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In Search of the “Goodlife": Border Crossing and Agency in Luis Alberto Urrea's Into the Beautiful North and Graciela Limón's The River Flows North

  • Authors: Naidu, Samantha
  • Date: 2019
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/158046 , vital:40142 , https://doi.org/10.1080/18125441.2019.16474490
  • Description: This article explores representations of complex diasporic subjectivities that resist, or attempt to resist, obsolete nationalist notions of citizenship and identity by crossing the US– Mexico border (and, in so doing, crossing other intangible borders) in search of a better life. Two examples of border literature, Luis Alberto Urrea's Into the Beautiful North (2009) and Graciela Limón's The River Flows North (2009), have been selected for analysis. These texts, in describing various diaspora spaces—to enlist Avtar Brah's term (Cartographies of Diaspora. London: Routledge, 1996)—also examine how those who do not migrate are affected by migration. In Writing the Goodlife: Mexican American Literature and the Environment (Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 2016), Priscilla Solis Ybarra reveals how the past century and a half's Mexican-American literature contains valuable new approaches to creating and sustaining new forms of transnational relations between humans, and ecologically sound relationships between humans and nature.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

In silico study of Plasmodium 1-deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR) for identification of novel inhibitors from SANCDB:

  • Authors: Diallo, Bakary N , Lobb, Kevin A , Tastan Bishop, Özlem
  • Date: 2019
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/162687 , vital:40973 , https://doi.org/10.21955/aasopenres.1114960.1
  • Description: In this study, we intended to find potential 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR) inhibitors as antimalarial drugs from the South African National Compound Database (SANCDB; https://sancdb.rubi.ru.ac.za) using computational tools.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

In vitro and in vivo toxicity assessment of biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles from Elaeodendron croceum:

  • Authors: Odeyemi, S W , de la Mare, Jo-Anne , Edkins, Adrienne L , Afolayan, A J
  • Date: 2019
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/163488 , vital:41042 , DOI: 10.1515/jcim-2018-0184
  • Description: The cytotoxic properties of nanoparticles have attracted a great deal of attention in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology due to their small size and ability to penetrate cellular membranes.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

In vitro Anti-trypanosomal activities of indanone-based chalcones:

  • Authors: Beteck, Richard M , Legoabe, Lesetje J , Isaacs, Michelle , Hoppe, Heinrich C
  • Date: 2019
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/158280 , vital:40169 , https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12953
  • Description: Human African trypanosomiasis is a neglected infectious disease that affects mostly people living in the rural areas of Africa. Current treatment options are limited to just four drugs that have been in use of four to nine decades. The life-threatening toxic side-effects associated with the use of these drugs are disconcerting. Poor efficacy, low oral bioavailability, and high cost are other shortcomings of current HAT treatments. Evaluating the potentials of known hits for other therapeutic areas may be a fast and convenient method to discover new hit compounds against alternative targets. A library of 34 known indanone based chalcones was screened against T.b. brucei and nine potent hits, having IC50 values between 0.5–8.9 µM, were found. The SAR studies of this series could provide useful information in guiding future exploration of this class of compounds in search of more potent, safe, and low cost anti-trypanosomal agents.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

In vitro antimalarial, antitrypanosomal and HIV-1 integrase inhibitory activities of two Cameroonian medicinal plants

  • Authors: Fouokeng, Yannick , Feumo Feusso, H M , Mbosso Teinkela, Jean E , Siwe-Noundou, Xavier , Wintjens, René T , Isaacs, Michelle , Hoppe, Heinrich C , Krause, Rui W M , Azébazé, Anatole G B , Vardamides, Juliette C
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/195014 , vital:45519 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2018.10.008"
  • Description: Antiplasmodial, antitrypanosomal and anti-HIV-1 activities of crude extracts, fractions and some isolated compounds from two Cameroonian medicinal plants: Antrocaryon klaineanum Pierre (Anacardiaceae) and Diospyros conocarpa Gürke ex K. Schum. (Ebenaceae) were assessed. The phytochemical studies led to the isolation of eight compounds (1–8) from Diospyros conocarpa and six compounds (6, 9–13) from Antrocaryon klaineanum. These compounds were identified as mangiferolic acid (1), 3β, 22(S)-dihydroxycycloart-24E-en-26-oic acid (2), lupeol (3), aridanin (4), betulin (5), betulinic acid (6), bergenin (7), D-quercitol(8), entilin C(9), entilin A(10), antrocarine A(11), 7R,20(S)-dihydroxy-4,24(28)-ergostadien-3-one(12) and stigmasterol glucoside (13). The criteria for activity were set as follows: an IC50 value more than 10 μg/mL for crude extracts and more than 1 μg/mL for pure compounds. The hexane/ethyl acetate (1:1) fraction of A.klaineanum root bark (AKERF1) and the hexane/ethyl acetate (1:1) fraction of A.klaineanum trunk bark (AKETF1) presented the strongest antiplasmodial activities with IC50 values of 0.4 and 4.4 μg/mL, respectively. Aridanin (4) and antrocarine A(11), as well as the crude extract of D.conocarpa roots (EDCR), AKERF1 and AKETF1 showed moderate trypanocidal effects. The crude extract of A.klaineanum root bark (AKER) and AKETF1 exhibited attractive activities on HIV-1 integrase with IC50 values of 1.96 and 24.04 μg/mL, respectively. The results provide baseline information on the use of A.klaineanum and D.conocarpa extracts, as well as certain components, as sources of new antiplasmodial, antitrypanosomal and anti-HIV drugs.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

In-betweenness: a postcolonial exploration of sociocultural intergenerational learning through cattle as a medium of cultural expression in Mpembeni, KwaZulu-Natal

  • Authors: Masuku, Lynette Sibongile
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Postcolonialism , Environmental education -- South Africa , Community education -- South Africa -- KwaZulu Natal , Non-formal education -- South Africa -- KwaZulu Natal , Agricultural education -- South Africa -- KwaZulu Natal , Livestock -- Handling -- South Africa -- KwaZulu Natal , Cattle -- Handling -- South Africa -- KwaZulu Natal , Cattle herding -- South Africa -- KwaZulu Natal , Life skills -- Study and teaching -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68181 , vital:29213
  • Description: This case study was conducted in a small rural community called Mpembeni, in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province. It was motivated by my observation of high levels of competence in ‘cattle knowledge’ amongst children coupled with a simultaneous failure at school. I view schools as integral parts of the community and consider them as being influenced by the community, which they in turn influence. This study set out to understand that which embodied informal learning in home/pasture-based contexts as well as formalised learning processes in schools. I used Sociocultural theory as the most congruent of educational theories to surface and illuminate the intergenerational learning processes that were taking place in the area. This warranted my use of research investigation methods that could, in non-intrusive ways, expose the everyday community practices that related to cattle as a particular medium of cultural expression. Ethnography, sourced from anthropology, aided by ethnomethods, was not only compatible with my study and the way in which I wanted to write out the research report, but also with my educational theory and its counterhegemonic intents. To understand the colonialities that framed the discord that embodied home and school as learning contexts, I used postcolonial theory, not only as a lens but as a counterhegemonic response. This theory also informed my research methodology as well as afforded me the reflexivity tools for an examination of my own intergenerational learning and the relational identities of myself as ‘Other’ in the lives of the research participants. It further facilitated the exploration of the potential for potential hybrid third spaces within the bubbling meeting nodes of the socio-cultural context of school and home/pasture based settings of learning. I observed cattle herding related practices, interviewed children, their parents and/or carers, dipping tank managers, livestock inspectors, community elders and members. I also analysed some of the written and unwritten content that made up the formal and informal based learning processes and reviewed some of the most recent South African Curriculum Statements and related texts on the representations of cattle. I sought views from teachers on their interactions with the people of Mpembeni, whose children they taught. I also explored axes of tension, silences and presences on anything related to cattle in schools. I argue and make a case for the development of thought by African scholars to advance Africa’s education rather than aid mimicry and the importation of theories of little congruence and relevance to the African context and Africa’s future. The study has made some contributions to new knowledge. This is in its exploration of sociocultural intergenerational methods and techniques that are employed for learning in community contexts, highlighting the importance of surfacing and understanding of children’s knowledge and experiences. The study has gone further to deliberate the in-betweenness of school and home learning environments, highlighting and unsilencing silenced, peripherised, new, old, considered irrelevant in the past, context and time congruent and liberatory knowledges. I propose that the knowledges located in these cleavages of difference be utilised to transform and create learning bridges between home and school environments. I propose that those ways of knowing that see others as nothings, be exposed and unlearned. Methods of learning that naturally unfold at home could be replicated at school with a recognition of the intergenerational methods, techniques, practices and the learning values in a critically constructive manner that narrows difference and othering.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Incentive effects: assessing effort and heterogeneity in professional tennis

  • Authors: Chadwick, Byron James Rhett
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Professional sports -- Economic aspects , Tennis players -- Wages , Tennis -- Tournaments , Achievement motivation , Incentive awards
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/69467 , vital:29541
  • Description: This study explores the impact incentive effects have on the level of effort exerted by professional men and women tennis players. Understanding what impact incentives have on tennis players can allow for greater understanding of the impact incentives have in the workplace and how employees react to different incentive schemes. The study makes use of data from both the ATP and WTA tour of every tournament played during the 2016 season. This includes player statistics, tournament statistics and in-game statistics from the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals of each tournament in an attempt to account for initial seeding effects. This provides a total of 440 ATP matches and 389 WTA matches for an overall sample size of 829 professional tennis matches. The findings from this study illustrate in the last three rounds of all the tournaments played, for both male and females, money is not considered to be a key motivator for players. The ATP and WTA results suggest that competitors do not alter their effort levels depending on the level of the tournament. This illustrates that players exert similar effort levels regardless of the amount of money or ranking points available. The outcome of the findings supports that of the capability effect of heterogeneity on players’ performance. This means that the outcome of a match is linked more to the abilities of the competitors involved as opposed to the incentives available. Thus, players will adjust their effort levels according to their opponent and not because there are more money or ranking points available. This suggests that both the ATP and WTA should aim to reduce the differences in abilities amongst the players in an attempt to raise the attractiveness of the sport. Overall, the findings from this study illustrate that the capability effect outweighs that of the incentive effect.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Incidence of cholera-causing and non cholera-causing pathogenic vibrio species in the river-k and two of its feeder wastewater treatment plants in the Raymond Mhlaba municipality, Eastern Cape province of South Africa

  • Authors: Gcilitshana, Onele
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Water -- Purification -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Effluent quality -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15145 , vital:40190
  • Description: Despite technological advances in water treatment and improved sanitation in many developing countries, acute microbial diseases still thrive and continue to distress millions of people. This is due to the high number of rural dwellers that still source water for drinking and other domestic uses from contaminated rivers. In South Africa, there have been reports on waterborne disease outbreaks, and specifically in the area understudy, two records of diarrhoeal outbreaks associated with consumption of river water were reported within the last decade. All those outbreaks and previous reports on isolation of other pathogenic bacteria within the area necessitated the conduction of this study in order to identify the potential causes of the cholera-associate diarrheal outbreaks previously reported in the area and nationally. This study was designed to assess the incidence of cholera-causing and non-cholera causing pathogens in final effluents and surface waters of the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. RiverK which serves as a major resource for domestic activities, agricultural practices as well as an abstraction point for a potable water treatment plant was used for this study. River-K freshwater and final effluents of its two feeder wastewater treatment plants were sampled monthly, over a twelve-month period (December 2016–November 2017). For purposes of confidentiality, the names of the wastewater treatment plants and river involved are coded in this report. A total of 108 water samples were assessed for the physicochemical parameters that influence the presence of Vibrio pathogens. For bacteriology, the membrane filtration method followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was adopted to assess the incidence of cholera-causing and non-choleracausing Vibrio pathogens, as well as their virulence-associated genes from the two wastewater treatment plants and their receiving waterbody (River-K). Antibiotic susceptibility profiles of identified Vibrio species were determined using the disc diffusion method against a panel of xvi sixteen antibiotics commonly used as antimicrobial drugs of Vibrio infections. Multiple antibiotics resistance index (MARI) and phenotypes (MARP) were measured, and the existence of antibiotic resistance genes was evaluated by PCR using specific primer sets. Most of the physicochemical parameters measured (pH, TDS, temperature, salinity and DO) complied with the recommended standards for drinking water, while some fell short of the recommended limits (EC, turbidity, TSS, free chlorine). From the presumptive Vibrio isolates, 64.3% (476/740) were confirmed by PCR, with their Vibrio densities across all sampling points ranging between 0 and 2.7 × 104 CFU/100 mL, with high counts recorded in summer, hence their positive significant correlation (P< 0.01) with temperature. From the confirmed Vibrio isolates, only V. cholerae (53/476), V. mimicus (21/476) and V. parahaemolyticus (5/476) were detected. For virulence-associated genes, virulence genes homologous to V. cholerae virulence determinants, namely ompU (35%), TCP (14%), ACE (11%), ctx (7%) and HylA (4.5%) were widespread (independently) amongst the V. cholerae and V. mimicus species, while V. parahemolyticus isolates (100%) produced only the ToxR gene. Antibiogram profiling found resistance against some antibiotics such as Nalidixic acid (65%), Polymyxin B (43.8%) etc. The MAR indices ranged between 0 and 0.67 with 41.3% of the isolates recording MAR index values above 0.2. The results presented high degrees of MARPs ranging from four to eleven antimicrobials. For resistance gene detection, the SXT element was detected in 66% of the isolates, while cat1 (93%) was the most predominant, followed by aac (68%), ant (61%), with bla-V (7.1%) as the least detected gene. Findings from this study suggest that the wastewater effluents from the two wastewater treatment plants are potential sources of pathogenic Vibrio species and River-K contains a high quantity of pathogenic Vibrio species with fluctuating seasonal variations that reaffirm temperature as a strong reason for their abundance. The antibiotic-resistant Vibrio species isolated here carry a pool of virulence-associated genes and xvii antibiotic resistance genes, presenting a health threat to the communities that use it directly for domestic and irrigation purposes. In conclusion, some surface waters in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa are widely contaminated with cholera-causing and non-cholera causing Vibrio pathogens; furthermore, some wastewater treatment plants are ineffective in adequately removing microbial contaminants and have become sources of pathogenic bacteria to their receiving waterbodie
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Indigenisation and participatory development in Zimbabwe: the case of the indigenisation and empowerment policy

  • Authors: Musasa, Gabriel https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1906-5624
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Community development -- Zimbabwe , Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions
  • Language: English
  • Type: Doctoral theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20359 , vital:45657
  • Description: The study analysed the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Programme (IEEP) with regard to majority participation and its implementation, given the unfriendly macroeconomic and international environment the country is currently facing. The IEEP is claimed to be addressing poverty and seeking to promote economic participation of indigenous Zimbabweans, particularly targeting women, youth and disabled sections of society. The main aim of the study was to analyse the outcomes of the IEEP with regard to creating space for participation and to promote social justice of Zimbabwean nationals in the main economic sectors of the country, which are agriculture, manufacturing, mining and tourism. Using a qualitative approach, this study analysed the perspectives of government, non-governmental organisations, academics and the marginalised groups of women, disabled and youth in Zimbabwe through interviews and focus group discussions. The data from the fieldwork was analysed using the thematic approach. The findings revealed that a new elite of black entrepreneurs has emerged and foreign capital is diminishing, with limited success being attributed to policy outputs, particularly the community share ownership schemes and employee share ownership scheme. However, the policy did not produce positive outcomes as expected, owing to lack of policy clarity, heavy politicisation and political manoeuvring, as well as lack of information, education and training. Further problems were corruption, lack of support for beneficiaries, lack of funding, the unfavourable macro-economic environment, the liquidity crisis, limited access to credit facilities, broken internal politics and exclusion, lack of monitoring and evaluation, economic sanctions and international isolation. The programme fell victim to improper association and some institutional inertia. Participation in the IEEP, as implied in the social justice approach, does not fully embrace attainment of basic liberties and equality of opportunity, mainly because of the patterns of accumulation, dispossession, economic structures and social relations that are politicised. Elite capture, ethnic and regional segregation, the macro-economic environment and the narrow focus on the formal sector that led to the collapse of industry are the major hurdles to participation. Efforts to facilitate equality of opportunity for women and people with disabilities are heavily subdued by the lack of good institutional support that may enable meaningful participation and possibly yield better outcomes for the worst off in society. The IEEP has failed to redress the inequalities inherent in Zimbabwean economy, with evidence from the findings that the majority cannot take the opportunities that are offered by the programme. The study identified a way forward on how participation can be incorporated in the comprehensive framework for socio-economic development in Zimbabwe through a menu of intervention, giving direction to what needs to be done for individuals and communities to participate in the IEEP in a meaningful way. In particular, this will involve land entitlement, promoting innovation in global value chains, a hybridised two-pathway model of indigenisation, a disability intervention model, and a sustainable model of community share ownership schemes. These interventions are ideal for bringing about the desired aspiration of transformation in a sustainable way in Zimbabwe, as well as fostering social justice for people with disabilities. , Thesis (DPhil) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2020
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Indigenous cereal crops and food security issues in Zimbabwe: the case of Matabeleland Provinces

  • Authors: Nyathi, Vuyiswa Sandra
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Food security Farms, Small
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Developmental Studies)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17070 , vital:40845
  • Description: The study endeavoured to find out how indigenous cereal crops in the form of sorghum, pearl millet and finger millet, popularly known as small grain, would help in increasing cereal production in the dry regions of Zimbabwe so as to alleviate food insecurity. For the past decade the nation’s cereal production has been on the decline with the country having to rely on grain imports from neighbouring countries to prevent hunger. Studies that have been carried out have indicated that these indigenous cereal crops are better suited for semi-arid regions like Matabeleland, used as a case study, where maize has almost always been a failing crop. The study examined representations of smallholder farmers through interviews held with agricultural personnel in Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South Provinces. The study argues that instead of relying on maize only as a staple crop, in the semiarid regions of the country, indigenous cereal crops are suitable alternative staple crops in Zimbabwe. Indications from the findings of the study are that diversification of staple crop production should stress the importance of state mediation, distribution and promotion of indigenous cereal crops. The researcher thus proposes that the reliance on indigenous crops be anchored in community food security, food sovereignty and rural food system perspectives, not negating the negative effects of climate change on food production. The results showed that despite progress made by the state in assisting farmers with agricultural inputs, very little has been achieved in alleviating food insecurity in the dry regions, as indigenous cereal crops continue being pushed to the periphery of the agricultural sector. iii The study concludes by putting forward that addressing the stated challenges could lead to the potential of indigenous cerealcrops potentially increasing the cereal supply for the nation, thus alleviating food security woes as these crops grow favourably even in the most adverse weather conditions and poor topography.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Indigenous polycentric and nested customary sea-tenure (CST) institutions: a Solomon Islands case study

  • Authors: Aswani, Shankar
  • Date: 2019
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , book
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/178964 , vital:40100 , ISBN 9780429628283
  • Description: In one volume, this book brings together a diversity of approaches, theory and frameworks that can be used to analyse the governance of renewable natural resources. Renewable natural resources are under pressure, with over-exploitation and degradation raising concern globally. Understanding governance systems and practice is essential for developing effective and fair solutions. This book introduces readers to key concepts and issues concerned with the governance of renewable natural resources and illustrates the diversity of approaches, theories and frameworks that have been used to analyse governance systems and practice. Each chapter provides an introduction to an area of literature and theory and demonstrates application through a case study. The book covers a range of geographical locations, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries, and several types of natural resources. The approaches and theories introduced include common property theory, political ecology, institutional analysis, the social -ecological systems framework and social network analysis. Findings from across the chapters support an analytical focus on institutions and local context and a practical focus on diverse, flexible and inclusive governance solutions. The book serves as an essential introduction to the governance of renewable natural resources for students, researchers and practitioners.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Inflation hedging with South African common stocks: a JSE sectoral analysis

  • Authors: Kawawa, Dennis
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Johannesburg Stock Exchange , Inflation (Finance) -- South Africa , Hedging (Finance)-- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/71526 , vital:29861
  • Description: Inflation risk erodes purchasing power, redistributes wealth from lenders to borrowers and threatens investor’s long-term objectives, which are often specified in real terms; financial market volatility presents an additional risk for investors and portfolio managers concerned with not only real returns but also absolute returns. Understanding key investment risks, of which inflation is one, is crucial for investment managers in order to design effective hedging strategies to preserve wealth over the long run. Empirical tests of the Fisher hypothesis in South Africa have shown that common stocks are a good hedge against inflation. However, empirical evidence from developed countries has also shown that the relationship between common stocks and inflation is heterogeneous across the sectors and industries. This paper analysed the sectoral differences in the hedging ability of South African common stocks to test for this heterogeneity. The paper presents disaggregated sector models to test heterogeneity across the eight sectors of the JSE securities exchange. Understanding which of these sectors offers the best hedge against inflation is important to investors, allowing them to place money where the value will be best preserved during times of higher inflation. The disaggregated sectors tested included the Basic Materials price index, Industrials price index, Consumer Goods price index, Health Care price index, Consumer Services price index, Telecommunications price index, Financials price index, and Technology price index. Johansen Cointegration techniques were employed to empirically test the Fisher hypothesis for the South African market. For the Fisher hypothesis to hold, this paper was required to find evidence of cointegration between the share indices and CPI, as well as a positive slope coefficient for the cointegrating regression. The results of the cointegration test showed that the All Share index and each of disaggregated sector indices were cointegrated with CPI. This implied that a long run relationship exists between common stocks and inflation. Two techniques were used to estimate the cointegrating regressions for each model, a standard long-run cointegrating regression normalizing on the share index and a Vector error correction model (VECM). For all the models both techniques reveal a positive relationship between common stock and CPI with the coefficients for the long run cointegrating regression derived from the various models ranging between 1.41 – 3.62 while the coefficients from the VECM ranged from 1.42 - 4.85. The varying coefficients provide evidence of the heterogeneity of the hedging ability of common stocks. Overall the evidence from the long run cointegration regression suggests that in times of high inflation investors are most compensated for changes in inflation in common stocks relating to the Consumer Services and Health Care sectors, but that in general all sectors of the JSE provide some hedge for inflation. The results suggest that investors are compensated for changes in inflation if they invest in specific industries rather than in the All Share index, thus diversifying portfolios could provide a better hedge for inflation. Although positive coefficients were found the weak exogeneity test revealed only technology Index was caused by changes in CPI. The Paper concluded that in the long run all sectors provided protection against inflation during the period of study, but the evidence only fully supports the Fisher hypothesis for the Technology index, due to the results of the weak exogeneity test that revealed that CPI is weakly exogenous only in the equation of the Technology index.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Influence of destination familiarity and destination image on the intention to revisit East London

  • Authors: Nyezwa, Abegail Noluthando
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Tourism -- South Africa -- East London -- Marketing , Tourism -- South Africa -- East London
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42781 , vital:36691
  • Description: Tourists have a tendency of revisiting a destination when they are pleased with certain features encountered during their first visit. In some cases, even though the visitors are happy, they do not return to the same destination because they want to discover other destinations, whereas fewer satisfied tourists do return to the same destination and become repeat visitors. In order to remain internationally competitive, it is essential for destinations to design and implement marketing strategies which will assist in attracting the preferred product positioning in target markets. Destinations should always distinguish themselves from their competitors. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent to which destination familiarity and destination image influence the intention to revisit East London. A quantitative research method was adopted in order to test the relationships depicted in the hypothesised model. A sample was drawn using convenience sampling techniques. In total, 62 questionnaires were distributed to tourists who had revisited East London. The study discovered that most of the respondents were employed and educated. The study made use of the survey methodology and a structured questionnaire was used in order to collect data from respondents. All the questionnaires were returned. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used to test reliability of multiple-item scales. Only two variables had Cronbach’s alpha scores above 0.60. and one had a score of 0.40 and that is unacceptable. The study revealed that a majority of respondents strongly agree that quality beaches, entertainment and sport are factors which will encourage them to revisit East London. This study revealed that there is a significant relationship between Destination Familiarity and Traveller’s Attitude. The study revealed that only few respondents viewed East London as expensive. The study recommended that the city examine its natural attractions, upgrade the shopping facilities and continuously maintain the qualities of beaches, initiating new fairs and festivals, making sure that local transport is reliable and safe. In order to be globally competitive, management need to gather intelligence in terms of how other countries globally use to attract repeat tourist visitation.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Influence of laser surface treatment on residual stress distribution and dynamic properties in rotary friction welded ti-6al-4v components

  • Authors: Tsikayi, Davies Shamiso
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Lasers -- Industrial applications , Friction welding Pressure welding Metals -- Research
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43823 , vital:37050
  • Description: This manuscript details a study on laser surface treatment, a surface modification technique that is an easily flexible way of improving material surface properties of complex geometries. The research explored the potential of laser surface modification/treatment as a post welding surface processing technique for RFW Ti-6Al-4V ELI components by evaluating the microstructural effects, influence on fatigue life and the depth and magnitude of residual stresses induced. The outcome of this study reveals how post processing by laser surface modification affects crack initiation hence fatigue life and further explains mechanisms potentially contributing to enhanced joint properties. This study was accomplished by investigating the effect of laser surface treatment on surface properties of hourglass cylindrical rotary friction welded Ti-6Al-4V ELI specimens. Preliminary work was done in two stages. The first stage involved conducting laser surface treatment on 3 mm Ti-6Al-4V sheets. In this stage, an understanding of the process variables concerning the laser surface treatment process characteristics was established. Laser power and focus position were varied whilst scanning speed was kept constant. The observed macrographs were quantified in terms of laser penetration depth and width. A hardness and microstructural analysis was also conducted on selected specimens of the laser surface treated flat sheets trials. The second stage involved surface treatment of the hourglass fatigue specimen. This preliminary work allowed for the type and influence of treatment strategy to be analysed. The influence of treatment strategy on the depth of penetration was established with an emphasis on achieving homogeneity of the laser surface treated zone’s depth of penetration around the complete cylindrical specimen’s diameter. The final matrix involved varying laser power, scanning speed and focus position and the specimens were characterised by comparing hardness, residual stresses and microstructure. The results showed that laser surface treatment changed the hardness profile of the near surface of the specimen owing to the introduction of a homogenous microstructure at the surface as compared to a friction welded specimen. The microstructure was resolved using electron backscatter diffraction. A fully α-lamella microstructure was observed in the two specimens analysed at a position of 200 μm from the surface. The α-lamella had different width sizes with the low-power density specimen having a very fine microstructure as compared to that of the high-power density specimen. EBSD phase maps were also analysed for the parent, rotary friction welded only and friction welded laser surface treated specimens. The laser treated specimens showed virtually no β phase present as compared to the parent and rotary friction welded only specimens. LST processing improved the fatigue properties of the RFW specimens. The position of failure shifted from the HAZ to outside the RFW joint. This change in position was attributed to the surface modification by LST thereby introducing a more homogenous microstructure at the surface of the specimen. Additionally, it was also observed that the power density had an important role to play in the fatigue properties of the laser surface treated specimens. The high-power density LST specimens had a low fatigue limit compared to the low-power density specimens. The low fatigue limit at high- power density correlated with the residual stress results where the high-power density specimen had the highest attained surface tensile axial residual stresses. In conclusion, the main influences of laser surface treatment of small friction welded Ti-6Al-4V ELI components relate to an increase in fatigue properties by shifting crack initiation sites to less stressed areas. In this way, laser surface treatment could assist in the optimisation of manufacturing methodologies for small near net shape complex geometry components. The uniform and homogenous microstructure eliminates or reduces microstructural variations as observed in as welded components, reducing weld zone hardness variation. Additionally, the study showed that the introduction of a near surface refined microstructure inhibited crack initiation in the welded region.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

Influence of product variables on consumers’ buying behaviour in the South African skin care industry

  • Authors: Mabuyana, Brian
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Consumer behavior -- South Africa , Product management Packaging Branding (Marketing)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40713 , vital:36229
  • Description: The aim of this study was to develop, validate and test a hypothesised model on the product variables that can possibly influence consumers’ buying behaviour in the skin care industry in South Africa. The product variables that can possibly influence consumers’ buying behaviour are product attributes, product packaging, product labelling, product pricing and product branding. A positivistic quantitative research methodology was followed by collecting data with a structured, self-administered questionnaire using convenience and snowball sampling. The validity and reliability of the measuring instrument were confirmed by means of an Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and the calculation of Cronbach’s alpha coefficients. A sample of 220 respondents was obtained. Descriptive statistics were provided to summarise the sample data. Pearson’s product moment correlations were calculated to establish the correlations between the variables used in this study. Multiple regression was performed to test the significance of the relationships hypothesised between the independent and dependent variables. A T-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) tests were performed to assess the influence of demographic variables on respondents’ perceptions regarding the independent and dependent variables used. To establish significant differences between individual mean scores, post-hoc Sheffé tests were calculated, and practical significance was assessed by calculating Cohen’s d values. The multiple regression analysis indicated a positive significant relationship among the independent variables (Product attributes, Product packaging and Product branding) and the dependent variable (Consumer buying behaviour). The ANOVA tests indicated significant relationships between three demographic variables namely ethnicity, occupation and average spending and the dependent variable (Consumer buying behaviour). Black and White respondents and Asian and Coloured respondents had different perspectives regarding Product labelling and Product branding respectively when purchasing skin care products. Respondents with different occupations had different perspectives on Product packaging, Product branding and Consumer buying behaviour respectively. Consumers in two different spending groups had different perspectives on Consumer buying behaviour. This study has made a contribution to the shortage of literature on the impact of product variables on consumers’ buying behaviour in the skin care industry. The hypothesised model for this study assisted in understanding the influence of product variables (tangible and intangible) on consumers’ buying behaviour. As a result, this study provides recommendations and suggestions for role players in the skin care industry to ensure a positive image in the minds of consumers and to ultimately use product variables to positively influence the buying behaviour of consumers in the skin care industry.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

Inhibition of aluminium corrosion using benzothiazole and its phthalocyanine derivative

  • Authors: Nnaji, Nnaemeka , Nwaji, Njemuwa , Fomo, Gertrude , Mack, John , Nyokong, Tebello
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/186949 , vital:44550 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s12678-019-00538-1"
  • Description: Cyclic voltammetry and potentiodynamic polarization techniques were used to study the effects of 4-[4-(1,3-benzothiazol2yl)phenoxy] phthalonitrile (BT) and tetrakis[(benzo[d]thiazol-2ylphenoxy) phthalocyaninato] gallium(III)chloride (ClGaBTPc) as aluminium corrosion inhibitors in 1.0 M hydrochloric acid. The presence of the inhibitors in the concentration range of 2 to 10 μM was found to retard the aluminium corrosion process such that the inhibition efficiency was found to range from 28.2 to 76.1% for BT and from 71.5 to 82.7% for ClGaBTPc. The latter was a better inhibitor. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray measurements reveal effective metal surface protection by the inhibitors, most probably by shielding it from the corrosion attacks of Cl− from the acid. The calculated quantum chemical parameters agreed with experimental results.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

Innovation: its impact on the success of construction micro, small, and medium enterprises in Northern Nigeria

  • Authors: Tsado, Abel John
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Construction industry -- Nigeria
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44568 , vital:38130
  • Description: There is growing recognition of the important role Construction Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (CMSMEs) play in economic development. In 2013, Nigeria had about 36,994,578 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and 731,303 CMSMEs, about 1.99% of the total number of MSMEs in the country. However, 50% of CMSMEs in Nigeria close down within their first five years of existence. Consequently, only about 10% of CMSMEs in Nigeria survive, thrive, and grow to maturity. Enterprises failing within so short a time, portend a huge problem surrounding CMSME innovation and success. While literature seems to indicate innovation as the likely way out of CMSMEs failure, few researchers have considered the connection between CMSMEs innovation and their success. Hence, this research aimed to explore the effect of innovation(s) and innovation systems on the success of the Northern Nigerian CMSMEs. The research objectives were: to identify the types of innovation that are predominant in/peculiar to the Northern Nigerian CMSMEs; to determine how the types of innovation impact the success of the Northern Nigerian CMSMEs; to establish what the innovation systems that manage the innovation of the Northern Nigerian CMSMEs are; and, to determine how the innovation systems, promote innovation among the Northern Nigerian CMSMEs. Qualitative research method was utilised; consisting of 17 recorded interviews within Northern Nigerian which is the study area. The interview also employed structured interview guide, comprising structured open-ended questions to ensure consistency and rigour in the data collection process. The research adopted two stage non-probabilistic sampling, comprising judgmental and snowballing sampling for stage one and two respectively. In stage one, participants were drawn judgmentally based on their innovation and in stage two, the sample size was expanded, using a snowballing sampling technique where the participants in stage one suggested other participants who had also been innovative. Data collected were transcribed and open coded, while the codes for innovation types, and innovation impact on CMSME success were developed with the aid of a deductive code earlier developed from literature. The code occurrences were determined and categorised, and themes were developed. These themes were then subjected to interpretation and analysis. The research findings indicate that the predominant type of innovations within the CMSMEs in the northern part of Nigeria are product innovation, management innovation and service innovation. In addition, there are, technological application innovations, logistics innovations and labour innovations. These innovations impact on the profit, capital, customers, workers and the products of the CMSMEs studied. The innovations are responsible for the CMSMEs success periods, reasons for success and their salient points of success. Therefore, the research concludes that innovation impacts on the studied CMSMEs success. Consequently, the research achieved its aim. The study also discovered an absence of systems that support the innovation of CMSMEs in the northern part of Nigeria. Through this research, an innovation system framework has been developed and it is recommended that it be implemented because of the observed lack of innovation systems in Nigeria.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

Innovation: its impact on the success of construction micro, small, and medium enterprises in northern Nigeria

  • Authors: Tsado, Abel John
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Construction industry -- Nigeria , Business enterprises -- Nigeria Success in business -- Nigeria Economics—Environmental aspects
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44951 , vital:38191
  • Description: There is growing recognition of the important role Construction Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (CMSMEs) play in economic development. In 2013, Nigeria had about 36,994,578 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and 731,303 CMSMEs, about 1.99% of the total number of MSMEs in the country. However, 50% of CMSMEs in Nigeria close down within their first five years of existence. Consequently, only about 10% of CMSMEs in Nigeria survive, thrive, and grow to maturity. Enterprises failing within so short a time, portend a huge problem surrounding CMSME innovation and success. While literature seems to indicate innovation as the likely way out of CMSMEs failure, few researchers have considered the connection between CMSMEs innovation and their success. Hence, this research aimed to explore the effect of innovation(s) and innovation systems on the success of the Northern Nigerian CMSMEs. The research objectives were: to identify the types of innovation that are predominant in/peculiar to the Northern Nigerian CMSMEs; to determine how the types of innovation impact the success of the Northern Nigerian CMSMEs; to establish what the innovation systems that manage the innovation of the Northern Nigerian CMSMEs are; and, to determine how the innovation systems, promote innovation among the Northern Nigerian CMSMEs. Qualitative research method was utilised; consisting of 17 recorded interviews within Northern Nigerian which is the study area. The interview also employed structured interview guide, comprising structured open-ended questions to ensure consistency and rigour in the data collection process. The research adopted two stage non-probabilistic sampling, comprising judgmental and snowballing sampling for stage one and two respectively. In stage one, participants were drawn judgmentally based on their innovation and in stage two, the sample size was expanded, using a snowballing sampling technique where the participants in stage one suggested other participants who had also been innovative. Data collected were transcribed and open coded, while the codes for innovation types, and innovation impact on CMSME success were developed with the aid of a deductive code earlier developed from literature. The code occurrences were determined and categorised, and themes were developed. These themes were then subjected to interpretation and analysis. The research findings indicate that the predominant type of innovations within the CMSMEs in the northern part of Nigeria are product innovation, management innovation and service innovation. In addition, there are, technological application innovations, logistics innovations and labour innovations. These innovations impact on the profit, capital, customers, workers and the products of the CMSMEs studied. The innovations are responsible for the CMSMEs success periods, reasons for success and their salient points of success. Therefore, the research concludes that innovation impacts on the studied CMSMEs success. Consequently, the research achieved its aim. The study also discovered an absence of systems that support the innovation of CMSMEs in the northern part of Nigeria. Through this research, an innovation system framework has been developed and it is recommended that it be implemented because of the observed lack of innovation systems in Nigeria.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

Innovative management in the South African public service: a case of the Department Of Health in Limpopo province

  • Authors: Shipalana, Machanduke Lucas
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Public administration -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40192 , vital:35981
  • Description: Public institutions across the globe are usually faced with challenges of adopting creative ways for service delivery improvement in the form of innovative management. The development of innovative management in public institutions would be seen as a contribution in addressing the underlying challenges regarding service delivery, specifically in the developing countries such as South Africa. It is, however, observed that public institutions are often characterised by ineffective innovative management strategies and approaches that affect the provision of quality services.The aim of this study was to investigate innovative management challenges and measures necessary for enhancing health innovation in a quest for public service delivery improvement. The focus was based in the Limpopo Department of Health which served as a unit of analysis. The research utilised a qualitative approach with data collection methods, which included semi-structured interviews, focus group interview and document analysis. The semi-structured interviews included 52 participants selected through purposive sampling from various categories of management, clinical managers and community liaison officers within the Limpopo Department of Health. A focus group interview consisted of members of district health councils representing each district in the province. The documentary analysis included a consultation and use of official documentary sources such as departmental Annual Performance Plans (APPs) for the 2012/13 to 2016/17 financial years and departmental audit opinion outcomes issued by the Auditor General of South Africa as part of primary data sources. The findings of the study reveal among others, that there is ineffective innovative management caused by poor diffusion of innovations, lack of innovative management support structures and, lack of innovative management strategies and approaches within the Limpopo Department of Health. Furthermore, the study’s finding about lack of integrated innovative managerial functional areas motivated the researcher to propose the development of an integrated innovative managerial functions model for service delivery improvement. A development of such an integrated model is intended to harness health innovation efforts to key service delivery components within the public institutions, specifically in the Limpopo Department of Health.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

Inshore benthic communities of the Port Elizabeth abalone ranching concession area

  • Authors: Moriarty, Lauren Alethea
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Aquaculture , Abalone industry -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Abalone culture -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Abalone populations -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Poaching -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41975 , vital:36614
  • Description: Abalone poaching in the Eastern Cape leading to resource depletion has resulted in the suspension of any commercial or recreational exploitation of abalone in the area. Abalone ranching trial projects have been initiated to help improve the natural stocks and potentially provide commercial yields. While seeding started in deeper water (5 – 10 m), improved abalone growth performance has been found in the shallower areas. This has resulted in the seeding effort being moved to these shallower sites (< 5m). An ecological survey of the baseline conditions of these shallow benthic areas is a requirement of the abalone ranching permit conditions (Permit No.: 1503759), aimed at detecting any impact that seeding may have on the benthic community. In addition to providing benchmark data for monitoring, the shallow benthic community (< 6m) in the Port Elizabeth ranching concession area has not been well described in terms of the requirements for abalone ranching. Information on the benthic communities in this area is limited to research on the substrate types and communities in deeper water (> 5m). This study aimed to address this information gap. Dive surveys were conducted along 10 m long transects (~3 reps) at three depth zones (<1m; 1-2m; > 2m) for four sites along the span of the ranching concession area. Similar assessments were done at a seeded site at the Noordhoek Ski Boat Club and an unseeded site at the Willows area, in order to reveal whether seeding had any impact on the benthic community. Images from a GoPro mounted in the centre of a framer unit (0.5 m2) were taken every 0.5 m along the transect. Macroalgal and macrofaunal cover was determined from these images, and the benthic community characterised from these data. Seaweed samples were taken for species identification. In the four baseline sites, sampling was done at three depth zones to note any changes with a depth gradient, both in terms of substrate type, as well as community composition. There was a notable trend with substrate type having a significant influence (P<0.05) on the community structure. Seaweed communities were dominated by Plocamium corallorhiza and coralline turf based on substrate types. There was also a significant relationship (P<0.05) between substrate type, dominant seaweed species and abalone presence. A Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) of the community data suggested that the benthic community does not change significantly along the distance of coastline sampled. A hierarchical cluster analysis of Bray-Curtis dissimilarity for transect data also suggested that the four sites do not represent ecologically dissimilar communities. A similar analysis showed that abalone seeding had to date not altered the benthic community in shallow seeded areas from the community described for shallow unseeded areas. The study was used to describe the baseline benthic community in areas west of Cape Recife, examine the natural variability along the coast, and determine whether there are relationships between the benthic community composition and emergent abalone abundance. This information will be useful in selection of habitats for abalone seeding in the future. It is important that monitoring and surveying of the study area are to be continued in so allowing for long term data collection which will help in making informed decisions as well as documenting the impact in seeded areas when compared to unseeded areas.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019
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