Implications of food value chain support structures for water resource management by smallholder farmers in the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Arowolo, Steven Alaba
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Agricultural assistance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural extension work -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farm produce -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Marketing , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water resources development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11181 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001027 , Agricultural assistance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural extension work -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farm produce -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Marketing , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water resources development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Smallholder agriculture is faced with so many challenges despite all the policies and programmes that have been channelled towards ensuring improvement in this sector. Improving smallholder agricultural productivity requires that smallholder farmers gain access to reliable and adequate farmer support services such as physical infrastructures like good road network, functional irrigation facilities, extension services, finance and efficient marketing system. However, these support services are lacking in a vast majority of the rural communities in which the smallholder farmers live and work. This study is centred on governance within the food value chains, with specific focus on butternuts and chicken value chains;with a view to identifying those factors preventing smallholder farmers from accessing the mainstream market. Ciko and Mbozi villages in Mbashe local municipality were used as the research sites for the study. Data were collected across the two villages through sampling of 100 individual farming households based on random selection; questionnaires and checklist of questions were used as tools to access information from farmers through focus group discussions, personal interviews and key informants. In addition,Ciko Santrini project and foundation community project, which are the two agricultural community projects located within the study area were also investigated. Conceptual and analytical frameworks were employed in the research analysis. Williamson’s 4-level of social analysis and the sustainable livelihood frameworks were used to conceptualize the analysis. Inferential analysis was carried out using binary logistic regression and discriminant analysis with focus on butternuts and cSmallholder agriculture is faced with so many challenges despite all the policies and programmes that have been channelled towards ensuring improvement in this sector. Improving smallholder agricultural productivity requires that smallholder farmers gain access to reliable and adequate farmer support services such as physical infrastructures like good road network, functional irrigation facilities, extension services, finance and efficient marketing system. However, these support services are lacking in a vast majority of the rural communities in which the smallholder farmers live and work. This study is centred on governance within the food value chains, with specific focus on butternuts and chicken value chains;with a view to identifying those factors preventing smallholder farmers from accessing the mainstream market. Ciko and Mbozi villages in Mbashe local municipality were used as the research sites for the study. Data were collected across the two villages through sampling of 100 individual farming households based on random selection; questionnaires and checklist of questions were used as tools to access information from farmers through focus group discussions, personal interviews and key informants. In addition,Ciko Santrini project and foundation community project, which are the two agricultural community projects located within the study area were also investigated. Conceptual and analytical frameworks were employed in the research analysis. Williamson’s 4-level of social analysis and the sustainable livelihood frameworks were used to conceptualize the analysis. Inferential analysis was carried out using binary logistic regression and discriminant analysis with focus on butternuts and chicken production among the smallholder farmers in the study area to determine factors that could encourage farmers ‘access markets. The results showed that factors such as; assistance from government agency, partnerships with private and public institutions and farmers’ decision due to access to information were significant at 1% level for both butternuts and chicken production. On the other hand, factors such as provision of input subsidy and farmers’ membership of agricultural development projects are significant at 5% level. The findings suggest that adoption of any or combination of the significant factors could serve as good support structures for farmers and they could directly help them market their produce efficiently.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Arowolo, Steven Alaba
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Agricultural assistance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural extension work -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farm produce -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Marketing , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water resources development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11181 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001027 , Agricultural assistance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural productivity -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural extension work -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farm produce -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Marketing , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water resources development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Smallholder agriculture is faced with so many challenges despite all the policies and programmes that have been channelled towards ensuring improvement in this sector. Improving smallholder agricultural productivity requires that smallholder farmers gain access to reliable and adequate farmer support services such as physical infrastructures like good road network, functional irrigation facilities, extension services, finance and efficient marketing system. However, these support services are lacking in a vast majority of the rural communities in which the smallholder farmers live and work. This study is centred on governance within the food value chains, with specific focus on butternuts and chicken value chains;with a view to identifying those factors preventing smallholder farmers from accessing the mainstream market. Ciko and Mbozi villages in Mbashe local municipality were used as the research sites for the study. Data were collected across the two villages through sampling of 100 individual farming households based on random selection; questionnaires and checklist of questions were used as tools to access information from farmers through focus group discussions, personal interviews and key informants. In addition,Ciko Santrini project and foundation community project, which are the two agricultural community projects located within the study area were also investigated. Conceptual and analytical frameworks were employed in the research analysis. Williamson’s 4-level of social analysis and the sustainable livelihood frameworks were used to conceptualize the analysis. Inferential analysis was carried out using binary logistic regression and discriminant analysis with focus on butternuts and cSmallholder agriculture is faced with so many challenges despite all the policies and programmes that have been channelled towards ensuring improvement in this sector. Improving smallholder agricultural productivity requires that smallholder farmers gain access to reliable and adequate farmer support services such as physical infrastructures like good road network, functional irrigation facilities, extension services, finance and efficient marketing system. However, these support services are lacking in a vast majority of the rural communities in which the smallholder farmers live and work. This study is centred on governance within the food value chains, with specific focus on butternuts and chicken value chains;with a view to identifying those factors preventing smallholder farmers from accessing the mainstream market. Ciko and Mbozi villages in Mbashe local municipality were used as the research sites for the study. Data were collected across the two villages through sampling of 100 individual farming households based on random selection; questionnaires and checklist of questions were used as tools to access information from farmers through focus group discussions, personal interviews and key informants. In addition,Ciko Santrini project and foundation community project, which are the two agricultural community projects located within the study area were also investigated. Conceptual and analytical frameworks were employed in the research analysis. Williamson’s 4-level of social analysis and the sustainable livelihood frameworks were used to conceptualize the analysis. Inferential analysis was carried out using binary logistic regression and discriminant analysis with focus on butternuts and chicken production among the smallholder farmers in the study area to determine factors that could encourage farmers ‘access markets. The results showed that factors such as; assistance from government agency, partnerships with private and public institutions and farmers’ decision due to access to information were significant at 1% level for both butternuts and chicken production. On the other hand, factors such as provision of input subsidy and farmers’ membership of agricultural development projects are significant at 5% level. The findings suggest that adoption of any or combination of the significant factors could serve as good support structures for farmers and they could directly help them market their produce efficiently.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Group membership and collective action among small-scale farmers in Nkonkobe Local Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Arwari, Margaret Kwamboka
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Farmers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8144 , vital:31535
- Description: In South Africa, the organisation of farmers into groups has been a basic tenet for numerous, small and dispersed small-scale farmers to make their voices heard, address challenges and access support services from the government and other development agencies. However, the literature shows that the South African government promotes inappropriate forms of farmer collective action, i.e. collective production. The government seems to lack knowledge on what forms of collective action to implement and support. It is also noted in the literature that in South Africa, the majority of farmers do not participate in farmer organisations. There is limited research on the determinants of membership in farmer organisations, especially in terms of the role of ‘human agency’. Human agency is a concept which is interrelated with the concept of ‘empowerme nt’, whereby a person with strong agency is someone who is an agent of positive change. Therefore, the study sought to address these gaps. The broad objective of this study was to explore the phenomenon of group membership and collective action among small-scale farmers in Nkonkobe Local Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The study used the mixed method approach where an exploratory design was employed. A mult istage sampling technique was used which employed random, purposive and convenience sampling techniques. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 245 farmers using semistructured questionnaires and detailed qualitative data were elicited from 16 farmer organisat ions using interview guides. For the quantitative research, a cross-sectional survey design was employed. After discarded unusable observations, data from 228 farmers were analysed using a combination of descriptive statistics, simple inferential statistics, and econometric analysis. For the qualitative data obtained, thematic analysis was used in line with the study objectives. The study findings show that farmers undertake collective action through farmer organisations. These farmer organisations were categorised into two types, i.e. farmer cooperatives and farmer associations. However, low membership in these farmer organisations is noted and this was attributed to the following: (1) low farmer awareness of the existence of farmer organisations, (2) challenges faced by the organisations that contribute to their ineffectiveness and thus low membership, (3) the prevalence of negative perceptions of farmer organisations due to confusion as to their role, (4) the government’s farmer support approach which compels or encourages farmers to form groups. The results also showed that the following are determinants of participation in farmer organisations: farmer’s age, level of education, human agency, whether a farmer has off-farm income sources, whether a farmer is involved in government supported projects, whether a farmer accesses extension information, the number of visits from extension officers received by a farmer, and the number of adults in a household contributing family labour. The study findings also show that the farmers in farmer organisations have higher human agency compared to those not in farmer organisations. According to the study results, farmer groups offer a number of benefits. For one, farmer organisations are avenues for farmers’ voices to be heard, they lobby government for better access to support services such as credit, input supply, information, and training. In addition, farmers who belong to organisations experience the benefits of collective marketing. Despite the aforementioned benefits of farmer organisations, group challenges are observed. For example, farmer organisations face declining membership, the free rider problem and conflicts between members, have a problem of ineffective, old members and lack of commitment of some group members. It was therefore recommended that there is a need for concerted effort by the government, development agencies, non-governmental organisations, farmers, and farmer organisations to ensure the success of farmer organisations in promoting small-scale agriculture.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Arwari, Margaret Kwamboka
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Farmers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8144 , vital:31535
- Description: In South Africa, the organisation of farmers into groups has been a basic tenet for numerous, small and dispersed small-scale farmers to make their voices heard, address challenges and access support services from the government and other development agencies. However, the literature shows that the South African government promotes inappropriate forms of farmer collective action, i.e. collective production. The government seems to lack knowledge on what forms of collective action to implement and support. It is also noted in the literature that in South Africa, the majority of farmers do not participate in farmer organisations. There is limited research on the determinants of membership in farmer organisations, especially in terms of the role of ‘human agency’. Human agency is a concept which is interrelated with the concept of ‘empowerme nt’, whereby a person with strong agency is someone who is an agent of positive change. Therefore, the study sought to address these gaps. The broad objective of this study was to explore the phenomenon of group membership and collective action among small-scale farmers in Nkonkobe Local Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The study used the mixed method approach where an exploratory design was employed. A mult istage sampling technique was used which employed random, purposive and convenience sampling techniques. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 245 farmers using semistructured questionnaires and detailed qualitative data were elicited from 16 farmer organisat ions using interview guides. For the quantitative research, a cross-sectional survey design was employed. After discarded unusable observations, data from 228 farmers were analysed using a combination of descriptive statistics, simple inferential statistics, and econometric analysis. For the qualitative data obtained, thematic analysis was used in line with the study objectives. The study findings show that farmers undertake collective action through farmer organisations. These farmer organisations were categorised into two types, i.e. farmer cooperatives and farmer associations. However, low membership in these farmer organisations is noted and this was attributed to the following: (1) low farmer awareness of the existence of farmer organisations, (2) challenges faced by the organisations that contribute to their ineffectiveness and thus low membership, (3) the prevalence of negative perceptions of farmer organisations due to confusion as to their role, (4) the government’s farmer support approach which compels or encourages farmers to form groups. The results also showed that the following are determinants of participation in farmer organisations: farmer’s age, level of education, human agency, whether a farmer has off-farm income sources, whether a farmer is involved in government supported projects, whether a farmer accesses extension information, the number of visits from extension officers received by a farmer, and the number of adults in a household contributing family labour. The study findings also show that the farmers in farmer organisations have higher human agency compared to those not in farmer organisations. According to the study results, farmer groups offer a number of benefits. For one, farmer organisations are avenues for farmers’ voices to be heard, they lobby government for better access to support services such as credit, input supply, information, and training. In addition, farmers who belong to organisations experience the benefits of collective marketing. Despite the aforementioned benefits of farmer organisations, group challenges are observed. For example, farmer organisations face declining membership, the free rider problem and conflicts between members, have a problem of ineffective, old members and lack of commitment of some group members. It was therefore recommended that there is a need for concerted effort by the government, development agencies, non-governmental organisations, farmers, and farmer organisations to ensure the success of farmer organisations in promoting small-scale agriculture.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Pharmacological studies of Foeniculum Vulgare (Mill.) and Lippia Javanica (Burm.F.) spreng. used as spices in Nkonkobe Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Asowata-Ayodele, Abiola Mojisola
- Authors: Asowata-Ayodele, Abiola Mojisola
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Fennel -- Utilization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Ethnopharmacology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2777 , vital:28085
- Description: Spices are of great importance in the indigenous culinary and traditional medicine systems of the people of Nkonkobe Municipality of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The present investigation evaluated the ethnopharmacological potentials of two indigenous South African spices- Foeniculum vulgare and Lippia javanica. The pharmacological investigations on these two plant species include ultra-morphology, nutrient and mineral analysis, evaluation of the essential oil, phytochemical and antioxidant assays, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory as well as anti-urolithiatic assay of the acetone and aqueous extracts of the two plants. The species were selected for study as the most cited plants after an ethnobotanical survey conducted on the indigenous knowledge of plants used as spices and medicine in Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape of South Africa. Among the plants cited Foeniculum vulgare(Apiaceae) and Lippia javanica (Verbenaceae) stood out as the most commonly used spices. Others were members of the families; Solanaceae, Apiaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Amaranthaceae and Lamiaceae. Ultra-morphological studies conducted on the leaves of the two selected plants using scanning electron microscope revealed the presence of non-glandular and glandular trichomes, stomata and crystals. The leaf surfaces of these herbs may serve as secretory sites where aromatic secondary metabolites are produced. Analyses of the proximate, mineral, vitamin and anti-nutrients contents of these two spices showed that both species are good sources of these phytochemicals and may be used to enrich the human diet. Lippia javanica possesses lower lipid (0.50 percent), fibre (5 percent) and carbohydrate (64.96 percent) contents than Foeniculum vulgare. On the other hand, protein (20.54 percent), ash (11.60 percent) and moisture content (11.69 percent) were higher in Foeniculum vulgare than in Lippia javanica. Foeniculum vulgare showed higher N (3286 mg/100g), Mg (386.7 mg/100g), K (3187 mg/100g) and Na (1383 mg/100g) content while Lippia javanica was higher in Ca (1833 mg/100g), Zn (4.7 mg/100g), Cu (0.9 mg/100g) and Fe (78.4 mg/100g). Vitamins Aand E were also higher in Lippia javanica (1.31 mg/100g; 2.52 mg/100g) while Foeniculum vulgare (0.45 mg/100g) had higher vitamin C content. No significant differences were observed in the phytate, oxalate and tannin contents of the two spices, but saponin and cyanide were significantly lower in Lippia javanica (268.5 mg/100g; 8.45 mg/100g) than in Foeniculum vulgare (1855 mg/100g; 10.5 mg/100g) Evaluation of the essential oil component, cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activities of both fresh and dried leaves of Lippia javanica and Foeniculum vulgare revealed that the dried samples yielded more oil and also contain more chemical than the fresh samples of both plants. The overall antimicrobial activity evaluated using susceptibility and microdilution assays revealed that the oils of F. vulgare and L. javanica exhibited high antifungal and antibacterial activity, compared to the reference drugs. In addition, essential oil from fresh leaves of both spices was less toxic compared to the oil from the dried leaves. Polyphenolic evaluation of the aqueous and acetone extracts of the plants revealed that the acetone extract had higher phenol, flavanol, flavonoid and proanthocyanidin contents than the aqueous extracts. The total phenolic content of acetone and aqueous extracts were 4.49 ± 0.411 mg/g and 3.73 ± 0.498 mg/g tannic acid equivalent (TAE) respectively for Lippia javanica. The same trend was also observed in Foeniculum vulgare with total phenolic content of acetone and aqueous extracts were 4.22 ± 0.325 mg/g and 4.17 ± 0.651 mg/g tannic acid equivalent (TAE) respectively. Further assessment of the antioxidant activity of the solvent extracts revealed that both plants exhibited promising free radical scavenging potentials against 1,1 diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2, 2’-azino-bis(3- ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), reducing power, lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, phosphomolybdate and hydrogen peroxide. Antimicrobial activities of the acetone and aqueous extracts of the two plants revealed moderate antibacterial and antifungal activities. They inhibited the growth of Microsporium canis and Trichophyton rubrum that were not susceptible to the standard antifungal drug used as control.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Asowata-Ayodele, Abiola Mojisola
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Fennel -- Utilization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Ethnopharmacology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2777 , vital:28085
- Description: Spices are of great importance in the indigenous culinary and traditional medicine systems of the people of Nkonkobe Municipality of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The present investigation evaluated the ethnopharmacological potentials of two indigenous South African spices- Foeniculum vulgare and Lippia javanica. The pharmacological investigations on these two plant species include ultra-morphology, nutrient and mineral analysis, evaluation of the essential oil, phytochemical and antioxidant assays, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory as well as anti-urolithiatic assay of the acetone and aqueous extracts of the two plants. The species were selected for study as the most cited plants after an ethnobotanical survey conducted on the indigenous knowledge of plants used as spices and medicine in Nkonkobe Municipality, Eastern Cape of South Africa. Among the plants cited Foeniculum vulgare(Apiaceae) and Lippia javanica (Verbenaceae) stood out as the most commonly used spices. Others were members of the families; Solanaceae, Apiaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Amaranthaceae and Lamiaceae. Ultra-morphological studies conducted on the leaves of the two selected plants using scanning electron microscope revealed the presence of non-glandular and glandular trichomes, stomata and crystals. The leaf surfaces of these herbs may serve as secretory sites where aromatic secondary metabolites are produced. Analyses of the proximate, mineral, vitamin and anti-nutrients contents of these two spices showed that both species are good sources of these phytochemicals and may be used to enrich the human diet. Lippia javanica possesses lower lipid (0.50 percent), fibre (5 percent) and carbohydrate (64.96 percent) contents than Foeniculum vulgare. On the other hand, protein (20.54 percent), ash (11.60 percent) and moisture content (11.69 percent) were higher in Foeniculum vulgare than in Lippia javanica. Foeniculum vulgare showed higher N (3286 mg/100g), Mg (386.7 mg/100g), K (3187 mg/100g) and Na (1383 mg/100g) content while Lippia javanica was higher in Ca (1833 mg/100g), Zn (4.7 mg/100g), Cu (0.9 mg/100g) and Fe (78.4 mg/100g). Vitamins Aand E were also higher in Lippia javanica (1.31 mg/100g; 2.52 mg/100g) while Foeniculum vulgare (0.45 mg/100g) had higher vitamin C content. No significant differences were observed in the phytate, oxalate and tannin contents of the two spices, but saponin and cyanide were significantly lower in Lippia javanica (268.5 mg/100g; 8.45 mg/100g) than in Foeniculum vulgare (1855 mg/100g; 10.5 mg/100g) Evaluation of the essential oil component, cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activities of both fresh and dried leaves of Lippia javanica and Foeniculum vulgare revealed that the dried samples yielded more oil and also contain more chemical than the fresh samples of both plants. The overall antimicrobial activity evaluated using susceptibility and microdilution assays revealed that the oils of F. vulgare and L. javanica exhibited high antifungal and antibacterial activity, compared to the reference drugs. In addition, essential oil from fresh leaves of both spices was less toxic compared to the oil from the dried leaves. Polyphenolic evaluation of the aqueous and acetone extracts of the plants revealed that the acetone extract had higher phenol, flavanol, flavonoid and proanthocyanidin contents than the aqueous extracts. The total phenolic content of acetone and aqueous extracts were 4.49 ± 0.411 mg/g and 3.73 ± 0.498 mg/g tannic acid equivalent (TAE) respectively for Lippia javanica. The same trend was also observed in Foeniculum vulgare with total phenolic content of acetone and aqueous extracts were 4.22 ± 0.325 mg/g and 4.17 ± 0.651 mg/g tannic acid equivalent (TAE) respectively. Further assessment of the antioxidant activity of the solvent extracts revealed that both plants exhibited promising free radical scavenging potentials against 1,1 diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2, 2’-azino-bis(3- ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), reducing power, lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, phosphomolybdate and hydrogen peroxide. Antimicrobial activities of the acetone and aqueous extracts of the two plants revealed moderate antibacterial and antifungal activities. They inhibited the growth of Microsporium canis and Trichophyton rubrum that were not susceptible to the standard antifungal drug used as control.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Multi-temporal assessment of spatial changes in vegetation distribution in the Swartkops estuary, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Atyosi, Yonwaba
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Climatic changes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Environmental impact analysis Estuaries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13762 , vital:39710
- Description: Over the last decade, image classification has been widely used as a change detection method and provides detailed information for detecting and monitoring changes in land use and land cover (LULC). The main objective of this study was to reconstruct long-term changes in the spatial distribution of different vegetation types in the Swartkops Estuary from 1983 to 2013. The Swartkops Estuary is ecologically important for its wide range of vegetation types that are habitat to estuarine and riverine organisms. Four Landsat images for the years 1984 (Thematic Mapper), 1993 (Thematic Mapper), 2003(Enhanced Thematic Mapper +) and 2013 (Operational Land Imager) were used with the aid of aerial photographs that were used as an ancillary data source. The research methodology comprised of supervised classification, classification accuracy assessment and image differencing. Supervised classification was performed and results of the image classification process for the four time periods were compared to derive information on changes that occurred over the 29-year study period. Images were classified into the following classes: Estuarine water, Salt works, Zostera capensis, Spartina maritima, Terrestrial vegetation, Salt marsh, Swartkops thicket, Built-up areas, Bare areas, and Beach sand, using the Maximum likelihood classifier on Erdas IMAGINE 2014 Software. The significance of the image classification was tested using linear trend regression analysis. Image differencing was performed using 1984 and 2013 Landsat images to reconstruct overall changes in vegetation distribution of the Swartkops Estuary. Results of this investigation revealed significant changes in all land cover types, 24 ha increase from 1984 to 2013 in Zostera capensis as well as Spartina maritima, salt marshes increased by 14 ha between 1984 and 2013, terrestrial vegetation declined by 18 ha between 1984 and 2013. There was a stable increase in estuarine water from 1984 to 2013 by a total area of 29 ha. Water increased by 14 ha between 1984 and 1993, 11 ha increase between 1993 and 2003. However, there was a decline in estuarine water in the period between 2003 and 2013.This decline is associated with the increase in submerged macrophytes like Zostera capensis which utilise open water habitat. The dominant salt marsh species Limonium peregrinum, Sarcoconia pillansii and Spartina maritima occurred in the intertidal, supratidal and floodplain areas where the water table was the shallowest, with the soil moisture being the highest. These results indicate that Remote Sensing and GIS can be effectively used to detect and monitor changes in estuarine biodiversity and habitat in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Atyosi, Yonwaba
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Climatic changes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Environmental impact analysis Estuaries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13762 , vital:39710
- Description: Over the last decade, image classification has been widely used as a change detection method and provides detailed information for detecting and monitoring changes in land use and land cover (LULC). The main objective of this study was to reconstruct long-term changes in the spatial distribution of different vegetation types in the Swartkops Estuary from 1983 to 2013. The Swartkops Estuary is ecologically important for its wide range of vegetation types that are habitat to estuarine and riverine organisms. Four Landsat images for the years 1984 (Thematic Mapper), 1993 (Thematic Mapper), 2003(Enhanced Thematic Mapper +) and 2013 (Operational Land Imager) were used with the aid of aerial photographs that were used as an ancillary data source. The research methodology comprised of supervised classification, classification accuracy assessment and image differencing. Supervised classification was performed and results of the image classification process for the four time periods were compared to derive information on changes that occurred over the 29-year study period. Images were classified into the following classes: Estuarine water, Salt works, Zostera capensis, Spartina maritima, Terrestrial vegetation, Salt marsh, Swartkops thicket, Built-up areas, Bare areas, and Beach sand, using the Maximum likelihood classifier on Erdas IMAGINE 2014 Software. The significance of the image classification was tested using linear trend regression analysis. Image differencing was performed using 1984 and 2013 Landsat images to reconstruct overall changes in vegetation distribution of the Swartkops Estuary. Results of this investigation revealed significant changes in all land cover types, 24 ha increase from 1984 to 2013 in Zostera capensis as well as Spartina maritima, salt marshes increased by 14 ha between 1984 and 2013, terrestrial vegetation declined by 18 ha between 1984 and 2013. There was a stable increase in estuarine water from 1984 to 2013 by a total area of 29 ha. Water increased by 14 ha between 1984 and 1993, 11 ha increase between 1993 and 2003. However, there was a decline in estuarine water in the period between 2003 and 2013.This decline is associated with the increase in submerged macrophytes like Zostera capensis which utilise open water habitat. The dominant salt marsh species Limonium peregrinum, Sarcoconia pillansii and Spartina maritima occurred in the intertidal, supratidal and floodplain areas where the water table was the shallowest, with the soil moisture being the highest. These results indicate that Remote Sensing and GIS can be effectively used to detect and monitor changes in estuarine biodiversity and habitat in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Isolation, characterisation of terpenoids and biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles of acacia mearnsii de wild and acacia Karroo Hayne and their Bioassays
- Authors: Avoseh, Opeyemi Nudewhenu
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Chemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11355 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021292
- Description: Great wealth of traditional knowledge about the use of plants had been transferred from generation to generations leading to the present day drug discovery and invention of new scientific methods of isolation, purification and identification. With the discovery of new diseases and drug-resistant organisms, there is no other source or deposit of lead compounds or drugs than the plant kingdom. As a result of this, about 25% of the current drug administered owe their origin to plant sources with the view to reduce the carcinogenic effect of synthetic drugs. Volatile terpenoids among other broad spectrum of natural product had been implicated to show high therapeutic properly. In the present study, selected locally-used medicinal plants were exploited for the presence of potent bioactive compounds and ability to form nanoparticles with distinctive property for use as chemoprotective agent against inflammation, tumors, cancer and other chronic diseases. Acacia mearnsii De Wild and Acacia karroo Hayne studied in this report are known to be invasive species with no proper regulation to conserve and preserve them. However, ethnopharmacology report of these plant species in the Southern Africa region reveals that they are good antiseptic, anti-diarrhea, anti-inflammation and a forage for livestock. These plants were subjected to volatile extraction protocol of some parts of the plants (stem and leaves) followed by examination of the anti-inflammation capacity of the extracts using an animal model. In addition, the bye-product (hydrosol) from the stem bark of each species possess a high reducing and stabilizing property leading to synthesis of silver nanoparticles, followed by investigation of the anti-inflammation potential of the synthesized silver nanoparticles using animal model. The volatile oils of the leaves and stem bark of Acacia mearnsii De Wild obtained by hydro-distillation were analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Twenty, Thirty-Eight, Twenty-nine and Thirty-Eight components accounting for 93.8%, 92.1%, 78.5% and 90.9% of the total oils of the fresh, dry leaves and fresh, dry stem bark respectively. The major components of the oil were octadecyl alcohol (25.5%) and phytol (10.5%); cis-verbenol (29.5%); phytol (10.1%) and phytol (23.4%) for the fresh leaves, dried leaves, and fresh stem, dry stem bark respectively. Oral administration of essential oils at the dose of 2% showed significant (p<0.05) anti-inflammatory properties in the albumin induced test model in rats. Oils from the fresh leaves and dry stems inhibited inflammation beyond 4 h post treatment. Furthermore, the chemical composition of the essential oils obtained by hydro-distillation from the leaves and stem bark (dry and fresh) of Acacia karroo Hayne, analysed by GC-MS, shows that hexanal (10.67%) and ß-ionone (9.74%) were dominant in the dried leaves, β-pinene (14.30%), and (Z)-2-Hexen-1-ol (10.21%) in the fresh leaves while Octacosane (10.59%) and phytol (23.38%) were dominant in the dry and fresh stem respectively. The anti-inflammation ability of these oils after an albumin-induced inflammation on wistar rats, shows a significant effect at the 1st h of treatment with a significance of P< 0.01 for all part plants, while the fresh leaves shows further inhibitory activities at the 2nd h of analysis. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were successfully synthesized from AgNO3 through a green route using the aqueous extract (hydrosols) of Acacia mearnsii De Wild and Acacia karroo Hayne as reducing agent and as well as capping agent. The Acacia-mediated AgNPs were characterized with the use of UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDX), and X-ray Diffractometry (XRD). A spherical, 10-40 nm diameter silver nanoparticles were synthesized with very low level of stability for the AMDS and the AKDS-AgNPs. In addition, nociceptive activity with a mice rat reveals higher inhibition at the neurogenic phase for the AKDS-AgNPs, while AMDS-AgNPs exhibited a high inhibition at the inflammatory phase. The potent anti-inflammatory activity of essential oils of A. mearnsii De Wild and A. karroo Hayne hereby confirmed its traditional use in treating various inflammatory diseases, while the inflammatory studies on the synthesized AgNPs reveals a very active compound which can be used as a potent opioid or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Avoseh, Opeyemi Nudewhenu
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Chemistry)
- Identifier: vital:11355 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1021292
- Description: Great wealth of traditional knowledge about the use of plants had been transferred from generation to generations leading to the present day drug discovery and invention of new scientific methods of isolation, purification and identification. With the discovery of new diseases and drug-resistant organisms, there is no other source or deposit of lead compounds or drugs than the plant kingdom. As a result of this, about 25% of the current drug administered owe their origin to plant sources with the view to reduce the carcinogenic effect of synthetic drugs. Volatile terpenoids among other broad spectrum of natural product had been implicated to show high therapeutic properly. In the present study, selected locally-used medicinal plants were exploited for the presence of potent bioactive compounds and ability to form nanoparticles with distinctive property for use as chemoprotective agent against inflammation, tumors, cancer and other chronic diseases. Acacia mearnsii De Wild and Acacia karroo Hayne studied in this report are known to be invasive species with no proper regulation to conserve and preserve them. However, ethnopharmacology report of these plant species in the Southern Africa region reveals that they are good antiseptic, anti-diarrhea, anti-inflammation and a forage for livestock. These plants were subjected to volatile extraction protocol of some parts of the plants (stem and leaves) followed by examination of the anti-inflammation capacity of the extracts using an animal model. In addition, the bye-product (hydrosol) from the stem bark of each species possess a high reducing and stabilizing property leading to synthesis of silver nanoparticles, followed by investigation of the anti-inflammation potential of the synthesized silver nanoparticles using animal model. The volatile oils of the leaves and stem bark of Acacia mearnsii De Wild obtained by hydro-distillation were analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Twenty, Thirty-Eight, Twenty-nine and Thirty-Eight components accounting for 93.8%, 92.1%, 78.5% and 90.9% of the total oils of the fresh, dry leaves and fresh, dry stem bark respectively. The major components of the oil were octadecyl alcohol (25.5%) and phytol (10.5%); cis-verbenol (29.5%); phytol (10.1%) and phytol (23.4%) for the fresh leaves, dried leaves, and fresh stem, dry stem bark respectively. Oral administration of essential oils at the dose of 2% showed significant (p<0.05) anti-inflammatory properties in the albumin induced test model in rats. Oils from the fresh leaves and dry stems inhibited inflammation beyond 4 h post treatment. Furthermore, the chemical composition of the essential oils obtained by hydro-distillation from the leaves and stem bark (dry and fresh) of Acacia karroo Hayne, analysed by GC-MS, shows that hexanal (10.67%) and ß-ionone (9.74%) were dominant in the dried leaves, β-pinene (14.30%), and (Z)-2-Hexen-1-ol (10.21%) in the fresh leaves while Octacosane (10.59%) and phytol (23.38%) were dominant in the dry and fresh stem respectively. The anti-inflammation ability of these oils after an albumin-induced inflammation on wistar rats, shows a significant effect at the 1st h of treatment with a significance of P< 0.01 for all part plants, while the fresh leaves shows further inhibitory activities at the 2nd h of analysis. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were successfully synthesized from AgNO3 through a green route using the aqueous extract (hydrosols) of Acacia mearnsii De Wild and Acacia karroo Hayne as reducing agent and as well as capping agent. The Acacia-mediated AgNPs were characterized with the use of UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDX), and X-ray Diffractometry (XRD). A spherical, 10-40 nm diameter silver nanoparticles were synthesized with very low level of stability for the AMDS and the AKDS-AgNPs. In addition, nociceptive activity with a mice rat reveals higher inhibition at the neurogenic phase for the AKDS-AgNPs, while AMDS-AgNPs exhibited a high inhibition at the inflammatory phase. The potent anti-inflammatory activity of essential oils of A. mearnsii De Wild and A. karroo Hayne hereby confirmed its traditional use in treating various inflammatory diseases, while the inflammatory studies on the synthesized AgNPs reveals a very active compound which can be used as a potent opioid or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Analysis of technical efficiency of small-scale maize producers: a case study in Tsolo magisterial district in O.R Tambo district in the Eastern Cape of South Africa
- Authors: Avuletey, Richard
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Corn -- Fertilizers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Corn -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Entrepreneurship -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11210 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016191 , Corn -- Fertilizers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Corn -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Entrepreneurship -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Maize is the most important cereal crop grown in South Africa. This crop is produced throughout the country under diverse conditions and in diverse environments. The study only focuses on technical efficiency because it is an important subject in developing agriculture where resources are limited, but high population growth is very common. In such a setting, increased output will depend more on efficiency improvements and assessing the scope for such efficiency improvements within the system is a crucial need. The objective of the study was to determine the level of technical efficiency and to identify the socio-economic and institutional characteristics as well as the entrepreneurial spirit that influence the technical efficiency of small-scale maize producers in the Tsolo magisterial district. Purposive and Snowball sampling techniques were used to collect primary data from 120 small-scale farmers. The stochastic frontier model was used to determine the level of technical efficiency. The Multivariate OLS was used to analyze the socio-economic factors and institutional characteristics that have influenced the technical efficiency of maize production. A similar linear regression model was used to estimate the influence of positive psychological capital and entrepreneurial spirit on the technical efficiency of maize production. The stochastic results revealed that small-scale farmers in Tsolo are technically efficient at 98 percent in maize production and experience increasing return to scale (1.37), which means that increase in the use of inputs, will as well increase their productivity and efficiency. The inefficiency model results indicated that age, years in farming, household size and extension contact significant and 3 variables, namely, as years in farming, extension contact and farm size are significant in the OLS model. Lastly the results of the linear regression indicated that, out of the 4 variables estimated in the entrepreneurial spirit, self-efficacy and resilience were significant with respect to its responsiveness to total maize output.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Avuletey, Richard
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Corn -- Fertilizers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Corn -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Entrepreneurship -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11210 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016191 , Corn -- Fertilizers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Corn -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Entrepreneurship -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Maize is the most important cereal crop grown in South Africa. This crop is produced throughout the country under diverse conditions and in diverse environments. The study only focuses on technical efficiency because it is an important subject in developing agriculture where resources are limited, but high population growth is very common. In such a setting, increased output will depend more on efficiency improvements and assessing the scope for such efficiency improvements within the system is a crucial need. The objective of the study was to determine the level of technical efficiency and to identify the socio-economic and institutional characteristics as well as the entrepreneurial spirit that influence the technical efficiency of small-scale maize producers in the Tsolo magisterial district. Purposive and Snowball sampling techniques were used to collect primary data from 120 small-scale farmers. The stochastic frontier model was used to determine the level of technical efficiency. The Multivariate OLS was used to analyze the socio-economic factors and institutional characteristics that have influenced the technical efficiency of maize production. A similar linear regression model was used to estimate the influence of positive psychological capital and entrepreneurial spirit on the technical efficiency of maize production. The stochastic results revealed that small-scale farmers in Tsolo are technically efficient at 98 percent in maize production and experience increasing return to scale (1.37), which means that increase in the use of inputs, will as well increase their productivity and efficiency. The inefficiency model results indicated that age, years in farming, household size and extension contact significant and 3 variables, namely, as years in farming, extension contact and farm size are significant in the OLS model. Lastly the results of the linear regression indicated that, out of the 4 variables estimated in the entrepreneurial spirit, self-efficacy and resilience were significant with respect to its responsiveness to total maize output.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Enhancing productivity and market participation for poverty reduction and shared prosperity in South Africa
- Authors: Avuletey, Richard
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa Economic development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13978 , vital:39736
- Description: There have been several attempts by the South Africa government to improve the agricultural productivity on smallholder farms since the end of apartheid. In spite of the government support, agricultural productivity has stagnated for several years across the Eastern Cape rural communities including Mthatha and Qamata. The aim of this study was to understand the roles played by irrigation adoption and market participation in addressing poverty reduction and shared prosperity levels of smallholder farmers in Eastern Cape of South Africa. Data were collected using purposive and random sampling approach through the use of the snowball method. To collect data, a questionnaire was designed and administered through face-to-face interviews. Overall, 200 farmers were interviewed both at Mthatha and Qamata irrigation scheme to represent the farmers in the area. The collected data were analysed using both parametric and non-parametric methods. The non-parametric methods used include descriptive analysis, estimation of gross margins as a proxy for profitability. The Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA), Binomial Logistic Regression (BLR), Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), tobit censored regression and propensity score matching (PSM) were the parametric methods used in the study. Profit efficiency was measured using the normalized transcendent logarithmic profit frontier approach (Cobb-douglas). Stochastic Production Frontier (SPF) technique was used to determine the technical efficiency of individual farmers and to identify the major factors that influence technical efficiency. Binomial logistic regression was used to determine factors affecting irrigation adoption and market participation among smallholder farmers. OLS was used to estimate the impact of institutional characteristics, socio-economic and agronomic factors on smallholder farmers’ level of market participation for selected crop enterprises. Lastly, tobit regression and propensity score matching (PSM) analyses were used to estimate the impact of irrigation technology adoption on poverty reduction in the province. The results of the descriptive statistics of the overall sample revealed an average age of 61 years, and mean household size of 4.6 persons with majority of the household head having at least obtained some primary school education (59.5percent). Most of the household heads interviewed were men (68.5percent). Most farmers are single (65percent) with regard to their marital status. Farming is viewed as major source of livelihood for smallholders with an average income of R12523.37 for overall sample and income of R15559.80 and R5795.59 per crop season, respectively, for irrigators and non irrigators. Smallholder irrigators generated a higher gross margin of R7585.26, R21966.89 and R6266.07 from maize, cabbage and potato enterprises, respectively, compared to their non irrigator counterparts in maize (R131.39), cabbage (R10938.04) and potato (R3433.31) enterprises. The results of the frontier profit model revealed mean profit efficiency of 90percent, 99.99percent and 99.99percent, respectively, for maize, cabbage and potato.The binary logistic regression model for irrigation adoption indicated that years in school, cooperative membership, off-farm income, credit access and distance to market significantly explain smallholder farmers’ irrigation adoption decision. On the other hand, age of household head, market support, farm size, livestock income and distance to market were the key variables that accounted for smallholder farmers’ market participation adoption behaviour. The findings from the stochastic production frontier (SPF) indicate that smallholder farmers are technically efficient in maize and cabbage enterprises both at 99.99percent. Lastly, the findings from the Tobit regression and propensity score matching are consistent across the two methods, suggesting that being a member of irrigation adoption has a positive significant impact on income of smallholder farmers. Irrigation and market participation appear to have a significant and positive impact on smallholder poverty reduction (measured by crop income) for those farmers engaged in them. The findings from this study provide useful practical insights for policy makers, farm advisers and researchers in the design of effective and efficient policies, programmes and projects which can affect the adoption of irrigation technology and market participation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Avuletey, Richard
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa Economic development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13978 , vital:39736
- Description: There have been several attempts by the South Africa government to improve the agricultural productivity on smallholder farms since the end of apartheid. In spite of the government support, agricultural productivity has stagnated for several years across the Eastern Cape rural communities including Mthatha and Qamata. The aim of this study was to understand the roles played by irrigation adoption and market participation in addressing poverty reduction and shared prosperity levels of smallholder farmers in Eastern Cape of South Africa. Data were collected using purposive and random sampling approach through the use of the snowball method. To collect data, a questionnaire was designed and administered through face-to-face interviews. Overall, 200 farmers were interviewed both at Mthatha and Qamata irrigation scheme to represent the farmers in the area. The collected data were analysed using both parametric and non-parametric methods. The non-parametric methods used include descriptive analysis, estimation of gross margins as a proxy for profitability. The Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA), Binomial Logistic Regression (BLR), Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), tobit censored regression and propensity score matching (PSM) were the parametric methods used in the study. Profit efficiency was measured using the normalized transcendent logarithmic profit frontier approach (Cobb-douglas). Stochastic Production Frontier (SPF) technique was used to determine the technical efficiency of individual farmers and to identify the major factors that influence technical efficiency. Binomial logistic regression was used to determine factors affecting irrigation adoption and market participation among smallholder farmers. OLS was used to estimate the impact of institutional characteristics, socio-economic and agronomic factors on smallholder farmers’ level of market participation for selected crop enterprises. Lastly, tobit regression and propensity score matching (PSM) analyses were used to estimate the impact of irrigation technology adoption on poverty reduction in the province. The results of the descriptive statistics of the overall sample revealed an average age of 61 years, and mean household size of 4.6 persons with majority of the household head having at least obtained some primary school education (59.5percent). Most of the household heads interviewed were men (68.5percent). Most farmers are single (65percent) with regard to their marital status. Farming is viewed as major source of livelihood for smallholders with an average income of R12523.37 for overall sample and income of R15559.80 and R5795.59 per crop season, respectively, for irrigators and non irrigators. Smallholder irrigators generated a higher gross margin of R7585.26, R21966.89 and R6266.07 from maize, cabbage and potato enterprises, respectively, compared to their non irrigator counterparts in maize (R131.39), cabbage (R10938.04) and potato (R3433.31) enterprises. The results of the frontier profit model revealed mean profit efficiency of 90percent, 99.99percent and 99.99percent, respectively, for maize, cabbage and potato.The binary logistic regression model for irrigation adoption indicated that years in school, cooperative membership, off-farm income, credit access and distance to market significantly explain smallholder farmers’ irrigation adoption decision. On the other hand, age of household head, market support, farm size, livestock income and distance to market were the key variables that accounted for smallholder farmers’ market participation adoption behaviour. The findings from the stochastic production frontier (SPF) indicate that smallholder farmers are technically efficient in maize and cabbage enterprises both at 99.99percent. Lastly, the findings from the Tobit regression and propensity score matching are consistent across the two methods, suggesting that being a member of irrigation adoption has a positive significant impact on income of smallholder farmers. Irrigation and market participation appear to have a significant and positive impact on smallholder poverty reduction (measured by crop income) for those farmers engaged in them. The findings from this study provide useful practical insights for policy makers, farm advisers and researchers in the design of effective and efficient policies, programmes and projects which can affect the adoption of irrigation technology and market participation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The effectiveness of the concrete / semi-concrete / abstract (CSA) appoach and drill- practice on grade 10 learners' ability to simplify addition and subtraction algebraic fractions
- Authors: Awuah, Bernard Prince
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Algebra, Abstract
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5105 , vital:29076
- Description: This study was conducted in one of the education districts in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The purpose was to analyse the effectiveness of the concrete/semi-concrete/abstract (CSA) approach and drill-practice instructional strategies on Grade 10 learners’ ability to simplify addition and subtraction of algebraic fractions. The following two objectives were set. First, to identify the learners’ challenges in studying addition and subtraction of algebraic fractions in grade 10; and second to analyse the effectiveness of the CSA approach and drill-practice instructional strategies on Grade 10 learners’ ability to simplify addition and subtraction of algebraic fractions. Both threshold concepts and troublesome knowledge, Polya’s problem-solving techniques, CSA Approach theory and Drill-practice theory were all pertinent as a theoretical framework for the study. Positivism research paradigm was adopted for the study and it afforded the researcher opportunity to employ quantitative research approach. Based on the research question of this study, an experimental design was chosen as a suitable descriptive design. Purposive sampling method was used to select three schools which involved 135 grade 10 mathematics learners. Stratified random sampling method was thereafter employed to select 45 learners from each school for the study. The learners were grouped in each school as top, average and weak based on their performance in Algebra in term one. Pre-questionnaire and post-questionnaire were used to obtain data regarding challenges learners experience in simplifying addition and subtraction of algebraic fractions. Ethical clearance from the relevant school and university authorities were obtained. On the first two days, the researcher briefed the school authorities and learners and explained to them the purpose and details of the study. Day three was used to administer the pre-questionnaire test, thereafter, the next ten days were used to teach addition and subtraction of both numeric and algebraic fractions with same and different numerators and denominators. The next two days were used for revision and the last day was used to administer the postquestionnaire test out 25 marks. The respondent rate was 98.5%. The data collected were analysed by using SPSS version 16.10. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The pre-questionnaire scores revealed that majority of the learners’ perceived fractions as two separate entities and as a result add or subtract numerator to numerator and denominator to denominator. It was also discovered that learners had a challenge in finding LCM of algebraic fractions. A t-Test for independent means was used to test the following hypotheses at 𝛼 = 0.05: 𝐇𝟎: The CSA approach and drill-practice intervention has no significant effect on Grade 10 learners’ ability to simplify addition and subtraction of algebraic fractions; 𝐇𝟏: The CSA approach and drill-practice will significantly enhance Grade 10 learners’ ability to simplify addition and subtraction of algebraic fractions. The t-Test revealed a p-value of 0.139 which was statistically significant at 𝛼 = 0.05. Therefore, the researcher rejected the null hypothesis and concluded that the CSA approach and drill-practice have significantly enhanced the Grade 10 learners’ ability to simplify algebraic fractions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Awuah, Bernard Prince
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Algebra, Abstract
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5105 , vital:29076
- Description: This study was conducted in one of the education districts in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The purpose was to analyse the effectiveness of the concrete/semi-concrete/abstract (CSA) approach and drill-practice instructional strategies on Grade 10 learners’ ability to simplify addition and subtraction of algebraic fractions. The following two objectives were set. First, to identify the learners’ challenges in studying addition and subtraction of algebraic fractions in grade 10; and second to analyse the effectiveness of the CSA approach and drill-practice instructional strategies on Grade 10 learners’ ability to simplify addition and subtraction of algebraic fractions. Both threshold concepts and troublesome knowledge, Polya’s problem-solving techniques, CSA Approach theory and Drill-practice theory were all pertinent as a theoretical framework for the study. Positivism research paradigm was adopted for the study and it afforded the researcher opportunity to employ quantitative research approach. Based on the research question of this study, an experimental design was chosen as a suitable descriptive design. Purposive sampling method was used to select three schools which involved 135 grade 10 mathematics learners. Stratified random sampling method was thereafter employed to select 45 learners from each school for the study. The learners were grouped in each school as top, average and weak based on their performance in Algebra in term one. Pre-questionnaire and post-questionnaire were used to obtain data regarding challenges learners experience in simplifying addition and subtraction of algebraic fractions. Ethical clearance from the relevant school and university authorities were obtained. On the first two days, the researcher briefed the school authorities and learners and explained to them the purpose and details of the study. Day three was used to administer the pre-questionnaire test, thereafter, the next ten days were used to teach addition and subtraction of both numeric and algebraic fractions with same and different numerators and denominators. The next two days were used for revision and the last day was used to administer the postquestionnaire test out 25 marks. The respondent rate was 98.5%. The data collected were analysed by using SPSS version 16.10. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The pre-questionnaire scores revealed that majority of the learners’ perceived fractions as two separate entities and as a result add or subtract numerator to numerator and denominator to denominator. It was also discovered that learners had a challenge in finding LCM of algebraic fractions. A t-Test for independent means was used to test the following hypotheses at 𝛼 = 0.05: 𝐇𝟎: The CSA approach and drill-practice intervention has no significant effect on Grade 10 learners’ ability to simplify addition and subtraction of algebraic fractions; 𝐇𝟏: The CSA approach and drill-practice will significantly enhance Grade 10 learners’ ability to simplify addition and subtraction of algebraic fractions. The t-Test revealed a p-value of 0.139 which was statistically significant at 𝛼 = 0.05. Therefore, the researcher rejected the null hypothesis and concluded that the CSA approach and drill-practice have significantly enhanced the Grade 10 learners’ ability to simplify algebraic fractions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Effects of climatic variability on maize productivity in South Africa from 1937-2018
- Awum Awum, Rudin https://orcid.org/ 0000-0002-8740-6163
- Authors: Awum Awum, Rudin https://orcid.org/ 0000-0002-8740-6163
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Crops and climate , Climatic changes
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21410 , vital:48576
- Description: Climate is an important factor in agricultural production. The world is facing climate change and variability, which result in high temperatures, low rainfall patterns, shortage of water and persistent droughts. Climate change poses a significant threat to South Africa’s water resources, food security, health, infrastructure, ecosystem services and biodiversity. Negative impacts of climate variability on agriculture, especially on maize the staple crop, will worsen the food security status of the nation as most of South Africa’s maize crop is produced in summer and highly depends on rainfall. This study attempted to assess the impact of climate on maize production in South Africa using secondary time series data for the period 1937 to 2018. Rainfall and temperature were used as proxies for climate variability. The Granger Causality Model was used to examine the causal linkages between climatic variables (temperature or rainfall) and maize output in South Africa for the study period. The major outcome of the analysis was that there is a two-way causal relationship between maize production and temperature. The results also indicated that there is uni-directional causality between maize yield and rainfall. Furthermore, the Variance Decomposition Model was used to forecast the relationship between climatic elements and maize production in South Africa. The result showed that all variables have an effect on maize yield, with temperature having the least effect. The last objective of the study was to profile the maize output trend for the period from 1937 to 2018. The main findings from the analysis indicate that maize production in South Africa has a general upward slope. The study recommends that the government should intensify the provision of irrigation systems for the farmers in the most vulnerable areas to mitigate the climate change. Government should also embark on massive campaigns using a variety of media to create the needed public awareness on climate change and its impact on food security. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
- Authors: Awum Awum, Rudin https://orcid.org/ 0000-0002-8740-6163
- Date: 2022-03
- Subjects: Crops and climate , Climatic changes
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21410 , vital:48576
- Description: Climate is an important factor in agricultural production. The world is facing climate change and variability, which result in high temperatures, low rainfall patterns, shortage of water and persistent droughts. Climate change poses a significant threat to South Africa’s water resources, food security, health, infrastructure, ecosystem services and biodiversity. Negative impacts of climate variability on agriculture, especially on maize the staple crop, will worsen the food security status of the nation as most of South Africa’s maize crop is produced in summer and highly depends on rainfall. This study attempted to assess the impact of climate on maize production in South Africa using secondary time series data for the period 1937 to 2018. Rainfall and temperature were used as proxies for climate variability. The Granger Causality Model was used to examine the causal linkages between climatic variables (temperature or rainfall) and maize output in South Africa for the study period. The major outcome of the analysis was that there is a two-way causal relationship between maize production and temperature. The results also indicated that there is uni-directional causality between maize yield and rainfall. Furthermore, the Variance Decomposition Model was used to forecast the relationship between climatic elements and maize production in South Africa. The result showed that all variables have an effect on maize yield, with temperature having the least effect. The last objective of the study was to profile the maize output trend for the period from 1937 to 2018. The main findings from the analysis indicate that maize production in South Africa has a general upward slope. The study recommends that the government should intensify the provision of irrigation systems for the farmers in the most vulnerable areas to mitigate the climate change. Government should also embark on massive campaigns using a variety of media to create the needed public awareness on climate change and its impact on food security. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-03
Molecular epidemiology of vibrio pathogens in selected surface waters and treated final effluents of wastewater treatment plants in Chris Hani District Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Ayodeji, Onsula Charles
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Sewage disposal plants Sewage -- Purification Water -- Purification -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Microbiology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10464 , vital:35478
- Description: Access to clean and safe water is essential for the survival of human beings. Nevertheless pollution from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) effluents often impacts the microbiological qualities of surface waters. Availability of freshwater resources is indispensable for preventing waterborne diseases. The current study evaluated the physicochemical properties and abundance of Vibrio species in selected rivers and WWTPs in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, over a one year sampling regime (December, 2016 to November, 2017). Water samples were collected monthly at designated locations along the banks of two rivers, treated effluents from 500 m upstream and downstream discharge points of two WWTPs and examined for physicochemical qualities, prevalence of Vibrio pathogens and their antibiogram profiles using both cultural and molecular techniques. The findings reveal the qualities of Tsomo and Great Fish river qualities with respect to electrical conductivity (EC) (137.75 – 377.69 mg/l), total suspended solids (TSS) (52.00 – 725.19 mg/l) and temperature (12.7 – 23 oC) and the treated effluents of WW-AD and WW-CR WWTPs with respect to EC (525.73 – 1071.89 mg/l), free chlorine (0.00 mg/l – 0.68 mg/l), temperature (12.4 – 28.8 oC), TSS (14.67 – 276.44 mg/l) exceeds the permissible limits set for effluent discharged to freshwater by South Africa guidelines. Other physicochemical qualities such as turbidity (63.11 – 797.17 NTU), BOD (3.30 – 5.26 mg/l) and TDS (68.88 – 148.14 mg/l) for Tsomo and Great Fish river and turbidity (20.33 – 310 NTU), biological oxygen demand (BOD) (1.28 – 4.96 mg/l), and total dissolve solid (TDS) (262.89 – 534.89 mg/l) for WWTPs WW-AD and WW-CR did not comply with WHO and EU standards as no regulation is set for them in the South African guidelines for domestic water usage. Statistical analysis revealed that pH, electrical conductivities, dissolved oxygen and total dissolved solid were significantly different whereas temperature did not differ significantly with respect to the four seasons (P < 0.05). The Vibrio densities for Great Fish river ranged between 0 and 3.29 log10 CFU/ml with the highest obtained in the spring. The Tsomo River Vibrio densities varied between 0 to 3.56 log10 CFU/ml and the maximum densities recorded during summer. The presumptive Vibrio densities in WW-AD and WW-CR WWTPs ranged from 0 to 3.67 log10 CFU/ml and 0 to 4.42 log10 CFU/ml with autumn and spring having the highest loads respectively. Molecular identification of the presumptive Vibrio species revealed 424 positive for the Vibrio genus. Of these, 21.69 percent, 11.79 percent, 8.25 percent and 2.12 percent were confirmed as V. cholerae, V. mimicus, V. parahaemolyticus and V. fluvialis respectively. The presence of potentially Vibrio pathogens in the rivers and treated effluents suggests potential public health threat to the communities relying on receiving watersheds where the effluents are discharged. Results of antibiotic sensitivity testing revealed high sensitivities against Ofloxacin (85.54 percent), Cefuroxime (81.93 percent), and Ciprofloxacin (74.70 percent), whereas resistance against other antibiotics follow this order: Imipenem (42.17 percent), Amoxicillin-Clavulanic Acid (54.17 percent), Ampicillin (63.54 percent), Nitrofurantoin (71.79 percent) and Polymyxin B (97.44 percent). Surprisingly, the resistance of Vibrio species against the known effective Carbapenems was relatively high (Meropenem (38.54 percent) and Imipenem (58.88 percent). Multiple antibiotic resistance phenotypes (MARP) of the isolates were resistant to two or more antibiotics whereas the calculated multiple antibiotic resistance index (MARI) ranged from 0.2 to 0.7. The observed high multiple antibiotics index suggest the recovered Vibrio pathogens are of high antimicrobial usage origin. Increase in antimicrobial resistance profiles towards conventionally used antibiotics as indicated in this study calls for adequate sanitation facilities and proper surveillance programs towards monitoring of antimicrobial resistance determinants in wastewater treatment effluents and receiving watersheds. This will in turn enhance early detection of resistant strains of public health importance, and supports the prompt notification and investigation of outbreaks. It further advocates the need for constant monitoring programme by the relevant regulatory agencies to ensure total compliance of the wastewater treatment facilities to the stipulated standards.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Ayodeji, Onsula Charles
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Sewage disposal plants Sewage -- Purification Water -- Purification -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Microbiology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10464 , vital:35478
- Description: Access to clean and safe water is essential for the survival of human beings. Nevertheless pollution from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) effluents often impacts the microbiological qualities of surface waters. Availability of freshwater resources is indispensable for preventing waterborne diseases. The current study evaluated the physicochemical properties and abundance of Vibrio species in selected rivers and WWTPs in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, over a one year sampling regime (December, 2016 to November, 2017). Water samples were collected monthly at designated locations along the banks of two rivers, treated effluents from 500 m upstream and downstream discharge points of two WWTPs and examined for physicochemical qualities, prevalence of Vibrio pathogens and their antibiogram profiles using both cultural and molecular techniques. The findings reveal the qualities of Tsomo and Great Fish river qualities with respect to electrical conductivity (EC) (137.75 – 377.69 mg/l), total suspended solids (TSS) (52.00 – 725.19 mg/l) and temperature (12.7 – 23 oC) and the treated effluents of WW-AD and WW-CR WWTPs with respect to EC (525.73 – 1071.89 mg/l), free chlorine (0.00 mg/l – 0.68 mg/l), temperature (12.4 – 28.8 oC), TSS (14.67 – 276.44 mg/l) exceeds the permissible limits set for effluent discharged to freshwater by South Africa guidelines. Other physicochemical qualities such as turbidity (63.11 – 797.17 NTU), BOD (3.30 – 5.26 mg/l) and TDS (68.88 – 148.14 mg/l) for Tsomo and Great Fish river and turbidity (20.33 – 310 NTU), biological oxygen demand (BOD) (1.28 – 4.96 mg/l), and total dissolve solid (TDS) (262.89 – 534.89 mg/l) for WWTPs WW-AD and WW-CR did not comply with WHO and EU standards as no regulation is set for them in the South African guidelines for domestic water usage. Statistical analysis revealed that pH, electrical conductivities, dissolved oxygen and total dissolved solid were significantly different whereas temperature did not differ significantly with respect to the four seasons (P < 0.05). The Vibrio densities for Great Fish river ranged between 0 and 3.29 log10 CFU/ml with the highest obtained in the spring. The Tsomo River Vibrio densities varied between 0 to 3.56 log10 CFU/ml and the maximum densities recorded during summer. The presumptive Vibrio densities in WW-AD and WW-CR WWTPs ranged from 0 to 3.67 log10 CFU/ml and 0 to 4.42 log10 CFU/ml with autumn and spring having the highest loads respectively. Molecular identification of the presumptive Vibrio species revealed 424 positive for the Vibrio genus. Of these, 21.69 percent, 11.79 percent, 8.25 percent and 2.12 percent were confirmed as V. cholerae, V. mimicus, V. parahaemolyticus and V. fluvialis respectively. The presence of potentially Vibrio pathogens in the rivers and treated effluents suggests potential public health threat to the communities relying on receiving watersheds where the effluents are discharged. Results of antibiotic sensitivity testing revealed high sensitivities against Ofloxacin (85.54 percent), Cefuroxime (81.93 percent), and Ciprofloxacin (74.70 percent), whereas resistance against other antibiotics follow this order: Imipenem (42.17 percent), Amoxicillin-Clavulanic Acid (54.17 percent), Ampicillin (63.54 percent), Nitrofurantoin (71.79 percent) and Polymyxin B (97.44 percent). Surprisingly, the resistance of Vibrio species against the known effective Carbapenems was relatively high (Meropenem (38.54 percent) and Imipenem (58.88 percent). Multiple antibiotic resistance phenotypes (MARP) of the isolates were resistant to two or more antibiotics whereas the calculated multiple antibiotic resistance index (MARI) ranged from 0.2 to 0.7. The observed high multiple antibiotics index suggest the recovered Vibrio pathogens are of high antimicrobial usage origin. Increase in antimicrobial resistance profiles towards conventionally used antibiotics as indicated in this study calls for adequate sanitation facilities and proper surveillance programs towards monitoring of antimicrobial resistance determinants in wastewater treatment effluents and receiving watersheds. This will in turn enhance early detection of resistant strains of public health importance, and supports the prompt notification and investigation of outbreaks. It further advocates the need for constant monitoring programme by the relevant regulatory agencies to ensure total compliance of the wastewater treatment facilities to the stipulated standards.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Newspaper coverage of the 2016 #feesmustfall students' protests in Eastern Cape universities : a content analysis of daily dispatch
- Ayodeji-Falade, Monisola Bolajoko
- Authors: Ayodeji-Falade, Monisola Bolajoko
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Journalism -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Mass media -- Political aspects -- South Africa Press -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Communication
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9894 , vital:35115
- Description: This study evaluated the coverage of the 2016 #FeeMustFall students’ protests in Eastern Cape Universities by the Daily Dispatch, which is a daily newspaper published in the Eastern Cape Province. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Quantitative data were collected and analyzed through content analysis of the Daily Dispatch Newspaper while the qualitative data collected through focus group discussions among selected students of the University of Fort Hare were analyzed using thematic analysis. The study revealed that 31 stories were published by the Daily Dispatch Newspaper during the period of the protest. The tone of the stories suggested that the Daily Dispatch Newspaper was objective in its reportage. Furthermore, framing analysis of the stories showed that conflict news frame was most prominent in the #FeeMustFall students’ protest stories followed by the attribution of responsibility and human-interest frames. Thematic analysis of the focus group discussions revealed that the type of news frame used for the #FeeMustFall student’s protest stories influenced the thoughts and perceptions of readers as the news frames generated similar audience frames. These findings confirm the views highlighted by the agenda setting and framing theories, which underpin this study. This study indicates that news framing plays a significant role in readers’ perception and as well, defines the way information is presented by readers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Ayodeji-Falade, Monisola Bolajoko
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Journalism -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Mass media -- Political aspects -- South Africa Press -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Communication
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9894 , vital:35115
- Description: This study evaluated the coverage of the 2016 #FeeMustFall students’ protests in Eastern Cape Universities by the Daily Dispatch, which is a daily newspaper published in the Eastern Cape Province. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Quantitative data were collected and analyzed through content analysis of the Daily Dispatch Newspaper while the qualitative data collected through focus group discussions among selected students of the University of Fort Hare were analyzed using thematic analysis. The study revealed that 31 stories were published by the Daily Dispatch Newspaper during the period of the protest. The tone of the stories suggested that the Daily Dispatch Newspaper was objective in its reportage. Furthermore, framing analysis of the stories showed that conflict news frame was most prominent in the #FeeMustFall students’ protest stories followed by the attribution of responsibility and human-interest frames. Thematic analysis of the focus group discussions revealed that the type of news frame used for the #FeeMustFall student’s protest stories influenced the thoughts and perceptions of readers as the news frames generated similar audience frames. These findings confirm the views highlighted by the agenda setting and framing theories, which underpin this study. This study indicates that news framing plays a significant role in readers’ perception and as well, defines the way information is presented by readers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Impact of press freedom on reportage of corruption in the Nigerian oil and gas industry : a comparative content analysis of four Nigerian Newspapers
- Ayodeji-Falade, Monisola Bolajoko
- Authors: Ayodeji-Falade, Monisola Bolajoko
- Date: 2021-10
- Subjects: Newspapers -- Nigeria , Freedom of the press , Mass media -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21805 , vital:51787
- Description: A free press is pivotal to eradication of corruption in the society as the press remains the most powerful channel of communication that cut across all publics. Thus, this study seeks to evaluate the impact of press freedom on reportage of corruption in the oil and gas industry through a content analysis of four Nigerian newspapers (The Punch, Vanguard, Guardian and Nigerian Tribune). The study adopted a mixed research method involving both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Quantitative data were collected and analysed through content analysis of the selected newspapers while the qualitative data collected through interview of the respective newspaper correspondents were analysed using thematic analysis. The study revealed that 534 stories were published on corruption in the Nigerian oil and gas sector by all the newspapers within the study period (July 2018-June 2019), with the Punch having the highest magnitude of stories (n = 196, 36.70percent) while Nigerian Tribune had the highest number of stories reported on its front and back pages (n = 143, 92.25percent). However, Guardian had the highest number of full-paged stories (n = 15, 20percent) whereas the Punch and Nigerian Tribune adopted the widest range of publication formats with news being the most dominant format employed by all the dailies (n = 462, 86.52percent). Although, all the newspapers employed more episodic frame (n = 432, 80.89percent) than thematic frame (n = 93,17.41percent), framing analysis revealed oil theft, vandalism, alleged-fraud, environmental consequences and economic consequences as the major frames used in the coverage of stories on corruption in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. Thematic analysis showed that the newspaper correspondents did not have access to adequate information on corruption in the sector while journalists in the country are still being subjected to intimidation, arrest and imprisonment. These findings suggest that the selected newspapers gave prominence to reportage of corruption in the oil and gas sector in country, which implies that the newspapers are fulfilling their agenda-setting roles and social responsibility in the society. Nevertheless, the level of press freedom in Nigeria has partly affected the reportage of corruption in the oil and gas sector of the country as this has restricted the use of investigative reporting occasioned by the lack of access to classified information on corruption and envisaged harm by potential sources and journalists. Nevertheless, this study proposes an anticorruption-media model, which focuses on the significance of the media as an anticorruption agent in a developing country. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10
- Authors: Ayodeji-Falade, Monisola Bolajoko
- Date: 2021-10
- Subjects: Newspapers -- Nigeria , Freedom of the press , Mass media -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21805 , vital:51787
- Description: A free press is pivotal to eradication of corruption in the society as the press remains the most powerful channel of communication that cut across all publics. Thus, this study seeks to evaluate the impact of press freedom on reportage of corruption in the oil and gas industry through a content analysis of four Nigerian newspapers (The Punch, Vanguard, Guardian and Nigerian Tribune). The study adopted a mixed research method involving both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Quantitative data were collected and analysed through content analysis of the selected newspapers while the qualitative data collected through interview of the respective newspaper correspondents were analysed using thematic analysis. The study revealed that 534 stories were published on corruption in the Nigerian oil and gas sector by all the newspapers within the study period (July 2018-June 2019), with the Punch having the highest magnitude of stories (n = 196, 36.70percent) while Nigerian Tribune had the highest number of stories reported on its front and back pages (n = 143, 92.25percent). However, Guardian had the highest number of full-paged stories (n = 15, 20percent) whereas the Punch and Nigerian Tribune adopted the widest range of publication formats with news being the most dominant format employed by all the dailies (n = 462, 86.52percent). Although, all the newspapers employed more episodic frame (n = 432, 80.89percent) than thematic frame (n = 93,17.41percent), framing analysis revealed oil theft, vandalism, alleged-fraud, environmental consequences and economic consequences as the major frames used in the coverage of stories on corruption in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. Thematic analysis showed that the newspaper correspondents did not have access to adequate information on corruption in the sector while journalists in the country are still being subjected to intimidation, arrest and imprisonment. These findings suggest that the selected newspapers gave prominence to reportage of corruption in the oil and gas sector in country, which implies that the newspapers are fulfilling their agenda-setting roles and social responsibility in the society. Nevertheless, the level of press freedom in Nigeria has partly affected the reportage of corruption in the oil and gas sector of the country as this has restricted the use of investigative reporting occasioned by the lack of access to classified information on corruption and envisaged harm by potential sources and journalists. Nevertheless, this study proposes an anticorruption-media model, which focuses on the significance of the media as an anticorruption agent in a developing country. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10
Antibiotics combination therapy option for the control of antimicrobial-resistant non-cholera causing Vibrio species recovered from environmental niches of Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Ayodele, Oluwakemi Victoria
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Drug resistance in microorganisms , Vibrio cholerae
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20396 , vital:45661
- Description: Increased rate of antibiotic resistance (AR) poses a serious threat with a resultant notion of a possible end of the antibiotics era, making it a problem of concern to public health and a great implication on the world economy and human society. Despite many approaches developed to curb this menace, antibiotics resistance is still a challenge worldwide. This has made the use of combined therapy as one of the options in many cases. This study was conducted to assess antibiotics combination therapy as an option for the control of antimicrobial-resistant non-cholera causing Vibrio species that were recovered from the environment in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Two hundred and twenty-eight Vibrio species were recovered from the environment in the Province, and these were deposited in the archive of AEMREG. PCR was used to identify target Vibrio species. Disc diffusion method was used to evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility profile of the confirmed isolates against 11 antibiotics commonly used against infections. MIC and MBC were determined using antibiotics (imipenem, tetracycline, and nalidixic acid) that high resistance was discovered. Checkerboard assay was used to carry out antibiotics combination assay, and the FICI was calculated. Rate of kill was also determined using ½ × MIC, 1 × MIC, and 2 × MIC concentrations of the combined antibiotics at 2 hr intervals. One hundred of the isolates were confirmed to be Vibrio parahaemolyticus, 82 were Vibrio vulnificus and 46 were Vibrio fluvialis. Twenty-two (22) percent of the Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolates showed resistance against tetracycline and their resistance against other antimicrobials is as follows; nalidixic acid (16 percent), ampicillin (14 percent), cefotaxime (14 percent), chloramphenicol (12 percent) and amikacin (11 percent). For Vibrio vulnificus, prevalence of resistance was as follows: imipenem (40 percent), tetracycline (22 percent), ampicillin (18 percent), meropenem (15 percent), and chloramphenicol (11 percent). Vibrio fluvialis showed the following resistance profile: nalidixic acid (28 percent), tetracycline (28percent), ampicillin (20 percent), chloramphenicol (15 percent), amikacin (11 percent) and cefotaxime (11 percent). About 38 multiple antibiotic resistance phenotypes (MARP) were recorded in all species that were evaluated. About 23 percent were resistant to over 3 antibiotics used. The multiple antibiotic resistant indices (MARI) ranged between 0.3 and 0.8. MIC and MBC were carried against isolates that were resistant to the two most common antibiotics tested. MIC and MBC were determined in the following order: tetracycline and nalidixic acid at concentrations ranging from 16 μg/ml to 1024 μg/ml for Vibrio parahaemolyticus and 32 μg/ml to 2048 μg/ml for Vibrio fluvialis. Also, the MIC and MBC of imipenem and tetracycline at concentrations ranging from 8 μg/ml to 256 μg/ml for Vibrio vulnificus were determined. Antibiotics combination therapy was carried out and synergistic activity was observed in 3 of the 16 resistant V. parahaemolyticus isolates, 3 of the16 resistant V. vulnificus isolates and 2 of the 13 resistant V. fluvialis isolates. Antagonism was not observed across all the drug combinations. Rate of kill was also determined and at 6 hr exposure time, the highest concentration (2 × MIC) exhibited bactericidal effect across all three Vibrio species. The result derived in this research, therefore, propose that combination therapy is a promising solution to antimicrobial resistance in Vibrio species. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Ayodele, Oluwakemi Victoria
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Drug resistance in microorganisms , Vibrio cholerae
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20396 , vital:45661
- Description: Increased rate of antibiotic resistance (AR) poses a serious threat with a resultant notion of a possible end of the antibiotics era, making it a problem of concern to public health and a great implication on the world economy and human society. Despite many approaches developed to curb this menace, antibiotics resistance is still a challenge worldwide. This has made the use of combined therapy as one of the options in many cases. This study was conducted to assess antibiotics combination therapy as an option for the control of antimicrobial-resistant non-cholera causing Vibrio species that were recovered from the environment in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Two hundred and twenty-eight Vibrio species were recovered from the environment in the Province, and these were deposited in the archive of AEMREG. PCR was used to identify target Vibrio species. Disc diffusion method was used to evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility profile of the confirmed isolates against 11 antibiotics commonly used against infections. MIC and MBC were determined using antibiotics (imipenem, tetracycline, and nalidixic acid) that high resistance was discovered. Checkerboard assay was used to carry out antibiotics combination assay, and the FICI was calculated. Rate of kill was also determined using ½ × MIC, 1 × MIC, and 2 × MIC concentrations of the combined antibiotics at 2 hr intervals. One hundred of the isolates were confirmed to be Vibrio parahaemolyticus, 82 were Vibrio vulnificus and 46 were Vibrio fluvialis. Twenty-two (22) percent of the Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolates showed resistance against tetracycline and their resistance against other antimicrobials is as follows; nalidixic acid (16 percent), ampicillin (14 percent), cefotaxime (14 percent), chloramphenicol (12 percent) and amikacin (11 percent). For Vibrio vulnificus, prevalence of resistance was as follows: imipenem (40 percent), tetracycline (22 percent), ampicillin (18 percent), meropenem (15 percent), and chloramphenicol (11 percent). Vibrio fluvialis showed the following resistance profile: nalidixic acid (28 percent), tetracycline (28percent), ampicillin (20 percent), chloramphenicol (15 percent), amikacin (11 percent) and cefotaxime (11 percent). About 38 multiple antibiotic resistance phenotypes (MARP) were recorded in all species that were evaluated. About 23 percent were resistant to over 3 antibiotics used. The multiple antibiotic resistant indices (MARI) ranged between 0.3 and 0.8. MIC and MBC were carried against isolates that were resistant to the two most common antibiotics tested. MIC and MBC were determined in the following order: tetracycline and nalidixic acid at concentrations ranging from 16 μg/ml to 1024 μg/ml for Vibrio parahaemolyticus and 32 μg/ml to 2048 μg/ml for Vibrio fluvialis. Also, the MIC and MBC of imipenem and tetracycline at concentrations ranging from 8 μg/ml to 256 μg/ml for Vibrio vulnificus were determined. Antibiotics combination therapy was carried out and synergistic activity was observed in 3 of the 16 resistant V. parahaemolyticus isolates, 3 of the16 resistant V. vulnificus isolates and 2 of the 13 resistant V. fluvialis isolates. Antagonism was not observed across all the drug combinations. Rate of kill was also determined and at 6 hr exposure time, the highest concentration (2 × MIC) exhibited bactericidal effect across all three Vibrio species. The result derived in this research, therefore, propose that combination therapy is a promising solution to antimicrobial resistance in Vibrio species. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
The role of civil society organizations in the consolidation of democracy : cases from Cameroon and South Africa
- Authors: Ayuk, Enu Rene
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Civil Society Organization -- South Africa Social movements Democracy -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M. Soc. Sc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9319 , vital:34321
- Description: This study investigates the role played by civil society organizations in the consolidation of democracy. It is a comparative study between South Africa and Cameroon. This study utilizes the Habermasian critical theory of civil society which emanates from the liberal ideology of democracy. The objectives of the study were to look at the legislations regulating the operation of NGOs, the activities carried out to consolidate democracy and the challenges faced by these organizations in both South Africa and Cameroon. The qualitative method was used for data collection for the study. Interviews were carried out with NGOs officials and the data was analyzed using thematic analyses. The research found out that there is a liberal legislative framework governing the activities of NGOs in South Africa. On the other hand, though Cameroon laws on association seem liberal, a careful study of these laws revealed a concerted effort from the state to constrain the operation of NGOs. NGOs in South Africa carryout activities such as picketing, publicity stunts, human rights awareness campaigns, anti-corruption campaigns, lobbying of parliament, protests, mass mobilization and public interest litigation to consolidate democracy.In Cameroon, NGOs are involved in activities like strike actions, public protest, human rights and anti-corruption campaign as well as public interest litigation to consolidate democracy. However, South African NGOs face challenges like administrative bottlenecks, legal draws backs, sporadic hostility from the state, inadequate funding and lack of staff capacity. In Cameroon, NGOs faced the following challenges; restrictive legal framework, arbitrary arrests and detention of activists, financial constraints, lack of staff capacity, lack of infrastructure, corruption and internal divisions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Ayuk, Enu Rene
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Civil Society Organization -- South Africa Social movements Democracy -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M. Soc. Sc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9319 , vital:34321
- Description: This study investigates the role played by civil society organizations in the consolidation of democracy. It is a comparative study between South Africa and Cameroon. This study utilizes the Habermasian critical theory of civil society which emanates from the liberal ideology of democracy. The objectives of the study were to look at the legislations regulating the operation of NGOs, the activities carried out to consolidate democracy and the challenges faced by these organizations in both South Africa and Cameroon. The qualitative method was used for data collection for the study. Interviews were carried out with NGOs officials and the data was analyzed using thematic analyses. The research found out that there is a liberal legislative framework governing the activities of NGOs in South Africa. On the other hand, though Cameroon laws on association seem liberal, a careful study of these laws revealed a concerted effort from the state to constrain the operation of NGOs. NGOs in South Africa carryout activities such as picketing, publicity stunts, human rights awareness campaigns, anti-corruption campaigns, lobbying of parliament, protests, mass mobilization and public interest litigation to consolidate democracy.In Cameroon, NGOs are involved in activities like strike actions, public protest, human rights and anti-corruption campaign as well as public interest litigation to consolidate democracy. However, South African NGOs face challenges like administrative bottlenecks, legal draws backs, sporadic hostility from the state, inadequate funding and lack of staff capacity. In Cameroon, NGOs faced the following challenges; restrictive legal framework, arbitrary arrests and detention of activists, financial constraints, lack of staff capacity, lack of infrastructure, corruption and internal divisions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Joint Modelling Inference for Longitudinal and Time To Event Data with Application to Biomarkers in Medical and Clinical Studies
- Authors: Azeez, Adeboye Nurudeen
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Biochemical markers Bayesian statistical decision theory
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Biostatistics)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18476 , vital:42543
- Description: In the past couple of decades, longitudinal and survival data analysis have emerged as important and popular concepts of biostatistics and statistics for disease modelling. In recent years, these two statistics concepts have been combined to develop a joint model for longitudinal and survival data analysis. The Joint model is a simultaneous modelling application of longitudinal and survival data while taking into account a possible association between them. In this thesis, three sub-topics (Conditional score approach, estimating equation approach, and modified Cholesky decomposition approach) are utilised to model the association if the independence assumption is violated. Using the conditional score approach, the study investigated the association between longitudinal covariates and the time-to-event process to examine the within-subject measurement error that could influence estimation when the assumption of normality and mutual independence is violated. Given the assumption violation, I proposed an estimating equation approach based on the conditional score to relax parametric distributional assumptions for repeated measures of random effects. I jointly modelled the time-dependent biomarkers and event times using the Cox model with intermittent time-dependent covariates measure, in which the longitudinal model was used to characterize the biomarker underlying (unobservable) trajectory and incorporated as a latent time-dependent covariate in the survival model to predict failure times. Estimates of the parameters were obtained by a restricted maximum likelihood estimate (REML). A modified Cholesky decomposition method was used to capture the within-subject covariance for a positive definite and symmetric matrix, with the assumption that the observed data from different subjects are independent. I illustrated the proposed method by a real data set from a lung study and simulation. An extension to the joint model of longitudinal-survival data was also proposed, in which the longitudinal data has a cumulative and weighted effect on the hazard event function. Using a Bayesian parametric method, I proposed a skewed weighted probability density function to estimate the parameters. The weighted cumulative effect used enabled different longitudinal profiles to be incorporated over time in calculating the hazard ratio between the subjects. The proposed functions provide greater flexibility for modelling the association structure of different longitudinal and survival sub-model. The focus was on the association between the biomarker (serum creatinine, sCr) and the development of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Since the effect of sCr biomarker is anticipated to be a cumulative effect, with the development of sCr biomarker over time leading to progressively higher damage of the kidney. The approach was applied a simulation for validation of the proposed method
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Azeez, Adeboye Nurudeen
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Biochemical markers Bayesian statistical decision theory
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Biostatistics)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18476 , vital:42543
- Description: In the past couple of decades, longitudinal and survival data analysis have emerged as important and popular concepts of biostatistics and statistics for disease modelling. In recent years, these two statistics concepts have been combined to develop a joint model for longitudinal and survival data analysis. The Joint model is a simultaneous modelling application of longitudinal and survival data while taking into account a possible association between them. In this thesis, three sub-topics (Conditional score approach, estimating equation approach, and modified Cholesky decomposition approach) are utilised to model the association if the independence assumption is violated. Using the conditional score approach, the study investigated the association between longitudinal covariates and the time-to-event process to examine the within-subject measurement error that could influence estimation when the assumption of normality and mutual independence is violated. Given the assumption violation, I proposed an estimating equation approach based on the conditional score to relax parametric distributional assumptions for repeated measures of random effects. I jointly modelled the time-dependent biomarkers and event times using the Cox model with intermittent time-dependent covariates measure, in which the longitudinal model was used to characterize the biomarker underlying (unobservable) trajectory and incorporated as a latent time-dependent covariate in the survival model to predict failure times. Estimates of the parameters were obtained by a restricted maximum likelihood estimate (REML). A modified Cholesky decomposition method was used to capture the within-subject covariance for a positive definite and symmetric matrix, with the assumption that the observed data from different subjects are independent. I illustrated the proposed method by a real data set from a lung study and simulation. An extension to the joint model of longitudinal-survival data was also proposed, in which the longitudinal data has a cumulative and weighted effect on the hazard event function. Using a Bayesian parametric method, I proposed a skewed weighted probability density function to estimate the parameters. The weighted cumulative effect used enabled different longitudinal profiles to be incorporated over time in calculating the hazard ratio between the subjects. The proposed functions provide greater flexibility for modelling the association structure of different longitudinal and survival sub-model. The focus was on the association between the biomarker (serum creatinine, sCr) and the development of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Since the effect of sCr biomarker is anticipated to be a cumulative effect, with the development of sCr biomarker over time leading to progressively higher damage of the kidney. The approach was applied a simulation for validation of the proposed method
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Forest resources income, poverty and income inequality: evidence from rural households in South-western Nigeria.
- Authors: Azeez, Fatai Abiola
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Poverty--Nigeria http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2010107919 , Rural poor--Nigeria , Income distribution--Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19454 , vital:43119
- Description: This thesis explores economic contributions of forest resources in relation to rural households’ welfare and inequality as well as forest resources management. The thesis consists of an introductory chapter, study locations, literature review on major concepts of the study and findings on different forest extraction activities impacts on rural households livelihood in South-western region Nigeria, which make up the rest of the thesis chapters. , Thesis (PhD) (Agric Econs) -- University of Fort Hare, 2017
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Azeez, Fatai Abiola
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Poverty--Nigeria http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2010107919 , Rural poor--Nigeria , Income distribution--Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19454 , vital:43119
- Description: This thesis explores economic contributions of forest resources in relation to rural households’ welfare and inequality as well as forest resources management. The thesis consists of an introductory chapter, study locations, literature review on major concepts of the study and findings on different forest extraction activities impacts on rural households livelihood in South-western region Nigeria, which make up the rest of the thesis chapters. , Thesis (PhD) (Agric Econs) -- University of Fort Hare, 2017
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Exploring the use of mineral corridors and stranded ore deposits in order to alleviate rural poverty and effect environmental and social change through a proposed rural development corridor in South Africa
- Authors: Baartjes, Joan Charlaine
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Mines and mineral resources -- South Africa , Rural poor -- South Africa , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Rural development projects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geology)
- Identifier: vital:11517 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/389 , Mines and mineral resources -- South Africa , Rural poor -- South Africa , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Rural development projects -- South Africa
- Description: South Africa has less than 1 percent of the global land surface, yet it is ranked highly in terms of remaining mineral resources. Mineral wealth has not translated into a better life for all. Poverty, however, abounds; particularly in the rural areas and this study seeks to identify a solution or partial solution to this situation. The study combines two critical areas, Mineral Based Rural Development, and Mineral Based Enterprise Development and draws from it a model for Mineraldriven Rural Economic Development viable for all parts of South Africa. This study comprised research on a national scale and thus covered a section of each of South Africa‟s nine provinces. It investigated the conditions in rural and urban centres, and geologically, it traversed examples of Archaean, Proterozoic and Phanerozoic formations. The field visits deliberately set out to look at some of the lowest value commodities; typically the only minerals available to the surrounding rural communities. This was done to see if a case could be made for even the lowest value commodities which are often found furthest from the large markets. This study indicates that for a rural area to be able to compete nationally or internationally, it is important to be competitive so that the area can participate in the economy. The creation of regional competitive areas allow for the focusing of strategies and funding for targeted rural projects. Enterprises, typically the product of entrepreneurial activity, are required to increase economic intensity and activity. xxvii The goal of poverty reduction, has been identified by government so that enterprises, as products of economic development, can be focused on the situation. Interviews conducted by the researcher indicated that part of the problem to overcome is the bureaucracy created by government which hinders enterprise development. Recommendations are made that government should exempt rural enterprises from some of the compliance hurdles. This will serve to accelerate rural development. An important aspect of urban enterprises is that they have access to labour without too many problems. Thirteen developed or developing corridors were visited of the five types of development corridors identified. It was found that those in areas of high poverty (for example the corridors of the Eastern Cape) are difficult to develop and make self-sustaining. The corridors linked to any point of Gauteng (Johannesburg or Pretoria) are more robust, although the relatively short length of the corridor is not an indicator of effectiveness. The key recommendations made include the completion of a national rural mineral-asset audit; the use of the information to demarcate rural-regions that can be developed as nationally and internationally competitive regions; the establishment of a rural Resource and Training Academy(ies) so that skills are developed close to areas where they will be deployed; provision of an easier way to launch mineral-based rural enterprises and incentivise these for accelerated development; and the development of an indigenous body of knowledge to mine small scale deposits
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Baartjes, Joan Charlaine
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Mines and mineral resources -- South Africa , Rural poor -- South Africa , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Rural development projects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geology)
- Identifier: vital:11517 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/389 , Mines and mineral resources -- South Africa , Rural poor -- South Africa , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Rural development projects -- South Africa
- Description: South Africa has less than 1 percent of the global land surface, yet it is ranked highly in terms of remaining mineral resources. Mineral wealth has not translated into a better life for all. Poverty, however, abounds; particularly in the rural areas and this study seeks to identify a solution or partial solution to this situation. The study combines two critical areas, Mineral Based Rural Development, and Mineral Based Enterprise Development and draws from it a model for Mineraldriven Rural Economic Development viable for all parts of South Africa. This study comprised research on a national scale and thus covered a section of each of South Africa‟s nine provinces. It investigated the conditions in rural and urban centres, and geologically, it traversed examples of Archaean, Proterozoic and Phanerozoic formations. The field visits deliberately set out to look at some of the lowest value commodities; typically the only minerals available to the surrounding rural communities. This was done to see if a case could be made for even the lowest value commodities which are often found furthest from the large markets. This study indicates that for a rural area to be able to compete nationally or internationally, it is important to be competitive so that the area can participate in the economy. The creation of regional competitive areas allow for the focusing of strategies and funding for targeted rural projects. Enterprises, typically the product of entrepreneurial activity, are required to increase economic intensity and activity. xxvii The goal of poverty reduction, has been identified by government so that enterprises, as products of economic development, can be focused on the situation. Interviews conducted by the researcher indicated that part of the problem to overcome is the bureaucracy created by government which hinders enterprise development. Recommendations are made that government should exempt rural enterprises from some of the compliance hurdles. This will serve to accelerate rural development. An important aspect of urban enterprises is that they have access to labour without too many problems. Thirteen developed or developing corridors were visited of the five types of development corridors identified. It was found that those in areas of high poverty (for example the corridors of the Eastern Cape) are difficult to develop and make self-sustaining. The corridors linked to any point of Gauteng (Johannesburg or Pretoria) are more robust, although the relatively short length of the corridor is not an indicator of effectiveness. The key recommendations made include the completion of a national rural mineral-asset audit; the use of the information to demarcate rural-regions that can be developed as nationally and internationally competitive regions; the establishment of a rural Resource and Training Academy(ies) so that skills are developed close to areas where they will be deployed; provision of an easier way to launch mineral-based rural enterprises and incentivise these for accelerated development; and the development of an indigenous body of knowledge to mine small scale deposits
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Perspectives of Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) students on the effectiveness of school based mentoring
- Authors: Baartman, Nomakhaya
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Mentoring in education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Teachers -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Student teachers -- Supervision of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5641 , vital:29354
- Description: Effective mentoring is essential for the development of student-teachers. A sequential explanatory mixed method study was conducted in order to analyse the perspectives of Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) students on the effectiveness of school based mentoring. Thirty-six (36) PGCE students from a higher education institution in the Eastern Cape participated in this study. Firstly, quantitative questionnaires were used to gather data from all the participants followed by qualitative semi–structured interviews from a purposive sample of five (5) participants in order to enrich the study. This study analysed PGCE students’ perspectives of mentor teacher practices. In doing so the study evoked Hudson and Peards’ Five Factor Mentoring Model. This model includes Personal Attributes, Systems Requirements, Pedagogical Knowledge, Modelling and Feedback. From the findings, PGCE students reported that Teaching Practice (TP) is a stressful period full of anxieties, excitement and fears, hence they need to be guided and supported by knowledgeable and specialist teachers (mentors). Mentors play a significant role in supporting and guiding student-teachers during TP. From the analysis of PGCE students’ perspectives, the research suggested that those who were supported and guided by their mentors experienced positive mentoring during TP. Those who experienced negative mentoring reported limited time for mentoring and unavailability of the mentors as the causes. They further expressed that they wished mentors were understanding, good models who treated them as teacher candidates not as students and gave them constructive feedback. Finally, they indicated that the partnership between host schools and the university needs to be improved.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Baartman, Nomakhaya
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Mentoring in education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Teachers -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Student teachers -- Supervision of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5641 , vital:29354
- Description: Effective mentoring is essential for the development of student-teachers. A sequential explanatory mixed method study was conducted in order to analyse the perspectives of Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) students on the effectiveness of school based mentoring. Thirty-six (36) PGCE students from a higher education institution in the Eastern Cape participated in this study. Firstly, quantitative questionnaires were used to gather data from all the participants followed by qualitative semi–structured interviews from a purposive sample of five (5) participants in order to enrich the study. This study analysed PGCE students’ perspectives of mentor teacher practices. In doing so the study evoked Hudson and Peards’ Five Factor Mentoring Model. This model includes Personal Attributes, Systems Requirements, Pedagogical Knowledge, Modelling and Feedback. From the findings, PGCE students reported that Teaching Practice (TP) is a stressful period full of anxieties, excitement and fears, hence they need to be guided and supported by knowledgeable and specialist teachers (mentors). Mentors play a significant role in supporting and guiding student-teachers during TP. From the analysis of PGCE students’ perspectives, the research suggested that those who were supported and guided by their mentors experienced positive mentoring during TP. Those who experienced negative mentoring reported limited time for mentoring and unavailability of the mentors as the causes. They further expressed that they wished mentors were understanding, good models who treated them as teacher candidates not as students and gave them constructive feedback. Finally, they indicated that the partnership between host schools and the university needs to be improved.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Political education as a determinant of university students’ political participation in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Badaru, Kazeem Ajasa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Citizenship -- Study and teaching -- South Africa Democracy and education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15793 , vital:40524
- Description: Globally, there is a downward trend in youths’ political interest and participation in the learning of political education in their school curricula as a measure to combat the apparent dangers posed by the declining young citizens’ participation in the political processes.This study therefore investigated political education as a determinant of university students’ political participation in the Province of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The study employed a mixed methods design. Using the probability sampling technique, a sample of 375 participants was randomly selected from one university in the Eastern Cape Province while semi-structured interviews were conducted among five (5) purposively selected members of the same university’s Student Representative Council (SRC) executive committee. Simple descriptive statistics such as frequency counts and percentages were used to summarize all categories of variables; while Pearson correlation statistics, Chi-square and Ordinary least square regression were used to examine the relationship between dependent and independent variables at a 95percent confidence interval. Alpha values less than 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. Thematic content analysis was performed on the qualitative data. The quantitative analysis revealed that students’ level of political awareness was high; 98.1percent of them were aware of their rights to vote and be voted for. Students’ political judgment was positively correlated with participation in campus (r =0.182) and national politics (r = 0.030) respectively. Most of the students agreed to take part in the 2018 SRC (78.8percent) and 2019 national elections (77.9percent) respectively. Political interest was significantly correlated with participation in campus (r = 0.375) and national politics (r =0. 404). The findings from the multivariate analysis showed that political interest (<0.001), parents’ political involvement (<0.001) and year of study (<0.001) were the significant determinants of students’ participation in politics. The qualitative findings also showed that there was a positive relationship between political education and students’ participation in politics. Since political interest and family are element and agent of political education respectively, it is concluded that political education is to a large extent a determinant of university students’ political participation. It is recommended that the universities, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and other stakeholders should do a thorough review of the university education curricula and programmes to ensure that political education is adequately accommodated and taken care of in a way that would increase students’ interest, awareness and participation in politics. When this is amply done, students’ cognitive skills and capacities would be enhanced to increase their participation in the political processes in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Badaru, Kazeem Ajasa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Citizenship -- Study and teaching -- South Africa Democracy and education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15793 , vital:40524
- Description: Globally, there is a downward trend in youths’ political interest and participation in the learning of political education in their school curricula as a measure to combat the apparent dangers posed by the declining young citizens’ participation in the political processes.This study therefore investigated political education as a determinant of university students’ political participation in the Province of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The study employed a mixed methods design. Using the probability sampling technique, a sample of 375 participants was randomly selected from one university in the Eastern Cape Province while semi-structured interviews were conducted among five (5) purposively selected members of the same university’s Student Representative Council (SRC) executive committee. Simple descriptive statistics such as frequency counts and percentages were used to summarize all categories of variables; while Pearson correlation statistics, Chi-square and Ordinary least square regression were used to examine the relationship between dependent and independent variables at a 95percent confidence interval. Alpha values less than 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. Thematic content analysis was performed on the qualitative data. The quantitative analysis revealed that students’ level of political awareness was high; 98.1percent of them were aware of their rights to vote and be voted for. Students’ political judgment was positively correlated with participation in campus (r =0.182) and national politics (r = 0.030) respectively. Most of the students agreed to take part in the 2018 SRC (78.8percent) and 2019 national elections (77.9percent) respectively. Political interest was significantly correlated with participation in campus (r = 0.375) and national politics (r =0. 404). The findings from the multivariate analysis showed that political interest (<0.001), parents’ political involvement (<0.001) and year of study (<0.001) were the significant determinants of students’ participation in politics. The qualitative findings also showed that there was a positive relationship between political education and students’ participation in politics. Since political interest and family are element and agent of political education respectively, it is concluded that political education is to a large extent a determinant of university students’ political participation. It is recommended that the universities, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and other stakeholders should do a thorough review of the university education curricula and programmes to ensure that political education is adequately accommodated and taken care of in a way that would increase students’ interest, awareness and participation in politics. When this is amply done, students’ cognitive skills and capacities would be enhanced to increase their participation in the political processes in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Prevalence and pathogenicity of vibrios in treated final effluents of selected wastewater treatment plants in the Amathole District Municipality of Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Badela, Andiswa Unathi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Sewage disposal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Whole effluent toxicity testing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Escherichia coli -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Bacterial diseases -- Pathogenesis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11284 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019774 , Sewage disposal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Whole effluent toxicity testing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Escherichia coli -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Bacterial diseases -- Pathogenesis
- Description: Waterborne diarrhoeal infections continue to be a major health setback in developing countries, especially in rural areas which lack adequate supply of portable water and sanitation facilities. Globally, waterborne diarrhoeal infections occur with an estimated mortality rate of 10–25 million deaths per year, 95% of which are children under the age of 5 years. The Vibrio species is one of the major groups of enteric pathogens that are responsible for diarrhoeal infections. Many strains of these bacterial species continue to cause epidemics of diarrhoea throughout the world. In this study, the prevalence of Vibrio pathogens in wastewater final effluents was assessed. Wastewater final effluent and discharge point samples were collected monthly between September 2012 and August 2013. All samples were collected aseptically using sterile 1 L Nalgene bottles containing 0.5 ml of sterile sodium thiosulphate solution and transported on ice to the laboratory for analyses within 6 h of collection. The membrane filtration method was used for enumeration of presumptive Vibrio densities on thiosulfate citrate bile salt (TCBS) agar plates. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was then used to confirm the identities of the presumptive Vibrio species using the species-specific primers. The confirmed isolates were further subjected to molecular characterization to confirm their respective pathotypes. Presumptive Vibrio densities varied from 0 to 2.11 × 102 cfu/100 ml. Out of 300 confirmed Vibrio isolates; 13.3% (40/300) were Vibrio fluvialis, 22% (66/300) were confirmed to be Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and 24.7% (74/300) proved to be Vibrio vulnificus, and 40% (120/300) were other Vibrio species which were not assessed for in this study. The strains of Vibrio fluvialis were found to exhibit 100% resistance to Polymixin and Tetracycline. However, Gentamicin was active against all the three Vibrio species selected for the purpose of this research. The recovery of Vibrio species in the discharged effluents throughout the sampling period even in adequately disinfected effluents is not acceptable considering the fact that Vibrio is a pathogenic bacterium. The findings of this study underline the need for constant monitoring of the microbiological qualities of discharged effluents and might also be suggestive for a review of the disinfection methods used at the treatment works.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Badela, Andiswa Unathi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Sewage disposal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Whole effluent toxicity testing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Escherichia coli -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Bacterial diseases -- Pathogenesis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Microbiology)
- Identifier: vital:11284 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019774 , Sewage disposal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Whole effluent toxicity testing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Escherichia coli -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Bacterial diseases -- Pathogenesis
- Description: Waterborne diarrhoeal infections continue to be a major health setback in developing countries, especially in rural areas which lack adequate supply of portable water and sanitation facilities. Globally, waterborne diarrhoeal infections occur with an estimated mortality rate of 10–25 million deaths per year, 95% of which are children under the age of 5 years. The Vibrio species is one of the major groups of enteric pathogens that are responsible for diarrhoeal infections. Many strains of these bacterial species continue to cause epidemics of diarrhoea throughout the world. In this study, the prevalence of Vibrio pathogens in wastewater final effluents was assessed. Wastewater final effluent and discharge point samples were collected monthly between September 2012 and August 2013. All samples were collected aseptically using sterile 1 L Nalgene bottles containing 0.5 ml of sterile sodium thiosulphate solution and transported on ice to the laboratory for analyses within 6 h of collection. The membrane filtration method was used for enumeration of presumptive Vibrio densities on thiosulfate citrate bile salt (TCBS) agar plates. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was then used to confirm the identities of the presumptive Vibrio species using the species-specific primers. The confirmed isolates were further subjected to molecular characterization to confirm their respective pathotypes. Presumptive Vibrio densities varied from 0 to 2.11 × 102 cfu/100 ml. Out of 300 confirmed Vibrio isolates; 13.3% (40/300) were Vibrio fluvialis, 22% (66/300) were confirmed to be Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and 24.7% (74/300) proved to be Vibrio vulnificus, and 40% (120/300) were other Vibrio species which were not assessed for in this study. The strains of Vibrio fluvialis were found to exhibit 100% resistance to Polymixin and Tetracycline. However, Gentamicin was active against all the three Vibrio species selected for the purpose of this research. The recovery of Vibrio species in the discharged effluents throughout the sampling period even in adequately disinfected effluents is not acceptable considering the fact that Vibrio is a pathogenic bacterium. The findings of this study underline the need for constant monitoring of the microbiological qualities of discharged effluents and might also be suggestive for a review of the disinfection methods used at the treatment works.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014