Optimisation of expression of a rice (Oryza sativa L.cv Nipponbare) plant natriuretic peptide (OsPNP-B) and its functional characterisation
- Authors: Affun, Ogheneochuko Janet
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Rice , Plant hormones , Water-electrolyte imbalances
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24354 , vital:62644
- Description: Maintenance of water and solute homeostasis is a key requirement for living systems, and in vertebrates, homeostasis is in part achieved by natriuretic peptides (NP), a family of peptide hormones. A related family of peptide hormones have also been found in the plant kingdom. Plant natriuretic peptides (PNP) are a novel class of plant proteins with two closely related homologous genes (AtPNP-A and AtPNP-B) identified in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. AtPNP-A has been extensively studied and evidence obtained points to a role in plant water homeostasis. No research has been conducted on the function of PNP-B proteins. In this study, we focus on the bioinformatic analysis of the PNP-B gene in various plants, as well investigating whether PNP-B plays a role in water homeostasis in rice plants exposed to drought stress. Basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) queries of the ―The Gene Index‖, EST and available plant genome databases revealed the presence of the PNP-B mRNA in rice, oil seed rape, oak, leafy spurge, poplar, sugarcane, pepper, cotton, apple and maize. All the identified genome sequences contained a predicted intron/insert, which was not present in the related mRNA sequences. However, RT-PCR analysis revealed the presence of the 101 bp insert in the 976 bp amplified rice PNP-B (OsPNP-B) cDNA and therefore expression was optimized for the protein encoded by only the exon2 sequence as this contained the predicted active site region of PNP-B. OsPNP-B was shown to be translated to a protein of 14 kDa with a sequence similarity to AtPNP-B (54percent), AtPNP-A (37percent) and CjBAp12 (55percent), suggesting two possible functions for PNP-B viz water homeostasis and/or pathogenesis defence. To determine whether PNP-B is involved in water homeostasis, total protein extracted from 4 weeks old (4 leaves stage) rice plants subjected to drought treatment for a period of 24, 48, 72, 120, 168 and 240hrs were resolved by 17percent SDS-PAGE and analysed by western blot analysis. The PNP-B protein was found to be down-regulated during drought stress, implying that PNP-B may play a role in water homeostasis through the release of water from cells rather than the up-take of water as seen At-PNP-A. PNP-B could therefore also be involved in plant defence mechanisms to pathogens where plants induce desiccation of infected leaves, thereby ridding the plant of the relevant pathogen. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial studies of metal complexes of substituted thiourea
- Authors: Zulu, Happy Nonkululeko
- Date: 2012-03
- Subjects: Complex compounds , Halides , Ligands
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24327 , vital:62636
- Description: Eighteen complexes Co(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), and Fe(III) with phenylthiourea, diethylthiourea, disopropylthiourea and dimethylthiourea were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, UV-Vis, FTIR, conductivity measurements. The complexes were formulated as either four coordinate for the metal(II) or six coordinate for Fe(III). The proposed formulations are consistent with the spectroscopic data for the complexes. The single crystal X-ray structure of the Zn(II) complex of phenylthiourea, Co(II) complex of diethylthiourea and Zn(II) complex of diisopropylthiourea are also reported. The X-ray crystal structures for these complexes revealed distorted tetrahedral geometry around the metal ions showed that the metal ions are coordinated to two molecules of the substituted thiourea through the sulphur atom and two either acetates or chlorides ions complete the four-coordinate geometry. The in vitro antibacterial activity of the complexes was studied against six bacterial strains using disc diffusion and broth micro-dilution methods. The complexes showed selective antibacterial activity. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2012
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- Date Issued: 2012-03
The relationship between exports and economic growth: an empirical case study of the South African automobile industry
- Authors: Taylor, Nina-Mari
- Date: 2012-03
- Subjects: Exports , Automobile industry and trade
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26313 , vital:65237
- Description: The dissertation investigates the relationship between automobile exports and economic growth in South Africa. Given the amount of investment and government assistance that has gone into assisting and developing the South African automobile industry via the Motor Industry Development Programme, this study examines whether the increase in automobile exports has impacted on economic growth. A demand-side model of the Export-Led Growth hypothesis is estimated in order to analyse the magnitude of the impact of automobile exports on growth. The results of the VECM and Dynamic Granger Causality test reveal that vehicle exports have a long-run positive impact on economic growth and that a uni-directional causal relationship is found to run from vehicle exports to economic growth. Even though vehicle exports are found to have a relatively significant impact on economic growth, domestic demand factors are concluded as being the key contributor of economic growth in South Africa. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2012
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- Date Issued: 2012-03
Market potential and profitability of improved maize open pollinated varieties in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Sibanda, Melusi
- Date: 2012-04
- Subjects: Hybrid corn , Crops -- Effect of stress on
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24598 , vital:63211
- Description: Maize is one of the most important crops grown by smallholder farmers in Amatole and O.R. Tambo Districts of the Eastern Cape. For this study, there were 13 maize varieties that were evaluated extensively by on-farm trials in selected areas under dry land and irrigated conditions. Nine were newly introduced and improved Open Pollinated Varieties (OPVs), while four were locally grown varieties. Among the locally grown varieties, one was a hybrid-check, while the remaining three were improved OPVs. The objectives of this study were: to investigate the potential marketability of newly introduced maize OPVs, identify factors influencing farmers‟ demand of improved maize OPVs and assess their profitability when compared with hybrids. One hundred and thirty seven sample households were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentages), gross margins and regression analyses. Data for computing gross margins was taken from the on-farm trials. Results showed that the actual production of improved maize OPVs constituted 0percent in Zanyokwe Irrigation Scheme (ZIS) and 20percent of the farmers in the O.R. Tambo District. At Silwindlala Women‟s Project (SWP), the improved maize OPV (Sahara) was grown. The majority of the farmers in the study areas were growing competitor varieties (hybrids and/or in conjunction with landraces). Results show that, there is potential market for improved maize OPVs in the Eastern Cape. The majority of the farmers, 87percent and 92percent in Amatole (SWP and ZIS) and O.R. Tambo Districts respectively, indicated that they were willing to adopt the newly introduced maize OPVs. Results showed that the hybrid PAN 6479 variety in general performed better than improved maize OPVs whereas in some areas, the improved maize OPVs had better gross margins and gross profit margins than the hybrid variety. The indicated genotypes did not show specific adaptation to selected environments. The demand model that employed a multiple regression model was used and data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) computer software. Results of the multiple regression model showed that household socio-economic factors (extension contact, access to credit, availability of household income, proportion of land area under cultivation, proportion of land area under (hybrids and landrace) and perceptions on seed color) and an input market factor (availability of the improved maize OPV seeds on the local shops) were the most important factors influencing farmers' decisions to demanding the improved maize OPVs. Extension contact, access to credit, level of household income and proportion of land area under cultivation, positively influenced the demand for the improved maize OPVs whereas the unavailability of the improved maize OPV seeds on the local shops, proportion of land area under hybrids and landraces and perceptions on seed color negatively influenced the demand for the improved maize OPVs. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2012
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- Date Issued: 2012-04
An appraisal of community-based childcare practices in rural Malawi: The case of Malili Traditional Authority Area, Lilongwe District.
- Authors: Alufandika,Dina
- Date: 2012-11
- Subjects: Tribal government , Child Welfare
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23259 , vital:56857
- Description: The government of Malawi established the community based childcare (CBCC) programme with the aim of addressing early childhood problems and achieve national development in the long run. The CBCC programme, as one of the approaches to early childhood development (ECD), is guided by the national early childhood development policy. It promotes some practices that somehow deviate from the traditional childcare ways that communities have always known. Experience has shown that programmes that have elements of conflict with commonly held beliefs are bound to meet with resistance in society. The study employed a mini survey, focus group discussion, observation and document review to understand how the CBCC childcare practices in Malili intersect with commonly held beliefs about childcare as well as how they reflect on the national ECD policy. The study also focused on understanding the perceptions of community members on the CBCC programme. The study revealed that while some aspects of CBCC delivery conform to commonly held beliefs about childcare in the area under study, others diverge from such beliefs. Such convergence and divergence appear to be in line with the propositions of transformalist globalisation theory- one of the perspectives adopted for the study. The study also found that care practices at CBCC are not a true reflection of the national ECD policy as community members’ perceptions, poor community participation, poverty and lack of caregiver training in ECD contribute towards poor quality of care in CBCC, contrary to what is defined in the national ECD policy. The study also found that while both CBCC caregivers and sampled community members perceived the quality of care at the centers as poor, caregivers had a more positive perception towards the CBCC than community members. The study indicated that CBCC are centres of desperation for low economic status communities. Findings from the research have revealed that cultural values and commonly held beliefs, and exposure to new knowledge through globalisation play a role in determining childcare practices as well as perceptions towards them. In this sense the study has indicated that meanings that communities attach to development interventions influence their actions and perceptions towards it. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2012-11
A critical analysis of the screen adaptation of Saule's Unyana womntu
- Authors: Mbatsha,Thembisa
- Date: 2012-12
- Subjects: Motion picture authorship , Literature -- Adaptations
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23078 , vital:55400
- Description: This research will concentrate on various aspects of the screen adaptation of “Unyana womntu” (Saule, 1989). This study comprises of six chapters. In Chapter 1 of this study, the research aims and objectives are formulated. The research methods that are to be followed will involve a thorough reading of the written text, as well as a comprehensive repetitive viewing of all the episodes of the screen version. In the final part of Chapter 1, background information is provided on the personal life of the author as well as on his contributions to the African literary tradition. Background information on the production of the screen version is also provided. In the Chapter 2, the theoretical aspects of the phenomenon of literary adaptation are discussed. This discussion provides a framework for the analysis of the adaptation of “Unyana womntu” (Saule, 1989) in the remaining chapters of this study. The aim of this chapter is to identify and discuss the most important principles which come into play when the written text is adapted into a screen production. Since the screen production belongs to the genre of the performing arts, this chapter is introduced with a discussion on the performing arts and on the drama, in particular. The section will be concluded with a discussion on the different sub-types of the drama which can be found, including the screen production. The main emphasis is on an analysis of the basic features and principles of the drama in screen format. Since the screen play Unyana Womntu (1998) is based upon a novel by the same title, the literary features of the novel are to be discussed here as well. The specific features of the Xhosa novel will also receive attention. In Chapter 3, the adaptation of the background of the novel “Unyana womntu” (Saule, 1989) into the screen production is critically evaluated. Aspects such as the adaptation of the macro-features as well as the micro-features of the background are identified and critically analysed Chapter 4 deals with the adaptation of the character element. This discussion takes place within a particular theoretical framework which defines the essential elements of characterization within the novel and within the drama respectively. It also deals with the manner in which each of these elements is subjected to the process of adaptation. The aim of Chapter 5 is to analyse the adaptation of the plot of “Unyana womntu” (Saule, 1989) from a written text into a screen production. This analysis is based upon a well-constructed theoretical framework that addresses the various aspects of the plot, as found within narrative texts. Chapter 6 contains a general conclusion which will finally present the observations and findings drawn from the entire study , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, 2012
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- Date Issued: 2012-12
Examining learners' and teachers' perceptions of the relationship between school infrastructure and learners' performance in Fort Beaufort Education District, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Ajibade, Benedicta Aremevbemi
- Date: 2012-12
- Subjects: School facilities , Education and state -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24695 , vital:63526
- Description: This study examined learners’ and teachers’ perceptions of the relationship between school infrastructure and learners’ performance in Fort Beaufort Education District, Eastern Cape. The study arose from a concern that, despite South African Government’s commitment to funding the renovation of some old and dilapidated school buildings and constructing new ones so that there would be an improvement in both teaching and learning in affected secondary schools. Regrettably, most school buildings remain in deplorable conditions. There has been poor learner performance at all levels of the secondary education system in some rural areas of the Eastern Cape Province. Learners’ performance in the Province’s high schools has been described as the worst in the country. From the literature, it appears that no thorough and conclusive studies looking into the issues relating to school buildings and learners’ performance as perceived by learners and teachers in South Africa have been conducted. Hence, the researcher was motivated to examine the relationship between school buildings and learners’ performance. The study was placed within the post-positivism paradigm and used a mixed method research design that incorporated concurrent procedures in the collection, analysis and interpretation of the data. Likert-scale questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data while qualitative data were collected through interviews and observations. A total of 240 learners completed the questionnaire. The researcher conducted 48 brief interviews (36 with teachers and 12 with school principals) from 12 selected secondary schools. Furthermore, the researcher made observations to assess the state of the buildings. At school level, the study revealed that most of the school buildings were in deplorable condition. The teaching and learning environment also compounded the problem of poor learners’ performance. Learners’ motivation/morale, health and safety were not guaranteed in most of the schools, and teachers’ expressed difficulty in performing their job effectively. Large classes, lack of teaching and learning resources, and limited infrastructure were some of the factors hindering teaching and learning at school level. Results obtained from the study showed that the principals and teachers perceived strong links between the condition of their school buildings and learners’ performance. About half of the learners perceived some link between the condition of their schools and their academic performance. The study observed that the majority of school buildings were old and in very bad conditions with few under renovation from the Correctional service department. The study also showed that most schools lack recreational facilities, do not have electricity, laboratories, library and water. Most of the educators are unhappy about their work environment and are not motivated. The study has put forth recommendations for educational planners and for policies regarding the funding norms. Furthermore, based on the findings of the study, there is need for collaborative effort among educational stakeholders to ensure adequate and appropriated delivery of school infrastructure specifically school building that will translate into improved teaching practice at school level and better learners’ performance. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, 2012
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- Date Issued: 2012-12
Integrating legacy applications into service oriented architecture middleware
- Authors: Makamba, Makaziwe https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6998-4480
- Date: 2012-12
- Subjects: Service-oriented architecture (Computer science) , Computer architecture
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24294 , vital:62599
- Description: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is a dynamic approach that is widely recognized as an innovative and powerful tool for socio-economic development, it is a key catalyst for the emergence of knowledge economy. ICT have been used to develop applications, promote transparency and efficiency in multiple services such e-Learning, e-Government, e-Health and e-Judiciary especially for Marginalized Rural Areas (MRAs). The ICT approach is designed to bridge the digital divide. This approach has been widely deployed in many programs and it has led to the development of a new field which is Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D). Within the context of ICT4D there are arrays of e-services that have been deployed to improve the impoverished communities. Some of these applications have failed to bring the changes that were designed to bring in the community due to the use of old architectures. There is therefore a need to develop a system that will integrate legacy applications into contemporary architectures. To solve the problem of the legacy applications we have developed TeleWeaver Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) middleware into which we integrate an e-Commerce and e-Learning applications into SOA middleware. For this integration system there are specific technologies that were used to integrate legacy applications into SOA middleware: RESTful web services using the slim API, SOAP via Nu-SOAP technologies were used to integrate these legacy applications. Specific methodologies were used to achieve the objectives of this research. The literature review, brainstorming, interviews and development of the system are some of the methods that were used to achieve the objectives of this study. The research methodology is mainly through experiments and to study TeleWeaver SOA middleware architecture. Interviews were conducted to analyze and understand the community needs, since the application discussed in this thesis is tested and implemented for a rural community. The community is called Dwesa, and falls under the ICT project within the Siyakhula Living Lab (SLL). A basic prototyping and Unified Modeling Language (UML) was created to design the system. This thesis presents the design and implementation of a system that integrates legacy applications into an SOA middleware that brings flexibility and effectiveness to these ICT e-services. The research focuses on integrating legacy applications into Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) middleware. It seeks to bring flexibility to e-services that are developed for MRAs. The use of SOA architecture that supports re-usability and interoperability of application provides effectiveness to the e-services. The novelty of the system is in its flexibility, usability and sustainability. SOA is an approach that provides a separation between the interface of the service and its underlying implementation. One of the achievements of the integration project is its ability to connect to SOA middleware. This increases the effectiveness of these e-services. The usability and performance evaluations are conducted to test and evaluate the system within the SLL on the TeleWeaver platform. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2012
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- Date Issued: 2012-12
Preparation and characterisation of nanocomposite biodegradable films of hake fish gelatine and Na-montmorillonite
- Authors: Mutize, Innocent
- Date: 2012-12
- Subjects: Nanocomposites (Materials) , Food -- Packaging
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24261 , vital:62595
- Description: Hake fish (Merluccius paradoxus) based films were prepared using gelatine extracted from hake fish bones and skins. They were characterized using FTIR, TGA and XRD. Polyethylene glycol and distilled water were used as plasticizer and solvent respectively. Montmorillonite clay was also added to the film matrix at different concentration (1-13percent gelatine weight) to improve the films‟ functional properties. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Ultra Violet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy analysis were used to characterise gelatine extracted from hake fish bones and skins. The extraction time and temperature were varied between 30 mins to 120 mins and 45°C to 75°C respectively. The yields of the gelatines extracted at the stated conditions were calculated from the hydroxyproline content giving values of 30 to 39percent, 43 to 55percent and 50 to 57percent for extraction at 45°C, 60°C and 75°C respectively. The effect of polyethylene glycol content on the mechanical and barrier properties of hake fish gelatine films was also investigated. The addition of polyethylene glycol to the film solution increased the water vapour permeability from 0.0321 ± 0.0011 ng.m/m2.s.Pa to 0.0993 ± 0.0007 ng.m/m2.s.Pa between 5 and 35percent polyethylene glycol content and decreased tensile strength from 41.92 ± 2.17 MPa to 29.93 ± 0.17 MPa. Sodium treated Montmorillonite was incorporated in the hake fish gelatine film solution in order to assess the effect of Montmorillonite clay on the film mechanical, barrier and thermal properties. Hake fish gelatine-montmorillonite composite films were successfully prepared and characterized. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis indicated that the Montmorillonite clay in the film matrices was in an exfoliated state. Water vapour permeability was reduced from 0.0312 ± 0.0016 ng.m/m2.s.Pa to 0.0081 ± 0.0001ng.m/m2.s.Pa and tensile strength improved from 29.93 ± 0.17MPa to 76.78 ± 1.13 MPa. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2012
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- Date Issued: 2012-12
A Feminist Analysis of Lyman Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables and Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden
- Authors: Becker, Bonnie
- Date: 2013-01
- Subjects: Fiction , Children , Orphans
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23214 , vital:55905
- Description: The primary aim of this project is to provide a close contextual and textual analysis of the selected children’s classics: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Anne of Green Gables and The Secret Garden using the feminist literary theory. From this perspective I have shown how the selected works of Lyman Frank Baum, Lucy Maud Montgomery and Frances Hodgson Burnett’s writing have contributed to women’s stereotypical roles within society and perpetuated their subjugated position. I have also conducted an examination of the extent to which the female protagonists attempt to emancipate themselves from gender oppression. A comparative study of the selected children’s texts has not yet been conducted and therefore this project serves as a significant contribution to this field of study. An exploration of the historical background of the authors and children’s literature is conducted to provide an overview into the inner workings of the writers’ lives and the historical significance of children’s literature as a genre. The theoretical framework of feminist literary theory is used in the analysis of the selected texts. The connection between feminist literary theory and children’s literature is highlighted and provides further understanding of the purpose of this study. The history of feminism as both a movement and a contemporary literary criticism is explored. Simone de Beauvoir’s The Second Sex is used when analysing the texts’ characters and how they are based on society’s stereotypical gender roles. Luce Irigaray’s Speculum of the Other Woman and This Sex Which is Not One is examined to aid in an exploration of psychological female oppression through feminine and masculine discourse evident in the creation of the novels’ female and male characters. Hélène Cixous’ “The Laugh of the Medusa” and The Newly Born Woman is interrogated according to the stereotypical ideology surrounding the terms masculinity and femininity and how these terms are interpreted in the selected works. Judith Butler’s Gender Trouble and Undoing Gender are additionally explored to assist in the understanding of the concept of gender performativity and through the lens of Butler’s interpolation of gender the move towards the emancipation of women is seen in the selected children’s texts. The close textual feminist analysis focuses on the female protagonists: Dorothy, Anne and Mary as well as the secondary female characters: the wicked witches, Aunt Em, the Queen of the Field-Mice, the princess made from china, Glinda’s female soldiers from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz; Marilla Cuthbert, Rachel Lynde and Diana Barry from Anne of Green Gables and Martha, Mrs Sowerby and Mrs Craven from The Secret Garden. The portrayal of the secondary male characters are additionally explored according to feminist literary theory: The Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, the Lion and the wizard Oz from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz; Matthew Cuthbert and Gilbert Blythe from Anne of the Green Gables’ and Mr Craven, Colin Craven and Dickon Sowerby from The Secret Garden. The comparison of these children’s classics by Baum, Montgomery and Burnett provides insight into the selected works of all three writers, through the lens offered by feminist literary theory. Through the interrogation of these representative female protagonists found in early children’s literature, an understanding of not only the subordination of women, as evident in literature during this era, is illustrated but also the comprehension that women’s liberation was foreshadowed in these early children’s novels. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2013
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- Date Issued: 2013-01
Children’s Grants and Social Security Communities in the Eastern Cape : The Case of Nqabarha Administrative Area
- Authors: Mwangolela, Tafadzwa Fungay
- Date: 2013-01
- Subjects: Children -- Services for -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Grants in aid , Social Security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23159 , vital:55664
- Description: This study examines the impact of children’s grants on household access to food, education and health care. In the face of increased poverty and socio-economic inequalities, social grants are a critical poverty alleviation intervention implemented by the government of South Africa. The children’s grants are offered as part of the social security system which is provided for in the Republic of South Africa Constitution of 1996 and the Social Assistance Act of 2004. The basic needs conceptual framework is the lens informing the focus of the study. Among other major findings, the study reveals that (a) childrens grants play a critical role in improvement of access to food, health care and education, (b) childrens grants are used as collateral, to access short term loans, and (c) social networks and home gardens play a significant role in aiding children’s grants to ensure household access to food, education and health care. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty Social Sciences and Humanities, 2013
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- Date Issued: 2013-01
Group 12 metal chalcogenides as single source molecular precursors for the preparation of metal sulfide nanoparticles
- Authors: Osuntokun, Jejenija https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0886-2732
- Date: 2013-01
- Subjects: Ligands , Chalcogenides , Chemistry, Inorganic
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27428 , vital:67295
- Description: Twelve Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) complexes of mixed ligands: alkyl thiourea, 1-ethoxylcarbonyl-1-cyanoethylene-2,2-dithiolate and tetramethylthiuram disulfide were synthesized by the reaction between the ligands and the respective metal salts. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared (IR), 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. Four coordinate geometries were proposed for the compounds based on elemental and spectroscopic analyses. The metal complexes were at best sparingly soluble in polar coordinating solvents such as DMSO and DMF and insoluble in most organic solvents. This makes it practically impossible to grow single crystals suitable for X-ray crystallographic analysis and also resulted in extremely poor 13C-NMR spectra for some of the complexes. Thermogravimetric analysis on some of the complexes showed that they decomposed to their respective metal sulfides and thus suitable as single molecular precursors for the preparation of metal sulfide nanoparticles. Nine of the complexes with good yield were thermolysed and used as single source precursors to synthesized hexadexylamine capped metal sulfide nanoparticles. The optical and structural properties of the nanoparticles were studied using UV-Visible, photoluminescence (PL), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX). The absorption and emission spectra of the nanoparticles show quantum confinement. The SEM showed the morphology of the particles as nearly spherical, the EDX spectra revealed peaks corresponding to respective metal and sulfur with traces of contaminants being phosphorus from tri-n-octylphosphine (TOP). , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2013
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- Date Issued: 2013-01
Perspectives of communities on use of alcohol among children in rural areas
- Authors: Noganta, Nandi
- Date: 2013-01
- Subjects: Children -- Alcohol use , Youth -- Alcohol use -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25382 , vital:64234
- Description: Globalisation raises hopes that communities will become self reliant through development success and thus become an integrated whole (Offiong 2001). But the creation of global village leads to fragmentation of communities, a loss of norms and local values. This study focuses on communities of the Eastern Cape Province, exploring the nature of and extent to which children use alcohol as a consequence of cultural rituals. The researcher aims to develop a culturally sensitive psycho-social approach to address alcohol use among children. The purpose of the research was to investigate the extent to which certain cultural practices contribute towards alcohol use among children in the rural areas of the Eastern Cape Province. Thus exploring the nature and extent to which children use alcohol as a consequence of cultural rituals and to explore whether families and communities are aware of the impact of alcohol use by children in the community. The research was qualitative in nature and through semi-structured interview schedules the researcher was able to gain insight in the area of substance use amongst children in the rural areas of the Eastern Cape Province. Community members, learners from schools, educators and probation officers formed part of the research sample. The research findings suggest that community members are aware that the traditional rituals that are carried out in the rural areas have been contributing to the issue of children using alcohol. However, the community members feel challenged as they become conflicted by their traditional rituals and this impacts upon children using alcohol. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2013
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- Date Issued: 2013-01
Perspectives of communities on use of alcohol among children in rural areas
- Authors: Noganta, Nandi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7115-3261
- Date: 2013-01
- Subjects: Alcohol Use , Substance Abuse , Children
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23192 , vital:55893
- Description: Globalisation raises hopes that communities will become self reliant through development success and thus become an integrated whole (Offiong 2001). But the creation of global village leads to fragmentation of communities, a loss of norms and local values. This study focuses on communities of the Eastern Cape Province, exploring the nature of and extent to which children use alcohol as a consequence of cultural rituals. The researcher aims to develop a culturally sensitive psycho-social approach to address alcohol use among children. The purpose of the research was to investigate the extent to which certain cultural practices contribute towards alcohol use among children in the rural areas of the Eastern Cape Province. Thus exploring the nature and extent to which children use alcohol as a consequence of cultural rituals and to explore whether families and communities are aware of the impact of alcohol use by children in the community. The research was qualitative in nature and through semi-structured interview schedules the researcher was able to gain insight in the area of substance use amongst children in the rural areas of the Eastern Cape Province. Community members, learners from schools, educators and probation officers formed part of the research sample. The research findings suggest that community members are aware that the traditional rituals that are carried out in the rural areas have been contributing to the issue of children using alcohol. However, the community members feel challenged as they become conflicted by their traditional rituals and this impacts upon children using alcohol. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2013
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013-01
Pregnant teenagers' readiness for motherhood: a quantitative investigation in Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Pitso, Tsolo Joseph
- Date: 2013-01
- Subjects: Teenage mothers -- South Africa , Teenage pregnancy -- South Africa , Motherhood -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27440 , vital:67298
- Description: The issue of teenage motherhood has been a concern, globally, continentally and locally. The quantitative study assessed whether the pregnant teenagers were ready for motherhood. This report analysed the current positions of women whose first child was to be born when they were teenagers in the rural Eastern Cape setting. The structured questionnaires were given to 106 pregnant teenagers who visited the War Memorial clinic for pregnancy check-up and convenient sampling was used to select these respondents. The items of the questionnaire were divided into the following sub-topics: prenatal and postnatal challenges and roles and responsibilities of motherhood. The study found that most of the pregnant teenagers were aware of the prenatal and postnatal challenges but they were not ready to perform the roles and responsibilities associated with motherhood. The analysis of data was divided in terms of descriptive and inferential statistics. The binary regression model was used to assess the factors affecting the pregnant teenagers’ readiness for motherhood. The finding of this study indicated that most (about 79%) of the pregnant teenagers were not aware of the roles and responsibilities of motherhood In addition to being not ready to face the psycho-social challenges of motherhood. Hence they indicated low level of readiness to motherhood. The psycho-social theory of Erikson posited that children who had strong and intact psycho-social relationships with the caregivers might have a high possibility of acquiring their identity during adolescent stage and this will help them to interact both effectively and efficiently with their peers and the society at large. While those do had negative psycho-social development have a high chance of facing identity crisis/confusion. As a result, they might lead them to being victims of psycho-social interaction such as early pregnancy. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2013
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- Date Issued: 2013-01
Pregnant teenagers’ readiness for motherhood:A quantitative investigation in Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Pitso, Tsolo Joseph
- Date: 2013-01
- Subjects: Teenage Mothers , Teenage Pregnancy
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23142 , vital:55652
- Description: The issue of teenage motherhood has been a concern, globally, continentally and locally. The quantitative study assessed whether the pregnant teenagers were ready for motherhood. This report analysed the current positions of women whose first child was to be born when they were teenagers in the rural Eastern Cape setting. The structured questionnaires were given to 106 pregnant teenagers who visited the War Memorial clinic for pregnancy check-up and convenient sampling was used to select these respondents. The items of the questionnaire were divided into the following sub-topics: prenatal and postnatal challenges and roles and responsibilities of motherhood. The study found that most of the pregnant teenagers were aware of the prenatal and postnatal challenges but they were not ready to perform the roles and responsibilities associated with motherhood. The analysis of data was divided in terms of descriptive and inferential statistics. The binary regression model was used to assess the factors affecting the pregnant teenagers’ readiness for motherhood. The finding of this study indicated that most (about 79 percent) of the pregnant teenagers were not aware of the roles and responsibilities of motherhood In addition to being not ready to face the psycho-social challenges of motherhood. Hence they indicated low level of readiness to motherhood. The psycho-social theory of Erikson posited that children who had strong and intact psycho-social relationships with the caregivers might have a high possibility of acquiring their identity during adolescent stage and this will help them to interact both effectively and efficiently with their peers and the society at large. While those do had negative psycho-social development have a high chance of facing identity crisis/confusion. As a result, they might lead them to being victims of psycho-social interaction such as early pregnancy. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2013-01
An exploratory study of the impacts of climate variability on food production availability and access in Chivi district 6, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Gwindi, Raphael
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Climatic changes , Food security , Agricultural development projects
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26696 , vital:65852
- Description: The impacts of climate variability have been of global concern for many years. These impacts are affecting economic, social, cultural, agricultural, health and political structures in different countries. Although the impacts of climate variability on agricultural production are being experienced globally, it is generally accepted that developing countries are the worst affected due to a variety of reasons. Given the high susceptibility of developing countries to climate variability, this study maps and analyses the impacts of climate variability on agricultural production, food production, availability and access in Chivi District, Zimbabwe. The study aimed at finding out experiences, so it used a qualitative approach. The study uses in-depth and focus group discussions to collect data. Chivi district is experiencing erratic weather patterns which are impacting agricultural production in general and food production in particular. Consequently, food availability and access is on the decline in the district. Even though smallholder farmers have devised coping and adaptation strategies, this is not sufficient to help them fully deal with the impacts of climate variability. This is due to their limited assets, inadequate technology and climate information among other things. In an attempt to assist these smallholder farmers cope and adapt to the impacts of climate variability, NGOs and Government Departments have instituted a number of community interventions. This assistance includes agricultural extension services, farming input support and provision of climate change information and a lot of other things. In view of these findings, the study recommends the universal adoption and growing of small grain drought resistant crops in climate variability affected Chivi. It further recommends that farmers adopt conservation agriculture, get into partnerships and co-operatives to practice irrigation gardening where those without water sources provide equipment, labour and knowledge. The study also recommends that more climate science research be conducted in Zimbabwe by both NGOs and Government Departments. Furthermore, government and NGOs should provide more support for farmers in the form of climate change related training, knowledge and technology transfer among other things. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2013
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- Date Issued: 2013
Investigation of institutions for the implementation of the Dutywa Agripark Project in Mbashe Local Municipality in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Ndita, Bongani Herschel
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Agricultural development projects , Rangelands
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24587 , vital:63210
- Description: The study investigated local institutions amongst Agri-park project beneficiaries: A case of Dutywa Agri-park in Mbashe Local Municipality. Specifically, the dissertation sought to: investigate formal and informal institutions pertaining to land, rangeland management and support services, extension services amongst Agri-park beneficiaries, and explore options with communities to strengthen these institutions for the application of the Agri-park projects. The role of local institutions in economic development has received steadily increasing attention from researchers, policy makers and development practitioners. , institutions can be defined as the formal and informal rules of the game that have been formulated to rule people‟s behaviour and transactions. Informal rules may include among others, customs, norms and standards, religion, indigenous law while formal rules may include laws, constitutions, policies, markets and firms. This study used a survey design, quantitative and qualitative research methodologies involving the use of questionnaire. The data for this study was collected from 114 households which are Agri-park project beneficiaries, the extension officer, project site manager and local economic development officer. The data were collected through face to face and telephonic interviews. Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 20.0) were used for descriptive analysis in order to identify the existing local institutions and how they should be strengthen. The results showed that a number of local institutions do exist. The main findings of this study were as follows: (1) Project beneficiaries were aware of their stakeholders and that they knew the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder in the project. (2) Traditional leaders were aware about the project and that they have a major role to play. (3) Project beneficiaries have organized themselves into groups of co-operatives and their co-operatives are registered with the Department of Agriculture. (4) Project initiators are going to transfer the ownership of the project to these communities after it becomes well established. (5) There was a mutual agreement of youth employment rotation in the project between these four communities. (6) The condition of lease agreement for a land where the project currently running is 9 months renewable contract with the rental payment of R 6300.00 per annum. (7) The lease agreement gives the church a property right to reclaim the land should payments not be made. (8) Project beneficiaries possess some agricultural skills and that they have received various training. The study recommended that there is a need to strengthen these rules and regulation for the project to become more efficient and productive in the long-run. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2013
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- Date Issued: 2013
Negotiating identity and belonging: perspectives of children living in a disadvantaged community in the Eastern Cape province
- Authors: Ridley, Tamerin Amy
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Group identity , Self-esteem
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24813 , vital:63598
- Description: Developing an identity with self-esteem and a sense of self-worth is a child’s fundamental right (Vandenbroek, 2001). To encourage identity formation children need to ask and answer questions such as: ‘Who am I?’, ‘Where do I belong?’ and ‘Is it ok to be who I am?’ A child’s identity is shaped largely by his/her experiences with regards to relationships and belonging within communities and familial structures. However, South Africa faces a host of problems, including poverty, violence, HIV/AIDS, all of which contribute to the breakdown of these familial and community structures. Utilising a participatory action framework, this research aims to provide insight into how children living in a disadvantaged community negotiate identity and belonging. This insight into children’s perceptions of identity and belonging is useful for identifying resources within the community which promote a positive sense of identity and belonging, and also to identify areas where support and intervention are required. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2013
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- Date Issued: 2013
Opening up global food trade to developing countries: an evaluation of the World Trade Organisation's agreement on sanitary and phytosanitary measure
- Authors: Nyatsanza, Sharon
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: World Trade Organization , Food contamination , Food handling -- Safety measures
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27413 , vital:67294
- Description: Food safety and consumer protection has been a major concern of regulators since the 12th century. Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures were therefore introduced to protect human, animal and plant safety. With the expansion of international trade came the increase in the use of SPS measures. However these increases in the use of SPS measures were accompanied with their misuse for protectionist purposes. SPS measures which had been created for legitimate purposes quickly became significant barriers to trade. The World Trade Organisation (WTO) adopted the WTO Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) as a mechanism to regulate the use of SPS measures and avoid their potential use as protectionist tools. Trade liberalization and market access has been a primary aim of the WTO, therefore in principle the SPS Agreement is supposed to open up global food trade for all countries.Apart from opening up global food trade, another purpose of the SPS Agreement was to protect the developing countries, accommodate their special needs and in turn promote their economic development. Developing countries are heavily dependent on global food trade for their economic development. However developing states can only benefit from global food trade if they comply with SPS standards set in the importing countries. Considering their reliance on the agro – food sector the economic development of developing states is heavily reliant on the successful implementation of the SPS Agreement. According the SPS Agreement must avoid the use of illegitimate SPS measures and promote market access. It is therefore crucial that the SPS Agreement be analysed to determine whether its text, application and or interpretation satisfies the objective of opening up global food trade especially for developing states. The objective is to show the significance of a regulatory framework that is as much as possible devoid of any loopholes or shortcomings, which could frustrate the developmental interests. Inappropriate accommodation of developmental interests in the SPS Agreement could have adverse impacts on the development prospectus of developing countries. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, 2013
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- Date Issued: 2013