A critical analysis of the role of strategic communication in strategic planning : a case study of South African universities
- Authors: Hadji, Mutambuli James
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Communication in management Business communication Strategic planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8209 , vital:31978
- Description: The debate on how the communication function can contribute at a strategic level to organisational success is an on-going one because communicators still need to prove their relevance at the top management level. In general, the contribution of communication as a management function in corporate strategy is not known. It is either considered an afterthought or as an element within other functional departments. In this regard, the purpose of this study was to analyse critically the role of communication in strategic planning at the selected South African universities. To achieve this main objective, institutional theory was applied, as it seeks to affirm the role of communication in decision-making with the intention to be legitimised. In-depth interviews were conducted with senior communicators and strategy planners at six universities on how they approach strategic planning in their respective universities. Significant from the findings was the fact that the South African universities follow the same process for strategic planning. Regarding the role of strategic communication, the findings confirmed literature in the sense that communication practice at functional level has been institutionalised but not at the top management level. It was this study’s finding that university reputation and positioning did not prominently feature in the strategic planning processes. Furthermore, this study found that communicators should play a leading in environmental scanning to identify society, industry and commerce with a view to fine-tune the university’s qualification mix. That is, communicators should provide intelligence on changes in the environment which serve as the basis of the development of university strategies. In other words, they should provide vital information to top management to enable them to take informed strategic decisions. Lastly, it was this study’s finding that communicators should conduct evaluation research to assist top management in comparing the set strategic objectives with actual performance. In addition, the communicators should assist top management in determining corrective actions if need be. In view of these findings, this study developed guidelines that will empower communicators to make a more meaningful contribution in the strategic planning process. Given the paucity of research evidence of strategic communication in a university context, the study provides a better understanding of the theory and practice thereof.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Hadji, Mutambuli James
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Communication in management Business communication Strategic planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8209 , vital:31978
- Description: The debate on how the communication function can contribute at a strategic level to organisational success is an on-going one because communicators still need to prove their relevance at the top management level. In general, the contribution of communication as a management function in corporate strategy is not known. It is either considered an afterthought or as an element within other functional departments. In this regard, the purpose of this study was to analyse critically the role of communication in strategic planning at the selected South African universities. To achieve this main objective, institutional theory was applied, as it seeks to affirm the role of communication in decision-making with the intention to be legitimised. In-depth interviews were conducted with senior communicators and strategy planners at six universities on how they approach strategic planning in their respective universities. Significant from the findings was the fact that the South African universities follow the same process for strategic planning. Regarding the role of strategic communication, the findings confirmed literature in the sense that communication practice at functional level has been institutionalised but not at the top management level. It was this study’s finding that university reputation and positioning did not prominently feature in the strategic planning processes. Furthermore, this study found that communicators should play a leading in environmental scanning to identify society, industry and commerce with a view to fine-tune the university’s qualification mix. That is, communicators should provide intelligence on changes in the environment which serve as the basis of the development of university strategies. In other words, they should provide vital information to top management to enable them to take informed strategic decisions. Lastly, it was this study’s finding that communicators should conduct evaluation research to assist top management in comparing the set strategic objectives with actual performance. In addition, the communicators should assist top management in determining corrective actions if need be. In view of these findings, this study developed guidelines that will empower communicators to make a more meaningful contribution in the strategic planning process. Given the paucity of research evidence of strategic communication in a university context, the study provides a better understanding of the theory and practice thereof.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
A data governance maturity evaluation model to enhance data management in Eastern Cape government departments
- Authors: Olaitan, Olutoyin
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Electronic government information Data protection Public administration -- Data processing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/7989 , vital:31448
- Description: The governance of data assets has become a topical issue in the public sector. Government departments are faced with increasingly complex data and information arising from multiple projects, different departments, divisions and several stakeholders seeking data for divergent end uses. However, an exploratory study of the literature regarding data governance in government departments of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa suggest that there are no clear data governance processes in place within the departments. The research question “How can a data governance maturity evaluation model enhance data governance processes in the Eastern Cape government departments” was derived as a result of a perceived need for government departments of the province to manage their critical data assets in a manner which promotes accurate, verifiable and relevant fiscal and strategic planning. Following the review of current literature in the data governance domain, a conceptual data governance evaluation maturity model was developed and produced. The conceptual model was influenced by the IBM data governance maturity model (2007) and it was aimed at addressing the gaps in the reference model to suit the context of the Eastern Cape government departments and the governance of their data assets. A qualitative phase of empirical data collection was conducted to test the components of the conceptual model. A quantitative instrument, derived from the findings of the qualitative study, as well as the components of the refined model was administered to 50 participants in the same departments where qualitative data was collected, with additional participants being drawn from three other departments. Pragmatism was the guiding philosophy for the research. The Contingency and Institutional theories form the theoretical grounding for the study. Design Science guidelines by Hevner et al (2004), Peffers et al’s (2008) Six Steps in Design Science and Drechsler & Hevner’s (2016) Fourth Cycle of Design Science were employed to construct, improve, validate and evaluate the final artefact. Findings confirmed the literature that data governance is lacking in government departments. It is asserted that the implementation of this model will improve the way data assets are recorded, used, archived and disposed in government departments of the Eastern Cape. The outcome of this research was the development and production of a data governance maturity evaluation model as well as a process document which gives a roadmap of how to move from one maturity level to another.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Olaitan, Olutoyin
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Electronic government information Data protection Public administration -- Data processing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/7989 , vital:31448
- Description: The governance of data assets has become a topical issue in the public sector. Government departments are faced with increasingly complex data and information arising from multiple projects, different departments, divisions and several stakeholders seeking data for divergent end uses. However, an exploratory study of the literature regarding data governance in government departments of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa suggest that there are no clear data governance processes in place within the departments. The research question “How can a data governance maturity evaluation model enhance data governance processes in the Eastern Cape government departments” was derived as a result of a perceived need for government departments of the province to manage their critical data assets in a manner which promotes accurate, verifiable and relevant fiscal and strategic planning. Following the review of current literature in the data governance domain, a conceptual data governance evaluation maturity model was developed and produced. The conceptual model was influenced by the IBM data governance maturity model (2007) and it was aimed at addressing the gaps in the reference model to suit the context of the Eastern Cape government departments and the governance of their data assets. A qualitative phase of empirical data collection was conducted to test the components of the conceptual model. A quantitative instrument, derived from the findings of the qualitative study, as well as the components of the refined model was administered to 50 participants in the same departments where qualitative data was collected, with additional participants being drawn from three other departments. Pragmatism was the guiding philosophy for the research. The Contingency and Institutional theories form the theoretical grounding for the study. Design Science guidelines by Hevner et al (2004), Peffers et al’s (2008) Six Steps in Design Science and Drechsler & Hevner’s (2016) Fourth Cycle of Design Science were employed to construct, improve, validate and evaluate the final artefact. Findings confirmed the literature that data governance is lacking in government departments. It is asserted that the implementation of this model will improve the way data assets are recorded, used, archived and disposed in government departments of the Eastern Cape. The outcome of this research was the development and production of a data governance maturity evaluation model as well as a process document which gives a roadmap of how to move from one maturity level to another.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
A framework for cloud computing adoption in small and medium-sized enterprises : a case of the Accra - Tema metropolis in Ghana
- Authors: Adane, Martin
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Cloud computing -- Ghana Small business -- Ghana
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13803 , vital:39713
- Description: Cloud computing adoption and usage is important to achieving business competition. This is done by making it a competitive tool for firms. The adoption of cloud computing enables firms to achieve greater business competency, improve performance, and allows them to maintain their competitive advantage. Since its emergence, there has been a surge in the adoption of cloud computing with research into its adoption primarily concentrated on bigger firms. However, a major characteristic of cloud computing is the anticipated possibilities it holds for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs typically operate differently from larger firms and are not limited by resource constraints. For SMEs, the reduction in the financial burden normally associated with the adoption of new technologies is a significant benefit of cloud computing due to their financial constraints. In Ghana, SMEs mostly use obsolete technologies and have a slow response towards new technologies. Thus, they are unable to harness the numerous opportunities technology presents to them to stay competitive. Cloud computing is still regarded as a new technology in the business world, therefore research that focuses on its adoption by SMEs to help them stay competitive is minimal. Available research on cloud computing in Ghana does not provide clear guidelines for ensuring a successful adoption process and the continued use of cloud computing services. This study seeks to investigate how a framework can assist SMEs in their use of cloud computing in the Accra-Tema metropolis of Ghana. A knowledge of the factors associated with adoption decisions and those that significantly influence the decision are required to ensure a successful adoption process. The empirical data was gathered using a questionnaire and face-to-face interviews developed from literature and administered to users and potential users of cloud computing. The questionnaire and interviews primarily investigate key adoption factors and the findings are reported in this research study. The findings reveal interesting insights into understanding issues that affect the overall decision to adopt and use cloud computing services by SMEs. The findings show that the adoption of cloud computing can improve information management practices within SMEs. The findings also reveal that several factors need to be considered in the overall decision to adopt and use cloud computing to ensure a successful adoption process. An initial cloud computing adoption model was proposed based on the empirical findings. Key adoption factors of the initial adoption model include adoption benefits and drivers, concerns and barriers, adoption interventions, and information management in the cloud. computing adoption framework. The proposed adoption framework aims to assist SMEs to adopt and use cloud computing services and make them relevant in the global market.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Adane, Martin
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Cloud computing -- Ghana Small business -- Ghana
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13803 , vital:39713
- Description: Cloud computing adoption and usage is important to achieving business competition. This is done by making it a competitive tool for firms. The adoption of cloud computing enables firms to achieve greater business competency, improve performance, and allows them to maintain their competitive advantage. Since its emergence, there has been a surge in the adoption of cloud computing with research into its adoption primarily concentrated on bigger firms. However, a major characteristic of cloud computing is the anticipated possibilities it holds for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs typically operate differently from larger firms and are not limited by resource constraints. For SMEs, the reduction in the financial burden normally associated with the adoption of new technologies is a significant benefit of cloud computing due to their financial constraints. In Ghana, SMEs mostly use obsolete technologies and have a slow response towards new technologies. Thus, they are unable to harness the numerous opportunities technology presents to them to stay competitive. Cloud computing is still regarded as a new technology in the business world, therefore research that focuses on its adoption by SMEs to help them stay competitive is minimal. Available research on cloud computing in Ghana does not provide clear guidelines for ensuring a successful adoption process and the continued use of cloud computing services. This study seeks to investigate how a framework can assist SMEs in their use of cloud computing in the Accra-Tema metropolis of Ghana. A knowledge of the factors associated with adoption decisions and those that significantly influence the decision are required to ensure a successful adoption process. The empirical data was gathered using a questionnaire and face-to-face interviews developed from literature and administered to users and potential users of cloud computing. The questionnaire and interviews primarily investigate key adoption factors and the findings are reported in this research study. The findings reveal interesting insights into understanding issues that affect the overall decision to adopt and use cloud computing services by SMEs. The findings show that the adoption of cloud computing can improve information management practices within SMEs. The findings also reveal that several factors need to be considered in the overall decision to adopt and use cloud computing to ensure a successful adoption process. An initial cloud computing adoption model was proposed based on the empirical findings. Key adoption factors of the initial adoption model include adoption benefits and drivers, concerns and barriers, adoption interventions, and information management in the cloud. computing adoption framework. The proposed adoption framework aims to assist SMEs to adopt and use cloud computing services and make them relevant in the global market.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
A framework for enhancing the effectiveness of strategic leadership in the Eastern Cape Education Department
- Authors: Govender, Surendran Perumal
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Educational leadership Strategic planning Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8598 , vital:33180
- Description: In this study the analysis of the organisational practices in the South African public sector revealed that there is a practical limitation, anchored on the absence of a suitable framework for enhancing the effectiveness of strategic leadership. The research engaged with studies and theories that confirmed that the application of effective strategic leadership enhances the performance of public sector organisations. However, such an analysis revealed no well-defined strategic leadership framework that may be used for improving the successful implementation of programmes in the public sector as a whole and more especially, the Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDoE). The study therefore interpreted that a significant improvement in the performance of the ECDoE may be effected through the prioritisation of strategic leadership and thereby enhancing its effectiveness. Hence, the primary research objective for this study was to examine strategic leadership and to consider the variables impacting the application of strategic leadership in the ECDoE, so that a framework may be formulated to enhance the effectiveness of strategic leadership in the ECDoE. The data analysis, research observations, findings and interpretations as well as the literature review enabled the researcher to determine the strategic leadership framework that may be postulated for application in the ECDoE. The research data in essence supports the indications in the literature that strategic leadership has a positive effect on enhancing organisational performance and success. The key findings and significant conclusions drawn from the study indicated a definite need to enhance the effectiveness of strategic leadership in the ECDoE and that the associated leadership challenges in the sector have to be addressed to enable more efficient and effective service delivery, increase learner performance and improve organisational success. The researcher has therefore postulated the framework in figure 10 to enhance the effectiveness of strategic leadership in ECDoE and presents it for consideration by the political and administrative leadership for adoption in the ECDoE. The development of this strategic leadership framework by the researcher was informed by the various leadership models, leadership theories, leadership styles and change management strategies examined in the literature review of this study and further directed by the research findings and conclusions that illuminated the challenges that confront ECDoE in the application of strategic leadership in the sector. The framework postulated has three distinct but inter-related steps and this study theorises that the effectiveness of strategic leadership is influenced by the extent to which the managers or leaders determine the specific context and apply the appropriate leadership style (Step 1), implement the selected leadership style in conjunction with the application of appropriate accompanying management strategies (Step 2), and monitor the resulting effects on enhancing the performance of the public sector organisations (Step 3). The researcher also adopted a systems-thinking approach and identified four pillars that transcend organisational service delivery and integrated them to constitute a proposed model for enhancing service delivery, improving implementation of plans and promoting organisational success in ECDoE. The model postulated by the researcher is based on “policies, procedures, systems and structures”, as illustrated in figure 11. The pillars of this proposed model for service delivery are inter-related, inter-locking and at times overlapping. Arising from the literature review and the case study of ECDoE, areas for further research have been identified such as: a more in-depth probing of the significance, role and impact of strategic leadership in all public sector institutions in South Africa; an examination of the Senior Management Services (SMS) mandates given by the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) with regard to strategic leadership; an exploration of the implementation constraints of the National Development Plan (NDP) linked to the positioning of strategic leadership; and, an examination of the role and impact of the training and development programmes in strategic leadership, co-ordinated by the National School of Government (NSG) in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Govender, Surendran Perumal
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Educational leadership Strategic planning Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8598 , vital:33180
- Description: In this study the analysis of the organisational practices in the South African public sector revealed that there is a practical limitation, anchored on the absence of a suitable framework for enhancing the effectiveness of strategic leadership. The research engaged with studies and theories that confirmed that the application of effective strategic leadership enhances the performance of public sector organisations. However, such an analysis revealed no well-defined strategic leadership framework that may be used for improving the successful implementation of programmes in the public sector as a whole and more especially, the Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDoE). The study therefore interpreted that a significant improvement in the performance of the ECDoE may be effected through the prioritisation of strategic leadership and thereby enhancing its effectiveness. Hence, the primary research objective for this study was to examine strategic leadership and to consider the variables impacting the application of strategic leadership in the ECDoE, so that a framework may be formulated to enhance the effectiveness of strategic leadership in the ECDoE. The data analysis, research observations, findings and interpretations as well as the literature review enabled the researcher to determine the strategic leadership framework that may be postulated for application in the ECDoE. The research data in essence supports the indications in the literature that strategic leadership has a positive effect on enhancing organisational performance and success. The key findings and significant conclusions drawn from the study indicated a definite need to enhance the effectiveness of strategic leadership in the ECDoE and that the associated leadership challenges in the sector have to be addressed to enable more efficient and effective service delivery, increase learner performance and improve organisational success. The researcher has therefore postulated the framework in figure 10 to enhance the effectiveness of strategic leadership in ECDoE and presents it for consideration by the political and administrative leadership for adoption in the ECDoE. The development of this strategic leadership framework by the researcher was informed by the various leadership models, leadership theories, leadership styles and change management strategies examined in the literature review of this study and further directed by the research findings and conclusions that illuminated the challenges that confront ECDoE in the application of strategic leadership in the sector. The framework postulated has three distinct but inter-related steps and this study theorises that the effectiveness of strategic leadership is influenced by the extent to which the managers or leaders determine the specific context and apply the appropriate leadership style (Step 1), implement the selected leadership style in conjunction with the application of appropriate accompanying management strategies (Step 2), and monitor the resulting effects on enhancing the performance of the public sector organisations (Step 3). The researcher also adopted a systems-thinking approach and identified four pillars that transcend organisational service delivery and integrated them to constitute a proposed model for enhancing service delivery, improving implementation of plans and promoting organisational success in ECDoE. The model postulated by the researcher is based on “policies, procedures, systems and structures”, as illustrated in figure 11. The pillars of this proposed model for service delivery are inter-related, inter-locking and at times overlapping. Arising from the literature review and the case study of ECDoE, areas for further research have been identified such as: a more in-depth probing of the significance, role and impact of strategic leadership in all public sector institutions in South Africa; an examination of the Senior Management Services (SMS) mandates given by the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) with regard to strategic leadership; an exploration of the implementation constraints of the National Development Plan (NDP) linked to the positioning of strategic leadership; and, an examination of the role and impact of the training and development programmes in strategic leadership, co-ordinated by the National School of Government (NSG) in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
A programme of academic support for students at the public nursing college of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa
- Senti, Nomandithini Innocent
- Authors: Senti, Nomandithini Innocent
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Nursing -- Study and teaching Nursing -- Study and teaching -- Simulation methods
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10997 , vital:36128
- Description: A comprehensive academic support at the public nursing college is important. Despite this, there is no such support in public nursing colleges in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The aim of the study was to develop an academic support programme for students in order to improve their success in Higher Education. The study endeavoured to answer the following questions: What are the academic support needs of students at the public nursing college in the Eastern Cape of South Africa? What conceptual framework can be developed for the academic support programme of students? What academic support programme can be developed for students at the public nursing college? What guidelines can be developed for implementation of academic support programme of students? The objectives were: to describe academic support needs of students at the public nursing college in the eastern Cape Province of South Africa; to develop a conceptual framework for the academic support programme for students at the public nursing college in the Eastern Cape of South Africa; to develop an academic support programme for students at the public nursing college in the Eastern Cape in south Africa and lastly to describe guidelines for implementation and evaluation of the academic support programme. The research design used in this study was quantitative, qualitative, descriptive, evaluative, and theory generation. The study was conducted according to four phases. Phase one focussed on academic supports needs of the student. Phase two focussed on development of conceptual framework for the students at the public nursing college in Eastern Cape Province. Phase three focussed on the development of the academic support programme for the students, whereas phase four focussed on description of guidelines for implementation and evaluation of the academic support programme. The population of the study consisted of students undergoing training in a four-year programme at the Public Nursing College. The target population was the students in the same programme from level one to level four of training. The sampling technique used was a probability sampling with multi-stage and cluster sampling techniques being utilized. The total sample was n=333 participants. A quantitative self-developed questionnaire was used to collect empirical data. The questionnaire consisted of eight sections. Descriptive data was analysed using Statistic Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted on the descriptive data collected in phase one. Concept analysis and identification were done through the utilisation of exploratory factor analysis. The conceptual framework for the academic support programme was identified through the analysed factors. Fifteen factors were derived from the descriptive data. The conceptual framework of the academic support programme discussed in Chapter 5 was used also in the development of the academic support programme. It is in this chapter that assumptions, context, stakeholders, process, outcome, dynamics and, lastly, the recipient were discussed, along with a description of the programme. The programme was evaluated in accordance with the criteria for programme evaluation. The recommendations brought forward for the academic support programme were: The guidelines have to be tested for the implementation of the programme; benchmarking should be done to compare with other institutions of higher learning regarding their academic support programmes; an academic brochure regarding academic support must be available in the college and should be given to students on arrival as part of a package; and neutral researcher should conduct the same research in the same college.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Senti, Nomandithini Innocent
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Nursing -- Study and teaching Nursing -- Study and teaching -- Simulation methods
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10997 , vital:36128
- Description: A comprehensive academic support at the public nursing college is important. Despite this, there is no such support in public nursing colleges in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The aim of the study was to develop an academic support programme for students in order to improve their success in Higher Education. The study endeavoured to answer the following questions: What are the academic support needs of students at the public nursing college in the Eastern Cape of South Africa? What conceptual framework can be developed for the academic support programme of students? What academic support programme can be developed for students at the public nursing college? What guidelines can be developed for implementation of academic support programme of students? The objectives were: to describe academic support needs of students at the public nursing college in the eastern Cape Province of South Africa; to develop a conceptual framework for the academic support programme for students at the public nursing college in the Eastern Cape of South Africa; to develop an academic support programme for students at the public nursing college in the Eastern Cape in south Africa and lastly to describe guidelines for implementation and evaluation of the academic support programme. The research design used in this study was quantitative, qualitative, descriptive, evaluative, and theory generation. The study was conducted according to four phases. Phase one focussed on academic supports needs of the student. Phase two focussed on development of conceptual framework for the students at the public nursing college in Eastern Cape Province. Phase three focussed on the development of the academic support programme for the students, whereas phase four focussed on description of guidelines for implementation and evaluation of the academic support programme. The population of the study consisted of students undergoing training in a four-year programme at the Public Nursing College. The target population was the students in the same programme from level one to level four of training. The sampling technique used was a probability sampling with multi-stage and cluster sampling techniques being utilized. The total sample was n=333 participants. A quantitative self-developed questionnaire was used to collect empirical data. The questionnaire consisted of eight sections. Descriptive data was analysed using Statistic Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted on the descriptive data collected in phase one. Concept analysis and identification were done through the utilisation of exploratory factor analysis. The conceptual framework for the academic support programme was identified through the analysed factors. Fifteen factors were derived from the descriptive data. The conceptual framework of the academic support programme discussed in Chapter 5 was used also in the development of the academic support programme. It is in this chapter that assumptions, context, stakeholders, process, outcome, dynamics and, lastly, the recipient were discussed, along with a description of the programme. The programme was evaluated in accordance with the criteria for programme evaluation. The recommendations brought forward for the academic support programme were: The guidelines have to be tested for the implementation of the programme; benchmarking should be done to compare with other institutions of higher learning regarding their academic support programmes; an academic brochure regarding academic support must be available in the college and should be given to students on arrival as part of a package; and neutral researcher should conduct the same research in the same college.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
A strategic framework for managing and implementation of the intergovernmental relations policy in selected Eastern Cape municipalities
- Authors: Shasha, Zamuxolo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Intergovernmental fiscal relations -- South Africa Local government -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8353 , vital:32310
- Description: It is of paramount importance to highlight that the South African government is established in terms of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996. Whilst the government of South Africa is one, it consists of three spheres namely; national, provincial and local. These spheres of government are naturally distinctive, interdependent and interrelated. This is expressed in terms of section 41(1) of the Constitution, which requires that there should be co-operation, mutual trust and good faith amongst these three spheres of government. This form of a relationship compels different spheres to inform and consult one another on matters of common interest, co-ordinate their legislation, and adhere to agreed procedures in accordance with the provisions of the constitution which is the supreme law of the Republic. The study sort to find a strategic framework for managing and implementation of the Intergovernmental Relations Policy in Selected Eastern Cape Municipalities. A purposive sampling technique was used to identify the sample elements. The sample was composed of 160 participants and a semi-structured questionnaire was administered to the participants to gather information pertaining the research problem. A mixed research method was used to analyse the data gathered. The sampled respondents were municipal and government employees from various departments who have knowledge of the IGR policy. The study findings pointed out that the current framework on intergovernmental relations was ineffective in the Eastern Cape municipalities that were surveyed. Respondents pointed to a number of shortfalls in the implementation of the intergovernmental relations, which made it ineffective in improving how these municipalities operated and rendered service delivery. A number of factors inhibiting the effectiveness of the intergovernmental relations included lack of communication, poor coordination, lack of clear strategy, poor budgets amongst other factors. Based on the findings of the study, the researcher developed a strategic framework that could be adopted by municipalities in the Eastern Cape. The functionality of this framework would be influenced by the corrective measures taken by the municipalities in addressing the underlying problems of the current intergovernmental relations, as identified by the respondents.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Shasha, Zamuxolo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Intergovernmental fiscal relations -- South Africa Local government -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8353 , vital:32310
- Description: It is of paramount importance to highlight that the South African government is established in terms of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996. Whilst the government of South Africa is one, it consists of three spheres namely; national, provincial and local. These spheres of government are naturally distinctive, interdependent and interrelated. This is expressed in terms of section 41(1) of the Constitution, which requires that there should be co-operation, mutual trust and good faith amongst these three spheres of government. This form of a relationship compels different spheres to inform and consult one another on matters of common interest, co-ordinate their legislation, and adhere to agreed procedures in accordance with the provisions of the constitution which is the supreme law of the Republic. The study sort to find a strategic framework for managing and implementation of the Intergovernmental Relations Policy in Selected Eastern Cape Municipalities. A purposive sampling technique was used to identify the sample elements. The sample was composed of 160 participants and a semi-structured questionnaire was administered to the participants to gather information pertaining the research problem. A mixed research method was used to analyse the data gathered. The sampled respondents were municipal and government employees from various departments who have knowledge of the IGR policy. The study findings pointed out that the current framework on intergovernmental relations was ineffective in the Eastern Cape municipalities that were surveyed. Respondents pointed to a number of shortfalls in the implementation of the intergovernmental relations, which made it ineffective in improving how these municipalities operated and rendered service delivery. A number of factors inhibiting the effectiveness of the intergovernmental relations included lack of communication, poor coordination, lack of clear strategy, poor budgets amongst other factors. Based on the findings of the study, the researcher developed a strategic framework that could be adopted by municipalities in the Eastern Cape. The functionality of this framework would be influenced by the corrective measures taken by the municipalities in addressing the underlying problems of the current intergovernmental relations, as identified by the respondents.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2017
An analysis of teachers' experiences in using English as medium of instruction among grade 4 learners in Maluti district
- Authors: Rabelemane, Tsielo Aron
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching Language and languages -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8221 , vital:32058
- Description: The issue of medium of instruction has been a growing concern for most researchers, especially in contexts where English is used as medium of instruction at the expense of the learner’s mother tongue. In a South African context, the problem is being aggravated by the fact that English becomes a language of learning and teaching in Grade 4 whereas the learners’ medium of instruction in the lower grades has been their mother tongue and therefore did not have a firm grasp of the English language. Subsequently, there is a general outcry in South Africa that the shift from mother tongue to English as language of learning and teaching happens too early. The objectives in this thesis were to examine the experiences faced by Grade 4 teachers in using English as language of learning and teaching; to determine how these experiences impinge on learning and teaching in Grade 4 and to determine whether the teachers’ perceptions of English as the language of learning and teaching impinges on the success of the Grade 4 learners. The theoretical framework of this study is based on bilingualism and multilingualism theories. Qualitative and quantitative approaches were used in the study. The study followed a survey design and both purposive and convenience sampling techniques were used. A sample of 100 teachers from 30 selected schools was chosen. The researcher collected data using individual interviews, questionnaires and observation. The qualitative data was analysed thematically whereas SPSS was used for the quantitative data. The findings of the study revealed that learners lacked confidence in expressing themselves in English in front of their peers and as a result the majority of learners did not participate in class when teachers were teaching in English. The results further showed that learners were passive due to poor understanding of the English language which sometimes resulted in communication breakdown between the teacher and the learner. The researcher recommended that the Government should provide the teachers with workshops that will unpack the strategies of teaching Grade 4 learners in using English as a medium of instruction.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Rabelemane, Tsielo Aron
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching Language and languages -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8221 , vital:32058
- Description: The issue of medium of instruction has been a growing concern for most researchers, especially in contexts where English is used as medium of instruction at the expense of the learner’s mother tongue. In a South African context, the problem is being aggravated by the fact that English becomes a language of learning and teaching in Grade 4 whereas the learners’ medium of instruction in the lower grades has been their mother tongue and therefore did not have a firm grasp of the English language. Subsequently, there is a general outcry in South Africa that the shift from mother tongue to English as language of learning and teaching happens too early. The objectives in this thesis were to examine the experiences faced by Grade 4 teachers in using English as language of learning and teaching; to determine how these experiences impinge on learning and teaching in Grade 4 and to determine whether the teachers’ perceptions of English as the language of learning and teaching impinges on the success of the Grade 4 learners. The theoretical framework of this study is based on bilingualism and multilingualism theories. Qualitative and quantitative approaches were used in the study. The study followed a survey design and both purposive and convenience sampling techniques were used. A sample of 100 teachers from 30 selected schools was chosen. The researcher collected data using individual interviews, questionnaires and observation. The qualitative data was analysed thematically whereas SPSS was used for the quantitative data. The findings of the study revealed that learners lacked confidence in expressing themselves in English in front of their peers and as a result the majority of learners did not participate in class when teachers were teaching in English. The results further showed that learners were passive due to poor understanding of the English language which sometimes resulted in communication breakdown between the teacher and the learner. The researcher recommended that the Government should provide the teachers with workshops that will unpack the strategies of teaching Grade 4 learners in using English as a medium of instruction.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An assessment of school food and nutrition environments for strengthening the integrated school health policy in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Okeyo, Alice Phelgona
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Nutrition policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape School health services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17039 , vital:40836
- Description: The 2012 Integrated School Health Policy (ISHP) offers a framework for adequate school food environment. It aims to contribute to the improvement of the general health of school-going children and to address health barriers to learning in order to improve education outcomes. This study assessed the school food and nutrition environment and critically appraised the position of nutrition within ISHP in order to make recommendations for best practice and promotion of healthy-eating in quintiles 1 – 3 secondary school learners of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Areas evaluated included the school food environment (National School Food Nutrition Programme, NSNP, tuck-shop, vendor, lunch box, and school vegetable garden); eating practice; nutrition knowledge; and nutrition status. A quantitative and qualitative cross-sectional design was applied in data collection. Data was collected from 1,357 learners at 18 secondary schools in three districts: Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Chris Hani and OR Tambo, using semi-structured questionnaires. Five major food items provided in the school food and nutrition environment included: beans, pap, sour-milk, rice, and samp (maize) (NSNP); chips, sandwich, pap, biscuits, and cake (tuck-shop); chips, sandwich, pap, cake, and pop-corn (vendor); and samp (maize), noodles, fat-cake, chips, and Russian/Viennas (lunch boxes). Only three of the 16 schools had school vegetable gardens which produced vegetables and no fruits. Five most frequently eaten foods for breakfast were porridge, rusks, stiff-pap, bread-with-spread, eggs, and polony. Learners from quintile 3 (60.8percent) significantly ate more cooked porridge than learners from quintiles 1 and 2 (51.9percent) (p = 0.015). Leaners from quintile 3 (59.4percent) significantly ate more brown bread-with-spread than learners from quintiles 1 and 2 (50.4) (p = 0.022). The majority of learners (72.7percent) ate breakfast; more male learners (24.4percent) than female learners (29.1percent) skipped breakfast. The majority (62.2percent) of learners had poor nutritional knowledge; significantly, more male (35percent) than female (27percent) learners had poor nutritional knowledge (p = 0.003). Nutritional knowledge increased with age; significantly more grade 8 learners had poor (42.6percent) nutritional knowledge than grade 12 learners (14.1percent) (p < 0.001). Leaners from quintile 3 had good (23.5percent) nutritional knowledge than learners from quintiles 1 and 2 (15.7percent) (p < 0.001). School lessons, books and television were the most important source for nutritional information to learners. The most significant source was lessons (72.0percent; p < 0.001); followed by television (69.4percent; p < 0.001) and books (67.8percent; p = 0.014), in that ranking order. The majority of learners (64percent) had normal body weight. The prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity was 13.0percent, 15.0percent and 8.0percent, respectively. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher in females than males (21.3percent vs 5.3percent; overweight; p < 0.001)) and (11.6percent vs 1.2percent; obesity; p < 0.001), respectively; while the prevalence in terms of underweight was significantly higher in male (21.3percent) learners than in female learners (8.1percent); p < 0.001. The study indicated that the school food environment was not supported by ISHP. The Integrated School Health Policy did not include on-site package for nutritional assessment, thus, there is need to offer nutritional interventions in schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Okeyo, Alice Phelgona
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Nutrition policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape School health services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17039 , vital:40836
- Description: The 2012 Integrated School Health Policy (ISHP) offers a framework for adequate school food environment. It aims to contribute to the improvement of the general health of school-going children and to address health barriers to learning in order to improve education outcomes. This study assessed the school food and nutrition environment and critically appraised the position of nutrition within ISHP in order to make recommendations for best practice and promotion of healthy-eating in quintiles 1 – 3 secondary school learners of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Areas evaluated included the school food environment (National School Food Nutrition Programme, NSNP, tuck-shop, vendor, lunch box, and school vegetable garden); eating practice; nutrition knowledge; and nutrition status. A quantitative and qualitative cross-sectional design was applied in data collection. Data was collected from 1,357 learners at 18 secondary schools in three districts: Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Chris Hani and OR Tambo, using semi-structured questionnaires. Five major food items provided in the school food and nutrition environment included: beans, pap, sour-milk, rice, and samp (maize) (NSNP); chips, sandwich, pap, biscuits, and cake (tuck-shop); chips, sandwich, pap, cake, and pop-corn (vendor); and samp (maize), noodles, fat-cake, chips, and Russian/Viennas (lunch boxes). Only three of the 16 schools had school vegetable gardens which produced vegetables and no fruits. Five most frequently eaten foods for breakfast were porridge, rusks, stiff-pap, bread-with-spread, eggs, and polony. Learners from quintile 3 (60.8percent) significantly ate more cooked porridge than learners from quintiles 1 and 2 (51.9percent) (p = 0.015). Leaners from quintile 3 (59.4percent) significantly ate more brown bread-with-spread than learners from quintiles 1 and 2 (50.4) (p = 0.022). The majority of learners (72.7percent) ate breakfast; more male learners (24.4percent) than female learners (29.1percent) skipped breakfast. The majority (62.2percent) of learners had poor nutritional knowledge; significantly, more male (35percent) than female (27percent) learners had poor nutritional knowledge (p = 0.003). Nutritional knowledge increased with age; significantly more grade 8 learners had poor (42.6percent) nutritional knowledge than grade 12 learners (14.1percent) (p < 0.001). Leaners from quintile 3 had good (23.5percent) nutritional knowledge than learners from quintiles 1 and 2 (15.7percent) (p < 0.001). School lessons, books and television were the most important source for nutritional information to learners. The most significant source was lessons (72.0percent; p < 0.001); followed by television (69.4percent; p < 0.001) and books (67.8percent; p = 0.014), in that ranking order. The majority of learners (64percent) had normal body weight. The prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity was 13.0percent, 15.0percent and 8.0percent, respectively. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher in females than males (21.3percent vs 5.3percent; overweight; p < 0.001)) and (11.6percent vs 1.2percent; obesity; p < 0.001), respectively; while the prevalence in terms of underweight was significantly higher in male (21.3percent) learners than in female learners (8.1percent); p < 0.001. The study indicated that the school food environment was not supported by ISHP. The Integrated School Health Policy did not include on-site package for nutritional assessment, thus, there is need to offer nutritional interventions in schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
An assessment of the Millennium Development Goal's poverty reduction target in Ogun State, Nigeria
- Durokifa, Anuoluwapo Abosede
- Authors: Durokifa, Anuoluwapo Abosede
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Millennium Development Goals Economic development projects -- Nigeria Sustainable development -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4649 , vital:28483
- Description: Nigeria, like many nations of the world, is confronted with a high level of poverty. Over the years the country has taken several initiatives to reduce the incidence of poverty. Nigeria was one of the earliest countries to adopt the Millennium Development Goals [MDGs] as a strategy in reducing poverty and promoting development across the vast nation. The federating states have also rolled out a number of poverty reduction programmes tailored along the millennium development goals. This study, therefore, evaluates the achievement of the millennium development poverty reduction target in Ogun State, South west Nigeria. The study seeks to ascertain whether the state was able to significantly reduce poverty with the introduction of the MDGs. The study also attempts to establish difference or similarity (if any) between past poverty reduction policies in the state and the MDGs poverty reduction strategies. In carrying out this study, related literature on poverty, development and poverty reduction efforts (strategies and programmes) implemented in the state were extensively reviewed and relevant information retrieved for the study. This study employed the mixed method research, comprising both the quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data through the administration of a questionnaire was obtained from 232 respondents. While in-depth interview with seven participants provided the qualitative data. Quantitative data was analyzed using Descriptive statistics, and chi-square statistical technique was used to analyze the quantitative data while qualitative data analysis was carried out using transcription and thematic clusters. The findings of the study, in general, revealed that the MDG poverty reduction strategy did not make any significant contribution in reducing poverty in the state. The MDG strategy was not any different from past poverty reduction strategies implemented in the state. The findings of the research also strongly indicated that there was low awareness regarding the MDGs poverty reduction strategies set up amongst the citizens of the state. The low awareness emerged as a major hindrance to the success of the MDG programme. Based on the findings of this study, a sustainable development poverty reduction model was developed. The model gives room for programme awareness; people’s consultation and participation. It emphasizes the need to consider the community setting or environment factors in the planning and execution of poverty reduction programme. This model contend that aligning strategies to the peculiar need of each environment is a critical component for the sustenance of any poverty reduction programme.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Durokifa, Anuoluwapo Abosede
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Millennium Development Goals Economic development projects -- Nigeria Sustainable development -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4649 , vital:28483
- Description: Nigeria, like many nations of the world, is confronted with a high level of poverty. Over the years the country has taken several initiatives to reduce the incidence of poverty. Nigeria was one of the earliest countries to adopt the Millennium Development Goals [MDGs] as a strategy in reducing poverty and promoting development across the vast nation. The federating states have also rolled out a number of poverty reduction programmes tailored along the millennium development goals. This study, therefore, evaluates the achievement of the millennium development poverty reduction target in Ogun State, South west Nigeria. The study seeks to ascertain whether the state was able to significantly reduce poverty with the introduction of the MDGs. The study also attempts to establish difference or similarity (if any) between past poverty reduction policies in the state and the MDGs poverty reduction strategies. In carrying out this study, related literature on poverty, development and poverty reduction efforts (strategies and programmes) implemented in the state were extensively reviewed and relevant information retrieved for the study. This study employed the mixed method research, comprising both the quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data through the administration of a questionnaire was obtained from 232 respondents. While in-depth interview with seven participants provided the qualitative data. Quantitative data was analyzed using Descriptive statistics, and chi-square statistical technique was used to analyze the quantitative data while qualitative data analysis was carried out using transcription and thematic clusters. The findings of the study, in general, revealed that the MDG poverty reduction strategy did not make any significant contribution in reducing poverty in the state. The MDG strategy was not any different from past poverty reduction strategies implemented in the state. The findings of the research also strongly indicated that there was low awareness regarding the MDGs poverty reduction strategies set up amongst the citizens of the state. The low awareness emerged as a major hindrance to the success of the MDG programme. Based on the findings of this study, a sustainable development poverty reduction model was developed. The model gives room for programme awareness; people’s consultation and participation. It emphasizes the need to consider the community setting or environment factors in the planning and execution of poverty reduction programme. This model contend that aligning strategies to the peculiar need of each environment is a critical component for the sustenance of any poverty reduction programme.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An exploration of perceptions, adaptive capacity and food security in the Ngqushwa local municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Mazinyo, Sonwabo Perez
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Climatic changes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19043 , vital:40107
- Description: Approximately sixty percent of Africans depend on rainfed agriculture for their livelihoods. South Africa is evidenced to be susceptible to inclement climate which impacts on rural livelihoods as well as on farming systems. While South Africa is considered to be food sufficient, it is estimated that approximately 35percent of the population is vulnerable to food insecurity. Therefore with the application of surveys and interviews this study investigates the factors influencing household, subsistence and small-scale farmer perceptions of vulnerability to climate variability as well as the determinants of adaptive capacity. A sample of 308 households is surveyed and four focus group discussions are administered in Ngqushwa Local Municipality as a case study. Furthermore, the study also focuses on the biophysical changes or factors (scientific analysis of the prevailing climatic regimes–rainfall trends); the interrogation of the impact of food systems on both food prices as well as its implications on food sovereignty. The study also interrogates the relationship between crop yield and rainfall data over a 30-year period. Therefore the study adopts a mixed method approach to ensure triangulation. The study finds that rural communities are able to perceive climate variability and its related changes as well as its negative impact on crop production, food access and availability. The perceived rainfall trends also corroborate this Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient reveals that there is a strong correlation between crop yields and rainfall (r = 0.69). Meteorological analyses also show that the rainfall trend has been significantly variable over 112 years (1900 - 2011) with several dry spells threatening the subsistence and small-scale farmers’ sustainable livelihoods. The food systems pose threats to food safety, food security and historical food sovereignty for the rural community of Ngqushwa Local Municipality. Adaptive capacity is greatly impaired by the lack of co-ordination of adaptation strategies, which communally benefit the majority of the farming respondents in the study area. Therefore vulnerability to climate variability impacts on the ability of the respondents to achieve food security. The study also finds that there is perceived competition between the farmers and wild life for the natural resources. The respondents’ perception is that climate variability and change is responsible for such competition. The study recommends that the national, provincial and local governments must foster a new food production model that is not based on the agro-business model and its attendant technologies but on one that is based on robust agro-ecological farming techniques which enhance adaptive capacity; which foster food safety; which promote food sovereignty; and which reduce vulnerability in a sustainable manner. Given the extent of climate variability in the study area the restoration of the NLM weather station infrastructure can also aid the farmers in taking advantage of a robust early warning system for better estimation of climate trends which enhance crop production.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Mazinyo, Sonwabo Perez
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Climatic changes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19043 , vital:40107
- Description: Approximately sixty percent of Africans depend on rainfed agriculture for their livelihoods. South Africa is evidenced to be susceptible to inclement climate which impacts on rural livelihoods as well as on farming systems. While South Africa is considered to be food sufficient, it is estimated that approximately 35percent of the population is vulnerable to food insecurity. Therefore with the application of surveys and interviews this study investigates the factors influencing household, subsistence and small-scale farmer perceptions of vulnerability to climate variability as well as the determinants of adaptive capacity. A sample of 308 households is surveyed and four focus group discussions are administered in Ngqushwa Local Municipality as a case study. Furthermore, the study also focuses on the biophysical changes or factors (scientific analysis of the prevailing climatic regimes–rainfall trends); the interrogation of the impact of food systems on both food prices as well as its implications on food sovereignty. The study also interrogates the relationship between crop yield and rainfall data over a 30-year period. Therefore the study adopts a mixed method approach to ensure triangulation. The study finds that rural communities are able to perceive climate variability and its related changes as well as its negative impact on crop production, food access and availability. The perceived rainfall trends also corroborate this Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient reveals that there is a strong correlation between crop yields and rainfall (r = 0.69). Meteorological analyses also show that the rainfall trend has been significantly variable over 112 years (1900 - 2011) with several dry spells threatening the subsistence and small-scale farmers’ sustainable livelihoods. The food systems pose threats to food safety, food security and historical food sovereignty for the rural community of Ngqushwa Local Municipality. Adaptive capacity is greatly impaired by the lack of co-ordination of adaptation strategies, which communally benefit the majority of the farming respondents in the study area. Therefore vulnerability to climate variability impacts on the ability of the respondents to achieve food security. The study also finds that there is perceived competition between the farmers and wild life for the natural resources. The respondents’ perception is that climate variability and change is responsible for such competition. The study recommends that the national, provincial and local governments must foster a new food production model that is not based on the agro-business model and its attendant technologies but on one that is based on robust agro-ecological farming techniques which enhance adaptive capacity; which foster food safety; which promote food sovereignty; and which reduce vulnerability in a sustainable manner. Given the extent of climate variability in the study area the restoration of the NLM weather station infrastructure can also aid the farmers in taking advantage of a robust early warning system for better estimation of climate trends which enhance crop production.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An exploration of perceptions, adaptive capacity and food security in the Ngqushwa local municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Mazinyo, Sonwabo Perez, Zhou, Leocadia
- Authors: Mazinyo, Sonwabo Perez , Zhou, Leocadia
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Climatic changes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19032 , vital:40106
- Description: Approximately sixty percent of Africans depend on rainfed agriculture for their livelihoods. South Africa is evidenced to be susceptible to inclement climate which impacts on rural livelihoods as well as on farming systems. While South Africa is considered to be food sufficient, it is estimated that approximately 35% of the population is vulnerable to food insecurity. Therefore with the application of surveys and interviews this study investigates the factors influencing household, subsistence and small-scale farmer perceptions of vulnerability to climate variability as well as the determinants of adaptive capacity. A sample of 308 households is surveyed and four focus group discussions are administered in Ngqushwa Local Municipality as a case study. Furthermore, the study also focuses on the biophysical changes or factors (scientific analysis of the prevailing climatic regimes–rainfall trends); the interrogation of the impact of food systems on both food prices as well as its implications on food sovereignty. The study also interrogates the relationship between crop yield and rainfall data over a 30-year period. Therefore the study adopts a mixed method approach to ensure triangulation. The study finds that rural communities are able to perceive climate variability and its related changes as well as its negative impact on crop production, food access and availability. The perceived rainfall trends also corroborate this Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient reveals that there is a strong correlation between crop yields and rainfall (r = 0.69). Meteorological analyses also show that the rainfall trend has been significantly variable over 112 years (1900 - 2011) with several dry spells threatening the subsistence and small-scale farmers’ sustainable livelihoods. The food systems pose threats to food safety, food security and historical food sovereignty for the rural community of Ngqushwa Local Municipality. Adaptive capacity is greatly impaired by the lack of co-ordination of adaptation strategies, which communally benefit the majority of the farming respondents in the study area. Therefore vulnerability to climate variability impacts on the ability of the respondents to achieve food security. The study also finds that there is perceived competition between the farmers and wild life for the natural resources. The respondents’ perception is that climate variability and change is responsible for such competition. The study recommends that the national, provincial and local governments must foster a new food production model that is not based on the agro-business model and its attendant technologies but on one that is based on robust agro-ecological farming techniques which enhance adaptive capacity; which foster food safety; which promote food sovereignty; and which reduce vulnerability in a sustainable manner. Given the extent of climate variability in the study area the restoration of the NLM weather station infrastructure can also aid the farmers in taking advantage of a robust early warning system for better estimation of climate trends which enhance crop production.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Mazinyo, Sonwabo Perez , Zhou, Leocadia
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Climatic changes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19032 , vital:40106
- Description: Approximately sixty percent of Africans depend on rainfed agriculture for their livelihoods. South Africa is evidenced to be susceptible to inclement climate which impacts on rural livelihoods as well as on farming systems. While South Africa is considered to be food sufficient, it is estimated that approximately 35% of the population is vulnerable to food insecurity. Therefore with the application of surveys and interviews this study investigates the factors influencing household, subsistence and small-scale farmer perceptions of vulnerability to climate variability as well as the determinants of adaptive capacity. A sample of 308 households is surveyed and four focus group discussions are administered in Ngqushwa Local Municipality as a case study. Furthermore, the study also focuses on the biophysical changes or factors (scientific analysis of the prevailing climatic regimes–rainfall trends); the interrogation of the impact of food systems on both food prices as well as its implications on food sovereignty. The study also interrogates the relationship between crop yield and rainfall data over a 30-year period. Therefore the study adopts a mixed method approach to ensure triangulation. The study finds that rural communities are able to perceive climate variability and its related changes as well as its negative impact on crop production, food access and availability. The perceived rainfall trends also corroborate this Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient reveals that there is a strong correlation between crop yields and rainfall (r = 0.69). Meteorological analyses also show that the rainfall trend has been significantly variable over 112 years (1900 - 2011) with several dry spells threatening the subsistence and small-scale farmers’ sustainable livelihoods. The food systems pose threats to food safety, food security and historical food sovereignty for the rural community of Ngqushwa Local Municipality. Adaptive capacity is greatly impaired by the lack of co-ordination of adaptation strategies, which communally benefit the majority of the farming respondents in the study area. Therefore vulnerability to climate variability impacts on the ability of the respondents to achieve food security. The study also finds that there is perceived competition between the farmers and wild life for the natural resources. The respondents’ perception is that climate variability and change is responsible for such competition. The study recommends that the national, provincial and local governments must foster a new food production model that is not based on the agro-business model and its attendant technologies but on one that is based on robust agro-ecological farming techniques which enhance adaptive capacity; which foster food safety; which promote food sovereignty; and which reduce vulnerability in a sustainable manner. Given the extent of climate variability in the study area the restoration of the NLM weather station infrastructure can also aid the farmers in taking advantage of a robust early warning system for better estimation of climate trends which enhance crop production.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Appraisal of experimental performance and modelling of an on-farm dairy milk bulk cooler: Fort Hare Dairy Trust, South Africa
- Authors: Mhundwa, Russel
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Milk -- Cooling Milk -- Cooling -- Equipment and supplies Milk tanks -- Specifications
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4671 , vital:28487
- Description: South Africa contributes approximately 0.5 percent to the total world milk demand and is the third largest producer of fresh cow milk in Africa after Sudan and Kenya. In comparison to any other enterprise, the cost of milk production is influenced by numerous factors, that in turn affect the profitability of the farm enterprise; however one of such factors is high electricity cost. In this regard, there is need for efficient operation of the milk processing plant at all stages and at the same time maximising on product quality and minimising on the cost of production including energy. At the dairy farm, milk handling mainly commences as the milk leaves the cow udder at 35°C–37°C and must be cooled rapidly to a storage temperature of 4°C in a bid to stop microbial activity. The cooling of the milk can be done directly by the bulk milk cooler (BMC) from 37°C to the required storage temperature of 4°C or it can be done successively through pre-cooling. The process of pre-cooling involves the use of a heat exchanger where in most instances the plate heat exchanger (PHE) is used as the pre-cooler (PC) thereby leading to energy savings in a dairy facility. Cooling of milk involves significant amount of energy and it could account for about 20 percent of the total energy consumed on a farm. The aim of the research was to develop mathematical models that could be used to predict the electrical energy performance and capture the cooling saving of an on-farm direct expansion bulk milk cooler (DXBMC) during the milk cooling process. Accordingly, data acquisition system (DAS) was designed and built to accurately measure the power consumption of the BMC, temperature of raw milk, room temperature, temperature of cold water, relative humidity and ambient temperature. The volume of milk produced per day was extracted from the daily records on the farm. In addition, the temperature sensors were connected to a four channel HOBO data loggers which were configured to log at every five-minutes interval. The results were analysed and the mathematical models were developed using MATLAB. The statistical Toolbox in MATLAB was used to rank the predictors according to their weight of importance using the ReliefF Algorithm test. The results showed that on average, the daily electrical energy consumed by the BMC at the two milking times was higher during the peak period (127.82 kWh and 93.86 kWh) than the off-peak period (48.31 kWh and 43.23 kWh). On average, the electricity used for cooling of milk on the dairy farm was 17.06 kWh/m3 of milk. The average monthly electricity used per cow on the farm was 8.03 kWh/cow which translated to an average of 0.26 kWh/cow/day The average specific energy consumption of the cooling system per litre of milk cooled was 0.02 kWh/L and was almost constant throughout the whole period of monitoring. Furthermore, the BMC was able to cool 57.33 L/kWh during the off-peak period which increased by 7.7 percent to 62.13 L/kWh during the peak period. Furthermore, mathematical models represented as multiple linear regression (MLR) models were built and developed using the experimental data. The developed mathematical models had good agreement with the experimental data as evidenced by the correlation coefficients of 0.922 and 0.8995 along with 0.935 and 0.930. The ReliefF Algorithm test revealed that the volume of milk was the principal contributor to the energy consumption of the BMC for both the morning (AM) and afternoon (PM) milking period. The Relative Prediction Error (RPE) was used to evaluate the suitability of the developed models. In this light, the AM off-peak model had RPE of 18.54 percent while the PM off-peak model had 14.42 percent. In addition, the AM peak and PM peak models had RPE of 19.23 percent and 18.95 percent respectively. This suggested that the MLR models for the off-peak and peak milking periods (both AM and PM) had acceptable prediction accuracy since the RPE values were between 10 percent and 20 percent. The findings from the experimental study showed that the coefficient of performance (COP) of the AM milking period was higher (2.20) than that of the PM milking period of the BMC (1.93). Increase in the milk volume led to an increase in the COP such that the peak period with higher milk volumes recorded a high COP increase of 12.61 percent and 19.81 percent for the AM and PM milking periods respectively.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mhundwa, Russel
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Milk -- Cooling Milk -- Cooling -- Equipment and supplies Milk tanks -- Specifications
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4671 , vital:28487
- Description: South Africa contributes approximately 0.5 percent to the total world milk demand and is the third largest producer of fresh cow milk in Africa after Sudan and Kenya. In comparison to any other enterprise, the cost of milk production is influenced by numerous factors, that in turn affect the profitability of the farm enterprise; however one of such factors is high electricity cost. In this regard, there is need for efficient operation of the milk processing plant at all stages and at the same time maximising on product quality and minimising on the cost of production including energy. At the dairy farm, milk handling mainly commences as the milk leaves the cow udder at 35°C–37°C and must be cooled rapidly to a storage temperature of 4°C in a bid to stop microbial activity. The cooling of the milk can be done directly by the bulk milk cooler (BMC) from 37°C to the required storage temperature of 4°C or it can be done successively through pre-cooling. The process of pre-cooling involves the use of a heat exchanger where in most instances the plate heat exchanger (PHE) is used as the pre-cooler (PC) thereby leading to energy savings in a dairy facility. Cooling of milk involves significant amount of energy and it could account for about 20 percent of the total energy consumed on a farm. The aim of the research was to develop mathematical models that could be used to predict the electrical energy performance and capture the cooling saving of an on-farm direct expansion bulk milk cooler (DXBMC) during the milk cooling process. Accordingly, data acquisition system (DAS) was designed and built to accurately measure the power consumption of the BMC, temperature of raw milk, room temperature, temperature of cold water, relative humidity and ambient temperature. The volume of milk produced per day was extracted from the daily records on the farm. In addition, the temperature sensors were connected to a four channel HOBO data loggers which were configured to log at every five-minutes interval. The results were analysed and the mathematical models were developed using MATLAB. The statistical Toolbox in MATLAB was used to rank the predictors according to their weight of importance using the ReliefF Algorithm test. The results showed that on average, the daily electrical energy consumed by the BMC at the two milking times was higher during the peak period (127.82 kWh and 93.86 kWh) than the off-peak period (48.31 kWh and 43.23 kWh). On average, the electricity used for cooling of milk on the dairy farm was 17.06 kWh/m3 of milk. The average monthly electricity used per cow on the farm was 8.03 kWh/cow which translated to an average of 0.26 kWh/cow/day The average specific energy consumption of the cooling system per litre of milk cooled was 0.02 kWh/L and was almost constant throughout the whole period of monitoring. Furthermore, the BMC was able to cool 57.33 L/kWh during the off-peak period which increased by 7.7 percent to 62.13 L/kWh during the peak period. Furthermore, mathematical models represented as multiple linear regression (MLR) models were built and developed using the experimental data. The developed mathematical models had good agreement with the experimental data as evidenced by the correlation coefficients of 0.922 and 0.8995 along with 0.935 and 0.930. The ReliefF Algorithm test revealed that the volume of milk was the principal contributor to the energy consumption of the BMC for both the morning (AM) and afternoon (PM) milking period. The Relative Prediction Error (RPE) was used to evaluate the suitability of the developed models. In this light, the AM off-peak model had RPE of 18.54 percent while the PM off-peak model had 14.42 percent. In addition, the AM peak and PM peak models had RPE of 19.23 percent and 18.95 percent respectively. This suggested that the MLR models for the off-peak and peak milking periods (both AM and PM) had acceptable prediction accuracy since the RPE values were between 10 percent and 20 percent. The findings from the experimental study showed that the coefficient of performance (COP) of the AM milking period was higher (2.20) than that of the PM milking period of the BMC (1.93). Increase in the milk volume led to an increase in the COP such that the peak period with higher milk volumes recorded a high COP increase of 12.61 percent and 19.81 percent for the AM and PM milking periods respectively.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Caregivers’ and parents’ views about preschool education as a school readiness programme in the Queenstown Education District
- Mtyuda, Pamela Nomonde Pettina
- Authors: Mtyuda, Pamela Nomonde Pettina
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Education, Preschool Readiness for school
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16166 , vital:40674
- Description: The aim of this study was to uncover preschool caregivers’ and parents’ views about preschool education as a preschool readiness programme in the Queenstown education district. The research study addressed the following specific objectives, to determine: the caregivers’ and parents’ understanding of school readiness nature of preschool education; the extent to which the caregivers’ practices can make children ready for formal schooling; the parents’ assessment of the preschool centres as places that make children ready for formal schooling; caregivers’ and parents’ views on the challenges facing preschool centres against making children ready for formal schooling; and lastly, the possible solutions to the challenges facing preschool centres. In the present study, both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. Quantitative data were gathered through questionnaires from 40 preschool caregivers at preschools and 40 parents of the children in those preschools that were chosen by the caregivers on the basis of parents who are highly committed in the education of their children. The qualitative data were gathered through focus group discussions with 2 focus groups located in the Queenstown Education district. Twelve participants were interviewed, and these comprised 6 caregivers that formed the focus group discussion 1 and 6 parents that formed the focus group discussion 2, using the interview schedules as guides. Purposive sampling to select the participants was used. Triangulation design was used to gather both quantitative and qualitative data at the same time and to integrate the two forms of data in order to have a better understanding of the research objectives. The research findings indicated that the most frequently reported issues by the participants were the problems with some caregivers who had limited knowledge to make children ready for formal schooling. Some of the parents and caregivers do not understand the importance of the domains of development in making children fully ready for formal schooling. There is still lack of parental involvement in those centres; no effective communication between parents and staff; caregivers are not aware of the policies that govern the preschools; poverty and unemployment are factors that inhibit the right of young children to education; no proper resources in preschools and the unregistered preschools also still need to be helped by coordinated efforts from communities and the government bodies. It was concluded that the quality of early childhood development(ECD) programmes in Queenstown preschools was still compromised. The study recommended extensive investment in infrastructure and learning and teaching support materials is necessary; there should be sufficient staffing with ECD expertise; programmes should be designed in order to educate and encourage parents to actively involve themselves with preschool activities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mtyuda, Pamela Nomonde Pettina
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Education, Preschool Readiness for school
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16166 , vital:40674
- Description: The aim of this study was to uncover preschool caregivers’ and parents’ views about preschool education as a preschool readiness programme in the Queenstown education district. The research study addressed the following specific objectives, to determine: the caregivers’ and parents’ understanding of school readiness nature of preschool education; the extent to which the caregivers’ practices can make children ready for formal schooling; the parents’ assessment of the preschool centres as places that make children ready for formal schooling; caregivers’ and parents’ views on the challenges facing preschool centres against making children ready for formal schooling; and lastly, the possible solutions to the challenges facing preschool centres. In the present study, both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. Quantitative data were gathered through questionnaires from 40 preschool caregivers at preschools and 40 parents of the children in those preschools that were chosen by the caregivers on the basis of parents who are highly committed in the education of their children. The qualitative data were gathered through focus group discussions with 2 focus groups located in the Queenstown Education district. Twelve participants were interviewed, and these comprised 6 caregivers that formed the focus group discussion 1 and 6 parents that formed the focus group discussion 2, using the interview schedules as guides. Purposive sampling to select the participants was used. Triangulation design was used to gather both quantitative and qualitative data at the same time and to integrate the two forms of data in order to have a better understanding of the research objectives. The research findings indicated that the most frequently reported issues by the participants were the problems with some caregivers who had limited knowledge to make children ready for formal schooling. Some of the parents and caregivers do not understand the importance of the domains of development in making children fully ready for formal schooling. There is still lack of parental involvement in those centres; no effective communication between parents and staff; caregivers are not aware of the policies that govern the preschools; poverty and unemployment are factors that inhibit the right of young children to education; no proper resources in preschools and the unregistered preschools also still need to be helped by coordinated efforts from communities and the government bodies. It was concluded that the quality of early childhood development(ECD) programmes in Queenstown preschools was still compromised. The study recommended extensive investment in infrastructure and learning and teaching support materials is necessary; there should be sufficient staffing with ECD expertise; programmes should be designed in order to educate and encourage parents to actively involve themselves with preschool activities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Commerce powered by 'National culture'? : an assessment of "Wear Local" campaigns as tools for reinvigorating the textile and clothing industries in Ghana and South Africa
- Authors: Darku, Esther Naa Dodua
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Textile industry -- Economic aspects -- Ghana Textile industry -- Economic aspects -- South Africa Sustainable development -- Ghana , Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2172 , vital:27619
- Description: This study examines the use of ‘cultural’ imagery and messaging as a tool to revitalise crucial national industries. Specifically, it examines the use of Wear Local campaigns in Ghana and South Africa as strategies to rejuvenate their textile industries and to make them viable in an increasingly competitive global market. Conceptualising Wear Local campaigns as possessing both cultural and economic imperatives, this study highlights how both factors contribute to making products of Buy Local campaigns marketable by showing their importance as both cultural and economic products. Using a descriptive-evaluative design, the study adopted a triangulated research approach comprising a survey, key informant interviews and document analysis. Survey questionnaires were administered to a total sample of 308 respondents in Ghana and South Africa. The qualitative phase of the study involved 10 key informant interviews (comprising textile labour unions, clothing designers, and government officials in both countries) and document/documentary research. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while the qualitative data were analysed using interpretive approaches, such as content analysis. The results indicate significant uses of national cultural elements in the campaign messaging in both Ghana and South Africa, as well as notable differences in the ways in which these campaigns resonated with consumers in the two countries. For instance, cultural differences accounted for high popularity of the campaign in Ghana and low popularity in South Africa. Following from these findings, the study concludes that the discourse on Buy Local and Wear Local, and the use of national culture in commerce, must go beyond the question of efficacy to examine the conditions under which these campaigns can become an effective economic/market tool. The study makes an important contribution to the existing knowledge on national culture, national economy and globalisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Darku, Esther Naa Dodua
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Textile industry -- Economic aspects -- Ghana Textile industry -- Economic aspects -- South Africa Sustainable development -- Ghana , Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2172 , vital:27619
- Description: This study examines the use of ‘cultural’ imagery and messaging as a tool to revitalise crucial national industries. Specifically, it examines the use of Wear Local campaigns in Ghana and South Africa as strategies to rejuvenate their textile industries and to make them viable in an increasingly competitive global market. Conceptualising Wear Local campaigns as possessing both cultural and economic imperatives, this study highlights how both factors contribute to making products of Buy Local campaigns marketable by showing their importance as both cultural and economic products. Using a descriptive-evaluative design, the study adopted a triangulated research approach comprising a survey, key informant interviews and document analysis. Survey questionnaires were administered to a total sample of 308 respondents in Ghana and South Africa. The qualitative phase of the study involved 10 key informant interviews (comprising textile labour unions, clothing designers, and government officials in both countries) and document/documentary research. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while the qualitative data were analysed using interpretive approaches, such as content analysis. The results indicate significant uses of national cultural elements in the campaign messaging in both Ghana and South Africa, as well as notable differences in the ways in which these campaigns resonated with consumers in the two countries. For instance, cultural differences accounted for high popularity of the campaign in Ghana and low popularity in South Africa. Following from these findings, the study concludes that the discourse on Buy Local and Wear Local, and the use of national culture in commerce, must go beyond the question of efficacy to examine the conditions under which these campaigns can become an effective economic/market tool. The study makes an important contribution to the existing knowledge on national culture, national economy and globalisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Community policing and partnership policing : a case study of shared responsibilities between the police and Alice community
- Authors: Manganyi, Foster Mzamani
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Police-community relations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8386 , vital:32558
- Description: The purpose of this study was to explore the shared responsibilities between the police and the community on crime prevention. Various authorities such as Sir Robert Peel (1829), Sower (1957), William and Kelling (1982), Roelofse (2007), to mention a few, had been advocating community policing as an essential component of democratic policing. In an attempt to understand the shared responsibilities between the police and the community, a thorough literature review had been presented in chapter two. Through the intertwined approach of secondary data, explorations had been noted on the shared responsibility between the police and the community. Literature and theoretical review had been presented in the thesis to clarify critical aspects of the topic. Triangulation approach was adopted for the purpose of this study. The researcher triangulated, methodologies, sampling methods, data collection methods as well as data analysis methods. Using qualitative approach in Phase A, data was collected through structured interview, observation and content analysis which was thematically presented. The quantitative data (Phase B) was collected through structured questionnaire. In case of codding and analysis SPSS was utilised. The findings of the study in chapter six shows the shared responsibilities between the police and the community exist within Alice. Moreover, the findings shows that there is a need for community empowerment on human rights and its applicability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Manganyi, Foster Mzamani
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Police-community relations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8386 , vital:32558
- Description: The purpose of this study was to explore the shared responsibilities between the police and the community on crime prevention. Various authorities such as Sir Robert Peel (1829), Sower (1957), William and Kelling (1982), Roelofse (2007), to mention a few, had been advocating community policing as an essential component of democratic policing. In an attempt to understand the shared responsibilities between the police and the community, a thorough literature review had been presented in chapter two. Through the intertwined approach of secondary data, explorations had been noted on the shared responsibility between the police and the community. Literature and theoretical review had been presented in the thesis to clarify critical aspects of the topic. Triangulation approach was adopted for the purpose of this study. The researcher triangulated, methodologies, sampling methods, data collection methods as well as data analysis methods. Using qualitative approach in Phase A, data was collected through structured interview, observation and content analysis which was thematically presented. The quantitative data (Phase B) was collected through structured questionnaire. In case of codding and analysis SPSS was utilised. The findings of the study in chapter six shows the shared responsibilities between the police and the community exist within Alice. Moreover, the findings shows that there is a need for community empowerment on human rights and its applicability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Development of conservation strategies for Alepidea Amatymbica ECKL. & ZEYH. : a rare medicinal plant in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Mangoale, Ramatsobane Maureen
- Authors: Mangoale, Ramatsobane Maureen
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Medicinal plants Plants, Cultivated
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8667 , vital:33400
- Description: Conservation through cultivation has been recommended as a means to relieve overexploitation of medicinal plants. However, the medicinal plants users believe that plants collected from the wild are more potent than cultivated ones. Hence, there is a need for scientific documentation of the potency of cultivated medicinal plants to contribute to the development of a sustainable management strategy to conserve wild populations. This study was aimed at documenting cultivation techniques of a known medicinal plant, Alepidea amatymbica and to validate its medicinal efficacy. In order to identify overexploited medicinal plants in the study area and thus develop their conservation strategy, a survey on the trade of medicinal plants was conducted in selected towns of Amathole District Municipality of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The survey revealed 67 plants belonging to 46 different families. Twenty-five medicinal plants were identified as overexploited and scarce and they were prioritized for conservation. Furthermore, 69.14 percent of the respondents were not willing to use cultivated medicinal plants. Lack of belief on the potency of cultivated plants and cultivation techniques were mentioned as the most significant constraints to conservation of medicinal plants. Also, the time for cultivated plants to reach maturity deterred herbal medicine practitioners from cultivating them. Alepidea amatymbica was mentioned as one of the most overexploited medicinal plants which has become scarce in the study area. This medicinal plant was therefore selected for this study. In order to develop sustainable conservation program for the species, various studies which include survey on the medicinal plants trade, cultivation, comparative micromorphology, elemental composition, toxicity, phytochemical and antioxidant activity of the wild and cultivated A. amatymbica were conducted. Cultivation of Alepidea amatymbica was conducted to determine the appropriate planting depth and rhizome fragment length for the growth of this plant. The experiment was laid out in a Complete Randomized Block Design (CRBD) with two factors in 6×3 factorial design. There were six levels of fragment length (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 cm) and three levels of burial depth (2.5, 5 and 7.5 cm). Emergence rate, number of leaves, leaf area, and plant height, number of florets, rhizome length gain, rhizome weight gain, shoot moisture and rhizome moisture were measured as growth parameters. The best overall yield in terms of plant height, shoot emergence, rhizome weight gain, number of florets and number of leaves was observed in 7.5 cm planting depth at 6 cm rhizome length. Four centimetre rhizome length had the highest leaf area of 111.9±3.5 cm2, 101.3±3.5 cm2, 105±3.5 cm2 at 2.5, 5, 7.5 cm planting depth respectively. Shorter fragment lengths showed high potential for vegetative propagation in terms of rhizome length gain at all burial depths. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the foliar micro morphological characteristics while energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) was used to determine the elemental composition in different parts of the wild and cultivated plants. The study revealed numerous differences between the wild and cultivated ones. These include deposition of epicuticular waxes, stomatal apparatus, helical thickening of the xylem walls, thickening of the epidermal cell layer and presence of starch grains in the parenchyma cells of the cortex. The EDXS analysis also revealed disproportionate quantities of C, O, Ca, K, Al, Mg, Si, Br and N as the major constituents in both cultivated and wild A. amatymbica specimens. The quantities of elements varied in the different parts of wild and cultivated plants. Toxicity of the methanol, water and acetone extracts of the fresh rhizome of the wild and cultivated A. amatymbica were evaluated using hatchability of cysts and lethality on the hatched cysts (nauplii) of Artemia salina. The highest hatching success was observed in the water extracts of the wild plant (46.16percent) with a MIC of 0.184 mg/ml while the cultivated plants had a hatching success of 40.83percent with MIC of 0.208 mg/ml. Highest mortality was observed in the acetone extract of the wild plants at the lethal dose of 0.191 mg/ml while the cultivated plant had a lethal dose of 0.270 mg/ml. Water extracts of both wild and cultivated plants showed similar lethal dose (LD50) of >1 mg/ml. Methanol extracts of both the wild and cultivated species exhibited almost the same level of toxicity (0.695 mg/ml and 0.628 mg/ml, respectively). Based on the Bastos criterion of toxicity indices of the lethality test, all the plant fractions demonstrated cytotoxicity effect, although the degree of their toxicity varied among the plants used. Standard spectrophotometry assays were used to quantify the phytochemical contents and to determine the antioxidant potentials of the cultivated and wild A. amatymbica. The results revealed different levels of phytochemicals with corresponding antioxidant activities. The wild extracts had higher phytochemical contents in most of the assays than cultivated extracts. Total phenol in the wild extracts ranged from 32.30±3.43 to 117.8±8.45 mg GAE/g with the acetone extracts having the highest content while the water extracts was the least. The range in the total phenol of the cultivated species was 66.46±5.29 to 98.44±6.08 mg GAE/g with the methanol extracts having the highest content while water extracts was the least. The flavonoids content ranged from 55.01±6.51 to 99.09±7.20 mg QE/mg and from 48.65±7.74 to 67.32±4.1 mg QE/mg for the wild and cultivated plants, respectively. The alkaloids contents ranged from 14.70±0.04 to 17.80±0.015 percent in the wild species while it ranged from 11.98±0.14 to 13.21±0.06 percent in the cultivated species. The wild species also showed higher antioxidant activities in most of the assays evaluated. The study revealed successful cultivation of the wild species of Alepidea amatymbica using fragments from the rhizome. The micromorphological study of both the wild and cultivated species showed minimal differences in the helical thickening of the walls in the xylem vessels and starch grain accumulation pattern. Although herbal medicine practitioners believe that cultivated species are not potent, however this study revealed some levels of phytochemicals contents and antioxidant activities which are comparable to the wild species. Cultivation is a major strategy in conserving nature and their resources. Hence, the successful domestication of A. amatymbica would help in reducing the pressure on the wild species while also meeting their medicinal demands purposes, utilisation and conserving for future generations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mangoale, Ramatsobane Maureen
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Medicinal plants Plants, Cultivated
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8667 , vital:33400
- Description: Conservation through cultivation has been recommended as a means to relieve overexploitation of medicinal plants. However, the medicinal plants users believe that plants collected from the wild are more potent than cultivated ones. Hence, there is a need for scientific documentation of the potency of cultivated medicinal plants to contribute to the development of a sustainable management strategy to conserve wild populations. This study was aimed at documenting cultivation techniques of a known medicinal plant, Alepidea amatymbica and to validate its medicinal efficacy. In order to identify overexploited medicinal plants in the study area and thus develop their conservation strategy, a survey on the trade of medicinal plants was conducted in selected towns of Amathole District Municipality of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The survey revealed 67 plants belonging to 46 different families. Twenty-five medicinal plants were identified as overexploited and scarce and they were prioritized for conservation. Furthermore, 69.14 percent of the respondents were not willing to use cultivated medicinal plants. Lack of belief on the potency of cultivated plants and cultivation techniques were mentioned as the most significant constraints to conservation of medicinal plants. Also, the time for cultivated plants to reach maturity deterred herbal medicine practitioners from cultivating them. Alepidea amatymbica was mentioned as one of the most overexploited medicinal plants which has become scarce in the study area. This medicinal plant was therefore selected for this study. In order to develop sustainable conservation program for the species, various studies which include survey on the medicinal plants trade, cultivation, comparative micromorphology, elemental composition, toxicity, phytochemical and antioxidant activity of the wild and cultivated A. amatymbica were conducted. Cultivation of Alepidea amatymbica was conducted to determine the appropriate planting depth and rhizome fragment length for the growth of this plant. The experiment was laid out in a Complete Randomized Block Design (CRBD) with two factors in 6×3 factorial design. There were six levels of fragment length (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 cm) and three levels of burial depth (2.5, 5 and 7.5 cm). Emergence rate, number of leaves, leaf area, and plant height, number of florets, rhizome length gain, rhizome weight gain, shoot moisture and rhizome moisture were measured as growth parameters. The best overall yield in terms of plant height, shoot emergence, rhizome weight gain, number of florets and number of leaves was observed in 7.5 cm planting depth at 6 cm rhizome length. Four centimetre rhizome length had the highest leaf area of 111.9±3.5 cm2, 101.3±3.5 cm2, 105±3.5 cm2 at 2.5, 5, 7.5 cm planting depth respectively. Shorter fragment lengths showed high potential for vegetative propagation in terms of rhizome length gain at all burial depths. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the foliar micro morphological characteristics while energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) was used to determine the elemental composition in different parts of the wild and cultivated plants. The study revealed numerous differences between the wild and cultivated ones. These include deposition of epicuticular waxes, stomatal apparatus, helical thickening of the xylem walls, thickening of the epidermal cell layer and presence of starch grains in the parenchyma cells of the cortex. The EDXS analysis also revealed disproportionate quantities of C, O, Ca, K, Al, Mg, Si, Br and N as the major constituents in both cultivated and wild A. amatymbica specimens. The quantities of elements varied in the different parts of wild and cultivated plants. Toxicity of the methanol, water and acetone extracts of the fresh rhizome of the wild and cultivated A. amatymbica were evaluated using hatchability of cysts and lethality on the hatched cysts (nauplii) of Artemia salina. The highest hatching success was observed in the water extracts of the wild plant (46.16percent) with a MIC of 0.184 mg/ml while the cultivated plants had a hatching success of 40.83percent with MIC of 0.208 mg/ml. Highest mortality was observed in the acetone extract of the wild plants at the lethal dose of 0.191 mg/ml while the cultivated plant had a lethal dose of 0.270 mg/ml. Water extracts of both wild and cultivated plants showed similar lethal dose (LD50) of >1 mg/ml. Methanol extracts of both the wild and cultivated species exhibited almost the same level of toxicity (0.695 mg/ml and 0.628 mg/ml, respectively). Based on the Bastos criterion of toxicity indices of the lethality test, all the plant fractions demonstrated cytotoxicity effect, although the degree of their toxicity varied among the plants used. Standard spectrophotometry assays were used to quantify the phytochemical contents and to determine the antioxidant potentials of the cultivated and wild A. amatymbica. The results revealed different levels of phytochemicals with corresponding antioxidant activities. The wild extracts had higher phytochemical contents in most of the assays than cultivated extracts. Total phenol in the wild extracts ranged from 32.30±3.43 to 117.8±8.45 mg GAE/g with the acetone extracts having the highest content while the water extracts was the least. The range in the total phenol of the cultivated species was 66.46±5.29 to 98.44±6.08 mg GAE/g with the methanol extracts having the highest content while water extracts was the least. The flavonoids content ranged from 55.01±6.51 to 99.09±7.20 mg QE/mg and from 48.65±7.74 to 67.32±4.1 mg QE/mg for the wild and cultivated plants, respectively. The alkaloids contents ranged from 14.70±0.04 to 17.80±0.015 percent in the wild species while it ranged from 11.98±0.14 to 13.21±0.06 percent in the cultivated species. The wild species also showed higher antioxidant activities in most of the assays evaluated. The study revealed successful cultivation of the wild species of Alepidea amatymbica using fragments from the rhizome. The micromorphological study of both the wild and cultivated species showed minimal differences in the helical thickening of the walls in the xylem vessels and starch grain accumulation pattern. Although herbal medicine practitioners believe that cultivated species are not potent, however this study revealed some levels of phytochemicals contents and antioxidant activities which are comparable to the wild species. Cultivation is a major strategy in conserving nature and their resources. Hence, the successful domestication of A. amatymbica would help in reducing the pressure on the wild species while also meeting their medicinal demands purposes, utilisation and conserving for future generations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Effect of post-slaughter handling on physico-chemical and microbiological quality of red meat along the distribution chain in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Rani, Zikhona Theodora
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Meat -- Microbiology Meat -- Transportation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Meat -- Quality -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2490 , vital:27875
- Description: The broad objective of the study was to investigate the effect of post-slaughter handling in the distribution chain on red meat quality and safety. A survey was conducted among 300 consumers and 100 meat handlers in five different municipalities (Buffalo City, Nkonkobe, Ngqushwa, Lukhanje and Amahlathi) in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa to investigate their perceptions on meat quality and safety, together with challenges faced by meat handlers during the distribution of meat from the abattoir to retailers. The microbiological profile and physico-chemical quality of red meat at different stages of the abattoir to retail outlets in the distribution chain were also determined. Swabs (n=216) and meat samples (n=450) were collected from beef, pork and mutton carcasses during the loading process of carcasses into trucks at the abattoir, when offloading carcasses at the supply points and during marketing. Physico-chemical qualities such as colour (L* - lightness, b* - redness and a* - yellowness) and meat pH measurements were taken at each point. To determine the microbiological profiles of the carcasses, four microbiological parameters were considered: Total bacteria count (general bacteria), coliform count (related to hygiene and indicator for pathogens), Escherichia coli (Gram-negative pathogen) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive pathogen). Two types of packaging (vacuum and overwrapping) were used to determine their effect on shelf-life and microbiological quality of red meat under the normal marketing conditions over a storage duration of 15 days. The results from the study showed low awareness of consumers about the pathogenic diseases which arise from meat. A strong significant association (p ˂ 0.05) between educational status and awareness on meat safety was observed. Most of the consumers perceived that quality goes beyond safety such that 35.6 percent of the respondents indicated that they did not have a problem with consuming spoiled meat, whilst the remaining 64.4 percent indicated that they would r eject spoiled meat. Although retailers indicated that they take meat safety into consideration in their shops, 92 percent of the retailers revealed that they do not perform microbial assessment of meat in their shops. A series of loading and off-loading, temperature fluctuations, environmental temperatures and ques during offloading were reported as the major challenges during transportation of carcasses from the abattoir to the supply points. The microbial counts were significantly (p<0.05) higher in samples from the commercial abattoir than in those from the communal abattoir. Escherichia coli was the predominant microbial contaminant in the samples from both abattoirs. When following the chain, total bacterial count (TBC), coliform count (CC) and the levels of E. coli contamination increased progressively between the loading and the off-loading points (5.1 to 7.9 log10 CFU/cm2; 5.0 to 5.6 log10 CFU/cm2 and 2.7 to 3.7 log10 CFU/cm2, respectively). The storage period, meat type, distance during transportation and temperature were found to have a significant impact on the microbial levels during the distribution of carcasses. Distribution stage had a significant effect (p<0.05) on some of the physico- chemical meat quality attributes and differences in the lightness (L*) and redness (a*) values between the loading, off-loading and display points were observed. Consumers perceived retailer class as one of the factors influencing meat quality, but according to the instrumental measurements retailer class did not have a significant effect on physico-chemical meat quality. However, distance and storage duration significantly (p<0.05) affected (L*) and (a*) values in the meat during distribution chain. Vacuum and overwrapping packaging significantly affected (p<0.05) the shelf life of meat. Therefore, it was concluded that post-slaughter handling during the distribution chain affects the physico- chemical, microbiological and shelf-life of meat.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Rani, Zikhona Theodora
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Meat -- Microbiology Meat -- Transportation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Meat -- Quality -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2490 , vital:27875
- Description: The broad objective of the study was to investigate the effect of post-slaughter handling in the distribution chain on red meat quality and safety. A survey was conducted among 300 consumers and 100 meat handlers in five different municipalities (Buffalo City, Nkonkobe, Ngqushwa, Lukhanje and Amahlathi) in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa to investigate their perceptions on meat quality and safety, together with challenges faced by meat handlers during the distribution of meat from the abattoir to retailers. The microbiological profile and physico-chemical quality of red meat at different stages of the abattoir to retail outlets in the distribution chain were also determined. Swabs (n=216) and meat samples (n=450) were collected from beef, pork and mutton carcasses during the loading process of carcasses into trucks at the abattoir, when offloading carcasses at the supply points and during marketing. Physico-chemical qualities such as colour (L* - lightness, b* - redness and a* - yellowness) and meat pH measurements were taken at each point. To determine the microbiological profiles of the carcasses, four microbiological parameters were considered: Total bacteria count (general bacteria), coliform count (related to hygiene and indicator for pathogens), Escherichia coli (Gram-negative pathogen) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive pathogen). Two types of packaging (vacuum and overwrapping) were used to determine their effect on shelf-life and microbiological quality of red meat under the normal marketing conditions over a storage duration of 15 days. The results from the study showed low awareness of consumers about the pathogenic diseases which arise from meat. A strong significant association (p ˂ 0.05) between educational status and awareness on meat safety was observed. Most of the consumers perceived that quality goes beyond safety such that 35.6 percent of the respondents indicated that they did not have a problem with consuming spoiled meat, whilst the remaining 64.4 percent indicated that they would r eject spoiled meat. Although retailers indicated that they take meat safety into consideration in their shops, 92 percent of the retailers revealed that they do not perform microbial assessment of meat in their shops. A series of loading and off-loading, temperature fluctuations, environmental temperatures and ques during offloading were reported as the major challenges during transportation of carcasses from the abattoir to the supply points. The microbial counts were significantly (p<0.05) higher in samples from the commercial abattoir than in those from the communal abattoir. Escherichia coli was the predominant microbial contaminant in the samples from both abattoirs. When following the chain, total bacterial count (TBC), coliform count (CC) and the levels of E. coli contamination increased progressively between the loading and the off-loading points (5.1 to 7.9 log10 CFU/cm2; 5.0 to 5.6 log10 CFU/cm2 and 2.7 to 3.7 log10 CFU/cm2, respectively). The storage period, meat type, distance during transportation and temperature were found to have a significant impact on the microbial levels during the distribution of carcasses. Distribution stage had a significant effect (p<0.05) on some of the physico- chemical meat quality attributes and differences in the lightness (L*) and redness (a*) values between the loading, off-loading and display points were observed. Consumers perceived retailer class as one of the factors influencing meat quality, but according to the instrumental measurements retailer class did not have a significant effect on physico-chemical meat quality. However, distance and storage duration significantly (p<0.05) affected (L*) and (a*) values in the meat during distribution chain. Vacuum and overwrapping packaging significantly affected (p<0.05) the shelf life of meat. Therefore, it was concluded that post-slaughter handling during the distribution chain affects the physico- chemical, microbiological and shelf-life of meat.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Effects of grazing and housing management systems on greenhouse gas emissions, blood profiles and meat quality of Nguni goats
- Authors: Tapiwa, Chikwanda Allen
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Goats Goats -- Feeding and feeds Greenhouse gas mitigation , Grazing -- Environmental aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2314 , vital:27752
- Description: The broad objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of grazing and housing management systems on greenhouse gas emissions, blood profiles and meat quality of Nguni goats. A total of 64 castrated Nguni goats were used and a housing structure was designed to accommodate the goats as well as evaluate effects of type of floor on greenhouse gases, meat quality, blood metabolites and fatty acid profiles. In the first experiment: Forty-eight castrated Nguni goats, at 6-7 months old were used for herding (H) or tethering (T) management systems and randomly allocated to pens with earth (E) or slatted (S) floors. Gas sampling was done using static chambers and analysed using a SRI 8610C gas chromatography machine. The highest CH4 fluxes were from the manure of herded goats on earth floors (HE). The highest CO2 fluxes were from manure of herded goats that were housed on slatted floors (HS): The highest N2O fluxes were from the manure of tethered goats that were sheltered on slatted floors (TS). It was concluded from the first experiment that goat manure is an important source of GHG that is influenced by grazing and floor type management systems. The second experiment was done to evaluate greenhouse gas (GHG) emission from disused (DP) vs occupied goat pens (OP) with earth (EF) or slatted (SF) floors. Eight previously occupied pens were used in this study. Sixteen goats were randomly put in the pens labelled occupied pens with earth floors (OPEF) and occupied pens with slatted floors (OPSF) resulting in four goats per OP. There were month by pen use; month by floor type; and use by floor type interaction effects (P < 0.05) on CH4 production. Floor type, use (DP vs OP) and month affected (P < 0.05) CH4 production. Manure on earth floors of occupied pens (OPEF) emitted the highest (P < 0.05) methane followed by earth floors of disused pens (DPEF). The least CH4 was emitted from DPSF. There was pen use (DP vs OP) by floor type interaction effect (P < 0.05) on CO2 emission. Floor type and pen use affected (P < 0.05) CO2 production. Manure in occupied pens with slatted floors (OPSF) produced the highest CO2 and the least CO2 was from disused pens with slatted floors (DPSF). Floor type and month influenced (P < 0.05) N2O production. It was concluded that continued use of goat pens increased GHG emissions. However, disused goat pens with manure remain an important source of GHG as they continued to emit quantifiable levels of CH4, CO2 and N2O. The third experiment was done to determine the effects of grazing and housing management systems on the concentrations of blood metabolites, activity of creatine kinase, body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS) and carcass characteristics using 48 castrated Nguni goats. Tethered goats had higher (P<0.05): urea, creatinine, total protein, globulin concentrations and more activity of CK than herded goats. On the other hand, herded goats had higher (P<0.05) plasma glucose (H: 3.39±0.020 vs T: 3.23±0.020 mmol/L), serum albumin (H: 15.30±0.147 vs T: 14.82±0.144 g/L) concentration. It was concluded that serum concentrations of all the metabolites and the activity of CK were sensitive to grazing system. Herding of goats promoted more glucose concentration and preservation of muscle protein and hence superior body weights and BCS than tethered goats. The fourth experiment was done to determine the effects of grazing and housing management systems on the activity of creatine kinase (CK) and cortisol concentration, and chevon quality. Further, the effect of muscle type [Muscularis longissimus thoracis et. Lumborum (LTL) and triceps brachii (TB)] on chevon quality was also investigated. Forty eight castrated Nguni goats aged 6- 7 months were randomly allocated to tethering (n=24) and herding (n=24) treatments. Floor type affected meat (P<0.05) pH24. Tethered goats had higher (P < 0.05) L* and CL percent than herded goats. Muscle type had a significant influence (P < 0.05) on a*, WBSF and pH. It was observed and concluded that T resulted in higher L* and more CL percent whilst SF lowered the pH24 of chevon; at the same time meat from the TB muscle was more tender, despite having a higher pH24 and more CL percent relative to LTH cuts. The fifth experiment was done to determine the effect of grazing and floor type on fatty acid composition of chevon from tethered and herded Nguni goats. Floor type had no effect on fatty acid composition. Oleic, stearic, palmitic and linoleic were the major fatty acids. Chevon from tethered goats had higher (P < 0.05) proportions of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs): eicosapentaenoic, docosapentaenoic, docosahexaenoic, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and more total SFA, total PUFA, total Omega- 6 and total omega 3 fatty acids than herded goats. On the other hand, chevon from herded goats had more (P < 0.05) C18:1c9, C18:2t9, 12 (n-6), C20:3c11, 14, 17 (n-3) and total MUFA than tethered goats. However, there was no difference (P > 0.05) in the PUFA: SFA and n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratios between the herded and tethered goats. It was concluded that tethering promoted higher proportions of beneficial PUFAs which were more in TB than LTH muscle. The overall conclusions from the whole study were that goat manure is an important source of GHG with high CH4 being emitted from earth floors of herded goats. High CO2 and N2O are emitted from SF of herded and tethered goats, respectively. There were no major differences in meat quality between herded and tethered goats. However, herding promoted more live weight gain than tethering. On the other hand, tethering promoted more beneficial fatty acids. Therefore depending on the objective of the enterprise, smallholder farmers can safely tether or herd their goats. Further, there is need to develop technologies to harness CH4 from goat manure.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Tapiwa, Chikwanda Allen
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Goats Goats -- Feeding and feeds Greenhouse gas mitigation , Grazing -- Environmental aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2314 , vital:27752
- Description: The broad objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of grazing and housing management systems on greenhouse gas emissions, blood profiles and meat quality of Nguni goats. A total of 64 castrated Nguni goats were used and a housing structure was designed to accommodate the goats as well as evaluate effects of type of floor on greenhouse gases, meat quality, blood metabolites and fatty acid profiles. In the first experiment: Forty-eight castrated Nguni goats, at 6-7 months old were used for herding (H) or tethering (T) management systems and randomly allocated to pens with earth (E) or slatted (S) floors. Gas sampling was done using static chambers and analysed using a SRI 8610C gas chromatography machine. The highest CH4 fluxes were from the manure of herded goats on earth floors (HE). The highest CO2 fluxes were from manure of herded goats that were housed on slatted floors (HS): The highest N2O fluxes were from the manure of tethered goats that were sheltered on slatted floors (TS). It was concluded from the first experiment that goat manure is an important source of GHG that is influenced by grazing and floor type management systems. The second experiment was done to evaluate greenhouse gas (GHG) emission from disused (DP) vs occupied goat pens (OP) with earth (EF) or slatted (SF) floors. Eight previously occupied pens were used in this study. Sixteen goats were randomly put in the pens labelled occupied pens with earth floors (OPEF) and occupied pens with slatted floors (OPSF) resulting in four goats per OP. There were month by pen use; month by floor type; and use by floor type interaction effects (P < 0.05) on CH4 production. Floor type, use (DP vs OP) and month affected (P < 0.05) CH4 production. Manure on earth floors of occupied pens (OPEF) emitted the highest (P < 0.05) methane followed by earth floors of disused pens (DPEF). The least CH4 was emitted from DPSF. There was pen use (DP vs OP) by floor type interaction effect (P < 0.05) on CO2 emission. Floor type and pen use affected (P < 0.05) CO2 production. Manure in occupied pens with slatted floors (OPSF) produced the highest CO2 and the least CO2 was from disused pens with slatted floors (DPSF). Floor type and month influenced (P < 0.05) N2O production. It was concluded that continued use of goat pens increased GHG emissions. However, disused goat pens with manure remain an important source of GHG as they continued to emit quantifiable levels of CH4, CO2 and N2O. The third experiment was done to determine the effects of grazing and housing management systems on the concentrations of blood metabolites, activity of creatine kinase, body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS) and carcass characteristics using 48 castrated Nguni goats. Tethered goats had higher (P<0.05): urea, creatinine, total protein, globulin concentrations and more activity of CK than herded goats. On the other hand, herded goats had higher (P<0.05) plasma glucose (H: 3.39±0.020 vs T: 3.23±0.020 mmol/L), serum albumin (H: 15.30±0.147 vs T: 14.82±0.144 g/L) concentration. It was concluded that serum concentrations of all the metabolites and the activity of CK were sensitive to grazing system. Herding of goats promoted more glucose concentration and preservation of muscle protein and hence superior body weights and BCS than tethered goats. The fourth experiment was done to determine the effects of grazing and housing management systems on the activity of creatine kinase (CK) and cortisol concentration, and chevon quality. Further, the effect of muscle type [Muscularis longissimus thoracis et. Lumborum (LTL) and triceps brachii (TB)] on chevon quality was also investigated. Forty eight castrated Nguni goats aged 6- 7 months were randomly allocated to tethering (n=24) and herding (n=24) treatments. Floor type affected meat (P<0.05) pH24. Tethered goats had higher (P < 0.05) L* and CL percent than herded goats. Muscle type had a significant influence (P < 0.05) on a*, WBSF and pH. It was observed and concluded that T resulted in higher L* and more CL percent whilst SF lowered the pH24 of chevon; at the same time meat from the TB muscle was more tender, despite having a higher pH24 and more CL percent relative to LTH cuts. The fifth experiment was done to determine the effect of grazing and floor type on fatty acid composition of chevon from tethered and herded Nguni goats. Floor type had no effect on fatty acid composition. Oleic, stearic, palmitic and linoleic were the major fatty acids. Chevon from tethered goats had higher (P < 0.05) proportions of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs): eicosapentaenoic, docosapentaenoic, docosahexaenoic, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and more total SFA, total PUFA, total Omega- 6 and total omega 3 fatty acids than herded goats. On the other hand, chevon from herded goats had more (P < 0.05) C18:1c9, C18:2t9, 12 (n-6), C20:3c11, 14, 17 (n-3) and total MUFA than tethered goats. However, there was no difference (P > 0.05) in the PUFA: SFA and n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratios between the herded and tethered goats. It was concluded that tethering promoted higher proportions of beneficial PUFAs which were more in TB than LTH muscle. The overall conclusions from the whole study were that goat manure is an important source of GHG with high CH4 being emitted from earth floors of herded goats. High CO2 and N2O are emitted from SF of herded and tethered goats, respectively. There were no major differences in meat quality between herded and tethered goats. However, herding promoted more live weight gain than tethering. On the other hand, tethering promoted more beneficial fatty acids. Therefore depending on the objective of the enterprise, smallholder farmers can safely tether or herd their goats. Further, there is need to develop technologies to harness CH4 from goat manure.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Effects of natural antioxidants and thermal treatment on quality of meat from Bonsmara and non-descripts cattle
- Authors: Falowo, Andrew Bamidele
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Meat -- Preservation Antioxidants Meat -- Microbiology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2589 , vital:27906
- Description: The broad objective of this study was to determine the effects of natural antioxidants and thermal treatment on quality of meat from Bonsmara and non-descript cattle. A survey was conducted among 222 consumers in Alice (Fort Hare University community), Eastern Cape Province to determine the level of their awareness on application of antioxidants as preservatives in meat and meat products during storage. Representative samples of Muscularis longissimuss thoracis et lumborum and liver were collected from each carcass of Bonsmara (n=40) and non-descript (n=40) cattle reared on natural pasture to determine the effect of natural antioxidants and thermal treatment on their quality. The results from the survey revealed that 51.35 percent of the respondents had not heard about the use of antioxidant as preservatives in meat products. However, among the remaining respondents (48.65 percent) that were aware of antioxidant and its use as preservative, about 19 percent knew of natural antioxidants, 35 percent synthetic antioxidants while 46 percent had knowledge of both. The results further revealed that the majority of the respondents (82 percent) that had knowledge of natural antioxidants were concerned about the use of synthetic antioxidants in meat and meat products due to their health consequences. The in vitro antioxidant and antibacterial analyses of Bidens pilosa and Moringa oleifera leaf extracts revealed that they contain rich bioactive compounds. Furthermore, the addition of leaf extracts from Moringa oleifera (ML, 0.05 and 0.1 percent w/w) and Biden pilosa (BP, 0.05 and 0.1 percent w/w) to ground raw beef as a natural antioxidant were found to improve the physicochemical, oxidative stability and microbiological qualities of meat compared to the control (meat without extract) and BHT treatment (0.02 percent w/w) during 6 days storage at 40 C. Cattle breed did not have much effect on colour parameters. However, the overall pH of ground beef treated with extracts showed lower values than control and BHT treated beef. Also, ground beef samples containing extracts exhibited (P < 0.05) better colour stability, especially higher redness (a* values), than the control. The formation of TBARS in beef samples treated with extracts was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the control and BHT treatment. The antibacterial assay of the extracts revealed an appreciable broad spectrum activity against the tested bacteria and microbial counts in ground beef samples compared to control and BHT group. Ground beef treated with plant extracts exhibited lower microbial and lactic acid bacterial counts (P < 0.05) at day 0 and 3 than control samples. Moreover, it was observed that application of sous vides thermal method did not significantly affect the fatty acids and mineral loss in beef and liver across the treatments. However, the total concentration of MUFA was lower in raw liver (20.11±2.38 - 21.08±1.23 percent) than in beef (40.22±1.90 - 42.53±1.29 percent), while total PUFA content were higher in liver (30.73±2.60 - 31.11±1.19 percent) than in beef samples (10.13±3.36 - 11.02±2.74 percent) (p < 0.05). The results also revealed that liver samples from Bonsmara and non-descript cattle had a higher percentage of intramuscular fat content of 4.67 ± 0.53 percent and 4.44 ± 0.53 percent respectively, and fat free dry matter of 27.51 ± 1.05 percent and 25.73 ± 1.05 percent, respectively, than the beef samples (p < 0.05). The concentrations of Mg (52.80±0.22 - 53.70±0.02mg/100g) and Zn (8.90±0.15 - 19.60±0.15mg/100g) were higher in beef than liver samples. The level of Ca (17.00±0.17 - 17.50 ± 0.17mg/100g) in liver was higher than that of beef samples. It was concluded that most consumers preferred the use of natural antioxidants in meat products than synthetic antioxidants due to their health risk. The effectiveness of M. oleifera and B. pilosa leaf extracts on meat quality also revealed that these plants are promising candidates as natural preservatives and their application should be considered in the meat industry. Lastly, findings from this study showed that application of the sous vide technique could protect meat products from nutritional loss during thermal treatment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Falowo, Andrew Bamidele
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Meat -- Preservation Antioxidants Meat -- Microbiology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2589 , vital:27906
- Description: The broad objective of this study was to determine the effects of natural antioxidants and thermal treatment on quality of meat from Bonsmara and non-descript cattle. A survey was conducted among 222 consumers in Alice (Fort Hare University community), Eastern Cape Province to determine the level of their awareness on application of antioxidants as preservatives in meat and meat products during storage. Representative samples of Muscularis longissimuss thoracis et lumborum and liver were collected from each carcass of Bonsmara (n=40) and non-descript (n=40) cattle reared on natural pasture to determine the effect of natural antioxidants and thermal treatment on their quality. The results from the survey revealed that 51.35 percent of the respondents had not heard about the use of antioxidant as preservatives in meat products. However, among the remaining respondents (48.65 percent) that were aware of antioxidant and its use as preservative, about 19 percent knew of natural antioxidants, 35 percent synthetic antioxidants while 46 percent had knowledge of both. The results further revealed that the majority of the respondents (82 percent) that had knowledge of natural antioxidants were concerned about the use of synthetic antioxidants in meat and meat products due to their health consequences. The in vitro antioxidant and antibacterial analyses of Bidens pilosa and Moringa oleifera leaf extracts revealed that they contain rich bioactive compounds. Furthermore, the addition of leaf extracts from Moringa oleifera (ML, 0.05 and 0.1 percent w/w) and Biden pilosa (BP, 0.05 and 0.1 percent w/w) to ground raw beef as a natural antioxidant were found to improve the physicochemical, oxidative stability and microbiological qualities of meat compared to the control (meat without extract) and BHT treatment (0.02 percent w/w) during 6 days storage at 40 C. Cattle breed did not have much effect on colour parameters. However, the overall pH of ground beef treated with extracts showed lower values than control and BHT treated beef. Also, ground beef samples containing extracts exhibited (P < 0.05) better colour stability, especially higher redness (a* values), than the control. The formation of TBARS in beef samples treated with extracts was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the control and BHT treatment. The antibacterial assay of the extracts revealed an appreciable broad spectrum activity against the tested bacteria and microbial counts in ground beef samples compared to control and BHT group. Ground beef treated with plant extracts exhibited lower microbial and lactic acid bacterial counts (P < 0.05) at day 0 and 3 than control samples. Moreover, it was observed that application of sous vides thermal method did not significantly affect the fatty acids and mineral loss in beef and liver across the treatments. However, the total concentration of MUFA was lower in raw liver (20.11±2.38 - 21.08±1.23 percent) than in beef (40.22±1.90 - 42.53±1.29 percent), while total PUFA content were higher in liver (30.73±2.60 - 31.11±1.19 percent) than in beef samples (10.13±3.36 - 11.02±2.74 percent) (p < 0.05). The results also revealed that liver samples from Bonsmara and non-descript cattle had a higher percentage of intramuscular fat content of 4.67 ± 0.53 percent and 4.44 ± 0.53 percent respectively, and fat free dry matter of 27.51 ± 1.05 percent and 25.73 ± 1.05 percent, respectively, than the beef samples (p < 0.05). The concentrations of Mg (52.80±0.22 - 53.70±0.02mg/100g) and Zn (8.90±0.15 - 19.60±0.15mg/100g) were higher in beef than liver samples. The level of Ca (17.00±0.17 - 17.50 ± 0.17mg/100g) in liver was higher than that of beef samples. It was concluded that most consumers preferred the use of natural antioxidants in meat products than synthetic antioxidants due to their health risk. The effectiveness of M. oleifera and B. pilosa leaf extracts on meat quality also revealed that these plants are promising candidates as natural preservatives and their application should be considered in the meat industry. Lastly, findings from this study showed that application of the sous vide technique could protect meat products from nutritional loss during thermal treatment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Effects of Vigna unguiculata and Lablab purpureus on methanogenesis, haematological parameters and the quality of meat from Xhosa Lop Ear goats
- Authors: Washaya, Soul
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Legumes Forage Forage plants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9996 , vital:35249
- Description: The objective of the current study was to evaluate the nutritive value of forage legumes Lablab purpureus (Lablab) and Vigna unguiculata (Cowpea) and their effects on intake, growth, blood parameters and meat quality in Xhosa goats. Forages were established at UFH research farm in the summer of the 2014 /15 growing season in blocks measuring 8m width x 16m long for each legume, replicated three times, making a total of four blocks, and eight treatment units for each legume. Samples were collected at three different stages of growth of preanthesis, anthesis and post anthesis for biomass yield determination. A homogenous sub-sample was then oven dried for 72 hours at 60 0C. After drying the forage samples were milled through a 1mm screen and a 20g sample from each stage of growth and forage sample was subjected to proximate analysis, in-vitro digestibility and anti-nutrient evaluation. The in-vitro digestibility experiment was done with rumen liquor of cattle and sheep collected from an abbatoir. Tannins, total phenolics and sapponins were the only anti-nutrients evaluated as they are perceived to influence methanogenesis in ruminat animals. At 50percent flowering, forage legumes were harvested for hay making which was then used in an in-vivo trial to evaluate the nutritive value of forages. This trial was conducted using eighteen one-year-old goats of average weight 14.2±0.24 kg over a period of sixty days. The results showed that biomass yield, which increased with stage of growth, was significantly higher (P < 0.05) for Lablab than Cowpea (7.968t/ha vs 7.105t/ha). Cowpea exhibited higher moisture content (7.72percent), Ash (13.11percent), acid detergent fibre (ADF) (38.42percent) and crude protein (CP) (20.23percent) than Lablab which had 7.50percent, 11.45 percent, 36.17percent and 19percent, respectively. Lablab forage had significantly higher (P < 0.05) fat content (2.41percent), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) (49.27percent) and hemicellulose (13.07percent) than Cowpea which had 2.1percent; 46.91percent and 8.48percent, respectively. The stage of growth significantly (P < 0.05) affected the mineral content of both forages. Lablab showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) values (1.22percent 0.55percent, 2.67percent) than Cowpea (1.00percent, 0.45percent, 2.30percent) for calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) respectively. Lablab forage had significantly higher (P < 0.05) tannin (3.345mgCAE/gDM), phenolic (13.47mgGAE/gDM) and saponin (0.75percent) content compared to Cowpea with values of 1.494mgCAEg/DM; 9.402mgGAE/gDM and vs 1.55percent respectively. The tannin content significantly influenced in-vitro digestibility and enteric methane production. The forage type, harvesting stage and inoculum source significantly (P < 0.05) affected the in-vitro digestibility of the forages. The in-vitro dry matter (IVDM) and in-vitro organic matter (IVOM) digestibility was significantly higher (P < 0.05) for Lablab (41.13percent; 39.63percent) than Cowpea (39.86percent; 19.44percent), respectively. Both forages recorded higher dry matter (DM) digestibility coefficients at anthesis stage of growth 61.58percent, and 51.5 percent for Lablab and Cowpea respectively. The IVOM digestibility increased with stage of harvest (23.7percent to 25.57percent) for Cowpea while Lablab showed a decrease (44.6 percent to 43.9percent) when cattle inoculum was used. The IVDM digestibility was higher (P < 0.05) for Lablab (50.5percent) when cattle inoculum was used while Cowpea was observed to have higher digestibility co-efficiencies (38.54percent) when sheep inoculum was used. Cowpea had lower (P < 0.05) IVOM digestibility than Lablab (19.44percent) vs. 39.6percent). Lablab exhibited higher (P < 0.05) metabolisable energy (ME) values than Cowpea (6.21 vs. 2.70 MJ/kgDM). In the feeding study, the total DM intake by goats for Lablab was higher (P < 0.05) compared to Cowpea (688.1 vs. 607.8 g/head/ day). There was a positive (P < 0.05) correlation between dry matter intake and average daily gain (r= 0.8513, and r=0.5279) for Cowpea and Lablab respectively. Lablab and Cowpea promoted growth of Xhosa goats at a rate of 35.0g/d; and 38.3g/d, respectively which was not significantly different (P > 0.05). However, this growth was associated with a significantly higher (P < 0.05) food conversion ratio (FCR) of 19.16 vs 18.11 for Cowpea and Lablab, respectively. The apparent DM, non structural carbohydrate (NSC) nutrient digestibilities were significantly different (P < 0.05) for Lablab and Cowpea. Furthermore sex of animal influenced significantly (P < 0.05) the DM, ADF, NSC and NDF digestibilities. Lablab and Cowpea did not influence (P > 0.05) individual VFA molar concentrations in both sexes. However, animals fed Lablab had significantly higher butyrate concentrations (P < 0.05). Lablab and Cowpea forages significantly lowered (P > 0.05) enteric methane production in goats compared to a concentrate diet, and this was related to animal activity. Animals produced significantly more (P < 0.05) methane gas when ruminating than feeding or just standing. The average methane produced each year was lower but not significant (P > 0.05) for animals fed Cowpea than Lablab (4.602kg CH4, vs. 4.719kg CH4) when expressed per year. Male animals produced more gas than females with values of 17.40L/day; 12.46 g/kg DMI and 0.126g/day vs. 15.47L/day, 12.28 g/kg DMI, and 0.0109g/day, respectively. Forage legumes had no significant effects (P > 0.05) on serum total proteins (TP), globulin, urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma- glutamyl transferase (GGT) concentrations, but serum concentration of albumin was influenced by the diets (P < 0.05). Sex of animals significantly influenced ALP concentration (P < 0.05) with male animals exhibiting higer ALP values than females. Measured over time, the plasma concentration of urea and ALP significantly increased (P < 0.05) while creatinine and cholesterol concentration decreased (P < 0.05). Although the overall serum concentration of urea, total proteins, globulin, creatinine, ALT, ALP and GGT remained unchanged among the treatments and between sexes; treatment by sex, treatment by day and sex by day interactions were significant (P < 0.05). The white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), haemoglobin, haematocrite, platelet and mean platelet volume (MPV) levels were similar among treatments and between sexes (P > 0.05). The WBC decreased with time by 8.07 x10 9/l while mean crepuscular volume (MCV) increased by 11.83(fl) from day 15 to day 55. Treatment diets significantly (P < 0.05) influenced neutrophile (percent) content while sex influenced basophile (percent) content. There were no treatment or sex effects (P > 0.05) on lymphocytes (percent), monocytes (percent) and eosinophiles (percent). In the meat quality study, the dietary treatments and sex had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on dressing out percent (DPpercent), initial pH, redness (a*), yellowness (b*), Warner Blartze Shear force (WBS) , drip loss and cooking loss in the chevon from Xhosa goats. Compared with a commercial pellet diet, Lablab and Cowpea diets resulted in similar slaughter body weights (SBW), hot carcass weight (HCW) and cold dressed mass (CDM) of carcasses. However, female animals exhibited a significantly (P < 0.05) higher DPpercent than male animals (42.3percent vs. 38.9percent) for all treatments. The male animals exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) higher pH values one hour after slaughter than females (5.79 vs 5.67). Neverthreless the diet and gender did not significantly (P > 0.05) affect the ultimate pH (pHu). Meat samples from male animals had significantly (P < 0.05) higher redness values than females. Feeding cowpea significantly (P < 0.05) increased meat redness with the least drip loss of chevon. Female animals produced significantly (P < 0.05) tougher chevon compared to male animals; 4.16kg and 3.36kg for female and male, respectively. Lablab and Cowpea posses high CP levels and moderately lower NDF with high ADF values that influences dry matter intake (DMI), digestibility and growth of goats. These forage legumes meet animal requirements for fat, ADF, NDF, CP, Ca, Mn, zinc and Cu and their biomass yield is satisfactory.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Washaya, Soul
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Legumes Forage Forage plants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9996 , vital:35249
- Description: The objective of the current study was to evaluate the nutritive value of forage legumes Lablab purpureus (Lablab) and Vigna unguiculata (Cowpea) and their effects on intake, growth, blood parameters and meat quality in Xhosa goats. Forages were established at UFH research farm in the summer of the 2014 /15 growing season in blocks measuring 8m width x 16m long for each legume, replicated three times, making a total of four blocks, and eight treatment units for each legume. Samples were collected at three different stages of growth of preanthesis, anthesis and post anthesis for biomass yield determination. A homogenous sub-sample was then oven dried for 72 hours at 60 0C. After drying the forage samples were milled through a 1mm screen and a 20g sample from each stage of growth and forage sample was subjected to proximate analysis, in-vitro digestibility and anti-nutrient evaluation. The in-vitro digestibility experiment was done with rumen liquor of cattle and sheep collected from an abbatoir. Tannins, total phenolics and sapponins were the only anti-nutrients evaluated as they are perceived to influence methanogenesis in ruminat animals. At 50percent flowering, forage legumes were harvested for hay making which was then used in an in-vivo trial to evaluate the nutritive value of forages. This trial was conducted using eighteen one-year-old goats of average weight 14.2±0.24 kg over a period of sixty days. The results showed that biomass yield, which increased with stage of growth, was significantly higher (P < 0.05) for Lablab than Cowpea (7.968t/ha vs 7.105t/ha). Cowpea exhibited higher moisture content (7.72percent), Ash (13.11percent), acid detergent fibre (ADF) (38.42percent) and crude protein (CP) (20.23percent) than Lablab which had 7.50percent, 11.45 percent, 36.17percent and 19percent, respectively. Lablab forage had significantly higher (P < 0.05) fat content (2.41percent), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) (49.27percent) and hemicellulose (13.07percent) than Cowpea which had 2.1percent; 46.91percent and 8.48percent, respectively. The stage of growth significantly (P < 0.05) affected the mineral content of both forages. Lablab showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) values (1.22percent 0.55percent, 2.67percent) than Cowpea (1.00percent, 0.45percent, 2.30percent) for calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) respectively. Lablab forage had significantly higher (P < 0.05) tannin (3.345mgCAE/gDM), phenolic (13.47mgGAE/gDM) and saponin (0.75percent) content compared to Cowpea with values of 1.494mgCAEg/DM; 9.402mgGAE/gDM and vs 1.55percent respectively. The tannin content significantly influenced in-vitro digestibility and enteric methane production. The forage type, harvesting stage and inoculum source significantly (P < 0.05) affected the in-vitro digestibility of the forages. The in-vitro dry matter (IVDM) and in-vitro organic matter (IVOM) digestibility was significantly higher (P < 0.05) for Lablab (41.13percent; 39.63percent) than Cowpea (39.86percent; 19.44percent), respectively. Both forages recorded higher dry matter (DM) digestibility coefficients at anthesis stage of growth 61.58percent, and 51.5 percent for Lablab and Cowpea respectively. The IVOM digestibility increased with stage of harvest (23.7percent to 25.57percent) for Cowpea while Lablab showed a decrease (44.6 percent to 43.9percent) when cattle inoculum was used. The IVDM digestibility was higher (P < 0.05) for Lablab (50.5percent) when cattle inoculum was used while Cowpea was observed to have higher digestibility co-efficiencies (38.54percent) when sheep inoculum was used. Cowpea had lower (P < 0.05) IVOM digestibility than Lablab (19.44percent) vs. 39.6percent). Lablab exhibited higher (P < 0.05) metabolisable energy (ME) values than Cowpea (6.21 vs. 2.70 MJ/kgDM). In the feeding study, the total DM intake by goats for Lablab was higher (P < 0.05) compared to Cowpea (688.1 vs. 607.8 g/head/ day). There was a positive (P < 0.05) correlation between dry matter intake and average daily gain (r= 0.8513, and r=0.5279) for Cowpea and Lablab respectively. Lablab and Cowpea promoted growth of Xhosa goats at a rate of 35.0g/d; and 38.3g/d, respectively which was not significantly different (P > 0.05). However, this growth was associated with a significantly higher (P < 0.05) food conversion ratio (FCR) of 19.16 vs 18.11 for Cowpea and Lablab, respectively. The apparent DM, non structural carbohydrate (NSC) nutrient digestibilities were significantly different (P < 0.05) for Lablab and Cowpea. Furthermore sex of animal influenced significantly (P < 0.05) the DM, ADF, NSC and NDF digestibilities. Lablab and Cowpea did not influence (P > 0.05) individual VFA molar concentrations in both sexes. However, animals fed Lablab had significantly higher butyrate concentrations (P < 0.05). Lablab and Cowpea forages significantly lowered (P > 0.05) enteric methane production in goats compared to a concentrate diet, and this was related to animal activity. Animals produced significantly more (P < 0.05) methane gas when ruminating than feeding or just standing. The average methane produced each year was lower but not significant (P > 0.05) for animals fed Cowpea than Lablab (4.602kg CH4, vs. 4.719kg CH4) when expressed per year. Male animals produced more gas than females with values of 17.40L/day; 12.46 g/kg DMI and 0.126g/day vs. 15.47L/day, 12.28 g/kg DMI, and 0.0109g/day, respectively. Forage legumes had no significant effects (P > 0.05) on serum total proteins (TP), globulin, urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma- glutamyl transferase (GGT) concentrations, but serum concentration of albumin was influenced by the diets (P < 0.05). Sex of animals significantly influenced ALP concentration (P < 0.05) with male animals exhibiting higer ALP values than females. Measured over time, the plasma concentration of urea and ALP significantly increased (P < 0.05) while creatinine and cholesterol concentration decreased (P < 0.05). Although the overall serum concentration of urea, total proteins, globulin, creatinine, ALT, ALP and GGT remained unchanged among the treatments and between sexes; treatment by sex, treatment by day and sex by day interactions were significant (P < 0.05). The white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), haemoglobin, haematocrite, platelet and mean platelet volume (MPV) levels were similar among treatments and between sexes (P > 0.05). The WBC decreased with time by 8.07 x10 9/l while mean crepuscular volume (MCV) increased by 11.83(fl) from day 15 to day 55. Treatment diets significantly (P < 0.05) influenced neutrophile (percent) content while sex influenced basophile (percent) content. There were no treatment or sex effects (P > 0.05) on lymphocytes (percent), monocytes (percent) and eosinophiles (percent). In the meat quality study, the dietary treatments and sex had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on dressing out percent (DPpercent), initial pH, redness (a*), yellowness (b*), Warner Blartze Shear force (WBS) , drip loss and cooking loss in the chevon from Xhosa goats. Compared with a commercial pellet diet, Lablab and Cowpea diets resulted in similar slaughter body weights (SBW), hot carcass weight (HCW) and cold dressed mass (CDM) of carcasses. However, female animals exhibited a significantly (P < 0.05) higher DPpercent than male animals (42.3percent vs. 38.9percent) for all treatments. The male animals exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) higher pH values one hour after slaughter than females (5.79 vs 5.67). Neverthreless the diet and gender did not significantly (P > 0.05) affect the ultimate pH (pHu). Meat samples from male animals had significantly (P < 0.05) higher redness values than females. Feeding cowpea significantly (P < 0.05) increased meat redness with the least drip loss of chevon. Female animals produced significantly (P < 0.05) tougher chevon compared to male animals; 4.16kg and 3.36kg for female and male, respectively. Lablab and Cowpea posses high CP levels and moderately lower NDF with high ADF values that influences dry matter intake (DMI), digestibility and growth of goats. These forage legumes meet animal requirements for fat, ADF, NDF, CP, Ca, Mn, zinc and Cu and their biomass yield is satisfactory.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017