List of Titles

Evaluating the contributions of selected drug rehabilitation centres in Gauteng : towards ameliorating the drug problem in South Africa

Authors: Makuyana, Abigail
Date: 2017
Subjects: Rehabilitation centers -- South Africa -- Gauteng Substance abuse -- Rehabilitation Addicts -- Rehabilitation
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8876 , vital:33703
Description: This study aimed at evaluating the contributions of two (2) selected rehabilitation centres to the goal of ameliorating the substance abuse problem in Gauteng. The study utilized a methodological triangulation approach for data collection, but with greater emphasis on qualitative methods. The study collected its qualitative data from four focus groups conducted with 32 participants and six key informants who were subjected to in-depth interviews. The quantitative aspect of the study made use of a mini-survey in which one hundred (100) questionnaires were distributed amongst the primary caregivers of recovering drug and substance abusers. The major findings of the study pointed out that rehabilitation centres were unequivocally contributing to the goal of ameliorating substance abuse in Gauteng and, by extension, South Africa. Among some of the outstanding contributions of the rehabilitation centres was the provision of a non-judgmental and supportive therapeutic environment for clients to recover. It was also observed that rehabilitation centres were acting as character reformatories for substance abusers, and, thus, aiding their easy reintegration back into their families, societies and work places. The study also found out that the selected rehabilitation centres were providing ample admission periods and competent counselling services for their clients to navigate their way to recovery. The study unearthed new trends in the substance abuse landscape of Gauteng. Firstly, it was established that more educated people were falling into substance abuse usage. Secondly, the drugs which were rendering users more amenable to rehabilitation were noted to be highly potent. The high potency was noted to be responsible for extreme difficulties in withdrawal and rehabilitation. This was, therefore, noted to accentuate the imperativeness of the role and contributions of rehabilitation centres in helping drug users to achieve recovery in an environment that was supportive, nurturing and safe. It is, therefore, on the basis of these fundamental findings that this study concluded that the contributions of rehabilitation centres were not only important in the fight against drug and substance abuse, but were also a necessary precondition in this endeavour. Conversely, it was established that the contributions of the rehabilitation centres were being thwarted by exorbitant and extortionate treatment fees charged by the rehabilitation centres. More so, rehabilitation centres faced the dire challenge of poor visibility due to the poor marketing of services, as well as their location in affluent or remote areas which are mainly accessible only through private transport. This means that some people, especially the rural and the urban poor, were not equitably benefiting from the services of the rehabilitation centres. The study observed that women, girls and children in general were largely excluded from benefiting from the services of the rehabilitation centres. The research closed off by recommending to rehabilitation centres that they ought to address administrative gaps such as embracing and practising social, linguistic, dietary and gender sensitivity in their programmes to ensure that they remain relevant to their clients while also reflecting the diversity in South Africa. Recommendations were also made to the government to intervene and moderate the pricing of substance abuse treatment services, by making them reflect the country’s socioeconomic inequalities.
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Evaluation of self-efficacy in clinical performance of nurses initiate and management of anti-retroviral therapy by South African professional nurses

Authors: Mangi, Nozuko Glenrose
Date: 2017
Subjects: Nursing assessment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Self-efficacy Nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4492 , vital:28344
Description: Self-efficacy in clinical performance is a very important aspect in quality of health care, because it is the ability of the person to produce the desired outcomes. The aim of the study was to evaluate self-efficacy in clinical performance of NIMART programme by professional nurses in Buffalo City Metropolitan in Eastern Cape Province South Africa. A quantitative, descriptive survey design was used to examine self-efficacy in clinical performance during implementation of NIMART programme. A purposive sample of 358 NIMART programme trained professional nurses was included in the study. Analysis of the finding was done using SPSS version 21.0. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentage, mean and standard deviations) were used to analyse categorical variables. To reduce data volume, factor analysis was used to identify six variable clusters: Evaluation; planning, assessment, implementation, and patient care mentoring. Factor 1 (evaluation) was highly loaded on patient driven results (0.63); nursing interventions (0.70); breakdown point location (0.80); prognosis based care decisions (0.79); prognosis based outcome monitoring (0.70); and prognosis based settings adjustment (0.70). These items collectively define evaluation of self-efficacy clinical performance of the participants. Factor 2 (planning) was termed planning of patient care in a clinical setting was significantly loaded on these items: data driven nursing diagnosis (0.51); patient driven nursing diagnosis (0.52); settings based nursing diagnosis (0.49); overall care plan formulation (0.52); short-term patients care formulation (0.58); long-term patient care formulation (0.66); goal based measurable outcomes (0.80); goal based daily patient care plan (0.79); settings based daily patient care plan (0.73). Factor 3 (assessment) which was termed assessment in clinical performance was not significantly loaded in some of the items: physical assessment (0.64); patient history (0.65); energy restoration (0.56); time management (0.71); objective patient health data (0.61); subjective patient health data (0.49); data collection documentation (0.44). Factor 4 (implementation) data source correlation; patient health data analysis (0.45); patient strength (0.46); nurse-patient/family communication (0.55); nurse patient collaboration (0.64); Experience driven decision making (0.58). Factor 5 (patient care) patient care plan adherence (0.65); setting based overall patient care (0.74); resource based overall patient care (0.59). Factor 6 (mentoring) patient’s concerns identification (0.48); patient problems prioritisation (0.46); mentor/colleague advice (0.43); mentor/colleague feedback use (0.61); patient discharge strategies (0.71); continuous reporting/documenting (0.63). The mean scores produced by the Kruskal-Wallis test showed the lowest scoring pattern as follows: 20122013201120142010. This order was the same for all the variables, confirming that the 2010 group scored significantly higher than any other group on all the variables. The overall results of the study revealed that professional nurses have high self-efficacy in clinical performance in implementation of NIMART programme, except in evaluation aspect of self-efficacy where they scored lessor. Professional nurses trained by FPD scored higher in the aspects of self-efficacy in clinical performance compared to RTC trained; but scored lower in evaluative ability of self-efficacy in both institutions (FPD and RTC). The findings of this study showed that the overall self-efficacy of the professional nurses trained on NIMART programme performed clinically satisfactorily. It is recommended that in-service education or continuous professional development for professional nurses working in PHC’s should not only concentrate on updating clinical skills, but also create opportunity for reflection and strengthening of professional nurses’ self-efficacy in clinical performance. Also, further study on other processes of goal realisation will aid our understanding of self-efficacy in achieving the desirable goals of the professional nurses for patient quality care. Further research is also needed to evaluate clients’ satisfaction during care based on the NIMART intervention programme.
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Evaluation of some pharmaceutical and personal care products and pesticide residues in selected wastewater treatment plants and receiving watersheds in Eastern Cape, South Africa

Authors: Ademoyegun, Olufemi Temitope
Date: 2017
Subjects: Emerging contaminants in water -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Water treatment plants -- Waste disposal -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Organic compounds -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2922 , vital:28138
Description: Emerging organic contaminants (EOCs) have been the focus of global environmental research for over three decades. EOCs have caused widespread concern due to their extensive use. As EOCs were designed to correct, enhance or protect a specific physiological, their target effects in humans and/or farm stocks are relatively well known and documented. However, there is limited knowledge about their unintended effects in the environment. To address the occurrence, distribution and fate of EOCs in the environment, efficient and reliable analytical methods are needed. The relatively low concentration, high polarity, and thermal lability of some EOCs, together with their interaction with complex environmental matrices, make their analysis challenging. Sample preparation followed by GC or HPLC separation and mass spectrometry (MS) detection has become the standard approach for evaluating EOCs in environmental samples. Physicochemical properties of EOCs range from highly water-soluble (hydrophylic) to highly water-insoluble (hydrophobic). Two groups of these EOCs were considered for study in this work. Pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) were comprehensively studied in five wastewater treatment plants and their receiving watersheds in Amathole districts in Eastern C ape, South Africa. PPCPs have been widely reported in wastewater influents, effluents, receiving rivers and biosolids, but reports of their occurrence in all these matrixes have been limited by the difficulty of analysis. Therefore, a comprehensive validation of methods was carried out on the influents, effluents, sludge and soil from the irrigated golf course where the effluent of one of the study sites was being used for over three decades now for irrigation. In all, thirteen PPCPs from five therapeutic groups were selected for study in this work because of their administering rate and availability of analytical instrument. Good limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were achieved for the method used. The LOD for the aqueous Three different technologies were employed for the treatment of wastewater in the five selected wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and study was carried out to evaluate their ability to eliminate the selected compounds from the influents to the effluents using statistical analysis (ANOVA) at p<0.05 on the percentage removal rate across the three plants. The results had shown eight of the compounds having no significant difference among the treatment operations, whereas the remaining five compounds varied significantly among the treatment technologies under investigation. Principal component analysis was performed on the concentration of PPCPs, their removal rate and also on the physicochemical and treatment operation parameters. Hydraulic retention time (HRT) had correlation coefficient, r = 0.90 with the concentration of PPCPs and removal rates. Furthermore, occurrences, seasonal variation, mean concentration distribution pattern of the compounds, and temporal evaluation of the mean concentration of the pharmaceutical compounds in the five WWTPs during one year of sampling were considered. The results revealed that five products which were diclofenac, ibuprofen, paracetamol, triclosan and diethyl toluamide (DDET) were predominant among the PPCPs in all the WWTPs. The removal efficiency was highest in caffeine with 96 percent, and the lowest was obtained with carbamazepine (4 percent). Risk quotient of the concentration of PPCPs in the effluents and receiving waters was determined to assess their chronic toxicity at three trophic levels: fish, algae and matrixes studied ranged from 0.01 μg/L to 0.25 μg/L, and the LOQ from 0.02 μg/L to 0.78 μg/L. In the solid matrixes, LOD varied from 0.01 ng/g to 0.65 ng/g, and the LOQ between 0.08 ng/g and 5.17 ng/g. Better recovery efficiency was obtained with this mixture of solvents, acetone: dichloromethane (1:1), for the recovery of the five therapeutic groups in the solid matrixes using ultrasonication- assisted techniques. The results show percentage recovery values ranging from 68.8 percent to 107.5 percent diaphian. According to the environmental risk assessment results, ibuprofen and triclosan were found to be the most critical compounds due to their high risk quotient values. These findings will, therefore, help in the future evaluation of the efficiency of different treatment technologies in the removal of various PPCPs from the wastewater and their sustainable management in the aquatic resources in Eastern Cape, South Africa. For the lipophilic organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), the limits of detection (LODs) of the tested congeners varied from 0.04 ng/g (α-BHC) to 0.49 ng/g (endosulfan sulfate) and the limits of quantification ranging from 0.22 ng/g (aldrin) to 2.17 ng/g (δ-BHC).
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Examining practices in the preparation of science teachers in two teachers' colleges in Zimbabwe

Authors: Mutseekwa, Christopher
Date: 2017
Subjects: College teachers -- Training of Science teachers Science -- Study and teaching (Higher)
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9434 , vital:34351
Description: Despite the vast research in science teacher preparation world-wide, little is known about secondary school science teacher preparation practices in Zimbabwe. The overall image that emerges from literature is that of challenges such as lack of programme coherence, policy inconsistence, poor funding for reform-based science teaching programmes, limited knowledge on issues critical to science teaching and learning, and mediocre performance of science teacher education graduates. Such challenges demand an examination of science teacher educator practices in order to identify relevant science teaching knowledge and skills the educators possess, an establishment of how their practices match standards and expectations in science teacher preparation, and an assessment of dimensions of the science teaching theory-practice gap. This study examined teacher education practices in the preparation of science teachers in two teachers’ colleges in Zimbabwe. The study is anchored in Miller, Ohana and Hanely’s (2013) framework for science teacher preparation called the Model of Research-Based Education for Teachers (MORE for Teachers). An exploratory sequential mixed methods design, within the post-positivist paradigm, was used to guide the collection of quantitative and qualitative data. Eighteen (18) Science teacher educators and 106 Science student teachers were selected from two Teachers’ Colleges through purposive sampling. A questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data while interviews, group discussions and documents were used to generate qualitative data. Qualitative data were used to buttress and expand quantitative findings. The major findings from the study were that, despite their limited research activity, teacher educators were well grounded in content knowledge in their various areas of specialisation. Although some standards and guidelines from syllabi, schools and the University of Zimbabwe, Department of Teacher Education (UZ-DTE) requirements on science teaching were followed, the teacher educators were not very clear about the extent to which reform-based science teaching guidelines influenced their work. Other findings revealed that the science teacher educators did a lot to prepare student teachers for Attachment Teaching Practice but did less when the trainees were eventually in the actual practice. It was also observed that science teacher education occurred with in a context where funding for teaching and learning was a challenge. The study’s major recommendation is the need for identifying preparation approaches that adequately equip science teacher educators with the relevant knowledge, skills and core practices that assist the development of coherent programmes.
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Examining teachers' role in the promotion of child-friendly environments in Zimbabwean secondary schools : implications for teacher professional development

Authors: Zendah, Ketiwe
Date: 2017
Subjects: Education, Secondary -- Zimbabwe Teachers -- Professional relationships School management and organization -- Zimbabwe
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4937 , vital:28810
Description: Hostile school environments are a cause of concern and a perennial international educational problem. The UNICEF’s Child-Friendly Schools (CFS) approach is an international intervention meant to safeguard learners against hostile school environments. The CFS approach mandates schools to offer learners environments and conditions that uphold children’s rights and enhance their development to full potential. The purpose of this mixed methods research study, employing a concurrent triangulation design, was to explore the role of teachers in the promotion of CFS environments. Holsti’s (1970) role theory formed the theoretical framework of this study. The research questions focused on teachers’ understanding of the CFS concept, support offered, strategies employed, challenges encountered, and the implications for teacher professional development. The data collection methods were questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and document analysis with school heads, teachers and learners in the seven government urban secondary schools in Mutare district of Manicaland province in Zimbabwe. Quantitative and qualitative data were independently analysed and merged at the interpretation stage through triangulation of results. Major findings reveal that teachers have poor understanding of the CFS concept, are offered moderate support, occasionally employ viable strategies, and are hindered by various factors in the process of promoting CFS environments. The study’s implications for teacher professional development are rooted in identifying sustainable approaches that adequately equip teachers with relevant information, skills and attitudes that ensure the promotion of CFS environments.
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Exhaustible resources and the hotelling rule : an empirical test of the hotelling rule's significance to gold production in South Africa

Authors: Mlambo, Courage
Date: 2017
Subjects: Natural resources -- Mathematical models Econometrics
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4738 , vital:28507
Description: The study sought to test the applicability of the Hotelling rule in South Africa. In environmental economics, the Hotelling rule has come to be a pillar of the exhaustible resources framework and in addition to this, it has presented essential insights into the consumption and extraction of non-renewable resources. Hotelling sought to address one important question which had been unanswered regarding the depletion of exhaustible resources: How much of the natural resource in question should be consumed presently and how much of it should be stocked up for future generations? The focus was to find a solution for those involved in the exploitation of natural resources to choose between the current value of the natural resource if extracted and sold and the future increased value of the asset if left unexploited. According to the Hotelling rule, the extraction path in competitive market economies will, under certain circumstances, be socially optimal. An extraction path that is not socially optimal compromises the welfare of future generations. The welfare of South Africa’s present population and more especially in the future will be greatly determined by the stock of natural resources available and the quality of the environment. Currently, the production processes deplete natural resources. Concern with the supposed increasing scarcity of gold in South Africa, and the possibility of running out of gold, has become a source of concern. South Africa’s gold reserves (gold in the ground that can be extracted profitably) are becoming depleted at an alarming rate. Most reserves are already exhausted; and the costs involved in mining lower-grade ore, and deposits located very deep in the ground, are becoming excessive. In light of this, this study sought to test the applicability of the Hotelling rule in South Africa. In order to empirically test the Hotelling rule, the study was guided by previous literature that had sought to test it. In this regard, the study used both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study has three data analysis chapters. The first two presented and examined the time series properties of gold prices, gold production and gold consumption. The third data analysis chapter examined the relationship between gold price and interest rates. In the first two data analysis chapters, visual inspection, growth rates, variance ratio tests and advanced unit root tests were used to examine the time series properties of gold prices, gold production and gold consumption. Results showed that the behaviour of the gold price series and gold production series in South Africa have a behaviour that is socially optimal. This is in line with the Hotelling rule. The rule predicts exponentially increasing resource prices and this result in mineral resources following the path of the positive trend. The positive trend is prompted by the increasing price reflecting the increasing scarcity of the resource. However, consumption trends were seen to be violating the Hotelling rule. The Hotelling rule predicts that the price increases until it eventually reaches the choke price, where the quantity demanded decreases to zero. However, in contrast to this, results showed that the demand for gold has been increasing instead of decreasing. This is not in line with the Hotelling rule. Furthermore the relationship between interest rate and gold price was negative and this suggested that the price of gold was not rising at the rate of the interest rate. The results of the study suggested that gold production is not following a social optimally path. The study recommended that the government come up with measures that prolong the lifespan of the gold reserves. These included research and development to promote technological innovations in the mining sector. This may make it possible for firms to access lower-grade ores. The study also recommended that since the Hotelling rule partly applied in the gold sector, there is a need to adopt some other theoretical measures that can ensure that the proceeds from the gold taxes are used in the most effective way.
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Factor analysis for dtetermination of metabolic syndrome components of anthropometric data from Kinshasa hiterland of the Democractic Republic of Congo

Authors: Nasila, John Sungwacha
Date: 2017
Subjects: Factor analysis Multivariate analysis
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/14032 , vital:39799
Description: Factor analysis is a multivariate statistical approach commonly used in psychology, education, and more recently in the health-related professions. This thesis will attempt to provide novice and experienced researchers an application of two factor analysis methods which are; exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to medical data. As Biostatistics knowledge continues to grow, it is timely that this thesis contributes immensely; firstly to the discipline of Biostatistics and secondly to Medicine both nationally and internationally. Factor analysis is an important tool that can be used in the development, refinement, and evaluation of tests, scales, and measures that can be used in education and in health-related professions such as medicine. This thesis is focused on applying Factor Analysis on medical data, specifically on data obtained from patients that suffer from Metabolic Syndrome and patients who don’t suffer from Metabolic Syndrome. Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is a constellation of components (factors) such as obesity, lipid-lipoprotein (fats) disorders, increase in glucose (sugar), hypertension (blood pressure), and inflammation/ hypercoagulability (clotting). MS and other risk factors; (smoking, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol intake, and inappropriate diet) determine high morbidity and mortality for the cardiovascular disease (CVD=heart attack, brain attack, peripheral vascular disease) or cardio-metabolic risk (CMR=type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, retinopathy). Obesity, CVD, and CMR are emerging as epidemic conditions worldwide. However, Africa is not paying priority to early detection, treatment, prevention and control of atherosclerotic diseases (MS, CMR) from valid and reliable data. The aim of this thesis was to examine anthropometry, glucose and blood pressure (non-lipid components of MS) as most valid, reliable, less time-consuming, less complex and less expensive procedure of identifying people at high risks of CVD and CMR. A further contribution of this thesis was its understanding of the economic implications of the burden of Metabolic Syndrome. Other burden factors have been identified and also discussed. The study has revealed that the presence of metabolic syndrome has contributed to an enormous economic burden by about 20percent of the total economic loss experienced by many countries. The prevalence has risen recently and elevated patients’ use of more health care resources, and face higher morbidity and mortality, resulting in an enormous economic burden. Some studies have shown healthcare costs to be as much as 20percent higher than those accrued by patients without the risk factors. Patients with the Metabolic Syndrome have been shown to have greater drug expenditures, more frequent hospitalizations, and higher utilization of outpatient and physician services. When considered alone, the individual risk factor components account for a substantial economic burden to patients, health plans, and society as a whole. Overall, this has had serious economic impacts on many countries. The diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome as a condition may encourage appropriate management and thus help prevent disease progression and reduce the considerable economic impact. This study was a cross-sectional, comparative, and correlational survey conducted between January and April 2005, in Kinshasa Hinterland, DRC. Participants were black Bantu Africans. In this study, the researcher attempted to determine latent factors that could explain the variability in a large set of data collected on many individuals of mixed health statuses. The original population consisted of 9770 people of whom, only 977 (10percent) participated. Factor analysis and interpretation of the results were based on anthropometric parameters (body mass index or BMI and waist circumference or WC), blood pressure (BP), lipid (triglycerides)-lipoprotein (HDL-C) and glucose with different numbers and cutoffs of components of Metabolic Syndrome. A number of different statistical procedural methods have been employed to clearly scrutinize and bring out the information which is concealed in a variety of variables observed/collected on many human participants. A large portion of these approaches was based on multivariate statistical methods. The approach, in this case, was the application of Principal Component Analysis (PCA); a multivariate statistical approach used under Factor Analysis to reduce many variables into a few latent variables which are seen as capable of explaining the variability. The approach was effected under both conditions of presence and absence of metabolic risk. Other data settings were: within males, within females, in the rural and in urban communities.
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Faith-based organisations and social reintegration of recovering drug-addicts in South-Western Nigeria : a sociological evaluation

Authors: Faloore, Omiyinka Olutola
Date: 2017
Subjects: Drug addiction -- Treatment -- Religious aspects Recovering addicts -- Nigeria Religious institutions -- Nigeria
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5741 , vital:29373
Description: Against the backdrop of debates and contestations in the literature on the efficacy of interventions of Faith-based organisations (FBOs) with regard to vulnerable people, this study subjects the social reintegration programmes of three selected FBOs working with recovering drug-addicts in South-western Nigeria to a sociological scrutiny so as to understand the social character, effectiveness and local appropriateness of their programmes. Specifically, the study examined the key attributes of the social reintegration programmes offered by the selected FBOs as well as the level and extent of compliance of such programmes with the prescriptions and idealisations as enunciated in relevant global and national policies and institutional frameworks. The theoretical underpinning of this study was derived from assumptions of structural-functionalism of Durkheim and Expectancy disconfirmation theory. Adopting an exploratory approach, the study utilised a blend of survey, key informant interviews, in-depth interviews, observation and document review to gather data. Survey data were collected from a random sample of 156 inmates of the social reintegration facilities of three (3) FBOs in Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states in South-West Nigeria. Qualitative data were sourced through 15 in-depth interviews, 9 key informant interviews and scientific information generated from observation and document review. The quantitative data gathered were analysed using descriptive statistics, while the qualitative data were processed with the use of content analysis. Findings from the study indicate that the selected FBOs have only recorded little success in terms of addressing the social needs of the inmates. For one thing, FBOs’ detoxification programme for recovering drug-addicts tilted more towards human rights violation than serve as an exercise that aided recovery. One key finding was that there was a huge disconnect between global prescriptions on social reintegration services and what the selected FBOs offered to the inmates. The study concluded from its findings that any social reintegration programmes aimed at protecting recovering drug-addicts from further social exclusion and facilitate their social inclusion in South-West Nigeria must extend beyond mere spiritual provisioning to upholding their rights to human dignity and providing opportunities and tools that address their crucial social needs in terms of housing, education, vocation and employment.
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Gang and gang related incidents in selected correctional centres in the Eastern Cape : a behaviour analysis

Authors: Fitz, Lincoln Gustav
Date: 2017
Subjects: Prison gangs -- South Africa Corrections -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Prisons -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9297 , vital:34319
Description: Institutional gangs, also known as the numbers gangs, have become a serious threat to the effective administration of correctional facilities in South Africa. Prior the 1980s, these gangs were active only in correctional centres, but due to modern trends in criminal activity and the gangs’ extensive drug operations, they have become active within communities too. The numbers gangs have a national network that controls activities in all correctional centres across South Africa; this network operates effectively and independently of geographical areas. The numbers gangs contribute a large proportion of all disciplinary offences (e.g., assault, smuggling, escape, sodomy, etc.) that take place in South African correctional centres. The purpose of this study was to explore the social and cultural dynamics of selected correctional centres, in order to understand the extent to which institutional gangs control and manipulate the correctional environment. The study also focussed on the individual-level characteristics of inmates as a contributing factor for deviant behaviour. The social processes that manifest in institutional misconduct and violence in correctional centres have been explained in the literature according to three theoretical perspectives; namely, the importation, deprivation and situational contextual perspectives. To develop a better understanding of the phenomenon of gang activities in correctional centres, this study is grounded in the Social Structure and Social Learning theory to explore the individual, social and cultural dynamics of the centre, making reference to these three perspectives. A mixed research design, comprising both qualitative and quantitative aspects, characterised the methodology used in this study. The data informing the study consisted of primary data (observations, interviews and questionnaires) and secondary data (source documents), with 151 inmates and several centre officials in three Eastern Cape correctional centres participating. This study was substantial for several reasons. It confirmed the findings of prior studies with respect to personal and social characteristics that inmates import into correctional centres, and, in addition, it expanded the existing literature with respect to how and why inmates import their deviant behaviour into correctional centres. It further brought a new element to the field of criminology, in identifying the demographic characteristics of inmates that contribute towards institutional gang membership and violence in correctional centres. The study also expanded upon prior findings regarding risk factors associated with institutional gang membership by developing a prediction model to predict possible gang membership prior to and after incarceration. Finally, this is the first known empirical study to examine the social and cultural contexts of gang membership in correctional centres in South Africa.
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Genetically modified (GM) maize cultivation by smallholders in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa: Effects on target and non-target organisms and adoption challenges

Authors: Kotey, Daniel Ashie
Date: 2017
Subjects: Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Genetically modified foods -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Corn -- Biotechnology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Degree
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5161 , vital:29092
Description: The use of genetically modified (GM) maize technology is subject to compliance with stewardship requirements and the adoption of specific management practices that promote the long-term effectiveness and environmental sustainability of the technology. For smallholders to comply with these requirements and adopt the desired management practices to ultimately benefit from the technology, they require information that creates awareness of the value of these requirements. To determine what information farmers receive about GM maize and how this information is disseminated to farmers, face to face interviews were conducted with 81 extension personnel and 210 smallhoder GM maize farmers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The effect of Bt maize introduction and management practices in smallholder maize agroecosystems in the Eastern Cape on Bt maize target [Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)] and non-target insect pests [Agrotis segetum (Denis & Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)] and a snail species, [Cornu aspersum (Müller) (Gastropoda: Helicidae)] was determined through laboratory, field and cage experiments. The effect of smallhoder farmers‟ GM maize cultivation practices on the profitability of GM maize technology was also determined through on-farm trials in different localities of the Eastern Cape identified as hot-spots for stem borer and weed infestation. Results of surveys indicated that extension personnel had a low level of awareness of GM maize technology stewardship requirements. GM maize technology was also largely disseminated to smallholder farmers through non-participatory approaches and print media sourced from GM seed companies. Although farmers had a high level of contact with extension services, they lacked access to information about GM maize technology. Smallholder farmers‟ level of awareness about GM maize and compliance with the requirement for the planting of non-Bt maize refuge areas adjacent to Bt maize was also very low. While Bt maize event (MON810) commonly cultivated by smallholder farmers in the Eastern Cape Province had a variable effect on A. segetum under laboratory conditions, it had no effect on the incidence of plants damaged by A. segetum and C. aspersum under field conditions. The incidence of H. armigera damage on Bt maize plants was however significantly affected by Bt maize. Populations of B. fusca collected from smallholder maize fields in the province were observed to be still highly susceptible to Bt maize. Results of on-farm evaluation of the profitability of GM maize revealed that stem borer pressure, growing conditions, input supplies and market access affect the productivity and profitability of GM maize cultivation. Challenges within the extension and advisory services of the Eastern Cape which can militate against smallholder farmers‟ ability to benefit from GM maize technology and sustain the long-term efficacy of the technology were identified during this study. Given these challenges and the fact that the cultivation of GM maize may not be profitable under typical smallholder maize cultivation conditions and management practices, dissemination approaches that provide farmers the opportunity to evaluate GM maize technology alongside alternate technologies under their conditions, may prove beneficial.
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Girl-child education in marginalised rural communities : a critical study of threats and opportunities to access quality secondary education in Binga District, Zimbabwe

Authors: Nyamanhare, Eurita
Date: 2017
Subjects: Gender identity in education -- Zimbabwe Sex discrimination in education -- Zimbabwe Girls -- Education -- Zimbabwe
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Education
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9213 , vital:34306
Description: Despite the high ratings of the Zimbabwe’s education system in Africa, the state of secondary education in Binga District epitomises ‘a neglected backyard’ serving to perpetuate secondary education attainment inequalities, with the girl-child fixed at the bottom of the ladder at secondary school level. The prevailing deplorable learning conditions that characterise marginalised rural communities, mainly dominated by minority ethnic groups in Zimbabwe, depict similar conditions under which a girl-child strives to attain quality secondary education in some underdeveloped and developing African countries. Girl-Child Education in Marginalised Rural Communities: A Critical Study of Threats and Opportunities to Access Quality Secondary Education in Binga district, Zimbabwe, adopted a qualitative approach underpinned by a transformative paradigm. Pierre Bourdieu’s cultural capital and Kimberle Crenshaw’s intersectionality theoretical concepts complemented each other providing the theoretical lens that assisted in the unpacking of the whole study. Thus, the adopted theoretical framework helped the researcher to critique the seemingly ‘legitimised’ intergenerational multiple inequalities perpetuated through the education system and the intersecting systems of power (ethnicity, gender, social class) that consequently led to the unpacking of issues that surrounded the girl-child’s access to quality secondary education in Binga District. Intensive literature discussion covered the main themes derived from the study’s research questions, providing the ground from which new knowledge was nourished. With a sufficiently complex phenomenological-emergent research design embedded within critical studies, thick descriptions of lived experiences were gathered from 18 in-depth individual interviews and 6 Focus Group Discussions that involved the girls themselves; all considered to be ‘leaders of opinion’ in this study because of the various social positions and roles they played. Observations, visual materials in the form of photographs, as well as documents and records completed the list of data gathering tools that led to robust trustworthy credible findings from which the main themes of the study emerged. For the girl-child in Binga District, access to quality secondary education was found to be marginalised due to questionable gender responsiveness emanating from the social and infrastructure environments, the girl-child’s negative notions of secondary education underpinned by intersecting barriers, opportunities that are overshadowed by unmatched commitment by the girl-child seemingly underpinned by intersecting unresolved threats exacerbated by distant transitional prospects beyond secondary education. As put by one of the participants, thus, an analogy of ‘an incubator that ceases to work before the eggs hatch’ could be used to describe the state of secondary educational environment under which a girl-child strived to access quality secondary education in Binga District. Thus, using Binga District in Zimbabwe to mirror the state of secondary education in the ‘backyards’ of most of the sub-Saharan African countries, this study urges all African governments to take responsibility as they revise and enforce existing policies in line with the 2015 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for girl-child secondary education is endowed with unlimited socio-economic benefits to all individual nations, and globally.
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Impact of formulated soil types on growth performance, phytochemical constituents and pharmacological properties of solanum nigurm L. : a wild vegetable in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Authors: Ogundola, Adijat Funke
Date: 2017
Subjects: Solanum Materia medica, Vegetable Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8758 , vital:33519
Description: Solanum nigrum L. is a wild vegetable that is highly recognised for its high nutiritional and therapeutical purposes. However, proper identification of the plant is essential not only to plant scientists but to a wide range of users. Therefore, the plant’s roots, stems and leaves cultivated on different soil types were viewed under the Scanning Electron Microscope while the leaves were further viewed under the Light Microscope. significant increase was observed in densities of stomata, guard and subsidiary cells of leaves of S. nigrum grown on silty clay loam soil. The SEM analysis revealed abundant glandular and non-glandular trichromes on both surfaces of the leaves. The glandular trichome is known to be responsible for the storage of bioactive compounds for which this plant is well known. Cultivation was embarked upon, for the availability of the plant at all times. However, propagation was by seed alone, therefore, quality seed is necessary for cultivation. Study was carried out on seeds extracted from plants growing in the wild in Alice for the seed viability, germination and seedling emergence when subjected to different soil texture types and sowing depths. The seeds were 98.3 percent viable. Highest germination (94.66 percent) was recorded in sand paper scarification, 15, 20 and 25ºC. Continuous darkness and temperatures lower than 5ºC and higher than 35ºCwere detrimental to the seeds. Silty clay loam soil and a depth of 2 cm had the highest seedling emergence 90 percent and recommended as the ideal condition for seedlings emergence. The growth, yield and physiological response of S. nigrum to sandy clay loam, silty clay loam, clay loam, loam soils and control soil (sandy loam) were investigated in the glasshouse in two separate trials. The ANOVA analysed data results indicated that plant samples on silty clay loam significantly increased in height, stem girth, plant root, leaf area, number of leaves, number of branches, number of flowers, number of fruit bunch per plant dry weight, as well as weight of fruit bunch. However, plant samples grown on clay loam and loam soils recorded increased chlorophyll and produced dark green leaves. It is conceivable that silty clay loam soils have a strong ability to support the physiological growth and the yield of S. nigrum. These soils are therefore recommended for the cultivation of this plant. S. nigrum cultivated on these soils was evaluated for proximate compositions, anti-nutrients, vitamins A, C and E and mineral compositions using standard analytical methods. Using the translocation factor, the minerals’ toxicity accumulation levels in the plant were also determined. Accumulation of proximate parameters in the first and second trials are: ash (11.25-12.25 percent and 11.14- 11.54 percent), crude fibre (19.24-19.95 percent and 18.71-19.35 percent), protein (36.72-38.98 percent and 34.47-37.00 percent), phytate (0.84-1.17 and 0.88-1.15 mg/ml), saponnin (94.10-97.00 and 94.17-97.00 percent) and alkaloids (43.03-45.76 and 42.08- 44.10 percent) respectively. Vitamin A ranged between 117 and 137 mg/kg and betweens 108 and 128 mg/kg, vitamin C between 100 and 118 mg/kg and between 96 and 108 mg/kg and vitamin E between 250 and 269 mg/kg and between 227 and 261 mg/kg in the first and second trials respectively. The quantities of macro and micro-nutrients recorded in S. nigrum showed that this plant is a reservoir of nutrients. Plants cultivated on clay loam, silty clay loam and loam soils accumulated elevated nutritients compositions. Investigation was made on the ability of S. nigrum cultivated on different soil texture types to synthesise phytochemicals such as phenol, flavonoid, alkaloid proanthocyanidins, tannins, saponins and antioxidant. Highest concentrations of phenolics (73.87 mg/g), flavonoids (58.41 mg/g), proanthocyanidins (875.74 mg/g), tannins (49.32 mg/g), saponins (875.74 mg/g) and alkaloid (47.50 mg/g) contents were recorded in plant sample cultivated on silty clay loam soil. Also, highest radical scavenging power using DPPH (0.0102 mg/g), ABTS (0.1062 mg/g) and FRAP (0.8395 mg/g) were recorded in plant samples grown on silty clay loam and the next high values were recorded in plant samples grown on clay loam soil. It is showed in this study that silty clay loam soil and clay loam soils are the best soil types for cultivation of S. nigrum for increased antioxidant properties/ oxygen radical scavenging activities. Investigation was made on chemical compositions and antioxidant properties of essential oil extracts of S. nigrum shoot and root cultivated on different soil textures. The Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) profiling revealed variations in the quality index (QI) and number of chemical constituents of the oil of S. nigrum cultivated on different soil texture types. Geraniol and citronellol were two principal components of high quality common to oil from shoots and roots fromplants cultivated on all soil types. Results of DPPH and ABTS assays of the shoot oil showed that S. nigrum cultivated on clay loam soil had the highest antioxidant power. The presence of citronellol and geraniol among the major compounds is an indicaton of the plant’s role in defensive mechanisms. The work indicated that soil texture has effect on the quality, quantity and chemical compounds synthesised in the shoots and roots of S. nigrum. Antibacterial activities and the efficacy of S. nigrum cultivated on different soil types were carried out on reference strains of 4 gram-positive and 4 gram-negative bacteria. Toxicity evaluation of the plant’s acetone extract and water extract were also assessed on lethality of brine shrimp eggs. Plant water and acetone extracts exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Pseudomona aeruginosa, acetone extracts against Bacillus cereus, Listeria and Escherichia coli. Significantly (p< 0.05) low concentration (0.25 mg/mL) of acetone extracts from plant shoot cultivated on silty clay loam and clay loam soils inhibited B. cereus and P. aeruginosa. Antimicrobial activities of extracts of plant cultivated on clay loam appeared to be more superior to extracs from plants grown on other soil types. Toxicity of the plant extracts (water and acetone) was concentration and time dependent. The LD50 values for all plant extracts were greater than 1000 mg/mL which showed they are non-toxic.
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Implementation of gender policies to promote gender parity in leadership in academia : a case study of two universities in Bindura Urban Mashonaland Central Province Zimbabwe

Authors: Mandoga, Edward
Date: 2017
Subjects: Women in higher education -- Zimbabwe Education, Higher -- Zimbabwe Sex discrimination in higher education -- Zimbabwe
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5260 , vital:29178
Description: The study is premised on the assumptions that the under-representation of women in leadership in academia is aggravated by weak implementation of gender policies. In light of this, the aim of the current study was to assess the nature and extent of the implementation of gender policy frameworks as a way of engendering gender parity in leadership in academia. The study was informed by the socialist-feminist theory and John Rawls’ and David Millers’ theory of social justice. The theories were chosen on the basis of their socialist-scientific approach to gender issues and also because of their resonance with the situation in Zimbabwe’s tertiary institutions. The theories were analysed within the context of Agenda 2063. The relevance of the agenda’s vision for this study is its recognition of gender equality, particularly in leadership in academia, as a critical cog for Africa’s development agenda. The researcher opted to use the qualitative approach which is embedded within the interpretivist research paradigm. The interpretivist approach makes use of qualitative methods of data collection, presentation and analysis. Data were generated from a sample of twenty four lecturers, two vice-chancellors, two pro-vice-chancellors and two registrars from two universities, a private church-run institution and a state university, mainly through interviews. Data were also generated through focus group discussions and document analysis. Data from documents were used to buttress data from the interviews and focus group discussions. The findings of this study showed that the male-management norm dominated in almost every strategic section of the structures of the two institutions. This was attributable to weak implementation of gender policies. The failure of the gender policies to bring a visible change to the institutional landscape in terms of gender equality was a result of an interplay of personal, cultural and organisational factors. Some of the factors that thwarted women’s career progression to leadership positions included, lack of inspiration from role models, lack of support from colleagues, lack of training in leadership, and the Zimbabwe Council of Higher Education’s (ZIMCHE) indiscriminate policy on recruitment of staff members. All the factors however, were encapsulated within the patriarchal stereotypical conception of a women as fit for domesticity. Within the same conception, men were considered to be imbued with the clout and traits consistent with leadership demands. Studies carried out elsewhere in Zimbabwe and outside the boarders of Zimbabwe have yielded similar results. This explains the continuing and relentless nature of gender inequality in academic institutions. In order to increase the participation of women in leadership positions, the study recommends the following: establishment of a monitoring and evaluation exercise designed to audit the effectiveness of the gender policies; establishment of a review of the university programmes with the aim of establishing or intensifying training programmes in academic leadership and management; establishment of a scholarship and research fund to encourage women to undertake higher degrees studies, and the intense application of affirmative action policies and gender mainstreaming in the universities.
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Implementation of the policy on religious equity in public schools in the East London Education District : towards a framework for religious diversity

Authors: Makasi, Cordelia Noma-Abysinia
Date: 2017
Subjects: Religious education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Religion and state -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Christianity and politics
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5014 , vital:28935
Description: The study sought to establish the implementation of the policy on religious equity in public schools in the East London Education district in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Underpinned by Van Meter and Van Horn (2015) with implementation and conceptual theory and also a theory on opportunity to learn and school performance by Van Der Grift and Houtveen(2006), the study was located in the pragmatist research paradigm and followed a mixed methods approach and concurrent triangulation design. The research sampling technique was random for high school learners in selected schools and purposeful for principals, heads of departments, teachers and provincial education officials. Three methods were employed to collect data from selected public schools and from the provincial office namely; semi-structured interviews, individual interviews and observation. Quantitative data were analysed statistically and presented in the form of descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were analysed using the thematic content analysis technique. Major findings of the study are that teachers and principals understood the concept religious equity and had a fair understanding of the policy on religious equity. Schools were predominantly Christian-oriented in terms of religious practices and there were no recorded cases of religious conflict. Learners of minority religions were not compelled to attend Christian religious functions in schools and were allowed to attend their own religious functions outside school. This was established from the fact that participants cited freedom of religion as being exercised in schools. However, it was further established that there was no strategic monitoring and support for teachers in the implementation of religious equity. There were also no deliberate measures and strategies for the implementation of religious equity suggesting challenges and inconsistencies in the implementation of the policy. While there were notable challenges in the implementation of the policy, due to resistance of stakeholders to change, schools had great opportunities which could be utilized to enhance the implementation of the policy on religious equity. The study concludes by noting that, while key policy implementers had an understanding of religious equity, the situation on the ground revealed challenges and inconsistencies in the implementation of the policy which resulted in a Christian-dominated school environment at the expense of minority religions The study recommends, among other things, that that religious equity be adhered to as enshrined in the Constitution of South Africa of 1996 and the South African Schools Act of 1996. The teaching and learning environment should include Religion Education as per prescription by National Policy on Religion Education of 2003, that monitoring and support of teachers be done, and that community involvement with policy development be considered crucial as well as moral education teaching in schools. A framework for enhancing implementation of the policy on religious equity is also proposed.
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Learners' experiences of school violence in Sarah Baartman District Municipality, Eastern Cape

Authors: Hendricks, Eleanor Alvira
Date: 2017
Subjects: School violence -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Violence in children -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/7841 , vital:30769
Description: School-based violence amongst students in South Africa is a growing concern. Such violence is a great concern to all stakeholders involved in the school system. The more violence escalates; the more students are less likely to concentrate on their academic activities which then reduces their chances of success. There are weekly report broadcasts on the media on the death of students across the globe due school-based violence. School-based violence needs to be curbed and schools should be a safe environment where learning and teaching takes place not a battlefield where students live in fear of being the next victim. The aim of this study was to examine students’ experiences of school violence in Sarah Baartman District Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. A qualitative approach and an exploratory research design were used in conducting this study as these approached allowed participants to share first hand experiences regarding the issue under investigation. A purposive sample was employed to select participants for the study. This technique allowed the researcher to select participants who displayed most of the characteristics of the larger population and who had sufficient knowledge on the issue under investigation. Forty participants were selected for the study as follows: 25 learners; 5 social Workers; 5 educators; and 5 members of the Representative Council of Learners from schools mostly affected by school-based violence. Data was obtained through semi-structured interviews; focus group discussions with students, social workers and educators; and observations. Data was analysed thematically and supported by the relevant literature. The findings revealed that there are high levels of school-based violence in Sarah Baartman District Municipality, however, the whole-school approach as a measure of combatting school violence, has proved to work in some parts of the Eastern Cape, the Western Cape and Kwazulu Natal provinces. Also, retributive forms of punishment show more positive results against corrective /corporal punishment. It is, therefore, recommended that the state should employ school and place social workers in schools in order to assist in addressing social issues within the school system. Stamping out inequalities among students will ultimately decrease school violence.
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Litter quality effects on soil stabiltiy and erodibility in the Ntabelanga Area, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Authors: Parwada, Cosmas
Date: 2017
Subjects: Soil erosion Soil management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4824 , vital:28531
Description: Soil organic matter (SOM) plays a primary role in aggregation and stabilization of soils, hence reducing their susceptibility to erosion. In South Africa (SA), most soils have low (< 4 percent) soil organic matte (SOM) contents, making them susceptible to soil erosion. Little is known about SOM quality effects in soil stabilization in the SA context, it is therefore difficult to advocate specific organic matter sources in order to stabilize a particular soil. This study evaluated effects of different litter quality sources (Vachellia karoo (sweet thorn) leaf litter and Zea mays (maize) stover) on soil aggregate stabilization at a soil micro-level (soil aggregate), guided by the following specific objectives; (i) to characterize soil properties that influence the erodibility of soils in the Ntabelanga area, Eastern Cape (EC) Province, SA (ii) to assess fractionation of organic carbon during decomposition of different litter sources (iii) to determine rate of soil macroaggregate re-formation under different litter amendments (iv) to determine the influence of different litter quality on splash soil erosion and (v) to delineate the Ntabelanga area into different soil erosion sensitivity zones. Soil samples collected from a proposed Ntabelanga dam site, EC Province, SA, were characterized for factors influencing erodibility. Soil physical and chemical properties were analyzed, soil erodibility (K-factor) estimated using SOC content and surface properties and soil loss rates by splashing determined under rainfall simulations at 360 mm h-1 rainfall intensity. Soil loss was then correlated with the chemical and physical soil properties. SOC showed significant (P< 0.05) inverse relationship with soil loss. Soils samples were bulked to seven composite samples according to major soil horizons (orthic A, melanic A, pedocutanic B, red apedal B, saprolite, G horizon and prismacutanic B) in the areas of soil associations, macroaggregate (> 0.250 mm) were removed by passing through a 0.250 mm sieve. The remaining soil microaggregates (< 0.250 mm) were then mixed with high quality Vachellia karoo leaf litter (C/N = 23.8) and low quality Zea mays stover (C/N = 37.4) and incubated at 23oC for 30 weeks. Jars were arranged as a 7 × 3 factorial laid in completely randomized design (CRD) with three replicates. Data was repeatedly measured at 1, 3, 8, 14, 23 and 30 weeks after incubation: to determine the stabilization of SOM by fractionating the soil particulate organic matter (POM), rate of soil macroaggregate re-formation and influence of litter quality on splash soil erosion along a decomposition continuum. Free light fractions (Free LF), coarse particulate organic matter (CoPOM) and fine particulate organic matter (FiPOM) within macroaggregates (> 250 μm) decreased exponentially from week 1 to 30 and were significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by litter quality × soil horizon × time interactions. A similar trend for FiPOM fractions in macroaggregates was observed in the 53-250 μm microaggregates (p < 0.05). The greatest influence on changes in POM fractions occurred within the first 3 weeks of incorporation. Both V. karroo leaf litter and Z. mays stover significantly stabilized the macroaggregates within the first 3 weeks after incubation. Cumulative macroaggregates yields, mean weight diameter (MWD), percentage water stable aggregates (%WSA) and whole soil stability index (WSSI) in litter amended soils increased up to week 8 of incubation and thereafter gradually declined in all soils. An increase in macroaggregation resulted in increased MWD, WSSI values and large and small aggregates distribution. Aggregation was significantly higher in soils with higher clay content than sand content, suggesting that soil texture was highly influential in litter decomposition. Rate of litter decomposition was influenced by soil type × time interactions which determined extent and macroaggregation dynamics along a decomposition continuum. The amount of splashed sediments was determined from each soil horizon at 360 mm h-1 simulated rainfall intensity applied as either single 8minute rainstorm (SR) or 4 × 2minute intermittent rainstorms (IR) separated by a 72 h drying period. Results showed a reduction in splashed sediments under IR and SR storms in litter-amended soils during the first 8 weeks of incubation with gradual increase thereafter. More sediments were splashed under IR than SR and litter quality had no influence on splashed sediments per soil horizon. Soil horizons profile with more clay than sand particles enhanced the litter effects on the soil resistance against detachment. The amount of SOC loss was influenced by primary particle size distribution and initial SOC content of the soil. Rainfall pattern and the initial SOC content were the main factors by which different soils influenced SOC loss. More rainstorm patterns should be investigated on these soils.
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Market participation and value chain integration among smallholder homestead and irrigated crop farmers in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa

Authors: Mdoda, Lelethu
Date: 2017
Subjects: Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15023 , vital:40152
Description: The irrigation schemes had been established over the years and now are operational but there is no marked improvement in the living conditions of the rural farmers and households. Smallholder farmers still face numerous constraints in market participation that hinder smallholder farmers, irrigators and homestead growth which have been attributed to lack of access to markets and technical expertise. Despite the government efforts, smallholder farmers effectively functioning in the agro-food chains, high-valued markets and commercial agricultural markets are rare; this indicates that the objective to allow smallholder farmers to advance their livelihood through participating in commercial agro-food chains has not yet been met. Farmers in the Eastern Cape produce many crops which they mainly sell in informal local markets; there is minimal number of smallholder farmers supplying their produce to the formal markets. Irrigation development is very crucial to the development of the agricultural sector as it ensures improvement in yields and reduces rural poverty through creating rural employment, enhance smallholder farmers’ market participation and enhance market access policies by smallholder farmers as means to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals The study was conducted in the Eastern Cape Province and employed survey data obtained from 200 smallholder irrigated crop farmers and homestead gardeners. A multistage stratified sampling procedure was used in which the first stage involved selecting the study areas. This was followed by the selection of the district and then the respondents. The farmers were selected from three District Municipalities which have operational irrigation schemes, namely OR Tambo, Amathole and Chris Hani District Municipalities in the province. STATA and SPSS were used to analyze the data. The Heckman model was applied to examine factors influencing farmers’ decision to participate in market among crop producing farmers in the province. In the first stage Heckman analysis, the decision as to whether or not to participate (which is a binary choice situation) is used to undertake the maximum likelihood estimation (MLE). In the second stage, the conditional quantity sold (continuous variable) is assumed to follow a truncated normal regression model, whereby the MLE is estimated by fitting a truncated normal regression of quantity sold. Gross Margin and Net Farm Income were used to measure farm profit as well as multiple regression analysis to estimate determinants of profitability in the study area. Profit efficiency was measured using the normalized transcendent logarithmic profit frontier approach (translog). he descriptive statistics employed include means, percentages and frequencies mostly of the socio-economic characteristics of farmers in the study area. The results show that males were dominant with the representation of 61.7percent. The majority of farmers were aged and the mean age was 60 years, indicating that farmers in the province are old which has implication for productivity and market participation. High level of illiteracy is shown in the data and mean household size of 5 persons with the household head having at least obtained some primary school education.The irrigated crop farmers and homesteads were found to have farm size under 4 ha. About 86.5percent were full time farmers and Farming is their major source of livelihood. Smallholder irrigators and homestead gardeners derive their income from social grants and remittances. This thesis found out that majority of the farmers do not participate in markets. In this instance, farming becomes a scapegoat for failure to enter alternative labour markets. The average annual on-farm production income from smallholder irrigators was R7 860.27 and homestead gardeners was R5 915.50. The empirical results from probit model suggest that age of the farmer, level of education of the farmer, household size, farm organization, access to extension, distance to markets, occupation and farm experience were some of the key determinants that had significant and positive effects on farmers’ decision to participate in markets while access to credit, transport to the markets and farm size were some of the key determinants that had significant and negative effect on farmers’ decision to participate in markets. The volume of crops sold to the market is determined by gender, age, years spent in school, distance to the market, farm experience, household size, access to extension, membership in farm organization and non-farm income.
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Mineral governance and human development : the case of Western Ghana

Authors: Danso, Felix
Date: 2017
Subjects: Mines and mineral resources -- Ghana Mining law -- Ghana Mineral industries -- Ghana
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8725 , vital:33472
Description: This thesis focuses on mineral governance and how it can contribute to ameliorating human development challenges in Ghana. The study adopted the human centered mineral resource governance approach to assess the mineral governance structure in Ghana and identified that, the current system is a colonial legacy and does not promote human development in Ghana. The study, whilst recognizing the legacies of colonialism, argues that in order for mineral resources to be managed responsibly to promote human development, there should be a paradigm shift to focus on how mineral resources are governed. As a result, the study, relying on the human centered development approach investigates how mineral resources can be governed to promote development in Ghana, with specific focus on the mineral wealth Western Region of the country. Due to the finite nature of mineral resources, the human centered development approach argues that revenues from mineral resources should be invested in human capacity building and medical care delivery. Further, the mining sector should be integrated with other non-mining sectors of the economy to create jobs and provide alternative livelihoods which will go a long way to assist in the general expansion and growth of the country‟s economy. Although this thesis is a case study of mineral governance in Ghana, it can serve as a springboard to appreciate the role mineral governance can play in promoting people centered development in other sub – Saharan mineral wealth countries.
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Performance of magnetic nanocomposites for the removal of some selected contaminants from aqueous solution

Authors: Ojemaye, Mike Onyewelehi
Date: 2017
Subjects: Nanocomposites (Materials)
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8746 , vital:33508
Description: In this thesis, the performances of magnetic nanoparticles based materials were assessed for the removal or reduction of heavy metals in aqueous solutions. The successful synthesis of a novel adsorbent, azomethine functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNP-Maph) by covalent bonding between the amine group (-NH2) of amine functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNP-NH2) and carboxylic group (-COOH) of 4-{[(E)-phenylmethylidene]amino}benzoic acid (Maph-COOH) was achieved. This adsorbent was examined for the removal of di and trivalent ions (Cu2+, Zn2+, As3+, Pb2+ and Hg2+) from aqueous solutions. Also, magnetic photocatalyst with silica interlayer (NiFe2O4-SiO2-TiO2) was synthesized and employed for the reduction of Cr(VI) in aqueous solution. The photocatalytic reduction efficiency of this material was compared with that of magnetic titanium dioxide (NiFe2O4-TiO2) photocatalyst and titanium dioxide (TiO2) to ascertain the material with the best photocatalytic efficiency and ease of separation. All synthesized materials were characterized by using XRD, FT-IR, TEM, SEM, TGA and VSM before application. For the adsorption processes, the effects of pH, contact time, adsorbent dose and temperature were examined to ascertain the experimental condition necessary for the optimal removal of metal ions from solution. The data obtained from all experiments were fitted into four kinetic models; pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, elovich and intra particle diffusion models to determine the mechanism involved in the adsorption of these di and trivalent ions while two isotherm models were employed in the adorption processes; these include: Langmuir and Freudlich models. Also, for the photocatalytic experiment, the effects of pH, contact time and photocatalyst dose were investigated to determine the experimental conditions necessary for the optimal reduction of Cr(VI) in aqueous solution. MNP-Maph showed excellent removal capacities of 34.08, 35.83, 50.08, 58.24 and 59.24 mg g-1 for Cu2+, Zn2+, As3+, Pb2+ and Hg2+ respectively compared to data previously reported in literature. This is as a result of the high affinity of azomethine group towards metal ions which tremendously enhanced removal of metal ions by adsorption. The incorporation of azomethine to magnetic nanoparticles improved the affinity towards metal ions removal forming strong electrostatic interaction between the adsorbent active sites and adsorbates. Also, the utilization of NiFe2O4-SiO2-TiO4, NiFe2O4-TiO2 and TiO2 for the reduction of Cr(VI) in aqueous solution showed a good photocatalytic performance with NiFe2O4-SiO2-TiO2 showing to be better in terms of both photocatalytic reduction and magnetic separation. TiO2 was observed to have 96.7percent reduction efficiency within 240 min while NiFe2O4-SiO2-TiO2 has 96.5percent reduction efficiency within 300 min and NiFe2O4-TiO2 gave 60percent reduction efficiency within 300 min of UV irradiation. This magnetic photocatalyst composite (NiFe2O4-SiO2-TiO2) gives the advantage of avoiding the problem of separation often encountered with most photocatalyst materials including TiO2 by allowing separation with the aid of a magnetic field. The adsorption processes were all described by pseudo-second order and Langmuir isotherm models while the photocatalytic process was described by Langmuir-Hinshelwood (L-H) kinetic model. Furthermore, thermodynamic experiment studied for the adsorption processes showed that all metal ion adsorption except Hg2+ by MNP-Maph were endothermic in nature, rapid and spontaneous indicating the feasibility of the sorbent material for the removal of metal ions from aqueous solutions. Also, regenerability study conducted to determine the reusability of sorbent material after seven cycles showed the potential to reuse sorbent material seven times or more. The reusability of the sorbent material was observed to show a percentage of an average of 78percent using 50:50 mixture of 0.1 mol dm-3 HNO3 and HCl for all adsorption processes. For the photocatalytic experiment, regenerability using 0.1 mol dm-3 for 1 h was observed to be very impressive after 3 runs for all synthesized photocatalytic materials. This thereby implies that the removal of metal ions by these materials will not in any way introduce secondary pollutants into the environment. Rather, it will avert the production of secondary pollutants. Also, the use of simple conventional chemicals for the regeneration of synthesized materials showed that regeneration in this study is cost effective as regeneration has been known to cost about three quarter of the total operation and maintenance of an adsorption or photocatalytic process. Application of MNP-Maph to real wastewater sampled from five different wastewater treatment plants in Eastern Cape Province for the removal of Cu2+, Zn2+ and As3+ showed that removal efficiencies of approximately 80 percent were achieved for all three metal ions upon adsorption by MNP-Maph. These therefore show that the introduction of metal loving ligand such as Maph-COOH improved the efficiency of MNP towards the removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution. Also, silica positively influenced the performance of magnetic titanium dioxide towards Cr(VI) reduction and separation from aqueous solution. This study therefore showed that these materials should be considered for future applications in the area of water/wastewater decontamination.
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Pharmacological evaluation of phragmanthera capitata (sprengel) balle, loranthaceae :a parasiticmistletoe growing on rubber trees

Authors: Ohikhena, Franklin Uangbaoje
Date: 2017
Subjects: Hevea Hevea -- Diseases and pests Rubber
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8899 , vital:33937
Description: Rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell.) is the world’s major source of natural rubber and a major non-oil, agricultural export commodity in the producing countries in Africa. However, it is highly susceptible to specific mistletoes of the Loranthaceae family. Phragmanthera capitate (Sprengel) Balle is the major mistletoe parasitizing the rubber tree plantations in Africa and hence, alongside with other mistletoes, has attracted indiscriminate destruction from plantation owners. Indiscriminate destruction of plants could be as a result of ignorance of the importance or benefit(s) of the plants and this could lead to their extinction if not checked. Hence, there is the need for scientific documentation of plants and their uses because, from the pharmacological perception, the destruction of a plant could result in the permanent loss of a potential drug. Therefore, this study was aimed at documenting and evaluating the pharmacological potentials of P. capitata collected from rubber tree. Fresh leaves were gently rinsed with water and dried. Dried leaves were pulverised and kept at 4oC when not in use. Pulverised leaves were extracted with acetone, methanol, ethanol and water and concentrated to give the respective solvent crude extracts used in most of the assays. From the extraction, Methanol had the highest yield of 21.5percent, water had 10.8percent and acetone was 6.87percent while ethanol had the lowest yield of 4.3percent. Standard spectrophotometry assays on the extracts were used to quantify some major phytochemicals of pharmacological interest and also to determine the antioxidant potentials of the sample. The result revealed high amounts of phenols (175.53 ± 0.32 mg GAE/g to 218.62 ± 3.38 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (197.06 ± 3.80 mg QE/mg to 679.82 ± 6.26 mg QE/g) and proanthocyanidins (128.83 ± 1.69 mg CE/g to 645.68 ± 6.35 mg CE/g) with the acetone extract having the highest amount of the phytochemicals while the aqueous extract had the least. The results of the antioxidant assays revealed that the sample had high radical scavenging potentials with comparable inhibitory concentrations to standard antioxidant drugs. The proximate and mineral analysis on the pulverised sample showed that it is rich in carbohydrate with a composition of 57.73 ± 0.33 g/100 g. Protein, fat and fibre compositions were 12.50 ± 0.50 g/100 g, 3.34 ± 0.18 g/100 g and 11.66 ± 0.54 g/100g. The total energy composition was 310.97 ± 2.30 Kcal/100 g. The mineral composition revealed high potassium level of 1047.83 ± 34 mg/100g. Calcium (6.22.58 ± 0.01 mg/100g), magnesium (361.15 ± 0.01 mg/100 g) and phosphorous (115.40 ± 0.01 mg/100 g) were also present in appreciable amounts. The toxicity of the four extracts was assayed using brine shrimp. The LC50 in all the solvent extracts was greater than 1 mg/mL which according to Meyer’s index and other indexes signify “no toxicity” for crude plant extracts. Antimicrobial activity of the extracts was done using the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay against 10 bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Vibrio cholera, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli) and 4 fungi (Trichophyton mucoides, Trichophyton tonsurans, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger) of human pathogenic strains. The MIC of the antibacterial assay ranged from 1.25 mg/mL to 5 mg/mL for the organic extracts while no activity was observed in the aqueous extract at the highest concentration tested. However, the aqueous extract had a great inhibitory activity on all four of the tested fungi with a MIC of ≤ 0.3125 mg/mL to 1.25 mg/mL while only two fungi (Trichophyton Tonsurans and Aspergillus niger) were susceptible to the organic extracts. The MIC of the TB causative pathogen, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H37Rv) strain ranged from 25 μg/mL (acetone and aqueous extracts) to 50 μg/mL in the ethanol extract while it was > 50 μg/mL (highest concentration tested) in the methanol extract. This study revealed that the sample has the potential in phytotherapy against oxidative stresses (inflammations) caused by free radicals. It could also be a useful herb in combating diseases caused by pathogenic organisms. The high anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis activity observed in this study suggests it could be a plant with high promise in the fight against tuberculosis. The toxicity evaluation signifies it is safe for further plant-based pharmaceutical explorations. This study also validated some reported ethnopharmacological uses of this plant and call for its protection from indiscriminate destruction in rubber plantations and other crop gardens/plantations in the world.
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