Perceptions of climate change and adaptation strategies: the case of smallholder farmers of Raymond Mhlaba, Port Saint Johns’ and Ingquza Hill local municipality in the Eastern Cape.
- Authors: Maya, Okuhle
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Climatic changes Farms, Small
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17271 , vital:40871
- Description: Climate change has become indisputable judging from the observed global variations in precipitation, increases in average temperatures, rising average sea levels and melting of ice. The climate phenomenon has since evolved globally and it has been largely documented by scholars. Because of the increases in global temperatures, weather patterns have also changed. This change has resulted in debates on climate change as well as how to respond to it. Various scholars across the world have expressed their opinions about climate change; its causes, impacts and adaptation. In addition, there has been a growing body of literature and studies focusing on smallholder farmers’ perceptions of climate change. Without a doubt, climate change will and has left a group of people, communities and countries vulnerable. In particular, developing countries and poor communities in sub-Saharan Africa are expected to be affected the most by the impacts of climate change. This is mainly because of the region’s dependence on natural resources and their limited capacity to adapt. Literature further adds that vulnerability is on condition of the community’s socioeconomic characteristics and physical surroundings. Climate change variations pose a threat to the agricultural sector and food security of households relying on subsistence farming for survival. Climate variations such as decrease in rainfall and increased hot seasons have been reported to have led to a decline in food production, death of livestock and outbreaks human and animal diseases. The study’s main aim was to determine the smallholder farmers’ perceptions of climate change and adaptation strategies in Raymond Mhlaba, Port Saint Johns’ and Ingquza Hill local municipalities. Particularly, the study looked at the factors influencing these perceptions and the factors affecting the smallholder farmers’ choice of adaptation strategies used in response to climate change. Investigating perception provides insights into the fundamental drivers of behavioural changes in the face of climate change. On their part, adaptation options are greatly shaped by the nature of an individual’s behaviour. The study was carried out in 3 local municipalities (Raymond Mhlaba, Port St Johns’ and Ingquza Hill) in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The research design applied in this study was cross sectional design where data are collected at a single point in time. Multistage sampling technique was used in selecting respondents from the local municipalities. Stratification was then done to group farmers according to their vi wards and locations. Lastly, purposive sampling was used to select households and smallholder farmers practising crop and livestock production. A total of 211 smallholder farmers constituted the sample size for the study. A close-ended questionnaire was used to conduct structured interviews of household heads. The study utilized both qualitative and quantitative approach. Data collected were coded and entered in Microsoft Excel and transferred to Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS, version 25) for analyses. Descriptive statistics was used to determine the climate change perceptions of smallholder farmers and also to explore the adaptation strategies used by farmers to cope with the impacts of climate change. The findings were explained using frequencies, means and variances. Multinomial Logistic Regression (MNL) was used to determine the factors affecting the choice of adaptation strategies used by smallholder farmers and the probability that a farmer would choose a particular strategy. The results from the study revealed most of the respondents as being able to identify the perceived changes in climate with the environmental changes that they observed. The respondents perceived climate change as an increase in drought period, increase in average temperatures, decrease and variations in rainfall, shortened growing season, crop failure, pests and diseases. However, most of the smallholder farmers disagreed with the frequency of flood incidences as they have not experienced these in their areas. In terms of responses to these changes in climate, the smallholder farmers have used a number of adaptation strategies to cope. Most of the farmers used crop diversification, organic manure, soil and water conservation practices, while others simply did not adapt and some used all the available adaptation strategies identified in this study. The results from the MNL revealed that occupation, household size and years spent in school (education) generally had a positive influence on the choice of adaptation strategy used by smallholder farmers. On the other hand, age; farming systems and membership of a farmers’ association were negatively affecting the smallholder farmers’ choice of adaptation strategy to use in response to climate change. Much support is needed in terms of disseminating information and knowledge among smallholder farmers about climate change and its adaptation strategies. This can be possible through improving extension services, and providing credit to smallholder farmers
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Perceptions of climatic change and food insecurity: a case study of Buhera District, Eastern Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mashiri, Martin
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Food security
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc (Rural Development)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16287 , vital:40706
- Description: The world is experiencing strange weather conditions which have, arguably not been experienced before. Some parts of the world are experiencing severe drought, other parts are receiving above normal rainfall associated with violent cyclones. The changing environmental conditions are perceived by environmental scientists as the consequences of climatic change that has been triggered by global warming which has been largely attributed to an increase of greenhouse emissions due to human activities such as transportation, industry and energy production. Sub-Saharan Africa contributes the least greenhouse gas emissions in the world but it is unfortunate that the region is suffering most from the perceived impacts of climatic change. The region has been experiencing prolonged drought conditions that have negatively impacted food production and it is projected that millions will suffer malnutrition and starvation in future if the perceived causes of climatic change are not addressed. This research seeks to make an in-depth analysis on the perceptions of climatic change and food insecurity in Buhera district east of Zimbabwe. The researcher used interviews and observations to gather firsthand information from a diverse number of participants. The findings of this research largely drew upon the Sustainable Livelihood Framework as a lens for interpretation. The results of this research indicate that there is less food available in Buhera due to poor crop production; perceived to be as a result of the changing climate
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Perceptions of guardians of children towards government’s decision to outlaw corporal punishment: A case study of Highfield suburb in Harare, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Shayamano , Molly
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Corporal punishment of children Children's rights
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSW
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17641 , vital:41131
- Description: Corporal punishment is a behaviour modification technique that has been utilised since time immemorial. Much interest in today’s world is centred on understanding and utilising the most effective discipline techniques. Many human rights activists and researchers are pointing out the negatives of corporal punishment. As such, human rights activists are pushing for the banning of all forms of corporal punishment of children. This study explored guardians’ perceptions towards the government’s decision to outlaw corporal punishment in Highfield in Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital. The social construction theory by Berger and Luckman (1966) and the Operant conditioning theory by Skinner (1956) were utilised to underpin the study. The study adopted a mixed method approach in which focus group discussions, key informant interviews and questionnaires were used to collect data. The study results reveal that guardians in Highfield hold different sentiments with regard to the government’s decision to outlaw corporal punishment. The majority of guardians view the decision as a bad move that will result in negative consequences, whereas another group of guardians supports the decision. The study also reveals that the government’s decision to outlaw corporal punishment has both positive and negative consequences, which include delinquent behaviour, high crime rates, disrespect of elders, moral decay, decreased violence, increased communication between parents and children, and reduced child abuse cases. The study also found that social workers working closely with children and their families also have a role to play in ensuring positive behaviour modification. The study recommends the introduction of community programs on positive parenting in communities, initiated and strengthened by social workers.
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Perceptions of principals and teachers on the implementation of Inclusive Education: A case study of three primary schools in the Amathole West Education District.
- Authors: Magwa, Nondumiso
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Inclusive education -- Eastern Cape -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11264 , vital:39039
- Description: This research study investigated the perceptions of principals and teachers on the implementation of inclusive education in three primary schools in Amathole West Education District. The investigation took place in rural and in urban areas to fulfil the completion of the study. The people who participated in the study were three principals and six teachers from primary schools. The researcher used interpretivism paradigm for this study. A case study was also used to get closer to participants by visiting their workplace so that she could know their living experiences, thoughts and feelings about the implementation of IE in three primary schools in AWED. The study used qualitative approach. Data was collected using semi - structured interviews and document analysis so as to get rich information. Results of the study revealed that the implementation of Inclusive Education was not effective in primary schools in the AWED as it is expected by the DBE. For effective implementation of IE recommendations included the following: mainstream principals and teachers must be encouraged to read and understand the documents on implementation of IE; mainstream principals and teachers must be encouraged to further their studies and capacitate themselves especially in the aspects of inclusive education; DBSTs must have regular visits to mainstream schools to support teachers on monthly basis; follow - ups and monitoring must be done by district officers frequently to all mainstream schools; remedial classes must be introduced in mainstream schools so that learners can get enough time to be assisted on areas concerned; more workshops and in - service training must be organised to support teachers so that they could get more information about inclusive education.
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Pharmacological Evaluation and Medicinal Potential of Vachellia Karroo (Hayne) Banfi & Galasso Pods traditionally used to treat Sexually Transmitted Diseases in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
- Authors: Maposa, Sandisiwe
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Medicinal plants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/14583 , vital:40017
- Description: Vachellia karroo is widely used in folk medicine in the Eastern Cape Province South Africa, however, the pods are usually discarded as waste. The current study was conducted to evaluate the phytochemical content and the antioxidant activity of V. karroo pods. The pods were extracted using acetone, distilled water, hexane and methanol. The total phenol, flavonoid, proanthocyanidin, alkaloid and saponin contents of the various extracts were determined spectrometrically and antioxidant activity was evaluated using inhibition of 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2´-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), nitric oxide (NO) radicals, while total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was estimated by the phosphomolybdenum assay. V. karro pods had significant amounts of total phenols, flavonoids and proanthocynadin, although, proanthocynadin was not detected in the aqueous and hexane extracts. Methanol and acetone extracts showed higher phenolic, proanthocynadin and flavonoids contents (52.47 ± 6.82 and 29.31 ± 1.49), (334.8±85.1 and 231.22 ±1.80),(288±4.26 & 208.2±17.7) compared to the aqueous and hexane extracts. The alkaloid and saponin contents were 26.67 and 12.85 % respectively. The IC50 values of the methanol extract for DPPH, ABTS and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were 0.345, 0.017 and 0.116 mg/mL, respectively. Methanol extract of V. karroo pod showed higher polyphenolic content of all the extracts analysed with corresponding strong free radical scavenging potential. These underutilized pods could serve as a new source of antioxidant compounds which could help in combating various ailments. The great antioxidant activity displayed by V. karroo pods extract supports the therapeutic use of this plant in traditional medicine and are attributed to the phytochemical content.The current information suggests that extracts from Vachellia karroo pods might be a ix cheap potential source of natural antioxidants that could be of great importance for the treatment of free radical related diseases. Furthermore, it makes a case for the utilization of the pods instead of discarding them as waste materials. The evaluation of antimicrobial potential of Vachellia karroo extracts was carried out using agar dilution assay against 8 bacterial strains-4 gram-positive [ Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212), Staphylococcus aureus (OK), Bacillus subtilis KZN, Bacillus cereus, and Streptococcus pyogenes] and 4 gram-negative strains[ Vibrio cholera, Klebsiella pneumonia (ATCC 4352), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 19582), Salmonella typhi (OK) ]. Six fungal isolates[ Trichophyton mucoides ATCC 201382, Candida albicans (ATCC 10231), Candida glabatra, Penicillium chrysogenum, Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillum aurantiogriseum] were usedor antifungal assessment. The methanol extract exhibited broad-spectrum activity, with Gram-positive strains being more sensitive than Gram-negative strains. The extracts also showed great inhibition against Candida albicans the fungal isolate responsible for causing candidiasis in women. Since the pods showed promising antimicrobial activity, they could serve as a cheap source for the treatment and management of these sexually transmitted infections. The brine shrimp toxicity test revealed successful hatching of the cysts was in the order: Aqueous extract> methanol extract> hexane extract> acetone extract. The hatching of nauplii was in a concentration dependent fashion, with hatching success decreasing with increase in concentration of extracts. Lethality of extracts determined based on Meyerʼs index of toxicity, showed that the acetone and hexane extracts of V. karroo were moderately toxic. The results of this study indicated that aqueous and methanolic extracts of Vachellia karroo pods were not toxic, therefore supporting its traditional therapeutic usage. This implies that rather than discard x the pods as is waste as it being currently done, Vachellia karroo pods could be salvaged and processed along with the leaves, thus reducing environmental pollution. Proximate parameters (moisture, ash, crude fibre, crude fat, proteins, and carbohydrate) were evaluated using ALASA methods, and elemental analysis by ICP-OES technique. Nutritional analysis showed that V. karroo pods had low content of crude fat and high content of crude fibre, ash, crude protein, and carbohydrate sufficient to meet the recommended dietary allowances. The pods were rich in major minerals Ca, K, P and Mg, with sufficient amount of trace elements Na, Fe, Zn, and Cu. The outcome of this study suggests that Vachellia karroo pods have good nutritional potentials to support or complement the recommended dietary allowance and could be a cheap source of essential nutrients that could help in ameliorating most nutritional challenges as well as contribute remarkably to the amount of nutrient intake in human and animal diets.
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Phase Plane Analysis of Linear Systems in Dynamic Mathematical Models
- Authors: Marange, Simukai Daniel
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Mathematical models
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/14715 , vital:40064
- Description: A plethora of dynamic mathematical models exist and to understand and master all of them would be a gargantuan task. The author had, nonetheless, attempted to outline some of the methods used to analyse linear systems in modeling. Systems techniques are fundamental to current research in molecular cell-biology. The systems-approach stands in stark contrast to the historically, reductionist paradigm of molecular biology. Field work can be very dangerous. The main purpose of this study was to come up with the best analysis that would be used without going to the real field and thus saving time, money and risks associated with remote field localities. This research showed that the best analysis depends on the nature of the objectives intended to be solved by the model. Phase plane analysis on linear systems assisted in gaining deeper knowledge on the characteristics of such systems. This work analysed some dynamic models looking at phase planes, bifurcation, sensitivity and stability. The research provided a qualitative analysis of the processes not a numerical analysis.
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Post-violent community protest recovery process (PVCPRP) and service delivery in Gauteng Province: a case of Merafong City Local Municipality
- Authors: Ngada,Leon Simphiwe Hopewell
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Political participation -- South Africa Municipal government -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13859 , vital:39719
- Description: The on-going violent community public protests in most South African municipalities, including Merafong Local City Municipality in Gauteng Province, continue unabated. While community public protests is a democratic right provided for in the Constitution (RSA 1996), the violent nature and persistence thereof at municipal level is a cause for serious concern. The associated violence often results in the destruction of both public and private property, disruptions in economic activities, loss of lives and severe injuries to innocent victims. Since the end of the 5-year of violent community protest in Khutsong in 2009, there has been a surge in post-violent protest recovery processes, reconstruction and service delivery operations. Despite the expertise and funding since 2009, external driven operations have not led to lasting peace and stability, establishment of functioning institutions, eradication of poverty, livelihood improvements, or economic reconstruction and development in the violence-torn municipality. All too often, programmes, policies and solutions were designed and imposed by external actors either because they had worked elsewhere or they were influenced by the political and economic interests of powerful politicians. Furthermore, external actors have tended to assume that local approaches based on the liberal peace framework would be successful wherever its implemented, while ignoring local communities, contexts and knowledge. This exploratory qualitative study based on the Merafong City Local Municipality critically explores and assesses the impact of community engagement during post-violent recovery processes. Moreover, it endeavours to comprehend the strengths and shortcomings of this approach and provide recommendations for future improvement. This is important since socio-economic recovery and economic development are crucial for lasting stability and peace in post-war countries.
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Psychosocial behaviour of male learners after traditional male circumcision in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Bokolo, Nokwanda
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Circumcision
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPH
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16709 , vital:40764
- Description: Male circumcision is an old Xhosa tradition that is still widely practised throughout South Africa. The Xhosa community in Eastern Cape, South Africa, values traditional male circumcision and regard it as a heritage from the ancestors, which prepares the initiate for transition to manhood. There are health problems and physical complications related to circumcision, although parental decisions regarding circumcision and the medical hygiene have been widely researched. However, scanty information exists on the psychological and social behaviours of male learners after male circumcision. The present study aims to fill the gap by exploring the psychosocial behaviors of male learners after traditional male circumcision in Eastern Cape, South Africa
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Psychosocial challenges faced by people living with hiv/aids at Victoria Hospital, Alice, Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Sam, Ntombifikile
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: HIV infections
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSW
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16210 , vital:40698
- Description: This study investigated the psychosocial challenges faced by people living with HIV/AIDS at Victoria Hospital, Alice, Nkonkobe municipality in the Eastern Cape. This study explored the views, attitudes and perceptions of people living with HIV/AIDS to understand the psychosocial challenges they underwent. The study aimed at achieving the following specific objectives: (i) To investigate the psychosocial challenges faced by people living with HIV and AIDS at the Victoria Hospital. (ii) To assess the impact of families and communities to people living with HIV/AIDS with respect to the lack of psychosocial support provided to people who are infected with HIV and AIDS at the Victoria Hospital in the Alice Area of the province of the Eastern Cape. (iii) To identify possible psychosocial support systems that could be provided by social service practitioners and by social networks for people living with HIV and AIDS and their families. The study used qualitative research approach where in-depth interviews and a focus group with key informants were used as methods of data collection. The study was premised on the systems theory to give a theoretical orientation into understanding the psychosocial challenges of people living with HIV/AIDS and possible support to be given to them. The sample size was made up of 10 patient participants; eight (8) ii females, two (2) males; and three (3) health practitioners. Non-probability sampling technique was used in the study. Specifically, purposive sampling was used to select the participants because the researcher believed that the participants had knowledge and experiences about HIV/AIDS. The data was analysed qualitatively through a content thematic analysis technique. The study found that there are many psychosocial challenges that are faced by people living with HIV/AIDS such as poverty, social support, rejection, depression and stigma and discrimination. The study recommends that the affected communities should have support groups for people living with HIV/AIDS to empower them and their families. The study also recommends the implementation of community engagements in the form of educating communities about HIV/AIDS and the importance of supporting people living with HIV/AIDS. More emphasis on the right to equality and the right for everyone to be treated with dignity and respect, as stated by Chapter 2 of the Bill of Rights of the South African constitution is highly recommended. Based on the evidence provided through the findings, the researcher is optimistic that all the challenges presented will be taken into consideration in future plans and policies.
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Public health expenditure and economic development: the case of South Africa
- Authors: Hlotywa, Anathi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Public health -- South Africa -- Finance Public health -- Economic aspects -- South Africa Medical economics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Economics)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13491 , vital:39673
- Description: Literature shows that there is a relationship between health expenditure and a country’s level of development. The labour productivity depends on health and the level of education of the employees. Given this background, the study’s main objective was to examine the impact of public healthcare expenditure on economic development in South Africa for the period 1996- 2016 utilising the Autoregressive Distributed lag Model. The empirical results show that there is a positive relationship between Public Health Expenditure and Human development Index. This shows that an increase in government expenditure on health increases economic development in South Africa. The results are consistent with other previous studies such as Wang (2015) and Riayati and Unaidah (2016). The study recommends that the government should increase public health expenditure. This will increase economic development. The government can do this by building hospitals and rolling out more funds to improve the healthcare in South Africa. The study also recommends that the government should reduce unemployment. Unemployment has been seen to have an undesirable impact on economic development
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Re-defining the calling – narratives of women excluded from the ordained ministry in the Seventh-Day Adventist church in South Africa
- Authors: Chinyamurindi, Willie Tafadzwa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Ordination of women
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M.Th
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17529 , vital:41085
- Description: This work gives focus to understanding the notion of a calling amongst women excluded from the ordained ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in South Africa. Historically, there is an observation that women attend religious services in larger numbers than their male counterparts. Despite this, it is notable that in terms of leadership, very few women occupy this preserve. Further, the experiences of those in positions of leadership (especially women) remain an under-researched area. This study used a qualitative approach, with an explanatory research design. Analyses were conducted by NVivo qualitative research software amongst 15 women who had completed theological training within the Seventh-day Adventist Church in South Africa. Narrative analysis was used as a means of analysing the collected data. The data analysis generated four main narratives and resultant sub-narrative(s): 1) calling as influencing decision to enter the pastoral ministry; 2) the pastoral ministry framed as a sustained challenge to women pastors; 3) the existence of a perceived theological disjuncture; and finally 4) passive yet overt resolution tactics. Implications for individual and organisational functioning are made based on these findings
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Records management at Albany Museum, Grahamstown, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Obileke , Ugonna Christiana
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Records -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M.LIS
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17663 , vital:41133
- Description: This study is about records management at the Albany Museum in Grahamstown, in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The objectives of the study were to find out the extent to which records management is practised; to find out what records management programme exist; to find out the infrastructure available for records management; and to identify the challenges, if any, facing records management in Albany Museum. The records life cycle and the records continuum formed the theoretical framework. The study adopted qualitative and quantitative research approaches. The state accountant, senior administrator, fossil excavator, receptionist and the postgraduate researcher formed the sample of the study. Quantitative data were coded and analysed using Microsoft Office Excel 2013 while the qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. The major findings showed that records management Albany Museum is very weak, which makes it difficult for the museum to derive or benefit from effective records management as well as experiencing delays in decision-making, loss and misplacement of records. Also, it was revealed that there was no personnel responsible for the records management. The study recommended for recruitment of personnel for records management in the museum to improve on records management as well as the development of a functioning records management program
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Records management practices at the Victoria hospital, Raymond Mhlaba Municipality, Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Sosibo, Bongeka
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Records -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M.LIS
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17706 , vital:41138
- Description: Records management is vital in organizations as it enables efficiency and transparency of administrative functions in organizations. Victoria Hospital (VH), under the Raymond Mhlaba municipality, in Alice, in the Eastern Cape was chosen as the case study. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the extent of records management practices in this public hospital. The study’s objectives centred on examining the type of records generated at VH, determine some of the activities used in their management and assess the current processes and means that are used to make these records available. Both paper and electronic records were the focus of this study and as such the records lifecycle and the records continuum were thus integrated to inform the theoretical basis for this study. The researcher combined both quantitative and qualitative research methods in an attempt to increase the validity and reliability of the data gathered. This triangulation of methods facilitated thoroughness and eliminated biases and weaknesses in as far as methodology is concerned. The study used the survey research method to determine the status of records management at the Victoria Hospital. The findings showed that the type of records generated at the Victoria hospital include patient, personnel and administrative records. The results of the study revealed that policy issues, lack of infrastructure and irregularity of training, absence of a qualified records manager were identified by the respondents as some of the challenges faced by the VPH in order to effectively executive records management practices in their organization. A number of recommendations were put forward and a few will be highlighted here. Hospitals should consider providing relevant formal training or courses for at least more than 75% officials earmarked for or engaged in the implementation of e-health and erecords. Victoria hospital should consider hiring more qualified records managers and registry staff. Records management training should take place at least twice a year so that staff is kept motivated. Top management must ensure that they support records management in terms of finance including the ensuing challenges.
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Records Management Programmes at the Walter Sisulu University, in South Africa: Case Study of Nelson Mandela Drive Campus
- Authors: Giba, Nozipho
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Records -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M.LIS
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17575 , vital:41098
- Description: The main aim of this study was to investigate the status of records management programme at Walter Sisulu University (WSU) using the Nelson Mandela Drive Site of Mthatha Campus. In carrying out this study, four research objectives with thirtyseven (37) research questions were posed. Purposive Sampling was employed to sample 30 Administrative support staff. The instruments used for data collection were questionnaire and face to face interview. Twenty-nine (29) questionnaires out of the thirty (30) returned completed and five senior managers were interviewed face to face. Descriptive statistic was used to analyse the research questions on the questionnaire and thematic approach was used for analysing the response from the interviews. The major findings of the study revealed WSU fell below the requirements in terms of records management programme on maintaining records that document its business activities. Inadequate infrastructure, inadequacy regarding the desirable control of WSU records at each stage as required by the records life cycle framework was also found to be inadequate and limited knowledge of legal requirements regarding records management. Based on these findings, the following recommendations were made. Effort should be made to implement a Centralised control of Decentralised Registry System (Integrated Registry System), provision of training of staff, as well as proper infrastructural facilities.
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Regional Financial Integration and Financial Sector Development in the Southern African Development Community
- Authors: Ntlemeza, Lwando
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Integrating national economies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Economics)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13870 , vital:39720
- Description: Regional financial integration (RFI) is perceived as the other avenue through which the financial sector of member countries can develop given the vast benefits which associated with it. These benefits include mobilization and allocation of efficient resources to productive sectors within the region which plays a very important role in the development process. Given this background, the study examines how regional financial integration promotes financial sector development in the SADC region utilizing the panel data model for the period 1996 to 2015. The empirical results revealed that regional financial integration does have an impact on the financial sector development in the member countries in the region. Furthermore, the results showed that regional financial integration require a certain degree of institutional quality for RFI benefits to accrue. The empirical results imply that the countries in the SADC region should pursue regional financial integration. This can be achieved through commitment by all authorities in the region. There should be a firm commitment to broader economic integration and building on existing networks and build the necessary infrastructure.
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Resilience towards adverse childhood experiences among public secondary school students in Alice, South Africa
- Authors: Obisesan , Matthew Tobiloba
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Child development Child psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPH
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16769 , vital:40772
- Description: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are of great concerns in public health. They are traumatic experiences that occur during childhood. ACEs include various forms of abuse and maltreatment which can be emotional, physical, verbal and sexual, different degrees of household dysfunction such as growing up with substance abuse like drugs and alcohol, witnessing domestic violence, mental illnesses, crime in the home and parental disharmony. Although childhood adversities and traumatic experiences occur before the individual is 18 years of age, the effects of such experiences can last a lifetime causing mental and chronic medical illnesses. Resilience is perceived as an antidote to the detrimental effect of ACEs. It is a situation in which an individual displays a high level of effectiveness after a significant misfortune or adversity. This study was conducted to assess the level of resilience towards adverse childhood experiences among public secondary school children in Alice. Data were collected with the aid of a wellstructured questionnaire from 418 public high school students using Convenience sampling method. Factors influencing resilience among the learners were examined. Consequently, the data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ordered logit regression model. From the results, it is observed that the majority of the learners live with their grandparents and the most prevalent form of ACEs is emotional abuse, followed by sexual abuse while community violence is the least common childhood adversity. This study further reveals that some of the respondents experienced more than one form of adverse childhood experience. In addition, irrespective of what the students have been through, they are largely observed to be resilient. Analysis from the ordered logit regression model shows that age, class in school, gender, religion, race and who the student lives with are significantly related to resilience. The study, therefore, recommends a functional counseling unit in the schools while student-teacher relationship must be encouraged
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Role of Nurse Managers in Ensuring Client Satisfaction within the Primary Health Care Clinics in Buffalo City Health District
- Authors: Yiba,Theodora Nomboniso
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Primary health care Nurse administrators
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M. CUR
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16825 , vital:40777
- Description: In Primary Health Care system there are different categories of nurses that have different roles to play within their facilities, such as registered nurses, enrolled nurses and enrolled nursing assistants, operational managers at functional level within the Primary Health Care Clinics and also overall supervisors. The study focus was on operational managers as they are the key role players in quality client care within Primary health Care clinics, King William’s Town in Buffalo City Health District in Eastern Cape Province. The aim of the study was to describe the role of nurse managers in ensuring client satisfaction within the Primary Health Care Clinics at Buffalo City Health District in order to ensure effectiveness of Health Core Standards. The research questions were: The research questions that was addressed in this study Main question: “What is the role of nurse managers in ensuring client satisfaction within Primary Health Care Clinics at Buffalo City Health District?” Sub questions: How do you ensure client safety in your facility? How do you monitor client waiting time in your facility? What strategies can assist in the improvement of client satisfaction in Primary Health care clinics? The objectives were to explore and describe role of nurse managers in ensuring client satisfaction regarding safety within the Primary health Care clinics in Buffalo City Heath District, explore and describe role of nurse managers in client satisfaction about waiting time within Primary Health Care Clinics and to recommend strategies to improve client satisfaction within the Primary Health Care clinics in order to improve client satisfaction. A descriptive, explorative, qualitative, contextual design was used to describe and explore the role of operational manager in ensuring client satisfaction regarding client safety and waiting time within Primary Health Care Clinics. Purposive sampling method was used to select seven operational managers. Six operational managers participated in the study as one of them was bereaved during the interview period. One on one interviews with operational managers was used to collect the data. Data was collected until it reached saturation. Data collected was analyzed using Tesch’s steps of data analysis for qualitative research. vi The results were that the operational managers are performing their roles, but find it difficult to fully satisfy clients as they experience some roles’ related challenges in ensuring client satisfactory services. Related roles’ challenges were unavailability of enough nursing staff to cover all the programmes due to shortage of staff, poor infrastructure in some of the clinics, lack of support and appreciation from some of their supervisors, absenteeism of staff that negatively affect operational manager’s planning and organisation role, failure to deliver medication in time. They recommended some strategies regarding improvement of client satisfaction within the Primary Health Care clinics. The recommendations were, the department of health to fill in nurses and staff vacant posts, facilitation of prompt delivery of medication to Primary Health Care Clinics, the department to attend to poor infrastructure, District office to consider staff satisfactory survey, commitment of clinic supervisors in their monthly visits and the study findings be used when conducting further studies related to ensuring client satisfaction regarding safety and waiting time
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Rural household dietary diversity and food security in Raymond Mhlaba local municipality
- Authors: Mnukwa, Minentle Lwando
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Food security
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17282 , vital:40872
- Description: In order to formulate or implement relevant food security programmes in rural areas, it is important to have a deep understanding of the food security status of rural households. Accordingly, this study was conducted to assess the food security status of rural households in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality. The study also sought to identify the socio-economic characteristics that influence household food security status. The research relied on primary data. Primary data were collected by using a structured questionnaire, which covered both demographic features of respondent households, and their recent food consumption patterns. The household survey was conducted among 272 participants of Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality. Statistical tools employed in this study included both descriptive and inferential statistics. The main descriptive statistics used were frequency tables, means and percentages in relation to a number of demographic characteristics and food security indicators. The main indicator of food security/insecurity used in the study was the Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS). After calculating the HDDS for each household, households were defined as either food secure or insecure depending on whether their HDDS was above or below the average HDDS. A logistic regression model (binary or dichotomous) was then used to identify socio-economic factors that influence some households to have above-average rather than below-average food security levels. The Binary logistic regression model revealed that four out of eight variables included in the model were significant in explaining the variation in the food security situation of households in the study areas, namely age of household head, education level of household head, household income and household size. Of these, the first three were positively associated with aboveaverage food security status, while household size had a negative association. A Tobit model was further used to identify the determinants of the household dietary diversity score. The exact same variables were significant from the Tobit analysis, and in the same manner.
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Sedimentology and shale gas potential of the Ecca Group, Karoo Supergroup in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Nemanashi , Tshisikhaiwe
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Sedimentology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/14616 , vital:40023
- Description: The aim of the study was to establish a deeper understanding on the stratigraphy, sedimentology, petrology, organic geochemistry and diagenesis of the Ecca Group, and to provide new insight on the shale gas occurrence and potential of the Ecca Group, Karoo Supergroup in the southern Karoo Basin. The Ecca Group stratigraphy is divided into five formations from the bottom upwards, namely the Prince Albert, Whitehill, Collingham, Ripon and the Fort Brown Formations. The stratigraphy of the five studied stratigraphy’s formations is now sub-divided into two new different members each. These subdivision was based on field investigation of lithological features, sedimentary structures, facies characteristics and stratigraphic correlation points. Each member has been assigned a lithological name. Sixteen sedimentary facies have been identified in the study area and were subdivided into six distinctive facies associations (FA 1, FA 2, FA 3, FA 4, FA 5 and FA 6). Sedimentological characteristics of facies associations identified indicate that the Ecca Group sediments initially accumulated in a deep marine environment, progressed through turbidite, shallow marine and ended in lacustrine and deltaic environments. The stratigraphic succession of the Ecca Group constitutes a perfect regression sequence, indicating that the marine water gradually retreated and the sea-level gradually dropped. Grain size analysis was performed on twenty four Ecca Group sandstone samples. Statistical parameters of grain-size statistical parameters, linear discriminate functions, passega diagrams and bivariate analysis were used to reveal the hydrodynamic conditions and depositional environments. The results indicated that the Ecca Group sandstones are mostly fine to very fine grained, near-symmetrical, mesokurtic and indicative of dominance of low energy environments. The linear discriminate function analysis for the Prince Albert, Whitehill, Collingham and Ripon Formations samples indicates that the majority of the deposits were by turbidity currents all in a deep marine environment; whilst of the Fort Brown Formation samples are lacustrine/deltaic deposits. The depositional mechanism C-M plot indicates that majority of the Ecca Group sediments clustered in the PQ and QR field suggesting deposition mainly by suspension, rolling or saltation as well as graded suspension. Modal mineral composition analysis indicates that the main framework grains of the Ecca Group sandstones are quartz, feldspar as well as lithic fragments derived from metamorphic, igneous and sedimentary rocks with a few from volcanic origin. The Ecca Group sandstones iii are immature compositionally and can be classified as feldspathic wackes and lithic wackes. The QFL ternary diagram revealed a dissected and recycled orogen arc provenance; whereas QmFLt ternary diagram point to dissected arc and transitional arc sources to an active continental margin as well as recycled provenance. These provenance characteristics suggest a metamorphic and plutonic terrains influence as the main source rock with minor debris derived from recycled sedimentary rocks. The weathering diagram and semi-quantitative weathering index suggests that the sandstones from the Ecca are mostly from a plutonic source area under arid to humid climatic conditions. The detrital modal compositions of these Ecca Group sandstones are related to a strike-slip setting, back arc to continental margin setting. Diagenetic features of the Ecca sandstones and shales are subdivided into early, late (burial) and uplift-related diagenetic stages. Mechanical compaction, recrystallization, cementation, replacement and the dissolution of framework grains or cements are some of the main diagenetic processes that largely affected the Ecca sediments. Early diagenetic processes include cementation, point/planar contact, formation of pyrite, hematite cements and mineral inversions. Recrystallization, replacement, compaction, overgrowth, albitization, seritisation, illitization, concave-convex and suture contacts as well as dissolution took place mostly in the later diagenetic stage due to increase of temperature and pressure as burial depth increased. The uplift-related diagenetic stage was mostly affected by deformation and fracturing, calcitization, dissolution, erosion and weathering. Diagenetic processes largely affected the porosity and permeability of the reservoir rock properties of the Ecca Group. Organic geochemistry results indicate that the sediments were highly weathered and the TOC values ranging from 0.10 to 7.35 wt% with mostly less than 0.5%, which indicate the source rocks have poor oil potential. The majority of the Ecca Shales have HI values less than 50 mg HC/g, TOC indicating Type-IV kerogen mostly derived from reworked organic matter with very little hydrocarbon generation potential. The relatively high Tmax (oC) and vitrinite reflective values indicate that most shales are thermally over-matured thus they have low hydrocarbon pontential.
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Sequencing, assembly and annotation of the mitochondrial and plastid genomes of Gelidium pristoides (Turner) Kützing from Kenton-on-Sea, South Africa
- Authors: Mangali, Sandisiwe
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Gelidium -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19109 , vital:39883
- Description: The genome is the complete set of an organism's hereditary information that contains all the information necessary for the functioning of that organism. Complete nuclear, mitochondrial and plastid DNA constitute the three main types of genomes which play interconnected roles in an organism. Genome sequencing enables researchers to understand the regulation and expression of the various genes and the proteins they encode. It allows researchers to extract and analyse genes of interests for a variety of studies including molecular, biotechnological, bioinformatics and conservation and evolutionary studies. Genome sequencing of Rhodophyta has received little attention. To date, no published studies are focusing on both whole genome sequencing and sequencing of the organellar genomes of Rhodophyta species found in along the South African coastline. This study focused on genome sequencing, assembly and annotation mitochondrial and plastid genomes of Gelidium pristoides. Gelidium pristoides was collected from Kenton-on-Sea and was morphologically identified at Rhodes University. Its genomic DNA was extracted using the Nucleospin® Plant II kit and quantified using Qubit 2.0, Nanodrop and 1% agarose gel electrophoresis. The Ion Plus Fragment Library kit was used for the preparation of a 600 bp library, which was sequenced in two separate runs through the Ion S5 platform. The produced reads were quality-controlled through the Ion Torrent server version 5.6. and assessed using the FASTQC program. The SPAdes version 3.11.1 assembler was used to assemble the quality-controlled reads, and the resultant genome assembly was quality-assessed using the QUAST 4.1 software. The mitochondrial genome was selected from the produced Gelidium pristoides draft genome using mitochondrial genomes of other Gelidiales as search queries on the local BLAST algorithm of the BioEdit software. Contigs matching the organellar genomes were ordered according to the mitochondrial genomes of other Gelidiales using the trial version of Geneious R11.12 software. The plastid genome was also selected following the same approach but using plastid genomes of Gelidium elegans and Gelidium vagum as search queries. Gaps observed in the organellar genomes were closed by amplification of the relevant gap using polymerase chain reaction with newly designed primers and Sanger sequencing. Open reading frames for both organellar genomes were annotated using the NCBI ORF-Finder and alignments obtained from BlastN and BlastX searches from the NCBI database, while the tRNAs and rRNAs were identified using the tRNAscan-SE1.21 vi and the RNAmmer 1.2 servers. The circular physical map of the mitochondrial genome was constructed using the CGView server. Lastly, in silico analysis of cytochrome c oxidase 3 and Heat Shock Protein 70 was performed using the PRIMO and the SWISS-MODEL pipelines respectively. Their phylogenies were analysed through Clustal omega and the trees viewed on TreeView 1.6.6 software. Qubit and Nanodrop genomic DNA qualification revealed A260/A280 and A230/A260 ratios of 1.81 and 1.52 respectively. The 1% agarose gel electrophoresis further confirmed the good quality of the genomic DNA used for library preparation and sequencing. Pre-assembly quality control of reads resulted in a total of 30 792 074 high-quality reads which were assembled into a total of 94140 contigs, making up an estimated genome length of 217.06 Mb. The largest contig covered up to 13.17 kb of the draft genome, and an N50 statistic value of 3.17 kb was obtained. The G.pristoides mitochondrial genome mapped into a circular molecule of 25012 bp, with an overall GC content of 31.04% and a total of 45 genes distributed into 20 tRNA-coding, 2 rRNAcoding genes and 23 protein-coding genes, mostly adopting the modified genetic code of Rhodophyta. The SecY and rps12 genes overlapped by 41 bp. This study presents a partial plastid genome composed of 89 (38%) fully annotated genes, of which 71 are protein-coding, and 18 are distributed among 15 tRNA-coding, 2 rRNA-coding and 1 RNaseP RNA-coding genes. Sixty-one (26%) partial protein-coding genes were predicted, while approximately 84 (36%) genes are not yet predicted. In silico analysis of the cytochrome c oxidase and heat shock protein 70 showed that the gene sequences obtained in this study and the resultant transcribed protein have sequences and structures that are similar to those from several other different species, thus validating the integrity of the genome sequences. This study provides genomic data necessary for understanding the genomic constituent of G.pristoides and serve as a foundation for studies of individual genes and for resolving evolutionary relationships.
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