A comparative analysis of the rights of the child with particular reference to child soldiers
- Authors: Anwo, Joel Olasunkanmi
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Children's rights -- Child welfare -- Demobilization of children , Disarmament -- Reintegration
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , LLD
- Identifier: vital:11108 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/102 , Children's rights -- Child welfare -- Demobilization of children , Disarmament -- Reintegration
- Description: The recruitment, enlistment and forceful conscription of children as soldiers is a cause for grave concern all over the world and most especially in Africa, where years of factional fighting, civil wars and cross border conflicts have raged, children and youth have been pulled into violence not only as victims, but also as perpetrators. The involvement of children in war posses a severe challenge to prevailing moral and legal norms of the conduct of modern warfare. A major problem and most controversial issue, among others, is on the age at which children should be eligible to become combatants. Children, who may be viewed as a valuable resource due to their often inherent malleability, wish to avenge family member(s) killed in war, sense of immunity to danger, and or feeling of power in participating in the violence. Can the use of children as soldiers be effectively regulated in Africa? All efforts to assist child soldiers in recovering from the devastating effects of wars often unwillingly helped promote the growing number of child soldiers. This is in part because wars are now more fought internally among rebel armies and factions vying for power with the government and thus enlist children into their various armies. The study comes to a conclusion that drastic steps need to be taken to ameliorate this unfortunate situation. This formed the basis of the recommendations offered in the thesis to assist the African continent.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Anwo, Joel Olasunkanmi
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Children's rights -- Child welfare -- Demobilization of children , Disarmament -- Reintegration
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , LLD
- Identifier: vital:11108 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/102 , Children's rights -- Child welfare -- Demobilization of children , Disarmament -- Reintegration
- Description: The recruitment, enlistment and forceful conscription of children as soldiers is a cause for grave concern all over the world and most especially in Africa, where years of factional fighting, civil wars and cross border conflicts have raged, children and youth have been pulled into violence not only as victims, but also as perpetrators. The involvement of children in war posses a severe challenge to prevailing moral and legal norms of the conduct of modern warfare. A major problem and most controversial issue, among others, is on the age at which children should be eligible to become combatants. Children, who may be viewed as a valuable resource due to their often inherent malleability, wish to avenge family member(s) killed in war, sense of immunity to danger, and or feeling of power in participating in the violence. Can the use of children as soldiers be effectively regulated in Africa? All efforts to assist child soldiers in recovering from the devastating effects of wars often unwillingly helped promote the growing number of child soldiers. This is in part because wars are now more fought internally among rebel armies and factions vying for power with the government and thus enlist children into their various armies. The study comes to a conclusion that drastic steps need to be taken to ameliorate this unfortunate situation. This formed the basis of the recommendations offered in the thesis to assist the African continent.
- Full Text:
Communal production systems of goats raised by resource-poor farmers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Gwaze, Francisca Rumosa
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Commons -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Pastoral systems -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Goats -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11578 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/172 , Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Commons -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Pastoral systems -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Goats -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Goats significantly contribute towards the subsistence, economic and social livelihoods of many resource-poor farmers in developing countries, the majority of which own goats. There, however, is dearth of information on communal goat production potential and roles to the rural populace. The broad objective of the study was to evaluate production practices, constraints, production efficiency and to determine nutritional and health status of goats raised by resource-poor communal farmers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Roles and management systems of goats, goat flock dynamics and, prevalence and loads of gastrointestinal infections and the nutritional status of goats in the study areas were determined. The relationships among body weight, body condition score, faecal egg counts and, haematological and biochemical profiles were also determined. Mean goat flock sizes per household were similar between the two districts studied; Amatole (14.0 ± 0.31) and Alfred Nzo (14.1 ± 1.42). Seventy-nine percent of households in Amatole and 78% in Alfred Nzo kept goats for ceremonies, such as the initiation ceremonies. Goat houses in the two districts were poorly constructed. Thirty two percent of farmers in Alfred Nzo district and 27% in Amatole district reported low buck to doe ratios, suggesting that inbreeding might have been reducing productivity of their flocks. Kid mortality had two major peaks; in May (21%) and in September (21%). Goat production potential (GPP), the proportion of mature and growing goats to the total flock size, was affected by gender of owner of goats. Goats owned by female had a significantly lower GPP value of 0.63 ± 0.015 than goats owned by male farmers (0.70 ± 0.010). Month also significantly affected GPP with the highest (P < 0.05) GPP recorded in May, June and July and the lowest in March and April. Village affected GPP with values for Nkosana and Qawukeni being significantly higher than for Mankone. Goat production potential was also higher (P < 0.05) in small flocks (0.04 ± 0.008) than in large flocks (0.02 ± 0.008). Goat production efficiency (GPE) ranged from 0.11 ± 0.193 in April to 1.55 ± 0.193 in December. The most prevalent gastrointestinal eggs were the strongyle egg type (68.4 ± 8.49 in Qawukeni and 96.1 ± 12.01 in Nkosana) followed by coccidia (53.3 ± 8.76 in Qawukeni and 68.8 ± 8.00 in Mankone). The other identified nematodes were Strongyloides and Trichostrongylus egg types. The trematodes observed were Fasciola and Paramphistomum species. High loads of strongyle eggs were observed in the hot-wet season and the post-rainy season, whilst the other egg types showed a peak in the hot-wet season only. For most of the gastrointestinal parasite eggs, prevalence was higher (P < 0.05) in the sour rangeland compared to the sweet rangeland. Higher (P < 0.05) levels of total protein (TP), globulin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatinine kinase (CK) levels were recorded in the wet than in the dry season. Body condition scores were positively correlated (P < 0.05) to albumin, body weight and packed cell volume. However, body condition scores were negatively correlated to TP, glucose, alanine transaminase (ALT) and AST. Strongyle egg loads were positively correlated to FAMACHA scores, packed cell volume, body weight and body condition score. The observed high globulin levels suggested a chronic health challenge. Thus, it is fundamental to devise affordable interventions for the control of gastrointestinal parasites in communal goats leading to improved goat productivity and hence rural livelihood
- Full Text:
- Authors: Gwaze, Francisca Rumosa
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Commons -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Pastoral systems -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Goats -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11578 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/172 , Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Commons -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Pastoral systems -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Goats -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Goats significantly contribute towards the subsistence, economic and social livelihoods of many resource-poor farmers in developing countries, the majority of which own goats. There, however, is dearth of information on communal goat production potential and roles to the rural populace. The broad objective of the study was to evaluate production practices, constraints, production efficiency and to determine nutritional and health status of goats raised by resource-poor communal farmers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Roles and management systems of goats, goat flock dynamics and, prevalence and loads of gastrointestinal infections and the nutritional status of goats in the study areas were determined. The relationships among body weight, body condition score, faecal egg counts and, haematological and biochemical profiles were also determined. Mean goat flock sizes per household were similar between the two districts studied; Amatole (14.0 ± 0.31) and Alfred Nzo (14.1 ± 1.42). Seventy-nine percent of households in Amatole and 78% in Alfred Nzo kept goats for ceremonies, such as the initiation ceremonies. Goat houses in the two districts were poorly constructed. Thirty two percent of farmers in Alfred Nzo district and 27% in Amatole district reported low buck to doe ratios, suggesting that inbreeding might have been reducing productivity of their flocks. Kid mortality had two major peaks; in May (21%) and in September (21%). Goat production potential (GPP), the proportion of mature and growing goats to the total flock size, was affected by gender of owner of goats. Goats owned by female had a significantly lower GPP value of 0.63 ± 0.015 than goats owned by male farmers (0.70 ± 0.010). Month also significantly affected GPP with the highest (P < 0.05) GPP recorded in May, June and July and the lowest in March and April. Village affected GPP with values for Nkosana and Qawukeni being significantly higher than for Mankone. Goat production potential was also higher (P < 0.05) in small flocks (0.04 ± 0.008) than in large flocks (0.02 ± 0.008). Goat production efficiency (GPE) ranged from 0.11 ± 0.193 in April to 1.55 ± 0.193 in December. The most prevalent gastrointestinal eggs were the strongyle egg type (68.4 ± 8.49 in Qawukeni and 96.1 ± 12.01 in Nkosana) followed by coccidia (53.3 ± 8.76 in Qawukeni and 68.8 ± 8.00 in Mankone). The other identified nematodes were Strongyloides and Trichostrongylus egg types. The trematodes observed were Fasciola and Paramphistomum species. High loads of strongyle eggs were observed in the hot-wet season and the post-rainy season, whilst the other egg types showed a peak in the hot-wet season only. For most of the gastrointestinal parasite eggs, prevalence was higher (P < 0.05) in the sour rangeland compared to the sweet rangeland. Higher (P < 0.05) levels of total protein (TP), globulin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatinine kinase (CK) levels were recorded in the wet than in the dry season. Body condition scores were positively correlated (P < 0.05) to albumin, body weight and packed cell volume. However, body condition scores were negatively correlated to TP, glucose, alanine transaminase (ALT) and AST. Strongyle egg loads were positively correlated to FAMACHA scores, packed cell volume, body weight and body condition score. The observed high globulin levels suggested a chronic health challenge. Thus, it is fundamental to devise affordable interventions for the control of gastrointestinal parasites in communal goats leading to improved goat productivity and hence rural livelihood
- Full Text:
Community development education: the integration of individual and collective consciousness for community well-being within a social development paradigm in South Africa
- Authors: Maistry, Savathrie
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Community development -- South Africa , Social planning -- South Africa , Public welfare -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Development Studies)
- Identifier: vital:11754 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/182 , Community development -- South Africa , Social planning -- South Africa , Public welfare -- South Africa
- Description: This study focused on community development education and practice for the democratic and transformative South context. Social and community development are relatively new approaches to social welfare and community development is emerging as a discipline and profession to contribute to the goal of developmental social welfare. Community work, albeit to a minimal extent and not community development was viewed as a method of social work during apartheid. With community development being prioritized as an intervention strategy for poverty reduction by the national government, the gap in community development education needs to be addressed. The goal of the study was to develop an undergraduate curriculum framework for community development education that would produce a new generation of ethical community development professionals to contribute to the goal of developmental social welfare. The study focused on the integrated approach to community development education and practice; with education of the student as a whole human being as critical for community development in a transformative South Africa. To achieve its goal, the study identified three themes that were critical to the research: a conceptual framework, clarifying key terms; a curriculum framework for community development education; and qualities and ethics for a new generation of development practitioners. The qualitative study was based in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa and because of the lack of a referential framework for community development education, the researcher looked towards learning from India which has over fifty years of experience in social and community development education and practice. The state of Kerala established a social development approach in 1957 and was chosen as a learning experience. The state’s Kudumbashree Mission which aims at poverty alleviation through the empowerment of women was chosen as a case study. The integral and values based education system of Sri Sathya Sai University in the state of Andhra Pradesh and the community development education and practice of Loyola College in the state of Kerala were examined. The research design was exploratory, conceptual, descriptive and developmental in nature. The qualitative methodology best suited the nature of this study and a combination of methods to obtain data from a variety of sources across national boundaries was employed. The participants interviewed in both countries were purposively selected for their involvement in social and community development directly as target groups, practitioners, managers and policy makers. The research produced a philosophical and theoretical framework that is unitary and integral and aligned with the current social development policy to guide community development education and practice. The unitary and integral framework encompasses the individual within the family and community context and locates the various dimensions of development such as the social, physical, cultural, psychological, spiritual, political and economical dimensions within a unitary platform. The framework is dominated by the holistic and humanistic philosophies without negating the rational and pragmatic perspectives. In conclusion, the study conceptualizes community development as a natural process; the integration of individual and collective consciousness and an intervention. The outcome of the study is a recommended curriculum framework for community development education that would be of relevance to the Eastern Cape Province in particular and for the South African context generally.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Maistry, Savathrie
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Community development -- South Africa , Social planning -- South Africa , Public welfare -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Development Studies)
- Identifier: vital:11754 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/182 , Community development -- South Africa , Social planning -- South Africa , Public welfare -- South Africa
- Description: This study focused on community development education and practice for the democratic and transformative South context. Social and community development are relatively new approaches to social welfare and community development is emerging as a discipline and profession to contribute to the goal of developmental social welfare. Community work, albeit to a minimal extent and not community development was viewed as a method of social work during apartheid. With community development being prioritized as an intervention strategy for poverty reduction by the national government, the gap in community development education needs to be addressed. The goal of the study was to develop an undergraduate curriculum framework for community development education that would produce a new generation of ethical community development professionals to contribute to the goal of developmental social welfare. The study focused on the integrated approach to community development education and practice; with education of the student as a whole human being as critical for community development in a transformative South Africa. To achieve its goal, the study identified three themes that were critical to the research: a conceptual framework, clarifying key terms; a curriculum framework for community development education; and qualities and ethics for a new generation of development practitioners. The qualitative study was based in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa and because of the lack of a referential framework for community development education, the researcher looked towards learning from India which has over fifty years of experience in social and community development education and practice. The state of Kerala established a social development approach in 1957 and was chosen as a learning experience. The state’s Kudumbashree Mission which aims at poverty alleviation through the empowerment of women was chosen as a case study. The integral and values based education system of Sri Sathya Sai University in the state of Andhra Pradesh and the community development education and practice of Loyola College in the state of Kerala were examined. The research design was exploratory, conceptual, descriptive and developmental in nature. The qualitative methodology best suited the nature of this study and a combination of methods to obtain data from a variety of sources across national boundaries was employed. The participants interviewed in both countries were purposively selected for their involvement in social and community development directly as target groups, practitioners, managers and policy makers. The research produced a philosophical and theoretical framework that is unitary and integral and aligned with the current social development policy to guide community development education and practice. The unitary and integral framework encompasses the individual within the family and community context and locates the various dimensions of development such as the social, physical, cultural, psychological, spiritual, political and economical dimensions within a unitary platform. The framework is dominated by the holistic and humanistic philosophies without negating the rational and pragmatic perspectives. In conclusion, the study conceptualizes community development as a natural process; the integration of individual and collective consciousness and an intervention. The outcome of the study is a recommended curriculum framework for community development education that would be of relevance to the Eastern Cape Province in particular and for the South African context generally.
- Full Text:
In search of a regime of responsibility and accountability for perpetrators of torture with reference to persons with special responsibility for protecting human rights
- Authors: Odeku, Kolawole Olusola
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Human rights -- Accountability -- Perpetrators of torture -- Torture
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , LLD
- Identifier: vital:11112 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/101 , Human rights -- Accountability -- Perpetrators of torture -- Torture
- Description: orture is a serious violation of human rights and it is strictly prohibited by numerous human rights instruments. The prohibition of torture enshrines one of the most fundamental values of a democratic society. Its prohibition in a national constitution commits the country, and specifically its law enforcement officers, to performing their duties with due regard to the essential dignity of every human being. The irony is that the law enforcement officials and the security agents who are entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining law and order in the society sometimes breach the law which they have sworn to uphold. Most of the perpetrators of acts of torture are usually those in positions of state power. In addition, other persons who wield other forms of authority or influence also perpetrate torture. It is contended that both civil and criminal responsibilities of the perpetrators should be explored by bringing them to justice in order to serve as deterrence to others. Despite being stringently outlawed, torture continues to be practised in many countries in the world. The underlying assumption is that, although the prohibition of torture has become part of customary international law, the practice of torture remains widespread. Torturers and those who order or encourage torturers to ply their trade or acquiesce in their doing so, enjoy virtual impunity from prosecution within their own jurisdictions. In many cases, the majority of the torturers go unpunished because they are, most often than not, agents or officials of the state. Nowadays, there are various international human rights instruments prohibiting torture. Violations of the provisions of these instruments by states or individuals will attract necessary and appropriate sanction. The erring state or individual will be held accountable and if found liable, sanctions as contained in the instruments banning torture will be invoked accordingly. It must be stressed that condemnation of torture is universal and its prohibition forms not only part of customary international law, but has joined that narrow category of crimes so egregious as to demand universal criminal jurisdiction. There is no save haven for perpetrators because the various mechanisms and adjudicating bodies of state parties and the United Nations have competent jurisdictions to right the wrong. Furthermore, it must be stressed that there can be no justification for torture because CAT and other important international human rights instruments assume increasing importance tools which have realistic prospects for eliminating torture.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Odeku, Kolawole Olusola
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Human rights -- Accountability -- Perpetrators of torture -- Torture
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , LLD
- Identifier: vital:11112 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/101 , Human rights -- Accountability -- Perpetrators of torture -- Torture
- Description: orture is a serious violation of human rights and it is strictly prohibited by numerous human rights instruments. The prohibition of torture enshrines one of the most fundamental values of a democratic society. Its prohibition in a national constitution commits the country, and specifically its law enforcement officers, to performing their duties with due regard to the essential dignity of every human being. The irony is that the law enforcement officials and the security agents who are entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining law and order in the society sometimes breach the law which they have sworn to uphold. Most of the perpetrators of acts of torture are usually those in positions of state power. In addition, other persons who wield other forms of authority or influence also perpetrate torture. It is contended that both civil and criminal responsibilities of the perpetrators should be explored by bringing them to justice in order to serve as deterrence to others. Despite being stringently outlawed, torture continues to be practised in many countries in the world. The underlying assumption is that, although the prohibition of torture has become part of customary international law, the practice of torture remains widespread. Torturers and those who order or encourage torturers to ply their trade or acquiesce in their doing so, enjoy virtual impunity from prosecution within their own jurisdictions. In many cases, the majority of the torturers go unpunished because they are, most often than not, agents or officials of the state. Nowadays, there are various international human rights instruments prohibiting torture. Violations of the provisions of these instruments by states or individuals will attract necessary and appropriate sanction. The erring state or individual will be held accountable and if found liable, sanctions as contained in the instruments banning torture will be invoked accordingly. It must be stressed that condemnation of torture is universal and its prohibition forms not only part of customary international law, but has joined that narrow category of crimes so egregious as to demand universal criminal jurisdiction. There is no save haven for perpetrators because the various mechanisms and adjudicating bodies of state parties and the United Nations have competent jurisdictions to right the wrong. Furthermore, it must be stressed that there can be no justification for torture because CAT and other important international human rights instruments assume increasing importance tools which have realistic prospects for eliminating torture.
- Full Text:
Integrating natural sciences and indigenous knowledge systems for rural economic development: a model for rural enterprise development, health and nutrition initiatives in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Lupuwana, Pumezo
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Natural resources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nutrition -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Ethnobotany)
- Identifier: vital:11884 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/81 , Natural resources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nutrition -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study demonstrated that the demographic profile of the Eastern Cape Province portrayed high levels of poverty and underdevelopment in the mostly rural population. This is despite the fact that the Eastern Cape is characterized by a rich endowment of natural resources, hosting a wide range of natural plant species, numerous rivers, water springs from mountains and no less than six biomes due to the variety of climatic conditions prevalent in the Province. In contrast, the natural resources found in the Province were regarded to have a high potential to grow and transform the economy of the Province. In this study, the integrated approach was conceptualized, developed and implemented in action within the rural communities selected with varying degrees of success, as a function of the material and objective socio-economic conditions prevailing in each community. A model for rural enterprise development based on agricultural production utilizing the principles of Community-Public-Private Partnerships was conceptualized and executed with the assistance of specialist professionals from various disciplines and organizations. Case studies structured on the basis of methodologies derived from the integration of natural sciences and indigenous knowledge systems were conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of the conceptual framework of the study as indicated by the following case studies. The first case study undertaken was the development of agricultural enterprises in the selected rural communities in joint ventures through the commercial production of food and vegetable crops for local markets and to provide nutrition for the rural communities as the first line of therapy against the HIV/AIDS infection and other diseases associated with malnutrition. The second case study was the establishment of an agricultural enterprise in partnership between rural communities, government agencies and agricultural specialist for the commercial production of grain crops, namely, Sorghum alternating with Wheat to satisfy the demand of local markets for these crops. The third case study was the establishment of a community-based enterprise through the commercial production of two Pelargonium plant species, namely, Pelargonium reniforme and P. sidoides. The two species had a high market demand in the pharmaceutical industry; hence, the plant species were V domestically cultivated to satisfy the industry demand and to ensure the survival of the plant species. The enterprise succeeded in sustaining the livelihoods of the rural communities and conserving the plant species. The fourth case study was the commercial production of essential oil-producing plants in six selected rural communities providing employment for some of the members of these communities even though the initial phase of the start-up enterprise was a trial cultivation to determine the suitability of the environmental and climatic conditions for the propagation of the selected essential-producing plants. The demand for essential oils in local and international markets was determined to relatively high. The incorporation of Indigenous Knowledge Systems of the rural communities in the planning and implementation processes in the areas of Commercial Agricultural Production and Primary Health Care resulted in a gradual paradigm shift on the part of rural communities from a dependence mindset to one of self-reliance that is critical for sustainable rural economic development and the improvement of rural livelihoods. An integrated approach in the strategic planning and execution that involved the rural communities by government stakeholders, the academic community and other stakeholders from the Private Sector was piloted. The recognition of Indigenous Knowledge Systems by all the relevant stakeholders and their essential role in rural enterprise development, food production and primary health care as a pre-requisite for a successful transformation agenda was highlighted as never before. An all-inclusive approach that accorded the rural communities the status of equal partnership had a positive impact on most aspects of planning and implementing programmes for sustainable rural economic development and biodiversity conservation. Working in partnership with rural communities was found to be a challenge; hence, an understanding of the sub-cultures and the social dynamics that often manifested themselves in the form of internecine conflicts became necessary for successfully initiating the research programme in the rural communities. Furthermore, recognition of the rural communities as an integral part of the solution towards biodiversity conservation and the sustainable exploitation of natural resources was found to be a critical component for an effective strategy to ensure the continued survival of the endangered plant species. This attitude underpinned the co-operation of the rural communities and the overarching goals of rural transformation towards the consistent and sustainable improvement of rural livelihoods. Theapproach also marked a radical shift from all the preceeding practices in biodiversity conservation and the management of sustainable natural resource utilization. The study demonstrated that the integration of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Natural Sciences for sustainable rural economic development with the ultimate strategic objective of contributing towards the reduction of poverty, the improvement of the quality and cost-effectiveness of primary health care and adequate food production is feasible.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Lupuwana, Pumezo
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Natural resources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nutrition -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Ethnobotany)
- Identifier: vital:11884 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/81 , Natural resources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nutrition -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study demonstrated that the demographic profile of the Eastern Cape Province portrayed high levels of poverty and underdevelopment in the mostly rural population. This is despite the fact that the Eastern Cape is characterized by a rich endowment of natural resources, hosting a wide range of natural plant species, numerous rivers, water springs from mountains and no less than six biomes due to the variety of climatic conditions prevalent in the Province. In contrast, the natural resources found in the Province were regarded to have a high potential to grow and transform the economy of the Province. In this study, the integrated approach was conceptualized, developed and implemented in action within the rural communities selected with varying degrees of success, as a function of the material and objective socio-economic conditions prevailing in each community. A model for rural enterprise development based on agricultural production utilizing the principles of Community-Public-Private Partnerships was conceptualized and executed with the assistance of specialist professionals from various disciplines and organizations. Case studies structured on the basis of methodologies derived from the integration of natural sciences and indigenous knowledge systems were conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of the conceptual framework of the study as indicated by the following case studies. The first case study undertaken was the development of agricultural enterprises in the selected rural communities in joint ventures through the commercial production of food and vegetable crops for local markets and to provide nutrition for the rural communities as the first line of therapy against the HIV/AIDS infection and other diseases associated with malnutrition. The second case study was the establishment of an agricultural enterprise in partnership between rural communities, government agencies and agricultural specialist for the commercial production of grain crops, namely, Sorghum alternating with Wheat to satisfy the demand of local markets for these crops. The third case study was the establishment of a community-based enterprise through the commercial production of two Pelargonium plant species, namely, Pelargonium reniforme and P. sidoides. The two species had a high market demand in the pharmaceutical industry; hence, the plant species were V domestically cultivated to satisfy the industry demand and to ensure the survival of the plant species. The enterprise succeeded in sustaining the livelihoods of the rural communities and conserving the plant species. The fourth case study was the commercial production of essential oil-producing plants in six selected rural communities providing employment for some of the members of these communities even though the initial phase of the start-up enterprise was a trial cultivation to determine the suitability of the environmental and climatic conditions for the propagation of the selected essential-producing plants. The demand for essential oils in local and international markets was determined to relatively high. The incorporation of Indigenous Knowledge Systems of the rural communities in the planning and implementation processes in the areas of Commercial Agricultural Production and Primary Health Care resulted in a gradual paradigm shift on the part of rural communities from a dependence mindset to one of self-reliance that is critical for sustainable rural economic development and the improvement of rural livelihoods. An integrated approach in the strategic planning and execution that involved the rural communities by government stakeholders, the academic community and other stakeholders from the Private Sector was piloted. The recognition of Indigenous Knowledge Systems by all the relevant stakeholders and their essential role in rural enterprise development, food production and primary health care as a pre-requisite for a successful transformation agenda was highlighted as never before. An all-inclusive approach that accorded the rural communities the status of equal partnership had a positive impact on most aspects of planning and implementing programmes for sustainable rural economic development and biodiversity conservation. Working in partnership with rural communities was found to be a challenge; hence, an understanding of the sub-cultures and the social dynamics that often manifested themselves in the form of internecine conflicts became necessary for successfully initiating the research programme in the rural communities. Furthermore, recognition of the rural communities as an integral part of the solution towards biodiversity conservation and the sustainable exploitation of natural resources was found to be a critical component for an effective strategy to ensure the continued survival of the endangered plant species. This attitude underpinned the co-operation of the rural communities and the overarching goals of rural transformation towards the consistent and sustainable improvement of rural livelihoods. Theapproach also marked a radical shift from all the preceeding practices in biodiversity conservation and the management of sustainable natural resource utilization. The study demonstrated that the integration of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Natural Sciences for sustainable rural economic development with the ultimate strategic objective of contributing towards the reduction of poverty, the improvement of the quality and cost-effectiveness of primary health care and adequate food production is feasible.
- Full Text:
Prevalence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in water and meat and meat products and vegetables sold in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa and its impact on the diarrhoeic conditions of HIV/AIDS patients
- Authors: Abong'o, Benard Omondi
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Foodborne diseases , Diarrhea , Escherichia coli , HIV infections , AIDS (Disease) , Bacterial diseases
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11263 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/87 , Foodborne diseases , Diarrhea , Escherichia coli , HIV infections , AIDS (Disease) , Bacterial diseases
- Description: Water and food borne Escherichia coli O157:H7 could be one of the pathogens posing high health risk to patients suffering from Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) because of its incrimination in diarrhoea cases in AIDS patients. The present study, which was conducted between March 2005 and August 2006, investigated the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in water, meat and meat products and vegetables and its impact on diarrhoeic conditions of confirmed and non-confirmed HIV/AIDS patients in the Amathole District in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The water samples used in the study were obtained from stand pipes supplying treated drinking water to communities residing in Fort Beaufort, Alice, Dimbaza and Mdantsane whereas borehole waters were sampled from Ngwenya and Kwasaki. The meat and meat products and vegetable samples were purchased from shops, butcheries, supermarkets and open air markets in Fort Beaufort, Alice and Mdantsane. The stool swabs used in the study were obtained from HIV/AIDS and outpatient clinics at Frere Hospital in East London. A total of 180 each of water, meat and meat products and vegetable samples and another 360 stool samples were analyzed for E. coli O157:H7. Presumptive E. coli O157 was isolated from the samples by culture-based methods and confirmed using Polymerase Chain Reaction techniques. Anti-biogram as well as risk assessment were also carried out using standard methods. The viable counts of presumptive E. coli O157 for water samples ranged between 3.3 × 104 and 1.71 × 105 CFU/ml, and between 1.8 × 104 and 5.04 × 106 CFU/g for meat and meat products, whereas those for vegetables ranged between 1.3 × 103 and 1.6 × 106 CFU/g. The counts of presumptive E. coli O157 for the water and vegetable samples were not significantly different whereas those for meat and meat products were found to be significantly different (P ≤ 0.05). The prevalence rates of presumptive E coli O157 in meat and meat products was 35.55 percent (64/180), and 25.55 percent (46/180) and 21.66 percent (39/180) for water and vegetables respectively. Prevalence of presumptive E. coli O157 in the stool samples of HIV/AIDS patients was 36.39 percent (131/360), of which 56.5 percent (74/131) and 43.5 percent (57/131) were from stools of confirmed and non-confirmed HIV/AIDS patients, respectively. Molecular analysis of representative presumptive E. coli O157 indicated that 10.29 percent (4/39) of vegetables; 14.81 percent (4/27) of water and 38.46 percent (5/13) of meat and meat products carried E. coli O157:H7. Also 36 percent (9/25) and 17.24 percent (5/29) of the stool samples were positive for E. coli O157:H7. Antimicrobial susceptibility profile revealed that all of the E. coli O157:H7 isolated from water, meat and meat products and vegetables as well as those isolated from stools of confirmed and non-confirmed HIV/AIDS patients were resistant (R) to gentamycin and erythromycin. However, 75 percent (20/27) of these isolates were resistant (R) to ampicillin and tetracycline whereas approximately 25 percent (6/27) were resistant (R) to nalidixic acid, ceftriaxone, and chloramphenicol. All the isolates (27/27) were susceptible (S) to amikacin. Probability of risk of E. coli O157:H7 infection was high for confirmed HIV/AIDS patients than for the non-confirmed HIV/AIDS patients. Estimated probability of risk of E. coli O157:H7 due to ingestion of water was 1.00 for 100 confirmed and non-confirmed HIV/AIDS patients. Risk due to meat and meat products was estimated at 0.27 and 0.20 and for vegetables at 0.21 and 0.15 per 100 confirmed and non-confirmed HIV/AIDS patients. The findings of this study predicted a possible link between E. coli O157:H7 isolated from drinking water, meat and meat products and vegetables and diarrhoeic conditions in both confirmed and non-confirmed HIV/AIDS patients, and concludes that confirmed HIV/AIDS patients can be at higher risk of contracting water and food borne E. coli O157:H7 than nonconfirmed HIV/AIDS patients. It is thus recommended that proper water treatment and food handling, maximum food and water safety and sanitation as well as personal body hygiene should be maintained, in order to prevent E. coli O157:H7 infections. Education initiatives and active surveillance of E. coli O157:H7 should be taken by all the stake-holders working directly or indirectly towards ensuring enduring sound public health.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Abong'o, Benard Omondi
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Foodborne diseases , Diarrhea , Escherichia coli , HIV infections , AIDS (Disease) , Bacterial diseases
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11263 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/87 , Foodborne diseases , Diarrhea , Escherichia coli , HIV infections , AIDS (Disease) , Bacterial diseases
- Description: Water and food borne Escherichia coli O157:H7 could be one of the pathogens posing high health risk to patients suffering from Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) because of its incrimination in diarrhoea cases in AIDS patients. The present study, which was conducted between March 2005 and August 2006, investigated the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in water, meat and meat products and vegetables and its impact on diarrhoeic conditions of confirmed and non-confirmed HIV/AIDS patients in the Amathole District in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The water samples used in the study were obtained from stand pipes supplying treated drinking water to communities residing in Fort Beaufort, Alice, Dimbaza and Mdantsane whereas borehole waters were sampled from Ngwenya and Kwasaki. The meat and meat products and vegetable samples were purchased from shops, butcheries, supermarkets and open air markets in Fort Beaufort, Alice and Mdantsane. The stool swabs used in the study were obtained from HIV/AIDS and outpatient clinics at Frere Hospital in East London. A total of 180 each of water, meat and meat products and vegetable samples and another 360 stool samples were analyzed for E. coli O157:H7. Presumptive E. coli O157 was isolated from the samples by culture-based methods and confirmed using Polymerase Chain Reaction techniques. Anti-biogram as well as risk assessment were also carried out using standard methods. The viable counts of presumptive E. coli O157 for water samples ranged between 3.3 × 104 and 1.71 × 105 CFU/ml, and between 1.8 × 104 and 5.04 × 106 CFU/g for meat and meat products, whereas those for vegetables ranged between 1.3 × 103 and 1.6 × 106 CFU/g. The counts of presumptive E. coli O157 for the water and vegetable samples were not significantly different whereas those for meat and meat products were found to be significantly different (P ≤ 0.05). The prevalence rates of presumptive E coli O157 in meat and meat products was 35.55 percent (64/180), and 25.55 percent (46/180) and 21.66 percent (39/180) for water and vegetables respectively. Prevalence of presumptive E. coli O157 in the stool samples of HIV/AIDS patients was 36.39 percent (131/360), of which 56.5 percent (74/131) and 43.5 percent (57/131) were from stools of confirmed and non-confirmed HIV/AIDS patients, respectively. Molecular analysis of representative presumptive E. coli O157 indicated that 10.29 percent (4/39) of vegetables; 14.81 percent (4/27) of water and 38.46 percent (5/13) of meat and meat products carried E. coli O157:H7. Also 36 percent (9/25) and 17.24 percent (5/29) of the stool samples were positive for E. coli O157:H7. Antimicrobial susceptibility profile revealed that all of the E. coli O157:H7 isolated from water, meat and meat products and vegetables as well as those isolated from stools of confirmed and non-confirmed HIV/AIDS patients were resistant (R) to gentamycin and erythromycin. However, 75 percent (20/27) of these isolates were resistant (R) to ampicillin and tetracycline whereas approximately 25 percent (6/27) were resistant (R) to nalidixic acid, ceftriaxone, and chloramphenicol. All the isolates (27/27) were susceptible (S) to amikacin. Probability of risk of E. coli O157:H7 infection was high for confirmed HIV/AIDS patients than for the non-confirmed HIV/AIDS patients. Estimated probability of risk of E. coli O157:H7 due to ingestion of water was 1.00 for 100 confirmed and non-confirmed HIV/AIDS patients. Risk due to meat and meat products was estimated at 0.27 and 0.20 and for vegetables at 0.21 and 0.15 per 100 confirmed and non-confirmed HIV/AIDS patients. The findings of this study predicted a possible link between E. coli O157:H7 isolated from drinking water, meat and meat products and vegetables and diarrhoeic conditions in both confirmed and non-confirmed HIV/AIDS patients, and concludes that confirmed HIV/AIDS patients can be at higher risk of contracting water and food borne E. coli O157:H7 than nonconfirmed HIV/AIDS patients. It is thus recommended that proper water treatment and food handling, maximum food and water safety and sanitation as well as personal body hygiene should be maintained, in order to prevent E. coli O157:H7 infections. Education initiatives and active surveillance of E. coli O157:H7 should be taken by all the stake-holders working directly or indirectly towards ensuring enduring sound public health.
- Full Text:
Studies on the use of essential oils for the control of Sitophilus Zeamais (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera; Curculionidae): a pest of stored maize grains
- Odeyemi, Oluwakemi Oluwaseyi
- Authors: Odeyemi, Oluwakemi Oluwaseyi
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Curculionidae , Essences and essential oils , Corn -- Diseases and pests -- South Africa , Biological pest control agents -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Botany)
- Identifier: vital:11301 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/168 , Curculionidae , Essences and essential oils , Corn -- Diseases and pests -- South Africa , Biological pest control agents -- South Africa
- Description: The common maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a well known pest of stored-maize grain in most parts of the world, was identified as one of the major constraints of harvested maize grains in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The use of plants or their products is one of the recent methods being investigated for insect pest control worldwide. Therefore, the main aim of the present study was to identify available plants in the Eastern Cape that could be used to combat the problem of Sitophilus zeamais in stored-maize grains. For the realization of the aims of this research, the following studies were carried out; a preliminary survey was conducted to obtain baseline information on the farmers’ knowledge and experience of indigenous insect pest control methods in the Eastern Cape. Also, studies on the insecticidal potential of the essential oils of some plants were investigated against the maize weevil. The quality parameters of maize grains treated with the essential oils was also studied and, using a rat model, the toxicity of the essential oils was investigated. The outcome from this study revealed that there is awareness amongst the farmers in the Eastern Cape on the use of plants or their products to control insect pests. Unfortunately, such methods are currently being neglected and the knowledge of their application was found to be eroding. Among the various essential oils screened were those from Mentha longifolia L. and Tagetes minuta L. which evoked an appreciable level of contact, fumigant and repellent toxicity on the maize weevil. Further work done to determine the effects of the oils on maize stored over a period of three months revealed that the two oils had no adverse effect on the proximate compositions and some quality parameters of the stored maize. However, the toxicological study conducted on rats showed that the oils at tested concentrations exhibited some level of toxicity. It is, therefore, suggested that the essential oils of M. longifolia and T. minuta should not be used to treat maize grains intended for human consumption.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Odeyemi, Oluwakemi Oluwaseyi
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Curculionidae , Essences and essential oils , Corn -- Diseases and pests -- South Africa , Biological pest control agents -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Botany)
- Identifier: vital:11301 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/168 , Curculionidae , Essences and essential oils , Corn -- Diseases and pests -- South Africa , Biological pest control agents -- South Africa
- Description: The common maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a well known pest of stored-maize grain in most parts of the world, was identified as one of the major constraints of harvested maize grains in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The use of plants or their products is one of the recent methods being investigated for insect pest control worldwide. Therefore, the main aim of the present study was to identify available plants in the Eastern Cape that could be used to combat the problem of Sitophilus zeamais in stored-maize grains. For the realization of the aims of this research, the following studies were carried out; a preliminary survey was conducted to obtain baseline information on the farmers’ knowledge and experience of indigenous insect pest control methods in the Eastern Cape. Also, studies on the insecticidal potential of the essential oils of some plants were investigated against the maize weevil. The quality parameters of maize grains treated with the essential oils was also studied and, using a rat model, the toxicity of the essential oils was investigated. The outcome from this study revealed that there is awareness amongst the farmers in the Eastern Cape on the use of plants or their products to control insect pests. Unfortunately, such methods are currently being neglected and the knowledge of their application was found to be eroding. Among the various essential oils screened were those from Mentha longifolia L. and Tagetes minuta L. which evoked an appreciable level of contact, fumigant and repellent toxicity on the maize weevil. Further work done to determine the effects of the oils on maize stored over a period of three months revealed that the two oils had no adverse effect on the proximate compositions and some quality parameters of the stored maize. However, the toxicological study conducted on rats showed that the oils at tested concentrations exhibited some level of toxicity. It is, therefore, suggested that the essential oils of M. longifolia and T. minuta should not be used to treat maize grains intended for human consumption.
- Full Text:
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