Molecular studies on cholera and non-cholera causing vibrio pathogens isolated from some water resources and aquatic animals in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Abioye, Oluwatayo Emmanuel
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Vibrio cholerae -- Pathogens Vibrio cholerae
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9154 , vital:34283
- Description: The global socioeconomic and disease burdens of cholera; a disease caused by Vibrio cholerae have been ongoing since it was first reported in India in 1563. Unfortunately, emerging non-cholera causing Vibrio pathogens have been contributing to the malady of Vibrio genus globally in the recent years. The history of cholera outbreaks in South Africa have been well documented but information regarding other non-cholera Vibrio pathogens, is deficient in the literature. This study evaluated the statuses of aquatic animals including crustaceans, molluscs, and fish as important reservoirs of six key pathogenic Vibrio spp. in some important water resources and fish markets in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, between December 2016 and November 2017. Physiochemical parameters that are vital for water quality assessment were determined for all the water sampling points using standard methods. The parameters include pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, temperature, total dissolved solids, turbidity and biological oxygen demand (BOD5). Vibrio spp. densities in water and aquatic animal samples were determined using membrane filtration and Most Probable NumberPolymerase chain reaction (MPN-PCR) methods respectively. Presumptive Vibrio spp. were recovered from the samples by direct plating of water samples and aliquots of aquatic animal homogenates on thiosulfate-citrate-bile salts-sucrose (TCBS) agar. Where necessary, samples were enriched using alkaline peptone water (APW) for optimum isolation of the targeted Vibrio spp. Presumptive isolates were identified and delineated into the six targeted pathogenic Vibrio spp. using PCR method. The antibiogram fingerprint of selected Vibrio spp. against a panel 18 panels of antibacterial agents were also carried out. Multiple antibiotic resistance phenotypes (MARPs) per set of isolates from water sampling sites and aquatic animal types were determined. Finally, multiple antibiotic resistance indices (MARI) for isolates recovered from the samples were determined. All experiments were done in replicate and data compared using one-way analysis of variance and one-tail t-test as appropriate. Correlation and regression analysis were also carried out as appropriate. Uncontrolled agricultural, industrial and domestic wastewater influxes, as well as run-off intrusions into the water resources investigated, were observed throughout the sampling season. The physicochemical qualities of the water resources varied with seasons. While pH observed for all the water sampling sites complied with South Africa and international standards, most sampling sites did not comply with set standards for one or more of the remaining physicochemical parameters. The parameters that frequently exhibited significant correlation and regression with Vibrio spp. densities were TDS, TSS, turbidity and temperature. The densities of Vibrio spp. in the samples studied varied with season and the highest density per sample types were observed in the summer. The prevalence of Vibrio spp. in freshwater, brackish water and aquatic animal samples were 79 percent, 78 percent and 86 percent respectively. The respective prevalence of V. cholerae, V. mimicus, V. fluvialis, V.alginolyticus, V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus in freshwater samples (18 percent, 3 percent, ~1 percent, ~1 percent, <1 percent, < percent), brackish water(12 percent, 3 percent, 28 percent,~1 percent, ~1 percent, 9 percent) and aquatic animals (9 percent, 1 percent, 17 percent, 1 percent, 1 percent, 17 percent) were observed. All isolates from all the sample types showed very high antibiotic resistance against ampicillin and polymyxin B. Furthermore, MARPs were observed among isolates from the three sample types. Multiple antibiotic resistance indices (MARI) above 0.2 was observed at one site on Kowie River, three on Kubusi River and one on Buffalo River. The findings of this study suggest that most South Africa water-bodies especially freshwater resources are not well protected. This need to be addressed in a country like South Africa where availability of the freshwater resource for human activities is a critical issue. Base on the prevalence of pathogenic Vibrio spp. especially MARPs and sites that exhibited above 0.2 threshold for MARI, environmental base Vibrio species monitoring programs are recommended.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Abioye, Oluwatayo Emmanuel
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Vibrio cholerae -- Pathogens Vibrio cholerae
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9154 , vital:34283
- Description: The global socioeconomic and disease burdens of cholera; a disease caused by Vibrio cholerae have been ongoing since it was first reported in India in 1563. Unfortunately, emerging non-cholera causing Vibrio pathogens have been contributing to the malady of Vibrio genus globally in the recent years. The history of cholera outbreaks in South Africa have been well documented but information regarding other non-cholera Vibrio pathogens, is deficient in the literature. This study evaluated the statuses of aquatic animals including crustaceans, molluscs, and fish as important reservoirs of six key pathogenic Vibrio spp. in some important water resources and fish markets in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, between December 2016 and November 2017. Physiochemical parameters that are vital for water quality assessment were determined for all the water sampling points using standard methods. The parameters include pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, temperature, total dissolved solids, turbidity and biological oxygen demand (BOD5). Vibrio spp. densities in water and aquatic animal samples were determined using membrane filtration and Most Probable NumberPolymerase chain reaction (MPN-PCR) methods respectively. Presumptive Vibrio spp. were recovered from the samples by direct plating of water samples and aliquots of aquatic animal homogenates on thiosulfate-citrate-bile salts-sucrose (TCBS) agar. Where necessary, samples were enriched using alkaline peptone water (APW) for optimum isolation of the targeted Vibrio spp. Presumptive isolates were identified and delineated into the six targeted pathogenic Vibrio spp. using PCR method. The antibiogram fingerprint of selected Vibrio spp. against a panel 18 panels of antibacterial agents were also carried out. Multiple antibiotic resistance phenotypes (MARPs) per set of isolates from water sampling sites and aquatic animal types were determined. Finally, multiple antibiotic resistance indices (MARI) for isolates recovered from the samples were determined. All experiments were done in replicate and data compared using one-way analysis of variance and one-tail t-test as appropriate. Correlation and regression analysis were also carried out as appropriate. Uncontrolled agricultural, industrial and domestic wastewater influxes, as well as run-off intrusions into the water resources investigated, were observed throughout the sampling season. The physicochemical qualities of the water resources varied with seasons. While pH observed for all the water sampling sites complied with South Africa and international standards, most sampling sites did not comply with set standards for one or more of the remaining physicochemical parameters. The parameters that frequently exhibited significant correlation and regression with Vibrio spp. densities were TDS, TSS, turbidity and temperature. The densities of Vibrio spp. in the samples studied varied with season and the highest density per sample types were observed in the summer. The prevalence of Vibrio spp. in freshwater, brackish water and aquatic animal samples were 79 percent, 78 percent and 86 percent respectively. The respective prevalence of V. cholerae, V. mimicus, V. fluvialis, V.alginolyticus, V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus in freshwater samples (18 percent, 3 percent, ~1 percent, ~1 percent, <1 percent, < percent), brackish water(12 percent, 3 percent, 28 percent,~1 percent, ~1 percent, 9 percent) and aquatic animals (9 percent, 1 percent, 17 percent, 1 percent, 1 percent, 17 percent) were observed. All isolates from all the sample types showed very high antibiotic resistance against ampicillin and polymyxin B. Furthermore, MARPs were observed among isolates from the three sample types. Multiple antibiotic resistance indices (MARI) above 0.2 was observed at one site on Kowie River, three on Kubusi River and one on Buffalo River. The findings of this study suggest that most South Africa water-bodies especially freshwater resources are not well protected. This need to be addressed in a country like South Africa where availability of the freshwater resource for human activities is a critical issue. Base on the prevalence of pathogenic Vibrio spp. especially MARPs and sites that exhibited above 0.2 threshold for MARI, environmental base Vibrio species monitoring programs are recommended.
- Full Text:
Non-farm enterprises and rural development in South Africa : a case of the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Dapira, Clarah
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Rural development--South Africa--Eastern Cape--Case studies Rural development--South Africa South Africa--Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Development Studies
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15463 , vital:40410
- Description: There is growing recognition that the limited success in rural development policies in many developing countries, including South Africa, is mainly a result of the failure to conceptualize such interventions beyond agriculture and incorporate non-farm enterprises into the mix. Non-farm enterprises are increasingly viewed as having the potential to become one of the drivers of rural development. However, it is an area that remains poorly documented and dimly understood as it has received limited scholarly attention in recent years. The study was carried out in the rural areas of Port St John’s Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study was premised on the assumption that non-farm enterprises have the potential to become one of the drivers of rural development in terms of employment creation, income generation and diversification of the rural economy. The thesis demonstrates that the hope that non-farm enterprises can add value to the rural economy in terms of creating the much needed employment opportunities is still a goal to be realised. Nevertheless, the income generated by these enterprises is contributing immensely to household welfare, especially improving accessibility to food by poor households. The study recommends the implementation of tailor made capacity building and training programmes aimed at enhancing the skills of rural artisans. This is an area that requires state-mediated intervention to augment the rural economy in order to redress the uneven development of the past.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Dapira, Clarah
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Rural development--South Africa--Eastern Cape--Case studies Rural development--South Africa South Africa--Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Development Studies
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15463 , vital:40410
- Description: There is growing recognition that the limited success in rural development policies in many developing countries, including South Africa, is mainly a result of the failure to conceptualize such interventions beyond agriculture and incorporate non-farm enterprises into the mix. Non-farm enterprises are increasingly viewed as having the potential to become one of the drivers of rural development. However, it is an area that remains poorly documented and dimly understood as it has received limited scholarly attention in recent years. The study was carried out in the rural areas of Port St John’s Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study was premised on the assumption that non-farm enterprises have the potential to become one of the drivers of rural development in terms of employment creation, income generation and diversification of the rural economy. The thesis demonstrates that the hope that non-farm enterprises can add value to the rural economy in terms of creating the much needed employment opportunities is still a goal to be realised. Nevertheless, the income generated by these enterprises is contributing immensely to household welfare, especially improving accessibility to food by poor households. The study recommends the implementation of tailor made capacity building and training programmes aimed at enhancing the skills of rural artisans. This is an area that requires state-mediated intervention to augment the rural economy in order to redress the uneven development of the past.
- Full Text:
Parental involvement and grade 8 learners' academic achievement in mathematics : a study of selected schools in East London, South Africa
- Authors: Eesuola, Omobola Foluke
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Education -- Parent participation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Education
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10497 , vital:35497
- Description: This investigation springs from the realization that academic achievement is influenced by different environmental factors. The influence of parental involvement on learners’ academic achievement has been recognized globally by experts in the education industry. As integral as parental involvement is, education industry is yet to come to terms on the best type of parental involvement needed for the teaching and learning of Mathematics in high schools especially at the transition phase. The aim of this study was to establish the relationship between parental involvement and grade 8 learners’ academic achievement in Mathematics. Quantitative research method was used for data collection. The data was collected with the use of parental involvement questionnaire for learners (PIQL) and learners Mathematics academic achievement scores. The research was conducted in six schools (public and private) within the East London Education District. The total sample size was 460 Grade 8 learners who were randomly selected across the board. The outcomes of the investigation revealed that parental involvement enhances the academic achievement of grade 8 learners irrespective of a definition of it or the measure of achievement. Furthermore, the results of this findings indicate that good parenting styles, parental support and parental educational background (r = 0.54; P < 0.05), (r =0.20; P< 0.05), (r = 0.68; P < 0.05) respectively are prerequisite for learners’ academic achievement in mathematics, showing that the variables are significantly related to learners academic achievement in mathematics; while parental involvement in the area of communication and family structure were very weak (r = 0.05; P > 0.05), (R=0.09; R2=.005; P < 0.05). This study therefore, recommended that parental involvement should be beefed up especially in areas of communication and family structure, by both the parents and teachers in order to enhance learners’ academic achievement in Mathematics.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Eesuola, Omobola Foluke
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Education -- Parent participation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Education
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10497 , vital:35497
- Description: This investigation springs from the realization that academic achievement is influenced by different environmental factors. The influence of parental involvement on learners’ academic achievement has been recognized globally by experts in the education industry. As integral as parental involvement is, education industry is yet to come to terms on the best type of parental involvement needed for the teaching and learning of Mathematics in high schools especially at the transition phase. The aim of this study was to establish the relationship between parental involvement and grade 8 learners’ academic achievement in Mathematics. Quantitative research method was used for data collection. The data was collected with the use of parental involvement questionnaire for learners (PIQL) and learners Mathematics academic achievement scores. The research was conducted in six schools (public and private) within the East London Education District. The total sample size was 460 Grade 8 learners who were randomly selected across the board. The outcomes of the investigation revealed that parental involvement enhances the academic achievement of grade 8 learners irrespective of a definition of it or the measure of achievement. Furthermore, the results of this findings indicate that good parenting styles, parental support and parental educational background (r = 0.54; P < 0.05), (r =0.20; P< 0.05), (r = 0.68; P < 0.05) respectively are prerequisite for learners’ academic achievement in mathematics, showing that the variables are significantly related to learners academic achievement in mathematics; while parental involvement in the area of communication and family structure were very weak (r = 0.05; P > 0.05), (R=0.09; R2=.005; P < 0.05). This study therefore, recommended that parental involvement should be beefed up especially in areas of communication and family structure, by both the parents and teachers in order to enhance learners’ academic achievement in Mathematics.
- Full Text:
Parents' experiences with involvement in the education development of children under six years in the Bubi District of Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mhlanga, Sibonginkosi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Education -- Parent participation -- Zimbabwe Education, Elementary -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9467 , vital:34354
- Description: This study on parental involvement in Early Childhood Development in the Bubi district of Zimbabwe investigates parents’ experiences with involvement in the education development of children under six years. Early Childhood Development in Zimbabwe is a community based programme, hence the interest on parents in their involvement in the education and development. To investigate this phenomenon a thorough background of the Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory was employed. The theory is based on the principles of interconnectedness within settings and the linkages between settings that affect individual development. The study focused on the immediate, being the microsystems. The interpretive paradigm and the qualitative approach were employed to explore the parents’ experiences with involvement in the education development of children under six years. Purposive sampling was used to select a small sample of two Heads of schools, four Early Childhood Development teachers and sixteen parents; these were from two schools in the Bubi district of Matabeleland, North Province of Zimbabwe. Obtained results reveal that all the stakeholders involved in the study seem to have limited knowledge of parental involvement. It also emerged that the involvement in the district is biased towards the physical needs of the school only. The results also revealed that there are so many factors that contribute to the non-involvement of parents in their children’s education and development such as poverty, lack of knowledge, culture and attitude, just to mention a few. In view of the findings the study recommends that the Government should provide statutory instruments that clearly state the role of the parents, especially because of the fact that, currently, the programme in the country is community based. The colleges should also empower student teachers during their training on parental involvement.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mhlanga, Sibonginkosi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Education -- Parent participation -- Zimbabwe Education, Elementary -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9467 , vital:34354
- Description: This study on parental involvement in Early Childhood Development in the Bubi district of Zimbabwe investigates parents’ experiences with involvement in the education development of children under six years. Early Childhood Development in Zimbabwe is a community based programme, hence the interest on parents in their involvement in the education and development. To investigate this phenomenon a thorough background of the Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory was employed. The theory is based on the principles of interconnectedness within settings and the linkages between settings that affect individual development. The study focused on the immediate, being the microsystems. The interpretive paradigm and the qualitative approach were employed to explore the parents’ experiences with involvement in the education development of children under six years. Purposive sampling was used to select a small sample of two Heads of schools, four Early Childhood Development teachers and sixteen parents; these were from two schools in the Bubi district of Matabeleland, North Province of Zimbabwe. Obtained results reveal that all the stakeholders involved in the study seem to have limited knowledge of parental involvement. It also emerged that the involvement in the district is biased towards the physical needs of the school only. The results also revealed that there are so many factors that contribute to the non-involvement of parents in their children’s education and development such as poverty, lack of knowledge, culture and attitude, just to mention a few. In view of the findings the study recommends that the Government should provide statutory instruments that clearly state the role of the parents, especially because of the fact that, currently, the programme in the country is community based. The colleges should also empower student teachers during their training on parental involvement.
- Full Text:
Perception of climate change impacts, adaptation responses and national response policy outreach by smallholder farmers in Amathole District, South Africa
- Popoola, Oluwaseun Oluwabunmi
- Authors: Popoola, Oluwaseun Oluwabunmi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Climatic changes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Global environmental change Climate change mitigation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9000 , vital:34181
- Description: The climate is changing, with imminent threats. Projections for increased inconsistencies in climatic elements such as rainfall and temperature have continued to raise concerns particularly amongst farmers. The majority of South African smallholder and resource-poor farmers rely heavily on rain-fed agriculture, making them vulnerable to the vagaries of climate change risks. As sustainability is crucial to the continuous survival of this population, this study assessed the farmers’ perceptions of climate change impacts on agricultural production activities as well as their adaptation responses. The South African national climate change response policy was developed and approved in October 2011 in order to institute a responsive intervention system for the moderation of climate change impacts on South Africa’s citizens. Amongst its priorities is building capacity and resilience in the country’s agricultural sector, with the public agricultural extension system as a principal component for climate change sensitisation, education and capacity-building. With current global climate change conditions, the urgency to provide agricultural knowledge on adaptation has risen. Smallholder farmers, in particular, are challenged in this regard, and face numerous restraining factors. Therefore, this study investigated several key issues related to climate change sensitization activities and response. A multistage sampling procedure was used in the selection of the study sample (n = 301) residing in the rural settlements of Mbahashe Local Municipality, in Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. A cross-sectional household survey was carried out in eighteen villages surrounding the three major towns in the municipality – Idutywa, Elliotdale and Willowvale. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used for data analysis. Findings revealed a perceived increase in temperature levels and a drastic decline in rainfall; perceived harsh and aggressive climatic conditions, with attendant problems of drought. There is a perceived increased difficulty in production activities as a result of water scarcity. Poor soil conditions, pest infestations and disease infections, poor vegetation and limited grazing, decreased livestock growth rate, reduced livestock weight, milk production and reproduction rates, reduction in quantity of egg production, egg quality and sizes, are amongst many other perceived challenges. There is a growing threat of unsustainable agricultural production, which may in due course increase poverty levels among the smallholder farmers. Adaptation responses were extremely limited. Findings also revealed that there is an extremely low awareness of the national climate change response policy, and a dearth of sensitisation campaigns and capacity-building training of smallholder farmers in the study area. There is also a significant lack of access to agricultural extension services that might disseminate information and build capacity for an appropriate climate change response. Analysis also revealed that public extension services play a minute role in rural farmers’ climate change knowledge; they get their information elsewhere. The most critical constraint to climate change coping and adaptation in the study area was lack of access to agricultural extension services. The study recommends government intervention in the form of appropriate, functional extension services, particularly for carrying out climate change coping and adaptation education and support. It also strongly endorses the tower gardening concept, practised in a number of countries, including parts of South Africa to facilitate an exigent intervention project to curb declining crop production and sustain the livelihoods of farmers, before major intervention schemes are set up by various governing bodies. There is an immense need to buffer the adaptation capacities of livestock smallholder farmers in rural communities through the implementation of adaptation promotional schemes for rural livestock sustainability. Productivity and efficient commercialization of both indigenous and hybrid poultry production should be beefed up by encouraging poultry breeding programs and breed improvement activities, subsidizing commercial feeds to encourage supplementary feeding, provision of better infrastructure for improved housing and the facilitation of health care systems like vaccination programs. This study also recommends that efforts to create awareness, knowledge and skills in relation to climate change be intensified through an enhanced use of all media. In addition, agricultural extension departments functioning at the local level should be financially and technically capacitated to allow for enhanced performance by their field officers.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Popoola, Oluwaseun Oluwabunmi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Climatic changes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Global environmental change Climate change mitigation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9000 , vital:34181
- Description: The climate is changing, with imminent threats. Projections for increased inconsistencies in climatic elements such as rainfall and temperature have continued to raise concerns particularly amongst farmers. The majority of South African smallholder and resource-poor farmers rely heavily on rain-fed agriculture, making them vulnerable to the vagaries of climate change risks. As sustainability is crucial to the continuous survival of this population, this study assessed the farmers’ perceptions of climate change impacts on agricultural production activities as well as their adaptation responses. The South African national climate change response policy was developed and approved in October 2011 in order to institute a responsive intervention system for the moderation of climate change impacts on South Africa’s citizens. Amongst its priorities is building capacity and resilience in the country’s agricultural sector, with the public agricultural extension system as a principal component for climate change sensitisation, education and capacity-building. With current global climate change conditions, the urgency to provide agricultural knowledge on adaptation has risen. Smallholder farmers, in particular, are challenged in this regard, and face numerous restraining factors. Therefore, this study investigated several key issues related to climate change sensitization activities and response. A multistage sampling procedure was used in the selection of the study sample (n = 301) residing in the rural settlements of Mbahashe Local Municipality, in Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. A cross-sectional household survey was carried out in eighteen villages surrounding the three major towns in the municipality – Idutywa, Elliotdale and Willowvale. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used for data analysis. Findings revealed a perceived increase in temperature levels and a drastic decline in rainfall; perceived harsh and aggressive climatic conditions, with attendant problems of drought. There is a perceived increased difficulty in production activities as a result of water scarcity. Poor soil conditions, pest infestations and disease infections, poor vegetation and limited grazing, decreased livestock growth rate, reduced livestock weight, milk production and reproduction rates, reduction in quantity of egg production, egg quality and sizes, are amongst many other perceived challenges. There is a growing threat of unsustainable agricultural production, which may in due course increase poverty levels among the smallholder farmers. Adaptation responses were extremely limited. Findings also revealed that there is an extremely low awareness of the national climate change response policy, and a dearth of sensitisation campaigns and capacity-building training of smallholder farmers in the study area. There is also a significant lack of access to agricultural extension services that might disseminate information and build capacity for an appropriate climate change response. Analysis also revealed that public extension services play a minute role in rural farmers’ climate change knowledge; they get their information elsewhere. The most critical constraint to climate change coping and adaptation in the study area was lack of access to agricultural extension services. The study recommends government intervention in the form of appropriate, functional extension services, particularly for carrying out climate change coping and adaptation education and support. It also strongly endorses the tower gardening concept, practised in a number of countries, including parts of South Africa to facilitate an exigent intervention project to curb declining crop production and sustain the livelihoods of farmers, before major intervention schemes are set up by various governing bodies. There is an immense need to buffer the adaptation capacities of livestock smallholder farmers in rural communities through the implementation of adaptation promotional schemes for rural livestock sustainability. Productivity and efficient commercialization of both indigenous and hybrid poultry production should be beefed up by encouraging poultry breeding programs and breed improvement activities, subsidizing commercial feeds to encourage supplementary feeding, provision of better infrastructure for improved housing and the facilitation of health care systems like vaccination programs. This study also recommends that efforts to create awareness, knowledge and skills in relation to climate change be intensified through an enhanced use of all media. In addition, agricultural extension departments functioning at the local level should be financially and technically capacitated to allow for enhanced performance by their field officers.
- Full Text:
Play as an indicator of public opinion in online political commentary : a content analysis of online news forums leading up to the 2014 South African General Elections
- Authors: Moyo, Lungisani
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Online journalism Content analysis (Communication)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10678 , vital:35667
- Description: This study seeks to look at play as an indicator of public opinion in online political commentary of online news forums leading to the 2014 South African general elections. A qualitative content analysis was used to analyse viewers’s comments about 2014 South African general elections posted online. The concepts of critical discourse analysis, frame analysis play theory and network analysis were applied to extend and inform the study. A corpus of all commentary appended to 2014 South African general election news reports published online by Media24, Times Media Group, Mail &Guardian, Independent Newspapers, Caxton CTP, and TNA Media were selected. The study employed a purposive sampling technique and 1000 comments were extracted. The sample began four weeks before the election and ended two weeks after the event. NVIVO 11 was utilized to code these readers’ comments into their respective categories. The core findings of this thesis reflect that online readers do not just engage in play but are more interactive and participative on these online public forums and their political discourse echo political affiliations with different political parties, bearing in mind that South Africa has 13 political parties that participated and are represented in parliament. In addition, the findings revealed that, play cannot be parted with and remains inseparable with "what is real"; instead, play renews the real world by giving it sense and meaning. Play does not "re-present" nor falsify certainty but it enunciates certainty. The findings also revealed that most participants identify themselves with the ANC as the ruling party, the DA as the main opposition, the EFF as the most vocal party and then other parties. The findings further revealed that participants have different perspectives on different economic and socio-political matters such as, entertainment, slate politics, and political affiliation, cadre deployment, political bias, economic meltdown, diaspora, and western influence, abuse of power by those in high places, land reform programme, political power struggles, leadership change and corruption.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Moyo, Lungisani
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Online journalism Content analysis (Communication)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10678 , vital:35667
- Description: This study seeks to look at play as an indicator of public opinion in online political commentary of online news forums leading to the 2014 South African general elections. A qualitative content analysis was used to analyse viewers’s comments about 2014 South African general elections posted online. The concepts of critical discourse analysis, frame analysis play theory and network analysis were applied to extend and inform the study. A corpus of all commentary appended to 2014 South African general election news reports published online by Media24, Times Media Group, Mail &Guardian, Independent Newspapers, Caxton CTP, and TNA Media were selected. The study employed a purposive sampling technique and 1000 comments were extracted. The sample began four weeks before the election and ended two weeks after the event. NVIVO 11 was utilized to code these readers’ comments into their respective categories. The core findings of this thesis reflect that online readers do not just engage in play but are more interactive and participative on these online public forums and their political discourse echo political affiliations with different political parties, bearing in mind that South Africa has 13 political parties that participated and are represented in parliament. In addition, the findings revealed that, play cannot be parted with and remains inseparable with "what is real"; instead, play renews the real world by giving it sense and meaning. Play does not "re-present" nor falsify certainty but it enunciates certainty. The findings also revealed that most participants identify themselves with the ANC as the ruling party, the DA as the main opposition, the EFF as the most vocal party and then other parties. The findings further revealed that participants have different perspectives on different economic and socio-political matters such as, entertainment, slate politics, and political affiliation, cadre deployment, political bias, economic meltdown, diaspora, and western influence, abuse of power by those in high places, land reform programme, political power struggles, leadership change and corruption.
- Full Text:
Pre-service education students’ application of visualisation strategies to solve mathematical word-problems
- Authors: Shaw , Peter
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Education)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12941 , vital:39406
- Description: This classroom-based action research dissertation examined visualisation strategies used by pre-service Intermediate Phase PGCE education students to solve mathematical word-problems. The setting was an Eastern Cape university. Previous literature indicated a positive correlation between the use of visual scaffolds and success in solving word problems. However, a gap was found insofar as little research had been published on the application of visualisation to word-problems by student teachers in South Africa. This thesis advances our understanding of the role visualisation may play in assisting student teachers to solve word-problems. The theoretic framework was informed by Bruner’s theory of learning. The research was grounded in the hermeneutic tradition. An interpretivist research paradigm was expedited by using an inductive, naturalistic perspective and relativist ontology. Thirtyeight student-teachers participated in the study. Parallel and convergent qualitative and quantitative data gathering instruments were used, thereby facilitating triangulation and examination for microgenesis. It was found that vestiges of past teaching practices initially limited the participants’ knowledge to a deeply-flawed, banking model of routines and an instrumental perception of mathematics. Disruptive calls for social justice impeded progress. Albeit visualisation strategies liberated understanding, many foundational concepts and skills had to be reconstructed. The confluence of time and rehearsal culminated in some measure of expertise. Sustained effort enabled new knowledge to be compressed and consigned to long-term memory. Salient visual representations assisted participants to conceptualise relational mathematical metaconcepts and reduced the cognitive demands imposed by word-problems but that achievement was a hard-won prize.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Shaw , Peter
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Education)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12941 , vital:39406
- Description: This classroom-based action research dissertation examined visualisation strategies used by pre-service Intermediate Phase PGCE education students to solve mathematical word-problems. The setting was an Eastern Cape university. Previous literature indicated a positive correlation between the use of visual scaffolds and success in solving word problems. However, a gap was found insofar as little research had been published on the application of visualisation to word-problems by student teachers in South Africa. This thesis advances our understanding of the role visualisation may play in assisting student teachers to solve word-problems. The theoretic framework was informed by Bruner’s theory of learning. The research was grounded in the hermeneutic tradition. An interpretivist research paradigm was expedited by using an inductive, naturalistic perspective and relativist ontology. Thirtyeight student-teachers participated in the study. Parallel and convergent qualitative and quantitative data gathering instruments were used, thereby facilitating triangulation and examination for microgenesis. It was found that vestiges of past teaching practices initially limited the participants’ knowledge to a deeply-flawed, banking model of routines and an instrumental perception of mathematics. Disruptive calls for social justice impeded progress. Albeit visualisation strategies liberated understanding, many foundational concepts and skills had to be reconstructed. The confluence of time and rehearsal culminated in some measure of expertise. Sustained effort enabled new knowledge to be compressed and consigned to long-term memory. Salient visual representations assisted participants to conceptualise relational mathematical metaconcepts and reduced the cognitive demands imposed by word-problems but that achievement was a hard-won prize.
- Full Text:
Production and molecular characterization of peroxidases from novel ligninolytic proteobacteria and bacillus strains
- Authors: Falade, Ayodeji Osmund
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Peroxidase Catalase
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9702 , vital:34823
- Description: Inadequate quantity is a major impediment to the industrial application of peroxidase and other industrial enzymes. Consequently, efforts are geared towards increasing peroxidase production by searching for new microbes with enhanced production capacity. In this study, three novel ligninolytic bacteria: Raoultella ornithinolytica OKOH-1 (KX640917), Ensifer adhaerens NWODO-2 (KX640918) and Bacillus sp. FALADE-1 (KX640922) were optimized for peroxidase production and their peroxidases characterized using molecular and biochemical approaches. Molecular analysis confirmed the presence of peroxidase genes in the three bacteria. BLAST result and phylogenetic analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences suggested that Raoultella ornithinolytica OKOH-1 peroxidase (RaoPrx) belongs to a DyP-type peroxidase family while peroxidases from Ensifer adhaerens NWODO-2 and Bacillus sp. FALADE-1 are catalase-peroxidases. The peroxidase genes are available in the GenBank with MF370527, MF374336 and MF407314 as respective accession numbers. Upon optimization, Raoultella ornithinolytica OKOH-1 exhibited the highest peroxidase production at pH 5, 35 oC and 150 rpm. Biochemical characterization showed that RaoPrx had a wide substrate specificity as it was able to oxidize all the tested substrates in this study (ABTS, veratryl alcohol, guaiacol and pyrogallol), except 2, 6-Dimethoxyphenol. However, highest activity by the enzyme was recorded with pyrogallol as substrate. The enzyme had an optimum activity at pH 6 and 50 oC and was very stable at high temperatures (50 oC – 70 oC). Its pH stability was over a pH range of 5.0 – 7.0. Moreover, RaoPrx activity was significantly enhanced by Ag+, Cu2+, Zn2+and Fe2+ while Ca2+, Mg2+, Ba2+, Al3+, Co2+, NaN3 and EDTA inhibited the activity of the enzyme. Nevertheless, RaoPrx exhibited a remarkable dye-decolourizing activity on congo red and melanin, indicating the biotechnological potential of the enzyme in dye decolourization and development of cosmetic agent. Generally, the results from this study suggest that ligninolytic bacteria hold a great potential for enhanced peroxidase production that could meet the increasing industrial demand.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Falade, Ayodeji Osmund
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Peroxidase Catalase
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9702 , vital:34823
- Description: Inadequate quantity is a major impediment to the industrial application of peroxidase and other industrial enzymes. Consequently, efforts are geared towards increasing peroxidase production by searching for new microbes with enhanced production capacity. In this study, three novel ligninolytic bacteria: Raoultella ornithinolytica OKOH-1 (KX640917), Ensifer adhaerens NWODO-2 (KX640918) and Bacillus sp. FALADE-1 (KX640922) were optimized for peroxidase production and their peroxidases characterized using molecular and biochemical approaches. Molecular analysis confirmed the presence of peroxidase genes in the three bacteria. BLAST result and phylogenetic analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences suggested that Raoultella ornithinolytica OKOH-1 peroxidase (RaoPrx) belongs to a DyP-type peroxidase family while peroxidases from Ensifer adhaerens NWODO-2 and Bacillus sp. FALADE-1 are catalase-peroxidases. The peroxidase genes are available in the GenBank with MF370527, MF374336 and MF407314 as respective accession numbers. Upon optimization, Raoultella ornithinolytica OKOH-1 exhibited the highest peroxidase production at pH 5, 35 oC and 150 rpm. Biochemical characterization showed that RaoPrx had a wide substrate specificity as it was able to oxidize all the tested substrates in this study (ABTS, veratryl alcohol, guaiacol and pyrogallol), except 2, 6-Dimethoxyphenol. However, highest activity by the enzyme was recorded with pyrogallol as substrate. The enzyme had an optimum activity at pH 6 and 50 oC and was very stable at high temperatures (50 oC – 70 oC). Its pH stability was over a pH range of 5.0 – 7.0. Moreover, RaoPrx activity was significantly enhanced by Ag+, Cu2+, Zn2+and Fe2+ while Ca2+, Mg2+, Ba2+, Al3+, Co2+, NaN3 and EDTA inhibited the activity of the enzyme. Nevertheless, RaoPrx exhibited a remarkable dye-decolourizing activity on congo red and melanin, indicating the biotechnological potential of the enzyme in dye decolourization and development of cosmetic agent. Generally, the results from this study suggest that ligninolytic bacteria hold a great potential for enhanced peroxidase production that could meet the increasing industrial demand.
- Full Text:
Promoting healthy and safe school environments : the role of school governance - a study in the East London and Butterworth educational districts of the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Napier, Astrid
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: School children -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape School hygiene -- South Africa Environmental risk assessment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9489 , vital:34356
- Description: This thesis investigated how school governance promoted healthy and safe school environments and focussed on elements that make the school environment unhealthy and unsafe. These elements were spatial density, sanitation, ventilation, visibility, the acoustic element of the school environment, the aesthetic element and the psychosocial school environment. These are very important elements, and the neglect thereof could lead to ill health. The study excluded elements such as violence and substance use, as well as HIV/ AIDS. The research was conducted at six schools in the Butterworth and East London Educational Districts, as well as the district office in each of these two educational districts of the Eastern Cape. The design was a case study, and a qualitative methodology was used. The sample consisted of members from the school governing bodies, that is, the principal, one other member of the school governing body and a member of the school management team, as well as one official from each educational district, totalling twenty participants. A non-probability, purposive sampling method was used. The instrument was semi-structured interviews and document analyses. The researcher also made use of photographic evidence. Findings indicated that although support services were in place, promoting a healthy and safe school environment was a challenge at all of the schools. Various contributing factors such as the lack of support from the Department of Basic Education (DBE) for schools and district officials, non – implementation of policies, lack of infrastructure, lack of human and other resources, lack of security personnel and vandalism, prohibited the promotion of healthy and safe school environments. It is recommended that the DBE pays urgent attention to these elements that make the school environment unhealthy and unsafe; that the DBE fills the gap that exists between the national, provincial and district offices that hamper the flow of infrastructure and the supply of human and other resources. There is also a need for workshops on policy writing and implementation thereof. A workshop focussing on these elements that make the school environment unhealthy and unsafe would also be beneficial.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Napier, Astrid
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: School children -- Health and hygiene -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape School hygiene -- South Africa Environmental risk assessment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9489 , vital:34356
- Description: This thesis investigated how school governance promoted healthy and safe school environments and focussed on elements that make the school environment unhealthy and unsafe. These elements were spatial density, sanitation, ventilation, visibility, the acoustic element of the school environment, the aesthetic element and the psychosocial school environment. These are very important elements, and the neglect thereof could lead to ill health. The study excluded elements such as violence and substance use, as well as HIV/ AIDS. The research was conducted at six schools in the Butterworth and East London Educational Districts, as well as the district office in each of these two educational districts of the Eastern Cape. The design was a case study, and a qualitative methodology was used. The sample consisted of members from the school governing bodies, that is, the principal, one other member of the school governing body and a member of the school management team, as well as one official from each educational district, totalling twenty participants. A non-probability, purposive sampling method was used. The instrument was semi-structured interviews and document analyses. The researcher also made use of photographic evidence. Findings indicated that although support services were in place, promoting a healthy and safe school environment was a challenge at all of the schools. Various contributing factors such as the lack of support from the Department of Basic Education (DBE) for schools and district officials, non – implementation of policies, lack of infrastructure, lack of human and other resources, lack of security personnel and vandalism, prohibited the promotion of healthy and safe school environments. It is recommended that the DBE pays urgent attention to these elements that make the school environment unhealthy and unsafe; that the DBE fills the gap that exists between the national, provincial and district offices that hamper the flow of infrastructure and the supply of human and other resources. There is also a need for workshops on policy writing and implementation thereof. A workshop focussing on these elements that make the school environment unhealthy and unsafe would also be beneficial.
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Provision of psychosocial support to vulnerable learners by peer led groups in secondary schools in Amathole West Education District, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Chinyama, Nyarayi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Psychosocial support -- Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Education, Secondary -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9341 , vital:34333
- Description: This study sought provision of psychosocial support to vulnerable learners by school based peer-led groups in secondary schools. Using the Ecological Systems Theory and the Psychosocial Support Interactive Process Model, the study specifically sought how vulnerable learners were identified, how participants understood vulnerability and psychosocial support, how peer led groups were selected and the strategies used to provide psychosocial support by peer led groups. The study also sought the support and monitoring strategies used by different stakeholders including the department of education inorder to assit the peer led groups in their endevour to provide psychosocial support to vulnerable learners. The study employed qualitative research methods using interviews, focus groups and document analysis. Purposive sampling was used to select a District Education Officer, four principals, four group members and all of whom took part in interviews, then twenty four peer group members who participated in focus group discussions. The study found out that various methods were used to identify vulnerable learners, but these were inadequate due to limited professional support to the peer-led groups. The strategies employed to assist vulnerable learners included the buddy system, scripture unions, boys and girls education movements and home visits. However there were also challenges of shortage of human and material resources such as counselling rooms, transport. Also none cooperation of parents still hampers psychosocial support by peer led groups. Therefore, the study concludes that there are still a lot of vulnerable learners who are not reached by peer-led groups because of the above mentioned challenges. In this light the study proposed a framework for providing psychosocial support. The study therefore, recommends that the psychosocial programme be part of the large school curriculum which has a specific budget to sustain all the identification, support and monitoring needs of the vulnerable learners and to ensure the psychosocial support strategies are successful.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Chinyama, Nyarayi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Psychosocial support -- Education, Secondary -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Education, Secondary -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9341 , vital:34333
- Description: This study sought provision of psychosocial support to vulnerable learners by school based peer-led groups in secondary schools. Using the Ecological Systems Theory and the Psychosocial Support Interactive Process Model, the study specifically sought how vulnerable learners were identified, how participants understood vulnerability and psychosocial support, how peer led groups were selected and the strategies used to provide psychosocial support by peer led groups. The study also sought the support and monitoring strategies used by different stakeholders including the department of education inorder to assit the peer led groups in their endevour to provide psychosocial support to vulnerable learners. The study employed qualitative research methods using interviews, focus groups and document analysis. Purposive sampling was used to select a District Education Officer, four principals, four group members and all of whom took part in interviews, then twenty four peer group members who participated in focus group discussions. The study found out that various methods were used to identify vulnerable learners, but these were inadequate due to limited professional support to the peer-led groups. The strategies employed to assist vulnerable learners included the buddy system, scripture unions, boys and girls education movements and home visits. However there were also challenges of shortage of human and material resources such as counselling rooms, transport. Also none cooperation of parents still hampers psychosocial support by peer led groups. Therefore, the study concludes that there are still a lot of vulnerable learners who are not reached by peer-led groups because of the above mentioned challenges. In this light the study proposed a framework for providing psychosocial support. The study therefore, recommends that the psychosocial programme be part of the large school curriculum which has a specific budget to sustain all the identification, support and monitoring needs of the vulnerable learners and to ensure the psychosocial support strategies are successful.
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Psychological capital, psychological empowerment and organisational citizenship behaviour among nurses in public hospitals in Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Chamisa, Shingirayi Florence
- Authors: Chamisa, Shingirayi Florence
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Organizational behavior--South Africa Nurses--Employment--South Africa--Eastern Cape Organizational effectiveness--South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Industrial Psychology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15441 , vital:40408
- Description: The current task environment in the South African public hospitals has reconfirmed the importance of researching on the psychological environment and its influence on individual employee performance. The motivation of this study is to examine the relationship between psychological capital and psychological empowerment on the one hand and organisational citizenship behaviour on the other hand among nurses within selected public hospitals in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. This contributes to the theoretical conceptual knowledge on how performance can be enhanced through the appropriate provision of psychological resources in the workplace and the promotion of competence, efficiency and sustainability of organisations. Survey questionnaires were used to collect data. Inferential analysis from SPSS was carried out to understand the antecedents and consequences of organisation citizenship behaviour. An overall model of the study was also identified through AMOS using structural equation modeling. Findings from the selected South African public hospitals indicate that there is a significant positive relationship between psychological capital and psychological empowerment on the one hand and organisational citizenship behaviour on the other hand among nurses within the selected public hospitals. The results validate certain aspects of the Conservative frame work and the Job Demands Resources Model. The study recommends that hospital managers and supervisors should determine the social networks in their hospitals as a strategy to promote performance and organisational citizenship behaviour. Individual employees who are located at the fringes of the network must be recognised and empowered. This allows for the comparison evaluation of both individual and organisational characteristics on organisational citizenship behaviour and the promotion of slack resources which are important in maintaining a steady organisational performance which further widens organisational capacity.
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- Authors: Chamisa, Shingirayi Florence
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Organizational behavior--South Africa Nurses--Employment--South Africa--Eastern Cape Organizational effectiveness--South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Industrial Psychology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15441 , vital:40408
- Description: The current task environment in the South African public hospitals has reconfirmed the importance of researching on the psychological environment and its influence on individual employee performance. The motivation of this study is to examine the relationship between psychological capital and psychological empowerment on the one hand and organisational citizenship behaviour on the other hand among nurses within selected public hospitals in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. This contributes to the theoretical conceptual knowledge on how performance can be enhanced through the appropriate provision of psychological resources in the workplace and the promotion of competence, efficiency and sustainability of organisations. Survey questionnaires were used to collect data. Inferential analysis from SPSS was carried out to understand the antecedents and consequences of organisation citizenship behaviour. An overall model of the study was also identified through AMOS using structural equation modeling. Findings from the selected South African public hospitals indicate that there is a significant positive relationship between psychological capital and psychological empowerment on the one hand and organisational citizenship behaviour on the other hand among nurses within the selected public hospitals. The results validate certain aspects of the Conservative frame work and the Job Demands Resources Model. The study recommends that hospital managers and supervisors should determine the social networks in their hospitals as a strategy to promote performance and organisational citizenship behaviour. Individual employees who are located at the fringes of the network must be recognised and empowered. This allows for the comparison evaluation of both individual and organisational characteristics on organisational citizenship behaviour and the promotion of slack resources which are important in maintaining a steady organisational performance which further widens organisational capacity.
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Re-interpreting the history of 'the rural' visual in the Eastern Cape, 1948-1976
- Authors: Steele, Candice Alexandra
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Medical photography -- South Africa -- Exhibitions Photography in ethnology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11064 , vital:37027
- Description: The thesis engages with the photographic collection of Dr Pauline Ingle, an amateur photographer who lived and worked in the former Transkei as a medical doctor from 1948-1976. As a visual history project situated within critical visual studies, the thesis is concerned to attend to the disciplinary optics that have conditioned seeing and constituted genres; but also the ways in which these genres have constituted subjects and corralled them into positions commensurate with the spatialised demarcations of the rural and the urban, and the attendant associations of tradition and modernity. The thesis begins by exploring the biography of Pauline Ingle and tracks the movement of the photographs from a private collection into the public realm and its constitution as an archive. The thesis then moves into a discussion of the key determinants of the ethnographic genre and its entwinement with the discipline of anthropology, as a foundation against which to investigate the limits of reading her images within this genre and the disruptions that are discernible through an aesthetics of proximity and forms of image-making that do not control the visual field. Through a theorisation that proposes the image as an act, various readings are brought to bear on the images through the lens of the social and political. Mobilising the concepts of social acts and acts of citizenship, allows for a reading that breaks with the disciplinary conditioning that has fixed subject positions into ‘the native subject’ and the ‘liberal subject’ and calls into question the construction of the human. By proposing the subject as migrant, is to signal that the question of the human/subject is more complex and convoluted than previously thought.
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- Authors: Steele, Candice Alexandra
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Medical photography -- South Africa -- Exhibitions Photography in ethnology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11064 , vital:37027
- Description: The thesis engages with the photographic collection of Dr Pauline Ingle, an amateur photographer who lived and worked in the former Transkei as a medical doctor from 1948-1976. As a visual history project situated within critical visual studies, the thesis is concerned to attend to the disciplinary optics that have conditioned seeing and constituted genres; but also the ways in which these genres have constituted subjects and corralled them into positions commensurate with the spatialised demarcations of the rural and the urban, and the attendant associations of tradition and modernity. The thesis begins by exploring the biography of Pauline Ingle and tracks the movement of the photographs from a private collection into the public realm and its constitution as an archive. The thesis then moves into a discussion of the key determinants of the ethnographic genre and its entwinement with the discipline of anthropology, as a foundation against which to investigate the limits of reading her images within this genre and the disruptions that are discernible through an aesthetics of proximity and forms of image-making that do not control the visual field. Through a theorisation that proposes the image as an act, various readings are brought to bear on the images through the lens of the social and political. Mobilising the concepts of social acts and acts of citizenship, allows for a reading that breaks with the disciplinary conditioning that has fixed subject positions into ‘the native subject’ and the ‘liberal subject’ and calls into question the construction of the human. By proposing the subject as migrant, is to signal that the question of the human/subject is more complex and convoluted than previously thought.
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Rural-urban migration and its impact on rural development in Nigeria
- Authors: Abizu, Odion Stanley
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Rural development Rural-urban migration -- Nigeria Rural poor
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13815 , vital:39714
- Description: This thesis focuses on the developmental impact of rural-urban migration in Nigeria. While, recognising the negative impact of rural-urban migration, the study argues that in order to benefit internal migrants as well as rural development, there must be a paradigm shift to focus on how the benefits of migration on development can be achieved. It is proposed that rural-urban migration occurs as a response to economic, education, health, social and environmental factors. The challenges confronting rural areas are urban bias development paradigm pursued by the successive governments resulting in rural underdevelopment that exacerbates the rural urban disparity. And the neglect of agriculture in rural areas resulting from the discovery of oil in Nigeria. The study revealed that flawed policies adopted by successive Nigerian governments led to joblessness, entrenched social inequality and opportunities. One of the outcomes of these short-sighted policies was rural underdevelopment, which accelerated rural-urban migration in Nigeria. However, the study also demonstrates that the income flows from the migrants to the various rural households has contributed to improvement in the living standard of the households. The fragmentary approaches to rural development that is currently the case in Nigeria would not generate the required level of development and growth needed in the rural communities to improve the living standard. Thus, there is need for a policy framework in Nigeria, which would encourage the private sector to play a vital role in contributing their part in the provision of infrastructural facilities in the rural communities. Although this thesis is a case study of the impact of rural-urban migration on rural development in Nigeria, it can serve to appreciate the role migration can play in promoting development both in rural and urban areas in Nigeria and other Saharan Africa countries.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Abizu, Odion Stanley
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Rural development Rural-urban migration -- Nigeria Rural poor
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13815 , vital:39714
- Description: This thesis focuses on the developmental impact of rural-urban migration in Nigeria. While, recognising the negative impact of rural-urban migration, the study argues that in order to benefit internal migrants as well as rural development, there must be a paradigm shift to focus on how the benefits of migration on development can be achieved. It is proposed that rural-urban migration occurs as a response to economic, education, health, social and environmental factors. The challenges confronting rural areas are urban bias development paradigm pursued by the successive governments resulting in rural underdevelopment that exacerbates the rural urban disparity. And the neglect of agriculture in rural areas resulting from the discovery of oil in Nigeria. The study revealed that flawed policies adopted by successive Nigerian governments led to joblessness, entrenched social inequality and opportunities. One of the outcomes of these short-sighted policies was rural underdevelopment, which accelerated rural-urban migration in Nigeria. However, the study also demonstrates that the income flows from the migrants to the various rural households has contributed to improvement in the living standard of the households. The fragmentary approaches to rural development that is currently the case in Nigeria would not generate the required level of development and growth needed in the rural communities to improve the living standard. Thus, there is need for a policy framework in Nigeria, which would encourage the private sector to play a vital role in contributing their part in the provision of infrastructural facilities in the rural communities. Although this thesis is a case study of the impact of rural-urban migration on rural development in Nigeria, it can serve to appreciate the role migration can play in promoting development both in rural and urban areas in Nigeria and other Saharan Africa countries.
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Self-regulation and academic performance in early childhood :an East London study
- Authors: Martin, Glynnis Michelle
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Self-control in children Early childhood education Child rearing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10949 , vital:35969
- Description: Previous research studies have identified various factors as influential in whether one is successful in obtaining the education necessary for effective living within a given society. Early academic performance is consistently linked to later academic performance, which in turn, relates to physical, mental and even financial health outcomes in adulthood. The recognition that competence with the demands of learning and socialization can set up cycles of success or failure, lead to much research interest directed at the key role of self-regulation, as an executive function skill, in early academic performance. Despite this growing body of research, a comprehensive conceptual model for the predictive role and interaction between complex executive functions, socio-emotional competence, learning aptitudes and visuomotor skills, as predictors in early academic success, is still lacking. Knowledge of the integrated functioning of these predictors in the South African context is particularly scarce. This research was designed to address these knowledge gaps through an exploratory descriptive and causal-comparative study. Purposive, non-probability sampling was used to select a group of 183 Grade 1 learners from a low socio-economic area of East London in South Africa. Ages ranged from 6 to 8 years (M = 6.78, SD = 0.54), whilst 40% were female and 60% were male. Predictors of academic success were measured at the start of the first academic term, and a parent-report measure was used to measure socio-emotional competencies. Second term school report cards were used to measure mid-year academic achievement. Relationships between each predictor and their relationships to academic performance were explored through Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients. vii One-way Analysis of Variance with post-hoc Scheffé tests was used to explore differences between groups of Gender, Age, Home Language, Maternal Marital Status, Maternal Age and whether the grade was being Repeated or not. Two priori conceptual models of the relationships between the predictor variables and academic performance were estimated through Structural Equation Modeling. Results indicate various significant relationships between each predictor and specific aspects of academic performance. Visuomotor skills showed the strongest correlation to academic performance, followed by learning abilities and complex executive functions. Social-emotional competence was not practically significantly related to any of the factors and appeared to affect academic performance primarily through a significant relationship to complex executive functions. Interestingly, results indicate subtypes of visuomotor skills that are significantly correlated to the complex executive, as also highly correlated with academic performance. Precision tasks that were not related to complex executive function, was not significantly related to academic performance. Results furthermore identify the significant influence of caregiver factors on visuomotor skills and that of home language on learning abilities. Regression analysis results confirm a significant mediating effect of learning aptitudes in relation to the effects of complex executive function and visuomotor skills on academic performance. Model comparison supported this mediation-model as superior to a no-mediation model in predicting academic success in Grade 1. This study expands on the understanding of the role of the common executive function in relation to factors associated with crystallized intelligence, visuomotor skills and socio-emotional competencies in predicting early academic success. This study presents an innovative integrated mediation model of the relationships between the identified predictors in relation to academic success.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Martin, Glynnis Michelle
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Self-control in children Early childhood education Child rearing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10949 , vital:35969
- Description: Previous research studies have identified various factors as influential in whether one is successful in obtaining the education necessary for effective living within a given society. Early academic performance is consistently linked to later academic performance, which in turn, relates to physical, mental and even financial health outcomes in adulthood. The recognition that competence with the demands of learning and socialization can set up cycles of success or failure, lead to much research interest directed at the key role of self-regulation, as an executive function skill, in early academic performance. Despite this growing body of research, a comprehensive conceptual model for the predictive role and interaction between complex executive functions, socio-emotional competence, learning aptitudes and visuomotor skills, as predictors in early academic success, is still lacking. Knowledge of the integrated functioning of these predictors in the South African context is particularly scarce. This research was designed to address these knowledge gaps through an exploratory descriptive and causal-comparative study. Purposive, non-probability sampling was used to select a group of 183 Grade 1 learners from a low socio-economic area of East London in South Africa. Ages ranged from 6 to 8 years (M = 6.78, SD = 0.54), whilst 40% were female and 60% were male. Predictors of academic success were measured at the start of the first academic term, and a parent-report measure was used to measure socio-emotional competencies. Second term school report cards were used to measure mid-year academic achievement. Relationships between each predictor and their relationships to academic performance were explored through Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients. vii One-way Analysis of Variance with post-hoc Scheffé tests was used to explore differences between groups of Gender, Age, Home Language, Maternal Marital Status, Maternal Age and whether the grade was being Repeated or not. Two priori conceptual models of the relationships between the predictor variables and academic performance were estimated through Structural Equation Modeling. Results indicate various significant relationships between each predictor and specific aspects of academic performance. Visuomotor skills showed the strongest correlation to academic performance, followed by learning abilities and complex executive functions. Social-emotional competence was not practically significantly related to any of the factors and appeared to affect academic performance primarily through a significant relationship to complex executive functions. Interestingly, results indicate subtypes of visuomotor skills that are significantly correlated to the complex executive, as also highly correlated with academic performance. Precision tasks that were not related to complex executive function, was not significantly related to academic performance. Results furthermore identify the significant influence of caregiver factors on visuomotor skills and that of home language on learning abilities. Regression analysis results confirm a significant mediating effect of learning aptitudes in relation to the effects of complex executive function and visuomotor skills on academic performance. Model comparison supported this mediation-model as superior to a no-mediation model in predicting academic success in Grade 1. This study expands on the understanding of the role of the common executive function in relation to factors associated with crystallized intelligence, visuomotor skills and socio-emotional competencies in predicting early academic success. This study presents an innovative integrated mediation model of the relationships between the identified predictors in relation to academic success.
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Skilled Migrants and Remittances in a Development Context: A Social Value Analysis of Skills and Home Remittances among Zimbabweans living in East London, South Africa
- Authors: Mafuso, Leo Tsakata
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Migration Emigrant remittances Migrant labor
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD(Sociology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8840 , vital:33672
- Description: Against the backdrop of a growing orthodoxy that places the issue of home remittances by a country’s emigrant citizens at the centre of national and international development, this study presents a social value analysis of skills and home remittances in the Zimbabwean context. The study unveils the narratives of skilled Zimbabwean citizens living and working in East London, South Africa, with specific regard to the extent to which the revenues gained by the Zimbabwean economy through home remittances offset the skills lost by the same economy through the emigration of its skilled citizens. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, with data drawn from a survey of 158 skilled Zimbabweans, three key informant interviews (with officers of immigration stakeholder organisations) and one focus group discussion. The study found that an overwhelming majority of survey respondents regularly remitted money home, and believed that such remittances helped them to fulfil filial and other familial obligations, besides being vital to the Zimbabwean economy as a whole. They emphasised, however, that the total value of home remittances, though substantial in monetary terms, was miniscule when compared to the skills the country had lost as a result of migration. Respondents expressed the view that home remittances could not substitute for the skills lost by a country and that the proper utilisation of, and compensation for, their skills at home would develop their country faster. The study thus cuts through the dominant discourse on the developmental significance of home remittances and provides insights into the importance of skilled professionals in the Zimbabwean context, and the developmental consequences of seeing them simply as “remitters” of foreign exchange. By privileging the perspectives of skilled migrants, the study highlights how skilled professionals see themselves and their role within the migration-development debate. This therefore was a study of the migration-remittance-development nexus as though the migrant mattered.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mafuso, Leo Tsakata
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Migration Emigrant remittances Migrant labor
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD(Sociology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8840 , vital:33672
- Description: Against the backdrop of a growing orthodoxy that places the issue of home remittances by a country’s emigrant citizens at the centre of national and international development, this study presents a social value analysis of skills and home remittances in the Zimbabwean context. The study unveils the narratives of skilled Zimbabwean citizens living and working in East London, South Africa, with specific regard to the extent to which the revenues gained by the Zimbabwean economy through home remittances offset the skills lost by the same economy through the emigration of its skilled citizens. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, with data drawn from a survey of 158 skilled Zimbabweans, three key informant interviews (with officers of immigration stakeholder organisations) and one focus group discussion. The study found that an overwhelming majority of survey respondents regularly remitted money home, and believed that such remittances helped them to fulfil filial and other familial obligations, besides being vital to the Zimbabwean economy as a whole. They emphasised, however, that the total value of home remittances, though substantial in monetary terms, was miniscule when compared to the skills the country had lost as a result of migration. Respondents expressed the view that home remittances could not substitute for the skills lost by a country and that the proper utilisation of, and compensation for, their skills at home would develop their country faster. The study thus cuts through the dominant discourse on the developmental significance of home remittances and provides insights into the importance of skilled professionals in the Zimbabwean context, and the developmental consequences of seeing them simply as “remitters” of foreign exchange. By privileging the perspectives of skilled migrants, the study highlights how skilled professionals see themselves and their role within the migration-development debate. This therefore was a study of the migration-remittance-development nexus as though the migrant mattered.
- Full Text:
Social work management tasks : the experiences of frontline social workers in the nonprofit organisation sector in Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Perumal, Nevashnee
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Social service Non-governmental organizations -- Eastern Cape -- Social services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9756 , vital:34912
- Description: In South Africa, social workers learn how to operationalise the management functions of planning, organising, leading and controlling “on the job” by modelling and following existing managers and/or senior social workers. This points to the use of predictive knowledge, where management decisions are made based on patterns from past experiences, educated guesses and observations, which are limited to individual, personal experiences. For the frontline social worker responding to the dynamic demands of developmental social work, with limited work experience and no formal management training and support, there are several consequences for the Nonprofit Organisation sector and the frontline social worker executing these management tasks. Therefore, this study aimed to gain an understanding of the range of management tasks that frontline social workers undertake in the Nonprofit Organisation sector in operationalising the management functions of planning, organising, leading and controlling. This study employed a descriptive case study design, within the qualitative approach, and was exploratory in nature. In-depth individual interviews were conducted with nineteen frontline social workers from three established Nonprofit Organisations in Port Elizabeth. Qualitative thematic analysis was employed as a data analysis strategy. One focus group was conducted with five middle managers from the same three NPOs. Both phases of data collection were guided by interview themes, which were aligned to the objectives of the study. The major findings indicated that management tasks ranged from workload management, relationship management, information management, human resource management to self-management, and that all these tasks led to frontline social workers developing innovative management strategies as a consequence of undertaking management tasks. Predictive knowledge was magnified as a positive tool as compared to prescriptive knowledge. In light of these findings, it is recommended that organisational support and adjustments are made by the boards of management and directors of the relevant Nonprofit Organisations by specifically providing support to frontline social workers so as to enhance their execution of management tasks. Hence, this study proposes a framework with strategies to support frontline social workers as well as practice guidelines for Nonprofit Organisations’ boards of management and frontline social workers in undertaking their daily management tasks.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Perumal, Nevashnee
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Social service Non-governmental organizations -- Eastern Cape -- Social services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Social Work
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9756 , vital:34912
- Description: In South Africa, social workers learn how to operationalise the management functions of planning, organising, leading and controlling “on the job” by modelling and following existing managers and/or senior social workers. This points to the use of predictive knowledge, where management decisions are made based on patterns from past experiences, educated guesses and observations, which are limited to individual, personal experiences. For the frontline social worker responding to the dynamic demands of developmental social work, with limited work experience and no formal management training and support, there are several consequences for the Nonprofit Organisation sector and the frontline social worker executing these management tasks. Therefore, this study aimed to gain an understanding of the range of management tasks that frontline social workers undertake in the Nonprofit Organisation sector in operationalising the management functions of planning, organising, leading and controlling. This study employed a descriptive case study design, within the qualitative approach, and was exploratory in nature. In-depth individual interviews were conducted with nineteen frontline social workers from three established Nonprofit Organisations in Port Elizabeth. Qualitative thematic analysis was employed as a data analysis strategy. One focus group was conducted with five middle managers from the same three NPOs. Both phases of data collection were guided by interview themes, which were aligned to the objectives of the study. The major findings indicated that management tasks ranged from workload management, relationship management, information management, human resource management to self-management, and that all these tasks led to frontline social workers developing innovative management strategies as a consequence of undertaking management tasks. Predictive knowledge was magnified as a positive tool as compared to prescriptive knowledge. In light of these findings, it is recommended that organisational support and adjustments are made by the boards of management and directors of the relevant Nonprofit Organisations by specifically providing support to frontline social workers so as to enhance their execution of management tasks. Hence, this study proposes a framework with strategies to support frontline social workers as well as practice guidelines for Nonprofit Organisations’ boards of management and frontline social workers in undertaking their daily management tasks.
- Full Text:
Spatial and seasonal variations of water quality determinants and pollutants as fitness-for-use and compliance assessments of the Mzimvubu catchment water resources for the proposed Mzimvubu Water Project, South Africa
- Authors: Mutingwende, Nhamo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Water quality -- South Africa Water quality management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9308 , vital:34320
- Description: The Department of Water Affairs as of late reported plans to build two substantial stockpiling dams in the Mzimvubu Catchment. The Mzimvubu stream basin is probably one of most prominent and undeveloped basin in South Africa. This is notwithstanding high yearly rainfall, high ecological status, high tourism potential, and appropriateness for afforestation, dryland/rainfed and water system agribusiness. Hence, the Department of Water Affairs researched the capability of building a multipurpose dam in the Mzimvubu catchment to catalyse financial and social improvement. The proposed dam will be based on the Tsitsa River. Often, scientific studies related to dam construction concentrate more on discovering the most, in fact, accessible place to construct it, than on the long haul socio-natural issues that come in its preparation. The water quality of the Tsitsa River, its tributaries and the underground drinking water sources within the Mzimvubu catchment are most likely to change once the dam wall is completed. Surface water resources are susceptible to chemical, physical, microbiological contamination and the so-called emerging pollutants either, through human or natural activities. A comprehensive baseline study on the water quality of the Mzimvubu water resources regarding traces of emerging pollutants and water quality determinants (physical, chemical and microbial) pre-dam construction is therefore essential. The objective of the water quality section of this study was to perform an in-depth analysis of water quality in the study area to form a baseline for future studies on how the built dam may affect these. The approach was to assess the spatial and seasonal variations of the pollutants (pharmaceuticals and pesticides) and water quality determinants for all water sources most likely to be affected by the development of the dam. The fitness-for-use and compliance assessments were conducted to assess if the current water resources are fit-for-use for various categories of use and if they comply with various water quality standards and guidelines as determined by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. Department of Water Affairs and Forestry is the overseer of South Africa's water assets, and its central goal is to keep up the fitness-for-use of water on a sustained basis. Water samples (500ml) were collected from sixteen (16) sample points, ranging from the proposed mouth of the dam to the N2 bridge point of the Tsitsa River. Points were selected where the Tsitsa River was accessible using the dam project development roads or where tributaries to the Tsitsa River were accessible using dam development roads. Taps/groundwater sources were sampled from the five selected villages. Monthly samples were collected upstream and downstream of the proposed dam wall, from June 2015 to April 2017.Seventeen (17) water quality indices were therefore analysed at sixteen sampling sites, over a two year period. The AB SCIEX TripleTOF™5600 LC/MS/MS was used to screen for pharmaceutical and pesticide pollutants. All the water quality indices were analysed using the AL400 Aqua lytic photometer, and the microbial analysis was done using the Rand Water Method Number 1.2.2.09.1 for enumerating the amount of E. coli and coliforms in the water samples (Rand Water, 2010f). The South African Water Quality Guidelines, Volumes 1 to 7 (DWS, 1996a-g) were used to assess the fitness-for-use of the water sources. To confirm the compliance of the water resources to various standards and guidelines, the water quality data were assessed against international and national guidelines and standards i.e. the WHO guideline, South African water quality guidelines (domestic, irrigation, livestock and watering, aquaculture, and aquatic ecosystems), and the SANS: 241 (2015) standard for drinking water. Non-parametric statistics were utilised to ascertain the changeability, which is a measure of how water quality may vary after some time. With non-parametric insights, the interquartile extent, which lies between the 25th and the 75th percentile, was utilised to depict inconstancy. The median value (50th percentile) was used as an indication of the central tendency or average. The 90th percentile was included as it can be used to assess the frequency of excursions into higher and possibly unacceptable water quality conditions. 3D Sigma plot was used to graphical present the spatial and seasonal variations of water quality indices and emerging pollutants against their concentrations. Fundamental statistical properties and correlations of water quality variables from the Tsitsa River, Tsitsa River tributaries and the drinking water sources were examined using SAS descriptive statistics. The water quality was determined to be of relatively sound quality, based on the comparison with guidelines and standards for the various intended uses, even though some of the water quality determinants were non-compliant and were “unacceptable” regarding fitness for purpose. The water quality of the Ntabalenga dam would most probably be affected by natural influences (for example rainfall, weathering and geological composition) and anthropogenic factors through non-point source pollution from agriculture activities, human settlements (pit latrines and open defecation) as well as industrial activities in the Maclear and Tsolo towns (wastewater treatments plants effluent, hospital effluent). The Tsitsa River had the highest number of non-compliances, especially to the World Health Organisation and Department of Water and Sanitation aquaculture guidelines. Therefore, the Tsitsa River’s water quality would be a significant factor that could compromise the water quality of the water collected in the dam. The human settlement conditions and agricultural inputs seem to be the factors contributing most to contamination of the surface water of the catchment area. The lack of sanitation systems and facilities means that community members have to use the bush and rivers for ablutions, thus contributing to microbial contamination of the environment. The direct application of manure and fertilisers on the fields by farmers further exacerbates microbial contamination and high nutrient inputs into the environment as observed in elevated microbial and phosphate contaminants during the study period. The data obtained from the analysis of pesticides and pharmaceuticals confirmed the contamination of the drinking water sources, the Tsitsa River and its tributaries with pesticides and pharmaceuticals through non-point source pollution. The origins of these pharmaceutical contaminants were identified as the pit latrines, open defecation and wastewater treatment plant effluent, while agricultural application of pesticides was identified as the source of pesticides in surface waters. If not monitored closely, the presence of these emerging pollutants will negatively affect the quality of the dam water both at spatial and temporal scales once the dam wall is completed. Pit latrines and wastewater treatment plants are a significant source of non-point source pollution. The results of this study will add to the ongoing efforts on water quality remediation by recording the spatial and seasonal variations in water quality across various water sources within the study area. The study also provides a baseline for future water quality fitness-for-use and compliance assessments. By these findings and conclusions, it is recommended that a long-term continuous monitoring programme be implemented, especially in areas where increased agricultural activities have been observed. Monitoring should be implemented for the Tsitsa River, its tributaries, and selected drinking water sources which showed the highest number of non-compliances and microbial contamination. All anthropogenic activities in the catchment areas of these sources, both upstream and downstream of the proposed dam wall, must be monitored and strictly managed to prevent and mitigate their possible impacts. Specific emphasis should be placed on agricultural development, which should be controlled to ensure sustainable livestock and cropping practises. Sanitation facilities, systems and community programmes should be put in place to minimise microbial contamination. It would be beneficial for the Department of Water and Sanitation office responsible for the Mzimvubu water resources to establish a central database for all information concerning the water quality of their water resources including the findings in this report. The database must be freely accessible to the residents of the Mzimvubu catchment.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mutingwende, Nhamo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Water quality -- South Africa Water quality management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9308 , vital:34320
- Description: The Department of Water Affairs as of late reported plans to build two substantial stockpiling dams in the Mzimvubu Catchment. The Mzimvubu stream basin is probably one of most prominent and undeveloped basin in South Africa. This is notwithstanding high yearly rainfall, high ecological status, high tourism potential, and appropriateness for afforestation, dryland/rainfed and water system agribusiness. Hence, the Department of Water Affairs researched the capability of building a multipurpose dam in the Mzimvubu catchment to catalyse financial and social improvement. The proposed dam will be based on the Tsitsa River. Often, scientific studies related to dam construction concentrate more on discovering the most, in fact, accessible place to construct it, than on the long haul socio-natural issues that come in its preparation. The water quality of the Tsitsa River, its tributaries and the underground drinking water sources within the Mzimvubu catchment are most likely to change once the dam wall is completed. Surface water resources are susceptible to chemical, physical, microbiological contamination and the so-called emerging pollutants either, through human or natural activities. A comprehensive baseline study on the water quality of the Mzimvubu water resources regarding traces of emerging pollutants and water quality determinants (physical, chemical and microbial) pre-dam construction is therefore essential. The objective of the water quality section of this study was to perform an in-depth analysis of water quality in the study area to form a baseline for future studies on how the built dam may affect these. The approach was to assess the spatial and seasonal variations of the pollutants (pharmaceuticals and pesticides) and water quality determinants for all water sources most likely to be affected by the development of the dam. The fitness-for-use and compliance assessments were conducted to assess if the current water resources are fit-for-use for various categories of use and if they comply with various water quality standards and guidelines as determined by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. Department of Water Affairs and Forestry is the overseer of South Africa's water assets, and its central goal is to keep up the fitness-for-use of water on a sustained basis. Water samples (500ml) were collected from sixteen (16) sample points, ranging from the proposed mouth of the dam to the N2 bridge point of the Tsitsa River. Points were selected where the Tsitsa River was accessible using the dam project development roads or where tributaries to the Tsitsa River were accessible using dam development roads. Taps/groundwater sources were sampled from the five selected villages. Monthly samples were collected upstream and downstream of the proposed dam wall, from June 2015 to April 2017.Seventeen (17) water quality indices were therefore analysed at sixteen sampling sites, over a two year period. The AB SCIEX TripleTOF™5600 LC/MS/MS was used to screen for pharmaceutical and pesticide pollutants. All the water quality indices were analysed using the AL400 Aqua lytic photometer, and the microbial analysis was done using the Rand Water Method Number 1.2.2.09.1 for enumerating the amount of E. coli and coliforms in the water samples (Rand Water, 2010f). The South African Water Quality Guidelines, Volumes 1 to 7 (DWS, 1996a-g) were used to assess the fitness-for-use of the water sources. To confirm the compliance of the water resources to various standards and guidelines, the water quality data were assessed against international and national guidelines and standards i.e. the WHO guideline, South African water quality guidelines (domestic, irrigation, livestock and watering, aquaculture, and aquatic ecosystems), and the SANS: 241 (2015) standard for drinking water. Non-parametric statistics were utilised to ascertain the changeability, which is a measure of how water quality may vary after some time. With non-parametric insights, the interquartile extent, which lies between the 25th and the 75th percentile, was utilised to depict inconstancy. The median value (50th percentile) was used as an indication of the central tendency or average. The 90th percentile was included as it can be used to assess the frequency of excursions into higher and possibly unacceptable water quality conditions. 3D Sigma plot was used to graphical present the spatial and seasonal variations of water quality indices and emerging pollutants against their concentrations. Fundamental statistical properties and correlations of water quality variables from the Tsitsa River, Tsitsa River tributaries and the drinking water sources were examined using SAS descriptive statistics. The water quality was determined to be of relatively sound quality, based on the comparison with guidelines and standards for the various intended uses, even though some of the water quality determinants were non-compliant and were “unacceptable” regarding fitness for purpose. The water quality of the Ntabalenga dam would most probably be affected by natural influences (for example rainfall, weathering and geological composition) and anthropogenic factors through non-point source pollution from agriculture activities, human settlements (pit latrines and open defecation) as well as industrial activities in the Maclear and Tsolo towns (wastewater treatments plants effluent, hospital effluent). The Tsitsa River had the highest number of non-compliances, especially to the World Health Organisation and Department of Water and Sanitation aquaculture guidelines. Therefore, the Tsitsa River’s water quality would be a significant factor that could compromise the water quality of the water collected in the dam. The human settlement conditions and agricultural inputs seem to be the factors contributing most to contamination of the surface water of the catchment area. The lack of sanitation systems and facilities means that community members have to use the bush and rivers for ablutions, thus contributing to microbial contamination of the environment. The direct application of manure and fertilisers on the fields by farmers further exacerbates microbial contamination and high nutrient inputs into the environment as observed in elevated microbial and phosphate contaminants during the study period. The data obtained from the analysis of pesticides and pharmaceuticals confirmed the contamination of the drinking water sources, the Tsitsa River and its tributaries with pesticides and pharmaceuticals through non-point source pollution. The origins of these pharmaceutical contaminants were identified as the pit latrines, open defecation and wastewater treatment plant effluent, while agricultural application of pesticides was identified as the source of pesticides in surface waters. If not monitored closely, the presence of these emerging pollutants will negatively affect the quality of the dam water both at spatial and temporal scales once the dam wall is completed. Pit latrines and wastewater treatment plants are a significant source of non-point source pollution. The results of this study will add to the ongoing efforts on water quality remediation by recording the spatial and seasonal variations in water quality across various water sources within the study area. The study also provides a baseline for future water quality fitness-for-use and compliance assessments. By these findings and conclusions, it is recommended that a long-term continuous monitoring programme be implemented, especially in areas where increased agricultural activities have been observed. Monitoring should be implemented for the Tsitsa River, its tributaries, and selected drinking water sources which showed the highest number of non-compliances and microbial contamination. All anthropogenic activities in the catchment areas of these sources, both upstream and downstream of the proposed dam wall, must be monitored and strictly managed to prevent and mitigate their possible impacts. Specific emphasis should be placed on agricultural development, which should be controlled to ensure sustainable livestock and cropping practises. Sanitation facilities, systems and community programmes should be put in place to minimise microbial contamination. It would be beneficial for the Department of Water and Sanitation office responsible for the Mzimvubu water resources to establish a central database for all information concerning the water quality of their water resources including the findings in this report. The database must be freely accessible to the residents of the Mzimvubu catchment.
- Full Text:
Strategies teachers use to enhance grade 7 learners' reading comprehension skills in first additional language : four primary schools in Fort Beaufort
- Authors: Matakane, Euphimia Nobuzwe
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Reading comprehension -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Education
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9533 , vital:34363
- Description: This study focused on the strategies teachers use to enhance grade 7 learners’ reading comprehension skills in English First Additional Language at Fort Beaufort District. This study was impelled by low performance of learners in English language, where learners were unable to read and answer questions promptly due lack of understanding what they read. This study is qualitative in approach and underpinned interpretive paradigm position. Fort Beaufort Education District used as a case study whereby four schools were purposively selected and each with six grade seven learners, teachers and Subject Advisor. Qualitative data was gathered through semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews, observations and documents analysis. Interviews and focus groups discussions were taped, transcribed, analysed and the data was categorised into themes. The findings of this study disclosed the weak correlation between teachers’ knowledge and teaching practices and lack of support from the district. The participating teachers had limited understanding of reading comprehension strategies; as a result, they regarded teaching reading comprehension as a challenge since they do not know what comprehension strategies are, and how to apply them. Teachers lack theoretical knowledge and practice concerning the teaching of reading for comprehension resulted to a negative attitude and a total neglect towards teaching reading for comprehension. The participants showed dissatisfaction with the intervention of the Department of Education and the policies they impose on them. The Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement has no clear guidelines on how to teach these strategies of reading comprehension, rather it places reading comprehension under three phases, namely: Pre-reading, During- reading and Post-reading. As they lack appropriate techniques to teach English comprehension effectively, more workshops should be done to empower them in order to become competent teachers. Teachers need more training on active approaches in order to change their comprehension instruction and to select texts that are relevant to learners’ life situations or experiences, in order for them to relate with the text and thus would cause them to read with understanding.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Matakane, Euphimia Nobuzwe
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Reading comprehension -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Education
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9533 , vital:34363
- Description: This study focused on the strategies teachers use to enhance grade 7 learners’ reading comprehension skills in English First Additional Language at Fort Beaufort District. This study was impelled by low performance of learners in English language, where learners were unable to read and answer questions promptly due lack of understanding what they read. This study is qualitative in approach and underpinned interpretive paradigm position. Fort Beaufort Education District used as a case study whereby four schools were purposively selected and each with six grade seven learners, teachers and Subject Advisor. Qualitative data was gathered through semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews, observations and documents analysis. Interviews and focus groups discussions were taped, transcribed, analysed and the data was categorised into themes. The findings of this study disclosed the weak correlation between teachers’ knowledge and teaching practices and lack of support from the district. The participating teachers had limited understanding of reading comprehension strategies; as a result, they regarded teaching reading comprehension as a challenge since they do not know what comprehension strategies are, and how to apply them. Teachers lack theoretical knowledge and practice concerning the teaching of reading for comprehension resulted to a negative attitude and a total neglect towards teaching reading for comprehension. The participants showed dissatisfaction with the intervention of the Department of Education and the policies they impose on them. The Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement has no clear guidelines on how to teach these strategies of reading comprehension, rather it places reading comprehension under three phases, namely: Pre-reading, During- reading and Post-reading. As they lack appropriate techniques to teach English comprehension effectively, more workshops should be done to empower them in order to become competent teachers. Teachers need more training on active approaches in order to change their comprehension instruction and to select texts that are relevant to learners’ life situations or experiences, in order for them to relate with the text and thus would cause them to read with understanding.
- Full Text:
Strategies used by teachers to promote reading in grade 4 : a case of english first additional language learners
- Authors: Fesi, Liziwe
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching English language -- Rhetoric Reading -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9264 , vital:34316
- Description: The study examines strategies used by teachers to promote reading: A Case of English First Additional Language Learners. The study was located within the constructivism paradigm of reading and used a qualitative research approach that incorporated a case study research design in the collection, analysis and interpretation of the data. The data instruments used were interviews and observations. Data were analyzed using non-statistical procedures. The findings of the study revealed that reading problems are still eminent in Grade Four. It was found that the resources in schools inhibits the progress to promote reading. The educational system is underdeveloped and under resourced with respect to reading materials, and schools are in a bad state due to obsolete facilities. Inadequate infrastructure is also another challenge since most of the participants reported that classes are overcrowded; thus, limiting the space to interact with learners. It was found that primary schools have no libraries; as a result, it was difficult for the teachers to instill the culture of reading. Some participants revealed that technology can be useful to encourage reading, however, their schools have no computer centers and most teachers do not know how to use computers. It emerged from the findings that parents fail to involve themselves in their children’s education. In addition, it was found that poor socio-economic backgrounds affect many homes, and this has a negative impact on schools. Most South African parents are found to be unable to support their children at all. There are also challenges interconnected with the English First Additional Language learners, the eccentricities of the English language, the teacher training and continuing professional development of teachers, as it emerged from the findings of this study that most teachers do not understand the reading strategies, skills of teaching reading and learners lack vocabulary, hence their resistance to reading. A comprehensive model of strategies to improve reading in primary schools was developed by the researcher based on the findings of the study and an extensive literature review.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Fesi, Liziwe
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching English language -- Rhetoric Reading -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9264 , vital:34316
- Description: The study examines strategies used by teachers to promote reading: A Case of English First Additional Language Learners. The study was located within the constructivism paradigm of reading and used a qualitative research approach that incorporated a case study research design in the collection, analysis and interpretation of the data. The data instruments used were interviews and observations. Data were analyzed using non-statistical procedures. The findings of the study revealed that reading problems are still eminent in Grade Four. It was found that the resources in schools inhibits the progress to promote reading. The educational system is underdeveloped and under resourced with respect to reading materials, and schools are in a bad state due to obsolete facilities. Inadequate infrastructure is also another challenge since most of the participants reported that classes are overcrowded; thus, limiting the space to interact with learners. It was found that primary schools have no libraries; as a result, it was difficult for the teachers to instill the culture of reading. Some participants revealed that technology can be useful to encourage reading, however, their schools have no computer centers and most teachers do not know how to use computers. It emerged from the findings that parents fail to involve themselves in their children’s education. In addition, it was found that poor socio-economic backgrounds affect many homes, and this has a negative impact on schools. Most South African parents are found to be unable to support their children at all. There are also challenges interconnected with the English First Additional Language learners, the eccentricities of the English language, the teacher training and continuing professional development of teachers, as it emerged from the findings of this study that most teachers do not understand the reading strategies, skills of teaching reading and learners lack vocabulary, hence their resistance to reading. A comprehensive model of strategies to improve reading in primary schools was developed by the researcher based on the findings of the study and an extensive literature review.
- Full Text:
Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of photophysical and electrochemical properties of ruthenium(II) complexes for dye-sensitized solar cells
- Authors: Adjogri, Shadrack John
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Ruthenium Ruthenium compounds
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17828 , vital:41363
- Description: Eight series of thirty (30) novel heteroleptic ruthenium(II) complexes were designed, synthesized and spectroscopically characterized, with the following general molecular formulae as [Ru(bdmpmar)(H2dcbpy)(NCS)]+, [Ru(bdmpmar)(vpdiinp)(H2dcbpy)]2,+, [Ru(bdmpmar)(vpbpp)(H2dcbpy)]2+,[Ru(H2dcbpy)2(N^)(NCS)]+, [Ru(H2dcbpy)2(N^)2]2+, [Ru(H2dcbpy)(N^)2(NCS)2], [Ru(H2dcbpy)(N^)(NCS)3]– and [Ru(vptpy)(H2dcbpy)(N^^^)]2+ where bdmpmar is a tridentate ligand of N,N-bis(3, 5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl-methyl) aromatic organic compound (such aromatic organic compounds(Ar) are anthranilic acid, 4-methoxy-2-nitroaniline, aniline, toluidine, cyclohexylamine and anisidine), vpdiinp represents a monodentate ligand of 11-(4-vinylphenyl)diindeno[1,2-b:2’,1’-e]pyridine, vpbpp represents a monodentate ligand of 4-(4-vinylphenyl)-2.6-bis(phenyl)pyridine and vptpy represents a tridentate ligand of 4’-(4-vinyl)-2,2’:6’,2’’-terpyridine. Meanwhile, N^ represents any of the monodentate ligands of either vpdiinp or vpbpp and (N^^^) represents any of the monodentate ligands either of vpdiinp or vpbpp or NCS as disclosed in series VIII. The complexes were characterized by conductivity measurement, solubility, melting point, UV-Vis, PL, FTIR (ATR), NMR, Cyclic and square wave voltammetry. Nine chelating ligands, comprising of six (6) tripodal chelating ligands, two (2) vinyl monodentate ligands and one (1) vinyl tridentate ligand, were used for the synthesis of ruthenium(II) complexes ATR-FTIR spectra of all the ruthenium(II) complexes measured as solid samples, exhibited fine resolution IR bands in region between 3473-3438 cm-1 of carboxylic group in H2dcbpy. The bands in the range 3040-2950 cm-1 were ascribed to C-H bond stretching for the CH3 groups. The coordination of NCS group in the sphere of ruthenium(II) complexes related to series I, IV, VI VII and one compound of series VIII was investigated by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Bands in the range of 2116-2106 cm-1 and 777-770 cm-1 are ascribed to the respective N=C and the C=S bond stretching vibration which confirms the N-coordination of the SCN group. For all the complexes, the stretching vibration of Ru-N bonding was between 466 and 411 cm-1 due to coordination of the nitrogen atoms of the ligands to ruthenium central metal atom. The introduction of the two vinyl monodentate ligands (vpdiinp and vpbpp) in the coordination sphere of [Ru(bdmpmar)(vpdiinp)(H2dcbpy)]2+, [Ru(bdmpmar) (vpbpp)(H2dcbpy)]2+, [Ru(H2dcbpy)2(N^)(NCS)]+, [Ru(H2dcbpy)2(N^)2]2+, [Ru(H2dcbpy)(N^)2(NCS)2], [Ru(H2dcbpy)(N^)(NCS)3]– and [Ru(vptpy)(H2dcbpy)(N^^^)]2+ respectively, all related to series II, III, IV, V, VI, VII and two compounds of series VIII ruthenium(II) complexes, has been studied using the 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy techniques. The 1H NMR spectra of series II-VII and the two compounds of series VIII of the ruthenium(II) complexes show multiplets in the aromatic region above 6 ppm due to the presence of either vpdiinp or vpbpp ligand, situated in different magnetic environment. However, no splitting pattern was observed in series I and part of VIII complexes possibly due to the absence vinyl monodentate subunits (vpdiinp and vpbpp) in series I and one of compound in series VIII ruthenium(II) complexes show no signals of complex splitting patterns. Carbon-13 NMR spectra data of series I to VIII ruthenium(II) complexes show most resonance signals range in the aromatic region of (δ 116.54-199.63ppm) corresponding to the molecular formulation of ruthenium(II) complexes incorporating 4,4-dicarboxy-2,2’-bipyridine, bdmpmar, vptpy, vpdiinp or vpbpp and NCS ligands respectively, depending on the intrinsic ligand variations. Carbon-13 NMR spectra data of series I, IV, VI VII and one compound in VIII show resonance peaks within the range 130-135 ppm are ascribed to NCS ligand confirming the presence of N-coordinated thiocyanate. Cyclic voltammograms of series I-IV and VI-VIII complexes display ruthenium-based oxidative peaks and the pyridines ligand-based reductive peaks. The redox behavior of complexes 4-12, 14-16, 18-20, 24-26 and 30 is dominated by the Ru(II)/R(III) redox couple in region (E1/2 between 0.53 and 1.18) and the pyridines ligand-based redox couples in the region between (E1/2 between −0.25 and −1.45). The photophysical property studies of the Ru(II) complexes are determined through the acquisitions of the absorption spectra, which tends to have profound effect on the short circuit current of DSSC. The absorption maxima were tuned by the introduction and variation of six (6) tripodal chelating ligands, two (2) vinyl monodentate ligands and one (1) vinyl tridentate ligand. From the studies, the results show that series IV, V, VI, VII and VIII complexes of molecular formula [Ru(H2dcbpy)2(N^)(NCS)]2+, [Ru(H2dcbpy)2(N^)2]2+, [Ru(H2dcbpy)(N^)2(NCS)2]2+, [Ru(H2dcbpy)(N^)(NCS)3]2+ and [Ru(vptpy)(H2dcbpy)(N^^^)]2+ respectively, have higher and multiple local absorption maxima near-IR region than the complexes of series I, II and III of molecular [Ru(bdmpmar)(H2dcbpy)(NCS)]2,+, [Ru(bdmpmar)(vpdiinp)(H2dcbpy)]2,+, [Ru(bdmpmar)(vpbpp)(H2dcbpy)]2,+respectively.
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- Authors: Adjogri, Shadrack John
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Ruthenium Ruthenium compounds
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17828 , vital:41363
- Description: Eight series of thirty (30) novel heteroleptic ruthenium(II) complexes were designed, synthesized and spectroscopically characterized, with the following general molecular formulae as [Ru(bdmpmar)(H2dcbpy)(NCS)]+, [Ru(bdmpmar)(vpdiinp)(H2dcbpy)]2,+, [Ru(bdmpmar)(vpbpp)(H2dcbpy)]2+,[Ru(H2dcbpy)2(N^)(NCS)]+, [Ru(H2dcbpy)2(N^)2]2+, [Ru(H2dcbpy)(N^)2(NCS)2], [Ru(H2dcbpy)(N^)(NCS)3]– and [Ru(vptpy)(H2dcbpy)(N^^^)]2+ where bdmpmar is a tridentate ligand of N,N-bis(3, 5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl-methyl) aromatic organic compound (such aromatic organic compounds(Ar) are anthranilic acid, 4-methoxy-2-nitroaniline, aniline, toluidine, cyclohexylamine and anisidine), vpdiinp represents a monodentate ligand of 11-(4-vinylphenyl)diindeno[1,2-b:2’,1’-e]pyridine, vpbpp represents a monodentate ligand of 4-(4-vinylphenyl)-2.6-bis(phenyl)pyridine and vptpy represents a tridentate ligand of 4’-(4-vinyl)-2,2’:6’,2’’-terpyridine. Meanwhile, N^ represents any of the monodentate ligands of either vpdiinp or vpbpp and (N^^^) represents any of the monodentate ligands either of vpdiinp or vpbpp or NCS as disclosed in series VIII. The complexes were characterized by conductivity measurement, solubility, melting point, UV-Vis, PL, FTIR (ATR), NMR, Cyclic and square wave voltammetry. Nine chelating ligands, comprising of six (6) tripodal chelating ligands, two (2) vinyl monodentate ligands and one (1) vinyl tridentate ligand, were used for the synthesis of ruthenium(II) complexes ATR-FTIR spectra of all the ruthenium(II) complexes measured as solid samples, exhibited fine resolution IR bands in region between 3473-3438 cm-1 of carboxylic group in H2dcbpy. The bands in the range 3040-2950 cm-1 were ascribed to C-H bond stretching for the CH3 groups. The coordination of NCS group in the sphere of ruthenium(II) complexes related to series I, IV, VI VII and one compound of series VIII was investigated by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Bands in the range of 2116-2106 cm-1 and 777-770 cm-1 are ascribed to the respective N=C and the C=S bond stretching vibration which confirms the N-coordination of the SCN group. For all the complexes, the stretching vibration of Ru-N bonding was between 466 and 411 cm-1 due to coordination of the nitrogen atoms of the ligands to ruthenium central metal atom. The introduction of the two vinyl monodentate ligands (vpdiinp and vpbpp) in the coordination sphere of [Ru(bdmpmar)(vpdiinp)(H2dcbpy)]2+, [Ru(bdmpmar) (vpbpp)(H2dcbpy)]2+, [Ru(H2dcbpy)2(N^)(NCS)]+, [Ru(H2dcbpy)2(N^)2]2+, [Ru(H2dcbpy)(N^)2(NCS)2], [Ru(H2dcbpy)(N^)(NCS)3]– and [Ru(vptpy)(H2dcbpy)(N^^^)]2+ respectively, all related to series II, III, IV, V, VI, VII and two compounds of series VIII ruthenium(II) complexes, has been studied using the 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy techniques. The 1H NMR spectra of series II-VII and the two compounds of series VIII of the ruthenium(II) complexes show multiplets in the aromatic region above 6 ppm due to the presence of either vpdiinp or vpbpp ligand, situated in different magnetic environment. However, no splitting pattern was observed in series I and part of VIII complexes possibly due to the absence vinyl monodentate subunits (vpdiinp and vpbpp) in series I and one of compound in series VIII ruthenium(II) complexes show no signals of complex splitting patterns. Carbon-13 NMR spectra data of series I to VIII ruthenium(II) complexes show most resonance signals range in the aromatic region of (δ 116.54-199.63ppm) corresponding to the molecular formulation of ruthenium(II) complexes incorporating 4,4-dicarboxy-2,2’-bipyridine, bdmpmar, vptpy, vpdiinp or vpbpp and NCS ligands respectively, depending on the intrinsic ligand variations. Carbon-13 NMR spectra data of series I, IV, VI VII and one compound in VIII show resonance peaks within the range 130-135 ppm are ascribed to NCS ligand confirming the presence of N-coordinated thiocyanate. Cyclic voltammograms of series I-IV and VI-VIII complexes display ruthenium-based oxidative peaks and the pyridines ligand-based reductive peaks. The redox behavior of complexes 4-12, 14-16, 18-20, 24-26 and 30 is dominated by the Ru(II)/R(III) redox couple in region (E1/2 between 0.53 and 1.18) and the pyridines ligand-based redox couples in the region between (E1/2 between −0.25 and −1.45). The photophysical property studies of the Ru(II) complexes are determined through the acquisitions of the absorption spectra, which tends to have profound effect on the short circuit current of DSSC. The absorption maxima were tuned by the introduction and variation of six (6) tripodal chelating ligands, two (2) vinyl monodentate ligands and one (1) vinyl tridentate ligand. From the studies, the results show that series IV, V, VI, VII and VIII complexes of molecular formula [Ru(H2dcbpy)2(N^)(NCS)]2+, [Ru(H2dcbpy)2(N^)2]2+, [Ru(H2dcbpy)(N^)2(NCS)2]2+, [Ru(H2dcbpy)(N^)(NCS)3]2+ and [Ru(vptpy)(H2dcbpy)(N^^^)]2+ respectively, have higher and multiple local absorption maxima near-IR region than the complexes of series I, II and III of molecular [Ru(bdmpmar)(H2dcbpy)(NCS)]2,+, [Ru(bdmpmar)(vpdiinp)(H2dcbpy)]2,+, [Ru(bdmpmar)(vpbpp)(H2dcbpy)]2,+respectively.
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