Implementation of gender equality policies to enhance female leadership in Zimbabwean universities : towards a comprehensive framework
- Chitsamatanga, Bellita Banda
- Authors: Chitsamatanga, Bellita Banda
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Sex differences in education Discrimination in education Women executives
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13571 , vital:39680
- Description: This study critically examined the implementation of gender equality policies to enhance female leadership in Zimbabwean universities. Three theoretical frameworks were adopted for this study which were: The feminist critical policy analysis, top-down and bottom-up policy implementation theories. Within this study an interpretive paradigm which aligned with the qualitative approach and the case study design to better understand the phenomena were adopted. The study covered two state universities in Zimbabwe which were purposively selected. The participants who comprised Pro Vice Chancellors, Deputy Registrars Human Resources, Faculty Deans, Director of Gender Schools, Senior Administrative Registrars, Chairpersons of Departments and males and female academics were also purposively selected. Semi structured interviews, focus group discussion and document analysis were used as data collection instruments. Data were analysed using content analysis and the emerging results were organised into different themes reflective of the participant’s responses. The findings of the study presuppose that the state universities Zimbabwe were implementing gender sensitive organisational culture through open door policy and this promoted transformational leadership in both universities. The study revealed that both universities consulted internal and external gender experts and top-down and bottom-up consultations were made during policy formulation. It was discovered from the study that both universities had also utilised gender mainstreaming and affirmative action as strategies for promoting female leadership and gender equality. Despite teaching and learning, community engagement, research, recruitment and promotions which were used to promote the gender agenda, there were indications that these were being implemented in a haphazard manner. This adversely influenced active participation of females in decision making processes. The collected data also showed that both universities had enacted gender structures which were in line with international, regional and national gender policies and conventions and were being used to irradiate the importance of having gender parity in top positions. The findings of the study further illuminated that monitoring and evaluation of the gender equality policy and programs in place to advance females to leadership positions had not been done, leading to major impediments to achievement of gender balance. There also emerged a number of challenges which were uniform in both universities namely; lack of gender knowledge; commitment, lack of gender training and workshops, lack of consultation using bottom-up approach, gender budgeting and inadequate resources. Though the above mentioned were identified as encumbering features in both universities there was a substantiation of pockets of good practices. These were; implementation of gender equality policy, involvement of internal and external gender experts to policy formulation; promotion of shared power and authentic leadership through transparent selection of chairperson of departments; gender workshop and training; staff development programmes; enactment of gender structures, enhanced community engagement and liaison with NGOs to promote gender agenda at all levels. Regardless of the number of hurdles that indicate that universities continue to be fraught with challenges in promoting female leadership, the pockets of good practices are evidence that both universities are making positive strides through the implementation of gender equality policies to enhance female leadership. Therefore, to benchmark changes in universities, the study recommends that transformational leadership must permeate in all university structures to promote an organisational culture that is gender sensitive. There must be adequate resources, gender training and workshops; focal persons and points; commitment and political will, gender experts from governmental to ministerial levels and satellite gender structures. Monitoring and evaluation should be carried out in both universities and this should be guided by a framework so as to assist universities to tap into female empowerment and gender equality that will promote the interests of both genders, while retaining the quality and excellence in universities. Lastly, the findings of the study and the extant literature are indicative that enhancement of female leadership in universities is currently affected by a number of challenges. Therefore, as part of redress, the researcher recommends a comprehensive framework which illuminates pockets of good practices in implementing gender equality policies to enhance female leadership in universities.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Chitsamatanga, Bellita Banda
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Sex differences in education Discrimination in education Women executives
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13571 , vital:39680
- Description: This study critically examined the implementation of gender equality policies to enhance female leadership in Zimbabwean universities. Three theoretical frameworks were adopted for this study which were: The feminist critical policy analysis, top-down and bottom-up policy implementation theories. Within this study an interpretive paradigm which aligned with the qualitative approach and the case study design to better understand the phenomena were adopted. The study covered two state universities in Zimbabwe which were purposively selected. The participants who comprised Pro Vice Chancellors, Deputy Registrars Human Resources, Faculty Deans, Director of Gender Schools, Senior Administrative Registrars, Chairpersons of Departments and males and female academics were also purposively selected. Semi structured interviews, focus group discussion and document analysis were used as data collection instruments. Data were analysed using content analysis and the emerging results were organised into different themes reflective of the participant’s responses. The findings of the study presuppose that the state universities Zimbabwe were implementing gender sensitive organisational culture through open door policy and this promoted transformational leadership in both universities. The study revealed that both universities consulted internal and external gender experts and top-down and bottom-up consultations were made during policy formulation. It was discovered from the study that both universities had also utilised gender mainstreaming and affirmative action as strategies for promoting female leadership and gender equality. Despite teaching and learning, community engagement, research, recruitment and promotions which were used to promote the gender agenda, there were indications that these were being implemented in a haphazard manner. This adversely influenced active participation of females in decision making processes. The collected data also showed that both universities had enacted gender structures which were in line with international, regional and national gender policies and conventions and were being used to irradiate the importance of having gender parity in top positions. The findings of the study further illuminated that monitoring and evaluation of the gender equality policy and programs in place to advance females to leadership positions had not been done, leading to major impediments to achievement of gender balance. There also emerged a number of challenges which were uniform in both universities namely; lack of gender knowledge; commitment, lack of gender training and workshops, lack of consultation using bottom-up approach, gender budgeting and inadequate resources. Though the above mentioned were identified as encumbering features in both universities there was a substantiation of pockets of good practices. These were; implementation of gender equality policy, involvement of internal and external gender experts to policy formulation; promotion of shared power and authentic leadership through transparent selection of chairperson of departments; gender workshop and training; staff development programmes; enactment of gender structures, enhanced community engagement and liaison with NGOs to promote gender agenda at all levels. Regardless of the number of hurdles that indicate that universities continue to be fraught with challenges in promoting female leadership, the pockets of good practices are evidence that both universities are making positive strides through the implementation of gender equality policies to enhance female leadership. Therefore, to benchmark changes in universities, the study recommends that transformational leadership must permeate in all university structures to promote an organisational culture that is gender sensitive. There must be adequate resources, gender training and workshops; focal persons and points; commitment and political will, gender experts from governmental to ministerial levels and satellite gender structures. Monitoring and evaluation should be carried out in both universities and this should be guided by a framework so as to assist universities to tap into female empowerment and gender equality that will promote the interests of both genders, while retaining the quality and excellence in universities. Lastly, the findings of the study and the extant literature are indicative that enhancement of female leadership in universities is currently affected by a number of challenges. Therefore, as part of redress, the researcher recommends a comprehensive framework which illuminates pockets of good practices in implementing gender equality policies to enhance female leadership in universities.
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Implementing the green city policy in municipal spatial planning : the case of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Authors: Dlani, Abongile
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Climatic changes--South Africa--Eastern Cape City planning--Environmental aspects--South Africa--Eastern Cape Sustainable buildings--South Africa--Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Administration
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15583 , vital:40476
- Description: The term “eco-city,” and similar concepts such as “green” and “sustainable” cities, has evolved over time concurrent to the development of the understanding of social change and mankind’s impact on environmental and economic health. With the advent of climate change impacts, modern economies developed the green city policy to create sustainable urban development, low emission, and environmentally friendly cities. In South Africa municipalities, including Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) have been tasked to develop and implement the green city policy. However, BCMM is yet to develop the green city policy that clearly articulate how the municipality will combat climate change and reduce its GHG omissions in its spatial planning designs.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Dlani, Abongile
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Climatic changes--South Africa--Eastern Cape City planning--Environmental aspects--South Africa--Eastern Cape Sustainable buildings--South Africa--Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Administration
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15583 , vital:40476
- Description: The term “eco-city,” and similar concepts such as “green” and “sustainable” cities, has evolved over time concurrent to the development of the understanding of social change and mankind’s impact on environmental and economic health. With the advent of climate change impacts, modern economies developed the green city policy to create sustainable urban development, low emission, and environmentally friendly cities. In South Africa municipalities, including Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) have been tasked to develop and implement the green city policy. However, BCMM is yet to develop the green city policy that clearly articulate how the municipality will combat climate change and reduce its GHG omissions in its spatial planning designs.
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In vitro evaluation of antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of olea europaea subsp. africana and euryops brevipapposus used by Cala community folkloric medicine for the management of infections associated with chronic non-communicable diseases
- Authors: Adegborioye, Abiodun
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Antioxidants , Medicinal plants , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4869 , vital:28624
- Description: Chronic non-communicable diseses are a global public health challenge that continuously threatens the development and health of humans. Risk factors such as unbalanced diet-the high consumption of processed food or food from animal origin are responsible for NCDs. NCDs result in weakened immune system, making the host susceptible to opportunistic infections. Thus, the NCDs burden is most times chronic and multiple with the illness and suffering of the affected person numerous. The lack of cure for NCDs, the high cost of drugs, their high side-effects, and the emergence of multiple drug resistance has given rise to the investigation of other sources for therapeutic cure such as medicinal plants. The ethanol, n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of Olea europaea were analysed for their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The essential oil was also analysed for their chemical constituents. The n-hexane extracts of O. europaea exhibited no inhibition against all of the microorganisms tested, while the ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts exhibited inhibition, with minimum inhibitory concentration values between 0.625 mg/ml to 1.25 mg/ml. The ethanol leaf and ethyl acetate stem extracts exhibited significant activity in the inhibition of 2, 2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazolin - 6-sulfonic acid diammonium salt (ABTS) free radical, the n-hexane leaf extract had the overall significant lipid peroxidation inhibition activity, while in the inhibition of 2, 2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), the ethanol and ethyl acetate leaf extracts had strong activity. Nonanal, phytol, α-Pinene, α-Phellandrene, spatulenol and farnesol were some of chemical components identified after the GC-MS analysis of O. europaea oil. In the final part of the dissertation, Euryops brevipapposus essential oil was assessed for the antioxidant activities using free radical scavenging assays. In addition to this, the antimicrobial activities were assessed and the chemical composition was analysed using GC-MS. The essential oil demonstrated significant antioxidant activity against 2, 2-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl free radical (DPPH), 2, 2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and lipid peroxides with IC50 value of 0.0000000671 mg/ml, 1.05 mg/ml, and 1.170 mg/ml respectively. The essential oil also showed significant activity against all microorganisms tested with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values between 0.055 mg/ml to 0.5 mg/ml. α-pinene, α- Phellandrene, germacrene D, β-pinene, trans- β.-Ocimene, bicyclogermacrene and β -Phellandrene were some of the chemical compounds identified in E. brevipapposus oil. The study has shown that E. brevipapposus and O. europaea are abundant in phytochemical compounds which were thought to be the root cause for the activities demonstrated. Therefore, these therapeutic properties observed validate and elucidate the traditional usage of the both plants in the treatment /management of diseases.
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- Authors: Adegborioye, Abiodun
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Antioxidants , Medicinal plants , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4869 , vital:28624
- Description: Chronic non-communicable diseses are a global public health challenge that continuously threatens the development and health of humans. Risk factors such as unbalanced diet-the high consumption of processed food or food from animal origin are responsible for NCDs. NCDs result in weakened immune system, making the host susceptible to opportunistic infections. Thus, the NCDs burden is most times chronic and multiple with the illness and suffering of the affected person numerous. The lack of cure for NCDs, the high cost of drugs, their high side-effects, and the emergence of multiple drug resistance has given rise to the investigation of other sources for therapeutic cure such as medicinal plants. The ethanol, n-hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of Olea europaea were analysed for their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The essential oil was also analysed for their chemical constituents. The n-hexane extracts of O. europaea exhibited no inhibition against all of the microorganisms tested, while the ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts exhibited inhibition, with minimum inhibitory concentration values between 0.625 mg/ml to 1.25 mg/ml. The ethanol leaf and ethyl acetate stem extracts exhibited significant activity in the inhibition of 2, 2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazolin - 6-sulfonic acid diammonium salt (ABTS) free radical, the n-hexane leaf extract had the overall significant lipid peroxidation inhibition activity, while in the inhibition of 2, 2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), the ethanol and ethyl acetate leaf extracts had strong activity. Nonanal, phytol, α-Pinene, α-Phellandrene, spatulenol and farnesol were some of chemical components identified after the GC-MS analysis of O. europaea oil. In the final part of the dissertation, Euryops brevipapposus essential oil was assessed for the antioxidant activities using free radical scavenging assays. In addition to this, the antimicrobial activities were assessed and the chemical composition was analysed using GC-MS. The essential oil demonstrated significant antioxidant activity against 2, 2-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl free radical (DPPH), 2, 2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and lipid peroxides with IC50 value of 0.0000000671 mg/ml, 1.05 mg/ml, and 1.170 mg/ml respectively. The essential oil also showed significant activity against all microorganisms tested with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values between 0.055 mg/ml to 0.5 mg/ml. α-pinene, α- Phellandrene, germacrene D, β-pinene, trans- β.-Ocimene, bicyclogermacrene and β -Phellandrene were some of the chemical compounds identified in E. brevipapposus oil. The study has shown that E. brevipapposus and O. europaea are abundant in phytochemical compounds which were thought to be the root cause for the activities demonstrated. Therefore, these therapeutic properties observed validate and elucidate the traditional usage of the both plants in the treatment /management of diseases.
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Incidence and molecular characterization of Hepatitis E virus from swine herds in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa
- Authors: Adelabu, Olusesan Adeyemi
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Hepatitis -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Virology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13966 , vital:39734
- Description: Hepatitis E virus-mediated infection is a serious public health concern in economically developing nations of the world. Globally, four major genotypes of HEV have been documented and the swine HEV identified to date in different countries belongs to either genotype 3 or 4. It has been reported to cross species barrier and cause infections in humans. Hence, Hepatitis E has been suggested to be zoonotic owing to the increase of evidence through various studies. Thus far, genotypes 1 and 2 are exclusively found in human population. However, little data are available regarding the occurrence of HEV in South Africa, especially in the Eastern Cape Province. Hence, this study was designed to assess the prevalence of Hepatitis E Virus among swine herd in selected communal and commercial farms in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. A total of 160 faecal samples were collected from swine herds in Amathole and Chris Hani District Municipalities of Eastern Cape Province and screened for the presence of HEV. Faecal samples were collected, using sterile swabs, from swine between the age of 2 to 6 months old, placed on ice and transported to the laboratory for further analysis. Viral RNA extraction was carried out followed by nested reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was used for amplification, after which the amplified products were examined by electrophoresis and viewed under ultraviolet illumination. The positive PCR products were sent for sequencing. Of the 160 faecal samples screened, only seven were positive (4.4percent) for HEV. The nucleotide sequence analyses revealed isolates UFT 01-03 sharing 82percent to 99percent identities with other strains with accession numbers KX896664, KX896665 and KX896666 and UMCF 01-04 with KX896667, KX896668, KX896669 and KX896670 from different regions of the world Phylogenetic analysis also showed that all seven isolates from this study clustered with both human and swine HEV from different geographical regions of the world especially with Japan Human and swine strains, Netherland swine HEV strains (AY032758, AF332620) and human HEV strain from France (JQ763611). We conclude that HEV is present among swine in the Eastern Cape Province, albeit in low incidence, and this does have public health implications. There is need for maintenance of high hygienic standards in order to prevent human infections through swine faecal materials and appropriate cooking of pork is highly advised.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Adelabu, Olusesan Adeyemi
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Hepatitis -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Virology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13966 , vital:39734
- Description: Hepatitis E virus-mediated infection is a serious public health concern in economically developing nations of the world. Globally, four major genotypes of HEV have been documented and the swine HEV identified to date in different countries belongs to either genotype 3 or 4. It has been reported to cross species barrier and cause infections in humans. Hence, Hepatitis E has been suggested to be zoonotic owing to the increase of evidence through various studies. Thus far, genotypes 1 and 2 are exclusively found in human population. However, little data are available regarding the occurrence of HEV in South Africa, especially in the Eastern Cape Province. Hence, this study was designed to assess the prevalence of Hepatitis E Virus among swine herd in selected communal and commercial farms in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. A total of 160 faecal samples were collected from swine herds in Amathole and Chris Hani District Municipalities of Eastern Cape Province and screened for the presence of HEV. Faecal samples were collected, using sterile swabs, from swine between the age of 2 to 6 months old, placed on ice and transported to the laboratory for further analysis. Viral RNA extraction was carried out followed by nested reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was used for amplification, after which the amplified products were examined by electrophoresis and viewed under ultraviolet illumination. The positive PCR products were sent for sequencing. Of the 160 faecal samples screened, only seven were positive (4.4percent) for HEV. The nucleotide sequence analyses revealed isolates UFT 01-03 sharing 82percent to 99percent identities with other strains with accession numbers KX896664, KX896665 and KX896666 and UMCF 01-04 with KX896667, KX896668, KX896669 and KX896670 from different regions of the world Phylogenetic analysis also showed that all seven isolates from this study clustered with both human and swine HEV from different geographical regions of the world especially with Japan Human and swine strains, Netherland swine HEV strains (AY032758, AF332620) and human HEV strain from France (JQ763611). We conclude that HEV is present among swine in the Eastern Cape Province, albeit in low incidence, and this does have public health implications. There is need for maintenance of high hygienic standards in order to prevent human infections through swine faecal materials and appropriate cooking of pork is highly advised.
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Indigenous forests level of deforestation, forest dependency and factors determining willingness to participate in indigenous forest conservation: evidence from resettled farmers of Shamva, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Chivheya, Renias V
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Forest conservation -- Zimbabwe Forests and forestry -- Economic aspects -- Zimbabwe Deforestation -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2370 , vital:27786
- Description: This study first explored the rate of forest deforestation in Shamva resettlement areas. It then identified and estimated the extent to which these resettled farmers depend on forest for their livelihoods. Evaluation of farmer perceptions on management issues and willingness to participate in indigenous forest conservation and the socio-economic and institutional factors which affect their willingness to participate were also done. Finally the study sought to identify incentives for forests conservation. The study was conducted in Shamva district in Mashonaland Central province. And the respondents were stratified into three groups: A1, A2 and Old resettlement models. The three models differ on how they were implemented and supported which might render them to have different deforestation rates, livelihood strategies and forest dependency. A total of 247 respondents were surveyed, consisting of 98 A1 farmers, 50 A2 farmers and 99 Old resettled farmers. The data was collected using GIS and remote sensing, structured questionnaire interviews and direct observation. The data was analysed using descriptive analysis, KAP analytic framework and binary logistic regression analysis. The land cover/changes results revealed that both deforestation and afforestation are taking place in Shamva resettlement. Woodland and bushland were decreasing, croplands were also decreasing. However woodland dense and grasslands were increasing. Deforestation was found to be as a result of the resettled farmers’ livelihood strategies which were found to be diverse and agriculture being dominant in all models. All the farmers depended on the forest but at varying levels of 19 percent for Old and 14 percent forA1 and 0.02 percent for A2 resettle farmers. 84 percent of the interviewed farmers however, indicated that they are willing to conserve forest with A1 farmers being the highest followed by A2 86 percent and lastly Old resettled farmers at 76.8 percent. Results of the binary regression model revealed that the significant factors which explain willingness to participate in indigenous forest conservation are age, marital status, education, gender, institution, culture and belief, employment and household size. The highest preferred incentive was the provision of free seedlings and the lowest was out grower scheme. The study recommends that GIS and remote sensing should be used to monitor deforestation, off farm projects be encouraged, exotic and indigenous trees be promoted and forest conservation education be promoted in resettlement areas.
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- Authors: Chivheya, Renias V
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Forest conservation -- Zimbabwe Forests and forestry -- Economic aspects -- Zimbabwe Deforestation -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2370 , vital:27786
- Description: This study first explored the rate of forest deforestation in Shamva resettlement areas. It then identified and estimated the extent to which these resettled farmers depend on forest for their livelihoods. Evaluation of farmer perceptions on management issues and willingness to participate in indigenous forest conservation and the socio-economic and institutional factors which affect their willingness to participate were also done. Finally the study sought to identify incentives for forests conservation. The study was conducted in Shamva district in Mashonaland Central province. And the respondents were stratified into three groups: A1, A2 and Old resettlement models. The three models differ on how they were implemented and supported which might render them to have different deforestation rates, livelihood strategies and forest dependency. A total of 247 respondents were surveyed, consisting of 98 A1 farmers, 50 A2 farmers and 99 Old resettled farmers. The data was collected using GIS and remote sensing, structured questionnaire interviews and direct observation. The data was analysed using descriptive analysis, KAP analytic framework and binary logistic regression analysis. The land cover/changes results revealed that both deforestation and afforestation are taking place in Shamva resettlement. Woodland and bushland were decreasing, croplands were also decreasing. However woodland dense and grasslands were increasing. Deforestation was found to be as a result of the resettled farmers’ livelihood strategies which were found to be diverse and agriculture being dominant in all models. All the farmers depended on the forest but at varying levels of 19 percent for Old and 14 percent forA1 and 0.02 percent for A2 resettle farmers. 84 percent of the interviewed farmers however, indicated that they are willing to conserve forest with A1 farmers being the highest followed by A2 86 percent and lastly Old resettled farmers at 76.8 percent. Results of the binary regression model revealed that the significant factors which explain willingness to participate in indigenous forest conservation are age, marital status, education, gender, institution, culture and belief, employment and household size. The highest preferred incentive was the provision of free seedlings and the lowest was out grower scheme. The study recommends that GIS and remote sensing should be used to monitor deforestation, off farm projects be encouraged, exotic and indigenous trees be promoted and forest conservation education be promoted in resettlement areas.
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Individualism, collectivism and gender as correlates of the work ethic among the employees in a government department in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Gwelo, Blessing
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Individualism Collectivism Work ethic
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Industrial Psychology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11608 , vital:39089
- Description: This study investigated the relationship between individualism, collectivism and gender among the employees at the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development situated in East London, South Africa. Individualism, collectivism and gender were used as independent variables in the study while the work ethic was used as the dependent variable. Data was gathered from a random sample of 260 employees in the Department. A questionnaire consisting of three parts was used for data collection. To gather biographical and occupational data, a self-designed 5-item questionnaire was used. The 65 item Multidimensional Work Ethic Profile (MWEP) scale Miller et al. (2002) was used to measure the work ethic. A 16-item individualism/collectivism scale (also known as the Culture Orientation Scale) formulated by Triandis & Gelfand (1998) was used in the research to measure individualism/collectivism. Data analysis was done by means of various statistical techniques, including the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Technique and Multiple Regression Analysis. The results indicated that there is a significant positive correlation between individualism and the work ethic, noting that a positive correlation for individualism implies a negative correlation for collectivism. The results of this study also found males showing to have higher work ethic than females. The results indicated that individualism/collectivism and gender together do not account for a higher proportion of variance in work ethic than any of the two separately. The study, therefore, recommends that managers must do all in their power to promote the growth and development of work ethic in their organisations through encouraging individualism, and through striving to increase the work ethic in females.
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- Authors: Gwelo, Blessing
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Individualism Collectivism Work ethic
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Industrial Psychology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11608 , vital:39089
- Description: This study investigated the relationship between individualism, collectivism and gender among the employees at the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development situated in East London, South Africa. Individualism, collectivism and gender were used as independent variables in the study while the work ethic was used as the dependent variable. Data was gathered from a random sample of 260 employees in the Department. A questionnaire consisting of three parts was used for data collection. To gather biographical and occupational data, a self-designed 5-item questionnaire was used. The 65 item Multidimensional Work Ethic Profile (MWEP) scale Miller et al. (2002) was used to measure the work ethic. A 16-item individualism/collectivism scale (also known as the Culture Orientation Scale) formulated by Triandis & Gelfand (1998) was used in the research to measure individualism/collectivism. Data analysis was done by means of various statistical techniques, including the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Technique and Multiple Regression Analysis. The results indicated that there is a significant positive correlation between individualism and the work ethic, noting that a positive correlation for individualism implies a negative correlation for collectivism. The results of this study also found males showing to have higher work ethic than females. The results indicated that individualism/collectivism and gender together do not account for a higher proportion of variance in work ethic than any of the two separately. The study, therefore, recommends that managers must do all in their power to promote the growth and development of work ethic in their organisations through encouraging individualism, and through striving to increase the work ethic in females.
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Investigating the role of the South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod in introducing learners to music career
- Authors: Sibene, Vuyelwa
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Choral music -- South Africa , Choral singing -- Instruction and study -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26382 , vital:65298
- Description: This research investigates the role of South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod (SASCE) in introducing learners in high schools to music career. It attempts to identify learners in grade 12 who want to study music at university and students who were involved in SASCE and are now in university. These learners and students have limited music background and are/were involved in the South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod (SASCE) program. Within the study, I felt to also include a graduated music student to validate the study. The study proceeds with the investigation by exploring numerous areas such as SASCE as a music program, music education, music careers, national curriculum, music literacy etc. Also, I write about the background to the study in which I share my motivation and experiences about the SASCE programme and how it influenced me and other former SASCE participants’ decisions about musical careers. Data collection is executed through the involvement of the sampled learner and students through participating in semi-structured interview, document analysis and personal observations. Four interviews which were in qualitative method were conducted with 4 participants, one interview each participant was in a semi-structure form. Interviews were aimed in recognizing the current status of the learner/students in music literacy and are they coping in their respected places of study. The data is analyzed using a qualitative analyses technique. Further, the study outlines problems and one research question of the investigation, 'To which extent do University music students with limited music background succeed or fail to obtain their music degrees?’. , Thesis (BMUS) -- Faculty of Humanities, 2016
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- Authors: Sibene, Vuyelwa
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Choral music -- South Africa , Choral singing -- Instruction and study -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26382 , vital:65298
- Description: This research investigates the role of South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod (SASCE) in introducing learners in high schools to music career. It attempts to identify learners in grade 12 who want to study music at university and students who were involved in SASCE and are now in university. These learners and students have limited music background and are/were involved in the South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod (SASCE) program. Within the study, I felt to also include a graduated music student to validate the study. The study proceeds with the investigation by exploring numerous areas such as SASCE as a music program, music education, music careers, national curriculum, music literacy etc. Also, I write about the background to the study in which I share my motivation and experiences about the SASCE programme and how it influenced me and other former SASCE participants’ decisions about musical careers. Data collection is executed through the involvement of the sampled learner and students through participating in semi-structured interview, document analysis and personal observations. Four interviews which were in qualitative method were conducted with 4 participants, one interview each participant was in a semi-structure form. Interviews were aimed in recognizing the current status of the learner/students in music literacy and are they coping in their respected places of study. The data is analyzed using a qualitative analyses technique. Further, the study outlines problems and one research question of the investigation, 'To which extent do University music students with limited music background succeed or fail to obtain their music degrees?’. , Thesis (BMUS) -- Faculty of Humanities, 2016
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Job Engagement and Coping Strategies as Moderators of the Relationship between Occupational Stress and Burnout among Police Officers in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Dywili, Mtutuzeli
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Police -- Job stress -- South Africa -- Eastern cape Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Work -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/7697 , vital:30707
- Description: Police work in South Africa is demanding and stressful. Literature reveals that occupational stress when fully manifest amount to emotional burnout. It was therefore the aim of this study to examine job engagement and coping strategies as moderators of the relationship between occupational stress and burnout among police officers. Using a sample of 377 police officers from the Eastern Cape, South Africa, data was collected using various scales namely; the Effort – Reward Imbalance (ERI) questionnaire (occupational stress), the Maslach Burnout Inventory – General Survey MBI-GS (emotional burnout), the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (job engagement), and the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced questionnaire (coping strategies). Correlation tests and regression analysis were ministered on the data to test the research hypotheses. The major finding of the study indicated that job engagement and coping strategies collectively significantly moderate the relationship between occupational stress and emotional burnout. However, job engagement on its own was reported to be an insignificant moderator of the relationship between occupational stress and emotional burnout.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Dywili, Mtutuzeli
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Police -- Job stress -- South Africa -- Eastern cape Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Work -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/7697 , vital:30707
- Description: Police work in South Africa is demanding and stressful. Literature reveals that occupational stress when fully manifest amount to emotional burnout. It was therefore the aim of this study to examine job engagement and coping strategies as moderators of the relationship between occupational stress and burnout among police officers. Using a sample of 377 police officers from the Eastern Cape, South Africa, data was collected using various scales namely; the Effort – Reward Imbalance (ERI) questionnaire (occupational stress), the Maslach Burnout Inventory – General Survey MBI-GS (emotional burnout), the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (job engagement), and the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced questionnaire (coping strategies). Correlation tests and regression analysis were ministered on the data to test the research hypotheses. The major finding of the study indicated that job engagement and coping strategies collectively significantly moderate the relationship between occupational stress and emotional burnout. However, job engagement on its own was reported to be an insignificant moderator of the relationship between occupational stress and emotional burnout.
- Full Text:
Learners' views regarding their effective participation in school governance
- Authors: Munikwa, Julius
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Student participation in administration
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Education
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16013 , vital:40582
- Description: Effective learner participation for the development of Representative Council of Learners (RCL) governors in school governance (SG) is of great essence. A qualitative study was conducted in order to assess the learners’ views regarding their lived views and experiences in SG. Twenty four (24) RCL and class representatives from three data sites comprising three high schools in East Cape, in the East London District Education participated in the study. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and document analysis from two convenient and one snowball samples, respectively. From each school, a chairperson, a secretary and six focus group discussions (FDGs) members were utilised as participants in order to enrich the study. In doing so, the study made use of Wilcox’s ladder of participation as the lens to unpack the learners’ views regarding their effective participation in school governance. This ladder includes information, consultation, deciding together, acting together and supporting independent community interests. The findings showed that learner participation in both township and former Model C schools is significant. However, a number of pertinent factors that make the voices of learner governors to be stifled emerged. These include lack of capacity building, exclusion from other meetings, dominance of adult governors, lack of collaboration and the fact that learners have to be seen as being respectful and disciplined when in meetings with parents. This makes them to accept their role as a tool for middlemen between the parents, teachers and fellow students. These make the field of effective learner participation uneven, hence making them window dressers and have pseudo contributions in SG. The study therefore suggested that learners should be capacitated to make effective and meaningful contribution in school governance. Learners should work collaboratively with adult governors to enhance effective participation in SG.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Munikwa, Julius
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Student participation in administration
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Education
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16013 , vital:40582
- Description: Effective learner participation for the development of Representative Council of Learners (RCL) governors in school governance (SG) is of great essence. A qualitative study was conducted in order to assess the learners’ views regarding their lived views and experiences in SG. Twenty four (24) RCL and class representatives from three data sites comprising three high schools in East Cape, in the East London District Education participated in the study. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and document analysis from two convenient and one snowball samples, respectively. From each school, a chairperson, a secretary and six focus group discussions (FDGs) members were utilised as participants in order to enrich the study. In doing so, the study made use of Wilcox’s ladder of participation as the lens to unpack the learners’ views regarding their effective participation in school governance. This ladder includes information, consultation, deciding together, acting together and supporting independent community interests. The findings showed that learner participation in both township and former Model C schools is significant. However, a number of pertinent factors that make the voices of learner governors to be stifled emerged. These include lack of capacity building, exclusion from other meetings, dominance of adult governors, lack of collaboration and the fact that learners have to be seen as being respectful and disciplined when in meetings with parents. This makes them to accept their role as a tool for middlemen between the parents, teachers and fellow students. These make the field of effective learner participation uneven, hence making them window dressers and have pseudo contributions in SG. The study therefore suggested that learners should be capacitated to make effective and meaningful contribution in school governance. Learners should work collaboratively with adult governors to enhance effective participation in SG.
- Full Text:
Leisure time and holiday aspirations of black upper middle class in East London
- Authors: Ngozwana, Baselwa
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Social classes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Lifestyles -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6380 , vital:29600
- Description: This study examined the holiday and leisure aspirations of the new upper black middle class in East London using qualitative approach. The study investigated aspirations of the black middle class on international travels through the lens of Veblen’s (2002) conspicuous consumption theory which entails that black middle class citizens spend in order to assert their status and belongingness to the middle class. The aim of the study was to understand their holiday and leisure aspirations, what the idea is behind or what motivates their international travels, their travel experiences and class affirmations. This exploration included the challenges and frustrations such as Ebola scare, racism, issues with foreign exchange and variations from these international visits. Data was collected through interviews with upper black middle class who are based in the Buffalo City Metro Municipality in East London, Eastern Cape. Findings from this study revealed that consumption patterns of the emerging black middle class to diverge substantially from the other groups, in terms of greater signalling of social status via visible consumption and preoccupation with reducing an historical asset deficit. Various themes emerged as meanings attached to international travelling and leisure by those black middle class international travellers. These are sense of wealth, status, religion, self-esteem, sense of reward, bonding with friends and conspicuous/visible consumption.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ngozwana, Baselwa
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Social classes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Lifestyles -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6380 , vital:29600
- Description: This study examined the holiday and leisure aspirations of the new upper black middle class in East London using qualitative approach. The study investigated aspirations of the black middle class on international travels through the lens of Veblen’s (2002) conspicuous consumption theory which entails that black middle class citizens spend in order to assert their status and belongingness to the middle class. The aim of the study was to understand their holiday and leisure aspirations, what the idea is behind or what motivates their international travels, their travel experiences and class affirmations. This exploration included the challenges and frustrations such as Ebola scare, racism, issues with foreign exchange and variations from these international visits. Data was collected through interviews with upper black middle class who are based in the Buffalo City Metro Municipality in East London, Eastern Cape. Findings from this study revealed that consumption patterns of the emerging black middle class to diverge substantially from the other groups, in terms of greater signalling of social status via visible consumption and preoccupation with reducing an historical asset deficit. Various themes emerged as meanings attached to international travelling and leisure by those black middle class international travellers. These are sense of wealth, status, religion, self-esteem, sense of reward, bonding with friends and conspicuous/visible consumption.
- Full Text:
Management factors influencing lamb survival from birth to weaning in two ecologically different resource-limited communal farming systems
- Authors: Lungu, Nobuhle
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Lambs Communal rangelands Lambs--Feeding and feeds
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Animal Science
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11806 , vital:39108
- Description: The objective of the study was to determine the management factors influencing lamb survival from birth to weaning in two ecologically different resource-limited communal farming systems. An annual flock monitoring study in the sourveld and sweetveld regions was preceded by a household check-all-that-apply (CATA). Lamb management practices and constraints faced in raising lambs in the two regions were determined using the check-all-that-apply technique. The results showed that the majority of the households were male headed (75.70percent) and consisted of the elderly (˃50 years, 79.44percent) who were not employed (82.24percent) and had attended primary school (67.29percent). Wool production was ranked the most important reason for keeping sheep in the two regions. The CATA revealed that the management systems between the two regions differed significantly (p˂0.05) in terms of assisting sheep at lambing, attending to twin births and dipping of mature lambs. Farmers‘ age was associated with the type of management performed (p ˂0.05). None of the farmers in the two regions performed navel dipping. Some of the reported constraints in the sweetveld were theft, diarrhoea and drought while predators and cold weather were the major constraints in the sourveld. The CATA identified vaccination and dipping as the major missing practices in both regions. The study showed differences in the use and choice of CATA terms which suggests that a ―one-size-fits-all‖ approach to solving poor management and sheep production constraints is not applicable. In the monitoring study, the results showed that veld type had no significant effect on the birth weights (2.0±0.09 kg) of the lambs. Type of birth had a significant effect (p<0.05) on the birth weights of the lambs. Single born lambs were 0.41kg heavier (p<0.05) than twin lambs. Single born lambs, however, showed an improvement in weights at 90 and 120 days where they had slightly higher weights than single born lambs. Male lambs were significantly (p<0.05) heavier (2.3±0.12 kg) than the female lambs (1.7±0.06 kg) at birth. The lamb birth were highest (P<0.05) in the hot-dry season. Lambs born in the cold-dry season were the lightest (1.63±0.13 kg). Lambs born in the post- rainy and hot-wet season were not significantly different (P<0.05). Weaning weights were not affected by veld type, birth type and sex, but were affected by season of birth. The lambs born in the hot-dry season had the highest weaning weights. The sourveld had a total pre-weaning mortality of 10.6percent while the sweetveld had a total pre-weaning mortality of 14.2percent. Animal housing from both veld types was poorly designed in terms of security against stock theft, drainage, hygiene, overhead shelter from the rain as well as access to feed and water. It was concluded that lamb management practices in the two regions were not the same. Performance of lambs before weaning differed according to veld type which played a role in feed availability during different seasons.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Lungu, Nobuhle
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Lambs Communal rangelands Lambs--Feeding and feeds
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Animal Science
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11806 , vital:39108
- Description: The objective of the study was to determine the management factors influencing lamb survival from birth to weaning in two ecologically different resource-limited communal farming systems. An annual flock monitoring study in the sourveld and sweetveld regions was preceded by a household check-all-that-apply (CATA). Lamb management practices and constraints faced in raising lambs in the two regions were determined using the check-all-that-apply technique. The results showed that the majority of the households were male headed (75.70percent) and consisted of the elderly (˃50 years, 79.44percent) who were not employed (82.24percent) and had attended primary school (67.29percent). Wool production was ranked the most important reason for keeping sheep in the two regions. The CATA revealed that the management systems between the two regions differed significantly (p˂0.05) in terms of assisting sheep at lambing, attending to twin births and dipping of mature lambs. Farmers‘ age was associated with the type of management performed (p ˂0.05). None of the farmers in the two regions performed navel dipping. Some of the reported constraints in the sweetveld were theft, diarrhoea and drought while predators and cold weather were the major constraints in the sourveld. The CATA identified vaccination and dipping as the major missing practices in both regions. The study showed differences in the use and choice of CATA terms which suggests that a ―one-size-fits-all‖ approach to solving poor management and sheep production constraints is not applicable. In the monitoring study, the results showed that veld type had no significant effect on the birth weights (2.0±0.09 kg) of the lambs. Type of birth had a significant effect (p<0.05) on the birth weights of the lambs. Single born lambs were 0.41kg heavier (p<0.05) than twin lambs. Single born lambs, however, showed an improvement in weights at 90 and 120 days where they had slightly higher weights than single born lambs. Male lambs were significantly (p<0.05) heavier (2.3±0.12 kg) than the female lambs (1.7±0.06 kg) at birth. The lamb birth were highest (P<0.05) in the hot-dry season. Lambs born in the cold-dry season were the lightest (1.63±0.13 kg). Lambs born in the post- rainy and hot-wet season were not significantly different (P<0.05). Weaning weights were not affected by veld type, birth type and sex, but were affected by season of birth. The lambs born in the hot-dry season had the highest weaning weights. The sourveld had a total pre-weaning mortality of 10.6percent while the sweetveld had a total pre-weaning mortality of 14.2percent. Animal housing from both veld types was poorly designed in terms of security against stock theft, drainage, hygiene, overhead shelter from the rain as well as access to feed and water. It was concluded that lamb management practices in the two regions were not the same. Performance of lambs before weaning differed according to veld type which played a role in feed availability during different seasons.
- Full Text:
Management practices, milk quality, haemato-chemical biomarkers of free ranging pregnant goats from three genotypes and linear body measurements of their respective kids
- Idamokoro, Emrobowansan Monday
- Authors: Idamokoro, Emrobowansan Monday
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Milk--Quality Biochemical markers Goat milk
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Animal Science
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11548 , vital:39082
- Description: The broad objective of this study was to assess farmers’ perceptions on the welfare and management practices of pregnant goats and to determine the effect of genotypes and physiological status on doe’s performance (blood metabolites and milk quality) and their respective kid’s linear body measurements of goats reared in an extensive system of production. A survey was conducted among 153 goat farmers to assess their perception on goat mortality and management practices during and after gestation period. The results from the survey showed that 98.7percent of the farmers depended on pastures to feed their pregnant and lactating does. Majority of the farmers (59.9percent) did not vaccinate their dams against diseases before using them for breeding purposes. An aggregate of 77.8percent respondents allowed their does to mate freely on the veld. Most of the respondents (75.2percent) kept their pregnant goats together with other flocks in mud floor pen (kraals) fenced with tree branches. Farmers indicated that, poor diet (32percent), disease (24 percent) and predators (15percent) were some factors that cause mortality in pregnant does. About 66.7percent respondents perceived that, quality diet is a factor that can boost the reproductive performance of pregnant goats. The haemato-biochemical parameters of Nguni, Boer and Non-descript goats at late and early lactation revealed that, Nguni goat had higher (P ˂ 0.05) values of red cell counts (13.37 x1011/L), haemoglobin (9.07 g/dL) and creatine kinase (269.54 U/L) compared to Boer (9.96 x 1011/L, 7.94 g/ dL and 132.16 U/L) and Non-descript goats (12.98 x 1011 /L, 7.85 g/ dL and 143.50 U/L), respectively. The Nguni goats also had higher (P ˂ 0.05) mean values of glucose (3.38 mmol/L), sodium (141.66 mmol/L) and urea content (5.51 mmol/L) compared to Boer (2.96 mmol/L, 135.70 mmol/L and 4.45 mmol/L) and Non-descript goats (2.50 mmol/L, 141.31 mmol/L and 3.90 mmol/L), respectively. The results of blood metabolites also revealed that, there was significant difference (P < 0.05) in the physiological status of goats. The late stage of pregnancy had higher mean values of red cell counts (14.44 x 1011 /L), haemoglobin (8.57 g/dL), haematocrit (0.67 L/L), glucose (3.12 mmol/L), sodium (141.74 mmol/L) and calcium content (2.37 mmol/L) compared to the early stage of lactation (9.77 x 1011/ L, 8.00 g /dL, 0.55 L/L, 2.77 mmol/L, 137.37 mmol/L and 2.23 mmol/L), respectively. Furthermore, it was revealed that, Nguni goats produced (1.2±0.09, 1.3±0.11 and 1.2±0.07 litres per day) more milk (P ˂ 0.05) at early, mid and late stages of lactation than Boer (0.6±0.10, 1.0±0.17 and 0.6±0.09 litres per day) and Non-descript (0.3±0.10, 0.3±0.12 and 0.3±0.09 litres per day) goats. There was significant difference (P ˂ 0.05) of genotypes on milk fat, milk magnesium and sodium contents among Nguni, Boer and Non-descript goats. Lactation stages had a significant effect (P ˂ 0.05) on some milk compositions (fat, protein, lactose and solid non-fat) and mineral profiles (Ca, Mg, Na, K, and Fe) of Nguni goats. Lactation stages had a significant effect (P ˂ 0.05) on fat, protein, lactose and solid non-fat content and mineral profiles (Ca, Mg, Na, K, and Fe) of Nguni goats. Milk protein content of Nguni goat was positively correlated to milk fat but, not in Boer and Non-descript goats. Milk quality parameters from the three goat genotypes possessed relatively moderate milk compositions and mineral profiles which is comparable to some exotic goat breeds. Nguni kids had higher mean weights (7.36 kg, 11.85 kg and 13.72 kg) than the Boer kids (5.20 kg, 7.18 kg and 10.20 kg) and the Non-descript goat kids (5.23 kg, 6.19 kg and 8.01 kg) at weeks 4, 6 and 8 after parturition, respectively. In terms of height at withers, the Nguni kids had higher mean values in heights (41.92 cm, 44.71 cm, 49.38 cm and 55.75 cm) than the Boer kids (35.67 cm, 37.14 cm, 42.40 and 44.20 cm) and the Non-descript kids (36.38 cm, 40.20 cm, 41.14 cm and 43.50 cm) at week 2, 4, 6 and 8 after parturition, respectively. Conversely, there was a positive correlation (P ˂ 0.05) between body lengths and live weights of Nguni goats and not in Boer and Non-descript goats. It was concluded from this study that, the indigenous Nguni, Boer and Non-descript pregnant goats were managed in poor conditions by communal farmers and the perceived causes of mortality of pregnant goats among others include poor feed, diseases and predators. In addition, the Nguni goats had higher mean values in some haematological parameters (red cell counts and haemoglobin) and serum biochemical profiles (glucose, sodium, urea and creatine kinase) than Boer and Non-descript goats during the periods of investigation. Nguni goats also produced more milk at the early and late stages of lactation compared to the Boer and Non-descript goats. The Non-descript goats had a higher mean value of milk fat compared to Nguni and Boer goats. Likewise, the Boer goats were observed to have higher mean value of milk magnesium and sodium content compared to Nguni and Non-descript goats. In terms of body weights and linear body measurments, the Nguni goat kids were superior compared to Boer and Non-descript goats.
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Idamokoro, Emrobowansan Monday
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Milk--Quality Biochemical markers Goat milk
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Animal Science
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11548 , vital:39082
- Description: The broad objective of this study was to assess farmers’ perceptions on the welfare and management practices of pregnant goats and to determine the effect of genotypes and physiological status on doe’s performance (blood metabolites and milk quality) and their respective kid’s linear body measurements of goats reared in an extensive system of production. A survey was conducted among 153 goat farmers to assess their perception on goat mortality and management practices during and after gestation period. The results from the survey showed that 98.7percent of the farmers depended on pastures to feed their pregnant and lactating does. Majority of the farmers (59.9percent) did not vaccinate their dams against diseases before using them for breeding purposes. An aggregate of 77.8percent respondents allowed their does to mate freely on the veld. Most of the respondents (75.2percent) kept their pregnant goats together with other flocks in mud floor pen (kraals) fenced with tree branches. Farmers indicated that, poor diet (32percent), disease (24 percent) and predators (15percent) were some factors that cause mortality in pregnant does. About 66.7percent respondents perceived that, quality diet is a factor that can boost the reproductive performance of pregnant goats. The haemato-biochemical parameters of Nguni, Boer and Non-descript goats at late and early lactation revealed that, Nguni goat had higher (P ˂ 0.05) values of red cell counts (13.37 x1011/L), haemoglobin (9.07 g/dL) and creatine kinase (269.54 U/L) compared to Boer (9.96 x 1011/L, 7.94 g/ dL and 132.16 U/L) and Non-descript goats (12.98 x 1011 /L, 7.85 g/ dL and 143.50 U/L), respectively. The Nguni goats also had higher (P ˂ 0.05) mean values of glucose (3.38 mmol/L), sodium (141.66 mmol/L) and urea content (5.51 mmol/L) compared to Boer (2.96 mmol/L, 135.70 mmol/L and 4.45 mmol/L) and Non-descript goats (2.50 mmol/L, 141.31 mmol/L and 3.90 mmol/L), respectively. The results of blood metabolites also revealed that, there was significant difference (P < 0.05) in the physiological status of goats. The late stage of pregnancy had higher mean values of red cell counts (14.44 x 1011 /L), haemoglobin (8.57 g/dL), haematocrit (0.67 L/L), glucose (3.12 mmol/L), sodium (141.74 mmol/L) and calcium content (2.37 mmol/L) compared to the early stage of lactation (9.77 x 1011/ L, 8.00 g /dL, 0.55 L/L, 2.77 mmol/L, 137.37 mmol/L and 2.23 mmol/L), respectively. Furthermore, it was revealed that, Nguni goats produced (1.2±0.09, 1.3±0.11 and 1.2±0.07 litres per day) more milk (P ˂ 0.05) at early, mid and late stages of lactation than Boer (0.6±0.10, 1.0±0.17 and 0.6±0.09 litres per day) and Non-descript (0.3±0.10, 0.3±0.12 and 0.3±0.09 litres per day) goats. There was significant difference (P ˂ 0.05) of genotypes on milk fat, milk magnesium and sodium contents among Nguni, Boer and Non-descript goats. Lactation stages had a significant effect (P ˂ 0.05) on some milk compositions (fat, protein, lactose and solid non-fat) and mineral profiles (Ca, Mg, Na, K, and Fe) of Nguni goats. Lactation stages had a significant effect (P ˂ 0.05) on fat, protein, lactose and solid non-fat content and mineral profiles (Ca, Mg, Na, K, and Fe) of Nguni goats. Milk protein content of Nguni goat was positively correlated to milk fat but, not in Boer and Non-descript goats. Milk quality parameters from the three goat genotypes possessed relatively moderate milk compositions and mineral profiles which is comparable to some exotic goat breeds. Nguni kids had higher mean weights (7.36 kg, 11.85 kg and 13.72 kg) than the Boer kids (5.20 kg, 7.18 kg and 10.20 kg) and the Non-descript goat kids (5.23 kg, 6.19 kg and 8.01 kg) at weeks 4, 6 and 8 after parturition, respectively. In terms of height at withers, the Nguni kids had higher mean values in heights (41.92 cm, 44.71 cm, 49.38 cm and 55.75 cm) than the Boer kids (35.67 cm, 37.14 cm, 42.40 and 44.20 cm) and the Non-descript kids (36.38 cm, 40.20 cm, 41.14 cm and 43.50 cm) at week 2, 4, 6 and 8 after parturition, respectively. Conversely, there was a positive correlation (P ˂ 0.05) between body lengths and live weights of Nguni goats and not in Boer and Non-descript goats. It was concluded from this study that, the indigenous Nguni, Boer and Non-descript pregnant goats were managed in poor conditions by communal farmers and the perceived causes of mortality of pregnant goats among others include poor feed, diseases and predators. In addition, the Nguni goats had higher mean values in some haematological parameters (red cell counts and haemoglobin) and serum biochemical profiles (glucose, sodium, urea and creatine kinase) than Boer and Non-descript goats during the periods of investigation. Nguni goats also produced more milk at the early and late stages of lactation compared to the Boer and Non-descript goats. The Non-descript goats had a higher mean value of milk fat compared to Nguni and Boer goats. Likewise, the Boer goats were observed to have higher mean value of milk magnesium and sodium content compared to Nguni and Non-descript goats. In terms of body weights and linear body measurments, the Nguni goat kids were superior compared to Boer and Non-descript goats.
- Full Text: false
Mechanism and synchronicity of wheat (Triticum aestivum) resistance to leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) and Russian wheat aphid (Duiraphis noxia) SA1
- Authors: Njom, Henry Akum
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Wheat -- Disease and pest resistance Bacterial diseases of plants Russian wheat aphid
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2700 , vital:28056
- Description: Wheat (Triticum aestivum and T. Durum) is an extremely important agronomic crop produced worldwide. Wheat consumption has doubled in the last 30 years with approximately 600 million tons consumed per annum. According to the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, worldwide wheat demand will increase over 40 percent by 2020, while land as well as resources available for the production will decrease significantly if the current trend prevails. The wheat industry is challenged with abiotic and biotic stressors that lead to reduction in crop yields. Increase knowledge of wheat’s biochemical constitution and functional biology is of paramount importance to improve wheat so as to meet with this demand. Pesticides and fungicides are being used to control biotic stress imposed by insect pest and fungi pathogens but these chemicals pose a risk to the environment and human health. To this effect, there is re-evaluation of pesticides currently in use by the Environmental Protection Agency, via mandates of the 1996 Food Quality Protection Act and those with higher perceived risks are banned. Genetic resistance is now a more environmental friendly and effective method of controlling insect pest and rust diseases of wheat than the costly spraying with pesticides and fungicides. Although, resistant cultivars effectively prevent current prevailing pathotypes of leaf rust and biotypes of Russian wheat aphid from attacking wheat, new pathotypes and biotypes of the pathogen/pest may develop and infect resistant cultivars. Therefore, breeders are continually searching for new sources of resistance. Proteomic approaches can be utilised to ascertain target enzymes and proteins from resistant lines that could be utilised to augment the natural tolerance of agronomically favourable varieties of wheat. With this ultimate goal in mind, the aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanism and synchronicity of wheat resistance to leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) and Russian wheat aphid (Duiraphis noxia) SA1. To determine the resistance mechanism of the wheat cultivars to leaf rust infection and Russian wheat aphid infestation, a proteomics approach using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was used in order to determine the effect of RWA SA1 on the wheat cultivars proteome. Differentially expressed proteins that were up or down regulated (appearing or disappearing) were identified using PDQuestTM Basic 2-DE Gel analysis software. Proteins bands of interest were in-gel trypsin digested as per the protocol described in Schevchenko et al. (2007) and analysed using a Dionex Ultimate 3000 RSLC system coupled to an AB Sciex 6600 TripleTOF mass spectrometer. Protein pilot v5 using Paragon search engine (AB Sciex) was used for comparison of the obtained MS/MS spectra with a custom database containing sequences of Puccinia triticina (Uniprot Swissprot), Triticum aestivum (Uniprot TrEMBL) and Russian wheat aphid (Uniprot TrEMBL) as well as a list of sequences from common contaminating proteins. Proteins with a threshold of ≥99.9 percent confidence were reported. A total of 72 proteins were putatively identified from the 37 protein spots excised originating from either leaf rust or Russian wheat aphid experiments. Sixty-three of these proteins were associated with wheat response to stress imposed by RWA SA1 feeding while 39 were associated with infection by Puccinia triticina. Several enzymes involved in the Calvin cycle, electron transport and ATP synthesis were observed to be differentially regulated suggesting greater metabolic requirements in the wheat plants following aphid infestation and leaf rust infection. Proteins directly associated with photosynthesis were also differentially regulated following RWA SA1 infestation and P.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Njom, Henry Akum
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Wheat -- Disease and pest resistance Bacterial diseases of plants Russian wheat aphid
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2700 , vital:28056
- Description: Wheat (Triticum aestivum and T. Durum) is an extremely important agronomic crop produced worldwide. Wheat consumption has doubled in the last 30 years with approximately 600 million tons consumed per annum. According to the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, worldwide wheat demand will increase over 40 percent by 2020, while land as well as resources available for the production will decrease significantly if the current trend prevails. The wheat industry is challenged with abiotic and biotic stressors that lead to reduction in crop yields. Increase knowledge of wheat’s biochemical constitution and functional biology is of paramount importance to improve wheat so as to meet with this demand. Pesticides and fungicides are being used to control biotic stress imposed by insect pest and fungi pathogens but these chemicals pose a risk to the environment and human health. To this effect, there is re-evaluation of pesticides currently in use by the Environmental Protection Agency, via mandates of the 1996 Food Quality Protection Act and those with higher perceived risks are banned. Genetic resistance is now a more environmental friendly and effective method of controlling insect pest and rust diseases of wheat than the costly spraying with pesticides and fungicides. Although, resistant cultivars effectively prevent current prevailing pathotypes of leaf rust and biotypes of Russian wheat aphid from attacking wheat, new pathotypes and biotypes of the pathogen/pest may develop and infect resistant cultivars. Therefore, breeders are continually searching for new sources of resistance. Proteomic approaches can be utilised to ascertain target enzymes and proteins from resistant lines that could be utilised to augment the natural tolerance of agronomically favourable varieties of wheat. With this ultimate goal in mind, the aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanism and synchronicity of wheat resistance to leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) and Russian wheat aphid (Duiraphis noxia) SA1. To determine the resistance mechanism of the wheat cultivars to leaf rust infection and Russian wheat aphid infestation, a proteomics approach using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was used in order to determine the effect of RWA SA1 on the wheat cultivars proteome. Differentially expressed proteins that were up or down regulated (appearing or disappearing) were identified using PDQuestTM Basic 2-DE Gel analysis software. Proteins bands of interest were in-gel trypsin digested as per the protocol described in Schevchenko et al. (2007) and analysed using a Dionex Ultimate 3000 RSLC system coupled to an AB Sciex 6600 TripleTOF mass spectrometer. Protein pilot v5 using Paragon search engine (AB Sciex) was used for comparison of the obtained MS/MS spectra with a custom database containing sequences of Puccinia triticina (Uniprot Swissprot), Triticum aestivum (Uniprot TrEMBL) and Russian wheat aphid (Uniprot TrEMBL) as well as a list of sequences from common contaminating proteins. Proteins with a threshold of ≥99.9 percent confidence were reported. A total of 72 proteins were putatively identified from the 37 protein spots excised originating from either leaf rust or Russian wheat aphid experiments. Sixty-three of these proteins were associated with wheat response to stress imposed by RWA SA1 feeding while 39 were associated with infection by Puccinia triticina. Several enzymes involved in the Calvin cycle, electron transport and ATP synthesis were observed to be differentially regulated suggesting greater metabolic requirements in the wheat plants following aphid infestation and leaf rust infection. Proteins directly associated with photosynthesis were also differentially regulated following RWA SA1 infestation and P.
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Mitigation of the effect of father imprisonment on the family: a study of social work intervention strategies in Raymond Mhlaba local municipality
- Authors: Tshaka, Akhona
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Social work with single parents Single mothers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Single parents -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Single-parent families -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4435 , vital:28334
- Description: The South African population is highly populated by single mothered families. Fatherlessness has emerged as one of the greatest social problems, especially as children who grow up in families with absent-fathers suffer lasting damage. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of fathers’ imprisonment on the functioning of the family and social work interventions to mitigate the effect. The study used mixed method research design. Data was collected through the use of questionnaires and in-depth interviews. This study employed three sampling strategies; namely multi-stage sampling and purposive sampling as well as snow-ball sampling. The sample was made up of 65 members of families whose father is in prison or had been to prision and 15 social work officials. Qalitative data was analyised using themes and parrtens that emerged during interviews with participants, quantitative data was analysed using SPSS computer softerwere. Findings revealed that father’s imprisonment has negative impact that causes dysfunctional families. The negative effect is due to the loss of a father figure and a provider of the family. Inequality and stigmatisation among family members were also found to cause dysfunctional families after the father’s imprisonment. Findings from social work officials revealed social service interventions to mollify the family dysfunctions. However, majority of families are provided services through offender re-integration, others lack unawareness regarding social work interventions for families with fathers in prison. Findings further reveal that resources are limited to enhance the provision of adequate and better psychosocial support for affected families in order to alleviate the undesirable impact of father’s imprisonment. There is therefore a compelling need for implementing policies that will enable dysfunctional families with fathers imprison to access adequate psychosocial support services. The study also recommended that, social welfare system should be strengthened by embarking on enlightenment programmes that create awareness about family based interventions for dysfunction families with fathers in prison.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Tshaka, Akhona
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Social work with single parents Single mothers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Single parents -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Single-parent families -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4435 , vital:28334
- Description: The South African population is highly populated by single mothered families. Fatherlessness has emerged as one of the greatest social problems, especially as children who grow up in families with absent-fathers suffer lasting damage. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of fathers’ imprisonment on the functioning of the family and social work interventions to mitigate the effect. The study used mixed method research design. Data was collected through the use of questionnaires and in-depth interviews. This study employed three sampling strategies; namely multi-stage sampling and purposive sampling as well as snow-ball sampling. The sample was made up of 65 members of families whose father is in prison or had been to prision and 15 social work officials. Qalitative data was analyised using themes and parrtens that emerged during interviews with participants, quantitative data was analysed using SPSS computer softerwere. Findings revealed that father’s imprisonment has negative impact that causes dysfunctional families. The negative effect is due to the loss of a father figure and a provider of the family. Inequality and stigmatisation among family members were also found to cause dysfunctional families after the father’s imprisonment. Findings from social work officials revealed social service interventions to mollify the family dysfunctions. However, majority of families are provided services through offender re-integration, others lack unawareness regarding social work interventions for families with fathers in prison. Findings further reveal that resources are limited to enhance the provision of adequate and better psychosocial support for affected families in order to alleviate the undesirable impact of father’s imprisonment. There is therefore a compelling need for implementing policies that will enable dysfunctional families with fathers imprison to access adequate psychosocial support services. The study also recommended that, social welfare system should be strengthened by embarking on enlightenment programmes that create awareness about family based interventions for dysfunction families with fathers in prison.
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Molecular characterization of Mycobacterium bovis isolated from cattle and sputum specimens from humans in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa : public health and economic implication
- Authors: Bhembe, Nolwazi Londiwe
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Mycobacterium tuberculosis -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Public health -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13238 , vital:39625
- Description: Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by the members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), which infects both animals and humans. The primary host of Mycobacterium bovis is cattle. It remains a major global health problem. About 2 billion people are thought to be infected with TB and about 1.3 million decease each year from the disease. This study is aimed at determining the prevalence of the disease, characterizing the MTBC isolates and increasing the understanding of the genetic diversity MTBC in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, from studying both samples from both humans and cattle. A total of 376 cattle lymph nodes were collected from two commercial abattoirs for investigations. Suspected 6 000 sputum specimens were also collected from humans (cattle farmers). All collected samples were cultured, and isolates were confirmed with a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the mpb64 and IS6110 genes. Positive isolates were tested for resistance against anti-TB drugs using the standard Lowenstein Jensen proportion method. Isolates from cattle lymph nodes were further characterized to species level, using the region of deletion 1 (RD1) and oxyR restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses. MIRU-VNTR typing and spoligotyping assays were used to further examine the genetic diversity of all strains. Obtained spoligotype patterns were matched with isolates published in the universal spoligotyping database (SITVIT2). MTBC was detected in 162 (43.09 percent) cattle lymph nodes and 156 sputum specimens. Some isolates 25.9 percent (42/162) from the cattle lymph nodes samples were resistant to rifampicin (RIF) and 98.7 percent (154/156) were resistant to isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF) (of the human sputum specimens). All cattle lymph nodes isolates exhibited the RD1 gene, and the oxyR analyses classified 96.9 percent of the isolates as Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and 3.1 percent as Mycobacterium bovis. Twenty seven spoligotype patterns were isolated from cattle lymph nodes, with 10 shared types (SIT) consigned to 5 lineages, including Bov_4-Caprea (1.9 percent), Microti (0.6 percent) and Beijing (17.9 percent) constituting East Asian, Latin-American-Mediterranean (LAM) (3.7 percent), X (4.3 percent), MANU (3.1percent), S (0.6 percent) and 67.9 percent were orphans that were further categorized to their designated lineages (Indo-Oceanic, Euro-American and West-African 2). Ninety one percent of the isolates from humans (farmers) were grouped into 7 clusters by spoligotyping, while the remaining 9 percent was unclustered. SITs were observed in 89.6 percent of the isolates from the Beijing, LAM, X, T and S families. The Beijing family was the most prevalent strain from both human isolates (77.2 percent) and cattle lymph nodes isolates (17.9 percent), and the T (0.6 percent) and Microti (0.6 percent) families were the least detected genotypes in both humans and cattle lymph nodes. In the cattle lymph nodes, spoligotyping showed a higher clustering rate of 82.1 percent, with the lowest (HGDI) = 0.485. The 12 MIRU-VNTR clustering rate was 64.8 percent, showing a higher HGDI of 0.671. However, a combination of both methods showed a decreased clustering rate of 53.7 percent; however these methods resulted in a higher HGDI (0.676). Isolates from human sputum specimens spoligotyping showed a higher clustering rate of 89 percent with an HGDI = 0.822. The 12 MIRU-VNTR showed the lowest clustering rate of 69 percent and an HGDI = 0.940 and the combination of the methods showed a clustering rate of 78 percent and an HGDI = 0.951. The results of this study show the diversity of MTBC strains in the Eastern Cape Province and the low clustering rate indicates continuing transmission in the province. The detection of MTBC strains from slaughtered cattle lymph nodes in abattoirs confirms the risk of providing TB infected meat in markets which has serious implications for the control of TB in South Africa. The continuing spread of MTBC in South Africa threatens both the public and economic health.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bhembe, Nolwazi Londiwe
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Mycobacterium tuberculosis -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Public health -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13238 , vital:39625
- Description: Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by the members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), which infects both animals and humans. The primary host of Mycobacterium bovis is cattle. It remains a major global health problem. About 2 billion people are thought to be infected with TB and about 1.3 million decease each year from the disease. This study is aimed at determining the prevalence of the disease, characterizing the MTBC isolates and increasing the understanding of the genetic diversity MTBC in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, from studying both samples from both humans and cattle. A total of 376 cattle lymph nodes were collected from two commercial abattoirs for investigations. Suspected 6 000 sputum specimens were also collected from humans (cattle farmers). All collected samples were cultured, and isolates were confirmed with a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the mpb64 and IS6110 genes. Positive isolates were tested for resistance against anti-TB drugs using the standard Lowenstein Jensen proportion method. Isolates from cattle lymph nodes were further characterized to species level, using the region of deletion 1 (RD1) and oxyR restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses. MIRU-VNTR typing and spoligotyping assays were used to further examine the genetic diversity of all strains. Obtained spoligotype patterns were matched with isolates published in the universal spoligotyping database (SITVIT2). MTBC was detected in 162 (43.09 percent) cattle lymph nodes and 156 sputum specimens. Some isolates 25.9 percent (42/162) from the cattle lymph nodes samples were resistant to rifampicin (RIF) and 98.7 percent (154/156) were resistant to isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF) (of the human sputum specimens). All cattle lymph nodes isolates exhibited the RD1 gene, and the oxyR analyses classified 96.9 percent of the isolates as Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and 3.1 percent as Mycobacterium bovis. Twenty seven spoligotype patterns were isolated from cattle lymph nodes, with 10 shared types (SIT) consigned to 5 lineages, including Bov_4-Caprea (1.9 percent), Microti (0.6 percent) and Beijing (17.9 percent) constituting East Asian, Latin-American-Mediterranean (LAM) (3.7 percent), X (4.3 percent), MANU (3.1percent), S (0.6 percent) and 67.9 percent were orphans that were further categorized to their designated lineages (Indo-Oceanic, Euro-American and West-African 2). Ninety one percent of the isolates from humans (farmers) were grouped into 7 clusters by spoligotyping, while the remaining 9 percent was unclustered. SITs were observed in 89.6 percent of the isolates from the Beijing, LAM, X, T and S families. The Beijing family was the most prevalent strain from both human isolates (77.2 percent) and cattle lymph nodes isolates (17.9 percent), and the T (0.6 percent) and Microti (0.6 percent) families were the least detected genotypes in both humans and cattle lymph nodes. In the cattle lymph nodes, spoligotyping showed a higher clustering rate of 82.1 percent, with the lowest (HGDI) = 0.485. The 12 MIRU-VNTR clustering rate was 64.8 percent, showing a higher HGDI of 0.671. However, a combination of both methods showed a decreased clustering rate of 53.7 percent; however these methods resulted in a higher HGDI (0.676). Isolates from human sputum specimens spoligotyping showed a higher clustering rate of 89 percent with an HGDI = 0.822. The 12 MIRU-VNTR showed the lowest clustering rate of 69 percent and an HGDI = 0.940 and the combination of the methods showed a clustering rate of 78 percent and an HGDI = 0.951. The results of this study show the diversity of MTBC strains in the Eastern Cape Province and the low clustering rate indicates continuing transmission in the province. The detection of MTBC strains from slaughtered cattle lymph nodes in abattoirs confirms the risk of providing TB infected meat in markets which has serious implications for the control of TB in South Africa. The continuing spread of MTBC in South Africa threatens both the public and economic health.
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Monitoring changes in vegetation distribution to ascertain the extent of degradation in the savannas of Nkonkobe Local Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Masiza, Wonga
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Savanna ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Land degradation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Vegetation management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2027 , vital:27598
- Description: Savanna degradation is an environmental problem occurring in most countries around the world and it poses threats to biodiversity conservation, the food industry, and other economic sectors. According to FAO, South Africa’s rangelands exhibit the highest rate of fragmentation in comparison to range ecosystems in neighbouring countries including Lesotho and Swaziland, and consensus among researchers is that communal rangelands are more degraded than commercial rangelands. Although researchers and communities have identified the occurrence of land degradation in communal savannas at a local scale, land degradation has been poorly estimated because little has been done to quantify the extent and dynamics of perceived and observed changes associated with land degradation. The main goal of this study is to provide empirical insights on the direction of changes in the communal savannas of Nkonkobe Local Municipality in order to inform policy formulation and implementation. Additional to the communal sites is a private farm included for comparative analysis of trends in communal and commercial savannas. Landsat imagery was used to map, assess, and quantify the extent of land degradation in Nkonkobe Local Municipality, over a period of 30 years between 1984 and 2014. Field investigations were undertaken in June 2015 to acquire reference data to guide supervised classification of Landsat images. Three algorithms (Mahalanobis-distance, Minimum-distance, and Maximum likelihood classification) were compared to identify a classifier that produced the best results. The maximum likelihood classifier produced the best results with classification accuracy levels of 95.24 percent, 89.66 percent, and 95.65 percent for Honeydale Farm, Thyume, and Sheshegu respectively. Regression analysis revealed that both communal and private lands have experienced statistically significant increases in bush encroachment and decreases in surface water. Communal savannas have been confronted more by expansion of built-up area, decrease in open grassland, abandonment of arable land, soil erosion, and a steady invasion by Acacia Karroo compared to the privately owned commercial farm. The land cover changes measured through this investigation suggest an environmental shift that threatens biodiversity and agricultural activity. The study provides empirically informed insights about the direction to which these savannas are changing with the hope that the findings will prompt formulation and implementation of effective policies.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Masiza, Wonga
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Savanna ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Land degradation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Vegetation management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2027 , vital:27598
- Description: Savanna degradation is an environmental problem occurring in most countries around the world and it poses threats to biodiversity conservation, the food industry, and other economic sectors. According to FAO, South Africa’s rangelands exhibit the highest rate of fragmentation in comparison to range ecosystems in neighbouring countries including Lesotho and Swaziland, and consensus among researchers is that communal rangelands are more degraded than commercial rangelands. Although researchers and communities have identified the occurrence of land degradation in communal savannas at a local scale, land degradation has been poorly estimated because little has been done to quantify the extent and dynamics of perceived and observed changes associated with land degradation. The main goal of this study is to provide empirical insights on the direction of changes in the communal savannas of Nkonkobe Local Municipality in order to inform policy formulation and implementation. Additional to the communal sites is a private farm included for comparative analysis of trends in communal and commercial savannas. Landsat imagery was used to map, assess, and quantify the extent of land degradation in Nkonkobe Local Municipality, over a period of 30 years between 1984 and 2014. Field investigations were undertaken in June 2015 to acquire reference data to guide supervised classification of Landsat images. Three algorithms (Mahalanobis-distance, Minimum-distance, and Maximum likelihood classification) were compared to identify a classifier that produced the best results. The maximum likelihood classifier produced the best results with classification accuracy levels of 95.24 percent, 89.66 percent, and 95.65 percent for Honeydale Farm, Thyume, and Sheshegu respectively. Regression analysis revealed that both communal and private lands have experienced statistically significant increases in bush encroachment and decreases in surface water. Communal savannas have been confronted more by expansion of built-up area, decrease in open grassland, abandonment of arable land, soil erosion, and a steady invasion by Acacia Karroo compared to the privately owned commercial farm. The land cover changes measured through this investigation suggest an environmental shift that threatens biodiversity and agricultural activity. The study provides empirically informed insights about the direction to which these savannas are changing with the hope that the findings will prompt formulation and implementation of effective policies.
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Moringa oleifera leaf powder as a functional antioxidant additive in pork droewors
- Authors: Mukumbo, Felicitas Esnart
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Antioxidants , Moringa oleifera , Pork -- Quality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15354 , vital:40400
- Description: The study investigated the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MLP) on physico-chemical characteristics, antioxidant activity, antioxidant compound content and lipid oxidation in pork droëwors. Firstly, the physico-chemical properties (proximate composition, salt content, water activity (aw), pH) of commercially produced droëwors from different types of meat (beef, game, ostrich) were determined. In the second experiment beef and pork droëwors with similar fat content were produced. Physico-chemical properties and lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS)) during processing and 26 days of storage at 25 °C and 50percent relative humidity (RH) were measured. In the third experiment, antioxidant compounds (Total Phenolic Compounds (TPC), α-tocopherol, β-carotene) in MLP were quantified. Thereafter, 4 treatments of pork droëwors were produced, with MLP included at 0, 0.5, 1 and 2 g/ 100 g. Physico-chemical properties and TBARS were measured at intervals during drying (0, 1.5, 5.75, 27.25, 72 h) and after 7 days of storage under ambient conditions. Antioxidant activity (ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)), TBARS, α- and γ-tocopherol, and β-carotene contents were measured. In the fourth experiment, three batches of droëwors were produced (C: no antioxidant, M0.75: 0.75 g/ 100 g MLP, VE: 15 mg/ kg α-tocopherol oil) and stored at 25 °C and 50percent relative humidity for 112 days. Drying kinetics and α-tocopherol contents of pork droëwors after drying were measured and the physico-chemical properties and TBARS were followed during storage. Results showed no differences (P > 0.05) in the physico-chemical characteristics of beef, game meat and ostrich droëwors; containing on average 25.8 ± 1.25 g/100 g moisture, 42.0 ± 0.10 g/100 g protein, 32.0 ± 1.68 g/100 g fat, 6.2 ± 0.13 g/100 g ash and 4.2 ± 0.10 g/100 g salt; with aw and pH of 0.79 ± 0.015 and 5.3 ± 0.05, respectively. During processing and storage, TBARS were higher (P < 0.05) in pork droëwors (maximum 3.83 mg MDA/kg DM) than in beef (maximum 0.99 mg MDA/kg DM). Moringa oleifera leaf powder contained high levels of TPC (7.5 ± 0.2 mg gallic acid eq/g) and substantial levels of α-tocopherol (76.7 ± 1.9 mg/100 g) and β-carotene (23.2 ± 2.8 mg/100 g). The FRAP, α-tocopherol and β-carotene content of pork droëwors increased (P < 0.05) proportionally with increasing levels of MLP inclusion. Lipid oxidation occurred more rapidly (P < 0.05) when MLP was not added and was similar (P > 0.05) for all MLP treatments. There was no significant effect of the inclusion of 0.75 g/100 g MLP on the drying curves and physico-chemical characteristics of the droëwors. The α-tocopherol content was higher (P < 0.05) and TBARS during storage were lower (P > 0.05) with MLP addition. The results of the current study give an overview of the composition of commercial droëwors and showed higher susceptibility to lipid oxidation in pork droëwors. Moringa oleifera leaf powder exhibited antioxidant activity in pork droëwors, inhibited lipid oxidation and increased the content of α-tocopherol in the product. It can be concluded that MLP could be used as a functional antioxidant additive in pork droëwors.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mukumbo, Felicitas Esnart
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Antioxidants , Moringa oleifera , Pork -- Quality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15354 , vital:40400
- Description: The study investigated the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MLP) on physico-chemical characteristics, antioxidant activity, antioxidant compound content and lipid oxidation in pork droëwors. Firstly, the physico-chemical properties (proximate composition, salt content, water activity (aw), pH) of commercially produced droëwors from different types of meat (beef, game, ostrich) were determined. In the second experiment beef and pork droëwors with similar fat content were produced. Physico-chemical properties and lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS)) during processing and 26 days of storage at 25 °C and 50percent relative humidity (RH) were measured. In the third experiment, antioxidant compounds (Total Phenolic Compounds (TPC), α-tocopherol, β-carotene) in MLP were quantified. Thereafter, 4 treatments of pork droëwors were produced, with MLP included at 0, 0.5, 1 and 2 g/ 100 g. Physico-chemical properties and TBARS were measured at intervals during drying (0, 1.5, 5.75, 27.25, 72 h) and after 7 days of storage under ambient conditions. Antioxidant activity (ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)), TBARS, α- and γ-tocopherol, and β-carotene contents were measured. In the fourth experiment, three batches of droëwors were produced (C: no antioxidant, M0.75: 0.75 g/ 100 g MLP, VE: 15 mg/ kg α-tocopherol oil) and stored at 25 °C and 50percent relative humidity for 112 days. Drying kinetics and α-tocopherol contents of pork droëwors after drying were measured and the physico-chemical properties and TBARS were followed during storage. Results showed no differences (P > 0.05) in the physico-chemical characteristics of beef, game meat and ostrich droëwors; containing on average 25.8 ± 1.25 g/100 g moisture, 42.0 ± 0.10 g/100 g protein, 32.0 ± 1.68 g/100 g fat, 6.2 ± 0.13 g/100 g ash and 4.2 ± 0.10 g/100 g salt; with aw and pH of 0.79 ± 0.015 and 5.3 ± 0.05, respectively. During processing and storage, TBARS were higher (P < 0.05) in pork droëwors (maximum 3.83 mg MDA/kg DM) than in beef (maximum 0.99 mg MDA/kg DM). Moringa oleifera leaf powder contained high levels of TPC (7.5 ± 0.2 mg gallic acid eq/g) and substantial levels of α-tocopherol (76.7 ± 1.9 mg/100 g) and β-carotene (23.2 ± 2.8 mg/100 g). The FRAP, α-tocopherol and β-carotene content of pork droëwors increased (P < 0.05) proportionally with increasing levels of MLP inclusion. Lipid oxidation occurred more rapidly (P < 0.05) when MLP was not added and was similar (P > 0.05) for all MLP treatments. There was no significant effect of the inclusion of 0.75 g/100 g MLP on the drying curves and physico-chemical characteristics of the droëwors. The α-tocopherol content was higher (P < 0.05) and TBARS during storage were lower (P > 0.05) with MLP addition. The results of the current study give an overview of the composition of commercial droëwors and showed higher susceptibility to lipid oxidation in pork droëwors. Moringa oleifera leaf powder exhibited antioxidant activity in pork droëwors, inhibited lipid oxidation and increased the content of α-tocopherol in the product. It can be concluded that MLP could be used as a functional antioxidant additive in pork droëwors.
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Normative indicators for grade 3 and grade 7 isiXhosa-speaking children on the Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test (Second Edition)
- Authors: Palmer, Hanli
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Bender-Gestalt Test Psychological tests for children
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6346 , vital:29583
- Description: Selecting appropriate normative data for the purpose of evaluating psychometric test scores forms an integral part of the interpretative psychological assessment process. This highlights the well-known problem of utilising measures developed in the United Kingdom (UK), or the United States (US) and accepting their norms unreservedly for the practice on local populations, which questions the tests’ validity and reliability. The current study, which aimed to collect normative indicators on the Bender Gestalt Test (Second Edition), forms part of the continuing effort to develop norms for psychological tests in South Africa, and to focus on the valid and reliable use of measures within the context of South Africa’s multicultural and multilingual population groups. The participants of the research were Black isiXhosa-speaking Grade 3 and Grade 7 learners aged 8 to 9 years (N = 38 ), and 12 to 13 years (N = 23), obtaining their school education in the disadvantaged educational setting of the former Department of Education and Training (ex-DET) schools. The tests were scored according to the Bender Gestalt Test (Second Edition) manual, using the Global Scoring System. Thereafter, the raw scores were converted to Standard Scores, T-scores and Percentile Ranks using the US normative tables, according to chronological age categories. When the two groups were compared to the US norms, the results equated favourably for the present study sample. There were no significant findings in relation to the classroom size or any difference in performance between the schools who participated. The only significant difference revealed between male and female participants was with the Grade 7 sample group, where the males scored significantly lower than females on the Recall phase. These results support the prospect of the continuous revision of norms, and it is suggesting that the cognitive processes measured by this test are likely to derive from robust neurological substrates that are relatively stable across cultural groups.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Palmer, Hanli
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Bender-Gestalt Test Psychological tests for children
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6346 , vital:29583
- Description: Selecting appropriate normative data for the purpose of evaluating psychometric test scores forms an integral part of the interpretative psychological assessment process. This highlights the well-known problem of utilising measures developed in the United Kingdom (UK), or the United States (US) and accepting their norms unreservedly for the practice on local populations, which questions the tests’ validity and reliability. The current study, which aimed to collect normative indicators on the Bender Gestalt Test (Second Edition), forms part of the continuing effort to develop norms for psychological tests in South Africa, and to focus on the valid and reliable use of measures within the context of South Africa’s multicultural and multilingual population groups. The participants of the research were Black isiXhosa-speaking Grade 3 and Grade 7 learners aged 8 to 9 years (N = 38 ), and 12 to 13 years (N = 23), obtaining their school education in the disadvantaged educational setting of the former Department of Education and Training (ex-DET) schools. The tests were scored according to the Bender Gestalt Test (Second Edition) manual, using the Global Scoring System. Thereafter, the raw scores were converted to Standard Scores, T-scores and Percentile Ranks using the US normative tables, according to chronological age categories. When the two groups were compared to the US norms, the results equated favourably for the present study sample. There were no significant findings in relation to the classroom size or any difference in performance between the schools who participated. The only significant difference revealed between male and female participants was with the Grade 7 sample group, where the males scored significantly lower than females on the Recall phase. These results support the prospect of the continuous revision of norms, and it is suggesting that the cognitive processes measured by this test are likely to derive from robust neurological substrates that are relatively stable across cultural groups.
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Occupational stress and intrinsic motivation as determinants of job engagement in the South African Police Service in Greater Kokstad Municipality
- Authors: Jojo, Avela
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Police -- Job stress -- South Africa Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1995 , vital:27592
- Description: Occupational stress, intrinsic motivation and job engagement are areas of importance for today’s management. The main objective of this study was to explore the combined effect of occupational stress and intrinsic motivation in determining job engagement in the South African Police Service. Moreover, the study investigated the relationship between occupational stress, intrinsic motivation and job engagement. The study also sought to enquire into the effects rank and gender has on the study variables. A quantitative approach was adopted. A structured self – administered questionnaire comprising of four sections: biographical information, police stress questionnaire, intrinsic motivation inventory and job engagement scale was used to collect data. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse data, and both descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized. The results revealed a negative relationship between occupational stress and job engagement. A positive relationship between intrinsic motivation and job engagement was also found. There was no combined effect of occupational stress and intrinsic motivation on job engagement. Lastly, no significant differences in the way police experience stress were found among rank and gender. The researcher concluded that even when police officers are under great amounts of stress they are still engaged in their jobs. Where levels of intrinsic motivation were high for the police officers, so were the levels of job engagement. Demographic variables did not yield any significant relationships to the study variables. These findings are of significance in creating a police force which is productive and meets the goals and objectives of the South African Police Service.
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- Authors: Jojo, Avela
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Police -- Job stress -- South Africa Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1995 , vital:27592
- Description: Occupational stress, intrinsic motivation and job engagement are areas of importance for today’s management. The main objective of this study was to explore the combined effect of occupational stress and intrinsic motivation in determining job engagement in the South African Police Service. Moreover, the study investigated the relationship between occupational stress, intrinsic motivation and job engagement. The study also sought to enquire into the effects rank and gender has on the study variables. A quantitative approach was adopted. A structured self – administered questionnaire comprising of four sections: biographical information, police stress questionnaire, intrinsic motivation inventory and job engagement scale was used to collect data. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse data, and both descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized. The results revealed a negative relationship between occupational stress and job engagement. A positive relationship between intrinsic motivation and job engagement was also found. There was no combined effect of occupational stress and intrinsic motivation on job engagement. Lastly, no significant differences in the way police experience stress were found among rank and gender. The researcher concluded that even when police officers are under great amounts of stress they are still engaged in their jobs. Where levels of intrinsic motivation were high for the police officers, so were the levels of job engagement. Demographic variables did not yield any significant relationships to the study variables. These findings are of significance in creating a police force which is productive and meets the goals and objectives of the South African Police Service.
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Perceptions of indigenous people regarding mental illness at Cacadu district in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa
- Authors: Tilolo, Lwazi
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11930 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021323
- Description: Indigenous people tend to consult traditional healers when a family member manifests change in behaviour, whilst conventional treatment disregards spirituality when preserving mental health. The aim of the study was to explore the perceptions of indigenous people and the role of traditional healers in the management of mentally ill persons within the Cacadu District in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study has adopted a qualitative approach which was exploratory and descriptive in nature. The sample consisted of nine relatives of mental health care users (MHCUs) and six traditional healers. Ethical principles were also taken into consideration by the researcher during the process of conducting the study. Data were collected from two strata, namely, relatives of the MHCUs and the traditional healers and an interview guide was used to conduct in-depth face-to-face interviews. Data were analysed using Tesch’s method of data analysis. Four themes emerged from the data categories and sub categories were identified. According to the themes participants indicated the negative impact of mental illness; as a result they portrayed great desperation regarding the means of accessing a cure for mental illness. Some participants showed insufficient knowledge regarding mental illness and had different perceptions and beliefs regarding the origin of mental illness. Available literature was used to emphasise and support the views that were expressed by both traditional healers and relatives of MHCUs. It has been highlighted from this study that indigenous people of Cacadu District view mental illness as spiritual in origin but they include Western medication for the benefit of the mentally ill. In addition, the relatives of the MHCUs highlighted the economic burden as the major problem that results from mental illness.
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- Authors: Tilolo, Lwazi
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11930 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021323
- Description: Indigenous people tend to consult traditional healers when a family member manifests change in behaviour, whilst conventional treatment disregards spirituality when preserving mental health. The aim of the study was to explore the perceptions of indigenous people and the role of traditional healers in the management of mentally ill persons within the Cacadu District in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study has adopted a qualitative approach which was exploratory and descriptive in nature. The sample consisted of nine relatives of mental health care users (MHCUs) and six traditional healers. Ethical principles were also taken into consideration by the researcher during the process of conducting the study. Data were collected from two strata, namely, relatives of the MHCUs and the traditional healers and an interview guide was used to conduct in-depth face-to-face interviews. Data were analysed using Tesch’s method of data analysis. Four themes emerged from the data categories and sub categories were identified. According to the themes participants indicated the negative impact of mental illness; as a result they portrayed great desperation regarding the means of accessing a cure for mental illness. Some participants showed insufficient knowledge regarding mental illness and had different perceptions and beliefs regarding the origin of mental illness. Available literature was used to emphasise and support the views that were expressed by both traditional healers and relatives of MHCUs. It has been highlighted from this study that indigenous people of Cacadu District view mental illness as spiritual in origin but they include Western medication for the benefit of the mentally ill. In addition, the relatives of the MHCUs highlighted the economic burden as the major problem that results from mental illness.
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