groups of farmers is different and to what extent. To determine the specific role of irrigation an Independent T-Test was ran. Out of the selected sample 68 percent of households were farmers, 7.5 percent informal employed and 27 percent unemployed. It was found that the majority of participants were males and were uneducated. They depended on social grants for a living. The findings from the study showed that 84 percent of the respondents agreed that there is no market available in the village and farmers had limited access to credits. The crop income was the most contributing factor to household income. The results showed that whether the farmer is a non-irrigator or an irrigator the performance is not significant. Irrigation scheme improvement attained by smallholder farmers need to be maintained.
- Full Text: