“Eye on the big prize!”: Iconizing the Democratic Alliance in the Daily Sun
- Siebörger, Ian, Adendorff, Ralph D
- Authors: Siebörger, Ian , Adendorff, Ralph D
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/385324 , vital:68007 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/splp/article/view/253996"
- Description: This article gives a snapshot view of how Mmusi Maimane’s rise to leadership in the Democratic Alliance (DA) in 2015 was reported on in the Daily Sun, South Africa’s biggest-selling national daily newspaper (South African Audience Research Foundation, 2016). Through analysis of a Daily Sun news article exemplifying trends in the positioning of the DA in the tabloid over the first half of 2015, the present study demonstrates how Maimane tried to align the DA around a new iconography (Tann 2010, 2013), centred on the values of “freedom”, “fairness” and “opportunity”. Moreover, the present study also shows how this purported transformation in the DA was treated with scepticism by the news article’s author, who iconizes the DA as incapable of transformation and effective governance. Fine-grained complementary Legitimation Code Theory (LCT) and Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) analyses were conducted on this news article. The LCT analysis shows how multiple voices in the news article create conflicting binary constellations, axiologically charged through various linguistic resources, including intertextual references. The analysis, using SFL’s Appraisal system (Martin and White 2005), shows how iconization is accomplished in the news article through evaluative language, coupled with intertextual references, grammatical metaphor andtechnicality to produce syndromes of meaning in the news article. Such iconization works, in this case, to reproduce an attitude of cynicism toward party politics in post-apartheid South Africa. This cynicism foreshadows Maimane’s ultimate lack of success in transforming the discourses of the DA.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Siebörger, Ian , Adendorff, Ralph D
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/385324 , vital:68007 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/splp/article/view/253996"
- Description: This article gives a snapshot view of how Mmusi Maimane’s rise to leadership in the Democratic Alliance (DA) in 2015 was reported on in the Daily Sun, South Africa’s biggest-selling national daily newspaper (South African Audience Research Foundation, 2016). Through analysis of a Daily Sun news article exemplifying trends in the positioning of the DA in the tabloid over the first half of 2015, the present study demonstrates how Maimane tried to align the DA around a new iconography (Tann 2010, 2013), centred on the values of “freedom”, “fairness” and “opportunity”. Moreover, the present study also shows how this purported transformation in the DA was treated with scepticism by the news article’s author, who iconizes the DA as incapable of transformation and effective governance. Fine-grained complementary Legitimation Code Theory (LCT) and Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) analyses were conducted on this news article. The LCT analysis shows how multiple voices in the news article create conflicting binary constellations, axiologically charged through various linguistic resources, including intertextual references. The analysis, using SFL’s Appraisal system (Martin and White 2005), shows how iconization is accomplished in the news article through evaluative language, coupled with intertextual references, grammatical metaphor andtechnicality to produce syndromes of meaning in the news article. Such iconization works, in this case, to reproduce an attitude of cynicism toward party politics in post-apartheid South Africa. This cynicism foreshadows Maimane’s ultimate lack of success in transforming the discourses of the DA.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
“Around Hip Hop” : rethinking and reconstructing urban youth identities in South Africa - a case study of Fingo Village, Makhanda
- Authors: Futshane, Luniko
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Hip-hop South Africa Makhanda , Urban youth South Africa Makhanda , Youth development South Africa Makhanda , Social change , Multiculturalism , Black Consciousness Movement of South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/406760 , vital:70305
- Description: The main objective of this thesis is to investigate how conscious hip hop culture is used to reconstruct and influence urban youth identities in South Africa, in the case of Fingo Village, Makhanda. In addition, it aims to understand how the South African conscious hip hop scene, appropriated from the West, can be used to shape the identities of the urban youth, instead of the materialistic commercial/mainstream gangsta rap that is currently dominating popular culture and media today. Kellner’s (1995: 10) multicultural critical approach is appropriate for this thesis, as it “provides a critical multiculturalist politics and media pedagogy that aims to make people sensitive to the relations of power and domination which are encoded in cultural texts, such as those of television and film, or new technologies and media such as Internet, and social networking”. Moreover, in the words of Cvetkovich and Kellner (cited in Dolby, 2010:11), this dissertation “investigates the increasing influence of global popular culture and its possibility to equip the urban youth with new sources of identification”, as well as opportunities for social change. In Makhanda, rappers, community activists, B-Boy crews, graffiti artists, spoken-word poets, photographers, and journalists all assembled in Fingo Village for the social event Around Hip Hop, at the multipurpose Fingo square, between 2011 and 2019. Today, Around Hip Hop is an arts based organization that produces hip hop mixtapes, short documentaries, and educational events aimed at creating a cross-cultural exchange and increasing awareness of South African politics. Around Hip Hop has hosted various events, dialogues, and performances where hip hop is used as a cultural expression, which continuously creates spaces for the urban youth to rethink and reconstruct their identities; not only as artists, but as audience members as well. Events, such as The Return of the Cypher, Intyatyamo Elityeni, and Business beyond Fingo Festival all form part of Around Hip Hop. The Return of the Cypher is an open music event, where rappers, usually gathered in a circular formation with one or more artists performing in the middle, showcase their skills. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight local hip hop artists in Makhanda, in order to investigate how conscious hip hop is used to rethink and reconstruct urban youth identities. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Futshane, Luniko
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Hip-hop South Africa Makhanda , Urban youth South Africa Makhanda , Youth development South Africa Makhanda , Social change , Multiculturalism , Black Consciousness Movement of South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/406760 , vital:70305
- Description: The main objective of this thesis is to investigate how conscious hip hop culture is used to reconstruct and influence urban youth identities in South Africa, in the case of Fingo Village, Makhanda. In addition, it aims to understand how the South African conscious hip hop scene, appropriated from the West, can be used to shape the identities of the urban youth, instead of the materialistic commercial/mainstream gangsta rap that is currently dominating popular culture and media today. Kellner’s (1995: 10) multicultural critical approach is appropriate for this thesis, as it “provides a critical multiculturalist politics and media pedagogy that aims to make people sensitive to the relations of power and domination which are encoded in cultural texts, such as those of television and film, or new technologies and media such as Internet, and social networking”. Moreover, in the words of Cvetkovich and Kellner (cited in Dolby, 2010:11), this dissertation “investigates the increasing influence of global popular culture and its possibility to equip the urban youth with new sources of identification”, as well as opportunities for social change. In Makhanda, rappers, community activists, B-Boy crews, graffiti artists, spoken-word poets, photographers, and journalists all assembled in Fingo Village for the social event Around Hip Hop, at the multipurpose Fingo square, between 2011 and 2019. Today, Around Hip Hop is an arts based organization that produces hip hop mixtapes, short documentaries, and educational events aimed at creating a cross-cultural exchange and increasing awareness of South African politics. Around Hip Hop has hosted various events, dialogues, and performances where hip hop is used as a cultural expression, which continuously creates spaces for the urban youth to rethink and reconstruct their identities; not only as artists, but as audience members as well. Events, such as The Return of the Cypher, Intyatyamo Elityeni, and Business beyond Fingo Festival all form part of Around Hip Hop. The Return of the Cypher is an open music event, where rappers, usually gathered in a circular formation with one or more artists performing in the middle, showcase their skills. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight local hip hop artists in Makhanda, in order to investigate how conscious hip hop is used to rethink and reconstruct urban youth identities. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
Youth, political violence and ZANU-PF politics in Zimbabwe, c.1950-2018
- Authors: Munyarari, Tinashe
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Youth protest movements Zimbabwe , Political violence Zimbabwe , ZANU-PF (Organization : Zimbabwe) , Agent (Philosophy) , Zimbabwe Politics and government , Zimbabwe History
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/365966 , vital:65806 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/365966
- Description: This study is a socio-political aspect of Zimbabwean history. It examines the development of youth political violence starting from the late 1950s when violent forms of African political mobilisation emerged to 2018 when the first election without Robert Mugabe was held. It explores how early nationalist parties such as the Salisbury City Youth League (SCYL), Southern Rhodesia African National Congress (SRANC), National Democratic Party (NDP), Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU) and later the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) mobilised and socialised youths into political violence to understand the roots of the violent political culture in Zimbabwe. This study shows that youths were an important part of the strategies of these political parties in countering the violence of the colonial state as well as mobilising mass support for the movements during the liberation struggle. It reveals that war collaborators (mujibhas and chimbwidos) were central role players in instigating political violence against innocent and defenceless people during the war. In the 1980s and 1990s, the Youth brigades and the ZANU-PF Youth League became a key constituent for state-socialist developmental goals but they were at times manipulated as a resource for political violence when Mugabe’s power was challenged. The study shows that more grotesque violence occurred in the 2000s era when the National Youth Service (NYS) was introduced and state-sanctioned vigilante groups like Chipangano in Mbare emerged in response to the rise of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and diminishing of consensual power. This study argues that youth were not mere victims and perpetrators of political violence, but they were a collection of various interest sub-groups with diverse agendas and a sense of agency. Some joined violent groups for their social mobility, power, impunity and economic opportunities availed to the group members. Data for this study was drawn from Mbare and Highfields (in Harare Province) and Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe (in Mashonaland East Province). , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, History, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Munyarari, Tinashe
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Youth protest movements Zimbabwe , Political violence Zimbabwe , ZANU-PF (Organization : Zimbabwe) , Agent (Philosophy) , Zimbabwe Politics and government , Zimbabwe History
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/365966 , vital:65806 , DOI https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/365966
- Description: This study is a socio-political aspect of Zimbabwean history. It examines the development of youth political violence starting from the late 1950s when violent forms of African political mobilisation emerged to 2018 when the first election without Robert Mugabe was held. It explores how early nationalist parties such as the Salisbury City Youth League (SCYL), Southern Rhodesia African National Congress (SRANC), National Democratic Party (NDP), Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU) and later the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) mobilised and socialised youths into political violence to understand the roots of the violent political culture in Zimbabwe. This study shows that youths were an important part of the strategies of these political parties in countering the violence of the colonial state as well as mobilising mass support for the movements during the liberation struggle. It reveals that war collaborators (mujibhas and chimbwidos) were central role players in instigating political violence against innocent and defenceless people during the war. In the 1980s and 1990s, the Youth brigades and the ZANU-PF Youth League became a key constituent for state-socialist developmental goals but they were at times manipulated as a resource for political violence when Mugabe’s power was challenged. The study shows that more grotesque violence occurred in the 2000s era when the National Youth Service (NYS) was introduced and state-sanctioned vigilante groups like Chipangano in Mbare emerged in response to the rise of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and diminishing of consensual power. This study argues that youth were not mere victims and perpetrators of political violence, but they were a collection of various interest sub-groups with diverse agendas and a sense of agency. Some joined violent groups for their social mobility, power, impunity and economic opportunities availed to the group members. Data for this study was drawn from Mbare and Highfields (in Harare Province) and Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe (in Mashonaland East Province). , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, History, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
Working in poverty: Informal employment of household gardeners in Eastern Cape towns, South Africa
- King, A, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: King, A , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/401398 , vital:69731 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/0376835X.2021.1940867"
- Description: In South Africa there has been relatively little consideration of the informal employment offered to domestic household workers and gardeners. Here we report on the number and profile of gardeners employed by private households and the wage and satisfaction rates in 12 towns of the Eastern Cape. Over 98% of the informal gardeners were male, middle-aged and with limited formal schooling. Approximately 58% of middle and upper income households employed a gardener, at a mean daily rate of R112.20 in 2019. This equated to 13 170 gardeners earning a total wage bill of R139 million p.a. across the 12 towns, which scales up to 0.7–1 million informal gardeners nationally earning approximately R10–14 billion per year. However, daily remuneration was insufficient to cover basic needs, and slightly more than half of the gardeners would prefer a different job, indicating the survivalist nature of the sector.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: King, A , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/401398 , vital:69731 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/0376835X.2021.1940867"
- Description: In South Africa there has been relatively little consideration of the informal employment offered to domestic household workers and gardeners. Here we report on the number and profile of gardeners employed by private households and the wage and satisfaction rates in 12 towns of the Eastern Cape. Over 98% of the informal gardeners were male, middle-aged and with limited formal schooling. Approximately 58% of middle and upper income households employed a gardener, at a mean daily rate of R112.20 in 2019. This equated to 13 170 gardeners earning a total wage bill of R139 million p.a. across the 12 towns, which scales up to 0.7–1 million informal gardeners nationally earning approximately R10–14 billion per year. However, daily remuneration was insufficient to cover basic needs, and slightly more than half of the gardeners would prefer a different job, indicating the survivalist nature of the sector.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
With dreams in our hands: Towards transgressive knowledge-making cultures
- Authors: Knowles, Corinne Ruth
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: African feminism , Pedagogy , Political sociology , Knowledge, Theory of Political aspects , Transformative learning
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/402955 , vital:69909 , DOI 10.21504/10962/402955
- Description: Knowledge-making in universities is not neutral and takes different forms. This thesis critically examines the politics of knowledge to propose and present a transgressive schema for knowledge-making that is co-created with students. It emerges from teaching and learning encounters in the Humanities Extended Studies (ES) Programme at Rhodes University, where for the past decade we have experimented with different ways of knowledge-making that run counter to conventional pedagogic practices. We set up a project for the thesis that allowed us to work with knowledge in ways that are Afrocentric, and that hold and nurture our dreams. The theory and methodology of the project are explained in the first academic paper for this PhD by publication. The project and its derivatives use an African Feminist framing, and centre the ontoepistemologies of African young people who find themselves alienated and marginalised by a western bias in university curricula. Former ES student volunteers came up with topics, responded to them, reviewed each other’s work, and co-wrote two academic papers that demonstrate a praxis of African Feminist research and pedagogic principles. Two further projects practise the principles that emerge from the primary project, and together they have tested knowledge-making cultures that inspire critical thinking and creative humanity. These are explained in two further academic papers. One is co-written with the copresenter of an online inter-continental short course for PhD students on African Feminist Research Methodology. The other is single authored, and introduces the third project, a Political and International Studies third-year course on African Feminist theory. The schema for knowledge-making uses the hand, which holds our dream, as a descriptive metaphor. Each of the five fingers of the hand represents an aspect of how we have collaborated on the projects and in lecture rooms, and what this has taught us about how to nurture and inspire the dreams of young African people through transgressive knowledgemaking cultures. The five aspects – framing, activating, seeing, creating, imagining – are mutually constitutive elements of knowledge-making that are introduced throughout the thesis, and explained in careful detail in the conclusion as a synthesis of the collaborations. , Siphethe amaphupha ezandleni zethu: ukwenza iinckubeko zolwazi ezigxile ekuphazamiseni isiqhelo Isishwankathelo Ukwenziwa kolwazi kwiiunivesithi asiyonto engathathi cala kwaye yenzeka ngeendlelangeendlela. Le thisisi iphonononga ipolitiki yolwazi ngenjongo yokucebisa nokuvelisa iindlela zokwenziwa kolwazi ezigxile ekuphazamiseni kwesiqhelo, ndlela leyo eyenziwa ngentsebenziswano nabafundi. Le Ndlela yokuphazamisa isiqhelo ivela kwindlela zokufunda nokufundisa kwinkqubo yeExtended Studies kwiUnivesithi iRhodes, apho kwiminyaka elishumi edlulileyo besisebenzisa amalinge ohlukileyo okwenza ulwazi ohlukileyo kwindlela zokufunda eziqhelekileyo. Siqulunqe inkqubo yale thisisi evumele ukuba sisebenze nolwazi ngendlela ekhokhelelisa ubuAfrika phambile, nkqubo leyo eyondla nebamba amaphupha ethu. Inkcazo-bungcali neendlela zokwenza uphando lwalo msebenzi zicacisiwe kwiphepha lokuqala lethisisi yePhD ezakupapashwa. Lo msebenzi neminye imisebenzi efana nawo isebenzisa iAfrikan Feminism ngenjongo yokubeka ngokusesikweni ndlela le ingxile kwindlela yokufundisa neengcambu zayo ezizinze eAfrika, kwaye ikhokhelisa imfundo yabantu abatsha abazifumana besenziwe amakheswa nabahlelelekileyo kunyenjwa kwasentshona kwizifundo zaseunivesithi. Abafundi ababefunda kwiES baze nezihloko, yangabo abaziphendulayo, bahlola imisebenzi yoogxa babo, kwaye bancedisa ekubhaleni amaphepha amabini abonakalisa indlela yokuphanda kusetyenziswa iziseko zokufunda zeAfrikan Feminism. Eminye imisebenzi isebenzise iziseko eziphuma kulo msebenzi wokuqala, kwaye yomibini le misebenzi iphonononga iinkcubeko zokwenza ulwazi ezikhuthaza ukuzikisa ukucinga nobuntu obunobuchule. Oku kucaciswa nzulu kumaphepha amabini. Omnye ubhalwe nomfundi kunye nombhali obefundisa kwikhosi emfutshane ebikwi-intanethi ephakathi kwamazwekazi eyenzelwe abafundi be- PhD kwiAfrican Feminist Research Methodology. Omnye umsebenzi ubhalwe ngumntu omnye, nothi wazise umsebenzi wesithathu, ikhosi yonyaka wesithathu yePolitical and International Studies yenkcazo-bungcali iAfrican Feminism. Icebo lokwenza ulwazi lisebenzisa isandla esibambe amaphupha ethu, njengesafobe esinika inkcazelo. Umnwe ngamnye umele indlela esisebenzisene ngayo kule misebenzi nakumagumbi okufundela, kunye nesikufundileyo ngokukhulisa nokukhuthaza amaphupha wabantu abasebatsha baseAfrika ngokusebenzisa imisebenzi egxile kwiinkcubeko zolwazi eziphazamisa ukwenziwa kolwazi ngendlela eqhelekileyo. Imiba emihlanu- ukwenza isakhelo, ukuqalisa, ukubona, ukudala, ukusebenzisa imifanekiso ntelekelelo- iyingqokelela yenxalenye yokwenza ulwazi ngendlela enentsebenziswano kwaye ezi ziseko zaziswa banzi kwithisisi, kwaye zicaciswe gabalala kwisishwankathelo njengengqokelela yentsebenziswano kulo msebenzi. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
- Authors: Knowles, Corinne Ruth
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: African feminism , Pedagogy , Political sociology , Knowledge, Theory of Political aspects , Transformative learning
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/402955 , vital:69909 , DOI 10.21504/10962/402955
- Description: Knowledge-making in universities is not neutral and takes different forms. This thesis critically examines the politics of knowledge to propose and present a transgressive schema for knowledge-making that is co-created with students. It emerges from teaching and learning encounters in the Humanities Extended Studies (ES) Programme at Rhodes University, where for the past decade we have experimented with different ways of knowledge-making that run counter to conventional pedagogic practices. We set up a project for the thesis that allowed us to work with knowledge in ways that are Afrocentric, and that hold and nurture our dreams. The theory and methodology of the project are explained in the first academic paper for this PhD by publication. The project and its derivatives use an African Feminist framing, and centre the ontoepistemologies of African young people who find themselves alienated and marginalised by a western bias in university curricula. Former ES student volunteers came up with topics, responded to them, reviewed each other’s work, and co-wrote two academic papers that demonstrate a praxis of African Feminist research and pedagogic principles. Two further projects practise the principles that emerge from the primary project, and together they have tested knowledge-making cultures that inspire critical thinking and creative humanity. These are explained in two further academic papers. One is co-written with the copresenter of an online inter-continental short course for PhD students on African Feminist Research Methodology. The other is single authored, and introduces the third project, a Political and International Studies third-year course on African Feminist theory. The schema for knowledge-making uses the hand, which holds our dream, as a descriptive metaphor. Each of the five fingers of the hand represents an aspect of how we have collaborated on the projects and in lecture rooms, and what this has taught us about how to nurture and inspire the dreams of young African people through transgressive knowledgemaking cultures. The five aspects – framing, activating, seeing, creating, imagining – are mutually constitutive elements of knowledge-making that are introduced throughout the thesis, and explained in careful detail in the conclusion as a synthesis of the collaborations. , Siphethe amaphupha ezandleni zethu: ukwenza iinckubeko zolwazi ezigxile ekuphazamiseni isiqhelo Isishwankathelo Ukwenziwa kolwazi kwiiunivesithi asiyonto engathathi cala kwaye yenzeka ngeendlelangeendlela. Le thisisi iphonononga ipolitiki yolwazi ngenjongo yokucebisa nokuvelisa iindlela zokwenziwa kolwazi ezigxile ekuphazamiseni kwesiqhelo, ndlela leyo eyenziwa ngentsebenziswano nabafundi. Le Ndlela yokuphazamisa isiqhelo ivela kwindlela zokufunda nokufundisa kwinkqubo yeExtended Studies kwiUnivesithi iRhodes, apho kwiminyaka elishumi edlulileyo besisebenzisa amalinge ohlukileyo okwenza ulwazi ohlukileyo kwindlela zokufunda eziqhelekileyo. Siqulunqe inkqubo yale thisisi evumele ukuba sisebenze nolwazi ngendlela ekhokhelelisa ubuAfrika phambile, nkqubo leyo eyondla nebamba amaphupha ethu. Inkcazo-bungcali neendlela zokwenza uphando lwalo msebenzi zicacisiwe kwiphepha lokuqala lethisisi yePhD ezakupapashwa. Lo msebenzi neminye imisebenzi efana nawo isebenzisa iAfrikan Feminism ngenjongo yokubeka ngokusesikweni ndlela le ingxile kwindlela yokufundisa neengcambu zayo ezizinze eAfrika, kwaye ikhokhelisa imfundo yabantu abatsha abazifumana besenziwe amakheswa nabahlelelekileyo kunyenjwa kwasentshona kwizifundo zaseunivesithi. Abafundi ababefunda kwiES baze nezihloko, yangabo abaziphendulayo, bahlola imisebenzi yoogxa babo, kwaye bancedisa ekubhaleni amaphepha amabini abonakalisa indlela yokuphanda kusetyenziswa iziseko zokufunda zeAfrikan Feminism. Eminye imisebenzi isebenzise iziseko eziphuma kulo msebenzi wokuqala, kwaye yomibini le misebenzi iphonononga iinkcubeko zokwenza ulwazi ezikhuthaza ukuzikisa ukucinga nobuntu obunobuchule. Oku kucaciswa nzulu kumaphepha amabini. Omnye ubhalwe nomfundi kunye nombhali obefundisa kwikhosi emfutshane ebikwi-intanethi ephakathi kwamazwekazi eyenzelwe abafundi be- PhD kwiAfrican Feminist Research Methodology. Omnye umsebenzi ubhalwe ngumntu omnye, nothi wazise umsebenzi wesithathu, ikhosi yonyaka wesithathu yePolitical and International Studies yenkcazo-bungcali iAfrican Feminism. Icebo lokwenza ulwazi lisebenzisa isandla esibambe amaphupha ethu, njengesafobe esinika inkcazelo. Umnwe ngamnye umele indlela esisebenzisene ngayo kule misebenzi nakumagumbi okufundela, kunye nesikufundileyo ngokukhulisa nokukhuthaza amaphupha wabantu abasebatsha baseAfrika ngokusebenzisa imisebenzi egxile kwiinkcubeko zolwazi eziphazamisa ukwenziwa kolwazi ngendlela eqhelekileyo. Imiba emihlanu- ukwenza isakhelo, ukuqalisa, ukubona, ukudala, ukusebenzisa imifanekiso ntelekelelo- iyingqokelela yenxalenye yokwenza ulwazi ngendlela enentsebenziswano kwaye ezi ziseko zaziswa banzi kwithisisi, kwaye zicaciswe gabalala kwisishwankathelo njengengqokelela yentsebenziswano kulo msebenzi. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2023
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
What’s in a conference theme?: Some reflections on critical realist research and its emergence in Africa over a period of 20+ years
- Authors: Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/370739 , vital:66372 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/14767430.2023.2146923"
- Description: In keeping with the 2021 IACR Conference theme (Re) Envisaging Emancipatory Research, Science and Practice, this paper reviews over fifty instances of critical realist research in Africa which have sought to establish emancipatory research praxis by using critical realism to underlabour a range of applied studies in a diversity of disciplines and countries. The initiators of this research have been drawn to critical realism for several reasons, most notably its return to ontology, its interest in transformed, transformative praxis, and its potential for addressing knowledge and experiences exclusions. The paper ends with a reflection on ‘What's in a Conference Theme', returning to the earlier 2012 IACR conference hosted in Africa, and the 2021 conference’s focus on emancipatory research. It argues both for the deepening of conversations between critical realism and Africana Critical Theory; and for the grounding of these conversations in the voices and power of the people in our communities
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Lotz-Sisitka, Heila
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/370739 , vital:66372 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/14767430.2023.2146923"
- Description: In keeping with the 2021 IACR Conference theme (Re) Envisaging Emancipatory Research, Science and Practice, this paper reviews over fifty instances of critical realist research in Africa which have sought to establish emancipatory research praxis by using critical realism to underlabour a range of applied studies in a diversity of disciplines and countries. The initiators of this research have been drawn to critical realism for several reasons, most notably its return to ontology, its interest in transformed, transformative praxis, and its potential for addressing knowledge and experiences exclusions. The paper ends with a reflection on ‘What's in a Conference Theme', returning to the earlier 2012 IACR conference hosted in Africa, and the 2021 conference’s focus on emancipatory research. It argues both for the deepening of conversations between critical realism and Africana Critical Theory; and for the grounding of these conversations in the voices and power of the people in our communities
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
Variables associated with run out opportunities in cricket: coaches’ perceptions versus video analyses of the Indian Premier League 2018/2019 seasons
- Authors: Sholto-Douglas, Robert
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/365014 , vital:65670
- Description: The purpose of this investigation was to add a scientific element to the understanding of run out opportunities in T20 (twenty/twenty) formats, which would in turn, provide recommendations to players and coaches around the topic of run outs. Due to a lack of research in this field, the study was two-fold, as there is little research known on this topic. Firstly, surveying experienced coaches on what they would expect to take place during run out opportunities from different areas of the field in a T20 game. Secondly, the study looked at what happened during successful and unsuccessful run outs from different areas of the field in two Indian Premier League (IPL) seasons. The aim of the study was to determine what variables, within an area of fielding, led to a successful or non-successful run out from different zones in the field. Coaches were required to fill out a survey which asked them to give their expectations on run out opportunities during a T20 competition. The data from the questionnaire would be used to gain a greater understanding of the way coaches understand different characteristics of run outs and whether this matched the findings of the second part of this study. The second part of the study investigated run out opportunities in two consecutive IPL seasons, based on video footage, looking at how different variables impacted successful or marginally missed run out opportunities in different areas of the field and at different times of the game. The areas were put into four different zones. Zone 1 being close to the batter, zone 2 being in the inner ring, zone 3 being on the edge of the ring and zone 4 being boundary fielders. Most of the coaches believed that in zone 1 of the field, the bowler would have the most opportunities, where in fact, based on the video footage, these fell to the wicket-keeper. In zone 2 there were a larger range of fielding positions (10) that run outs fell to when analysing video footage. The coaches supported this by often naming the same fielding positions. There was a divide in zone 3. Most run out opportunities from the video footage came to extra cover, where most coaches didn’t believe that would be the case and rather mentioned mid-off and mid-on. When analysing video footage in zone 4, it had two fielding positions (long on and deep mid-wicket) make up the majority of run out chances in this area and these two positions were quoted by most of the coaches as having the most run out opportunities fall to them. Throughout the findings, as concluded from the video footage, there were some results that matched the coaches’ expectation and some results where findings from the video footage differed from the coaches’ expectations. These findings are all useful. Firstly, it validates coaching practices. Secondly, it provides coaches with greater insight as to where they aren’t getting it correct in their fielding training. In conclusion, this study found that although coaches perceptions, for the most part, matched what took place on the field, there were instances where we saw the opposite action take place. This has important practical implications for coaching and practice. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Human Kinetics and Ergonomics, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
- Authors: Sholto-Douglas, Robert
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/365014 , vital:65670
- Description: The purpose of this investigation was to add a scientific element to the understanding of run out opportunities in T20 (twenty/twenty) formats, which would in turn, provide recommendations to players and coaches around the topic of run outs. Due to a lack of research in this field, the study was two-fold, as there is little research known on this topic. Firstly, surveying experienced coaches on what they would expect to take place during run out opportunities from different areas of the field in a T20 game. Secondly, the study looked at what happened during successful and unsuccessful run outs from different areas of the field in two Indian Premier League (IPL) seasons. The aim of the study was to determine what variables, within an area of fielding, led to a successful or non-successful run out from different zones in the field. Coaches were required to fill out a survey which asked them to give their expectations on run out opportunities during a T20 competition. The data from the questionnaire would be used to gain a greater understanding of the way coaches understand different characteristics of run outs and whether this matched the findings of the second part of this study. The second part of the study investigated run out opportunities in two consecutive IPL seasons, based on video footage, looking at how different variables impacted successful or marginally missed run out opportunities in different areas of the field and at different times of the game. The areas were put into four different zones. Zone 1 being close to the batter, zone 2 being in the inner ring, zone 3 being on the edge of the ring and zone 4 being boundary fielders. Most of the coaches believed that in zone 1 of the field, the bowler would have the most opportunities, where in fact, based on the video footage, these fell to the wicket-keeper. In zone 2 there were a larger range of fielding positions (10) that run outs fell to when analysing video footage. The coaches supported this by often naming the same fielding positions. There was a divide in zone 3. Most run out opportunities from the video footage came to extra cover, where most coaches didn’t believe that would be the case and rather mentioned mid-off and mid-on. When analysing video footage in zone 4, it had two fielding positions (long on and deep mid-wicket) make up the majority of run out chances in this area and these two positions were quoted by most of the coaches as having the most run out opportunities fall to them. Throughout the findings, as concluded from the video footage, there were some results that matched the coaches’ expectation and some results where findings from the video footage differed from the coaches’ expectations. These findings are all useful. Firstly, it validates coaching practices. Secondly, it provides coaches with greater insight as to where they aren’t getting it correct in their fielding training. In conclusion, this study found that although coaches perceptions, for the most part, matched what took place on the field, there were instances where we saw the opposite action take place. This has important practical implications for coaching and practice. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Human Kinetics and Ergonomics, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
Validity of categories related to gender identity in ICD-11 and DSM-5 among transgender individuals who seek gender-affirming medical procedures
- Robles, Rebeca, Keeley, Jared W, Vega-Ramírez, H, Cruz-Islas, Jeremy, Rodríguez-Pérez, Victor, Sharan, Pratap, Purnima, Shivani, Rao, Ravindra, Rodrigues-Lobato, María I, Soll, Bianca, Askevis-Leherpeux, Françoise, Roelandt, Jean-Luc, Campbell, Megan, Grobler, Gerhard, Stein, Dan H, Khoury, Brigitte, El Khoury, Joseph, Fresán, Ana, Medina-Mora, María, Reed, Geoffrey M
- Authors: Robles, Rebeca , Keeley, Jared W , Vega-Ramírez, H , Cruz-Islas, Jeremy , Rodríguez-Pérez, Victor , Sharan, Pratap , Purnima, Shivani , Rao, Ravindra , Rodrigues-Lobato, María I , Soll, Bianca , Askevis-Leherpeux, Françoise , Roelandt, Jean-Luc , Campbell, Megan , Grobler, Gerhard , Stein, Dan H , Khoury, Brigitte , El Khoury, Joseph , Fresán, Ana , Medina-Mora, María , Reed, Geoffrey M
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/302589 , vital:58210 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijchp.2021.100281"
- Description: Background/Objective: The most recent versions of the two main mental disorders classifications—the World Health Organization's ICD-11 and the American Psychiatric Association's DSM–5—differ substantially in their diagnostic categories related to transgender identity. ICD-11 gender incongruence (GI), in contrast to DSM-5 gender dysphoria (GD), is explicitly not a mental disorder; neither distress nor dysfunction is a required feature. The objective was compared ICD-11 and DSM-5 diagnostic requirements in terms of their sensitivity, specificity, discriminability and ability to predict the use of gender-affirming medical procedures. Method: A total of 649 of transgender adults in six countries completed a retrospective structured interview. Results: Using ROC analysis, sensitivity of the diagnostic requirements was equivalent for both systems, but ICD-11 showed greater specificity than DSM-5. Regression analyses indicated that history of hormones and/or surgery was predicted by variables that are an intrinsic aspect of GI/GD more than by distress and dysfunction. IRT analyses showed that the ICD-11 diagnostic formulation was more parsimonious and contained more information about caseness than the DSM-5 model. Conclusions: This study supports the ICD-11 position that GI/GD is not a mental disorder; additional diagnostic requirements of distress and/or dysfunction in DSM-5 reduce the predictive power of the diagnostic model.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Robles, Rebeca , Keeley, Jared W , Vega-Ramírez, H , Cruz-Islas, Jeremy , Rodríguez-Pérez, Victor , Sharan, Pratap , Purnima, Shivani , Rao, Ravindra , Rodrigues-Lobato, María I , Soll, Bianca , Askevis-Leherpeux, Françoise , Roelandt, Jean-Luc , Campbell, Megan , Grobler, Gerhard , Stein, Dan H , Khoury, Brigitte , El Khoury, Joseph , Fresán, Ana , Medina-Mora, María , Reed, Geoffrey M
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/302589 , vital:58210 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijchp.2021.100281"
- Description: Background/Objective: The most recent versions of the two main mental disorders classifications—the World Health Organization's ICD-11 and the American Psychiatric Association's DSM–5—differ substantially in their diagnostic categories related to transgender identity. ICD-11 gender incongruence (GI), in contrast to DSM-5 gender dysphoria (GD), is explicitly not a mental disorder; neither distress nor dysfunction is a required feature. The objective was compared ICD-11 and DSM-5 diagnostic requirements in terms of their sensitivity, specificity, discriminability and ability to predict the use of gender-affirming medical procedures. Method: A total of 649 of transgender adults in six countries completed a retrospective structured interview. Results: Using ROC analysis, sensitivity of the diagnostic requirements was equivalent for both systems, but ICD-11 showed greater specificity than DSM-5. Regression analyses indicated that history of hormones and/or surgery was predicted by variables that are an intrinsic aspect of GI/GD more than by distress and dysfunction. IRT analyses showed that the ICD-11 diagnostic formulation was more parsimonious and contained more information about caseness than the DSM-5 model. Conclusions: This study supports the ICD-11 position that GI/GD is not a mental disorder; additional diagnostic requirements of distress and/or dysfunction in DSM-5 reduce the predictive power of the diagnostic model.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
Understanding rural–urban transitions in the Global South through peri-urban turbulence
- Hutchings, Paul, Willcock, Simon, Lynch, Kenneth, Bundhoo, Dilshaad, Brewer, Tim, Cooper, Sarah, Keech, Daniel, Mekala, Sneha, Mishra, Prajna P, Parker, Alison, Shackleton, Charlie M, Venkatesh, Kongala, Vicario, Dolores R, Welivita, Indunee
- Authors: Hutchings, Paul , Willcock, Simon , Lynch, Kenneth , Bundhoo, Dilshaad , Brewer, Tim , Cooper, Sarah , Keech, Daniel , Mekala, Sneha , Mishra, Prajna P , Parker, Alison , Shackleton, Charlie M , Venkatesh, Kongala , Vicario, Dolores R , Welivita, Indunee
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/401368 , vital:69729 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-022-00920-w"
- Description: Much previous research has problematized the use of a binary urban–rural distinction to describe human settlement patterns in and around cities. Peri-urban zones, on the edge of urban settlements, are important both in the sheer magnitude of human population and in terms of being home to vulnerable populations with high rates of poverty. This Perspective presents a framework that conceptualizes rural–urban transition through the prism of shifts in natural, engineered and institutional infrastructure to explain the processes of rapid change and the dip in service provision often found in peri-urban areas in the Global South. We draw on examples related to the provision of water and sanitation to illustrate the theory and discuss its implications for future research on the peri-urban. A research agenda is set out that emphasizes the importance of studying early warning signs of service dips using systems theory concepts such as flickering and critical slowing down. Through such approaches, research can better predict and explain what we call peri-urban turbulence and inform the development of mitigation strategies to reduce the vulnerabilities that peri-urban residents too often face during periods of rural–urban transition.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Hutchings, Paul , Willcock, Simon , Lynch, Kenneth , Bundhoo, Dilshaad , Brewer, Tim , Cooper, Sarah , Keech, Daniel , Mekala, Sneha , Mishra, Prajna P , Parker, Alison , Shackleton, Charlie M , Venkatesh, Kongala , Vicario, Dolores R , Welivita, Indunee
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/401368 , vital:69729 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-022-00920-w"
- Description: Much previous research has problematized the use of a binary urban–rural distinction to describe human settlement patterns in and around cities. Peri-urban zones, on the edge of urban settlements, are important both in the sheer magnitude of human population and in terms of being home to vulnerable populations with high rates of poverty. This Perspective presents a framework that conceptualizes rural–urban transition through the prism of shifts in natural, engineered and institutional infrastructure to explain the processes of rapid change and the dip in service provision often found in peri-urban areas in the Global South. We draw on examples related to the provision of water and sanitation to illustrate the theory and discuss its implications for future research on the peri-urban. A research agenda is set out that emphasizes the importance of studying early warning signs of service dips using systems theory concepts such as flickering and critical slowing down. Through such approaches, research can better predict and explain what we call peri-urban turbulence and inform the development of mitigation strategies to reduce the vulnerabilities that peri-urban residents too often face during periods of rural–urban transition.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
Ultrasensitive detection of prostate-specific antigen using glucose-encapsulated nanoliposomes anti-PSA polyclonal antibody as detection nanobioprobes
- Mwanza, Daniel, Mfamela, Nololo, Adeniyi, Omotayo, Nyokong, Tebello, Mashazi, Philani N
- Authors: Mwanza, Daniel , Mfamela, Nololo , Adeniyi, Omotayo , Nyokong, Tebello , Mashazi, Philani N
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/300268 , vital:57911 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2022.123483"
- Description: In this work, the preparation of glucose encapsulating nanoliposomes was achieved using two different lipid formulations, labelled as F1 and F2. Both formulations contained phosphatidylcholine (PC), oleylamido-4-butanoic acid (OABA) and in addition, F1 had cholesterol (CHO) while F2 contained cholesteroyl hemisussinate (CHEMS). These formulations were studied for their pH sensitivity and controlled release of encapsulated glucose for indirect detection of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) using sandwich immunoassay. As a signal generator, encapsulated glucose in nanoliposomes was quantified directly using the personal glucose meter (PGM) and colorimetrically using peroxidase property of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme and Pd|PdO as nanozymes. Controlled release of the encapsulated glucose was achieved using the pH effect or Triton-X 100 as a surfactant to destabilize the liposomal structure. The F2 formulation showed maximum controlled release at acidic phosphate buffer saline (PBS, pH 5.0). The concentration of encapsulated glucose was found to be high in F2 formulation and these were applied for the indirect detection of PSA. The limit of detection (LOD) values for PSA were found to be 53 fg mL−1, 64 fg mL−1 and 10 fg mL−1 when HRP, Pd|PdO and PGM were respectively used. The detection signal was linear over a wide concentration range for PSA including the clinical range of 4–10 ng mL−1. The HRP system showed low LOD value when compared with Pd|PdO nanozymes. PGM system gave lowest LOD values owing to the sensitivity of the system towards glucose. Pd|PdO nanozyme system showed good stability over a wide temperature up to 80 °C. PGM system required less reaction time (2 min), low reagents and results were readily generated in digital format.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Mwanza, Daniel , Mfamela, Nololo , Adeniyi, Omotayo , Nyokong, Tebello , Mashazi, Philani N
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/300268 , vital:57911 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2022.123483"
- Description: In this work, the preparation of glucose encapsulating nanoliposomes was achieved using two different lipid formulations, labelled as F1 and F2. Both formulations contained phosphatidylcholine (PC), oleylamido-4-butanoic acid (OABA) and in addition, F1 had cholesterol (CHO) while F2 contained cholesteroyl hemisussinate (CHEMS). These formulations were studied for their pH sensitivity and controlled release of encapsulated glucose for indirect detection of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) using sandwich immunoassay. As a signal generator, encapsulated glucose in nanoliposomes was quantified directly using the personal glucose meter (PGM) and colorimetrically using peroxidase property of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme and Pd|PdO as nanozymes. Controlled release of the encapsulated glucose was achieved using the pH effect or Triton-X 100 as a surfactant to destabilize the liposomal structure. The F2 formulation showed maximum controlled release at acidic phosphate buffer saline (PBS, pH 5.0). The concentration of encapsulated glucose was found to be high in F2 formulation and these were applied for the indirect detection of PSA. The limit of detection (LOD) values for PSA were found to be 53 fg mL−1, 64 fg mL−1 and 10 fg mL−1 when HRP, Pd|PdO and PGM were respectively used. The detection signal was linear over a wide concentration range for PSA including the clinical range of 4–10 ng mL−1. The HRP system showed low LOD value when compared with Pd|PdO nanozymes. PGM system gave lowest LOD values owing to the sensitivity of the system towards glucose. Pd|PdO nanozyme system showed good stability over a wide temperature up to 80 °C. PGM system required less reaction time (2 min), low reagents and results were readily generated in digital format.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
Trees stocks in domestic gardens and willingness to participate in tree planting initiatives in low-cost housing areas of the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Gwedla, Nanamhla, Shackleton, Charlie, Olvitt, Lausanne L
- Authors: Gwedla, Nanamhla , Shackleton, Charlie , Olvitt, Lausanne L
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/372825 , vital:66626 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2022.127484"
- Description: Increasing human populations and rapid urbanization in sub-Saharan Africa have prompted the development and maintenance of urban green infrastructure, including urban trees for sustainability, human wellbeing, liveability and climate resilience. However, there are still insufficient amounts and large inequities in the distribution of trees between and within towns and cities of the Global North and South. In South Africa, urban green space planning and planting are encoded in several policies at national level. However, these policies are rarely translated into specific guides, standards or actions, and consequently disparities in urban trees and green space distribution persist. This study assessed the prevalence of urban trees in domestic gardens in low-cost housing areas (LCHAs) of eight small to medium-sized towns in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa and examined residents’ perceptions in this regard. This was done via surveys with 800 households in old and recently developed LCHAs. The results revealed that most households (52 %) had at least one tree in their yard, with more households in the older neighbourhoods (60 %) reporting having trees than in the newer ones (44 %). Most of the trees (66 %) had been deliberately planted as opposed to natural regeneration. Experience of formal urban tree planting programs was low, but 75 % of residents expressed willingness to participate in the future, preferably in tree planting and maintenance. Urban green spaces and trees cannot be an afterthought in the development of sustainable human settlements, and municipal plans should reflect tangible commitments in this regard. Meeting goals for greener LCHAs requires the involvement of local residents, and for municipal authorities to be receptive to the wishes of residents and willingness to green their residential areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Gwedla, Nanamhla , Shackleton, Charlie , Olvitt, Lausanne L
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/372825 , vital:66626 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2022.127484"
- Description: Increasing human populations and rapid urbanization in sub-Saharan Africa have prompted the development and maintenance of urban green infrastructure, including urban trees for sustainability, human wellbeing, liveability and climate resilience. However, there are still insufficient amounts and large inequities in the distribution of trees between and within towns and cities of the Global North and South. In South Africa, urban green space planning and planting are encoded in several policies at national level. However, these policies are rarely translated into specific guides, standards or actions, and consequently disparities in urban trees and green space distribution persist. This study assessed the prevalence of urban trees in domestic gardens in low-cost housing areas (LCHAs) of eight small to medium-sized towns in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa and examined residents’ perceptions in this regard. This was done via surveys with 800 households in old and recently developed LCHAs. The results revealed that most households (52 %) had at least one tree in their yard, with more households in the older neighbourhoods (60 %) reporting having trees than in the newer ones (44 %). Most of the trees (66 %) had been deliberately planted as opposed to natural regeneration. Experience of formal urban tree planting programs was low, but 75 % of residents expressed willingness to participate in the future, preferably in tree planting and maintenance. Urban green spaces and trees cannot be an afterthought in the development of sustainable human settlements, and municipal plans should reflect tangible commitments in this regard. Meeting goals for greener LCHAs requires the involvement of local residents, and for municipal authorities to be receptive to the wishes of residents and willingness to green their residential areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
Transforming Education for Sustainable Futures: Intersecting dynamics of food, water, livelihoods and education in the COVID-19 pandemic
- Velempini, Kgosietsile, Lotz-Sisitka, Heila, Kulundu, Injairu, Maqwelane, Lwanda, James, Anna, Mphepo, Gibson, Dyantyi, Phila, Kunkwenza, Esthery
- Authors: Velempini, Kgosietsile , Lotz-Sisitka, Heila , Kulundu, Injairu , Maqwelane, Lwanda , James, Anna , Mphepo, Gibson , Dyantyi, Phila , Kunkwenza, Esthery
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/389903 , vital:68494 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/211392"
- Description: Since 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has posed challenges to but also highlighted the urgent need for transforming education for sustainable futures. The purpose of this article is to share insights gained from a southern African study on intersecting influences of water, food, livelihoods and education, and what they mean for Education for Sustainable Development going forward. The interest is to learn from this study in ways that can inform transformation of education for sustainable futures in southern Africa going forward. The study involved a number of early career researchers in SADC countries, and was conducted via an online approach during the early days of the pandemic. It followed a qualitative research design, employed document analysis, interviews and questionnaires, and drew on a systems perspective to inform analysis. The findings are as relevant today as they were in the pandemic, and point to the importance of giving attention to intersecting issues that affect education. The study highlights six transformative praxis pathways for transforming education for sustainable futures.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Velempini, Kgosietsile , Lotz-Sisitka, Heila , Kulundu, Injairu , Maqwelane, Lwanda , James, Anna , Mphepo, Gibson , Dyantyi, Phila , Kunkwenza, Esthery
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/389903 , vital:68494 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/211392"
- Description: Since 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has posed challenges to but also highlighted the urgent need for transforming education for sustainable futures. The purpose of this article is to share insights gained from a southern African study on intersecting influences of water, food, livelihoods and education, and what they mean for Education for Sustainable Development going forward. The interest is to learn from this study in ways that can inform transformation of education for sustainable futures in southern Africa going forward. The study involved a number of early career researchers in SADC countries, and was conducted via an online approach during the early days of the pandemic. It followed a qualitative research design, employed document analysis, interviews and questionnaires, and drew on a systems perspective to inform analysis. The findings are as relevant today as they were in the pandemic, and point to the importance of giving attention to intersecting issues that affect education. The study highlights six transformative praxis pathways for transforming education for sustainable futures.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
Towards SDG 15.3: The biome context as the appropriate degradation monitoring dimension
- Xoxo, Sinetemba, Mantel, Sukhmani, de Vos, Alta, Mahlaba, Bawinile, le Maître, David, Tanner, Jane
- Authors: Xoxo, Sinetemba , Mantel, Sukhmani , de Vos, Alta , Mahlaba, Bawinile , le Maître, David , Tanner, Jane
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/415961 , vital:71304 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.07.008"
- Description: Accurate and reliable estimation of terrestrial ecosystem degradation is critical to meeting the challenge of reversing land degradation. Remote sensing data (especially land productivity dynamics) is commonly used to estimate land degradation, and this study uses the TRENDS.EARTH toolbox for the period covering 2000–2018, demonstrating the benefit of tracking the degradation process (SDG 15.3.1) at a biophysical unit. Contributing to the country’s SDG 15.3.1 monitoring, anthropogenic degradation was estimated based on RESTREND land productivity, biome-specific land cover trends, and soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks. Underlying degradation was evaluated by reclassifying a 28-year national land cover change dataset to match the UNCCD land cover legend. Analysis results indicate that land productivity changes (especially in stable grasslands, afforested, and cropland areas) mainly influenced the degradation status of the biome (19.9% degraded and 25.6% improvement). Global datasets also suggest that land cover and SOC had a minimal contribution (more than 2%) to anthropogenic degradation dynamics in the biome between 2000 and 2018. The GIS analysis showed that long-term, the major contributors to the biome’s underlying 9% anthropogenic degradation were woody proliferation into the Grassland Biome, urban expansion, and wetland drainage.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Xoxo, Sinetemba , Mantel, Sukhmani , de Vos, Alta , Mahlaba, Bawinile , le Maître, David , Tanner, Jane
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/415961 , vital:71304 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.07.008"
- Description: Accurate and reliable estimation of terrestrial ecosystem degradation is critical to meeting the challenge of reversing land degradation. Remote sensing data (especially land productivity dynamics) is commonly used to estimate land degradation, and this study uses the TRENDS.EARTH toolbox for the period covering 2000–2018, demonstrating the benefit of tracking the degradation process (SDG 15.3.1) at a biophysical unit. Contributing to the country’s SDG 15.3.1 monitoring, anthropogenic degradation was estimated based on RESTREND land productivity, biome-specific land cover trends, and soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks. Underlying degradation was evaluated by reclassifying a 28-year national land cover change dataset to match the UNCCD land cover legend. Analysis results indicate that land productivity changes (especially in stable grasslands, afforested, and cropland areas) mainly influenced the degradation status of the biome (19.9% degraded and 25.6% improvement). Global datasets also suggest that land cover and SOC had a minimal contribution (more than 2%) to anthropogenic degradation dynamics in the biome between 2000 and 2018. The GIS analysis showed that long-term, the major contributors to the biome’s underlying 9% anthropogenic degradation were woody proliferation into the Grassland Biome, urban expansion, and wetland drainage.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
Towards SDG 15.3: The biome context as the appropriate degradation monitoring dimension
- Xoxo, Sinetemba, Mantel, Sukhmani, de Vos, Alta, Mahlaba, Bawinile, le Maître, David, Tanner, Jane
- Authors: Xoxo, Sinetemba , Mantel, Sukhmani , de Vos, Alta , Mahlaba, Bawinile , le Maître, David , Tanner, Jane
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/416462 , vital:71350 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.07.008"
- Description: Accurate and reliable estimation of terrestrial ecosystem degradation is critical to meeting the challenge of reversing land degradation. Remote sensing data (especially land productivity dynamics) is commonly used to estimate land degradation, and this study uses the TRENDS.EARTH toolbox for the period covering 2000–2018, demonstrating the benefit of tracking the degradation process (SDG 15.3.1) at a biophysical unit. Contributing to the country’s SDG 15.3.1 monitoring, anthropogenic degradation was estimated based on RESTREND land productivity, biome-specific land cover trends, and soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks. Underlying degradation was evaluated by reclassifying a 28-year national land cover change dataset to match the UNCCD land cover legend. Analysis results indicate that land productivity changes (especially in stable grasslands, afforested, and cropland areas) mainly influenced the degradation status of the biome (19.9% degraded and 25.6% improvement). Global datasets also suggest that land cover and SOC had a minimal contribution (more than 2%) to anthropogenic degradation dynamics in the biome between 2000 and 2018. The GIS analysis showed that long-term, the major contributors to the biome’s underlying 9% anthropogenic degradation were woody proliferation into the Grassland Biome, urban expansion, and wetland drainage.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Xoxo, Sinetemba , Mantel, Sukhmani , de Vos, Alta , Mahlaba, Bawinile , le Maître, David , Tanner, Jane
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/416462 , vital:71350 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.07.008"
- Description: Accurate and reliable estimation of terrestrial ecosystem degradation is critical to meeting the challenge of reversing land degradation. Remote sensing data (especially land productivity dynamics) is commonly used to estimate land degradation, and this study uses the TRENDS.EARTH toolbox for the period covering 2000–2018, demonstrating the benefit of tracking the degradation process (SDG 15.3.1) at a biophysical unit. Contributing to the country’s SDG 15.3.1 monitoring, anthropogenic degradation was estimated based on RESTREND land productivity, biome-specific land cover trends, and soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks. Underlying degradation was evaluated by reclassifying a 28-year national land cover change dataset to match the UNCCD land cover legend. Analysis results indicate that land productivity changes (especially in stable grasslands, afforested, and cropland areas) mainly influenced the degradation status of the biome (19.9% degraded and 25.6% improvement). Global datasets also suggest that land cover and SOC had a minimal contribution (more than 2%) to anthropogenic degradation dynamics in the biome between 2000 and 2018. The GIS analysis showed that long-term, the major contributors to the biome’s underlying 9% anthropogenic degradation were woody proliferation into the Grassland Biome, urban expansion, and wetland drainage.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
Time-dependent characterization of graphene quantum dots and graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots synthesized by hydrothermal methods
- Nxele, Siphesihle Robin, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Nxele, Siphesihle Robin , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/230917 , vital:49831 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diamond.2021.108751"
- Description: We report on the facile synthesis of graphene quantum dots (GQDs), nitrogen-doped quantum dots (NGQDs) and graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots (gCNQDs) by the bottom-up hydrothermal synthetic process. The time is varied to study its effects on the structural, hydrodynamic and optical properties of these nanostructures. The techniques used to characterize these nanostructures were transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, dynamic light scattering, and zetametry (zeta potential), and by energy dispersive X-ray, UV/vis, fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. For gCNQDs and NGQDs, Raman spectroscopy showed an increase in disorder with synthesis time, indicating introduction of more triazine groups for the former and increase in doping with the N atoms for the latter, hence higher temperatures are recommended. For GQDs, Raman spectra showed an increase in the spatial order of the π-conjugated structure with synthesis time. Considering all the techniques employed in this work, the synthesis times of 6h and 8 h are recommended for GQDs and NGQDs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Nxele, Siphesihle Robin , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/230917 , vital:49831 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diamond.2021.108751"
- Description: We report on the facile synthesis of graphene quantum dots (GQDs), nitrogen-doped quantum dots (NGQDs) and graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots (gCNQDs) by the bottom-up hydrothermal synthetic process. The time is varied to study its effects on the structural, hydrodynamic and optical properties of these nanostructures. The techniques used to characterize these nanostructures were transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, dynamic light scattering, and zetametry (zeta potential), and by energy dispersive X-ray, UV/vis, fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. For gCNQDs and NGQDs, Raman spectroscopy showed an increase in disorder with synthesis time, indicating introduction of more triazine groups for the former and increase in doping with the N atoms for the latter, hence higher temperatures are recommended. For GQDs, Raman spectra showed an increase in the spatial order of the π-conjugated structure with synthesis time. Considering all the techniques employed in this work, the synthesis times of 6h and 8 h are recommended for GQDs and NGQDs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
The use and value of wild harvested provisioning ecosystem services along a landscape heterogeneity gradient in rural South Africa
- Herd-Hoare, Shannon, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Herd-Hoare, Shannon , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/401341 , vital:69727 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2022.2140711"
- Description: Provisioning ecosystem services (PES) are typically crucial to rural livelihoods, especially in developing countries. However, the links between PES and local biodiversity or landscape heterogeneity are poorly explored. Here, we examined the extent of use and value of locally harvested wild, terrestrial and marine PES (such as wild foods, traditional medicines, firewood, building materials and others) in three villages (35–40 households per village) along a gradient of decreasing landscape heterogeneity. Households at the site with the highest landscape heterogeneity used a greater array of PES (9 ± 4) compared to the intermediate (5 ± 3) and least heterogenous (0.9 ± 0.8) sites. This resulted in a significantly greater annual value of PES to local livelihoods at the most diverse site (US$2 656 ± 2 587 per household), compared to US$1 120 ± 1 313 at the intermediate site and only US$105 ± 193 at the least heterogeneous site. This study shows the importance of access to a diversity of landscapes and PES to support rural livelihoods, which is frequently overlooked in PES valuation studies and in situations of land use change where landscape heterogeneity may decline.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Herd-Hoare, Shannon , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/401341 , vital:69727 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2022.2140711"
- Description: Provisioning ecosystem services (PES) are typically crucial to rural livelihoods, especially in developing countries. However, the links between PES and local biodiversity or landscape heterogeneity are poorly explored. Here, we examined the extent of use and value of locally harvested wild, terrestrial and marine PES (such as wild foods, traditional medicines, firewood, building materials and others) in three villages (35–40 households per village) along a gradient of decreasing landscape heterogeneity. Households at the site with the highest landscape heterogeneity used a greater array of PES (9 ± 4) compared to the intermediate (5 ± 3) and least heterogenous (0.9 ± 0.8) sites. This resulted in a significantly greater annual value of PES to local livelihoods at the most diverse site (US$2 656 ± 2 587 per household), compared to US$1 120 ± 1 313 at the intermediate site and only US$105 ± 193 at the least heterogeneous site. This study shows the importance of access to a diversity of landscapes and PES to support rural livelihoods, which is frequently overlooked in PES valuation studies and in situations of land use change where landscape heterogeneity may decline.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
The thermal physiology of Lysathia sp.(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a biocontrol agent of parrot’s feather in South Africa, supports its success
- Goddard, Matthew, Owen, Candice A, Grant, Martin D, Coetzee, Julie A
- Authors: Goddard, Matthew , Owen, Candice A , Grant, Martin D , Coetzee, Julie A
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/417806 , vital:71487 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2022.2054949"
- Description: The establishment success of biocontrol agents originating from tropical regions is often limited by climate when introduced in temperate regions. However, the flea beetle, Lysathia sp. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a biocontrol agent of Myriophyllum aquaticum (Vell.) Verdc. (Haloragaceae) in South Africa, is an effective agent in regions where other biocontrol agents of tropical aquatic weeds have failed due to winter-induced mortality. The development (degree-day model) and thermal tolerance (critical thermal minimum/maximum [CTmin/max] and lower/upper lethal limits [LLT/ULT50]) of Lysathia sp. were investigated to explain this success. The model predicted that Lysathia sp. could complete 6 to 12 generations per year in the colder regions of the country. The lower threshold for development (t0) was 13.0 °C and thermal constant (K) was 222.4 days, which is considerably lower than the K values of other biocontrol agents of aquatic weeds in South Africa. This suggests that above the temperature threshold, Lysathia sp. can develop faster than those other species and complete multiple life cycles in the cooler winter months, allowing for rapid population growth and thus improving M. aquaticum control. Furthermore, the CTmin of Lysathia sp. was 2.3 ± 0.2 °C and the CTmax was 49.0 ± 0.5 °C. The LLT50 was calculated as ∼ −7.0 °C and the ULT50 as ∼ 43.0 °C. These wide tolerance ranges and survival below freezing show why Lysathia sp. has established at cool sites and suggest that it may be a suitable agent for other cold countries invaded by M. aquaticum.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Goddard, Matthew , Owen, Candice A , Grant, Martin D , Coetzee, Julie A
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/417806 , vital:71487 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2022.2054949"
- Description: The establishment success of biocontrol agents originating from tropical regions is often limited by climate when introduced in temperate regions. However, the flea beetle, Lysathia sp. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a biocontrol agent of Myriophyllum aquaticum (Vell.) Verdc. (Haloragaceae) in South Africa, is an effective agent in regions where other biocontrol agents of tropical aquatic weeds have failed due to winter-induced mortality. The development (degree-day model) and thermal tolerance (critical thermal minimum/maximum [CTmin/max] and lower/upper lethal limits [LLT/ULT50]) of Lysathia sp. were investigated to explain this success. The model predicted that Lysathia sp. could complete 6 to 12 generations per year in the colder regions of the country. The lower threshold for development (t0) was 13.0 °C and thermal constant (K) was 222.4 days, which is considerably lower than the K values of other biocontrol agents of aquatic weeds in South Africa. This suggests that above the temperature threshold, Lysathia sp. can develop faster than those other species and complete multiple life cycles in the cooler winter months, allowing for rapid population growth and thus improving M. aquaticum control. Furthermore, the CTmin of Lysathia sp. was 2.3 ± 0.2 °C and the CTmax was 49.0 ± 0.5 °C. The LLT50 was calculated as ∼ −7.0 °C and the ULT50 as ∼ 43.0 °C. These wide tolerance ranges and survival below freezing show why Lysathia sp. has established at cool sites and suggest that it may be a suitable agent for other cold countries invaded by M. aquaticum.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
The synergistic effects of coupling Au nanoparticles with an alkynyl Co (II) phthalocyanine on the detection of prostate specific antigen
- Nxele, Siphesihle Robin, Nkhahle, Reitumetse, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Nxele, Siphesihle Robin , Nkhahle, Reitumetse , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/230232 , vital:49756 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2021.122948"
- Description: Prostate specific antigen (PSA) aptasensors are fabricated using a novel asymmetrically substituted Co phthalocyanine (CoPc), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and PSA-specific antigen. The fabricated aptasensors are: GCE-AuNPs-Aptamer, GCE@CoPc-Aptamer and GCE-AuNPs@CoPc-Aptamer (GCE = glassy carbon electrode). The fabricated sensors are characterized at each modification step to monitor the changes occurring at the sensor surface. Concentration studies were carried out using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to determine detection limits. All the fabricated aptasensors were found to be highly specific and selective but the GCE-AuNPs@CoPc-Aptamer nanoconjugate performed the best. The aptasensors were also tested in spiked serum samples and detection limits, as well as % recoveries were determined. The results obtained showed that the GCE-AuNPs@CoPc-Aptamer has the potential to be used for clinical studies as the results agree with those obtained for detection of PSA in buffer.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Nxele, Siphesihle Robin , Nkhahle, Reitumetse , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/230232 , vital:49756 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2021.122948"
- Description: Prostate specific antigen (PSA) aptasensors are fabricated using a novel asymmetrically substituted Co phthalocyanine (CoPc), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and PSA-specific antigen. The fabricated aptasensors are: GCE-AuNPs-Aptamer, GCE@CoPc-Aptamer and GCE-AuNPs@CoPc-Aptamer (GCE = glassy carbon electrode). The fabricated sensors are characterized at each modification step to monitor the changes occurring at the sensor surface. Concentration studies were carried out using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to determine detection limits. All the fabricated aptasensors were found to be highly specific and selective but the GCE-AuNPs@CoPc-Aptamer nanoconjugate performed the best. The aptasensors were also tested in spiked serum samples and detection limits, as well as % recoveries were determined. The results obtained showed that the GCE-AuNPs@CoPc-Aptamer has the potential to be used for clinical studies as the results agree with those obtained for detection of PSA in buffer.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
The prevalence, composition and distribution of forageable plant species in different urban spaces in two medium-sized towns in South Africa
- Garekae, Hesekia, Shackleton, Charlie M, Tsheboeng, Gaolathe
- Authors: Garekae, Hesekia , Shackleton, Charlie M , Tsheboeng, Gaolathe
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/401300 , vital:69724 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01972"
- Description: Globally, the importance of urban vegetation in the quality and maintenance of life in urban areas is increasingly recognized. As the basis of urban green infrastructure, urban vegetation provides a diversity of ecosystem services, including provisioning services. However, there is limited understanding of the potential of urban vegetation as a supply of forageable resources within urban landscapes. This study examined the prevalence and distribution of forageable plant species across different spaces in the towns of Potchefstroom and Thabazimbi, South Africa. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed for selecting study sites, with a total of 136 plots sampled. In total, 88 plant species (foraged and forageable) were encountered across the sample plots, with almost three-quarters (70%) being indigenous to South Africa. Most of the species had multiple uses, with medicine, food and firewood being the most common uses, in order of frequency. Species cover and richness significantly differed across the urban spaces, being markedly higher in protected areas as compared to other spaces. Moreover, five plant communities were identified, resembling various species uses. Overall, the findings show that the fragmented urban spaces are endowed with a diversity of forageable plant species, with many valuable to particular sectors of urban society, such as foragers. Moreover, the notable number of forageable plant species encountered across the different spaces demonstrates the potential of urban green infrastructure as a supply of provisioning and cultural ecosystem services. This provides the basis for the selection of a diversity of species in urban greening programs for enhancing liveability and overall well-being in urban areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Garekae, Hesekia , Shackleton, Charlie M , Tsheboeng, Gaolathe
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/401300 , vital:69724 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01972"
- Description: Globally, the importance of urban vegetation in the quality and maintenance of life in urban areas is increasingly recognized. As the basis of urban green infrastructure, urban vegetation provides a diversity of ecosystem services, including provisioning services. However, there is limited understanding of the potential of urban vegetation as a supply of forageable resources within urban landscapes. This study examined the prevalence and distribution of forageable plant species across different spaces in the towns of Potchefstroom and Thabazimbi, South Africa. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed for selecting study sites, with a total of 136 plots sampled. In total, 88 plant species (foraged and forageable) were encountered across the sample plots, with almost three-quarters (70%) being indigenous to South Africa. Most of the species had multiple uses, with medicine, food and firewood being the most common uses, in order of frequency. Species cover and richness significantly differed across the urban spaces, being markedly higher in protected areas as compared to other spaces. Moreover, five plant communities were identified, resembling various species uses. Overall, the findings show that the fragmented urban spaces are endowed with a diversity of forageable plant species, with many valuable to particular sectors of urban society, such as foragers. Moreover, the notable number of forageable plant species encountered across the different spaces demonstrates the potential of urban green infrastructure as a supply of provisioning and cultural ecosystem services. This provides the basis for the selection of a diversity of species in urban greening programs for enhancing liveability and overall well-being in urban areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
The photocatalytic properties of zinc phthalocyanines supported on hematite nanofibers for use against methyl orange and Staphylococcus aureus
- Mapukata, Sivuyisiwe, Britton, Jonathan, Nwahara, Nnamdi, Nyokong, Tebello
- Authors: Mapukata, Sivuyisiwe , Britton, Jonathan , Nwahara, Nnamdi , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/230184 , vital:49751 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2021.113637"
- Description: Heterogeneous photocatalysis is a promising approach for environmental remediation from contaminants including microorganisms and organic pollutants. In this work, hematite nanofibers are fabricated and modified with a novel monosubstituted Pc (4) as well as an asymmetrical tetrasubstituted Pc (5) with the aim of creating hybrid photocatalysts. The photocatalytic activities of the unmodified and phthalocyanine modified hematite nanofibers were compared based on their efficiencies in the photoinactivation of S. aureus and photooxidation of methyl orange. For both applications, the hybrid nanofibers were found to be more efficient photocatalysts than the unmodified hematite nanofibers. Comparison of the modified nanofibers (4-Fe2O3 and 5-Fe2O3) showed that they have comparable antibacterial activity while the 5-Fe2O3 nanofibers are the best for the photooxidation of methyl orange. The singlet oxygen generation efficiency, high activity, versatility, regenerability and thus reusability of the fabricated hybrid nanofibers makes them ideal candidates for real life water treatment studies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022
- Authors: Mapukata, Sivuyisiwe , Britton, Jonathan , Nwahara, Nnamdi , Nyokong, Tebello
- Date: 2022
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/230184 , vital:49751 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2021.113637"
- Description: Heterogeneous photocatalysis is a promising approach for environmental remediation from contaminants including microorganisms and organic pollutants. In this work, hematite nanofibers are fabricated and modified with a novel monosubstituted Pc (4) as well as an asymmetrical tetrasubstituted Pc (5) with the aim of creating hybrid photocatalysts. The photocatalytic activities of the unmodified and phthalocyanine modified hematite nanofibers were compared based on their efficiencies in the photoinactivation of S. aureus and photooxidation of methyl orange. For both applications, the hybrid nanofibers were found to be more efficient photocatalysts than the unmodified hematite nanofibers. Comparison of the modified nanofibers (4-Fe2O3 and 5-Fe2O3) showed that they have comparable antibacterial activity while the 5-Fe2O3 nanofibers are the best for the photooxidation of methyl orange. The singlet oxygen generation efficiency, high activity, versatility, regenerability and thus reusability of the fabricated hybrid nanofibers makes them ideal candidates for real life water treatment studies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022