Community participation in rendering local government services in the Capricon District Municipality
- Selematsela, Lebogang Eunice
- Authors: Selematsela, Lebogang Eunice
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Public administration -- Citizen participation , Community development , Local government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9185 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020191
- Description: This study sought to assess community participation in the rendering of services in the Capricorn District Municipality. The concept of community participation is central in underpinning successful development programmes. However, this is usually undermined in communities where cultural factors and political factors influence decision making. The study was premised on the review of literature and documents as the Researcher believed that more research on the subject matter has been done extensively. Personal interviews were done with officials within the Public Participation units in both the Capricorn District Municipality and its Local Municipalities so as to gain insight as to how implementation of public participation processes is done in the CDM‟s area of jurisdiction. Literature was reviewed in terms of the legislative requirements with regard to the implementation of public participation methods in the Local Government sector. Various documents were reviewed so as to understand what other scholars have written about the subject matter. Personal interviews were done with officials within the Public Participation units in both the Capricorn District Municipality and Its Local Municipalities so as to gain insight as to how implementation of public participation processes is done. An assessment of how Capricorn District Municipality implements public participation methods was done in line with what the legislation provides for as well as what the scholars said about public participation. Gaps in the implementation of such were also identified, wherein recommendations were made on how best Capricorn District Municipality can improve on the public participation processes so as to comply with the legislative requirements.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Community participation in rendering local government services in the Capricon District Municipality
- Authors: Selematsela, Lebogang Eunice
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Public administration -- Citizen participation , Community development , Local government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9185 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020191
- Description: This study sought to assess community participation in the rendering of services in the Capricorn District Municipality. The concept of community participation is central in underpinning successful development programmes. However, this is usually undermined in communities where cultural factors and political factors influence decision making. The study was premised on the review of literature and documents as the Researcher believed that more research on the subject matter has been done extensively. Personal interviews were done with officials within the Public Participation units in both the Capricorn District Municipality and its Local Municipalities so as to gain insight as to how implementation of public participation processes is done in the CDM‟s area of jurisdiction. Literature was reviewed in terms of the legislative requirements with regard to the implementation of public participation methods in the Local Government sector. Various documents were reviewed so as to understand what other scholars have written about the subject matter. Personal interviews were done with officials within the Public Participation units in both the Capricorn District Municipality and Its Local Municipalities so as to gain insight as to how implementation of public participation processes is done. An assessment of how Capricorn District Municipality implements public participation methods was done in line with what the legislation provides for as well as what the scholars said about public participation. Gaps in the implementation of such were also identified, wherein recommendations were made on how best Capricorn District Municipality can improve on the public participation processes so as to comply with the legislative requirements.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Community participation in the decision-making process in Mnquma Local Municipality
- Authors: Mbane, Masibulele
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Community development -- South Africa -- Citizen participation , Citicen's advisory committees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8286 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018501
- Description: The study investigates community participation in the decision-making processes in Mnquma Local Municipality. The issue of community participation in decision making is receiving attention in South Africa, from both government and civil society sectors. Governments in many parts of the world have begun to take a fresh look at the need for public participation in decision-making processes. The main problem to be addressed in this study is the extent to which the community can be involved in decision making processes in Mnquma Local Municipality. To address the research problem and to achieve the aims of this study, an in depth review of the literature on decision making was done. The empirical search was done by distributing self-administered questionnaires to the participants in Mnquma Local Municipality. The research findings revealed that in Mnquma Local Municipality community participation in decision-making is not effective. Consequently, the delivery of services in this municipality is poor. Another factor that inhibits community participation in the decision making processes in the municipality is that most of the municipal documents are written in English a language in which the majority of the members of the community are not competent in because they are Xhosa speaking people. Recommendations for improved satisfaction in service delivery, communication, consultation, regular meetings, and language were made with regard to community participation in decision making. If these recommendations are implemented, they will assist Mnquma Local Municipality in the area of decision making.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Mbane, Masibulele
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Community development -- South Africa -- Citizen participation , Citicen's advisory committees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8286 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018501
- Description: The study investigates community participation in the decision-making processes in Mnquma Local Municipality. The issue of community participation in decision making is receiving attention in South Africa, from both government and civil society sectors. Governments in many parts of the world have begun to take a fresh look at the need for public participation in decision-making processes. The main problem to be addressed in this study is the extent to which the community can be involved in decision making processes in Mnquma Local Municipality. To address the research problem and to achieve the aims of this study, an in depth review of the literature on decision making was done. The empirical search was done by distributing self-administered questionnaires to the participants in Mnquma Local Municipality. The research findings revealed that in Mnquma Local Municipality community participation in decision-making is not effective. Consequently, the delivery of services in this municipality is poor. Another factor that inhibits community participation in the decision making processes in the municipality is that most of the municipal documents are written in English a language in which the majority of the members of the community are not competent in because they are Xhosa speaking people. Recommendations for improved satisfaction in service delivery, communication, consultation, regular meetings, and language were made with regard to community participation in decision making. If these recommendations are implemented, they will assist Mnquma Local Municipality in the area of decision making.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Comparative biogeography and ecology of freshwater fishes in the Breede and associated river systems, South Africa
- Authors: Chakona, Albert
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Freshwater fishes -- South Africa -- Breede River , Freshwater fishes -- South Africa -- Geographical distribution , Freshwater fishes -- Ecology , Feshwater fishes -- Genetics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5372 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015694
- Description: Distribution patterns and levels of genetic diversity in extant taxa are a product of complex palaeogeographic processes and climatic oscillations as well as the species’ intrinsic ecological adaptations. The Cape Floristic Region of South Africa presents a unique system for studying the processes that promote species diversification and distribution patterns. This region has a high degree of endemism of both terrestrial and aquatic biota and is clearly isolated from neighbouring areas by the Cape Fold Mountains and the Great Escarpment. The objective of this study was to firstly examine the ecology of freshwater fishes belonging to the genera Galaxias, Pseudobarbus and Sandelia in the south-western CFR. This was followed by an assessment of the genetic diversity of these taxa. Unique lineages were identified and their distribution was mapped. The work aimed to explore the role of the region’s complex palaeogeographic and climatic history as well as the role of the species’ ecological adaptations in driving lineage diversification and shaping contemporary distribution patterns. The four main components of the study can be summarised as follows: 1. Habitat associations of three widely distributed lineages of Galaxias zebratus Pseudobarbus burchelli and Sandelia capensis were evaluated at multiple localities in minimally disturbed mountain tributaries of the Breede, Duiwenhoks and Goukou River systems. The lineages have distinct habitat associations which were related to differences in their morphological traits. The slender-bodied Galaxias ‘nebula’ and the fusiform-shaped Pseudobarbus ‘Breede’ are capable of exploiting upper reaches with faster water velocity. By contrast, the laterally compressed Sandelia ‘eastern’ is restricted to lower reaches, making this lineage more susceptible to a wide array of impacts. 2. A recently discovered lineage of Galaxias zebratus, (Galaxias ‘nebula’), was found to be capable of tolerating emersion for a prolonged period of time. This is the first time that such capabilities have been documented in an African galaxiid. These adaptations have implications for the interpretation of Galaxias ‘nebula’s wide distribution range. 3. The phylogeography of Galaxias ‘nebula’ across its entire distribution range was investigated using two mitochondrial genes (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and cytochrome b (cyt b)). This lineage has a complex evolutionary history that was influenced by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Rare events such as episodic drainage connections during Pleistocene and Holocene pluvial periods, possibly augmented by river confluences during periods of lower sea-levels and river capture events seem to be the most credible explanation for the extensive contemporary distribution and the relatively shallow genetic divergence between different river systems. 4. Mitochondrial cyt b sequences were used (i) to assess genetic diversity in G. zebratus, P. burchelli and S. capensis from the south-western CFR and (ii) to determine the roles of intrinsic ecological adaptations and extrinsic landscape and climatic changes in promoting genetic diversification and shaping present day distribution patterns of lineages in the three taxa. Marine incursions during periods of major sea-level transgressions are proposed to have isolated populations in upland refugia, thereby driving allopatric divergence in these species. Subsequent connections of rivers during wetter periods and lower sea-levels are proposed to have facilitated post-speciation dispersal of lineages to attain present day distribution patterns. While detailed morphological studies and further genetic analysis are needed to substantiate the taxonomic status of the newly discovered lineages of Galaxias zebratus, Pseudobarbus burchelli and Sandelia capensis, results of the present study indicate that the south-western CFR represents a previously unrecognised centre of freshwater fish diversity and microendemism in the broader Cape Floristic Region. Accurate identification of lineages and comprehensive mapping of their distribution is a fundamental pre-requisite for ecological studies, assessing conservation status and implementation of appropriate conservation measures.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Chakona, Albert
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Freshwater fishes -- South Africa -- Breede River , Freshwater fishes -- South Africa -- Geographical distribution , Freshwater fishes -- Ecology , Feshwater fishes -- Genetics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5372 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015694
- Description: Distribution patterns and levels of genetic diversity in extant taxa are a product of complex palaeogeographic processes and climatic oscillations as well as the species’ intrinsic ecological adaptations. The Cape Floristic Region of South Africa presents a unique system for studying the processes that promote species diversification and distribution patterns. This region has a high degree of endemism of both terrestrial and aquatic biota and is clearly isolated from neighbouring areas by the Cape Fold Mountains and the Great Escarpment. The objective of this study was to firstly examine the ecology of freshwater fishes belonging to the genera Galaxias, Pseudobarbus and Sandelia in the south-western CFR. This was followed by an assessment of the genetic diversity of these taxa. Unique lineages were identified and their distribution was mapped. The work aimed to explore the role of the region’s complex palaeogeographic and climatic history as well as the role of the species’ ecological adaptations in driving lineage diversification and shaping contemporary distribution patterns. The four main components of the study can be summarised as follows: 1. Habitat associations of three widely distributed lineages of Galaxias zebratus Pseudobarbus burchelli and Sandelia capensis were evaluated at multiple localities in minimally disturbed mountain tributaries of the Breede, Duiwenhoks and Goukou River systems. The lineages have distinct habitat associations which were related to differences in their morphological traits. The slender-bodied Galaxias ‘nebula’ and the fusiform-shaped Pseudobarbus ‘Breede’ are capable of exploiting upper reaches with faster water velocity. By contrast, the laterally compressed Sandelia ‘eastern’ is restricted to lower reaches, making this lineage more susceptible to a wide array of impacts. 2. A recently discovered lineage of Galaxias zebratus, (Galaxias ‘nebula’), was found to be capable of tolerating emersion for a prolonged period of time. This is the first time that such capabilities have been documented in an African galaxiid. These adaptations have implications for the interpretation of Galaxias ‘nebula’s wide distribution range. 3. The phylogeography of Galaxias ‘nebula’ across its entire distribution range was investigated using two mitochondrial genes (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and cytochrome b (cyt b)). This lineage has a complex evolutionary history that was influenced by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Rare events such as episodic drainage connections during Pleistocene and Holocene pluvial periods, possibly augmented by river confluences during periods of lower sea-levels and river capture events seem to be the most credible explanation for the extensive contemporary distribution and the relatively shallow genetic divergence between different river systems. 4. Mitochondrial cyt b sequences were used (i) to assess genetic diversity in G. zebratus, P. burchelli and S. capensis from the south-western CFR and (ii) to determine the roles of intrinsic ecological adaptations and extrinsic landscape and climatic changes in promoting genetic diversification and shaping present day distribution patterns of lineages in the three taxa. Marine incursions during periods of major sea-level transgressions are proposed to have isolated populations in upland refugia, thereby driving allopatric divergence in these species. Subsequent connections of rivers during wetter periods and lower sea-levels are proposed to have facilitated post-speciation dispersal of lineages to attain present day distribution patterns. While detailed morphological studies and further genetic analysis are needed to substantiate the taxonomic status of the newly discovered lineages of Galaxias zebratus, Pseudobarbus burchelli and Sandelia capensis, results of the present study indicate that the south-western CFR represents a previously unrecognised centre of freshwater fish diversity and microendemism in the broader Cape Floristic Region. Accurate identification of lineages and comprehensive mapping of their distribution is a fundamental pre-requisite for ecological studies, assessing conservation status and implementation of appropriate conservation measures.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Comparative in-vitro activities of trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole and the new fluoroquinolones against confirmed extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape environment
- Adeyemi, Oluwatosin Oluwakemi
- Authors: Adeyemi, Oluwatosin Oluwakemi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Antibiotics , Microbial sensitivity tests , Drug resistance in microorganisms , Pathogenic microorganisms , Gram-negative bacterial infections
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11275 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007576 , Antibiotics , Microbial sensitivity tests , Drug resistance in microorganisms , Pathogenic microorganisms , Gram-negative bacterial infections
- Description: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is increasingly emerging as an opportunistic pathogen of global concern. Due to its inherent resistance to several classes of antibiotics including carbapenems and its ability to acquire mobile resistance elements, treatment of infections caused by S. maltophilia is a constant challenge for clinicians. Trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) is the generally accepted antibiotic of choice for the treatment of infections caused by this organism, but resistance to the drug is increasingly being reported; hence, the need for alternative therapeutic options. In this study, the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of 110 commensal S. maltophilia isolates obtained from Nkonkobe municipality, Eastern Cape Province, Republic of South Africa was investigated. Twenty-one antibiotics including TMP-SMX and the newer fluoroquinolones; levofloxacin, gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin were included in the antibiotic panel. About 63.4 percent of the isolates were susceptible to TMP-SMX with a resistance rate of 28.2 percent. The fluoroquinolones were more effective with susceptibilities ranging from 76 percent to 94.7 percent. Resistance to the fluoroquinolones ranged from 1.3 percent to 2.7 percent. Levofloxacin was the most effective fluoroquinolone tested. Phenotypic dectection of extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) showed double disc synergy test (DDST) positivity in 59.5 percent of the isolates. Cefepime was the most sensitive indicator cephalosporin in the DDST with 77.3 percent of suspected ESBL-producing isolates showing cefepime-clavulanic acid synergy. Isolates exhibited nine different ESBL phenotypes, however, PCR amplification of the bla genes revealed four isolates that possessed genes belonging to the CTX-M group (CTX-M-1 and CTX-M-8 groups). ESBL genes are usually carried on mobile elements such as plasmids and transposons which may also bear genes that mediate resistance to aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, TMP-SMX and fluoroquinolones. ESBL positive isolates appeared more susceptible to the fluoroquinolones compared to TMP-SMX but there was no significant relationship between ESBL production and susceptibility to these drugs (p > 0.05). The newer fluoroquinolones are a possible alternative treatment option for S. maltophilia infections in this environment but further studies and clinical investigations are needed to determine the in vivo efficacy of these drugs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Adeyemi, Oluwatosin Oluwakemi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Antibiotics , Microbial sensitivity tests , Drug resistance in microorganisms , Pathogenic microorganisms , Gram-negative bacterial infections
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11275 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007576 , Antibiotics , Microbial sensitivity tests , Drug resistance in microorganisms , Pathogenic microorganisms , Gram-negative bacterial infections
- Description: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is increasingly emerging as an opportunistic pathogen of global concern. Due to its inherent resistance to several classes of antibiotics including carbapenems and its ability to acquire mobile resistance elements, treatment of infections caused by S. maltophilia is a constant challenge for clinicians. Trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) is the generally accepted antibiotic of choice for the treatment of infections caused by this organism, but resistance to the drug is increasingly being reported; hence, the need for alternative therapeutic options. In this study, the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of 110 commensal S. maltophilia isolates obtained from Nkonkobe municipality, Eastern Cape Province, Republic of South Africa was investigated. Twenty-one antibiotics including TMP-SMX and the newer fluoroquinolones; levofloxacin, gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin were included in the antibiotic panel. About 63.4 percent of the isolates were susceptible to TMP-SMX with a resistance rate of 28.2 percent. The fluoroquinolones were more effective with susceptibilities ranging from 76 percent to 94.7 percent. Resistance to the fluoroquinolones ranged from 1.3 percent to 2.7 percent. Levofloxacin was the most effective fluoroquinolone tested. Phenotypic dectection of extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) showed double disc synergy test (DDST) positivity in 59.5 percent of the isolates. Cefepime was the most sensitive indicator cephalosporin in the DDST with 77.3 percent of suspected ESBL-producing isolates showing cefepime-clavulanic acid synergy. Isolates exhibited nine different ESBL phenotypes, however, PCR amplification of the bla genes revealed four isolates that possessed genes belonging to the CTX-M group (CTX-M-1 and CTX-M-8 groups). ESBL genes are usually carried on mobile elements such as plasmids and transposons which may also bear genes that mediate resistance to aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, TMP-SMX and fluoroquinolones. ESBL positive isolates appeared more susceptible to the fluoroquinolones compared to TMP-SMX but there was no significant relationship between ESBL production and susceptibility to these drugs (p > 0.05). The newer fluoroquinolones are a possible alternative treatment option for S. maltophilia infections in this environment but further studies and clinical investigations are needed to determine the in vivo efficacy of these drugs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Comparing child justice legislation in South Africa and South Sudan
- Authors: Teny, Jamual Peter Malual
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Children -- Legal status, laws, etc , Criminal law -- South Africa , Criminal law -- Sudan
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10187 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020941
- Description: The legal framework and legislation governing the rights of the children have become of great concern in modern societies, particularly, in the area of criminal justice and human rights. The Convention on the Rights of the Child and African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child are basic international and regional conventions regulating the rights of the children and include how to deal with children in conflict with the law. States parties to these conventions are required to take appropriate measures, which includes enactment of legislation to give effect to these rights. Legislative instruments must address the following issues: The principle of the best interest of the child; the age of criminal responsibility; restorative justice; diversion; and the trials of children in conflict with the law. The above-mentioned instrument require and emphasise the use of an alternative approach in respect of the children who are in conflict with law. In this research a comparative approach is used to compare the South African and South Sudanese child justice legislative instruments. The legislative instruments pertaining to child justice in both countries are set out and compared. It is concluded that the South African legislative instruments are more aligned to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. Recommendations and proposals are made to enact to adopt in South Sudan new legislative measures and provisions aim to afford more protection to children in conflict with the law and to strike a better balance between rights of a child and victim of crimes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Teny, Jamual Peter Malual
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Children -- Legal status, laws, etc , Criminal law -- South Africa , Criminal law -- Sudan
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10187 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020941
- Description: The legal framework and legislation governing the rights of the children have become of great concern in modern societies, particularly, in the area of criminal justice and human rights. The Convention on the Rights of the Child and African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child are basic international and regional conventions regulating the rights of the children and include how to deal with children in conflict with the law. States parties to these conventions are required to take appropriate measures, which includes enactment of legislation to give effect to these rights. Legislative instruments must address the following issues: The principle of the best interest of the child; the age of criminal responsibility; restorative justice; diversion; and the trials of children in conflict with the law. The above-mentioned instrument require and emphasise the use of an alternative approach in respect of the children who are in conflict with law. In this research a comparative approach is used to compare the South African and South Sudanese child justice legislative instruments. The legislative instruments pertaining to child justice in both countries are set out and compared. It is concluded that the South African legislative instruments are more aligned to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. Recommendations and proposals are made to enact to adopt in South Sudan new legislative measures and provisions aim to afford more protection to children in conflict with the law and to strike a better balance between rights of a child and victim of crimes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Comparison of carbon screen-printed and disk electrodes in the detection of antioxidants using CoPc derivatives
- Matemadombo, Fungisai, Apetrei, Constantin, Nyokong, Tebello, Rodríguez-Méndez, María Luz, de Saja, José Antonio
- Authors: Matemadombo, Fungisai , Apetrei, Constantin , Nyokong, Tebello , Rodríguez-Méndez, María Luz , de Saja, José Antonio
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/244371 , vital:51251 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2012.02.088"
- Description: Cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) and cobalt phthalocyanine carboxylic derivatives (CoTCPc and CoOCPc) have been used as electrocatalysts for the detection of the antioxidants vanillic acid, caffeic acid, pyrogallol, and ascorbic acid on screen-printed carbon and disk electrode surfaces. The cobalt phthalocyanines were used to detect vanillic acid (with limit of detection ranging from 1.15 μM to 2.42 μM at potentials of 0.55–0.88 V vs. Ag|AgCl), caffeic acid (with limit of detection ranging from 1.17 μM to 2.20 μM at potentials of 0.30–0.81 V vs. Ag|AgCl), pyrogallol (with limit of detection ranging from 1.16 μM to 3.63 μM at potentials of 0.52–0.63 V vs. Ag|AgCl), and ascorbic acid (with limit of detection ranging from 1.16 μM to 1.58 μM at potentials of 0.34–0.46 V vs. Ag|AgCl). The kinetic studies also demonstrate diffusion-controlled processes at the electrode surface. The SPCE electrodes have better detection properties towards vanillic acid, caffeic acid, pyrogallol while the disk electrodes had better ascorbic acid detection properties as proven by kinetic studies. Both types CoPc-influenced electrodes show 100% discrimination of the antioxidants.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Matemadombo, Fungisai , Apetrei, Constantin , Nyokong, Tebello , Rodríguez-Méndez, María Luz , de Saja, José Antonio
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/244371 , vital:51251 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2012.02.088"
- Description: Cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) and cobalt phthalocyanine carboxylic derivatives (CoTCPc and CoOCPc) have been used as electrocatalysts for the detection of the antioxidants vanillic acid, caffeic acid, pyrogallol, and ascorbic acid on screen-printed carbon and disk electrode surfaces. The cobalt phthalocyanines were used to detect vanillic acid (with limit of detection ranging from 1.15 μM to 2.42 μM at potentials of 0.55–0.88 V vs. Ag|AgCl), caffeic acid (with limit of detection ranging from 1.17 μM to 2.20 μM at potentials of 0.30–0.81 V vs. Ag|AgCl), pyrogallol (with limit of detection ranging from 1.16 μM to 3.63 μM at potentials of 0.52–0.63 V vs. Ag|AgCl), and ascorbic acid (with limit of detection ranging from 1.16 μM to 1.58 μM at potentials of 0.34–0.46 V vs. Ag|AgCl). The kinetic studies also demonstrate diffusion-controlled processes at the electrode surface. The SPCE electrodes have better detection properties towards vanillic acid, caffeic acid, pyrogallol while the disk electrodes had better ascorbic acid detection properties as proven by kinetic studies. Both types CoPc-influenced electrodes show 100% discrimination of the antioxidants.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Comparison of the prevalence of HIV infection in circumcised and uncircumcised men from Salima District in Malawi
- Authors: Kankuwe, Hector Master
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: HIV infections -- Malawi , Initiation rites -- Malawi
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Biostatistics and Epidemiology)
- Identifier: vital:11778 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/462 , HIV infections -- Malawi , Initiation rites -- Malawi
- Description: The overall objective of the study was to investigate the relationship between male circumcision status and HIV infection in men from Salima district in Malawi. A cross-sectional survey-based study of men aged 15 years or more was conducted at three sites in Salima district, each of which targeted 90 participants, half of whom were circumcised and the other half uncircumcised. These participants had already decided on their own to visit HIV Testing and Counseling centres at these sites to know their HIV serostatus. Consenting men were drawn into the study using quota sampling, interviewed through a structured questionnaire in local language and tested for HIV during January and March 2011. Measures of association were performed using analysis of contingency tables and Pearson’s chi-square tests or Fisher’s exact tests for comparison of proportions in STATA version 11.0 and PASW Statistics 18.0 software. Unadjusted odds ratios were used to approximate the direction and strength of association. Further, a multivariable logistic regression model was fit to determine which other variables were significantly associated with HIV infection. The study was approved by University of Fort Hare Interim Research Ethics Committee and National Health Sciences Research Committee in Malawi. The overall prevalence of HIV infection was 11.5 percent. However, it was less than half in circumcised males (7.4 percent) compared with uncircumcised counterparts (15.6 vi percent). While Fisher’s exact test revealed a borderline statistically significant association between male circumcision status and HIV infection (p 0.055), Pearson’s chi-square test showed a stronger significant association between the two variables ( p 0.036). The strength of the association was manifested by the odds of HIV infection being roughly 0.43 times lower for circumcised males than their uncircumcised counterparts with a 95 percent confidence interval of (0.20 0.96). Although the association was maintained after controlling for some variables, it lost statistical significance when adjusted for other variables. A multivariable logistic regression revealed that three other variables had significant associations with HIV infection and these were: falling in the age group of 25 years or more (OR 4.69; p 0.020), having had sex with an HIV positive partner (OR 12.15; p 0.000) and having contracted a sexually transmitted infection (OR 3.25; p 0.032). Male circumcision status is significantly related to HIV infection. Although the study involved a small sample size and undertaken in one district in Malawi, the finding is consistent with existing clinic-based findings in literature that indicate a lower risk of HIV infection in circumcised males than in uncircumcised males. Consequently, male circumcision could be considered if it can prove to be a public health intervention in the Malawi context aimed at reducing the risk of uncircumcised males becoming infected by HIV.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Kankuwe, Hector Master
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: HIV infections -- Malawi , Initiation rites -- Malawi
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Biostatistics and Epidemiology)
- Identifier: vital:11778 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/462 , HIV infections -- Malawi , Initiation rites -- Malawi
- Description: The overall objective of the study was to investigate the relationship between male circumcision status and HIV infection in men from Salima district in Malawi. A cross-sectional survey-based study of men aged 15 years or more was conducted at three sites in Salima district, each of which targeted 90 participants, half of whom were circumcised and the other half uncircumcised. These participants had already decided on their own to visit HIV Testing and Counseling centres at these sites to know their HIV serostatus. Consenting men were drawn into the study using quota sampling, interviewed through a structured questionnaire in local language and tested for HIV during January and March 2011. Measures of association were performed using analysis of contingency tables and Pearson’s chi-square tests or Fisher’s exact tests for comparison of proportions in STATA version 11.0 and PASW Statistics 18.0 software. Unadjusted odds ratios were used to approximate the direction and strength of association. Further, a multivariable logistic regression model was fit to determine which other variables were significantly associated with HIV infection. The study was approved by University of Fort Hare Interim Research Ethics Committee and National Health Sciences Research Committee in Malawi. The overall prevalence of HIV infection was 11.5 percent. However, it was less than half in circumcised males (7.4 percent) compared with uncircumcised counterparts (15.6 vi percent). While Fisher’s exact test revealed a borderline statistically significant association between male circumcision status and HIV infection (p 0.055), Pearson’s chi-square test showed a stronger significant association between the two variables ( p 0.036). The strength of the association was manifested by the odds of HIV infection being roughly 0.43 times lower for circumcised males than their uncircumcised counterparts with a 95 percent confidence interval of (0.20 0.96). Although the association was maintained after controlling for some variables, it lost statistical significance when adjusted for other variables. A multivariable logistic regression revealed that three other variables had significant associations with HIV infection and these were: falling in the age group of 25 years or more (OR 4.69; p 0.020), having had sex with an HIV positive partner (OR 12.15; p 0.000) and having contracted a sexually transmitted infection (OR 3.25; p 0.032). Male circumcision status is significantly related to HIV infection. Although the study involved a small sample size and undertaken in one district in Malawi, the finding is consistent with existing clinic-based findings in literature that indicate a lower risk of HIV infection in circumcised males than in uncircumcised males. Consequently, male circumcision could be considered if it can prove to be a public health intervention in the Malawi context aimed at reducing the risk of uncircumcised males becoming infected by HIV.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Competence development in marine protected area professionals: a case study of the South African Marine Protected Area Management Training Course (SAMPATC)
- Authors: Lewis, Sebastian Giulio
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Core competencies Employees -- Training of Marine ecosystem management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1456 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003337
- Description: This study reviews a training programme on Marine Protected Area (MPA) management. It notes that although MPAs are well promulgated under legislation, reports have found that there are still key challenges facing the management of these areas. The research examines how the course was developed following the Lemm and Attwood (2003) report and designed to develop competences for effective MPA management. The aim is to identify how a MPA management training course produced competences apposite to the workplace settings of the participants. An interpretive case study method was used, in two phases. The first phase explored salient issues in MPA management in South Africa through analysis of the two key ‘state of MPA management’ reports and interviews with MPA professionals. The second was an analysis of the South African Marine Protected Area Management Training Course. This involved interviews with course designers, a review of the course materials, interviews with past course participants, and an analysis of course evaluations. Evidence emerged that supported the following findings: Challenges and problems facing MPA management still exist. Competence in key areas of MPA management was addressed in an effective work-integrated approach. Social learning was a key process in the development of these competences. The competences articulate well with the workplace of participants. Gaps exist between some of the management issues and the competences developed by the course, and some aspects of the course design are ineffective. From these findings it is concluded that: The course took up the majority of issues in MPA management through the development of key competences. The course design facilitated the development of these competences. The competences developed through the course are relevant to the workplace of MPA professionals. The research found that the course adequately addresses issues in MPA management through the development of competences. Some recommendations for improvements are made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Lewis, Sebastian Giulio
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Core competencies Employees -- Training of Marine ecosystem management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1456 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003337
- Description: This study reviews a training programme on Marine Protected Area (MPA) management. It notes that although MPAs are well promulgated under legislation, reports have found that there are still key challenges facing the management of these areas. The research examines how the course was developed following the Lemm and Attwood (2003) report and designed to develop competences for effective MPA management. The aim is to identify how a MPA management training course produced competences apposite to the workplace settings of the participants. An interpretive case study method was used, in two phases. The first phase explored salient issues in MPA management in South Africa through analysis of the two key ‘state of MPA management’ reports and interviews with MPA professionals. The second was an analysis of the South African Marine Protected Area Management Training Course. This involved interviews with course designers, a review of the course materials, interviews with past course participants, and an analysis of course evaluations. Evidence emerged that supported the following findings: Challenges and problems facing MPA management still exist. Competence in key areas of MPA management was addressed in an effective work-integrated approach. Social learning was a key process in the development of these competences. The competences articulate well with the workplace of participants. Gaps exist between some of the management issues and the competences developed by the course, and some aspects of the course design are ineffective. From these findings it is concluded that: The course took up the majority of issues in MPA management through the development of key competences. The course design facilitated the development of these competences. The competences developed through the course are relevant to the workplace of MPA professionals. The research found that the course adequately addresses issues in MPA management through the development of competences. Some recommendations for improvements are made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Compositions portfolio
- Authors: Van der Merwe, Steven
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Composition (Music) , Music -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8517 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012116 , Composition (Music) , Music -- South Africa
- Description: DVD contains the musical compositions
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Van der Merwe, Steven
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Composition (Music) , Music -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8517 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012116 , Composition (Music) , Music -- South Africa
- Description: DVD contains the musical compositions
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Comprehension and production of figurative language by Afrikaans-speaking children with and without specific language impairment
- van der Merwe, Kristin, Adendorff, Ralph
- Authors: van der Merwe, Kristin , Adendorff, Ralph
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/123442 , vital:35438 , https://doi.org/10.2989/16073614.2012.693708
- Description: This article reports on the comprehension and production of figurative language, namely idioms and similes, in first language Afrikaans-speaking (AFR) boys, ages eight to 10 years, and first language Afrikaans-speaking boys with specific language impairment (SLI), also ages eight to 10. It draws on a larger study by Van der Merwe (2007; see also Van der Merwe & Southwood, 2008). Testing of the comprehension and production abilities of the children was conducted verbally and individually and elicited their understanding of 25 idioms and 25 similes. The idioms were first presented without context; if the child gave an incorrect interpretation, the idiom was placed in context. Raw scores show that the SLI group performed marginally more poorly than the AFR group, but there was no statistically significant difference between the comprehension of idioms by the two groups. The same can be said for the number of literal interpretations provided by the groups. Placing the idioms in context was beneficial to both groups. The simile completion task required the children to provide the last word of each simile. For both groups, the similes task proved to be easier than the idioms task but there was again no statistically significant difference found between the two groups. The results seem to imply that children at this developmental phase, aged eight to 10, whether language impaired or not, have not yet fully grasped figurative language as a concept and need explicit instructions on figurative language. The article ends with a reflection on the suitability of idioms and similes as particular categories of figurative language in studies of this nature.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: van der Merwe, Kristin , Adendorff, Ralph
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/123442 , vital:35438 , https://doi.org/10.2989/16073614.2012.693708
- Description: This article reports on the comprehension and production of figurative language, namely idioms and similes, in first language Afrikaans-speaking (AFR) boys, ages eight to 10 years, and first language Afrikaans-speaking boys with specific language impairment (SLI), also ages eight to 10. It draws on a larger study by Van der Merwe (2007; see also Van der Merwe & Southwood, 2008). Testing of the comprehension and production abilities of the children was conducted verbally and individually and elicited their understanding of 25 idioms and 25 similes. The idioms were first presented without context; if the child gave an incorrect interpretation, the idiom was placed in context. Raw scores show that the SLI group performed marginally more poorly than the AFR group, but there was no statistically significant difference between the comprehension of idioms by the two groups. The same can be said for the number of literal interpretations provided by the groups. Placing the idioms in context was beneficial to both groups. The simile completion task required the children to provide the last word of each simile. For both groups, the similes task proved to be easier than the idioms task but there was again no statistically significant difference found between the two groups. The results seem to imply that children at this developmental phase, aged eight to 10, whether language impaired or not, have not yet fully grasped figurative language as a concept and need explicit instructions on figurative language. The article ends with a reflection on the suitability of idioms and similes as particular categories of figurative language in studies of this nature.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Computer-aided identification of coelacanths, latimeria chalumnae, using scale patterns
- Thornycroft, Rosanne E, Booth, Anthony J
- Authors: Thornycroft, Rosanne E , Booth, Anthony J
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124013 , vital:35526 , https://doi.10.1080/17451000.2011.628679
- Description: Despite coelacanths, Latimeria chalumnae, being listed as either endangered by CITES or critically endangered by the IUCN, their population size within South Africa is unknown and still needs to be estimated. Their conservation status unfortunately excludes the use of conventional tagging to mark individual animals for a possible mark-recapture experiment. This study shows that because coelacanths have a unique spot patterning it is possible to quickly and accurately identify specific individuals photographically using computer-aided identification software. Without any manual intervention by an operator, the software accurately identified between 56 and 92% of the individuals. Indentification success increased to 100% if the operator could also manually select from other potential matching photographs. It was also shown that fish exhibiting a yaw angle not exceeding 60˚ could be accurately identified in photographs, although the percentage of fish correctly identified without operator-intervention decreased rapidly with increasing yaw angle. Computer-aided identification should therefore facilitate future coelacanth research as it is both efficient and accurate while also reducing potential stress on the animals observed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Thornycroft, Rosanne E , Booth, Anthony J
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124013 , vital:35526 , https://doi.10.1080/17451000.2011.628679
- Description: Despite coelacanths, Latimeria chalumnae, being listed as either endangered by CITES or critically endangered by the IUCN, their population size within South Africa is unknown and still needs to be estimated. Their conservation status unfortunately excludes the use of conventional tagging to mark individual animals for a possible mark-recapture experiment. This study shows that because coelacanths have a unique spot patterning it is possible to quickly and accurately identify specific individuals photographically using computer-aided identification software. Without any manual intervention by an operator, the software accurately identified between 56 and 92% of the individuals. Indentification success increased to 100% if the operator could also manually select from other potential matching photographs. It was also shown that fish exhibiting a yaw angle not exceeding 60˚ could be accurately identified in photographs, although the percentage of fish correctly identified without operator-intervention decreased rapidly with increasing yaw angle. Computer-aided identification should therefore facilitate future coelacanth research as it is both efficient and accurate while also reducing potential stress on the animals observed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Conscientiousness as a moderator of the relationship between work family conflict and stress amongst South African Police Service (SAPS) members in Alice Police Station Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Bazana, Sandiso William
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Job stress -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work and family -- Psychological aspects , Neuroses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Police morale -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Police -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Conscience -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Conscientiousness , Work Family Conflict , Stress , Police
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Industrial Psychology)
- Identifier: vital:11551 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007030 , Job stress -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work and family -- Psychological aspects , Neuroses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Police morale -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Police -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Conscience -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Conscientiousness , Work Family Conflict , Stress , Police
- Description: The purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between WFC and stress with Conscientiousness which is part of the Big Five personality Traits Model in moderation. The study was undertaken in the South African Police Service members in Alice town in the Eastern Cape. The study was based on a sample size of eighty four (n=84) out of 134 (N=134) police officers. A simple convenient random sample was used to sample participants. With the use of descriptive, correlation and inferential statistics the finding revealed instead that Conscientiousness has no significant relationship with WFC at (r= 0.02792, p= 0.8022) also Conscientiousness had no significant relationship with stress at (r= -0.04465, p= 0.6885). Overall, after separating the group according to those that scored low and those that scored high on conscientiousness scale, the study found the group low in conscientiousness not significantly correlated with WFC and stress (r= -0.02263, p= 0.9414). and the group with a high conscientiousness the study revealed a high significant relationship for police officers that scored high on Conscientiousness at (r= 0.40119, p< 0.00). The group low in conscientiousness has no correlation between WFC and stress thus different values of conscientiousness cause a change in the relationship between WFC and stress. Thus those who are low in conscientiousness do not have a relationship between WFC and stress. A call is made to the SAPS as an institution to consider prioritizing personality trait particularly applicants that score low on conscientiousness personality test during recruitment and selection of new police officers to avoid the outcomes associated with the nature of police work.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Bazana, Sandiso William
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Job stress -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work and family -- Psychological aspects , Neuroses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Police morale -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Police -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Conscience -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Conscientiousness , Work Family Conflict , Stress , Police
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Industrial Psychology)
- Identifier: vital:11551 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007030 , Job stress -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work and family -- Psychological aspects , Neuroses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Police morale -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Police -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Conscience -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Conscientiousness , Work Family Conflict , Stress , Police
- Description: The purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between WFC and stress with Conscientiousness which is part of the Big Five personality Traits Model in moderation. The study was undertaken in the South African Police Service members in Alice town in the Eastern Cape. The study was based on a sample size of eighty four (n=84) out of 134 (N=134) police officers. A simple convenient random sample was used to sample participants. With the use of descriptive, correlation and inferential statistics the finding revealed instead that Conscientiousness has no significant relationship with WFC at (r= 0.02792, p= 0.8022) also Conscientiousness had no significant relationship with stress at (r= -0.04465, p= 0.6885). Overall, after separating the group according to those that scored low and those that scored high on conscientiousness scale, the study found the group low in conscientiousness not significantly correlated with WFC and stress (r= -0.02263, p= 0.9414). and the group with a high conscientiousness the study revealed a high significant relationship for police officers that scored high on Conscientiousness at (r= 0.40119, p< 0.00). The group low in conscientiousness has no correlation between WFC and stress thus different values of conscientiousness cause a change in the relationship between WFC and stress. Thus those who are low in conscientiousness do not have a relationship between WFC and stress. A call is made to the SAPS as an institution to consider prioritizing personality trait particularly applicants that score low on conscientiousness personality test during recruitment and selection of new police officers to avoid the outcomes associated with the nature of police work.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Constraints and opportunities in the informal economy
- Authors: Phala, Terrance Madiseng
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Informal sector (Economics)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9156 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019809
- Description: In spite of the fact that informal traders in the informal economy are viewed as having the greatest prospects for creating jobs and absorbing the unemployed in developing countries, informal traders in Limpopo Province in general, and the city of Polokwane in particular, face various constraints that negatively affect them on a daily basis. The aim of the study has been to explore the constraints and opportunities of informal traders, using the city of Polokwane as a case study. The study has attempted to identify and describe constraints that affect informal traders in the Polokwane city, as well as factors that can enhance their development and growth. The study is exploratory, descriptive and qualitative in nature. Semi-structured faceto-face interviews were conducted to gather data. Findings of the study suggest that the government should improve the effectiveness of its support mechanisms by initiating targeted support programmes specifically tailored for informal traders at the survivalist level.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Phala, Terrance Madiseng
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Informal sector (Economics)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9156 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019809
- Description: In spite of the fact that informal traders in the informal economy are viewed as having the greatest prospects for creating jobs and absorbing the unemployed in developing countries, informal traders in Limpopo Province in general, and the city of Polokwane in particular, face various constraints that negatively affect them on a daily basis. The aim of the study has been to explore the constraints and opportunities of informal traders, using the city of Polokwane as a case study. The study has attempted to identify and describe constraints that affect informal traders in the Polokwane city, as well as factors that can enhance their development and growth. The study is exploratory, descriptive and qualitative in nature. Semi-structured faceto-face interviews were conducted to gather data. Findings of the study suggest that the government should improve the effectiveness of its support mechanisms by initiating targeted support programmes specifically tailored for informal traders at the survivalist level.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Constraints to students' participation in sport on a formalised level: implications for marketers
- Authors: Halforty, Gail Avril
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Sports -- Physiological aspects , Marketing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9370 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012120 , Sports -- Physiological aspects , Marketing
- Description: The rate of obesity has risen dramatically over recent years and is an epidemic in many countries. School pupils and university students are no exception to this. The negative effects physically, mentally and emotionally of being overweight are detrimental to one’s quality of life. It is therefore critical to encourage pupils and students to participate in physical activity. Formalised sport is a key component of encouraging physical activity. The habits learnt in childhood and early adulthood are often carried through for the rest of one’s life. The benefits of participating in sport need to be promoted extensively to the students, as research has shown students that participate in sport are not only healthier but achieve better academic results. This study examined the constraints to students’ participation in formalised sport. The empirical data was collected by means of a survey, using self-administered questionnaires distributed to students on the three Summerstrand campuses at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth. Two hundred and eighty three usable questionnaires were received. Time and scheduling was found to be the most constraining factor to participation in sport. I am too busy with my university studies attracted the highest mean score of all the items on the questionnaire. It is recommended that: • sport organisers at NMMU emphasise to the students the benefits of regular participation in physical activity; • the effectiveness of the current NMMU sport programmes and accessibility be further investigated as only 18 per cent of the students in 2011 were participating in sport programmes at NMMU; • time management skills be taught to the NMMU students as the Time and scheduling constraint was the most profound constraint to participation in formalised sport; • NMMU academic staff work more closely with the staff at the University Sport Bureau to promote regular sport participation and to disseminate sport related information that could promote being more actively involved in sport; and • relevant introductory sport programmes and more internal leagues be offered, that gently introduce various sport codes to the students.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Halforty, Gail Avril
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Sports -- Physiological aspects , Marketing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9370 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012120 , Sports -- Physiological aspects , Marketing
- Description: The rate of obesity has risen dramatically over recent years and is an epidemic in many countries. School pupils and university students are no exception to this. The negative effects physically, mentally and emotionally of being overweight are detrimental to one’s quality of life. It is therefore critical to encourage pupils and students to participate in physical activity. Formalised sport is a key component of encouraging physical activity. The habits learnt in childhood and early adulthood are often carried through for the rest of one’s life. The benefits of participating in sport need to be promoted extensively to the students, as research has shown students that participate in sport are not only healthier but achieve better academic results. This study examined the constraints to students’ participation in formalised sport. The empirical data was collected by means of a survey, using self-administered questionnaires distributed to students on the three Summerstrand campuses at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth. Two hundred and eighty three usable questionnaires were received. Time and scheduling was found to be the most constraining factor to participation in sport. I am too busy with my university studies attracted the highest mean score of all the items on the questionnaire. It is recommended that: • sport organisers at NMMU emphasise to the students the benefits of regular participation in physical activity; • the effectiveness of the current NMMU sport programmes and accessibility be further investigated as only 18 per cent of the students in 2011 were participating in sport programmes at NMMU; • time management skills be taught to the NMMU students as the Time and scheduling constraint was the most profound constraint to participation in formalised sport; • NMMU academic staff work more closely with the staff at the University Sport Bureau to promote regular sport participation and to disseminate sport related information that could promote being more actively involved in sport; and • relevant introductory sport programmes and more internal leagues be offered, that gently introduce various sport codes to the students.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Constraints to the implementation of a market development approach to the delivery of business Development Services within the Makana municipal area
- Authors: Van Heerden, Garth William
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Makana Municipality Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Growth Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Public opinion Small business marketing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Unemployment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:814 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007746
- Description: South Africa's biggest challenge remains the high rate of unemployment especially among the country's youth. Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) have been shown to be instrumental in many third world economies as a sustainable means not only to address unemployment but also to contribute significantly to economic growth. Despite government's good intentions and support, the South African SMME sector is not growing as expected and this is impacting negatively on unemployment creation in the country. Good business development services (BDS) is necessary to support SMMEs and specifically the Market Development Approach to the provision of BDS, where subsidies are replaced by private payment for services. Makana municipal area provided scope for analysing the constraints to the implementation of such business development services. Analysing the scope and magnitude of the constraints in this setting would contribute to understanding the constraints also in other parts of the country and help officials in local economic development make better informed decisions regarding support to SMMEs. Authors like Rogerson (2011), UNDP (2004), Miehlbradt and McVay, (2003), the Committee of Donor Agencies for SME Development (Blue book) (2001) and Bear et al., (2001) Gibson (2001), propose that the key to sustainable BDS is the implementation of the Market Development approach which focusses on for-profit activities in the provision of BDS to SMMEs. The aim of this study was to examine perceptions of key stakeholders towards SMME support and development, to identify the constraints to the implementation of a Market Development approach to the provision of business development services to SMMEs in the Makana area and to make recommendations to the Makana LED office of possible intervention strategies to address identified constraints. Purposive sampling was used to identify key stakeholders in SMME support in the Makana area in the categories of, big institutional buyers, public and private BDS providers as well the municipal LED office. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with each stakeholder using questions shown in appendixes A to D. Perceptions of all key stakeholders were very positive with good intentions to support SMMEs. However, this was not consistent with procurement practice at the big institutional buyers. Constraints are summarized in the following five themes: Theme 1. Inconsistent practice in dealing with SMMEs across the organisation. Theme 2. Absence of a cooperative body or Chamber of Commerce. Theme 3. Fragmented Business Development Services. Theme 4. A lack of a culture of cost recovery. Theme 5. Limited awareness of BDS in the Makana area. A number of recommendations were suggested. Big institutional buyers like Rhodes University and Makana municipality need to take a longer term view and move the focus from employment creation to enterprise support which is a more sustainable and empowering source of employment (ILO, 2009). The Grahamstown Chamber of Commerce should become more representative and big institutional buyers also need to be convinced of the value of private BDS. Stakeholders should work together to combine resources to offer a comprehensive one-stop BDS for the Makana area (Chetty, 2009) and this comprehensive BDS should be provided according to the Market Development approach focusing on those services that lend themselves better to this approach whilst using subsidies only for those services with a low potential for cost recovery (UNDP, 2004).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Van Heerden, Garth William
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Makana Municipality Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Growth Small business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Public opinion Small business marketing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Unemployment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:814 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007746
- Description: South Africa's biggest challenge remains the high rate of unemployment especially among the country's youth. Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) have been shown to be instrumental in many third world economies as a sustainable means not only to address unemployment but also to contribute significantly to economic growth. Despite government's good intentions and support, the South African SMME sector is not growing as expected and this is impacting negatively on unemployment creation in the country. Good business development services (BDS) is necessary to support SMMEs and specifically the Market Development Approach to the provision of BDS, where subsidies are replaced by private payment for services. Makana municipal area provided scope for analysing the constraints to the implementation of such business development services. Analysing the scope and magnitude of the constraints in this setting would contribute to understanding the constraints also in other parts of the country and help officials in local economic development make better informed decisions regarding support to SMMEs. Authors like Rogerson (2011), UNDP (2004), Miehlbradt and McVay, (2003), the Committee of Donor Agencies for SME Development (Blue book) (2001) and Bear et al., (2001) Gibson (2001), propose that the key to sustainable BDS is the implementation of the Market Development approach which focusses on for-profit activities in the provision of BDS to SMMEs. The aim of this study was to examine perceptions of key stakeholders towards SMME support and development, to identify the constraints to the implementation of a Market Development approach to the provision of business development services to SMMEs in the Makana area and to make recommendations to the Makana LED office of possible intervention strategies to address identified constraints. Purposive sampling was used to identify key stakeholders in SMME support in the Makana area in the categories of, big institutional buyers, public and private BDS providers as well the municipal LED office. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with each stakeholder using questions shown in appendixes A to D. Perceptions of all key stakeholders were very positive with good intentions to support SMMEs. However, this was not consistent with procurement practice at the big institutional buyers. Constraints are summarized in the following five themes: Theme 1. Inconsistent practice in dealing with SMMEs across the organisation. Theme 2. Absence of a cooperative body or Chamber of Commerce. Theme 3. Fragmented Business Development Services. Theme 4. A lack of a culture of cost recovery. Theme 5. Limited awareness of BDS in the Makana area. A number of recommendations were suggested. Big institutional buyers like Rhodes University and Makana municipality need to take a longer term view and move the focus from employment creation to enterprise support which is a more sustainable and empowering source of employment (ILO, 2009). The Grahamstown Chamber of Commerce should become more representative and big institutional buyers also need to be convinced of the value of private BDS. Stakeholders should work together to combine resources to offer a comprehensive one-stop BDS for the Makana area (Chetty, 2009) and this comprehensive BDS should be provided according to the Market Development approach focusing on those services that lend themselves better to this approach whilst using subsidies only for those services with a low potential for cost recovery (UNDP, 2004).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Contrasting habitat associations of imperilled endemic stream fishes from a global biodiversity hot spot
- Chakona, Albert, Swartz, E R
- Authors: Chakona, Albert , Swartz, E R
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7148 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011850 , http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6785/12/19
- Description: Knowledge of the factors that drive species distributions provides a fundamental baseline for several areas of research including biogeography, phylogeography and biodiversity conservation. Data from 148 minimally disturbed sites across a large drainage system in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa were used to test the hypothesis that stream fishes have similar responses to environmental determinants of species distribution. Two complementary statistical approaches, boosted regression trees and hierarchical partitioning, were used to model the responses of four fish species to 11 environmental predictors, and to quantify the independent explanatory power of each predictor.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Chakona, Albert , Swartz, E R
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7148 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011850 , http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6785/12/19
- Description: Knowledge of the factors that drive species distributions provides a fundamental baseline for several areas of research including biogeography, phylogeography and biodiversity conservation. Data from 148 minimally disturbed sites across a large drainage system in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa were used to test the hypothesis that stream fishes have similar responses to environmental determinants of species distribution. Two complementary statistical approaches, boosted regression trees and hierarchical partitioning, were used to model the responses of four fish species to 11 environmental predictors, and to quantify the independent explanatory power of each predictor.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Contrasting habitat associations of imperilled endemic stream fishes from a global biodiversity hot spot
- Chakona, Albert, Swartz, E R
- Authors: Chakona, Albert , Swartz, E R
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6777 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008087
- Description: Knowledge of the factors that drive species distributions provides a fundamental baseline for several areas of research including biogeography, phylogeography and biodiversity conservation. Data from 148 minimally disturbed sites across a large drainage system in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa were used to test the hypothesis that stream fishes have similar responses to environmental determinants of species distribution. Two complementary statistical approaches, boosted regression trees and hierarchical partitioning, were used to model the responses of four fish species to 11 environmental predictors, and to quantify the independent explanatory power of each predictor.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Chakona, Albert , Swartz, E R
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6777 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008087
- Description: Knowledge of the factors that drive species distributions provides a fundamental baseline for several areas of research including biogeography, phylogeography and biodiversity conservation. Data from 148 minimally disturbed sites across a large drainage system in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa were used to test the hypothesis that stream fishes have similar responses to environmental determinants of species distribution. Two complementary statistical approaches, boosted regression trees and hierarchical partitioning, were used to model the responses of four fish species to 11 environmental predictors, and to quantify the independent explanatory power of each predictor.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Contribution towards the development of a management plan for the baitboat and sport fishery for tuna in South Africa
- Authors: Newcombe, Hylton Cecil
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Tuna -- South Africa , Tuna fishing -- South Africa , Fishery management -- South Africa , Fishery management -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Tuna fisheries -- Catch effort -- South Africa , Tuna fisheries -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5249 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005092 , Tuna -- South Africa , Tuna fishing -- South Africa , Fishery management -- South Africa , Fishery management -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Tuna fisheries -- Catch effort -- South Africa , Tuna fisheries -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Description: Tuna are of significant global economic importance and a prime food source. Increased levels of fishing have resulted in many stocks being under threat and a number of species are considered to be overfished. The South African tuna industry has had limited management attention from the South African fisheries management agency. A recent development has been an increase in the number of tuna caught by small vessels that target the fresh tuna market in South Africa and overseas. This has highlighted the importance of developing a holistic management plan for the sector and creating an awareness, among vessel owners, of the importance of compliance with initiatives such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). The South African tuna fishery comprises three sectors: baitboat, sport and longline, all of which are currently in need of acquiring more biological and fisheries data. This project was initiated to collate existing information and to collect additional information where possible. This encompassed a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the size and shape of the tuna fishing industry, which included estimates of total catch, effort, catch-per-unit-of-effort (CPUE) and stock structure (obtained through comparative estimates of age and growth), as well as socio-economic and economic information. A technique involving an examination of specific vertebrae was used to obtain age-growth information for T. albacares. These data were used to estimate von Bertalanffy (VBGF) growth parameters: F 2 1. , k 0.1 , and t₀ -0. 1 year. No significant differences in growth parameters were found in yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) from different localities around the South African coast, i.e. from the south eastern Atlantic and the south western Indian Ocean. In addition, growth did not differ between South Africa and other regions (Draganic and Pelzcarski 1984, Fonteneau 1980, Gascuel et al. 1992, LeGuen and Sakagawa 1973, Lehodey and Leroy 1999, Lessa and Duarte-Neto 2004, Shuford et al. 2007, Stequert et al. 1996, Wild 1986, Yang et al. 1969). Further substantiation of the above-mentioned observations was found by recording differences in the sizes of fish caught in the inshore (baitboat and sport fishery vessels) and offshore (large pelagic longline vessels) sectors of South African tuna fisheries. A significant difference between the regions — in terms of the size of fish caught inshore — was noted, with mostly-juvenile fish being caught in KwaZulu-Natal (5.4 ± 3.5kg), sub-adult fish in the Eastern Cape (26.2 ± 13.4kg), and adult fish in the Western Cape (42.3 ± 14.4kg). Since mostly-adult fish were caught offshore by longliners, with no significant differences between regions, it is however possible th at adult fish predominantly inhabit the offshore region. Yellowfin tuna caught by the large pelagic longline fishery in the three managerial zones (A, B and C) were predominantly adult fish of similar size, namely Zone A: 38.9 ± 6.9kg; Zone B: 28.7 ± 4.6kg, and Zone C: 36.0 ± 5.1kg. The recreational ski boat sport fishery has remained stable, in terms of participation, consisting mostly of white middle aged males in the top 25% of household income distribution, having either permanent occupational status or being retired. Fishers within this sector are willing to incur great expense to partake in the fishery and they provide an important economic contribution to coastal towns, particularly in the Eastern Cape. The total catch (of 83t) of yellowfin tuna by the competitive sport fishery within the Western and Eastern Cape regions was considerably lower than that of commercial tuna baitboat catches, which amounted to 186t, and the large pelagic longline sector that caught t in 200. It is however likely that the competitive sport fishery's total yellowfin tuna catch (of 83t in 2009) of the Eastern and Western Cape competitive sport fishery was considerably less than the total yellowfin tuna catches of the whole South African deep-sea sport fishery. Longfin tuna are the primary target species of South Africa‘s baitboat fisheries, comprising an average of 86% of the total catch and generating ZAR49 million in employment income in 2002. South Africa was responsible for 20% of the total longfin tuna annual yield in 2004 in the southern Atlantic Ocean, behind Taiwan with 59%. However, yellowfin tuna only contributes a small percentage towards total catches (8.4 ± 8.2% between 1995 and 2009), generating ZAR1.3 million in employment income in 2002. Of the four vessel categories comprising the tuna baitboat fishery, ski boats had the highest yellowfin tuna CPUE in 2009 (117 ± 62 kg.vessel⁻¹.day⁻¹) and the lowest effort. The ski boats sector is the most opportunistic fishery as they are only active when either longfin or yellowfin tuna are in high abundance. At such times catches are guaranteed, so can be expected to offset expenses. In 2009 the CPUE for yellowfin tuna for 15–19m vessels and freezer deckboats was 12 ± 20kg.vessel⁻¹.day⁻¹ and 3 ± 6kg.vessel⁻¹.day⁻¹, respectively. These vessels specifically target longfin tuna when they are in abundance. Since the start of the tuna baitboat fishery in 1995, there has been a substantial increase in the number of new entrants. In 2002 this sector had a fleet size of 82 vessels with a capital value of ZAR163 million and a total employment income of ZAR58 million, employing 2 173 fishers, of which 87% were black African. The commercial tuna baitboat fleet has subsequently grown to 200 vessels and 3600 crew, with 110 active vessels fishing for a combined fleet average of 46 days per year. There are a high number of owner-operated vessels. Since 2007 the fishery's profit to cost ratio has been low due to the low abundance of tuna stocks off the coast of South Africa, which has resulted in poor catch returns, placing economic pressure on the fishery. The baitboat industry is a low-profit-margin fishery with a total net catch value worth ZAR90 million in 2009 (Feike 2010). The abundance of yellowfin tuna influences profit margins, with very high profits being made when abundance and catches are high. The large pelagic longline fishery has a total allowable effort of 43 vessels of which only 30 vessels fished during 2009, when a reported 766t of yellowfin tuna were caught, representing a total tonnage far in excess of that obtained by the combined effort of the baitboat and sport fishery. It is, however, assumed that considerable underreporting of catches takes place within this fishery, which means that the estimated total net catch value of ZAR100 million could, in fact, be much higher. Such underreporting of catches is of great concern for this fishery, as is the high bycatch of Chondricthians spp. that significantly outweighs imposed regulatory limits (DEAT 2007). The present study demonstrates the current lack of comprehensive catch and effort data for the sport, baitboat and longline fisheries as well as the serious limitations and flaws associated with current databases. Results from the present study have drawn attention to a number of high-priority research needs, as outlined below. (1) A major lack of comprehensive catch and effort data for the sport fishery, which can be rectified by focussing on obtaining more competition data, as well as high-quality catch and effort and socio-economic information, as opposed to relying on information from non-club anglers (Gartside et al. 1999, Williams 2003, Cass-Calay 2008). Acquisition of such data is relatively inexpensive: the location of organized clubs and their frequent competition meetings provide widespread coverage along the Southern African coastline. Such data acquisition efforts have the potential to provide reliable information on spatial catch trends. (2) Validation of vessel catch return data is required for commercial fisheries and on some recent data that has emerged from studies of catch rates and trends for target species, particularly in the longline fishery. In this context it should be noted that the most recent peer-reviewed publications on this exploratory fishery were published more than a decade ago (Kroese 1999, Penny and Griffiths 1999). Additional studies need to be undertaken and journal articles published on the current stock status of South African catches of yellowfin and bigeye tuna and swordfish.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Newcombe, Hylton Cecil
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Tuna -- South Africa , Tuna fishing -- South Africa , Fishery management -- South Africa , Fishery management -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Tuna fisheries -- Catch effort -- South Africa , Tuna fisheries -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5249 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005092 , Tuna -- South Africa , Tuna fishing -- South Africa , Fishery management -- South Africa , Fishery management -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Tuna fisheries -- Catch effort -- South Africa , Tuna fisheries -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Description: Tuna are of significant global economic importance and a prime food source. Increased levels of fishing have resulted in many stocks being under threat and a number of species are considered to be overfished. The South African tuna industry has had limited management attention from the South African fisheries management agency. A recent development has been an increase in the number of tuna caught by small vessels that target the fresh tuna market in South Africa and overseas. This has highlighted the importance of developing a holistic management plan for the sector and creating an awareness, among vessel owners, of the importance of compliance with initiatives such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). The South African tuna fishery comprises three sectors: baitboat, sport and longline, all of which are currently in need of acquiring more biological and fisheries data. This project was initiated to collate existing information and to collect additional information where possible. This encompassed a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the size and shape of the tuna fishing industry, which included estimates of total catch, effort, catch-per-unit-of-effort (CPUE) and stock structure (obtained through comparative estimates of age and growth), as well as socio-economic and economic information. A technique involving an examination of specific vertebrae was used to obtain age-growth information for T. albacares. These data were used to estimate von Bertalanffy (VBGF) growth parameters: F 2 1. , k 0.1 , and t₀ -0. 1 year. No significant differences in growth parameters were found in yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) from different localities around the South African coast, i.e. from the south eastern Atlantic and the south western Indian Ocean. In addition, growth did not differ between South Africa and other regions (Draganic and Pelzcarski 1984, Fonteneau 1980, Gascuel et al. 1992, LeGuen and Sakagawa 1973, Lehodey and Leroy 1999, Lessa and Duarte-Neto 2004, Shuford et al. 2007, Stequert et al. 1996, Wild 1986, Yang et al. 1969). Further substantiation of the above-mentioned observations was found by recording differences in the sizes of fish caught in the inshore (baitboat and sport fishery vessels) and offshore (large pelagic longline vessels) sectors of South African tuna fisheries. A significant difference between the regions — in terms of the size of fish caught inshore — was noted, with mostly-juvenile fish being caught in KwaZulu-Natal (5.4 ± 3.5kg), sub-adult fish in the Eastern Cape (26.2 ± 13.4kg), and adult fish in the Western Cape (42.3 ± 14.4kg). Since mostly-adult fish were caught offshore by longliners, with no significant differences between regions, it is however possible th at adult fish predominantly inhabit the offshore region. Yellowfin tuna caught by the large pelagic longline fishery in the three managerial zones (A, B and C) were predominantly adult fish of similar size, namely Zone A: 38.9 ± 6.9kg; Zone B: 28.7 ± 4.6kg, and Zone C: 36.0 ± 5.1kg. The recreational ski boat sport fishery has remained stable, in terms of participation, consisting mostly of white middle aged males in the top 25% of household income distribution, having either permanent occupational status or being retired. Fishers within this sector are willing to incur great expense to partake in the fishery and they provide an important economic contribution to coastal towns, particularly in the Eastern Cape. The total catch (of 83t) of yellowfin tuna by the competitive sport fishery within the Western and Eastern Cape regions was considerably lower than that of commercial tuna baitboat catches, which amounted to 186t, and the large pelagic longline sector that caught t in 200. It is however likely that the competitive sport fishery's total yellowfin tuna catch (of 83t in 2009) of the Eastern and Western Cape competitive sport fishery was considerably less than the total yellowfin tuna catches of the whole South African deep-sea sport fishery. Longfin tuna are the primary target species of South Africa‘s baitboat fisheries, comprising an average of 86% of the total catch and generating ZAR49 million in employment income in 2002. South Africa was responsible for 20% of the total longfin tuna annual yield in 2004 in the southern Atlantic Ocean, behind Taiwan with 59%. However, yellowfin tuna only contributes a small percentage towards total catches (8.4 ± 8.2% between 1995 and 2009), generating ZAR1.3 million in employment income in 2002. Of the four vessel categories comprising the tuna baitboat fishery, ski boats had the highest yellowfin tuna CPUE in 2009 (117 ± 62 kg.vessel⁻¹.day⁻¹) and the lowest effort. The ski boats sector is the most opportunistic fishery as they are only active when either longfin or yellowfin tuna are in high abundance. At such times catches are guaranteed, so can be expected to offset expenses. In 2009 the CPUE for yellowfin tuna for 15–19m vessels and freezer deckboats was 12 ± 20kg.vessel⁻¹.day⁻¹ and 3 ± 6kg.vessel⁻¹.day⁻¹, respectively. These vessels specifically target longfin tuna when they are in abundance. Since the start of the tuna baitboat fishery in 1995, there has been a substantial increase in the number of new entrants. In 2002 this sector had a fleet size of 82 vessels with a capital value of ZAR163 million and a total employment income of ZAR58 million, employing 2 173 fishers, of which 87% were black African. The commercial tuna baitboat fleet has subsequently grown to 200 vessels and 3600 crew, with 110 active vessels fishing for a combined fleet average of 46 days per year. There are a high number of owner-operated vessels. Since 2007 the fishery's profit to cost ratio has been low due to the low abundance of tuna stocks off the coast of South Africa, which has resulted in poor catch returns, placing economic pressure on the fishery. The baitboat industry is a low-profit-margin fishery with a total net catch value worth ZAR90 million in 2009 (Feike 2010). The abundance of yellowfin tuna influences profit margins, with very high profits being made when abundance and catches are high. The large pelagic longline fishery has a total allowable effort of 43 vessels of which only 30 vessels fished during 2009, when a reported 766t of yellowfin tuna were caught, representing a total tonnage far in excess of that obtained by the combined effort of the baitboat and sport fishery. It is, however, assumed that considerable underreporting of catches takes place within this fishery, which means that the estimated total net catch value of ZAR100 million could, in fact, be much higher. Such underreporting of catches is of great concern for this fishery, as is the high bycatch of Chondricthians spp. that significantly outweighs imposed regulatory limits (DEAT 2007). The present study demonstrates the current lack of comprehensive catch and effort data for the sport, baitboat and longline fisheries as well as the serious limitations and flaws associated with current databases. Results from the present study have drawn attention to a number of high-priority research needs, as outlined below. (1) A major lack of comprehensive catch and effort data for the sport fishery, which can be rectified by focussing on obtaining more competition data, as well as high-quality catch and effort and socio-economic information, as opposed to relying on information from non-club anglers (Gartside et al. 1999, Williams 2003, Cass-Calay 2008). Acquisition of such data is relatively inexpensive: the location of organized clubs and their frequent competition meetings provide widespread coverage along the Southern African coastline. Such data acquisition efforts have the potential to provide reliable information on spatial catch trends. (2) Validation of vessel catch return data is required for commercial fisheries and on some recent data that has emerged from studies of catch rates and trends for target species, particularly in the longline fishery. In this context it should be noted that the most recent peer-reviewed publications on this exploratory fishery were published more than a decade ago (Kroese 1999, Penny and Griffiths 1999). Additional studies need to be undertaken and journal articles published on the current stock status of South African catches of yellowfin and bigeye tuna and swordfish.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Conveniencing the family in agri-based processing enterprise : a grounded theory study of strategic leaders' cultural assumptions and strategising activities
- Authors: Kanyangale, Macdonald Isaac
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Small business -- Malawi -- Management Agriculture -- Malawi -- Business management Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- Malawi Grounded theory -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1181 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002798
- Description: As leaders of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), strategic leaders are responsible for strategising, the approach to which is influenced by their cultural paradigm. The effects of this strategising are manifested in the day-to-day activities of these leaders. This study aims to build an understanding of the shared cultural assumptions of strategic leaders in agri-based processing SMEs and how these assumptions affect the strategising activities that are adopted when addressing critical incidents related to the internal integration and external adaptation of the SME. Using Strauss and Corbin‟s (1990) grounded theory method, this study develops a theory titled Conveniencing the Family in Business, which is induced from critical incidents. A sample of critical incidents was gathered from 44 qualitative interviews conducted with strategic leaders of various agri-based processing SMEs operating in Malawi. This study found that strategic leaders display persistent and stable pragmatic business survival mind sets, but dynamic cultural assumptions about relationships with organisation members. The cultural influence of these assumptions is manifested in two distinctive and alternative processes making up the theory of conveniencing the family in business. These are the humanising and commodifying of relationships with organisation members, and they are evident in hostile and friendly business environments, respectively. Humanising of relationships with all members of the organisation builds and capitalises on inclusive, organisation-wide social capital that secures the future of the business. On the other hand, commodifying of relationships with non-family organisation members weakens collective support, which becomes mainly dependent on family and friendship ties. Thus, commodifying of relationships serves to perpetuate the close integration of business activity and family requirements to ultimately convenience the family in business, and represents the desired modus operandi of strategic leaders. As strategic leaders of SMEs have not yet conceptualised this, providing them with the conceptual theory developed here may be helpful towards a consistent re-orientation of the internal organisational support in a way that does not exclude but rather harnesses the wider solidarity of organisation members. The process explained by this theory is iterative, dynamic and distinguishes patterns of relationships amongst organisation members, which either enhances or compromises their collective support for the leaders and the enterprise. This by implication affects the performance of the enterprise. The results of this study are discussed from the perspective of social exchange and social capital theory, thereby contributing to the understanding of the strategising activities of strategic leaders, as well as the processes of building or destroying social capital in this type of enterprise.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Kanyangale, Macdonald Isaac
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Small business -- Malawi -- Management Agriculture -- Malawi -- Business management Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- Malawi Grounded theory -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1181 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002798
- Description: As leaders of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), strategic leaders are responsible for strategising, the approach to which is influenced by their cultural paradigm. The effects of this strategising are manifested in the day-to-day activities of these leaders. This study aims to build an understanding of the shared cultural assumptions of strategic leaders in agri-based processing SMEs and how these assumptions affect the strategising activities that are adopted when addressing critical incidents related to the internal integration and external adaptation of the SME. Using Strauss and Corbin‟s (1990) grounded theory method, this study develops a theory titled Conveniencing the Family in Business, which is induced from critical incidents. A sample of critical incidents was gathered from 44 qualitative interviews conducted with strategic leaders of various agri-based processing SMEs operating in Malawi. This study found that strategic leaders display persistent and stable pragmatic business survival mind sets, but dynamic cultural assumptions about relationships with organisation members. The cultural influence of these assumptions is manifested in two distinctive and alternative processes making up the theory of conveniencing the family in business. These are the humanising and commodifying of relationships with organisation members, and they are evident in hostile and friendly business environments, respectively. Humanising of relationships with all members of the organisation builds and capitalises on inclusive, organisation-wide social capital that secures the future of the business. On the other hand, commodifying of relationships with non-family organisation members weakens collective support, which becomes mainly dependent on family and friendship ties. Thus, commodifying of relationships serves to perpetuate the close integration of business activity and family requirements to ultimately convenience the family in business, and represents the desired modus operandi of strategic leaders. As strategic leaders of SMEs have not yet conceptualised this, providing them with the conceptual theory developed here may be helpful towards a consistent re-orientation of the internal organisational support in a way that does not exclude but rather harnesses the wider solidarity of organisation members. The process explained by this theory is iterative, dynamic and distinguishes patterns of relationships amongst organisation members, which either enhances or compromises their collective support for the leaders and the enterprise. This by implication affects the performance of the enterprise. The results of this study are discussed from the perspective of social exchange and social capital theory, thereby contributing to the understanding of the strategising activities of strategic leaders, as well as the processes of building or destroying social capital in this type of enterprise.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Cooperative wasp-killing by mixed-species colonies of honeybees, Apis cerana and Apis mellifera
- Tan, K, Yang, M-Y, Li, H, Zhang, Z-L, Radloff, Sarah E, Hepburn, H Randall
- Authors: Tan, K , Yang, M-Y , Li, H , Zhang, Z-L , Radloff, Sarah E , Hepburn, H Randall
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:6838 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1010979 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13592-011-0098-5
- Description: The cooperative defensive behaviour of mixed-species colonies of honeybees, Apis cerana and Apis mellifera, were tested against a predatory wasp, Vespa velutina. When vespine wasps hawk honeybees at their nest entrances, the difference in the numbers of bees involved in heat-balling among pure species and mixed-species colonies was not significantly different. However, in the mixed colonies, the numbers of A. cerana and A. mellifera workers involved in heat-balling were significantly different. The duration of heat-balling among these three groups was significantly different. During heat-balling, guard bees of both species in mixed colonies raised their thoracic temperatures and the core temperatures of the heat-balls were about 45°C, which is not significantly different from that of the pure species. These results suggest that the two species of honeybees can cooperate in joint heat-balling against the wasps, but A. cerana was more assertive in such defence.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Tan, K , Yang, M-Y , Li, H , Zhang, Z-L , Radloff, Sarah E , Hepburn, H Randall
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:6838 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1010979 , http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13592-011-0098-5
- Description: The cooperative defensive behaviour of mixed-species colonies of honeybees, Apis cerana and Apis mellifera, were tested against a predatory wasp, Vespa velutina. When vespine wasps hawk honeybees at their nest entrances, the difference in the numbers of bees involved in heat-balling among pure species and mixed-species colonies was not significantly different. However, in the mixed colonies, the numbers of A. cerana and A. mellifera workers involved in heat-balling were significantly different. The duration of heat-balling among these three groups was significantly different. During heat-balling, guard bees of both species in mixed colonies raised their thoracic temperatures and the core temperatures of the heat-balls were about 45°C, which is not significantly different from that of the pure species. These results suggest that the two species of honeybees can cooperate in joint heat-balling against the wasps, but A. cerana was more assertive in such defence.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2012