21623 research outputs found
Sort by
On cellularity, closure, sobriety and separation axioms in the lower vietoris topology.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, DurbanThis thesis introduces four new classes of hyperspaces with the Lower Vietoris Topology, allowing for a complete study of various properties in these hyperspaces. One consists of those satisfying the Sub-base Condition, such as the hyperspace 2X of non-empty closed subsets of a topological space X. Another consists of those which are almost finitely natural, such as the hyperspace Fn(X) of n-element subsets of X, generalising the notion of natural families by Ivanova-Dimova. Interestingly, these hyperspaces are used to provide new characterisations of the sober T1 property in X as well as sobriety in the T0-identification of X. Sobriety and irreducibility are characterised in these hyperspaces in terms of X. It is shown that any pair of almost finitely natural hyperspaces have the same closure. A surprising relationship exists between irreducibility and closure for arbitrary hyperspaces. When X is Hausdor!, Fedorchuk showed that Fn(X) with the Vietoris Topology has the same cellularity as Xn and a subspace X[n]; Costantini et al. showed that the projection ˆj n : X[n] → Fn(X) is a local homeomorphism. This thesis shows that X[n] always has cellularity at most that of Xn and that X being Hausdor! is (almost always) equivalent to not only the quotient but also the perfect covering property in ˆjn. The quasi-open property of ˆjn is characterised in X. In this case, if X has infinite cellularity, then the cellularity of every almost finitely natural hyperspace is the same as Xn and X[n]. A non-Hausdor! space Y is constructed where ˆjn is quasi-open and the Vietoris Topology is not the same as the Lower Vietoris Topology on Fn(Y ). Known results on the T0 and T1 properties and the T0-identification in the Lower Vietoris Topology are extended to arbitrary hyperspaces. When X is T0, the TD property in 2X is characterised in terms of X as a corollary of a more general new result. The preregular, TD and T0 properties in Fn(X) are characterised in X; the latter two are shown to be equivalent in Fn(X). It is shown that Fn(X) is Hausdor! if and only if X is Hausdor
Applying participatory mapping approaches to assess local communities’ perceptions of climate change and implications on their adaptation strategies: the case of communal rangeland community, Vulindlela, South Africa.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.This study investigated the role of Participatory Geographic Information System (PGIS) and Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) in understanding local perceptions on the causes and impacts of climate change on communal rangeland communities and how local perception shapes communities’ responses. First, a systematic literature review was conducted to assess PGIS's contribution to elucidating local rangeland communities' vulnerability and adaptation in Africa. Analysis of 18 papers from ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Scopus revealed a slow pace in the integration of PGIS in climate change research, thus indicating a knowledge gap. Despite this, PGIS has the potential to empower local communities in co-producing knowledge and creating adaptation solutions. The study then explored the effectiveness of integrating PGIS with PRA techniques in elucidating communal rangeland communities’ perceptions of and responses to the effects of climate change on rangeland resources and livelihoods using Vulindlela, South Africa, as a case study. Using focus group discussions, participatory mapping, key informant interviews, transect walks, and household questionnaires, the study uncovered diverse perceptions of climate change's drivers and impacts on livelihoods. It found that local perceptions are influenced by factors such as experience, age, education, and dependency on rangeland resources, which shape community responses to climatic risks. The PGIS mapping exercise highlighted areas most susceptible to events like floods and droughts. Overall, the study demonstrated PGIS as a valuable tool for capturing spatial insights and facilitating local participation. The integration with PRA and PGIS techniques provided a comprehensive understanding of climate change impacts and responses, offering both non-spatial and spatial perspectives. Participatory mapping has the
potential to enhance the co-design and formulation of inclusive adaptation plan
The identification of novel Staphylococcus aureus protein arginine kinase McsB ligands.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Abstract available in PDF
The implementation of the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) Ssstem in government departments: a case study of the KwaZulu-Natal department of social development.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.The study is centred on “The Implementation of the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) System in Government Departments: A case study of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development”. The Ministry of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation began in 2009, and the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) was established in January 2010. The Department of Social Development (DSD) Annual Reports for 2017/18 and 2018/19 contained the Auditor General’s audit outcomes of the Department of Social Development performance information. The audit/s revealed undesirable audit outcomes, with the department. Government departments should be effective in service delivery and efficient in allocating funds for service delivery programmes. The government is expected to report on its budget, programmes and achievements. The South African government has instituted a range of legislative and policy changes. The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development’s mandate is to be delivered according to the South African Constitution and provide an effective, transparent, accountable and coherent intergovernmental system for provincial governments. This study seeks to understand the implementation of the Monitoring and Evaluation System in the KwaZulu Natal Department of Social Development. The study objectives examine the implementation of the M&E system in the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development and understand the role of monitoring and evaluation in the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development. The qualitative research study employed the qualitative research design. This included interviews for data collection and a thematic strategy for data analysis. The study employed the theory of change. The findings show capacity gap between national, provincial, and local government organizations influences evaluations' credibility.The study recommendations support the assertion that M&E contributes to effective programme implementation and a level of good governance; an integrated approach is recommended and emphasised to recognise the multi-faceted nature of social problems
Financial literacy, financial information, and financial well-being: evidence from Ghana rural households.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Background: Financial information is expected to enhance financial literacy, financial decision-making, and household well-being. However, in Ghana’s Upper West Region (UWR), several challenges—including low financial literacy, high poverty levels, sociocultural influences, and the marginalization of women in financial matters—may cause households to disregard financial information when addressing pressing sociocultural concerns. Additionally, the growing exposure of rural populations to digitalization and financial literacy programs raises questions about how different types of financial information influence the relationship between financial literacy and financial well-being. This thesis deeply explores this issue, considering this context's enabling and limiting factors.
Objectives: The thesis provides a detailed analysis of how various types of information influence the relationship between financial literacy and financial well-being in this context. It starts by 1) examining how financial literacy influences financial well-being as a preliminary inquiry and 2) investigating the role of crude financial information in shaping financial decisions. These analyses are followed by an assessment of how 3) the levels, 4) patterns, and 5) sources of financial information mediate this relationship. Finally, the thesis evaluates 6) whether the findings vary when male dominance is moderated, ensuring that both men and women have an equal voice in responding to the questions in this thesis.
Methods: A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating quantitative and qualitative analyses to address the research objectives. The quantitative component focused on Objectives 1 to 5, while the qualitative component provided more profound insights into Objective 6. For the quantitative analysis, cross-sectional data were collected through a survey of 663 randomly selected household heads in the UWR. A hierarchical reflective-reflective measurement model within Structural Equation Modeling–Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) was used to examine the mediating role of financial information. For the qualitative analysis, 12 household heads—equally represented by gender (six maleheaded and six female-headed households)—were interviewed. Content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data, allowing for a richer understanding of financial decisionmaking behaviours and gender dynamics.
Findings: From the quantitative analysis, the study revealed that financial literacy 1) positively influences financial well-being, with a more significant effect on men than women, but with a similar impact regardless of formal education status, 2) has a significant positive impact on various dimensions of financial information, including consumption, level, pattern, and source. Additionally, the study found that the extent of financial information consumption, the advanced status of financial information received, and recent patterns of financial information-seeking mediate(enhance) the effect of financial literacy on financial well-being in rural households in the UWR. These results are robust across genders, financial products, and formal education status. However, financial information sources did not strengthen the impact of financial literacy on financial well-being in the region. From the qualitative analyses, the study reveals that financial literacy influences financial well-being, regardless of gender. Women tend to make non-financially sound decisions in specific sociocultural contexts involving burials and weddings. Both men and women with similar financial literacy levels tend to make similar decisions on resource management efficiency, risk-taking, and investment.
Policy implications: The findings highlight financial information's crucial role in enhancing financial literacy programs' effectiveness regardless of sociocultural context barriers. Reliable access to such information empowers women and promotes inclusive development. Policymakers should prioritize ensuring accessible, credible financial information for rural populations to support financial well-being.
Contribution to knowledge: This study contributes to financial literacy research by examining how financial information influences the link between financial literacy and financial well-being in rural Ghana, where sociocultural norms hinder rational financial decisions. It is the first to provide a detailed mixed-methods approach to distinguish the mediating role of financial information in studied relationships across gender, financial products, and educational status in a context where sociocultural context entails financial commitments likely to obstruct personally beneficial financial decision-making. Other conttibution to knowledge are detailed in the thesis
Solitary struggle: a critical qualitative evaluation of solitary confinement as a management tool and the impact on inmates’ basic human rights at Ebongweni Correctional Centre in South Africa.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Solitary confinement, a deeply entrenched practice in South African prisons, has historical roots extending back to the apartheid era. Despite legislative efforts to restrict its use, the practice persists in facilities like Ebongweni Correctional Centre, a super-maximum-security prison, where concerns have been raised about its potential to violate inmates' constitutional rights and undermine their well-being and rehabilitation prospects. While legal and policy frameworks governing solitary confinement in South Africa have been subject to scholarly review, there is a notable gap in empirical research that examines the actual implementation of these policies and their impact on inmates. This study addresses this gap by critically evaluating the use of solitary confinement as a prison management tool at Ebongweni Correctional Centre. The purpose of the study is to examine its compliance with constitutional and international human rights standards, including the Nelson Mandela Rules, and to assess its effects on inmates' rights, well-being, and prospects for rehabilitation. The research problem stems from the apparent disconnect between policy intent and practice, where solitary confinement appears to function less as a rehabilitative tool and more as a punitive mechanism. Using a qualitative research design, this study employs in-depth, semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of inmates and staff at Ebongweni. It also incorporates a comprehensive analysis of legal and policy documents, as well as researcher observations. The methodology ensures a multi-faceted understanding of how solitary confinement is implemented and experienced in this unique correctional setting. The findings reveal significant gaps between the legal and policy frameworks governing solitary confinement and their practical application. Solitary confinement practices at Ebongweni appear to fall short of constitutional provisions and international human rights standards. Prolonged isolation is shown to have severe detrimental effects on inmates’ psychological well-being, social functioning, and rehabilitation prospects, raising serious questions about the alignment of these practices with South Africa's constitutional and rehabilitative mandate. These findings have important implications for correctional policy and practice. The study highlights the need for urgent reforms that include evidencebased policies prioritising inmates' human rights and well-being while maintaining institutional safety and security. Key recommendations include strengthening oversight mechanisms, investing in staff training on human rights and rehabilitative principles, and developing alternative management strategies that promote restorative justice and inmates’ reintegration into society. This study contributes to the growing discourse on prison reform in South Africa by providing empirical evidence that underscores the necessity of a paradigm shift in correctional practices. It concludes by affirming that a humane and rights-based approach to incarceration is not only achievable but essential for fostering a just and equitable society
Cover crop and nitrogen fertilisation effects on soil organic carbon and phosphorus fractions in a silage maize-based conservation agriculture system.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Purpose Cover crops (CCs) have been demonstrated to enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) and available phosphorus (P); however, there is a notable lack of long-term studies examining their effects on SOC and P fractions, particularly in South Africa. This research aims to understand the impact of nitrogen (N) fertilisation of silage maize in rotation with unfertilised CCs, including their combinations, on SOC and P fractions.
Methods and materials First, a meta-analysis was done to assess how N-fertilised and unfertilised CCs affected SOC and available P under diverse conditions. A field trial experiment was also done to assess the impact of N fertilisation of silage maize in rotation with unfertilised (CCs), including their combinations, on (a) SOC fractions (b) soil P fractions, and (c) other chemical properties. The trial was established in 2003, and the CCs for the current study were established in 2011. The trial was a completely randomised block design, with nine CCs treatments in rotation with maize silage in three replicates, each split for N fertiliser (0 and 120 kg N ha⁻¹) in 2012. Soil samples were collected from 0-5, 5-10, and 10-20 cm depths using beater auger. Results and discussion The meta-data analysis showed that CCs planted as mono- and biculture improved SOC and available P, especially under legumes, except when mixed with broadleaves crops. It was also evident that CCs thrive and are more effective under tropical climates, particularly on loam soils. While SOC was higher under neutral pH, CCs increased available P in acidic soils. Nitrogen fertiliser application on CCs significantly increased SOC and available P than when it was not applied. From the field study, cover crops significantly affected total organic carbon (TOC) and coarse particulate organic carbon (coarse-POC) at 10 cm, fine-POC at 20 cm, and mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) only at 5 cm, with no effects on water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC). The TOC was higher under black oat and stooling rye + vetch. At the same time, POC fractions were higher under forage pea + black oats, stooling rye + vetch, black oats + vetch, black oat and stooling rye, and the MAOC was higher under forage pea, which also increased fine-POC at 10-20 cm when compared with the control. On the other hand, vetch greatly increased the total N. Nitrogen fertilisation had no effects on SOC fractions except for coarse-POC, which was decreased. Total cations were significantly increased by black oat at 10 cm and forage pea + black oat at 10-20 cm. Extractable calcium was not significantly affected by CCs, however, it was higher under black oat + vetch and vetch at 10 cm. Forage pea also increased Ca at 5-10 cm, and it was higher under forage pea + black oat at 10-20 cm. Cover crops decreased soil pH, especially vetch. As a result, P bound to Al and Fe was very high in all CC treatments than AP. Total P was higher under black oat + vetch, stooling rye + vetch and black oat with N fertiliser at 0-5 cm, CCs with and without N fertiliser except for black oat + vetch and forage pea without N fertiliser at 5-10 cm, and it was higher in all CCs in 10-20 cm. While extractable P was not significantly affected, CCs significantly increased soluble P. It was higher under forage pea + black oat, stooling rye + vetch, stooling rye and black oat at 5-10 cm, and forage pea + black oat at 10-20 cm. Conclusion The findings of the study imply that certain cover crops, like forage pea, black oat, and vetch, enhance SOC, N, and P levels while varying in effectiveness by soil depth. Vetch is especially beneficial in acidic soils, improving fertility, pH, and P retention while promoting carbon sequestration and sustainable nutrient management
The mission of the church in addressing alcohol and drug abuse: the case of Fazenda da Esperança healing ministry in Dombe.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.This paper examines the role of theology in addressing substance abuse and addiction, areas traditionally dominated by scientific and sociocultural perspectives. Highlighting the work of Fazenda da Esperança in Dombe, Mozambique, the study demonstrates how integrating spiritual, work, community, and psychological support can facilitate recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. Through qualitative analysis, the findings reveal the importance of spirituality, family, and work in the transformative journey toward healing, portraying Fazenda as a potential model for holistic recovery
The role of termite mounds in vegetation transition to woody plants in grassy ecosystems in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Woody plants encroachment, the increase in woody plant cover and density in grassy ecosystems, poses a significant threat to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning across southern Africa and globally. While drivers such as elevated atmospheric CO₂, climate change, land use and land management practices contribute to this phenomenon, landscape-scale processes such as termite activity plays an important role. Termites, through mound-building and soil modification, create nutrient-rich and stable microhabitats that facilitate woody plant establishment and the formation of bush clumps. This study investigated the role of termite mounds in promoting bush clump development and driving woody plant community dynamics in Cumberland Nature Reserve and Uitkomst Conservation Area in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Specifically, the study aimed: (1) to establish the growth rate and expansion of bush clumps facilitated by termite mounds; (2) to assess the influence of termite mounds on woody species richness, diversity, and composition, including the role of bird-mediated seed dispersal in amplifying woody plant establishment; (3) to explore changes in woody species richness, diversity, and composition in relation to termite mound size, and assess the relationship between spatial distribution of termite mounds and woody vegetation cover; and (4) to investigate the patterns and processes of woody plant succession associated with bush clump development on termite mounds.
Using a time series of aerial photographs (1964, 1983, 2003, and 2024), the development and expansion of bush clumps were studied in Uitkomst. Bush clumps were consistently found to initiate on termite mounds, with the earliest clumps present before 1964. Clumps recorded before 1964 were also the largest by 2024, suggesting that clump size reflects successional age. From 1964 to 2024, bush clump area increased significantly, tripling in size. Growth rates of bush clump area varied with land-use type: grassland clumps expanded at 4.7 m² year⁻¹ from 1964 to 2003, whereas in the cropland area, clumps grew at only 0.15 m² year⁻¹ during the same period. However, following cropland abandonment post-2003, clumps in these areas expanded rapidly (~17.51 m² year⁻¹), with a tenfold increase in area between 2003 and 2024. Vegetation surveys on 62 termite mounds and 71 matrix plots across Cumberland and Uitkomst recorded 2432 plants representing 54 woody species. Termite mounds supported significantly greater woody plant density and diversity compared to the matrix: 72% of species were moundexclusive, and mound plots exhibited higher sapling and mature tree densities, stem density, species richness, and Shannon diversity index. Notably, matrix vegetation was dominated by Vachellia sieberiana, while termite mound assemblages were dominated by Lantana camara, Rubus ulmifolium, Cussonia spicata, and Searsia pyroides. Lantana camara, C. spicata, and S. pyroides were significant termite mound indicator species (indicator value < 60%), whereas none were identified for matrix assemblages. Bird-dispersed species with drupe-type fruits were more common on mounds, suggesting avian dispersal influences species composition.
To test whether the size and spatial distribution of termite mounds influenced the woody plant composition and distribution of bush clumps, woody vegetation assemblages on bush clumps occurring on termite mounds of varying sizes were studied. In addition, termite mound density, bush clump density, and the number of termite mound–facilitated clumps were quantified within 41 open-area plots at both Cumberland and Uitkomst to assess spatial relationships between mound occurrence and bush clump formation. Termite mound density ranged from 4.7 to 5.4 mounds ha⁻¹, with bare mound densities at between 1.2 and 2.4 mounds ha⁻¹ and vegetated mounds at between 3 and 3.4 mounds ha⁻¹. Mound surface area varied from 1.46 m² to 111.12 m². Bush clump density was significantly and positively associated with termite mound density (R² = 0.512, F(3, 37) = 12.92, P < 0.0001), indicating that greater mound densities correspond to greater woody clump densities. Species richness of woody plants increased with mound surface area (R² = 0.362, F(3, 58) = 10.96, P < 0.0001), and the proportion of termite mound indicator species was significantly higher on large mounds than on medium and small mounds. Woody plant density and sapling density were ~3 times higher on large mounds, and mature tree density was ~2 times higher than on smaller mounds. Stem density was ~4 times higher on large mounds.
A space-for-time substitution approach was employed to investigate the developmental processes of bush clumps. Sixty-two bush clumps representing different successional stages were sampled to identify potential founder species and to examine changes in species composition as bush clumps matured and increased in size. Bush clump area ranged from 4 to 450 m² (mean ± SE = 102.14 ± 10.67 m²). Each clump contained between 5 and 128 woody plants, averaging 28 ± 3 individuals. Species richness ranged from 2 to 20 species per clump (5.6 ± 0.41), and Shannon diversity index averaged 1.27 ± 0.07. Dominant species included L. camara, R. ulmifolius, Lippia javanica, C. spicata, and S. pyroides. Evidence indicated that bush clumps in both Cumberland and Uitkomst were simultaneously initiated by multiple species, with S. pyroides and V. sieberiana identified as the founder species in approximately 50% of the bush clumps. Species composition differed significantly between small and large bush clumps (PERMANOVA R² = 0.19, P = 0.001), and compositional similarity (MorisitaHorn index = 0.76 ± 0.03) between saplings and mature trees supports a deterministic successional trajectory. A lognormal regression revealed that tree species richness, abundance, Shannon diversity, woody basal area, and stem diameter all increased significantly with clump size, indicating that bush clump expansion is accompanied by increased species richness, diversity, and structural complexity, consistent with successional development driven by founder establishment and ongoing recruitment. The proportion of representatives of founder species declined with clump size, while the proportion of alien woody species increased. However, community-weighted means for forest specialisation and species habitat breadth did not vary significantly with clump size
Role of groundwater in runoff generation at a hillslope scale using environmental tracers.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Understanding surface water–groundwater interactions is essential for effective water resource management, particularly in the context of land use and climate change. This study investigates these interactions at two contrasting sites in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: the near-pristine Cathedral Peak Catchment 6 (CP Catchment 6) in the Drakensberg Mountains and the agriculturally impacted Fountainhill Estate (FHE) catchments near Wartburg. These catchments are representative of different climatic, topographic and anthropogenic conditions, offering insights into how land use and land use change influence hydrological connectivity. At CP Catchment 6, intensive field-based monitoring was conducted over two years using a combination of hydrometric measurements, stable isotopes, electrical conductivity (EC), radon (222Rn) and satellite-derived soil moisture modelling (OPTRAM). Sampling occurred across multiple temporal scales (event-based and seasonal scales) to capture both baseline and dynamic hydrological processes. The catchment exhibited stable groundwater contributions facilitated by steep topography, connected wetlands and limited disturbance. Baseflow was sustained by meteoric-origin groundwater, while significant rainfall events rapidly mobilised pre-event water stored in wetlands due to groundwater ridging. These findings validate and expand upon existing conceptual models (e.g., Harrison et al., 2022), highlighting the critical buffering role of wetlands and subsurface flow systems in maintaining perennial streamflow. In contrast, at FHE, hydropedological desktop assessments, historical soil surveys, OPTRAM modelling and EC monitoring data revealed fragmented hydrological connectivity driven by agricultural land use. Practices such as irrigation, soil compaction and fertiliser application in the surrounding farms have resulted in elevated solute loads and episodic flushing during storm events. The presence of farm dams moderated downstream water quality but altered natural flow regimes. The OPTRAM model proved effective in identifying active flow paths and subsurface recharge zones, even in the absence of extensive in-situ data. A comparative analysis underscores how natural and anthropogenically altered systems diverge in their hydrological responses. CP Catchment 6 illustrates efficient, topography-driven hydrology with strong wetland-groundwater interaction, while FHE displays disrupted, highly variable flow paths shaped by land use activities. This research refines conceptual models of runoff generation across diverse landscapes and emphasises the need to incorporate subsurface flow processes into hydrological models. These findings have practical implications for catchment management, especially in balancing water supply, land development and ecosystem sustainability in South Africa’s heterogeneous environments