A study of the application of clinoptilolite as an ion exchange agent for selected metals in aqueous solution
- Authors: Dyeshana, Vuyokazi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Ion exchange , Clinoptilolite
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10419 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013257
- Description: The aim of this study was to establish whether samples of South African-mined clinoptilolite could be used to remove selected metal cations from aqueous solution. The clinoptilolite samples supplied, (by Pratley SA) were in four different particle sizes. Batch study results revealed a decrease in the initial metal concentration in samples that were in contact with clinoptilolite. The finer particle size clinoptilolite had a greater capacity to remove metal cations from aqueous solution. However, ion-exchange results from atomic absorption analysis showed that the larger particle sizes, removed more magnesium ions. Magnesium was the only ion investigated in this study that was present as an exchangeable ion in the Pratley clinoptilolite chemical formula, (MgCaNa2K2)2.5(AlO2)7(SiO2)30.21H2O. Results from the ion-exchange studies showed that the decreasing order of percentage metal removal at pH 3.00 was as follows: Pb > Ni > Cu > Fe > Mg. The mass of metal ions that accumulated on one gram of clinoptilolite as determined from the isotherms was calculated to be 6.16 mg/g for lead and 0.74 mg/g for copper. Data from the lead equilibrium studies were fitted into Langmuir and Freundlich equations and linear regression was used to calculate linearity coefficients for the isotherms. The results showed that the removal of lead ions by clinoptilolite is complex as both monolayer and multilayer adsorption occurs on a heterogeneous surface.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Dyeshana, Vuyokazi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Ion exchange , Clinoptilolite
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10419 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013257
- Description: The aim of this study was to establish whether samples of South African-mined clinoptilolite could be used to remove selected metal cations from aqueous solution. The clinoptilolite samples supplied, (by Pratley SA) were in four different particle sizes. Batch study results revealed a decrease in the initial metal concentration in samples that were in contact with clinoptilolite. The finer particle size clinoptilolite had a greater capacity to remove metal cations from aqueous solution. However, ion-exchange results from atomic absorption analysis showed that the larger particle sizes, removed more magnesium ions. Magnesium was the only ion investigated in this study that was present as an exchangeable ion in the Pratley clinoptilolite chemical formula, (MgCaNa2K2)2.5(AlO2)7(SiO2)30.21H2O. Results from the ion-exchange studies showed that the decreasing order of percentage metal removal at pH 3.00 was as follows: Pb > Ni > Cu > Fe > Mg. The mass of metal ions that accumulated on one gram of clinoptilolite as determined from the isotherms was calculated to be 6.16 mg/g for lead and 0.74 mg/g for copper. Data from the lead equilibrium studies were fitted into Langmuir and Freundlich equations and linear regression was used to calculate linearity coefficients for the isotherms. The results showed that the removal of lead ions by clinoptilolite is complex as both monolayer and multilayer adsorption occurs on a heterogeneous surface.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A study of the coordination behaviour of the lanthanide series with oxygen-donor ligands
- Authors: Kuhn, Kirsti
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Chemical elements , Chemical reactions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10394 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1009533 , Chemical elements , Chemical reactions
- Description: The reactions between the lanthanide nitrate salts and the ligand triphenylphosphine oxide (TPPO) gave rise to nine-coordinated complexes of the nature Ln(TPPO)3(NO3)3, for Ln = La – Dy, Er, Tm, in which the Ln(III) centre is coordinated to three phosphoryl oxygen atoms and three bidentate nitrate ligands. Generally, the geometry can be described as being mer-octahedral, where the nitrate ligands are considered as monoatomic species. The product of the reaction between Yb(NO3)3·5H2O and TPPO, however, was a highly symmetrical eight-coordinated complex, in which the Yb(III) centre was coordinated to two bidentate nitrate groups and four TPPO molecules. The geometry in this case is best described as being trans-octahedral, with the two nitrate ligands coordinated practically perpendicular to one another. The complexes isolated from the reactions of lanthanide nitrate salts with the ligand bis(pentamethylene)urea (PMU) had the general formula Ln(PMU)3(NO3)3, where Ln = La – Dy, Yb, Lu. The complexes were found to be nine-coordinated with distorted trigonal prismatic geometry, in which the one base of the prism is composed of the oxygen atoms of the three PMU ligands and the other base is made up by one oxygen atom from each of the bidentate nitrate groups. The second oxygen atoms of each of the nitrate groups protrude upward, occupying capping positions. The reactions of the La and Pr nitrate salts with the ligand 2,2’-dipyridyl-N,N’-dioxide (DPDO) produced two novel complexes of the nature [Ln(DPDO)(H2O)2(NO3)3]. These complexes are remarkable in that their crystal structures reveal the Ln(III) centres to be ten-coordinated. The geometry around the Ln(III) centres was complex, due to the presence of a seven-membered chelate ring, formed by the bidentate coordination of the oxygen atoms from the DPDO ligands to the metal centres. The chelate ring did not lie in a single plane, but was twisted at the pyridyl bridgeheads to lie above and below the coordination plane.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Kuhn, Kirsti
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Chemical elements , Chemical reactions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10394 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1009533 , Chemical elements , Chemical reactions
- Description: The reactions between the lanthanide nitrate salts and the ligand triphenylphosphine oxide (TPPO) gave rise to nine-coordinated complexes of the nature Ln(TPPO)3(NO3)3, for Ln = La – Dy, Er, Tm, in which the Ln(III) centre is coordinated to three phosphoryl oxygen atoms and three bidentate nitrate ligands. Generally, the geometry can be described as being mer-octahedral, where the nitrate ligands are considered as monoatomic species. The product of the reaction between Yb(NO3)3·5H2O and TPPO, however, was a highly symmetrical eight-coordinated complex, in which the Yb(III) centre was coordinated to two bidentate nitrate groups and four TPPO molecules. The geometry in this case is best described as being trans-octahedral, with the two nitrate ligands coordinated practically perpendicular to one another. The complexes isolated from the reactions of lanthanide nitrate salts with the ligand bis(pentamethylene)urea (PMU) had the general formula Ln(PMU)3(NO3)3, where Ln = La – Dy, Yb, Lu. The complexes were found to be nine-coordinated with distorted trigonal prismatic geometry, in which the one base of the prism is composed of the oxygen atoms of the three PMU ligands and the other base is made up by one oxygen atom from each of the bidentate nitrate groups. The second oxygen atoms of each of the nitrate groups protrude upward, occupying capping positions. The reactions of the La and Pr nitrate salts with the ligand 2,2’-dipyridyl-N,N’-dioxide (DPDO) produced two novel complexes of the nature [Ln(DPDO)(H2O)2(NO3)3]. These complexes are remarkable in that their crystal structures reveal the Ln(III) centres to be ten-coordinated. The geometry around the Ln(III) centres was complex, due to the presence of a seven-membered chelate ring, formed by the bidentate coordination of the oxygen atoms from the DPDO ligands to the metal centres. The chelate ring did not lie in a single plane, but was twisted at the pyridyl bridgeheads to lie above and below the coordination plane.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A study of the implementation of Employment Equity at the Engcobo Local Municipality
- Authors: Dweba, Thandeka
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Affirmative action programs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Discrimination in employment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9426 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008410 , Affirmative action programs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Discrimination in employment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Rationale: It cannot be denied that there has been improvement in demographic representation in South Africa since the implementation of the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998. Whilst there may still be room for improvement, especially on employer attitudes towards the implementation of employment equity, improved representation of the Previously Disadvantaged Groups has evidently appreciated, however, marginally. Research purpose: This study sought to explore stakeholder perceptions as to why Engcobo Local Municipality had not successfully implemented the Employment Equity Act. Research design, approach and method: This exploratory study was conducted at Engcobo Local Municipality on Councillors, Managers, Key Employees and representatives of Organised Labour. Main findings: a) Engcobo Local Municipality was found not to have complied with various aspects of the Employment Equity Act; b) Respondents mainly believed that failure to implement the Employment Equity Act by Engcobo Local Municipality was due to lack of capacity on the part of the municipality‟s stakeholders; c) Different countries followed different models in the implementation of their Employment Equity, depending on the peculiarity of their circumstances; and d) The most appropriate change management model on which the implementation of the South African Employment Equity is modelled is Hayes‟ Generic Change Management Model. Managerial implications: Future research may be that the municipality can benefit from the recommendations made by the respondents with regard to what they believe needs to be done to remedy the situation. Some of the suggestions include the intensification of communication, establishment consultative structures to facilitate communication and the capacitation of stakeholders to ensure that they understand their responsibilities regarding the implementation of the Employment Equity Act. Contribution: The contribution of the research is supporting the current knowledge base of stakeholders towards the implementation of the Employment Equity Act. Proactive implementation measures should be taken to ensure that people who should benefit from the implementation of the Act are not disadvantaged by the municipality‟s failure to implement the Act. The introduction of the alignment with human resource management practices that complement the implementation of Employment Equity, could overcome the barriers currently being experienced in the effective implementation of the Employment Equity Act.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Dweba, Thandeka
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Affirmative action programs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Discrimination in employment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9426 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008410 , Affirmative action programs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Discrimination in employment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Rationale: It cannot be denied that there has been improvement in demographic representation in South Africa since the implementation of the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998. Whilst there may still be room for improvement, especially on employer attitudes towards the implementation of employment equity, improved representation of the Previously Disadvantaged Groups has evidently appreciated, however, marginally. Research purpose: This study sought to explore stakeholder perceptions as to why Engcobo Local Municipality had not successfully implemented the Employment Equity Act. Research design, approach and method: This exploratory study was conducted at Engcobo Local Municipality on Councillors, Managers, Key Employees and representatives of Organised Labour. Main findings: a) Engcobo Local Municipality was found not to have complied with various aspects of the Employment Equity Act; b) Respondents mainly believed that failure to implement the Employment Equity Act by Engcobo Local Municipality was due to lack of capacity on the part of the municipality‟s stakeholders; c) Different countries followed different models in the implementation of their Employment Equity, depending on the peculiarity of their circumstances; and d) The most appropriate change management model on which the implementation of the South African Employment Equity is modelled is Hayes‟ Generic Change Management Model. Managerial implications: Future research may be that the municipality can benefit from the recommendations made by the respondents with regard to what they believe needs to be done to remedy the situation. Some of the suggestions include the intensification of communication, establishment consultative structures to facilitate communication and the capacitation of stakeholders to ensure that they understand their responsibilities regarding the implementation of the Employment Equity Act. Contribution: The contribution of the research is supporting the current knowledge base of stakeholders towards the implementation of the Employment Equity Act. Proactive implementation measures should be taken to ensure that people who should benefit from the implementation of the Act are not disadvantaged by the municipality‟s failure to implement the Act. The introduction of the alignment with human resource management practices that complement the implementation of Employment Equity, could overcome the barriers currently being experienced in the effective implementation of the Employment Equity Act.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A study of the prevalence of refractive errors and of patients requring refractive services at 15 eye clinics in the Amathole, Chris Hani, Joe Gqabi and O. R. Tambo districts of the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Webber, Fiona
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Eye -- Refractive errors -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cataract -- Surgery -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Refractive keratoplasty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community health services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eye -- Diseases -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Optometry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eyeglasses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11900 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001100 , Eye -- Refractive errors -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cataract -- Surgery -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Refractive keratoplasty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community health services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eye -- Diseases -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Optometry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eyeglasses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This is a study on the prevalence of refractive errors and patients requiring refractive services at 15 eye clinics in the Amathole, Chris Hani, Joe Gqabi and OR Tambo District Municipalities of the Eastern Cape. This is an area characterised by extreme poverty where the cost of an eye examination and prescription spectacles remains financially unobtainable for most. Optometry services are provided mainly by private optometrists who service the small proportion of the population that can afford them. Adults and children remain house bound or are labelled as dull and unproductive simply because they don’t have access to an eye examination and a pair of spectacles. Purpose The purpose of the study is to identify patients with refractive errors and those requiring refractive services at the 15 eye clinics in the Eastern Cape. Another purpose is to describe the refractive services that are available to patients attending health facilities, where the eye clinics are conducted. Lastly, the purpose is to explore the possibility of nurses providing refractive services independently or under the supervision of optometrists to supplement the lack to refracting and dispensing services. Study Method A quantitative and qualitative non-experimental descriptive design was used. Research involved the analysis of Vision Care’s eye clinic records collected from 15 eye clinics from January 2010-June 2010. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 nurses working at the 15 health facilities where the eye clinics were conducted using purposive sampling. The quantitative data was analysed using excel spreadsheets and graphs and qualitative data was analysed using coding and categorizing methods. Conclusion According to Vision Care’s data of the patients assessed, 19.2 percent had a refractive error and 54 percent of the patients required refractive services. It is estimated that 71.41 percent of the patients had a refractive error according to the optometrist. Although there were some organisations active in the eradication of cataracts, there was little healthcare available in the form of refraction services. xiv Patients needed to travel an average of 63.8kms to access refraction services against the backdrop of poor roads, poverty and unemployment. 28 out of 30 nurses either ‘strongly agreed’ or ‘agreed’ that nurses could be trained to perform refractions and dispense spectacles. 29 out of 30 nurses thought that this would have a positive impact on eye care. Further research is necessary to assess the feasibility of implementing a nurse operated refractive program and whether it should be within their scope of practice to refract and dispense spectacles.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Webber, Fiona
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Eye -- Refractive errors -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cataract -- Surgery -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Refractive keratoplasty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community health services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eye -- Diseases -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Optometry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eyeglasses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
- Identifier: vital:11900 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001100 , Eye -- Refractive errors -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Cataract -- Surgery -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Refractive keratoplasty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community health services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eye -- Diseases -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Optometry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Eyeglasses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Nurses -- In-service training -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This is a study on the prevalence of refractive errors and patients requiring refractive services at 15 eye clinics in the Amathole, Chris Hani, Joe Gqabi and OR Tambo District Municipalities of the Eastern Cape. This is an area characterised by extreme poverty where the cost of an eye examination and prescription spectacles remains financially unobtainable for most. Optometry services are provided mainly by private optometrists who service the small proportion of the population that can afford them. Adults and children remain house bound or are labelled as dull and unproductive simply because they don’t have access to an eye examination and a pair of spectacles. Purpose The purpose of the study is to identify patients with refractive errors and those requiring refractive services at the 15 eye clinics in the Eastern Cape. Another purpose is to describe the refractive services that are available to patients attending health facilities, where the eye clinics are conducted. Lastly, the purpose is to explore the possibility of nurses providing refractive services independently or under the supervision of optometrists to supplement the lack to refracting and dispensing services. Study Method A quantitative and qualitative non-experimental descriptive design was used. Research involved the analysis of Vision Care’s eye clinic records collected from 15 eye clinics from January 2010-June 2010. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 nurses working at the 15 health facilities where the eye clinics were conducted using purposive sampling. The quantitative data was analysed using excel spreadsheets and graphs and qualitative data was analysed using coding and categorizing methods. Conclusion According to Vision Care’s data of the patients assessed, 19.2 percent had a refractive error and 54 percent of the patients required refractive services. It is estimated that 71.41 percent of the patients had a refractive error according to the optometrist. Although there were some organisations active in the eradication of cataracts, there was little healthcare available in the form of refraction services. xiv Patients needed to travel an average of 63.8kms to access refraction services against the backdrop of poor roads, poverty and unemployment. 28 out of 30 nurses either ‘strongly agreed’ or ‘agreed’ that nurses could be trained to perform refractions and dispense spectacles. 29 out of 30 nurses thought that this would have a positive impact on eye care. Further research is necessary to assess the feasibility of implementing a nurse operated refractive program and whether it should be within their scope of practice to refract and dispense spectacles.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A study of the selected wild edible plants utilized by indigenous people of the Amathole District in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Kwinana-Mandindi, Thozama Ndileka
- Authors: Kwinana-Mandindi, Thozama Ndileka
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Wild plants, Edible http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85146686
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19598 , vital:43147
- Description: Wild edible plants are an indispensible part of diets in some of the poor resourced rural societies. In many less resourced households a main meal comprises of a starch staple which is accompanied by a supplement of vegetables that provide the other nutritional elements as well as flavour to the meals. The vegetable relish (isishebo) thus, becomes an important component of the diet. The sustenance of many such resource poor indigenous societies over many generations has been as a result of their reliance on a readily available supply of their nutritional requirements, where edible wild plants formed the major food source. Wild edible plants provided the most important source of nutritional supply even during times of drought and famine. However, lifestyle changes have caused a serious reduction of the gathering and use of the wild edible vegetables, knowledge about them and the local culture are also lost with them. Unfortunately, others have come to regard their traditional food resource base as primitive and inferior and have come to rely on new exotic food plant whose supply is unstable and narrow compared to the wide variety of wild edible plants. Even when drought challenges play destruction with food availability, resulting in food shortages due to the reliance on cultivated crops that are poorly adapted to local conditions, communities cannot go back to the unknown food plants. However, detailed scientific investigations are needed to understand and preserve wild food uses. This study was undertaken to add to that body of knowledge. It started with an ethnobotanic survey of the use of wild food plants in 10 selected rural villages and peri-urban dwellings in the Amathole District of the Eastern Cape. These rural areas were chosen because of the belief that there are still individuals who possess the wealth of traditional knowledge within those remote areas in addition to that the villages are surrounded by indigenous vegetation from which they could be harvesting some indigenous food plants. Furthermore, the relationship between people and plants are often clearer in indigenous/traditional societies since the link between production and consumption is more direct. Besides the survey, this research employed various methods including Inductively Coupled Argon (ICP) analyses of minerals and vitamins, determination of phytochemicals and antioxidant/bio-activity that of, higher performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) determination of other vitamins, assessment of proximate and anti-nutrient compositions of raw and cooked samples of plants, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) to look into the micro-morphology of leaves for details that might have a bearing in the nutrient composition of the wild edible vegetables. This was done with the aim to explore and highlight the wild-food-plant base of indigenous people, to investigate the nutritional value of the selected frequently consumed wild vegetables and to recommend ways of educating people on the value of such plants and the need to promote their continued sustainable use as well as preservation of them for the benefit of people who cannot afford a continuous nutritious meal particularly among rural communities. Twenty-five (25) indigenous wild food plants which included leafy vegetables, nuts and fruits species were identified as being arbitrarily gathered and utilised as food, of which seven wild leafy vegetable species were often mentioned as common among the 15 dwellings surveyed and most frequently consumed by the respondents. Two additional plants were also frequently used as flavoring and in their raw state respectively. Wild edible vegetables were mainly eaten boiled as ‘laxa’, mixed with maize meal as ‘imifino’, fried as relish ‘isishebo’ or raw for both snacking purposes and medicinal functions. Wild edible plant species in the Amathole District of the Eastern Cape-South Africa were documented with respect to their uses and knowledge or identification. Four indigenous wild vegetables (Chenopodium album, Solanum nigrum/nodiflorum, Amaranthus dubius and Urtica lobulata) frequently consumed by the indigenous communities in the study region were selected. All the plant species had a remarkably high content of pro-anthocyanidins (between 58.42 and 65.18 mg/g) and also exhibited high radical scavenging activity in vitro. S. nigrum and C. album were found to be rich sources of ascorbic acid, having 1.05mg/100g and 1.01mg/100g, respectively. The entire wild, traditionally edible plants contain reasonably good concentrations of riboflavin while U. lobulata was found to contain maximum amount of thiamine. All plant species were rich sources of minerals and vitamins (both water soluble and fat soluble). Appropriate cooking methods are to be used to enhance the bio-availability of vitamins and nutrients in general. Cooking generally improved the nutritive value in certain wild vegetables. However, some nutrients were drained away. For example micro-nutrient and anti-nutrient component in the ash were reduced in cooking. The EDXS analysis has shown that the indigenous, wild vegetables in the Amathole District of South Africa are excellent sources of minerals, while the mineral crystals present at the level of the mesophyll of the indigenous wild vegetables were probably mixtures of calcium oxalate, calcium sulphate and silica. Saponin, tannins, oxalates, phytates and alkaloids are present in all the indigenous wild vegetables, but in minimal safe quantities. Nutritional analysis of some wild food plants demonstrates that in many cases the nutritional quality of the plants is comparable and in some cases even superior to domesticated exotic varieties. Knowledge about gathering and use of some wild food species is common among the rural dwellers. However, most uses are known by few elderly informants only. Education, awareness campaigns and revival of use of wild edible plants directed at the youth particularly is essential and this can be done through all forms of media. , Thesis (PhD) (Ethnobotany) -- University of Fort Hare, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Kwinana-Mandindi, Thozama Ndileka
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Wild plants, Edible http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85146686
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19598 , vital:43147
- Description: Wild edible plants are an indispensible part of diets in some of the poor resourced rural societies. In many less resourced households a main meal comprises of a starch staple which is accompanied by a supplement of vegetables that provide the other nutritional elements as well as flavour to the meals. The vegetable relish (isishebo) thus, becomes an important component of the diet. The sustenance of many such resource poor indigenous societies over many generations has been as a result of their reliance on a readily available supply of their nutritional requirements, where edible wild plants formed the major food source. Wild edible plants provided the most important source of nutritional supply even during times of drought and famine. However, lifestyle changes have caused a serious reduction of the gathering and use of the wild edible vegetables, knowledge about them and the local culture are also lost with them. Unfortunately, others have come to regard their traditional food resource base as primitive and inferior and have come to rely on new exotic food plant whose supply is unstable and narrow compared to the wide variety of wild edible plants. Even when drought challenges play destruction with food availability, resulting in food shortages due to the reliance on cultivated crops that are poorly adapted to local conditions, communities cannot go back to the unknown food plants. However, detailed scientific investigations are needed to understand and preserve wild food uses. This study was undertaken to add to that body of knowledge. It started with an ethnobotanic survey of the use of wild food plants in 10 selected rural villages and peri-urban dwellings in the Amathole District of the Eastern Cape. These rural areas were chosen because of the belief that there are still individuals who possess the wealth of traditional knowledge within those remote areas in addition to that the villages are surrounded by indigenous vegetation from which they could be harvesting some indigenous food plants. Furthermore, the relationship between people and plants are often clearer in indigenous/traditional societies since the link between production and consumption is more direct. Besides the survey, this research employed various methods including Inductively Coupled Argon (ICP) analyses of minerals and vitamins, determination of phytochemicals and antioxidant/bio-activity that of, higher performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) determination of other vitamins, assessment of proximate and anti-nutrient compositions of raw and cooked samples of plants, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) to look into the micro-morphology of leaves for details that might have a bearing in the nutrient composition of the wild edible vegetables. This was done with the aim to explore and highlight the wild-food-plant base of indigenous people, to investigate the nutritional value of the selected frequently consumed wild vegetables and to recommend ways of educating people on the value of such plants and the need to promote their continued sustainable use as well as preservation of them for the benefit of people who cannot afford a continuous nutritious meal particularly among rural communities. Twenty-five (25) indigenous wild food plants which included leafy vegetables, nuts and fruits species were identified as being arbitrarily gathered and utilised as food, of which seven wild leafy vegetable species were often mentioned as common among the 15 dwellings surveyed and most frequently consumed by the respondents. Two additional plants were also frequently used as flavoring and in their raw state respectively. Wild edible vegetables were mainly eaten boiled as ‘laxa’, mixed with maize meal as ‘imifino’, fried as relish ‘isishebo’ or raw for both snacking purposes and medicinal functions. Wild edible plant species in the Amathole District of the Eastern Cape-South Africa were documented with respect to their uses and knowledge or identification. Four indigenous wild vegetables (Chenopodium album, Solanum nigrum/nodiflorum, Amaranthus dubius and Urtica lobulata) frequently consumed by the indigenous communities in the study region were selected. All the plant species had a remarkably high content of pro-anthocyanidins (between 58.42 and 65.18 mg/g) and also exhibited high radical scavenging activity in vitro. S. nigrum and C. album were found to be rich sources of ascorbic acid, having 1.05mg/100g and 1.01mg/100g, respectively. The entire wild, traditionally edible plants contain reasonably good concentrations of riboflavin while U. lobulata was found to contain maximum amount of thiamine. All plant species were rich sources of minerals and vitamins (both water soluble and fat soluble). Appropriate cooking methods are to be used to enhance the bio-availability of vitamins and nutrients in general. Cooking generally improved the nutritive value in certain wild vegetables. However, some nutrients were drained away. For example micro-nutrient and anti-nutrient component in the ash were reduced in cooking. The EDXS analysis has shown that the indigenous, wild vegetables in the Amathole District of South Africa are excellent sources of minerals, while the mineral crystals present at the level of the mesophyll of the indigenous wild vegetables were probably mixtures of calcium oxalate, calcium sulphate and silica. Saponin, tannins, oxalates, phytates and alkaloids are present in all the indigenous wild vegetables, but in minimal safe quantities. Nutritional analysis of some wild food plants demonstrates that in many cases the nutritional quality of the plants is comparable and in some cases even superior to domesticated exotic varieties. Knowledge about gathering and use of some wild food species is common among the rural dwellers. However, most uses are known by few elderly informants only. Education, awareness campaigns and revival of use of wild edible plants directed at the youth particularly is essential and this can be done through all forms of media. , Thesis (PhD) (Ethnobotany) -- University of Fort Hare, 2012
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A study on the morphology of thin copper films on para-aramid yarns and their influence on the yarn’s electro-conductive and mechanical properties
- Schwarz, Anne, Hakuzimana, Jean, Westbroek, Philippe, Mey, Gilbert De, Priniotakis, Georgios, Nyokong, Tebello, Langenhove, Lieva Van
- Authors: Schwarz, Anne , Hakuzimana, Jean , Westbroek, Philippe , Mey, Gilbert De , Priniotakis, Georgios , Nyokong, Tebello , Langenhove, Lieva Van
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/243487 , vital:51157 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1177/0040517511431291"
- Description: The latest technological advances in new materials and devices enabled wearable systems to be created by utilizing textile solutions. These solutions require electro-conductive yarns as a basic component. Although the production of electroconductive yarn is widely reported, research is still necessary to characterize them to advance their electro-conductive and mechanical properties. Hence, we served this need and characterized copper-coated para-aramid yarns produced by an in-house developed electroless deposition method. In this paper we present our investigation on the yarn’s copper layer characteristics after deposition. Furthermore, we looked, in depth, at the yarn’s electro-conductive properties before and after washing as well as their mechanical properties before and after copper deposition. We found a dependency of the copper layer morphology on its deposition time. This is directly correlated to the resulting layer thickness and hence to the yarn’s electro-conductive properties, demonstrating the autocatalytic nature of the coating process. Above that, the electro-conductive properties of the coated yarn linearly decrease with washing cycles. Furthermore, the copper coating impairs the yarn’s mechanical properties decreasing its specific stress at break by 30%.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Schwarz, Anne , Hakuzimana, Jean , Westbroek, Philippe , Mey, Gilbert De , Priniotakis, Georgios , Nyokong, Tebello , Langenhove, Lieva Van
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/243487 , vital:51157 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1177/0040517511431291"
- Description: The latest technological advances in new materials and devices enabled wearable systems to be created by utilizing textile solutions. These solutions require electro-conductive yarns as a basic component. Although the production of electroconductive yarn is widely reported, research is still necessary to characterize them to advance their electro-conductive and mechanical properties. Hence, we served this need and characterized copper-coated para-aramid yarns produced by an in-house developed electroless deposition method. In this paper we present our investigation on the yarn’s copper layer characteristics after deposition. Furthermore, we looked, in depth, at the yarn’s electro-conductive properties before and after washing as well as their mechanical properties before and after copper deposition. We found a dependency of the copper layer morphology on its deposition time. This is directly correlated to the resulting layer thickness and hence to the yarn’s electro-conductive properties, demonstrating the autocatalytic nature of the coating process. Above that, the electro-conductive properties of the coated yarn linearly decrease with washing cycles. Furthermore, the copper coating impairs the yarn’s mechanical properties decreasing its specific stress at break by 30%.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A sustainable development approach in the control of alien invasion vegetation
- Authors: Ndwayana, Hamilton Ncedo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Invasive plants -- Ecology , Plant invasions -- Biological control
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9217 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020803
- Description: Invasive alien tree species have negative environmental and economic impacts throughout the world. For example, black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) threatens native habitats by competing with and so repressing or excluding indigenous vegetation: in this way it replaces grass communities, reduces biodiversity, and increases water loss from riparian zones, thereby fundamentally damaging the ecosystem. The Acacia mearnsii threat requires urgent attention: effective control and management is urgently required if these deleterious impacts are to be reversed or prevented. The present study was conducted in the Elliot and Ugie communities situated in the Sakhisizwe and Elundini Local Municipalities. The objective of this study was to design integrated, efficient and cost-effective methods to help farmers and members of these communities with control and management of alien plant invasions. Further the study aimed to evaluate the implementation and efficacy of Working for Water (WfW) initiatives in poverty alleviation, and skills development: in addition the study attempted to assess WfW inputs as regards relevant legislation aimed at combating major wattle invasions. Mixed methodological approaches were employed, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Questionnaire surveys, semi-structured interviews, use of photos, content analyses of local documents and experimental field work were all employed in order to collect and interpret data for the study. The study reveals that mechanical control and rehabilitation in combating should provide efficient and cost-effective methods for proper management of rangelands. Moreover the National Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) should be urged to devise and enforce legislation that will help to ensure sustainable control and management of black wattle through conservation of the natural environment. Furthermore funds should be made available for wattle eradication programmes so as alleviate poverty by creating more job opportunities for members of poor communities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Ndwayana, Hamilton Ncedo
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Invasive plants -- Ecology , Plant invasions -- Biological control
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9217 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020803
- Description: Invasive alien tree species have negative environmental and economic impacts throughout the world. For example, black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) threatens native habitats by competing with and so repressing or excluding indigenous vegetation: in this way it replaces grass communities, reduces biodiversity, and increases water loss from riparian zones, thereby fundamentally damaging the ecosystem. The Acacia mearnsii threat requires urgent attention: effective control and management is urgently required if these deleterious impacts are to be reversed or prevented. The present study was conducted in the Elliot and Ugie communities situated in the Sakhisizwe and Elundini Local Municipalities. The objective of this study was to design integrated, efficient and cost-effective methods to help farmers and members of these communities with control and management of alien plant invasions. Further the study aimed to evaluate the implementation and efficacy of Working for Water (WfW) initiatives in poverty alleviation, and skills development: in addition the study attempted to assess WfW inputs as regards relevant legislation aimed at combating major wattle invasions. Mixed methodological approaches were employed, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Questionnaire surveys, semi-structured interviews, use of photos, content analyses of local documents and experimental field work were all employed in order to collect and interpret data for the study. The study reveals that mechanical control and rehabilitation in combating should provide efficient and cost-effective methods for proper management of rangelands. Moreover the National Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) should be urged to devise and enforce legislation that will help to ensure sustainable control and management of black wattle through conservation of the natural environment. Furthermore funds should be made available for wattle eradication programmes so as alleviate poverty by creating more job opportunities for members of poor communities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A systematic revision of selected genera of afrotropical curtonotidae (Diptera: schizophora: ephydroidea) : a phylogenetic approach
- Authors: Kirk-Spriggs, Ashley H
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Curtonotidae -- Research Diptera -- Research Flies -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5627 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004747
- Description: The first comprehensive phylogeny of the family Curtonotidae is presented based on molecular markers and morphology. This enabled assessment of evolutionary relatedness, species radiation and zoogeography. A revised classification of the world fauna of the family, based on the results of this study is outlined. Nomenclatural acts flowing from these analyses include: the recognition three new Afrotropical species of Axinota van der Wulp; four new species of a new genus, Tigrisomyia Kirk-Spriggs; and nineteen new species of Curtonotum (six Madagascan and thirteen African). Ten informal species-groups of Curtonotum are recognised. Identification keys are provided for the Afrotropical species of these genera and errors in previous interpretations and designation of type specimens are resolved. Species distributions are mapped and interpreted and discussion is made of the historical biogeographical significance of these distributions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Kirk-Spriggs, Ashley H
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Curtonotidae -- Research Diptera -- Research Flies -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5627 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004747
- Description: The first comprehensive phylogeny of the family Curtonotidae is presented based on molecular markers and morphology. This enabled assessment of evolutionary relatedness, species radiation and zoogeography. A revised classification of the world fauna of the family, based on the results of this study is outlined. Nomenclatural acts flowing from these analyses include: the recognition three new Afrotropical species of Axinota van der Wulp; four new species of a new genus, Tigrisomyia Kirk-Spriggs; and nineteen new species of Curtonotum (six Madagascan and thirteen African). Ten informal species-groups of Curtonotum are recognised. Identification keys are provided for the Afrotropical species of these genera and errors in previous interpretations and designation of type specimens are resolved. Species distributions are mapped and interpreted and discussion is made of the historical biogeographical significance of these distributions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A systems approach to project implementation within the public sector towards formulating a framework for project evaluation
- Authors: Greyling, Een Lange
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Project management -- South Africa , Corporations, Government -- South Africa , Construction industry -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9721 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021223
- Description: The procurement process, from the demand formulation to the final delivery of a public building to the end-user, is defined by the government in terms of procedures and policies to be followed, which is based to be ineffective and inefficient where the process as a whole from a client-value perpective, is flawed. Presently, the National Department of Public Works(NDPW) as a governmental administration is deemed to be a controlling institution and cost centre rather than a service provider. This mind-set is reflected by the inability of government project implementing agencies such as the NDPW to deliver projects successfully in terms of cost, time, and quality whilst failing to meet the government's socio economic objectives to create employment opportunities, stimulate economic growth, and transfer skills to the previously disadvantaged through black economic empowerment (BEE) initiatives. Client satisfaction has widely been recognised by researchers as one of the key challenges for quality improvement in the construction industry. It is a vital factor in the development and management of the construction process, as well in the creation of efficient organisation-client relationship. In addition, client satisfaction is deemed to be a catalyst for client retention which is a success strategy for any organisation. This thesis is primarily concerned with project performance and service delivery by the NDPW as a government project implementing agency that involves an integrated approach that considers the entire supply chain of a construction project. The success or failure of a project is is not the effect of a single variable, or factor, but a set of variables interacting with each other to produce the final result. An extensive review of related literature that entails the analysis of publications related to the projectimplementation and construction project management realm was deemed necessary to formulate a clear understanding of the complexities of implementing projjects within the public sector. The use of systems thinking as the nucleus of the multi-methodological approach to this research was to assist in ascertaining the primary causes of the problem situation and to clarify the process of project implementation as a sub-system within the greater system of the construction industry. The success of projects depends as much on the client as it does on the implementing agencies, project managers (PMs), consultants, contractors and the suppliers of materials.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Greyling, Een Lange
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Project management -- South Africa , Corporations, Government -- South Africa , Construction industry -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9721 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021223
- Description: The procurement process, from the demand formulation to the final delivery of a public building to the end-user, is defined by the government in terms of procedures and policies to be followed, which is based to be ineffective and inefficient where the process as a whole from a client-value perpective, is flawed. Presently, the National Department of Public Works(NDPW) as a governmental administration is deemed to be a controlling institution and cost centre rather than a service provider. This mind-set is reflected by the inability of government project implementing agencies such as the NDPW to deliver projects successfully in terms of cost, time, and quality whilst failing to meet the government's socio economic objectives to create employment opportunities, stimulate economic growth, and transfer skills to the previously disadvantaged through black economic empowerment (BEE) initiatives. Client satisfaction has widely been recognised by researchers as one of the key challenges for quality improvement in the construction industry. It is a vital factor in the development and management of the construction process, as well in the creation of efficient organisation-client relationship. In addition, client satisfaction is deemed to be a catalyst for client retention which is a success strategy for any organisation. This thesis is primarily concerned with project performance and service delivery by the NDPW as a government project implementing agency that involves an integrated approach that considers the entire supply chain of a construction project. The success or failure of a project is is not the effect of a single variable, or factor, but a set of variables interacting with each other to produce the final result. An extensive review of related literature that entails the analysis of publications related to the projectimplementation and construction project management realm was deemed necessary to formulate a clear understanding of the complexities of implementing projjects within the public sector. The use of systems thinking as the nucleus of the multi-methodological approach to this research was to assist in ascertaining the primary causes of the problem situation and to clarify the process of project implementation as a sub-system within the greater system of the construction industry. The success of projects depends as much on the client as it does on the implementing agencies, project managers (PMs), consultants, contractors and the suppliers of materials.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
AC3P: an architecture using cloud computing for the provision of mathematical powerpoint content to feature phones
- Authors: Joubert, Jean-Pierre
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Cloud computing , Mobile computing , Mathematics -- Study and teaching.
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10474 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011088 , Cloud computing , Mobile computing , Mathematics -- Study and teaching.
- Description: The Govan Mbeki Mathematics Development Unit (GMMDU) provides additional mathematics content to learners via mathematics workshops and DVDs. Mathematics is presented in PPT format. The prominence of feature phone usage has been confirmed amongst learners in socio-economic disadvantaged schools, specifically those learners participating in the GMMDU mathematics workshops. Feature phones typically contain limited device resources such as memory, battery power, and network resources. Distributed computing provides the potential to facilitate a new class of mobile applications with the provision of off-device resources. The objective of this research was the design of an architecture using Cloud Computing for the provision of mathematics in the form of PPT slides to feature phones. The capabilities of typical feature phones were reviewed as well as various distributed computing architectures that demonstrate potential benefit to the mobile environment. An Architecture using Cloud Computing for Content Provision (AC3P) was subsequently designed and applied as a proof of concept to facilitate the provision of mathematics in the form of PPT slides to feature phones. The application of AC3P was evaluated for efficiency and effectiveness. It was demonstrated that the application of AC3P provided efficient and effective provision of PPT to feature phones. The successful application of AC3P provided evidence that Cloud Computing may be used to facilitate the provision of mathematics content to feature phones. It is evident that AC3P may be applied in domains other than the provision of mathematics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Joubert, Jean-Pierre
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Cloud computing , Mobile computing , Mathematics -- Study and teaching.
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10474 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011088 , Cloud computing , Mobile computing , Mathematics -- Study and teaching.
- Description: The Govan Mbeki Mathematics Development Unit (GMMDU) provides additional mathematics content to learners via mathematics workshops and DVDs. Mathematics is presented in PPT format. The prominence of feature phone usage has been confirmed amongst learners in socio-economic disadvantaged schools, specifically those learners participating in the GMMDU mathematics workshops. Feature phones typically contain limited device resources such as memory, battery power, and network resources. Distributed computing provides the potential to facilitate a new class of mobile applications with the provision of off-device resources. The objective of this research was the design of an architecture using Cloud Computing for the provision of mathematics in the form of PPT slides to feature phones. The capabilities of typical feature phones were reviewed as well as various distributed computing architectures that demonstrate potential benefit to the mobile environment. An Architecture using Cloud Computing for Content Provision (AC3P) was subsequently designed and applied as a proof of concept to facilitate the provision of mathematics in the form of PPT slides to feature phones. The application of AC3P was evaluated for efficiency and effectiveness. It was demonstrated that the application of AC3P provided efficient and effective provision of PPT to feature phones. The successful application of AC3P provided evidence that Cloud Computing may be used to facilitate the provision of mathematics content to feature phones. It is evident that AC3P may be applied in domains other than the provision of mathematics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Academic experiences of faculty of education postgraduate students who have dropped out of a higher education institution in Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Mdyogolo, Winkie
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Education, Higher -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Dropouts -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Universities and colleges -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Graduate students -- Supervision of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies , Universities and colleges -- South Africa -- Graduate work -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16172 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/512 , Education, Higher -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Dropouts -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Universities and colleges -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Graduate students -- Supervision of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies , Universities and colleges -- South Africa -- Graduate work -- Case studies
- Description: The purpose of this study was to explore academic learning experiences of students who have dropped out of postgraduate studies in a Higher Education Institution in Eastern Cape. The study employed phenomenological approach using unstructured in-depth interviews to collect data from participants who have dropped out of Masters Programme in HEI in Eastern Cape. Four participants participated in this study. A lot of themes emerged from what the participants reported and similar experiences were noted as well as different experiences. Central to what this study ascertained is the relationship between the supervisor and supervisee. From the findings of the study it can be ascertained that for any postgraduate student to succeed in his/her studies he / she needs a positive relationship with the supervisor who will play a role of guide, mentor, supporter and a friend. However, the academic preparedness of the students in terms of academic reading and writing, computer literacy and determination to be an independent researcher is also key. Whilst this study provides insight to what the students have experienced academically its findings cannot be generalised because the experiences are those of individuals. , Govan Mbeki Research and Development Centre
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Mdyogolo, Winkie
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Education, Higher -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Dropouts -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Universities and colleges -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Graduate students -- Supervision of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies , Universities and colleges -- South Africa -- Graduate work -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:16172 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/512 , Education, Higher -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Dropouts -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Universities and colleges -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Graduate students -- Supervision of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies , Universities and colleges -- South Africa -- Graduate work -- Case studies
- Description: The purpose of this study was to explore academic learning experiences of students who have dropped out of postgraduate studies in a Higher Education Institution in Eastern Cape. The study employed phenomenological approach using unstructured in-depth interviews to collect data from participants who have dropped out of Masters Programme in HEI in Eastern Cape. Four participants participated in this study. A lot of themes emerged from what the participants reported and similar experiences were noted as well as different experiences. Central to what this study ascertained is the relationship between the supervisor and supervisee. From the findings of the study it can be ascertained that for any postgraduate student to succeed in his/her studies he / she needs a positive relationship with the supervisor who will play a role of guide, mentor, supporter and a friend. However, the academic preparedness of the students in terms of academic reading and writing, computer literacy and determination to be an independent researcher is also key. Whilst this study provides insight to what the students have experienced academically its findings cannot be generalised because the experiences are those of individuals. , Govan Mbeki Research and Development Centre
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Academic experiences of faculty of education postgraduate students who have dropped out of a higher education institution in the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Mdyogolo, Winkie
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Dropouts -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Education, Higher -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Universities and colleges -- South Africa -- Graduate work -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8317 , vital:32268
- Description: The purpose of this study was to explore academic learning experiences of students who have dropped out of postgraduate studies in a Higher Education Institution in Eastern Cape. The study employed phenomenological approach using unstructured in-depth interviews to collect data from participants who have dropped out of Masters Programme in HEI in Eastern Cape. Four participants participated in this study. A lot of themes emerged from what the participants reported and similar experiences were noted as well as different experiences. Central to what this study ascertained is the relationship between the supervisor and supervisee. From the findings of the study it can be ascertained that for any postgraduate student to succeed in his/her studies he / she needs a positive relationship with the supervisor who will play a role of guide, mentor, supporter and a friend. However, the academic preparedness of the students in terms of academic reading and writing, computer literacy and determination to be an independent researcher is also key. Whilst this study provides insight to what the students have experienced academically its findings cannot be generalised because the experiences are those of individuals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Mdyogolo, Winkie
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Dropouts -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Education, Higher -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Universities and colleges -- South Africa -- Graduate work -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8317 , vital:32268
- Description: The purpose of this study was to explore academic learning experiences of students who have dropped out of postgraduate studies in a Higher Education Institution in Eastern Cape. The study employed phenomenological approach using unstructured in-depth interviews to collect data from participants who have dropped out of Masters Programme in HEI in Eastern Cape. Four participants participated in this study. A lot of themes emerged from what the participants reported and similar experiences were noted as well as different experiences. Central to what this study ascertained is the relationship between the supervisor and supervisee. From the findings of the study it can be ascertained that for any postgraduate student to succeed in his/her studies he / she needs a positive relationship with the supervisor who will play a role of guide, mentor, supporter and a friend. However, the academic preparedness of the students in terms of academic reading and writing, computer literacy and determination to be an independent researcher is also key. Whilst this study provides insight to what the students have experienced academically its findings cannot be generalised because the experiences are those of individuals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Achieving more cost-effective implementation of an Eastern Cape Thicket Rehabilitation project
- Authors: Gusha, Samora Mkuseli
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Project management -- Cost effectiveness , Cost control , Activity-based costing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6214 , vital:21056
- Description: The study was looking at achieving more cost-effective implementation of the Eastern Cape Thicket Rehabilitation Project. Project management has been identified as a key for a proper implementation of any kind of work. For project management to be effective, individual learning and development of project managers is of paramount importance. An improved communication process is vital, that clearly specifies objectives if any success will be achieved. A proper and structural way of addressing change is a need, so that no unnecessary delays are experienced. A need is there for processes to be streamlined to avoid duplications as they are unnecessary costs. Employees need to be given an opportunity to have their ideas looked at, a way of testing if they really have been empowered. The important thing is that their views must speak to the standards of the project. Reductions in costs are a must for more communities to benefit in the project. Continuous improvement is the way forward.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Gusha, Samora Mkuseli
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Project management -- Cost effectiveness , Cost control , Activity-based costing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6214 , vital:21056
- Description: The study was looking at achieving more cost-effective implementation of the Eastern Cape Thicket Rehabilitation Project. Project management has been identified as a key for a proper implementation of any kind of work. For project management to be effective, individual learning and development of project managers is of paramount importance. An improved communication process is vital, that clearly specifies objectives if any success will be achieved. A proper and structural way of addressing change is a need, so that no unnecessary delays are experienced. A need is there for processes to be streamlined to avoid duplications as they are unnecessary costs. Employees need to be given an opportunity to have their ideas looked at, a way of testing if they really have been empowered. The important thing is that their views must speak to the standards of the project. Reductions in costs are a must for more communities to benefit in the project. Continuous improvement is the way forward.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Acoustic monitoring and control system to determine the properties of damping materials
- Authors: Stahlberg, Martin
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Vibration (Aeronautics) -- Damping , Acoustic emission testing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEngineering (Mechatronics)
- Identifier: vital:9658
- Description: Experience shows that the noise and sound quality in vehicles are often a recurring criticism. The bodies of modern vehicles consist predominantly of thin sheets of metal. It is hard to prevent the excitation of bending vibrations and the subsequent emission of disturbing noise while driving. The noise spectrum in a car that can be heard by the driver is from ”latent roar” to ”chattering” noise of the body and engine. In automotive vehicles damped materials, especially plastics or materials made from sheet metal and surface damping treatments, are used. Those have high internal energy losses and damp sound oscillatory systems found in the body or interior of cars. A further advantage of such treated components is that they are applied to existing components working over wide temperature and frequency ranges. Many companies provide such ”sound-absorbing compounds”. The requirements for these damping materials are high temperature-resistance, water repellence, fuel and oil-resistance and good adhesion to the base material [17]. The acoustic properties, especially the damping of the plate vibrations through rubber are of interest. the question arises how can the damping coeficient of coated metal sheets can be measured and secondly, by how much the road noise is reduced when built-in sheets are coated with a known damped material. With the Oberst Bar Test Method (named after Dr. H. Oberst) the properties are determined of the internal damping materials that can be used to simulate mechanical constructions to determine damping of larger surfaces. This method describes a laboratory test procedure for measuring the mechanical properties of damped materials. A block diagram of the test system consisting of a damped material bonded to a vibrating cantilever steel bar is shown in figure 2.1. This method is useful for testing materials such as metals, enamels, ceramics, rubbers, plastics, reinforced epoxy matrices and wood. In addition to damping measurement, the test allows for the determination of the Young’s modulus E of the material. E is calculated from the resonance frequency of a given mode and from the physical constants of the bar. By associating the damping factor with the Young’s modulus, a complex quantity is defined which is called the Complex Modulus of Elasticity. Measurements of dynamic mechanical properties are also useful in the research on the molecular structure of materials.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Stahlberg, Martin
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Vibration (Aeronautics) -- Damping , Acoustic emission testing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEngineering (Mechatronics)
- Identifier: vital:9658
- Description: Experience shows that the noise and sound quality in vehicles are often a recurring criticism. The bodies of modern vehicles consist predominantly of thin sheets of metal. It is hard to prevent the excitation of bending vibrations and the subsequent emission of disturbing noise while driving. The noise spectrum in a car that can be heard by the driver is from ”latent roar” to ”chattering” noise of the body and engine. In automotive vehicles damped materials, especially plastics or materials made from sheet metal and surface damping treatments, are used. Those have high internal energy losses and damp sound oscillatory systems found in the body or interior of cars. A further advantage of such treated components is that they are applied to existing components working over wide temperature and frequency ranges. Many companies provide such ”sound-absorbing compounds”. The requirements for these damping materials are high temperature-resistance, water repellence, fuel and oil-resistance and good adhesion to the base material [17]. The acoustic properties, especially the damping of the plate vibrations through rubber are of interest. the question arises how can the damping coeficient of coated metal sheets can be measured and secondly, by how much the road noise is reduced when built-in sheets are coated with a known damped material. With the Oberst Bar Test Method (named after Dr. H. Oberst) the properties are determined of the internal damping materials that can be used to simulate mechanical constructions to determine damping of larger surfaces. This method describes a laboratory test procedure for measuring the mechanical properties of damped materials. A block diagram of the test system consisting of a damped material bonded to a vibrating cantilever steel bar is shown in figure 2.1. This method is useful for testing materials such as metals, enamels, ceramics, rubbers, plastics, reinforced epoxy matrices and wood. In addition to damping measurement, the test allows for the determination of the Young’s modulus E of the material. E is calculated from the resonance frequency of a given mode and from the physical constants of the bar. By associating the damping factor with the Young’s modulus, a complex quantity is defined which is called the Complex Modulus of Elasticity. Measurements of dynamic mechanical properties are also useful in the research on the molecular structure of materials.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Adapting to climate change to achieve household food security: a case study of small-scale farmers at Dzindi smallholder irrigation scheme in the Limpopo Province of South Africa
- Chigavazira, Blessing Munyaradzi
- Authors: Chigavazira, Blessing Munyaradzi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Climatic changes -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Food security -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Irrigation projects -- South Africa -- Limpopo
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11434 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007186 , Climatic changes -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Food security -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Irrigation projects -- South Africa -- Limpopo
- Description: This dissertation explored adaptation mechanisms and adaptation options employed by rural small-scale farmers at Dzindi Irrigation Scheme to achieve food security in the midst of climate change as well as reflecting on the role of the state in building capacity of rural small-scale farmers to adapt to climate change. The study employed qualitative research techniques and data was obtained through semi-structured interviews with 40 small-scale farmers at Dzindi smallholder irrigation scheme.Irrigation control, high yielding crop varieties (HYVs), drought resistant crop varieties, drip irrigation are among a host of adaptation strategies successfully employed by farmers at Dzindi. These strategies have been effective in giving the farmers a lifeline in terms of household food supply and income.However, lack of funding, modern infrastructure and equipment has hampered adaptation efforts at the scheme. This has been compounded by lack of support from the Government. Government seemingly has not done enough to capacitate and assist famers to adapt to climate change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Chigavazira, Blessing Munyaradzi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Climatic changes -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Food security -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Irrigation projects -- South Africa -- Limpopo
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11434 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007186 , Climatic changes -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Food security -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- Limpopo , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Irrigation projects -- South Africa -- Limpopo
- Description: This dissertation explored adaptation mechanisms and adaptation options employed by rural small-scale farmers at Dzindi Irrigation Scheme to achieve food security in the midst of climate change as well as reflecting on the role of the state in building capacity of rural small-scale farmers to adapt to climate change. The study employed qualitative research techniques and data was obtained through semi-structured interviews with 40 small-scale farmers at Dzindi smallholder irrigation scheme.Irrigation control, high yielding crop varieties (HYVs), drought resistant crop varieties, drip irrigation are among a host of adaptation strategies successfully employed by farmers at Dzindi. These strategies have been effective in giving the farmers a lifeline in terms of household food supply and income.However, lack of funding, modern infrastructure and equipment has hampered adaptation efforts at the scheme. This has been compounded by lack of support from the Government. Government seemingly has not done enough to capacitate and assist famers to adapt to climate change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Adolescents' knowledge about abortion and emergency contraception a survey study
- Authors: Seutlwadi, Lebogang
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Birth control -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Emergency contraceptives -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Reproductive rights -- South Africa Teenage pregnancy -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Teenage pregnancy -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Abortion -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Abortion -- Health aspects -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Abortion -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Teenagers -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Sex instruction for teenagers -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Health education -- South Africa -- Buffalo City
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3052 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002561
- Description: Adolescents have become focal points of discussions and debates regarding sexuality and reproductive health matters. However, little research has been done particularly in South Africa to examine their knowledge concerning abortion and emergency contraception. Research indicates that a substantial proportion of adolescent pregnancies are unintended or unwanted. Abortion and emergency contraception are both time-sensitive services. Thus having accurate and comprehensive knowledge about both abortion and emergency contraception is pivotal, in the case of unintended or unwanted pregnancy or when engaging in unprotected sex or experiencing contraceptive failure that could lead to pregnancy. The 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) defined reproductive health rights for both men and women as the right to "decide freely and responsibly the number, spacing and timing of their children and to have the information and means to do so" (p. 60). That is, men and women should "have the right to make decisions concerning their reproduction free of discrimination, violence and coercion" (ICPD, 1994, p.60). Based on these definitions, it is rather evident that comprehensive and accurate knowledge are at the core of one's ability to make an informed consent. This is confirmed by Adler's (1992, p. 289) definition of informed consent or choice "a) access to sufficient information b) understanding the information c) competence to evaluate potential consequences d) freedom to make a choice and e) the ability to make and express that choice". It is from this framework that this study emerged. The aim of this study was to examine adolescents' knowledge concerning abortion and emergency contraception. The participants were Grade 11 learners between the ages of 15-24 years from five different schools in the Buffalo City Municipality. A sample of 514 was achieved. Data were analysed using descriptive cross-tabulation, chi-square and qualitative methods where appropriate. The results revealed that most of the participants did not have sufficient accurate knowledge concerning the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act, consequences of legal abortion and emergency contraceptive pills to make informed decisions. Furthermore, data also revealed that the participants' schools playa role in their sexual activity, their knowledge about the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act and about emergency contraceptive pills. Although this method made it feasible for the researcher to make general assumptions, non-responses were one of the limitations of the study. Similar research in various municipalities/cities in and outside the Eastern Cape is recommended so as to increase further awareness concerning the level of knowledge that adolescents have about contraceptive pills particularly emergency contraceptive pills, the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act and abortion in general.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Seutlwadi, Lebogang
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Birth control -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Emergency contraceptives -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Reproductive rights -- South Africa Teenage pregnancy -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Teenage pregnancy -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Abortion -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Abortion -- Health aspects -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Abortion -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Teenagers -- Sexual behavior -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Sex instruction for teenagers -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Health education -- South Africa -- Buffalo City
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3052 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002561
- Description: Adolescents have become focal points of discussions and debates regarding sexuality and reproductive health matters. However, little research has been done particularly in South Africa to examine their knowledge concerning abortion and emergency contraception. Research indicates that a substantial proportion of adolescent pregnancies are unintended or unwanted. Abortion and emergency contraception are both time-sensitive services. Thus having accurate and comprehensive knowledge about both abortion and emergency contraception is pivotal, in the case of unintended or unwanted pregnancy or when engaging in unprotected sex or experiencing contraceptive failure that could lead to pregnancy. The 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) defined reproductive health rights for both men and women as the right to "decide freely and responsibly the number, spacing and timing of their children and to have the information and means to do so" (p. 60). That is, men and women should "have the right to make decisions concerning their reproduction free of discrimination, violence and coercion" (ICPD, 1994, p.60). Based on these definitions, it is rather evident that comprehensive and accurate knowledge are at the core of one's ability to make an informed consent. This is confirmed by Adler's (1992, p. 289) definition of informed consent or choice "a) access to sufficient information b) understanding the information c) competence to evaluate potential consequences d) freedom to make a choice and e) the ability to make and express that choice". It is from this framework that this study emerged. The aim of this study was to examine adolescents' knowledge concerning abortion and emergency contraception. The participants were Grade 11 learners between the ages of 15-24 years from five different schools in the Buffalo City Municipality. A sample of 514 was achieved. Data were analysed using descriptive cross-tabulation, chi-square and qualitative methods where appropriate. The results revealed that most of the participants did not have sufficient accurate knowledge concerning the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act, consequences of legal abortion and emergency contraceptive pills to make informed decisions. Furthermore, data also revealed that the participants' schools playa role in their sexual activity, their knowledge about the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act and about emergency contraceptive pills. Although this method made it feasible for the researcher to make general assumptions, non-responses were one of the limitations of the study. Similar research in various municipalities/cities in and outside the Eastern Cape is recommended so as to increase further awareness concerning the level of knowledge that adolescents have about contraceptive pills particularly emergency contraceptive pills, the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act and abortion in general.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Agricultural expenditure for economic growth and poverty reduction in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mapfumo, Alexander
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Agriculture -- Research -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural extension work -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural development projects -- Zimbabwe , Poverty -- Zimbabwe , Economic development -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural services -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural credit -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11155 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/422 , Agriculture -- Research -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural extension work -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural development projects -- Zimbabwe , Poverty -- Zimbabwe , Economic development -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural services -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural credit -- Zimbabwe
- Description: A vibrant and an efficient agricultural sector would enable a country to feed its growing population, generate employment, earn foreign exchange and provide raw materials for industries. The agricultural sector has a multiplier effect on any nation's socio-economic and industrial fabric because of the multifunctional nature of agriculture. The main objective of this study was to investigate how government expenditure on agriculture has affected economic growth in Zimbabwe from 1980-2009. The Log linear growth regression model was employed where gross domestic gross was the dependant variable and the explanatory variables are the factors which affect it which include government agricultural expenditure. The expenditures of government on agriculture were divided into three functions namely extension, credit assistance and R & D. The regression analyses were performed using Econometric-views 7 (E-views 7) statistical package. Regression was carried out on time series data for the period 1980 to 2009. The data was tested for stationarity and for autocorrelation. Problems of non stationarity of data were corrected by integrating the trending series. Results from the empirical analysis provide strong evidence indicating that agriculture is an engine of economic growth. The results from this study suggest that spending more on agricultural research and development can improve economic growth and ultimately reduce poverty. However, it can also be concluded that insufficient government agricultural expenditure on extension and credit assistance adversely affected economic growth in Zimbabwe, based on the results of the study. Global experience with pro-poor growth and empirical work spanning India, Benin and Malawi demonstrates the importance of agricultural expenditure for poverty reduction in poor rural areas, while also pointing to the need for complementary non farm sector growth. This study also proposes a simple methodology to estimate the agricultural spending that will be required to achieve the Millennium Development Goal of halving poverty by 2015 (MDG1) in Zimbabwe. This method uses growth poverty and growth expenditure elasticities to estimate the financial resources required to meet the MDG1. The study attempts to address a key knowledge gap by improving estimation of first MDG agricultural expenditure at country level.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Mapfumo, Alexander
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Agriculture -- Research -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural extension work -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural development projects -- Zimbabwe , Poverty -- Zimbabwe , Economic development -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural services -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural credit -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11155 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/422 , Agriculture -- Research -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural extension work -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural development projects -- Zimbabwe , Poverty -- Zimbabwe , Economic development -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural services -- Zimbabwe , Agricultural credit -- Zimbabwe
- Description: A vibrant and an efficient agricultural sector would enable a country to feed its growing population, generate employment, earn foreign exchange and provide raw materials for industries. The agricultural sector has a multiplier effect on any nation's socio-economic and industrial fabric because of the multifunctional nature of agriculture. The main objective of this study was to investigate how government expenditure on agriculture has affected economic growth in Zimbabwe from 1980-2009. The Log linear growth regression model was employed where gross domestic gross was the dependant variable and the explanatory variables are the factors which affect it which include government agricultural expenditure. The expenditures of government on agriculture were divided into three functions namely extension, credit assistance and R & D. The regression analyses were performed using Econometric-views 7 (E-views 7) statistical package. Regression was carried out on time series data for the period 1980 to 2009. The data was tested for stationarity and for autocorrelation. Problems of non stationarity of data were corrected by integrating the trending series. Results from the empirical analysis provide strong evidence indicating that agriculture is an engine of economic growth. The results from this study suggest that spending more on agricultural research and development can improve economic growth and ultimately reduce poverty. However, it can also be concluded that insufficient government agricultural expenditure on extension and credit assistance adversely affected economic growth in Zimbabwe, based on the results of the study. Global experience with pro-poor growth and empirical work spanning India, Benin and Malawi demonstrates the importance of agricultural expenditure for poverty reduction in poor rural areas, while also pointing to the need for complementary non farm sector growth. This study also proposes a simple methodology to estimate the agricultural spending that will be required to achieve the Millennium Development Goal of halving poverty by 2015 (MDG1) in Zimbabwe. This method uses growth poverty and growth expenditure elasticities to estimate the financial resources required to meet the MDG1. The study attempts to address a key knowledge gap by improving estimation of first MDG agricultural expenditure at country level.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Agricultural public spending, growth and poverty linkage hypotheses in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Ndhleve, Simbarashe
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural industries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Government spending policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Finance, Public -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11157 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/493 , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural industries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Government spending policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Finance, Public -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The adoption of the Millennium Development Goal 1 (MDG1) of reducing the rate of poverty to half of the 1990-level by 2015, the advent of democracy in South Africa, among other things, have raised concerns over the potential role of the agricultural sector. There is a belief that the sector has the capacity to successfully reduce poverty among the rural masses and contribute to addressing the problem of inequality in South Africa. In line with that thinking, South Africa‘s agricultural sector has attracted considerable fiscal policy interest. For instance, South Africa‘s statistics show that public investments in agricultural development programmes have been growing. In spite of this, rural poverty is still a major concern on an overall basis. However, this might not be the case in the Eastern Cape Province and the situation might be different for each district municipality. This study assesses the linkages between public agricultural investment, agricultural growth and poverty reduction in the Eastern Cape Province. The study also addresses the question whether Eastern Cape Province is on course to meet several regional development targets. The study also aims to provide an estimate of the amount of agricultural investment required to attain the agricultural productivity growth rate which is sufficient to meet MDG1. The study reviewed the various theories of public spending, linkages between public investment and agricultural growth and how these components affect the incidence of poverty. The conventional wisdom that public expenditure in agriculture positively affects economic growth and this growth consequently reduces poverty was noted. The reviews also revealed that in many developing countries, the current level of public agricultural investment needs to be increased significantly for countries to meet the MDG1. This study employed the decomposition technique and growth elasticity of poverty concept to estimate the response of poverty to its key determinants. The size of public spending, prioritization of public spending and the intensity in the use of public funds emerged as important in increasing agricultural production. The relationship between government investment in agriculture and agricultural GDP shows iv that public funds were largely behind the province‘s success in increasing agricultural production throughout the period from 1990s to 2010. Agricultural spending went to sustainable resource management, administrative functions and then farmer support programme. Exceptional growth in the size of spending was recorded in respect to agricultural economic function, structured agricultural training, sustainable resource management and veterinary services. Overall output from the agricultural sector fluctuated, and the sector contributed less than 5 per cent to the total provincial GDP. Correlations between growth in agricultural sector and changes in the incidence of poverty in Eastern Cape show that during the period 1995 to 2000, increases in the agricultural GDP per capita may have failed to benefit the poor as poverty increased in all the reported cases.–However, for the period between 2005 and 2010, the situation was different and it was observed that increases in agricultural GDP per capita and were associated with reduction in the incidence of poverty. Growth elasticity of poverty (GEP) estimates reveal that agricultural GDP per capita was more important in reducing poverty in 5 out of the 7 district municipalities. Non-agricultural GDP per capita was only important in two district municipalities. It emerged that most of the district municipalities are not in a position to meet any of the regional set goals. This situation is largely attributable to the province‘s failure to boost agricultural production which is an outcome of low and inefficient public expenditure management, inconsistent and misaligned policies and failure to fully embrace the concept of pro-poor growth. Varied provisional estimates for the required agricultural growth rate and the increase in public spending on agriculture required in order to reach MDG1 were calculated for each district municipalities. All the district municipalities of Eastern Cape will need to increase public investment in agriculture for them to achieve MDG1.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Ndhleve, Simbarashe
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural industries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Government spending policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Finance, Public -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11157 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/493 , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural industries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Government spending policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Finance, Public -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The adoption of the Millennium Development Goal 1 (MDG1) of reducing the rate of poverty to half of the 1990-level by 2015, the advent of democracy in South Africa, among other things, have raised concerns over the potential role of the agricultural sector. There is a belief that the sector has the capacity to successfully reduce poverty among the rural masses and contribute to addressing the problem of inequality in South Africa. In line with that thinking, South Africa‘s agricultural sector has attracted considerable fiscal policy interest. For instance, South Africa‘s statistics show that public investments in agricultural development programmes have been growing. In spite of this, rural poverty is still a major concern on an overall basis. However, this might not be the case in the Eastern Cape Province and the situation might be different for each district municipality. This study assesses the linkages between public agricultural investment, agricultural growth and poverty reduction in the Eastern Cape Province. The study also addresses the question whether Eastern Cape Province is on course to meet several regional development targets. The study also aims to provide an estimate of the amount of agricultural investment required to attain the agricultural productivity growth rate which is sufficient to meet MDG1. The study reviewed the various theories of public spending, linkages between public investment and agricultural growth and how these components affect the incidence of poverty. The conventional wisdom that public expenditure in agriculture positively affects economic growth and this growth consequently reduces poverty was noted. The reviews also revealed that in many developing countries, the current level of public agricultural investment needs to be increased significantly for countries to meet the MDG1. This study employed the decomposition technique and growth elasticity of poverty concept to estimate the response of poverty to its key determinants. The size of public spending, prioritization of public spending and the intensity in the use of public funds emerged as important in increasing agricultural production. The relationship between government investment in agriculture and agricultural GDP shows iv that public funds were largely behind the province‘s success in increasing agricultural production throughout the period from 1990s to 2010. Agricultural spending went to sustainable resource management, administrative functions and then farmer support programme. Exceptional growth in the size of spending was recorded in respect to agricultural economic function, structured agricultural training, sustainable resource management and veterinary services. Overall output from the agricultural sector fluctuated, and the sector contributed less than 5 per cent to the total provincial GDP. Correlations between growth in agricultural sector and changes in the incidence of poverty in Eastern Cape show that during the period 1995 to 2000, increases in the agricultural GDP per capita may have failed to benefit the poor as poverty increased in all the reported cases.–However, for the period between 2005 and 2010, the situation was different and it was observed that increases in agricultural GDP per capita and were associated with reduction in the incidence of poverty. Growth elasticity of poverty (GEP) estimates reveal that agricultural GDP per capita was more important in reducing poverty in 5 out of the 7 district municipalities. Non-agricultural GDP per capita was only important in two district municipalities. It emerged that most of the district municipalities are not in a position to meet any of the regional set goals. This situation is largely attributable to the province‘s failure to boost agricultural production which is an outcome of low and inefficient public expenditure management, inconsistent and misaligned policies and failure to fully embrace the concept of pro-poor growth. Varied provisional estimates for the required agricultural growth rate and the increase in public spending on agriculture required in order to reach MDG1 were calculated for each district municipalities. All the district municipalities of Eastern Cape will need to increase public investment in agriculture for them to achieve MDG1.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
An action learning model to assist circuit teams to support school management teams towards whole-school development
- Van der Voort, Geoffrey Hermanus
- Authors: Van der Voort, Geoffrey Hermanus
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Action research in education -- South Africa -- Cape Town , School management teams -- South Africa -- Cape Town , Low-performing schools -- South Africa -- Cape Town , School improvement programs -- South Africa -- Cape Town , Active learning -- South Africa -- Cape Town
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DEd
- Identifier: vital:9567 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1016065
- Description: This research study took as its point of departure the general state of underperformance of the majority of schools in South Africa. A review of the literature uncovered evidence that suggested that the state of school management in the majority of schools was in disarray. The problem was compounded by the poor quality and haphazard nature of support that District and Circuit Officials of the Education Department rendered to schools. I therefore saw the need to conduct a scientific investigation into how Circuit Teams could be assisted to support School Management Teams towards whole-school development. Against this background, I formulated the following primary research question to guide the study: “How can Circuit Teams effectively support School Management Teams of underperforming schools towards whole-school development?” The following secondary research questions arose out of this to provide further direction to the study: How can Circuit Teams assist School Management Teams to develop and implement their respective School Improvement Plans? How can Circuit Teams be assisted to develop, implement and monitor their Circuit Improvement Plans? What recommendations can be made to improve service delivery to the schools?. The primary aim of the research was therefore to design an action learning model that would enable Circuit Teams to support School Management Teams of underperforming high schools towards whole-school development. A qualitative research approach was adopted for this study, as it best suited the purpose of the research, and the philosophical assumptions of the researcher. In addition, I drew on a constructivist-interpretative and a critical theory paradigm to guide the design. I chose action research as the specific methodology for the study as, in line with critical theory it aims to empower people to facilitate social change and improvement at a local level. Purposive sampling was used to select four underperforming high schools in the same township within the Cape Town Metro, belonging to the same education Circuit and District Office to participate in the research. In addition, the members of the Circuit Team that serviced these schools were also brought on board as participants. In total, 40 people participated in the research: 4 members from the Circuit Team, 4 Principals, 8 Deputy Principals and 24 Heads of Department. Data were generated in the period January to June 2012 using structured, semi-structured and unstructured interviews, participant observation, and document analysis. Data were analysed by following the eight steps for analysing qualitative data identified by Tesch. An Action Research cycle consisting of the following five steps was followed with participants during the fieldwork, viz.: Identification of the problem; Designing the action plan; Implementing the action plan; Evaluating the action, and Reflection and lessons learnt. Two Action Research cycles emerged from the fieldwork. The first cycle dealt with assisting the schools and Circuit Team to construct their improvement plans. The main findings from this cycle were (1) that the Circuit Team did not function as a team, due to the autocratic management style of the Circuit Team Manager, and the plan of action to address the underperforming schools was not developed in a participative manner. In addition, the Circuit Team had no Circuit Improvement Plan in place with which to support the schools. (2) The schools did not receive the required support to prepare their School Improvement Plans, and although they were able to articulate their areas of support needed, none of them undertook the process of School Self-Evaluation and therefore did not have School Improvement Plans in place. The second action r esearch cycle dealt with the support that schools needed from the other pillars of the District Office to implement their intervention plans. Three themes emerged from this action research cycle: (1) The School Management Teams required capacitybuilding to manage their schools effectively, (2) teachers needed support to implement the curriculum, and (3) learners required assistance to achieve better results. As the outcome of the research, a spiral model consisting of three distinctive phases, each having several loops that describe the particular action that Circuit Teams and School Management Teams have to undertake was developed as the ultimate outcome of the research. The structure of the model was explained, and explicit guidelines for operationalizing it in practice were provided. Based on the findings and the construction of the model, a number of recommendations were put forward to guide future research and practice in the area of Circuit Team support to nderperforming schools. In conclusion, this research study contributed to the body of knowledge by exploring, investigating and describing the working relationship between Circuit Teams and School Management Teams, which until now has not been adequately covered in the existing literature and research. The study culminated in a theoretical model which can be used to improve this relationship permitting Circuit Teams to better support School Management Teams towards whole-school development. The action research design also allowed a more participative and democratic relationship to develop between the Circuit Team and the School Management Teams of the four schools, which is also an innovative idea considering the traditional hierarchic and autocratic approach which has been the norm in the past. Hopefully the findings of this study will encourage the emergence of democratic partnerships between Departmental officials and school management, leading to the empowerment and transformation of school management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Van der Voort, Geoffrey Hermanus
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Action research in education -- South Africa -- Cape Town , School management teams -- South Africa -- Cape Town , Low-performing schools -- South Africa -- Cape Town , School improvement programs -- South Africa -- Cape Town , Active learning -- South Africa -- Cape Town
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DEd
- Identifier: vital:9567 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1016065
- Description: This research study took as its point of departure the general state of underperformance of the majority of schools in South Africa. A review of the literature uncovered evidence that suggested that the state of school management in the majority of schools was in disarray. The problem was compounded by the poor quality and haphazard nature of support that District and Circuit Officials of the Education Department rendered to schools. I therefore saw the need to conduct a scientific investigation into how Circuit Teams could be assisted to support School Management Teams towards whole-school development. Against this background, I formulated the following primary research question to guide the study: “How can Circuit Teams effectively support School Management Teams of underperforming schools towards whole-school development?” The following secondary research questions arose out of this to provide further direction to the study: How can Circuit Teams assist School Management Teams to develop and implement their respective School Improvement Plans? How can Circuit Teams be assisted to develop, implement and monitor their Circuit Improvement Plans? What recommendations can be made to improve service delivery to the schools?. The primary aim of the research was therefore to design an action learning model that would enable Circuit Teams to support School Management Teams of underperforming high schools towards whole-school development. A qualitative research approach was adopted for this study, as it best suited the purpose of the research, and the philosophical assumptions of the researcher. In addition, I drew on a constructivist-interpretative and a critical theory paradigm to guide the design. I chose action research as the specific methodology for the study as, in line with critical theory it aims to empower people to facilitate social change and improvement at a local level. Purposive sampling was used to select four underperforming high schools in the same township within the Cape Town Metro, belonging to the same education Circuit and District Office to participate in the research. In addition, the members of the Circuit Team that serviced these schools were also brought on board as participants. In total, 40 people participated in the research: 4 members from the Circuit Team, 4 Principals, 8 Deputy Principals and 24 Heads of Department. Data were generated in the period January to June 2012 using structured, semi-structured and unstructured interviews, participant observation, and document analysis. Data were analysed by following the eight steps for analysing qualitative data identified by Tesch. An Action Research cycle consisting of the following five steps was followed with participants during the fieldwork, viz.: Identification of the problem; Designing the action plan; Implementing the action plan; Evaluating the action, and Reflection and lessons learnt. Two Action Research cycles emerged from the fieldwork. The first cycle dealt with assisting the schools and Circuit Team to construct their improvement plans. The main findings from this cycle were (1) that the Circuit Team did not function as a team, due to the autocratic management style of the Circuit Team Manager, and the plan of action to address the underperforming schools was not developed in a participative manner. In addition, the Circuit Team had no Circuit Improvement Plan in place with which to support the schools. (2) The schools did not receive the required support to prepare their School Improvement Plans, and although they were able to articulate their areas of support needed, none of them undertook the process of School Self-Evaluation and therefore did not have School Improvement Plans in place. The second action r esearch cycle dealt with the support that schools needed from the other pillars of the District Office to implement their intervention plans. Three themes emerged from this action research cycle: (1) The School Management Teams required capacitybuilding to manage their schools effectively, (2) teachers needed support to implement the curriculum, and (3) learners required assistance to achieve better results. As the outcome of the research, a spiral model consisting of three distinctive phases, each having several loops that describe the particular action that Circuit Teams and School Management Teams have to undertake was developed as the ultimate outcome of the research. The structure of the model was explained, and explicit guidelines for operationalizing it in practice were provided. Based on the findings and the construction of the model, a number of recommendations were put forward to guide future research and practice in the area of Circuit Team support to nderperforming schools. In conclusion, this research study contributed to the body of knowledge by exploring, investigating and describing the working relationship between Circuit Teams and School Management Teams, which until now has not been adequately covered in the existing literature and research. The study culminated in a theoretical model which can be used to improve this relationship permitting Circuit Teams to better support School Management Teams towards whole-school development. The action research design also allowed a more participative and democratic relationship to develop between the Circuit Team and the School Management Teams of the four schools, which is also an innovative idea considering the traditional hierarchic and autocratic approach which has been the norm in the past. Hopefully the findings of this study will encourage the emergence of democratic partnerships between Departmental officials and school management, leading to the empowerment and transformation of school management.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
An analysis of ionospheric response to geomagnetic disturbances over South Africa and Antarctica
- Authors: Ngwira, Chigomezyo Mudala
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Geomagnetism -- South Africa , Geomagnetism -- Antarctica , Ionospheric storms -- South Africa , Ionospheric storms -- Antarctica
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5534 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012957
- Description: The ionosphere is of practical importance for satellite-based communication and navigation systems due to its variable refractive nature which affects the propagation of trans-ionospheric radio signals. This thesis reports on the first attempt to investigate the mechanisms responsible for the generation of positive ionospheric storm effects over mid-latitude South Africa. The storm response on 15 May 2005 was associated with equatorward neutral winds and the passage of travelling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs). The two TIDs reported in this thesis propagated with average velocities of ∼438 m/s and ∼515 m/s respectively. The velocity of the first TID (i.e. 438 m/s) is consistent with the velocities calculated in other studies for the same storm event. In a second case study, the positive storm enhancement on both 25 and 27 July 2004 lasted for more than 7 hours, and were classified as long-duration positive ionospheric storm effects. It has been suggested that the long-duration positive storm effects could have been caused by large-scale thermospheric wind circulation and enhanced equatorward neutral winds. These processes were in turn most likely to have been driven by enhanced and sustained energy input in the high-latitude ionosphere due to Joule heating and particle energy injection. This is evident by the prolonged high-level geomagnetic activity on both 25 and 27 July. This thesis also reports on the phase scintillation investigation at the South African Antarctic polar research station during solar minimum conditions. The multi-instrument approach that was used shows that the scintillation events were associated with auroral electron precipitation and that substorms play an essential role in the production of scintillation in the high latitudes. Furthermore, the investigation reveals that external energy injection into the ionosphere is necessary for the development of high-latitude irregularities which produce scintillation. Finally, this thesis highlights inadequate data resources as one of the major shortcomings to be addressed in order to fully understand and distinguish between the various ionospheric storm drivers over the Southern Africa mid-latitude region. The results presented in this thesis on the ionospheric response during geomagnetic storms provide essential information to direct further investigation aimed at developing this emerging field of study in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Ngwira, Chigomezyo Mudala
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Geomagnetism -- South Africa , Geomagnetism -- Antarctica , Ionospheric storms -- South Africa , Ionospheric storms -- Antarctica
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5534 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012957
- Description: The ionosphere is of practical importance for satellite-based communication and navigation systems due to its variable refractive nature which affects the propagation of trans-ionospheric radio signals. This thesis reports on the first attempt to investigate the mechanisms responsible for the generation of positive ionospheric storm effects over mid-latitude South Africa. The storm response on 15 May 2005 was associated with equatorward neutral winds and the passage of travelling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs). The two TIDs reported in this thesis propagated with average velocities of ∼438 m/s and ∼515 m/s respectively. The velocity of the first TID (i.e. 438 m/s) is consistent with the velocities calculated in other studies for the same storm event. In a second case study, the positive storm enhancement on both 25 and 27 July 2004 lasted for more than 7 hours, and were classified as long-duration positive ionospheric storm effects. It has been suggested that the long-duration positive storm effects could have been caused by large-scale thermospheric wind circulation and enhanced equatorward neutral winds. These processes were in turn most likely to have been driven by enhanced and sustained energy input in the high-latitude ionosphere due to Joule heating and particle energy injection. This is evident by the prolonged high-level geomagnetic activity on both 25 and 27 July. This thesis also reports on the phase scintillation investigation at the South African Antarctic polar research station during solar minimum conditions. The multi-instrument approach that was used shows that the scintillation events were associated with auroral electron precipitation and that substorms play an essential role in the production of scintillation in the high latitudes. Furthermore, the investigation reveals that external energy injection into the ionosphere is necessary for the development of high-latitude irregularities which produce scintillation. Finally, this thesis highlights inadequate data resources as one of the major shortcomings to be addressed in order to fully understand and distinguish between the various ionospheric storm drivers over the Southern Africa mid-latitude region. The results presented in this thesis on the ionospheric response during geomagnetic storms provide essential information to direct further investigation aimed at developing this emerging field of study in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012