Moringa oleifera leaf powder as a functional antioxidant additive in pork droewors
- Authors: Mukumbo, Felicitas Esnart
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Antioxidants , Moringa oleifera , Pork -- Quality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15354 , vital:40400
- Description: The study investigated the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MLP) on physico-chemical characteristics, antioxidant activity, antioxidant compound content and lipid oxidation in pork droëwors. Firstly, the physico-chemical properties (proximate composition, salt content, water activity (aw), pH) of commercially produced droëwors from different types of meat (beef, game, ostrich) were determined. In the second experiment beef and pork droëwors with similar fat content were produced. Physico-chemical properties and lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS)) during processing and 26 days of storage at 25 °C and 50percent relative humidity (RH) were measured. In the third experiment, antioxidant compounds (Total Phenolic Compounds (TPC), α-tocopherol, β-carotene) in MLP were quantified. Thereafter, 4 treatments of pork droëwors were produced, with MLP included at 0, 0.5, 1 and 2 g/ 100 g. Physico-chemical properties and TBARS were measured at intervals during drying (0, 1.5, 5.75, 27.25, 72 h) and after 7 days of storage under ambient conditions. Antioxidant activity (ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)), TBARS, α- and γ-tocopherol, and β-carotene contents were measured. In the fourth experiment, three batches of droëwors were produced (C: no antioxidant, M0.75: 0.75 g/ 100 g MLP, VE: 15 mg/ kg α-tocopherol oil) and stored at 25 °C and 50percent relative humidity for 112 days. Drying kinetics and α-tocopherol contents of pork droëwors after drying were measured and the physico-chemical properties and TBARS were followed during storage. Results showed no differences (P > 0.05) in the physico-chemical characteristics of beef, game meat and ostrich droëwors; containing on average 25.8 ± 1.25 g/100 g moisture, 42.0 ± 0.10 g/100 g protein, 32.0 ± 1.68 g/100 g fat, 6.2 ± 0.13 g/100 g ash and 4.2 ± 0.10 g/100 g salt; with aw and pH of 0.79 ± 0.015 and 5.3 ± 0.05, respectively. During processing and storage, TBARS were higher (P < 0.05) in pork droëwors (maximum 3.83 mg MDA/kg DM) than in beef (maximum 0.99 mg MDA/kg DM). Moringa oleifera leaf powder contained high levels of TPC (7.5 ± 0.2 mg gallic acid eq/g) and substantial levels of α-tocopherol (76.7 ± 1.9 mg/100 g) and β-carotene (23.2 ± 2.8 mg/100 g). The FRAP, α-tocopherol and β-carotene content of pork droëwors increased (P < 0.05) proportionally with increasing levels of MLP inclusion. Lipid oxidation occurred more rapidly (P < 0.05) when MLP was not added and was similar (P > 0.05) for all MLP treatments. There was no significant effect of the inclusion of 0.75 g/100 g MLP on the drying curves and physico-chemical characteristics of the droëwors. The α-tocopherol content was higher (P < 0.05) and TBARS during storage were lower (P > 0.05) with MLP addition. The results of the current study give an overview of the composition of commercial droëwors and showed higher susceptibility to lipid oxidation in pork droëwors. Moringa oleifera leaf powder exhibited antioxidant activity in pork droëwors, inhibited lipid oxidation and increased the content of α-tocopherol in the product. It can be concluded that MLP could be used as a functional antioxidant additive in pork droëwors.
- Full Text:
Pharmacological studies of Foeniculum Vulgare (Mill.) and Lippia Javanica (Burm.F.) spreng. used as spices in Nkonkobe Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Asowata-Ayodele, Abiola Mojisola
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Fennel -- Utilization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Ethnopharmacology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2777 , vital:28085
- Description: Spices are of great importance in the indigenous culinary and traditional medicine systems of the people of Nkonkobe Municipality of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The present investigation evaluated the ethnopharmacological potentials of two indigenous South African spices- Foeniculum vulgare and Lippia javanica. The pharmacological investigations on these two plant species include ultra-morphology, nutrient and mineral analysis, evaluation of the essential oil, phytochemical and antioxidant assays, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory as well as anti-urolithiatic assay of the acetone and aqueous extracts of the two plants. The species were selected for study as the most cited plants after an ethnobotanical survey conducted on the indigenous knowledge of plants used as spices and medicine in Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape of South Africa. Among the plants cited Foeniculum vulgare(Apiaceae) and Lippia javanica (Verbenaceae) stood out as the most commonly used spices. Others were members of the families; Solanaceae, Apiaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Amaranthaceae and Lamiaceae. Ultra-morphological studies conducted on the leaves of the two selected plants using scanning electron microscope revealed the presence of non-glandular and glandular trichomes, stomata and crystals. The leaf surfaces of these herbs may serve as secretory sites where aromatic secondary metabolites are produced. Analyses of the proximate, mineral, vitamin and anti-nutrients contents of these two spices showed that both species are good sources of these phytochemicals and may be used to enrich the human diet. Lippia javanica possesses lower lipid (0.50 percent), fibre (5 percent) and carbohydrate (64.96 percent) contents than Foeniculum vulgare. On the other hand, protein (20.54 percent), ash (11.60 percent) and moisture content (11.69 percent) were higher in Foeniculum vulgare than in Lippia javanica. Foeniculum vulgare showed higher N (3286 mg/100g), Mg (386.7 mg/100g), K (3187 mg/100g) and Na (1383 mg/100g) content while Lippia javanica was higher in Ca (1833 mg/100g), Zn (4.7 mg/100g), Cu (0.9 mg/100g) and Fe (78.4 mg/100g). Vitamins Aand E were also higher in Lippia javanica (1.31 mg/100g; 2.52 mg/100g) while Foeniculum vulgare (0.45 mg/100g) had higher vitamin C content. No significant differences were observed in the phytate, oxalate and tannin contents of the two spices, but saponin and cyanide were significantly lower in Lippia javanica (268.5 mg/100g; 8.45 mg/100g) than in Foeniculum vulgare (1855 mg/100g; 10.5 mg/100g) Evaluation of the essential oil component, cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activities of both fresh and dried leaves of Lippia javanica and Foeniculum vulgare revealed that the dried samples yielded more oil and also contain more chemical than the fresh samples of both plants. The overall antimicrobial activity evaluated using susceptibility and microdilution assays revealed that the oils of F. vulgare and L. javanica exhibited high antifungal and antibacterial activity, compared to the reference drugs. In addition, essential oil from fresh leaves of both spices was less toxic compared to the oil from the dried leaves. Polyphenolic evaluation of the aqueous and acetone extracts of the plants revealed that the acetone extract had higher phenol, flavanol, flavonoid and proanthocyanidin contents than the aqueous extracts. The total phenolic content of acetone and aqueous extracts were 4.49 ± 0.411 mg/g and 3.73 ± 0.498 mg/g tannic acid equivalent (TAE) respectively for Lippia javanica. The same trend was also observed in Foeniculum vulgare with total phenolic content of acetone and aqueous extracts were 4.22 ± 0.325 mg/g and 4.17 ± 0.651 mg/g tannic acid equivalent (TAE) respectively. Further assessment of the antioxidant activity of the solvent extracts revealed that both plants exhibited promising free radical scavenging potentials against 1,1 diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2, 2’-azino-bis(3- ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), reducing power, lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, phosphomolybdate and hydrogen peroxide. Antimicrobial activities of the acetone and aqueous extracts of the two plants revealed moderate antibacterial and antifungal activities. They inhibited the growth of Microsporium canis and Trichophyton rubrum that were not susceptible to the standard antifungal drug used as control.
- Full Text:
Population, communication and habitat comparisons between the major gummivorous strepsirhines of Madagascar (phaner) and Cameroon (euoticus)
- Authors: Forbanka, Derick Nomuh
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Adaptation (Biology) , Mammals -- Evolution , Mammals -- Behavior
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Zoology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15957 , vital:40567
- Description: The suborder Strepsirhini contains a large proportion of the living gummivorous mammal taxa, and includes two genera of specialist gummivores, Euoticus and Phaner, which present particularly interesting cases of convergent adaptive evolution in Africa and Madagascar, respectively. Although these genera are not closely related, they share several anatomical, behavioural and physiological specialisations associated with their diets, and despite their biogeographical separation, there seems to be substantial coincidence in their habitats and habits. Neither the ecology nor the systematics of Phaner and Euoticus has been the subject of much detailed research, and little is known of the conservation status of the genera. Even their specific diversity is unresolved. In this study I investigated and compared aspects of their ecology at both a macro-and a microhabitat scale, including wild populations of all groups within the two genera that have been accorded species status in recent field guides and systematic reviews. I also studied aspects of their social communication behaviour as clues to their species-level diversity. Species and their formation (or speciation) have inspired a great deal of evolutionary research, but remain contentious issues in evolutionary biology. This is due both to the difficulties inherent in inferring the details of a dynamic biological process that occurred over some time in the past from the recent, relatively static patterns of variation observed, as well as the limited consensus among biologists in identifying such patterns. It is therefore important to distinguish the kinds of patterns in nature that are predicted by different views of species and speciation, and also to see how well these predictions fare when applied to the speciation patterns found in strepsirhine primates. Theories of speciation cannot be separated from species concepts, and one concept widely supported in primatology is the Recognition Concept of species because of its heuristic nature. The Recognition Concept is based on Specific-mate Recognition Systems (SMRS). I focussed on SMRS features of Euoticus and Phaner, loud call specificity, and species’ preferred habitats. My results provided some support for the distinctiveness of currently identified species, although this was not clear-cut. Population densities of both Phaner and Euoticus appear to have declined in recent years, even though both Phaner and Euoticus appear to be well adapted to both primary and secondary forest, and exhibit ecological plasticity. Statistically some loud call parameters vary among the putative species of the genus Phaner and not Euoticus. Phaner pallescens at Kirindy, Madasgascar was clearly able to discriminate loud calls of its own population from other proposed species within the genus. Most loud call parameters did not show any statistical degradation with increasing distance. A crucial finding of my study was that the two lineages are not only convergent in terms of dietary and locomotor aspects of their ecology, but also in the structures of their loud calls. The environmental adaptation of communication systems is often overlooked when studying adaptive convergence, but my study indicates that acoustic properties are a crucial aspect of a species’ preferred habitat. The results of this study can be used to improve conservation planning, and also add to our understanding of the evolutionary history of strepsirhine primates.
- Full Text:
Preparation and application of plasmon metal enhanced titanium dioxide photocatalyst for the removal of organics in water
- Authors: Nyamukamba, Pardon
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Water -- Purification -- Photocatalysis Titanium dioxide Water chemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2765 , vital:28074
- Description: Advanced oxidation processes are capable of removing organic compounds that cannot be removed by conventional water treatment methods. Among the oxidation processes, photo-catalysis using titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a promising method but suffers from rapid electron-hole recombination rates and only absorbs UV light which is a small percentage (5 percent) of the total solar radiation. Therefore there is a need to reduce the recombination rates and also extend the absorption of the photo-catalyst into the visible region which constitutes 55 percent of the total solar radiation. The major aims of this study were to prepare plasmon metal decorated and doped TiO2 photo-catalysts immobilized on quartz substrates and test their photo-catalytic and antimicrobial activities. The effect of film thickness (loading) and use of different shapes of plasmon metal nanostructures was investigated. TiO2 thin films were prepared by a sputter coating technique while plasmon metal (Au & Ag)/carbon co-doped TiO2 by a simple sol gel process and plasmon metal films were prepared by the thermal evaporation technique. Different plasmon metal nanostructures (nanorods, dendrites, nanowires and spherical nanoparticles) were prepared using a wet chemical technique using sodium borohydride as the reducing agent. Nanocomposites of co-doped TiO2 photo-catalyst and plasmon elements of different proportions were also prepared. The prepared photo-catalysts were coated onto etched and MPTMS (3-Mercaptopropyl trimethoxysliane) treated quartz glass substrate which is a stable support favouring easy recovery. The prepared materials were characterized by XRD, HRTEM, TEM, HRSEM, FT-IR, SEM, PIXE and TGA while the doped TiO2 was characterized by XPS, BET, CHNS and Raman Spectroscopy. The effect of pH of solution, presence of other contaminants and salts in solution, initial concentration of the model pollutant and type of the plasmonic elements on the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 towards 4-(4-sulfophenylazo)-N,N-dimethyl aniline (methyl orange) were also investigated. The selected TiO2 photo-catalyst films were tested for antimicrobial properties. The effect of different types of plasmon elements on the antimicrobial activity of TiO2 against E. coli ATCC 3695 was evaluated under both sunlight and weak UV light. Under UV light, Ag showed the highest enhancement in photo-catalytic activity of TiO2 than Au and Cu. The photo-catalytic activity of TiO2 increased with an increase in Ag content to an optimum loading and then started to decrease with a further increase in loading. For Cu and Au, photo-activity activity increased with an increase in plasmon metal content. Under sunlight, Cu showed the highest enhancement of TiO2 photocatalytic compared to Ag and Au. The change in order of deposition showed that Au films enhanced the photo-activity better when they were deposited underneath rather than on top of TiO2 on quartz supports but Ag films performed better in enhancing photo-activity when they were deposited on top of TiO2. The use of bimetallic layers and three layer systems of different plasmon elements enhanced photo-catalytic activity better than the use of a monometallic layer. The presence of other organic contaminants and salts in solutions was found to reduce the photo-degradation of methyl orange due to preferential adsorption of other contaminants. When the pH was increased, the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 towards methyl orange was reduced. In antimicrobial studies, it was found that the plasmon elements greatly improved the antibacterial action of TiO2 against Escherichia coli ATCC 3695 in water and the best antibacterial action was observed with silver/carbon co-doped TiO2 photo-catalyst under sunlight The doped samples consisted of polydisperse nanoparticles which were found to be beneficial for photo-catalytic activity enhancement under sunlight.
- Full Text:
Professional identity of teacher educators as assessors of teaching practice : a case study in a South African university
- Authors: Roy, Irene Juanita Sass
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Teacher educators--Professional relationships Teachers--Training of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Education
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15969 , vital:40570
- Description: This study focuses on the professional identity of Teacher Educators as assessors of teaching practice for Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) student teachers.The research was presented as a case study at one institution of higher learning. The focus was on the professional identity of teacher educators as revealed in the assessment narratives they expressed as a report back to PGCE students and the verbalisation of their beliefs through semi-structured interviews at the particular institution. This study adopted a qualitative research methodology from an interpretivist paradigm whereby the collected data was coded and analysed through applying both inductive and deductive reasoning. Themes which emerged from the data were qualitatively analysed through the social-constructivist theories of Bernstein, Lave and Wenger and Feiman-Nemser. This study revealed that the professional identity of Teacher Educators plays a significant role in the way in which they assess students. The study showed that theprofessional identity (encompassing of professional knowledge) of Teacher Educators determines their assessment focus, professional knowledge and identity is reflected in the narrative feedback to PGCE student teachers and their views of the current assessment instrument as (in)effective. The study revealed that Teacher Educators have specific expectations (pedagogical skill, subject and content knowledge) but the complexities of their identity override how they apply the assessment instrument. In addition Teacher Educators are challenged by the PGCE cohort in that they expect this group to show the same competencies as students coming through the under-graduate programme. The study recommends that a collaborative approach be adopted in the preparation and assessment of PGCE student teachers; a re-conceptualisation of the requirements of teaching competence for this group be undertaken; and Teacher Educators be empowered to teach and assess PGCE student teachers aligned with the principles of andragogy and that Higher Education policy take cognisance of and make provision for the unique needs of PGCE teacher training. The study proposes a revised approach by Teacher Educators be considered which treat the assessment of teaching competence for PGCE student teachers in a less fragmented and individualised manner. This implies that a different organisational assessment culture is needed in order to democratize the assessment of PGCE student teachers, training in the GET band in South Africa.
- Full Text:
Self-reflection practices of school-management teams in the Capricorn District : towards a reflective management strategy for South African schools
- Authors: Malatji, Khashane Stephen
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: School management teams -- South Africa Educational leadership -- South Africa School management and organization -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/3021 , vital:28238
- Description: The study investigated the self-reflection practices of School Management Teams (SMTs) in the Capricorn District. The purpose of the study was to establish self-reflective practices employed by SMT in performing their management functions, and to suggest a reflective model for the enhancement of SMT performance. The study followed the qualitative approach with a case-study research design. The population consisted of SMTs from primary, secondary and special schools. Purposive sampling was utilised to select 8 Head of Departments from less experienced to more experienced in management positions, while 9 principal and 9 deputy principals were randomly selected. Literature reviewed focused on the aims of self-reflection; the functions of SMT; the strengths and weaknesses of self-reflection; self-reflective practices and enhanced performance; models of school management; challenges in school management; and previous studies on SMT and school management. Henderson’s Ethical Model of Enquiry on reflective practice was used. The theory discusses what characterises reflective practitioners. Data was collected from quest views, individual interviews and focus group interviews. The interpretation and understanding were organised in the form of descriptive accounts. Tape-recorded interviews and data from quest views were transcribed verbatim. After transcribing data a sense of the whole was obtained by reading carefully with understanding, and then summarizing the salient aspects. Themes were identified from the responses and discussed. The study found that SMT members were not fully aware of all of their daily functions and poor reflective practices made it difficult for them to effectively fulfil their management functions. Furthermore, the study revealed that SMT members experienced challenges, such as dealing with unprofessional teachers, poor parental involvement, poor communication, poor infrastructure and lack of resources amd these impacted negatively on their performance. The study provided insights into the practice of self-reflection and how SMT members could become reflective practitioners. A new framework was suggested that SMTs should continuously and critically reflect on their management practices and decisions. The study recommends that SMT be trained and oriented about management functions prior to their appointment in the positions. The study further recommends that SMTs consider self-reflection as part of their daily activities.
- Full Text:
Smallholder farmer's adoption decision-making processes in the utilisation of soil conservation practices in South Africa: the case of Qamata Irrigation Scheme, in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: David, Ighodaro Ikponmwosa
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Qamata Irrigation Scheme (South Africa) Irrigation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Farm management -- South Africa -- Decision making , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1740 , vital:27554
- Description: The goal of this study was to determine the nature and factors influencing smallholder farmers in their adoption decision-making regarding the use of soil conservation practices introduced by extension practitioners in South Africa, using the case of farming at Qamata Irrigation Scheme, Eastern Cape. Using a central argument (thesis statement), the study argued that an adequate understanding and definition of smallholder farmers’ adoption decision-making process is very crucial to solving the problem of soil erosion/ degradation problem amongst smallholder farmers. Adopting the case study research design, information from 70 crop farmers (in a farmer focus group interviews) form the basis of the study. Basic models of analysis were the multiple, probit and logit, as well as the binary logistic regression analyses. According to the empirical results, perception was found very relevant in adoption decision-making, interacting positively and significantly with eight of the seventeen adoption variables chosen for the study. The indication therefore is that age (p<0.050), education (p<0.0030), and marriage (p<0.036), have more potentials to improve farmers’ perception. Similarly, higher farmer incomes (from crops [p<0.017], off-farm [p<0.038] and overall [p<0.011] income) also have a likelihood to improve farmers’ perception regarding soil conservation, for improved adoption. Further indication is that farmers who are aware (p<0.015) of the soil practices introduced by extension are also those who participate in their use (p<0.041). Employing the binary logistic, probit and logit regression models, results suggest that the nature of adoption decision-making processes of smallholder farmers is complex (not straight), being influenced by multiple factors. While age (p<0.099), gender (p<0.031), total income (p<0.081) impacted positively significant on smallholder farmers’ adoption decision-making, marital status (p<0.025), sources of land (p<0.063), length of continuously farming on same piece of land (p<0.013), and level of crop production (p<0.002) impacted negatively. The indication therefore was that older farmers preferred their own practices to the recommended practices by extension, which is in line with literature. Also as expected, more females preferred their own practices to extension recommended, while more males preferred the recommended practices. Similarly, marriage, land ownership, farming continuously on a spot for a long period, as well as increase in the level of crop production, all had a propensity to influence farmers toward the adoption of extension recommended practices as against farmers’ practices. Further results indicate, that farmers’ education (p<0.032), household size (p<0.37), and income (off-farm [p<0.036] and total [p<0.004]), measures used to measure farmers’ livelihood standards in the study, were positively significant in association with adoption. The indication was that, adoption decision-making is potentially capable of improving education level of farmers; increase the size of household, thus providing easy family labour; and as well improve level of income for the farmer. Based on the foregoing, the suggestion therefore is that any technology intervention programme that will succeed must begin with a clear understanding and analysis of farmers’ adoption process. This is better achieved when the adoption process is seen as a four-stage process, where the farmer first forms a view about the innovation (perception stage), and then decides whether or not to use it (adoption stage), as well as how much of the innovation to adopt (level of adoption stage), and finally how much is this innovation going to affect my livelihood (impact of adoption stage). Also, due to the particular relevance of perception in the adoption decision-making process, technology disseminators (extension), researchers and policy makers alike must never conclude on the rejection of any technology, not until factors determining perception of individuals have been well studied. The notion here is that, even at the confirmation stage of the adoption process of an individual adopter, when a rejection is confirmed, for an example, analysing factors of the adopter’s perception at play at the particular time of the innovation in question, could go a long way to redirecting the course of the adoption process of the said individual.
- Full Text:
Synthesis and characterization of group 12 dithiolate complexes as single source precursors for the preparation of hexadecylamine capped metal sulfide nanoparticles and polymer
- Authors: Osuntokun, Jejenija
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Nanotechnology Nanoparticles Semiconductors
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/14060 , vital:39801
- Description: A series of heteroleptic mixed ligand complexes of some alkyl substituted thiourea, tetramethyl thiuram disulfide and 1-cyano-1-carboethoxy-2,2 ditholate of Zn(II) Cd(II) and Hg(II) have been synthesized by stoichiometry reactions of the ligands with respective metal salts. They have been characterized with analytical and spectroscopic techniques. Seven out of the 19 complexes synthesized are pyridine 2, 2 bipyridine and 1, 10 phenanthroline adducts of dissopropyl parent adducts of Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes. All the complexes are proposed as four coordinate except the pyridine adducts, 2, 2’ bipyridine and 1, 10 phenanhroline adducts that are proposed as five and six coordinate respectively. All the complexes are solid, air stable and moisture stable for a many months. They are not soluble in common organic solvents but partially soluble in coordinating solvents like DMF and DMSO and due to their insolubility problems all attempts to grow single crystal of the complexes proved abortive. The complexes gave respective metal sulfide on thermal decomposition in TGA and this makes them to be potentially useful single source precursor for the synthesis of metal sulfide. All the complexes were invariably thermolysed in HDA to synthesis a series of HDA-capped ZnS, CdS and HgS nanoparticles. The optical properties of the nanoparticles reveal that they are all blue-shifted from the absorbance edge and this confirms quantum confinement of the nanoparticles. The transmittance electron microscope showed that the nanoparticles are in nanodimension. ZnS nanoparticles from the pyridine adducts gave HDA-capped ZnS nanoparticles with a mixture of hexagonal and cubic phases while the HDA capped CdS from the 2, 2 bipyridine and 1,10 phenanthroline gave anisotropic nanoparticles. The sizes of the CdS from the 1,10 phenanthroline adducts were also found to be biggest while CdS nanoparticles from 2,2 bipyridine adduct were also revealed to be bigger than the particle sizes obtained from the parent complex, (1-cyano-1 carboethoxyethylene-2,2-dithiolato- κ,S’S)-bis(N, N’-diisopropylthiourea -κS)cadmium(II). ZnS and CdS polymer encapsulated nanocomposites were also synthesized using a solution casting method. The polymers employed were; Polymethyl metharcrylate (PMMA), Poly(vinly alcohol) (PVA), and poly vinyl pyrrolidone (PVP). The structural and thermal properties of the pure polymers and the respective nanocomposites were investigated. It was observed that the ZnS/PVA and CdS/PVA were the most thermally stable composites when the thermal stability of the pure polymers were compared relative to the nanocomposites using data obtained from thermal decomposition results of the TGA.
- Full Text:
Tanzania's development agenda and poverty reduction : a case of Mkukuta I1
- Authors: Mandalu, Martin Petro
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Poverty--Tanzania Tanzania--Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Development Studies
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15616 , vital:40487
- Description: Poverty reduction has always been part of Tanzania‘s development agenda since independence in 1961. Despite wealth of natural resources, peace and political stability, the country has continued to be poor for decades. A number of strategies have been employed to address the problem; however, they have not been so successful. Studies have explored the problem and came up with explanations that are insufficient. In recent years, more studies on poverty reduction increased, following the country‘s magnificent economic growth which, however, fails to alleviate poverty in the country. Recent literature on poverty reduction calls for improvement in the productive sectors such as agriculture and construction to increase their contribution in poverty reduction. However, most studies did not pay attention to the development model/s that led the economy since independence. Motivated by the unsatisfactory results of the previous poverty reduction strategies, and lacunas of the preceding studies, this research, through MKUKUTA I, examines factors affecting the development agenda in Tanzania and their influence on poverty reduction. It investigates, as well, the development models employed in the country since independence. The study is guided by the change of development theories: from socialism to neo-liberalism. Furthermore, the study proposes an alternative development model beyond dependency and neo-liberalism schools of thoughts that have been struggling to influence development in the country for over five decades. The study employs mainly secondary data and primary data as supplementary methods to analyse and explain the mismatch between economic growth and poverty reduction in the country. The study argues that the productive sectors fail to produce sufficiently and contribute to poverty reduction since they are not guided by any specific development model. Findings suggest that failure in poverty reduction despite remarkable economic growth is caused by failure of growth in the agriculture sector which employs the largest part of the workforce in the country. Economic transformation in the country, which contributed to economic growth, failed to generate more jobs in the productive sectors. Incorrect methodologies used for obtaining economic data are alleged as possible logical explanation for the mismatch between economic growth and failure in poverty reduction. Failure in poverty reduction had a negative impact on human development as the poor, especially in the rural areas, had limited access to quality services of education, health care, water and sanitation. Moreover, findings revealed that neoliberal policies in the country are not effective enough in guiding the development agenda and poverty reduction. Despite the rule of law, peace, political stability and favourable conditions for capitalism in the country, significant features of a neoliberal economy have not been effectively developed. The local private sector is still weak at the embryonic stage, and the market is weakened by corruption and poor infrastructure for doing business. Moreover, findings suggest that for about three decades, Tanzania has not had a clear and distinct development model to guide its development agenda in poverty alleviation. The constitution suggests that the country is guided by a socialist development philosophy whereas the official government website and practices indicate that the country is run by neoliberal policies. To resolve the matter and in view of attaining the TDV 2025 and poverty reduction, this study proposes that Tanzania becomes a democratic developmental state while governed by a dependency-neoliberal theory from the amalgamation of reviewed dependency and neo-liberal schools of thoughts as a guiding principle since all developmental states need guiding philosophies to lead them. Moreover, the study proposes pragmatic interventions to implement the development model.
- Full Text:
Teachers' experiences of teacher-led professional development programs :an exploratory study of two clusters in the Mthatha district
- Authors: Zide, Lulama
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Teachers -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Education)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10394 , vital:35444
- Description: Professional growth of teachers is not new, but in recent years, the way in which it is structured and delivered has been reconceptualised. As part of the education reform process, many nations are investing in teacher education as a major engine for driving the changes in the classrooms to ensure learners’ academic success. South Africa is no exclusion to this trend of education reforms, hence, the founding of many professional growth initiatives. Most of these initiatives are aimed at Science and Maths teachers. This was mostly because the majority of Science and Maths teachers in South Africa are considered either under-qualified or not qualified to teach the subject. Yet, despite the efforts and enthusiasm, very little seems to have shifted in the teachers’ practices. Much of the literature still shows that even clusters are not effective in changing the situation completely. Using a qualitative case study design, the researcher explored teachers’ views on their clustering experience, and the benefits such participation and experience brings to their classroom instruction. The major findings of the study show that teachers find clustering as a tool that enriches their teaching, thus, both the content knowledge as well as their pedagogical strategies. The findings also show a consensus of teachers who need the cluster programs done continuously. The researcher concludes that teachers are still not happy with the professional development that is offered to them, and therefore recommends that such programs be offered according to teacher’s need.
- Full Text:
Teachers' perceptions on the effects of frequent change in curriculum on effective teaching in junior secondary schools at Libode Education District, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Ngibe, Nondwe Cynthia Phelokazi
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Curriculum change -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Educational change Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5587 , vital:29349
- Description: Worldwide educational change has been a topic of discussion. South Africa is among the countries having issues with the implementation of a new curriculum and its impact on effective teaching and learning in junior secondary schools. The country (South Africa) experienced frequent changes in education curriculum. The new curriculum was seen as the means to address poor state of education. It is common knowledge that teachers were and are presently still confused and stressed being unsure on how to apply some techniques to meet the requirements of the new curriculum. That led to underperformance of learners in their work at school. Hence, this study was conducted to explore the perceptions of teachers in South Africa regarding the effects that frequent changes in curriculum has on the effective teaching and learning in junior secondary schools. The change in curriculum is frequent in the sense that, from 1997 to 2016, the curriculum in South Africa was revised four times: Curriculum 2005 (C2005) in 1997, Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS) in 2002, National Curriculum Statement (NCS) in 2007 as well as Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) in 2012. The study does not leave behind some literatures on concept of education, teaching and learning in junior secondary schools, curriculum in South Africa, an overview of curriculum policy in South Africa, curriculum changes to mention a few. Qualitative research methodology was used by the researcher so as interview participants (teachers) in their workplace. The case study was chosen as the design, whereby two junior secondary schools from the population of schools in Libode district were purposely sampled. Data was collected from teachers in these schools, that is, six teachers from each school. Four teachers from each phase were targeted, that is, (four from foundation phase, four from intermediate phase and four from senior phase). Semi-structured interviews were used as the instrument to collect information from the participants. From the study, the researcher found confusion and frustration due to the frequent changes in curriculum; negative influence on effective teaching and learning, by the fact that teachers ultimately do not know what to do to meet the requirements of the curriculum; and not much continuity or links between phases in as far as content and subjects are concerned. The study recommended the appointment of professional facilitators, revisiting of the language policy in GET band (with focus in LOLT in foundation phase), encouraging continuity across phases, actively involvement of teachers in formulating or drafting of any policy that will affect curriculum since they are the implementers of curriculum. The study established that frequent change in curriculum had negative effects on teaching and in junior secondary schools. This is the perception of the majority of participants. As far as literature regarding teachers is concerned, changing curriculum without changing teachers’ understanding and attitude has negative impact on learning especially in South Africa, with special focus on rural schools such as those of Libode district in the Eastern Cape Province.
- Full Text:
The cultural practice of child marriage as a challenge to the realisation of the human rights of the girl –child: a comparative study of South Africa and Nigeria
- Authors: Olaborede, Adebola Olufunmi
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Forced marriage Teenage marriage Children's rights Rites and ceremonies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Law
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2578 , vital:27898
- Description: This study primarily sets out to examine the cultural practice of child marriage in Africa with a focus on the comparative study of South Africa and Nigeria. This practice has been prohibited in a number of international human rights instruments such as the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, and the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Right on the Rights of Women in Africa. However, overwhelming statistics show that the overall prevalence of child marriage in Africa is still very high and if current trends continue, Africa will become a region with the largest number of the global share of child marriages, by 2050. Different interconnecting factors promote and reinforce child marriage which makes this practice very complex. The challenge of cultural traditional practices and religious beliefs that promote child marriage in Africa are evaluated in this study. The complexities surrounding these cultural practices mainly relate to the conflict that exists between adhering to customs and traditional practices, and promoting the practical implementations and enforcement of human rights standards within communities. In particular, the age at which most girls are given out in marriage conflicts with the minimum legal age of marriage, lack of free and full consent to marriage and the mixed legal system, which mainly comprises of customary law, Islamic law and common or civil law and legislation, that often conflict with one another in most African States. Discussions on these contradictions, as in the case of child marriage, often lead to a seemingly endless debate between the universality of human rights and cultural relativism within African societies. Therefore, this study bears heavily on the debate and relationship between culture and human rights, and the extent to which they can be reconciled in order to achieve a realisation of the fundamental rights of the girl-child. A qualitative research method based on an extensive literature analysis from different disciples is adopted. In addition, is a comparative study of South Africa and Nigeria which seeks to provide insight into the nature and extent of the practice of child marriage, as well as evaluate the adequacy, effectiveness and shortcomings of national legislations that relate to the rights of a girl-child in the context of child marriage, in both jurisdictions.
- Full Text:
The implementation of information and communication technology (ICT) intergrated teaching and learning in textiles and clothing programmes at one University of Science and Techology in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Chipo, Dzikite
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Information technology -- Study and teaching -- Zimbabwe Internet in education -- Zimbabwe Teaching -- Zimbabwe -- Aids and devices Education, Higher -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , M Ed
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2127 , vital:27612
- Description: Textiles and Clothing programmes in universities worldwide experience numerous challenges in effectively implementing ICT integrated teaching and learning. The aim of this study was to explore how ICT integrated teaching and learning was implemented in Textiles and Clothing programmes at one university of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe, with a view to developing a suitable model to enhance effective implementation. The study was informed by the Activity theory and triangulated by the Technological pedagogical content knowledge framework (TPACK) and the Functionality framework. The study made use of the interpretive research paradigm, the qualitative approach and intrinsic case study design, to generate the necessary data. The participants of the study were purposively and quota sampled from the Textiles and Clothing department of the selected university of Science and Technology, and consisted of seven lecturers, three administrators, two ICT technicians and thirty-two students. Four methods were used to generate data namely in-depth interviews, focus group interviews, participant observation, and document analysis. After coding, data were analysed for content using thematic analysis. The study established that there were no specific ICT hardware and software packages acquired by the universityfor the Textiles and Clothing programmes. Instead, general design related softwares such as CorelDraw, Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Mac Paints were used to support the implementation of ICT integrated teaching and learning. The findings of the study further revealed that lecturers lacked thorough technological pedagogical knowledge to apply a variety of ICT in the teaching and learning of students. The study established that there was lack of an effective mechanism for providing monitoring and evaluation as the peer review and evaluation mechanism that was used in the Textiles and Clothing programmes did not identify the specific indicators for the implementation of ICT integrated teaching and learning. Among the conclusions emanating from the findings were that the Textiles and Clothing programmes suffered serious shortage of suitable ICT hardware and subject-specific ICT software applications to facilitate the teaching of practical components thereby compromising the effective implementation of ICT integrated teaching and learning to foster effective skill acquisition in relation to ICT among students. It was also concluded that lecturers were finding difficulties in implementing ICT integrated teaching and learning as they lacked thorough technological-pedagogical-content knowledge and skills that would enable them to select appropriate technological resources and technological pedagogical strategies to teach students appropriate content. The study recommended that the Textiles and Clothing department, through the support of the university, should acquire subject related educational hardware and software like Gerber or Lectra to teach the practical courses of the programmes. The university should organise professional development programmes focussing on TPACK to assist lecturers to develop competences in ICT necessary for implementing ICT integrated teaching and learning. A model was proposed to enhance the effective implementation of ICT integrated teaching and learning into the Textiles and Clothing programmes at the University.
- Full Text:
The implementation of the inclusive education policy in sport: a case study of four secondary schools in Masvingo District, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mudyahoto, Tapiwa
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Inclusive education -- Zimbabwe Educational equalization -- Zimbabwe Physical education and training -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5238 , vital:29117
- Description: The purpose of the present study was to explore the implementation of the inclusive education policy in sport in four secondary schools in Masvingo District, Zimbabwe. The case study research design was employed; interviews, focus groups, document analysis and observations were used to collect data. Four school Heads, 4 sports masters, 4 team trainers, 4 team captains, 2 learners with disabilities and a district education officer were purposively selected to take part in this study. Data were presented, analysed/discussed, starting with demographic data in the first section followed by emerging themes. It emerged from the study that all the participants were not knowledgeable about inclusive education and the aspect of including learners with disabilities in mainstream sport. The major barriers identified include inadequate policy dialogue, unavailability of sporting equipment and attitudes. Further findings revealed that there is dire need for knowledge and skills in inclusive sport among teachers in regular schools. Findings also confirmed unavailability of policy circulars in schools. Most teachers were not afforded opportunities to attend workshops and seminars. Findings also revealed that teachers faced major challenges such as funding to undertake courses in SNE and inclusive sport. Teachers were reeled in with a lot of pressure due to congested timetables and large classes. Participants believed that the challenges they faced could be resolved through some proposed intervention strategies. The researcher concluded that teachers in regular schools were not equipped to teach sport to learners with special education needs in the mainstream. The MoPSE was not doing much in preparing teachers to be effective in including learners with disabilities in regular school sport. The study recommended that the MoPSE should put in place provisions to meet the inclusive needs of both teachers and learners. It also recommended that school Heads should be taught about SNE and inclusive sport for them to be able to guide teachers properly. Besides the national policy, schools should design inclusive policies specifically for their respective schools in line with the national policy. The study also recommended that the MoPSE should come up with a comprehensive framework in sport to counter some of these challenges.
- Full Text:
The implementation of the inclusive education policy in sport: a case study of four secondary schools in Masvingo District, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mudyahoto, Tapiwa
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Inclusive education -- Zimbabwe Educational equalization -- Zimbabwe Physical education and training -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2116 , vital:27611
- Description: The purpose of the present study was to explore the implementation of the inclusive education policy in sport in four secondary schools in Masvingo District, Zimbabwe. The case study research design was employed; interviews, focus groups, document analysis and observations were used to collect data. Four school Heads, 4 sports masters, 4 team trainers, 4 team captains, 2 learners with disabilities and a district education officer were purposively selected to take part in this study. Data were presented, analysed/discussed, starting with demographic data in the first section followed by emerging themes. It emerged from the study that all the participants were not knowledgeable about inclusive education and the aspect of including learners with disabilities in mainstream sport. The major barriers identified include inadequate policy dialogue, unavailability of sporting equipment and attitudes. Further findings revealed that there is dire need for knowledge and skills in inclusive sport among teachers in regular schools. Findings also confirmed unavailability of policy circulars in schools. Most teachers were not afforded opportunities to attend workshops and seminars. Findings also revealed that teachers faced major challenges such as funding to undertake courses in SNE and inclusive sport. Teachers were reeled in with a lot of pressure due to congested timetables and large classes. Participants believed that the challenges they faced could be resolved through some proposed intervention strategies. The researcher concluded that teachers in regular schools were not equipped to teach sport to learners with special education needs in the mainstream. The MoPSE was not doing much in preparing teachers to be effective in including learners with disabilities in regular school sport. The study recommended that the MoPSE should put in place provisions to meet the inclusive needs of both teachers and learners. It also recommended that school Heads should be taught about SNE and inclusive sport for them to be able to guide teachers properly. Besides the national policy, schools should design inclusive policies specifically for their respective schools in line with the national policy. The study also recommended that the MoPSE should come up with a comprehensive framework in sport to counter some of these challenges.
- Full Text:
The place of language policy in education in teaching and learning: a case study of two primary schools in the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Rani, Nomakhosazana Jeanette
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Language in education Language policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Language planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2381 , vital:27792
- Description: This study investigates the implementation of Language in Education Policy (LiEP) in learning and teaching in grades six from two schools. It critically examines the teachers’ practices and experiences towards English as the language of learning and teaching (LoLT) at two different primary schools from the eMalahleni in the Lady Frere Education District in the Eastern Cape. The study is guided by the fact that most learners use their mother tongue (isiXhosa) in classroom as well as outside classroom contexts. Furthermore, some teachers use the translation method of teaching language as they code-switch to their home language when teaching content subjects as well as English. Despite this practice in class, learners are expected to answer their test and examination questions in English. Theoretically, this study is underpinned by the constructivist view of language learning (Gaserfeld, 2003) and English as an international language (Sivasubramaniam, 2011). On the basis of the ecological and the constructivist approaches to language learning, Sivasubramaniam (2011 p.53) views language as a creative instrument of meaning which ‘has the power to create meaning anew and afresh’ each time that someone uses it. The study makes use of the qualitative research method with a case study design that is placed within the interpretive paradigm. The data collected will be analysed through the use of critical discourse analysis. The findings from the study suggest some instrumental motivations to use English as LOLT which is informed by Language policy. Some of these motivations are: studying abroad, business with foreign investors and integrative motivations as the learner will be able to communicate with people from different countries. The study concludes that there is need for schools to stick to the English medium because this acts as an open door to the upward economic mobility among the previously disadvantaged. Based on this, it can be recommended that schools stick to English first additional language as their language of teaching and learning.
- Full Text:
The role of intergroup conflict in school-based violence in the Johannesburg Central Education District Schools: towards a strategy for peace education implementation
- Authors: Mkhomi, Moses Sipho
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: School violence -- South Africa -- Johannesburg School discipline -- South Africa -- Johannesburg School crisis management -- South Africa -- Johannesburg Juvenile delinquency -- South Africa -- Johannesburg
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2304 , vital:27750
- Description: School-Based Violence (SBV) is prevalent in South Africa and globally. SBV is one of the challenges that the South African education system is facing resulting in a new deep-rooted culture of unsafe and insecure schools. Teachers are expected to teach learners, who display antisocial behaviour. These learners swear, back chat, verbally and physically abuse and show total disrespect for teachers. The presence of such learners has turned schools into battle field. This violence is not exclusively directed to teachers, but learners are also the common victims of bullying in particular. This study therefore sought to investigate how intergroup violence impacts on the schoolbased violence. The concepts, Intergroup Conflict (IC) and gangs/gangsterism were used interchangeably to describe actions of individuals who take part in the social conflict, driven by competition, antagonism and aggression within the school context.
- Full Text:
The role of intergroup conflict in school-based violence in the Johannesburg Central Education District Schools: Towards a strategy for Peace Education implementation
- Authors: Mkhomi, Moses Sipho
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: School violence School discipline -- South Africa -- Johannesburg School crisis management -- South Africa --Johannesburg
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5282 , vital:29183
- Description: School-Based Violence (SBV) is prevalent in South Africa and globally. SBV is one of the challenges that the South African education system is facing resulting in a new deep-rooted culture of unsafe and insecure schools. Teachers are expected to teach learners, who display antisocial behaviour. These learners swear, back chat, verbally and physically abuse and show total disrespect for teachers. The presence of such learners has turned schools into battle field. This violence is not exclusively directed to teachers, but learners are also the common victims of bullying in particular. This study therefore sought to investigate how intergroup violence impacts on the schoolbased violence. The concepts, Intergroup Conflict (IC) and gangs/gangsterism were used interchangeably to describe actions of individuals who take part in the social conflict, driven by competition, antagonism and aggression within the school context. A qualitative research method was used to capture the experiences and narratives of participants affected by school based violence. The study employed the interpretivist research paradigm the phenomenological research approach was preferred for the study to gain the meaning, structure, and essence of the lived experiences of the participants with regard to SBV. To extract participants’ experiences, perceptions and views, the study used a semi-structured interview, focus group interviews and nonparticipatory observation methods. The selected schools were purposefully selected because of historical and ongoing violent incidents, as well as the violent communities in which these schools are located. The researcher complied with and observed ethical principles during the research study. The research was conducted on sites (schools) and included seven learners, seven teachers, three principals, three parents who are members of the School Governing Body, three parents, as well as a District Official. Permission was sought and granted by the Provincial Education Department – Gauteng Province, as well as by the District Director.
- Full Text:
The role of the office of the auditor general of South Africa in enhancing sound public financial management, with special references to the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Deliwe, Mawonga Christopher C
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: South Africa -- Office of the Auditor-General Finance, Public -- South Africa -- Auditing Auditing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2017 , vital:27596
- Description: The 1996 Constitution of South Africa and the Public Audit Act of 2004 provide the legislative framework for the Office of the Auditor General of South Africa (OAGSA). The Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors further enriched the interpretation of the framework – for government auditing. Over the years of democratic rule in South Africa, audit performance by State organs was generally poor. Despite the efforts by the OAGSA to improve the performance, very little improvement was notable. Most disturbing was the observation that there was widespread, a prevalence of recurring findings, which indicated that the OAGSA’s recommendations and guidelines were not acted upon, or largely ignored. Firstly, the research study established that the system of capitalist democracy, which comes in different varieties throughout world democracies, indeed brought about a situation where the electorate was effectively removed from its rightful place of being the principal, and had its place taken up by political parties (which are in fact, agents) - which (parties) governed on its (the electorate’s) behalf. This system, taken together with the Principal Agency and the Rational Choice Theories – fully explained the prevalence of maladministration and malfeasance in government in South Africa. Secondly, the study established that the OAGSA has done everything imaginable in its attempts to improve audit performance in government institutions – using the carrot rather than the stick approach. The legislative framework cited above, revealed that the OAGSA has the power to audit and report, while Parliament has the power to enforce corrective action. The lesson of this revelation is: that there is not much that the OAGSA can achieve without a high level of cooperation between itself and Parliament – if audit performance is to be effectively, and appreciably improved in South Africa. A disappointing discovery however was indirectly delivered to the world, through the results of a research study conducted by one Wehner in 2002, on Public Accounts Committees (PACs) (alias Standing Committees on Public Accounts (SCOPAs)) in world democracies. The Wehner study clearly demonstrated that there was nothing contained in these committees’ founding documents or enabling legislation – which in no uncertain terms, directed the committees on what procedures and processes to follow to ensure that their resolutions were acted upon. In other words there was no enforcement mechanism discernible for their resolutions. Thirdly, there were developments in case law in South Africa, which augured well for Constitutional Institutions in general. They are contained in court judgements relating to the mandate of the Office of the Public Protector (OPP). The question at the core of these developments was: whether the decisions or remedial action emanating from the OPP, were binding and enforceable. Two judgements cited as cases in point, one a High Court judgment and another a Supreme Court of Appeal’s (SCA’s), feature in the research report. The SCA, in summary found that decisions of administrative bodies of State – stand in fact and in law, until such time that a court of law invalidates them. The SCA ruled through citing a High Court judgement passed way back in 2004 - that Constitutional Institutions, although not organs of State per se – were certainly included in this 2004 finding, if one considers the rationale of this initial finding, taken together with the purpose for which Constitutional Institutions were established in South Africa in the first place. In conclusion, although visible root causes of poor audit findings appear overall to be poor consequence management and questionable leadership quality in government, the system of capitalist democracy is ultimately to blame. The system certainly had unintended consequences.
- Full Text:
The work of the international criminal court in Africa and challenges for the future of international criminal justice
- Authors: Mupanga, Godfrey
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Immunities of foreign states Jurisdiction (International law) Government liability (International law) International relations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Law
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2645 , vital:27977
- Description: Within the first decade of the ICC‟s existence, its case docket was composed of cases originating from Africa only. Relations between the African governments represented by the AU quickly deteriorated. The AU accuses the ICC of bias and unfair targeting of Africa. After the indictment of heads of states that include Omar Al Bashir of Sudan, Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and the late Muammar Gaddafi of Libya, the AU passed several resolutions where it reiterated its commitment to the rule of law and to combating impunity. The AU, however, instructed member states to cease all cooperation with the ICC. African states that are ICC members are now faced with conflicting obligations as a result of the AU resolutions. Moreover, the AU resolutions raise the spectre of a legitimacy crisis for the AU and a conflict between articles 27(2) and 98(1) of the Rome Statute. Based mostly on desk research coupled with my experience working on human rights and access to justice programmes in Sudan, South Sudan, Somaliland, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe, this thesis considers the possibility that the ICC is suffering from a legitimacy crisis as a result of the fall out and the issues of unfair selectivity that are raised by the AU. Employing the Third World Approaches to International Law as an analytical framework, the study attempts to reconcile the apparent contradictions in the new outlook and rhetoric of the AU pursuant to its Constitutive Act and the instruction to member states to withdraw cooperation with the ICC. The thesis also proposes practical ways to resolve the conflicting obligations caused by the AU resolutions and by operation of customary international law immunity of high ranking state officials referred to the ICC by way of a Security Council resolution. The current situation gives the ICC the appearance of a weak institution that is only good for low hanging fruit, which has a negative effect on the legitimacy of the ICC.
- Full Text: