Neotectonics and its applications for the exploration of groundwater in the fractured Karoo aquifers in the Eastern Cape,South Africa
- Authors: Madi, Kakaba
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Water well drilling -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Aquifers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water -- supply engineering -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Prospecting -- Geophysical methods , Groundwater -- Research -- Methodology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geology)
- Identifier: vital:11523 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/362 , Water well drilling -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Aquifers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water -- supply engineering -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Prospecting -- Geophysical methods , Groundwater -- Research -- Methodology
- Description: This study is part of an NRF sponsored research project entitled “Neotectonics and its applications for the exploration of groundwater in the fractured Karoo aquifers in the Eastern Cape” under the NRF Niche area of Water Resources Management and Sustainable Development in the Eastern Cape Province. The identification of relatively highly productive wells in the Karoo fractured aquifers is extremely difficult. This study aims to identify neotectonic zones and lower stress fields, and apply the results to groundwater exploration in the Eastern Cape Province. The methodologies adopted in this study include: a comprehensive literature review, extensive field mapping and investigation such as road cuts, sampling for laboratory studies, examination of seismic data, study of hot and ordinary springs, and interpretation of aerial photography and satellite images. Three main neotectonic belts were identified in the Eastern Cape (southern neotectonic belt, northern neotectonic belt and eastern neotectonic belt) based on literature review and field interpretations. The southern neotectonic belt (from the Cape Fold Belt to the lower Beaufort Group boundary) is characterized by the reactivation of the Coega-Bavianskloof and Sauer faults, the presence of a hot spring near Fort Beaufort, the slickenlines and discrete slickenlines and specifically the seismic events that were recorded in the Eastern Cape from 1850 to 2007. In this southern neotectonic belt the remote sensing has also revealed the presence of the Fort Beaufort fracture, the quartz veins seen in some dolerites and the different vegetation types along it may indicate that this fracture is possibly a fault; moreover the Quaternary sediments and weathered dolerites indicate that the Fort iii Beaufort fracture is characterized by groundwater circulation and accordingly is a good target for groundwater exploration, this fracture is a post-Karoo structure and possibly a neotectonic feature. In addition, the kaolin deposit, chiefly developed in the Dwyka tillite near Grahamstown is clearly controlled by neotectonic fracture zones. The northern neotectonic belt near the country of Lesotho is marked by the presence of the Senqu seismotectonic regime and hot springs. The Quaternary Amatole-Swaziland (formerly Ciskei-Swaziland) axis of uplift makes the eastern part of the province the third neotectonic zone, the asymmetric meanders of the Mbashe river in the vicinity of Qunu near Mthatha derived possibly from this Quaternary uplift; this asymmetric feature of meanders implies that the river has tried to maintain stability of its valley where tilting occurred. Within these neotectonic belts the central part of the Eastern Cape may be considered a static and inactive belt. A northwesterly trend for the maximum principal compresssional stress predominates in the Eastern Cape and is correlated with the present major structural control of the province. The current stress regime determination was derived from faults, joints and quartz veins only on kaolin deposits. Systematic joints reflect regional tectonic stress trajectories at the time of fracturing. Discharge rates of groundwater from boreholes as provided by the Department of Water and Forestry were used to confirm and predict water exploration targets. The region of Tabankulu (near Kwazulu Natal) in the northern neotectonic belt has remarkable discharge rates of groundwater (11.1 l/s, 4.65 l/s, 6.49 l/s, 42 l/s). The region of Mthatha, nearly surrounding the Amatole-Swaziland axis (former Ciskei-Swaziland iv axis) of uplift which might have generated some new faults, has a number of springs. These two regions should serve as case studies for future research. Apart from these two regions, two others regions can be considered as case studies for future groundwater exploration targets: the Bath Farm hot spring near the Fort Beaufort neotectonic fault and the vicinity of what is known as the Fort Beaufort fracture near Teba and Cimezile villages 20km north west of Fort Beaufort. It is concluded that the study of neotectonics and stress fields may be a useful tool for groundwater exploration in the Karoo fractured aquifers in the Eastern Cape, and in similar regions elsewhere in South Africa and in Africa.
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Phishing within e-commerce: reducing the risk, increasing the trust
- Authors: Megaw, Gregory M
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Phishing , Identity theft -- Prevention , Electronic commerce , Computer security , Internet -- Safety measures
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Information Systems)
- Identifier: vital:11131 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/376 , Phishing , Identity theft -- Prevention , Electronic commerce , Computer security , Internet -- Safety measures
- Description: E-Commerce has been plagued with problems since its inception and this study examines one of these problems: The lack of user trust in E-Commerce created by the risk of phishing. Phishing has grown exponentially together with the expansion of the Internet. This growth and the advancement of technology has not only benefited honest Internet users, but has enabled criminals to increase their effectiveness which has caused considerable damage to this budding area of commerce. Moreover, it has negatively impacted both the user and online business in breaking down the trust relationship between them. In an attempt to explore this problem, the following was considered: First, E-Commerce’s vulnerability to phishing attacks. By referring to the Common Criteria Security Model, various critical security areas within E-Commerce are identified, as well as the areas of vulnerability and weakness. Second, the methods and techniques used in phishing, such as phishing e-mails, websites and addresses, distributed attacks and redirected attacks, as well as the data that phishers seek to obtain, are examined. Furthermore, the way to reduce the risk of phishing and in turn increase the trust between users and websites is identified. Here the importance of Trust and the Uncertainty Reduction Theory plus the fine balance between trust and control is explored. Finally, the study presents Critical Success Factors that aid in phishing prevention and control, these being: User Authentication, Website Authentication, E-mail Authentication, Data Cryptography, Communication, and Active Risk Mitigation.
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Population biology and aspects of the socio-spatial organisation of the woodland dormouse Graphiurus Murinus (Desmaret, 1822) in the Great Fish River Reserve, South Africa
- Authors: Madikiza, Zimkitha Josephine Kimberly
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Dormice , Mice , Muridae , Spatial behavior , Territoriality (Zoology) , Crowding stress
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Zoology)
- Identifier: vital:11788 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/443 , Dormice , Mice , Muridae , Spatial behavior , Territoriality (Zoology) , Crowding stress
- Description: The population biology and socio-spatial organisation of the woodland dormouse, Graphiurus murinus (Desmarest, 1822), was investigated in a riverine forest at the Great Fish River Reserve (GFRR), South Africa. Data were collected by means of a monthly live trapping and nestbox monitoring programme. Between February 2006 and June 2007, 75 woodland dormice were trapped and/or found in nestboxes and marked: these were 39 adults (13 males, 21 females, five undetermined) and 36 juveniles (five males, 14 females, 17 undetermined). The population showed a steady increase from June 2006–November 2006 and a peak in December 2006–January 2007 as a result of the influx of juveniles. The minimum number of dormice known to be alive (MNA) varied between 40 in December 2006– January 2007 (summer), and a low of three in June 2007 (winter). The range in population density was therefore between 1.2 and 16 dormice per ha. Winter mortality and/or spring dispersal accounted for the disappearance of 55 percent of juveniles. The overall annual adult:juvenile ratio was 1.08. The overall sex ratio was 1.94 female per one male. In females, reproductive activity was observed from September 2006 to end January 2007. The pattern observed in males was similar, as dormice with descended testes were exclusively found from October to end January. Females gave birth during the second half of October to beginning of February. Litters (n = 11) consisted of an average (± SD) 3.73 ± 0.47 young. Over the study period, 27 dormice were trapped or found in nestboxes more than eight times, thus allowing me to estimate their home range size and the spatial overlap between these individuals. On average, dormouse home range size was 2,514 m2 (range: 319 – 4,863 m2). No difference was recorded between one-year old adults and older adults, or between all adults and juveniles. However, adult male dormice (3,989 m2, n = 5) had home ranges almost twice as large as females (2,091 m2, n = 9). No similar trend was found in juveniles. Intrasexual home range overlap was on average 62 percent in adult males, and 26 percent in adult females. However, females overlapped with more neighbouring female home ranges than did males with neighbouring male home ranges, so that, as for males, only small parts of female home ranges were really exclusive. On average, males overlapped a larger Abstract Ecology of woodland dormice M.Sc. Thesis 16 proportion (48 percent) of female home ranges than did females with neighbouring male home ranges (27 percent). In addition, males overlapped with significantly more female home ranges (7.8) than did females with male home ranges (4.9). Trapping success and nestbox data agree with the socio-ecological model. Females showed increased mobility during summer, more likely to find suitable nesting sites, and food for milk production during the reproductive season. The use of nestboxes, however, was constant throughout the year. In males, both the trapping success and nestbox use were higher during the mating season (spring), when an increased mobility and occupation of nestboxes probably increased the chances to locate and mate with (a) receptive female(s). Hence, food and (artificial) nest sites may constitute an important resource for females, whereas females seem to represent the main resource for males. Although food availability was not determined, a comparison of female and male distribution patterns provided interesting information on the mating system of woodland dormice. In GFRR, the dispersion pattern of female woodland dormice was “rather” clumped, i.e. females were non-territorial. As some females showed a dyadic intrasexual overlap of up to 90 percent, and population density was very high at the study site, this may indicate that food was very abundant and/or renewed rapidly. Based on the wide range of birth dates observed during the study period, females clearly come into oestrus at different times. In such circumstances (asynchronous sexual receptivity in females), the Female in Space and Time Hypothesis (Ims 1987a) predicts that males will be non-territorial and promiscuous. Live-trapping, nestbox use and home range data indeed suggested that male woodland dormice do not defend territories, but search for and aggregate around receptive females during the mating season.
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Prevalence and risk factors for Helicobacter pylori transmission in the Eastern Cape Province application of immunological molecular and demographic methods
- Authors: Dube, Callote
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Helicobacter pylori , Bacterial diseases , Gastritis -- Risk factors , Bacterial diseases -- Risk factors , Gram-negative bacteria , Gram-negative bacterial infections , Helicobacter , Helicobacter infections , Helicobacter pylori -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11262 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/265 , Helicobacter pylori , Bacterial diseases , Gastritis -- Risk factors , Bacterial diseases -- Risk factors , Gram-negative bacteria , Gram-negative bacterial infections , Helicobacter , Helicobacter infections , Helicobacter pylori -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a microaerophilic, Gram-negative motile curved rod that inhabits the gastric mucosa of the human stomach. The organism chronically infects billions of people worldwide and is one of the most genetically diverse of bacterial species. Infection with the organism potentially induces chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. In addition, H. pylori plays a role in the etiology of gastric cancer and gastric MALT lymphoma. The risk of infection is increased in those living in the developing world, which has been ascribed to precarious hygiene standards, crowded households, and deficient sanitation common in this part of the world. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify the risk factors in the transmission of H. pylori in our environment, i.e. in Nkonkobe Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Faecal samples were collected from 356 apparently healthy subjects, consisting of 168 males and 188 females aged from 3 months to 60 years (Mean = 31 years). A standardized questionnaire was applied, it described demographic characteristics including age, sex, household hygiene, socioeconomic status, area of residence, duration of stay in the area, sharing bath water, sharing tooth brush, habit of sucking thumb, medication currently being taken or medication taken within the past three months, source of water, type of toilet used, education and occupation. A sandwich-type enzyme immunoassay amplification technology (Amplified IDEIA TM Hp StAR TM , Oxoid, UK) was used to analyze the faecal samples for the detection of H. pylori antigens using monoclonal antibodies specific for H. pylori antigens. To assess the possibility of faecal oral route with tap water as an intermediary link, PCR targeting the ureC (glmM), a highly conserved gene in H. pylori ii was carried out to detect H. pylori DNA in faecal samples of already positive samples by HpSA test as well as in direct tap water used by the H. pylori positive subjects. QIAamp DNA stool mini kit was used to extract DNA from faecal samples. Tap water samples were then obtained using sterile bottles from areas inhabited by H. pylori positive subjects as determined by HpSA test and PCR. DNA extraction from water samples was done using UltraCleanTM Water DNA Isolation Kit (0.22μm) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. PCR with primers specific for H. pylori glmM gene was carried out with both positive and negative controls incorporated. Fisher’s exact test was used to assess the univariate association between H. pylori infection and the possible risk factors. Odds ratio (OR) and the corresponding 95 percent confidence interval (CI) were calculated to measure the strength of association using EPI INFO 3.41 package. P values of < .05 were required for significance. The precision rate of the diagnostic tests used was also determined. H. pylori antigen was detected in 316 of the 356 subjects giving an overall prevalence of 88.8 percent. Prevalence increased with age from 75.9 percent in children < 12 years age to 100 percent in the age group from 13 years to 24 years, also 100 percent prevalence of H. pylori was recorded in young adults aged 25-47 years and subjects aged 60 years (P < .05). H. pylori prevalence was higher in females than in males. Of 188 females who participated in the study, H. pylori antigen was detected in 172 (91.5 percent) versus 144 (85.7 percent) of 168 males (P > .05). Interestingly, H pylori antigen was detected more often (100 percent) in the high socioeconomic group than in those of low socioeconomic group (85.9 percent). Sixteen (66.7 percent) of twenty four faecal samples that had previously tested positive for the organism by HpSA test were confirmed positive by PCR. However none of the treated tap water samples tested positive for the organism by PCR. The present iii study revealed a high prevalence of H. pylori in faecal samples of asymptomatic individuals in the Nkonkobe Municipality, an indication of active infection. The obtained results also revealed that direct treated tap water might not be playing a crucial role in the oral transmission of H. pylori in the studied population.
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Prevalence of listeria pathogens in effluents of some wastewater treatment facilities in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa
- Authors: Odjadjare, Emmanuel Erufuare Onogwuwhenya
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Listeria -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sewage -- Purification -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Effluent quality -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water -- Pollution -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water -- Purification -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11264 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/246 , Listeria -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sewage -- Purification -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Effluent quality -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water -- Pollution -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water -- Purification -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Wastewater discharges may contain health compromising pathogens and carcinogenic and/or chemical substances that could compromise the public health and impact negatively on the environment. The present study was conducted between August 2007 and July 2008 to evaluate the Listeria abundance (as free-living and plankton associated species) and physicochemical qualities of the final effluents of three wastewater treatment facilities in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa selected to represent typical urban, peri-urban and rural communities and the impact of the discharged final effluents on their respective receiving watershed, as well as to elucidated the in vitro antibiotic susceptibilities and resistance genes profile of Listeria species isolated from the final effluents. The suitability of the secondary effluent of the urban treatment facility (as a case study) for use in agriculture and aquaculture with reference to recommended standards was also determined. Wastewater samples were collected from the raw sewage, secondary effluent, final treated effluent, discharge point, 500 m upstream discharge point, and 500 m downstream discharge point from all three locations on a monthly basis throughout the study period. Listeria abundance in the final effluents and the receiving watersheds varied between 2.9× 100 and 3.52 × 105cfu/ml across the sampled locations. Free-living listerial density across the sampled locations ranged between 0 and 3.2 × 103cfu/ml while counts of Listeria species attached to large (180 μm) planktons varied from 0 to 1.58 × 105 cfu/ml and those of the 60 and 20 μm categories were in the range of 0 to 1.32 × 103 cfu/ml and 0 to 2.82 × 105 cfu/ml respectively. Listeria abundance did not vary significantly with location and season; there was however, significant (P < 0.05; P < 0.01) variance in Listeria abundance with plankton sizes across the locations. Free-living Listeria species were more abundant in the rural and urban xii communities than plankton attached Listeria species; whereas the reverse was the case in the peri-urban community. Prevalence of Listeria in terms of total counts was 100 percent across all sampled locations. Free-living Listeria species showed prevalence ranging from 84-96 percent across the sampling locations; while Listeria species attached to large (180 μm) planktons exhibited prevalence ranging from 75 percent to 90 percent. The prevalence of medium-sized (60 μm) plankton associated Listeria species varied between 58 percent and 92.5 percent; whereas those of Listeria species attached to small (20 μm) planktons ranged from 65-100 percent across all three communities. Listeria prevalence was generally a reflection of the turbidity of the water system, with free-living Listeria species being more prevalent than plankton associated cells in the relatively less turbid rural and urban waters compared to the more turbid peri-urban waters where plankton attached cells were more prevalent in comparison with their free living counterparts The final treated effluent quality fell short of recommended standards for turbidity, chemical oxygen demand and phosphate across all three communities. In addition, the final effluent of the rural treatment plant also fell short of recommended standard for NO3, while that of the urban treatment plant did not comply with acceptable limits for dissolved oxygen and nitrite. Other physicochemical parameters were compliant with set standards after treatment. An inverse relationship was observed between chlorine residual and listerial density across the sampled facilities; the effect of chlorine was however not enough to eliminate the pathogen from the water systems. At the urban treatment plant and its receiving watershed, pH, temperature, EC, turbidity, TDS, DO, and nitrate varied significantly with season and sampling point (P < 0.05; P < 0.01). Salinity also varied significantly with sampling point (P < 0.01), while COD and nitrite varied significantly with season (P < 0.05). Although, the treated effluent fell within recommended water quality standard for pH, TDS, nitrate and nitrite, it fell short of stipulated standards for other parameters. Whereas the microbial quality of the secondary treated effluent at this (urban) facility fell short of recommended standard after secondary treatment, its physicochemical quality were generally compliant with recommended standards for reuse wastewater in agriculture and aquaculture. Listeria pathogens isolated from effluents of the rural wastewater facility were sensitive to 11 (55 percent) of the 20 test antibiotics, and showed varying (7-71 percent) levels of resistance to 8 antibiotics; whereas those isolated from the peri-urban community showed sensitivity to 6 (30 percent) of the 20 test antibiotics, and varying (6-94 percent) levels of resistance to 12 antibiotics; while the urban effluent isolates were sensitive to 3 (15 percent) of the 20 test antibiotics, and showed varying (4.5-91 percent) levels of resistance to 17 antibiotics. Multiple antibiotic resistances involving 78.5-100 percent of isolates and antibiotics combination ranging from 2-10 antibiotics was observed across the sampled locations. Penicillin G and ampicillin showed remarkably high (64-91 percent) phenotypic resistance across the three sampled facilities. Other antibiotics, to which isolates showed significant resistance, were linezolid (22-88 percent); erythromycin (43-94 percent) and sulphamethoxazole (7-94 percent). Two of the 14 Listeria strains isolated from the rural effluents were positive for ereA and sul1 antibiotic resistance genes; while sulII genes were detected in five of the 23 Listeria isolates from the urban effluent and none was detected in isolates from the peri-urban community. The presence of antimicrobial resistance genes in the isolates did not correlate with phenotypic antibiotic resistance. The current study demonstrated that Listeria pathogens easily survived the activated sludge treatment process as free-living and plankton attached entities and suggests that municipal wastewater treatment plants are a significant source of multiple resistant Listeria pathogens in the South African aquatic milieu. While the physicochemical quality of the urban final effluent suggests that it is a major source of pollution to the receiving watershed, the secondary effluent quality demonstrated a great potential for use in agriculture and aquaculture.
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Prevalence of Listeria pathogens in effluents of some wastewater treatment facilities in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Odjadjare, Emmanuel Erufuare Onogwuwhenya
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Listeria -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Sewage -- Purification -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Water -- Pollution -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/7826 , vital:30747
- Description: astewater discharges may contain health compromising pathogens and carcinogenic and/or chemical substances that could compromise the public health and impact negatively on the environment. The present study was conducted between August 2007 and July 2008 to evaluate the Listeria abundance (as free-living and plankton associated species) and physicochemical qualities of the final effluents of three wastewater treatment facilities in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa selected to represent typical urban, peri-urban and rural communities and the impact of the discharged final effluents on their respective receiving watershed, as well as to elucidated the in vitro antibiotic susceptibilities and resistance genes profile of Listeria species isolated from the final effluents. The suitability of the secondary effluent of the urban treatment facility (as a case study) for use in agriculture and aquaculture with reference to recommended standards was also determined. Wastewater samples were collected from the raw sewage, secondary effluent, final treated effluent, discharge point, 500 m upstream discharge point, and 500 m downstream discharge point from all three locations on a monthly basis throughout the study period. Listeria abundance in the final effluents and the receiving watersheds varied between 2.9× 100 and 3.52 × 105cfu/ml across the sampled locations. Free-living listerial density across the sampled locations ranged between 0 and 3.2 × 103cfu/ml while counts of Listeria species attached to large (180 μm) planktons varied from 0 to 1.58 × 105 cfu/ml and those of the 60 and 20 μm categories were in the range of 0 to 1.32 × 103 cfu/ml and 0 to 2.82 × 105 cfu/ml respectively. Listeria abundance did not vary significantly with location and season; there was however, significant (P < 0.05; P < 0.01) variance in Listeria abundance with plankton sizes across the locations. Free-living Listeria species were more abundant in the rural and urban xii communities than plankton attached Listeria species; whereas the reverse was the case in the peri-urban community.
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Quality assessment of information systems in SMEs: a study of Eldoret Town in Kenya
- Authors: Ndiege, Joshua Rumo Arongo
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Small business -- Kenya , Financial institutions -- Kenya , Small business -- Kenya -- Data processing , Information technology -- Kenya -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Information Systems)
- Identifier: vital:11132 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1000973 , Small business -- Kenya , Financial institutions -- Kenya , Small business -- Kenya -- Data processing , Information technology -- Kenya -- Evaluation
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Racial exploitation and double oppression in selected Bessie Head and Doris Lessing texts
- Authors: Kirton, Teneille
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Authors, South African -- 20th century Biography , Apartheid in literature , Exploitation , Women authors, South African -- 20th century Biography , Racism in literature
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA (English)
- Identifier: vital:11502 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/232 , Authors, South African -- 20th century Biography , Apartheid in literature , Exploitation , Women authors, South African -- 20th century Biography , Racism in literature
- Description: During the era of discrimination and disparity in Southern Africa, racial inequality silenced many black writers. It was the white authors that dominated the literary environment presenting their biased views on social and political concerns; the black authors standpoints were seen as unimportant and they were deemed inferior to the white authors. Consequently, it was particularly difficult for black writers to voice their experiences of living in a society riddled with oppression, prejudice and unequal opportunities. The purpose of this study is to critically compare selected texts by African authors Doris Lessing and Bessie Head, which depict the political and social struggles within Southern African society during the era of unequal opportunities. Lessing and Head’s works present incidents of life experiences in Southern Africa from two contrasting viewpoints. The selected texts explored are: The Grass is Singing and “The Old Chief Mshlanga” by Doris Lessing, a white author, in contrast and comparison to the texts: A Question of Power and “The Collector of Treasures” by Bessie Head, a coloured author. The research for this thesis is conducted from an ethnic literary perspective with careful consideration to critical race theory and cultural studies. From this perspective, the focus of the study is on the struggles that affected both the victim and perpetrator during the apartheid era as well as on the idea that those in power determined what was deemed acceptable and unacceptable, behaviourally and ideologically. Specifically, the plight experienced by the female characters living in a patriarchal society, and the segregation and racial inequality faced by the characters of colour is explored by analysing these characters’ influences, pressures and societal manipulations and constraints in the texts. Thus, this study will provide a more in-depth understanding of Southern African society during the apartheid era and the strategic use of literature to spotlight the subjugation and disparity.
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Re-thinking rural development through agriculture
- Authors: Matunhu, Jephias (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8415-5867)
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24532 , vital:63067
- Description: This study addresses the problem of abject rural poverty in the post-apartheid South Africa with specific reference to the Amathole Rural District (ARD) in the Eastern Cape Province (the poorest province in the country). Abject poverty is conceptualized as inability to meet the basic human needs such as food, water, shelter and clothes. The study is premised in the revisionist trajectory of rural economic development, which regards agriculture as the ‘engine’ for rural development. The thesis addressed the following issues on rural poverty reduction in the ARD; the efficacy of rural agriculture in rural poverty reduction, value-adding to rural farm produce, support that is required and social factors that may affect the residents’ ability to fight poverty through agriculture? The thesis adopted the concurrent transformative mixed research methodology; and data were collected from a purposive sample of 138 respondents using unstructured interviews and semi-structured questionnaires. Data were collected with the help of research assistance. The study established that the ARD residents were keen to fight abject poverty through rural agriculture but were constrained by the lack of arable land, financial resources, technological support, corruption and HIV/AIDs. In view of the above findings, the thesis concluded that deep collaboration and participation of strategic partners such as government, the rural residents, NGOs and the business sector is essential in the implementation of pro-poor strategies in the ARD. The thesis also called for further research into the following areas that have a direct influence on the efficacy of rural agriculture on the ARD’s development; ICT and development, the rural residents’ attitude towards savings and on the political economy of cooperative ventures in rural agriculture. The thesis also encouraged further research to establish new linkages and roles of the following pertinent partners in ARD’s development; government, the rural residents, NGOs and the business sector. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2010
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Relationship between employee knowledge, personal contact and attitudes towards chronically ill co-workers: case of selected organisations within the banking sector
- Authors: Kanengoni, Herbert
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Attitude (Psychology) , Chronically ill -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Banks and banking -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Industrial safety -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Industrial Psychology)
- Identifier: vital:11544 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/494 , Attitude (Psychology) , Chronically ill -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Banks and banking -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Industrial safety -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: As chronic illnesses continue to be a burden in today’s organisations, it remains a very crucial call for management to find ways to eradicate the associated organisational problems. While people of all ages are affected by chronic illnesses, there is a higher risk of the elderly developing chronic diseases. However, as much as chronic illnesses are inevitable among employees, there should be ways at least to curb negative social and goal achievement impact which they bring in organisations. In this regard, a survey of 80 employees was conducted to examine the relationship between employees' knowledge about, contact with, and attitudes towards their co-employees with chronic illnesses (CI). Results indicated that employees' knowledge about and contact with individuals diagnosed with chronic illnesses were significantly related to better attitudes toward this population. The findings also revealed that knowledge was related to positive attitudes among employees who had more personal contact with individuals with Chronic illnesses (CI) and such findings indicate the importance of exposing employees to information about chronic illnesses and direct practice experience with individuals who have these illnesses. To be noted also is that 39% of the respondents preferred to be exposed to health bulletins and magazines; 18% of the respondents preferred the help of health workers and about a third (30%) favoured brochures, posters and printed materials such as flyers. Managerial implications for employees with chronic illness are discussed
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Relief or development? An analysis of the outcome of NGO community development interventions in Marange communal area of Zimbabwe
- Authors: Pemberai, Zambezi
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Community development -- Developing countries , Community development -- Zimbabwe , Communities -- Zimbabwe , Sustainable development -- Zimbabwe , Social welfare -- Zimbabwe , Non-governmental organizations -- Development -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11430 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1004360 , Community development -- Developing countries , Community development -- Zimbabwe , Communities -- Zimbabwe , Sustainable development -- Zimbabwe , Social welfare -- Zimbabwe , Non-governmental organizations -- Development -- Zimbabwe
- Description: Development is a critical aspect of individuals, groups, communities or nations. Community development is even more critical aspect of development as it purportedly leads to self reliance. Huge amounts of funds, time, and resources, just but to mention a few have been continuously channeled towards communities over time in a bid to facilitate community development. Unfortunately, results of such actions and interventions by NGOs, governments and a host of development agencies have so far largely proved elusive. Contrary to NGO expectations and popular opinion, target communities continuously demand, request and expect increased direct support from development agencies. Solving acute community problems and challenges, the focus of most NGO development interventions has been less successful. Target problems have largely graduated and turned to chronic levels. All this is unfortunately worsening against the background of increased donor and NGO support. Deteriorating and widening community challenges are also taking place against general claims by NGOs to the application of community development ideals in communities as a successful development alternative. Contrastingly, rather than being self reliant, communities have become more dependent on donors. In addition, NGO target communities continue to grapple with short-lived changes, limited participation by the majority, reversal of past successes and dwindling self representation and reliance. Inequalities have widened. This is to the detriment of ongoing NGO claims and efforts at promoting community development. Development is a critical aspect of individuals, groups, communities or nations. Community development is even more critical aspect of development as it purportedlyleads to self reliance. Huge amounts of funds, time, and resources, just but to mention a few have been continuously channeled towards communities over time in a bid to facilitate community development. Unfortunately, results of such actions and interventions by NGOs, governments and a host of development agencies have so far largely proved elusive. Contrary to NGO expectations and popular opinion, target communities continuously demand, request and expect increased direct support from development agencies. Solving acute community problems and challenges, the focus of most NGO development interventions has been less successful. Target problems have largely graduated and turned to chronic levels. All this is unfortunately worsening against the background of increased donor and NGO support. Deteriorating and widening community challenges are also taking place against general claims by NGOs to the application of community development ideals in communities as a successful development alternative. Contrastingly, rather than being self reliant, communities have become more dependent on donors.
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Rethinking water service delivery system in Zimbabwe: a case study of Kwekwe Municipality
- Authors: Mupindu, Wisemen
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Water-supply -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24117 , vital:62379
- Description: This study examines the perceived scarcity of household water service delivery in the city of Kwekwe under the Midlands province of Zimbabwe. Kwekwe Municipality appears to be characterized by an erratic supply of clean water for household use. The city of Kwekwe has experienced an unreliable domestic water service delivery system since the beginning of this millennium. This study aims to investigate the causes of the problem, its extent, impact and what could be done to mitigate the problem. The study employs interviews, questionnaires, observations and document analyses to establish that population growth, ageing equipment, a lack of foreign currency and local funding, as well as a lack of expertise and of political will have contributed to the poor domestic water supply in the city of Kwekwe. The city of Kwekwe needs to commit itself to improving the current situation by involving the community, constructing more storage facilities, and by putting monitoring and evaluation mechanisms in place. The research design took the form of a case study of Kwekwe Municipality. A mixture of qualitative and quantitative research designs were used in this study. The qualitative/interpretivist approach was more dominant, allowing some overlapping with the quantitative/positivist paradigm whenever this was considered reasonable. The study sample consisted of a conveniently assembled sample of 120 respondents. The target population for the study comprised of 110 residents of Kwekwe urban and 10 Kwekwe City Municipality Water Authorities from the Works Department. This study focuses on the 4 residential areas of Kwekwe Municipality. The data collection instruments include questionnaires and focus group interviews. Electronically recorded, in-depth interviews were held with the water authorities and the consumers to establish their perceptions on the best practice of the water service delivery system in Zimbabwe. The data collection tools contained a preliminary section on the biological data of the respondents. All data was subjected to either qualitative or quantitative analysis techniques in order to strike a balance between the structured survey instruments and the anecdotes of the respondents. Quantitative data was analyzed using a Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), while qualitative data was subjected to document analysis which entailed classifying the data, extracting themes, identifying patterns, tallying and quantifying responses and making generalizations out of these patterns. This implies that the research methodology focused on the method, tools and techniques used to assist in achieving the objectives of the study and answering the research questions that the research seeks to address. The term research methodology is used, in this study, to refer to the philosophical assumptions, values, and theories which inform and underpin the way in which a particular research method is used. In this study, the case study research design was used as the operational framework for data gathering. The case study research method is essentially grounded in the interpretive research paradigm. To this end, the study sought the perceptions of both the consumers and the water authorities. The major finding of the study is that the ability of Kwekwe Municipality to provide household water service delivery to its consumers is slightly below average. However, there was a slight improvement in the household water service delivery but consumers are still remaining dissatisfied. Another finding, related to this one, was that the electricity deficiency cost the efficacy of Kwekwe Municipality in its provision of household water service delivery. The study proposes that more studies which seek to interrogate the domestic water service delivery system of the Zimbabwean Municipalities should be embarked upon by the state. The study also recommends that service delivery training programmes be implemented in order to enhance the competence of the water authorities. Furthermore, the study suggests that consumers be placed at the center of household water debates when policies, rules and regulations of the water service delivery system are formulated. Finally, the study implores that municipalities need to have their own reserves and generators for emergency cases during electricity power cuts. It is imperative that the water reservoirs constantly hold 4 days‟ worth of water capacity. The municipality of Kwekwe must refurbish the entire water reticulation system. Municipalities must carry out an audit of water meter readings and also confirm that all water meters are functional. Manpower to read the correct meter reading should be increased in number and must have reliable transport. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2010
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Sheep production practices, flock dynamics, body condition and weight variation in two ecologically different resource-poor communal farming systems
- Authors: Mapiliyao, Luke
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Sheep -- Breeding -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sheep breeds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Communal rangelands -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sheep ranchers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sheep -- Feeding and feeds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Forage , Grazing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sheep -- Diseases -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11816 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/340 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001041 , Sheep -- Breeding -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sheep breeds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Communal rangelands -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sheep ranchers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sheep -- Feeding and feeds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Forage , Grazing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sheep -- Diseases -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The objective of this study was to determine sheep production practices, constraints, flock dynamics, body condition and weight variation in two ecologically different resource-poor communal farming systems of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Mean sheep flock sizes per household were not significantly different between the two ecologically different areas (villages); Gaga (19.0±3.10) and Sompondo (18.3±3.10). Shortage of feed, disease and parasite were reported the most important constraints across the two villages. In both villages, sheep housing was poorly constructed using acacia brushwoods. Fewer farmers owned rams: the rams to ewes ratio for the two villages were 1:20, 1:19 for Gaga and Sompondo, respectively. The low ram: ewe ratios reported suggest that inbreeding might have been reducing productivity of their flocks. There was also uncontrolled breeding due to undefined and mating seasons. Gall sickness, heart water and footrot caused most of the sheep mortalities. Dohne Merinos were the common genotypes in the two villages. Total entrances for each flock were higher (p < 0.05) in hot-dry season and hot-wet season than in other seasons. Most of the entrances were lambs and were born in hot-dry season (September) and cool-dry season (June) for larger flocks (10.90 ± 3.02) and for small flocks (3.65 ± 3.02). High lamb mortalities were experienced in the post-rainy (April) and hot-wet (December) season. There was a significant interaction between season and flock size. Most of the sales occurred in the hot-wet season. Ecological area had significant effect on sheep production potential (p < 0.05) in both flock classes. The average sheep production efficiency (SPE) value for Gaga and Sompondo were 0.50 ± 0.116 and 0.50 ± 0.096 respectively. The SPE for large flock was higher (p < 0.05) by season and flock size. Large flocks had a higher (p < 0.05) SPE values and the SPE ranged from 1.11 ± 0.193 in April, a post-rainy season month to 1.55 ± 0.193 in December, a hot-wet season month. Lamb mortalities constituted the greater part of outflows. High lamb mortalities occurred in hot-wet (December), hot-dry (September) and post-rainy (April) seasons. There was a significant interaction between season and age of sheep on body weight of sheep. Highest (p < 0.05) body weights were recorded in the post-rainy and autumn season in both lambs and ewes. It is therefore very important to come up with affordable interventions which take into play ecological differences of the areas for improved nutritional status of sheep in communal areas which will lead to improved sheep productivity and the poor-resourced farmer human nutritional and livelihood.
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Small hospitality enterprises and the internet: an IT governance model for conducting business online
- Authors: Ngoqo, Bukelwa
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Hospitality industry -- South Africa , Tourism -- South Africa , Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa , Electronic commerce , Internet , Risk management , Electronic data processing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Information Systems)
- Identifier: vital:11133 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/382 , Hospitality industry -- South Africa , Tourism -- South Africa , Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa , Electronic commerce , Internet , Risk management , Electronic data processing
- Description: The Internet has made a considerable impact on how business is conducted. Empowered by technology consumers are using the Internet as a tool to communicate and transact online. E-commerce (electronic commerce) presents opportunities for business to gain a competitive advantage, however it also posses certain challenges. Small and Medium Hospitality Enterprises (SMHEs) sector within the tourism industry, is one of the sectors which stands to benefit from using the Internet for business. Researchers agree that the contribution made by the tourism sector in developing economies is substantial. However, SMHEs are noted for their failure to derive optimal benefits from using the Internet for business to improve their competitiveness. This study which seeks to develop a model for use by SMHEs as a guide when making the decision to adopt technology was necessitated by the importance of SMHE’s contribution in the economy of developing countries. This model is based on the examination of existing theories and models such as; the Delone and McLean IS success model (2004), and the ITGI’s (2007) IT governance focus areas model. To elicit the desired outcomes, additional data was collected using questionnaires, interviews, and observations. The collected data was analysed and resulted in the development of a model that can be used by SMHEs in order to derive value from IT and to gain a competitive advantage.
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Statistical methods to model the influence of age and gender on the behavioral risk factors of HIV/AIDS
- Authors: Tlou, Boikhutso
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- Statistics , HIV infections -- Statistics , AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa , Health risk assessment , HIV infections -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Biostatistics and Epidemiology)
- Identifier: vital:11779 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/400 , AIDS (Disease) -- Statistics , HIV infections -- Statistics , AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa , Health risk assessment , HIV infections -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects
- Description: The effects of gender and age on the behavioral risk of HIV/AIDS are not clearly understood as previous distinct studies which have been carried out, have given disputable and contradictory outcomes. This study therefore, discusses the statistical methods which can be used to model the influence of age and gender on the behavioral risk factors of HIV/AIDS. In general, generalized linear models are the main methods which can be applied to depict the impact of age and gender on the behavioral risk of becoming infected with HIV/AIDS virus. In this study, the main methods used were logistic regression, log-linear regression and multiple regressions. Behavioral risk was taken as the dependent variable while age, gender, number of sexual partners, religious beliefs and alcohol and drug abuse were fitted as predictor variables. The three statistical methods gave significant results for gender and insignificant results for age. Furthermore, comparisons were made on the three regression methods and the logistic regression gave the best results. It was therefore concluded that gender plays a significant role on the behavioral risk of HIV/AIDS. The results of the study showed that gender of the student and number of sexual partners had a significant effect on the risk behavior of the university students. In future, it may be very important to find out why age is not a significant factor on risk behavior of HIV/AIDS among university students.
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Stock farmers and the state: a case study of animal healthcare practices in Hertzog Eastern Cape Province South Africa
- Authors: Jenjezwa, Vimbai Rachel
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Agriculture and state -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional veterinary medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Animal health , Domestic animals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geography)
- Identifier: vital:11508 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/269 , Agriculture and state -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional veterinary medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Animal health , Domestic animals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The animal healthcare practices of most communal farmers involve the use of both conventional and ethnoveterinary medicines. This study presents information on the animal healthcare practices of stock farmers in Hertzog, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. It also presents the findings on the social, economic and political aspects surrounding animal healthcare. The research applied two theories namely structuration theory and the Context, Practice and Belief (CPB) framework. Interviews and participant observation were used to collect data. The communal farmers widely used conventional medicines however, proper administration methods were not followed. Ethnoveterinary medicines were used to prevent and treat disease, even by the younger stock farmers. The stock farmers used ethnoveterinary medicines mainly because of the lack of finance to purchase the conventional medicines, even though the latter was preferred. The stock farmers actively participated in state programmes but felt that they needed more state veterinarian visits and state provided medications because they could not afford private veterinarians and conventional medicines. Therefore, this study attempts to contribute to an understanding of the use of ethnoveterinary medicine and communal farmers’ animal healthcare practices.
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Studies on the nutritional value of seven accessions of cocoyam growing in South Africa
- Authors: Lewu, Muinat Nike
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Taro , Nutrition , Field crops -- Nutrition , Taro -- Nutritional aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:11305 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001054 , Taro , Nutrition , Field crops -- Nutrition , Taro -- Nutritional aspects
- Description: Cocoyam [Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott] is widely cultivated as a staple food in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The crop, however, remains unpopular and not well known outside KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa where it is cultivated mainly for subsistence. The aims of the study were to collect local landraces (accessions) of the crop from where it is found growing within the country for various studies and also to document its nutritional values as well as the safety/toxicity of the crop. The study was carried out using various methods. These included a comparative assessment of the proximate, mineral and antinutrient compositions of cooked and uncooked tubers of a typical commercially available cocoyam and potato found in South African markets. These investigations were repeated for the tubers and leaves of available landraces (seven accessions) of C. esculenta found growing in the farmers’ fields in KwaZulu-Natal Province. Also, an in vivo toxicological study on cooked accessions of the local landraces was conducted to determine possible toxicity effects after consumption using albino rats as a model. The results revealed that commercially available cocoyam and potato tubers have very close nutritional components. Analysis of the proximate composition of seven accessions (UFCe1- UFCe7) of cooked and uncooked tubers of cocoyam indicated that UFCe7 was better in ash, crude protein, crude fibre and crude lipid contents but with higher moisture which could make it more vulnerable to microbial attack. No tubers of the seven accessions appeared to be ii outstandingly better than the others based on their mineral compositions. However, in terms of antinutritional factors, UFCe1, UFCe3 and UFCe7 had the least amounts of oxalate, tannins and phytate in their cooked states. It was discovered however, that the leaves of the accessions of this vegetable contain substantial amount of minerals, and therefore, can contribute significantly to the nutrient requirements of humans and could be recommended as a cheap source of nutrients in South Africa. None of the accessions was outstandingly better than the others in terms of their mineral contents and anti-nutritional factors. Moreover, the current study has shown that boiling the leaves of cocoyam prior to consumption is an effective way of reducing the antinutrient contents of the leaves of the plant thereby making it safe for consumption. The findings also revealed that cooking C. esculenta leaves may increase the levels of protein, fibre and lipid contents while cooking may also decrease the mineral, carbohydrate and caloric contents of the leaves of the accessions. The leafy vegetable may, therefore, be recommended as a cheap source of plant protein. Cooking improved the nutritive value as a result of the reduction in antinutrient levels, thereby improving the food quality in all the tuber and leaf samples used for this study. At the same time, cooked samples also suffered loss of some nutrients with respect to the proximate and mineral compositions. However, supplementation from other food sources that are rich in these nutrients is necessary when these crops are cooked for consumption. Any of the cocoyam accessions may be recommended for consumption for improved protein and mineral nutrients while tubers of accession UFCe7 have also shown good promise in terms of protein and fibre content availability. The results of the in vivo study, using the liver and kidney functional endpoints of weanling albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) maintained on different accessions of cooked cocoyam-based iii diets (UFCe1-UFCe7) for 28 days, revealed that all the accessions produced selective alterations on the hepatorenal indices of weanling rats. The highest alterations were produced by UFCe4 while the least was from UFCe2. These alterations may have consequential effects on the normal functioning of the liver and kidney of the animals. The UFCe2 exhibited the least toxicity risk among the accessions of C. esculenta growing in KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa.
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Suitability of the leaf-mining fly, Pseudonapomyza sp. (Diptera: Agromyzidae), for biological control of Tecoma stans L. (Bignoniaceae) in South Africa
- Authors: Madire, Lulama Gracious
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Diptera -- Biological control , Bignoniaceae -- Biological control , Plants, Ornamental -- Diseases and pests , Agromyzidae
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Zoology)
- Identifier: vital:11790 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/255 , Diptera -- Biological control , Bignoniaceae -- Biological control , Plants, Ornamental -- Diseases and pests , Agromyzidae
- Description: Tecoma stans (L.) Juss. Ex Kunth (Bignoniaceae) also known as yellow bells, has a native distribution from Northern Argentina, central America, Mexico and the Southern USA. In many warm climatic regions of the world, T. stans is commonly planted as an ornamental plant because of its yellow flowers, hence the name yellow bells, and pinnate foliage. As a result, this evergreen shrub has wide distribution in the tropical and subtropical parts of the western hemisphere. As is the case in many other parts of the world, T. stans was introduced into South Africa as an ornamental plant, but escaped cultivation and now invades roadsides, urban open spaces, watercourses, rocky sites in subtropical and tropical areas of five South African provinces; Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and neighboring countries. Tecoma stans has the potential of extending its range because its seeds are easily dispersed by wind. The purpose of this work was to carry out pre-release efficacy studies to determine the host specificity and suitability of Pseudonapomyza sp. (Diptera: Agromyzidae), a leaf-mining fly, as a biological control agent of T. stans. Available information suggests that the fly was brought to South Africa (SA) from Argentina in 2005. In that year a worker collected adult root feeding fleabeetles from T. stans and their eggs by collecting soil around the plants in the Argentinian Province of Jujuy, at San Pedro (24°12’592”S, 64°51’328”W). The soil was brought to the SA quarantine laboratory of the Agricultural Research Council, Plant Protection Research Institute (Weeds Division), Pretoria, and placed in a cage containing T. stans plants for flea-beetle larvae to emerge from the eggs. The Pseudonapomyza sp. flies which emerged from that soil were reared to produce a colony of flies used in the study reported here. The feeding behavior of Pseudonapomyza sp. adults is initiated by females which use their ovipositor to puncture holes in the leaf mesophyll and then they feed on the sap oozing from the holes. Since males have no means of puncturing the leaves, they feed from holes made by females. Eggs are laid singly into the tubular leaf punctures. Soon after hatching, the larva feeds on the leaf mesophyll tissue. As the larva feeds within the leaf it creates mines which eventually coalesce to form large blotches. The damaged leaf area reduces the photosynthetic potential of the plant especially when damaged leaves dry and fall off the plants. The potential of Pseudonapomyza sp. as a biocontrol agent is enhanced by the fact that it has a high level of fecundity and a short life cycle. As a result, its populations can build up rapidly to exert a significant impact on T. stans. Host-specificity tests undertaken on 35 plant species in 12 plant families showed that out of the 35 plant species tested, the fly was able to develop on T. stans only. Although Pseudonapomyza sp. adults fed on T. capensis, a South African indigenous ornamental shrub, no larval mines were observed on this plant. This suggests two possibilities; either females of Pseudonapomyza sp. do not oviposit on T. capensis or oviposition takes place but larvae cannot feed and develop on this plant. These studies indicate that this fly is sufficiently host-specific, and can be released against T. stans without posing any threat to either commercial or indigenous plant species grown in South Africa. Experimental designs simulating high populations of Pseudonapomyza sp. showed that the impact of leaf mining fly on T. stans can cause approximately 56 percent aboveground biomass reduction. Other concurrent studies have also showed that low and high density fly infestations can cause 23 percent and 48 percent belowground biomass reductions, respectively. Based on the available information, it appears that Pseudonapomyza sp. may have the potential to reduce the invasive capacity of T. stans in the affected areas. In order to exert more herbivore pressure on T. stans, it is suggested that agents belonging to other feeding guilds, such as root-, stem- and seed-feeding insects, be considered for release to complement the leaf-feeding of Pseudonapomyza sp. An application to release this fly in SA has been submitted to one of the two regulatory authorities.
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Surveillance of invasive vibro species in discharged aqueous efflents of wastewater treatment plants in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa
- Authors: Igbinosa, Etinosa Ogbomoede
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Vibrio -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water -- Fluoridation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water -- Pollution -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Effluent quality -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water -- Purification -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11267 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/245 , Vibrio -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water -- Fluoridation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water -- Pollution -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Effluent quality -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water -- Purification -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Vibrio infections remain a serious threat to public health. In the last decade, Vibrio disease outbreaks have created a painful awareness of the personal, economic, societal, and public health costs associated with the impact of contaminated water in the aquatic milieu. This study was therefore designed to assess the prevalence of Vibrio pathogens in the final effluents of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the Eastern Cape Province, as well as their abilities to survive the treatment processes of the activated sludge system either as free cells or as plankton-associated entities in relation to the physicochemical qualities of the effluents. Three wastewater treatment facilities were selected to represent typical urban, sub-urban and rural communities, and samples were collected monthly from August 2007 to July 2008 from the final effluent, discharge point, 500 meter upstream and downstream of the discharge points and analysed for physicochemical parameters, Vibrio pathogens prevalence and their antibiogram characteristics using both culture based and molecular techniques. Physicochemical parameters measured include pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, salinity, turbidity, total dissolved solid (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD), nitrate, nitrite and orthophosphate levels. Unacceptably high levels of the assayed parameters were observed in many cases for COD (<10 - 1180 mg/l), nitrate (0.08 - 13.14 mg NO3- as N/l), nitrite (0.06 - 6.78 mg NO2- as N/l), orthophosphate (0.07-4.81 mg PO43- as P/l), DO (1.24 - 11.22 mg/l) and turbidity (2.04 -159.06 NTU). Temperature, COD and nitrite varied significantly with season (P < 0.05), while pH, EC, salinity, TDS, COD, and nitrate all varied significantly with sampling site (P < 0.01; P < 0.05). In the rural wastewater treatment facility, free-living Vibrio densities varied from 0 to 3.45 × 101 cfu ml-1, while the plankton-associated Vibrio densities vary with plankton sizes as follows: 180 μm (0 – 4.50 × 103 cfu ml-1); 60 μm (0 – 4.86 × 103 cfu ml-1); 20 μm (0 – 1.9 × 105 cfu ml-1). The seasonal variations in the Vibrio densities in the 180 and 60 μm plankton size samples were significant (P < 0.05), while the 20 μm plankton size and free-living vibrios densities were not. Molecular confirmation of the presumptive vibrios isolates revealed V. fluvialis (36.5 percent), as the predominant species, followed by V. vulnificus (34.6 percent), and V. parahaemolyticus (23.1 percent), and V. metschnikovii (5.8 percent) (detected using only API 20 NE), suggesting high incidence of pathogenic Vibrio species in the final effluent of the wastewater facility. Correlation analysis suggested that the concentration of Vibrio species correlated negatively with salinity and temperature (P < 0.001 and P < 0.002 respectively) as well as with pH and turbidity (P < 0.001), in the final effluent. Population density of total Vibrio ranged from 2.1 × 101 to 4.36 × 104 cfu ml-1 and from 2.80 ×101 to 1.80 × 105 cfu ml-1 for the sub-urban and urban communities treatment facilities respectively. Vibrio species associated with 180 μm, 60 μm, and 20 μm plankton sizes, were observed at densities of 0 - 1.36 × 103 cfu ml-1, 0 - 8.40 × 102 cfu ml-1 and 0 - 6.80 × 102 cfu ml-1 respectively at the sub-urban community‘s WWTP. In the urban community, counts of culturable vibrios ranged from 0 - 2.80 × 102 cfu ml-1 (180 μm); 0 - 6.60 × 102 cfu ml-1 (60 μm) and 0 -1.80 × 103 cfu ml-1 (20 μm). Abundance of free-living Vibrio species varied between 0 and the orders of 102 and 103 cfu ml-1 in the sub-urban and urban communities WWTPs respectively. Molecular confirmation of the presumptive vibrios isolates revealed the presence of V. fluvialis (41.38 percent), V. vulnificus (34.48 percent), and V. parahaemolyticus (24.14 percent) in the sub-urban community effluents. In the urban community V. fluvialis (40 percent), V. vulnificus (36 percent), and V. parahaemolyticus (24 percent) were detected. There was no significant correlation between Vibrio abundance and season, either as free-living or plankton-associated entities, while Vibrio species abundance correlated positively with temperature (r = 0.565; P < 0.01), salinity and dissolved oxygen (P < 0.05). Turbidity and pH showed significant seasonal variation (P < 0.05) in both locations. The Vibrio strains showed the typical multi-antibiotic-resistance of an SXT element. They were resistant to sulfamethoxazole (Sul), trimethoprim (Tmp), cotrimoxazole (Cot), chloramphenicol (Chl) and streptomycin (Str), as well as other antibiotics such as ampicillin (Amp), penicillin (Pen), erythromycin (Ery), tetracycline (Tet), nalidixic acid (Nal), and gentamicin (Gen). The antibiotic resistance genes detected includes dfr18 and dfrA1 for trimethoprim; tetA, strB, floR, sul2 blaP1, for tetracycline, streptomycin, chloramphenicol, sulfamethoxazole and β-lactams respectively. A number of these genes were only recently described from clinical isolates, demonstrating genetic exchange between clinical and environmental Vibrio species. This study revealed that there was an adverse impact on the physicochemical characteristics of the receiving watershed as a result of the discharge of inadequately treated effluents from the wastewater treatment facilities. The occurrence of Vibrio species as plankton-associated entities confirms the role of plankton as potential reservoir for this pathogen. Also the treated final effluents are reservoirs of various antibiotics resistance genes. This could pose significant health and environmental risk to the biotic component of the environment including communities that rely on the receiving water for domestic purposes and may also affect the health status of the aquatic milieu in the receiving water. There is need for consistent monitoring programme by appropriate regulatory agencies to ensure compliance of the wastewater treatment facilities to regulatory effluent quality standards.
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Sustainable agricultural development in the Malawian smallholder agricultural sector: a case of Lilongwe District
- Authors: Chizimba, Martha
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Food security -- Malawi , Poverty -- Malawi , Sustainable agriculture -- Malawi Case studies , Sustainable development -- Malawi Case studies , Agriculture -- Malawi
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11420 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/365 , Food security -- Malawi , Poverty -- Malawi , Sustainable agriculture -- Malawi Case studies , Sustainable development -- Malawi Case studies , Agriculture -- Malawi
- Description: Even though agriculture is the backbone of Malawi‟s economy, food insecurity has remained a continuous threat among the poor. Until the 1980s, Malawi had been achieving national food security through an extensive system of agricultural inputs and marketing subsidies. However, these subsidies were removed and at the same time, the agricultural credit system collapsed. Consequently, agricultural productivity in Malawi remained low, poverty remained pervasive and food insecurity remains a main constraint to national and household food security. Therefore, the success of the agricultural sector in Malawi is very critical for raising the living standards and for food self-sufficiency. In this vein, the study hypothesized that Malawi can only achieve sustainable agricultural development if its agricultural policies are focused towards intensifying agricultural productivity through active participation of smallholder farmers. The major aim of the study was to contribute towards an improved understanding of how the issues of sustainable agricultural development have been addressed in Malawi and how they have influenced the lives of smallholder farmers. The analysis of the results revealed that even though what was implemented in the 1970s to early 1980s was financially unsustainable, but it provided some solutions to the fundamental challenges of smallholder development in Malawi. However, the liberalisations eroded whatever economic benefits achieved then. Never the less, the re-introduction of the agricultural input subsidies restored back the means of production leading to significant transformation of the country from a net importer to a net food exporter. On the other hand, although the agricultural input subsidy programme is being commended for having helped in achieving food security, the study revealed that the programme requires complementary services of credit, extension, research and market to support it. This will provide an exit strategy, which can enable the producers to sell their produce at higher prices sufficient enough for them to afford agricultural inputs without subsidies.
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