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Socio-cultural factors affecting egg consumption in selected municipalities of KwaZulu Natal province, South Africa.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, PietermaritzburgEggs are considered to be the cheapest source of protein. Hence, the support of their utilization among the open ought to be sought after more particularly in a nation like South Africa that's profoundly populated and where the masses are inclined to destitution. Recognizing and dissecting the socio-economic variables that prevent the utilization of eggs will allow the implantation of essential ventures that will address them, thus increasing the utilization per capita of eggs, which is moderately lower compared to the other European nations. The aim of this study was to examine the determinants of knowledge, practice, belief, and adherence, to socio-cultural reasons for egg consumption in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa because South Africa is one of the countries with the lowest egg consumption per capita. The study employed a descriptive and quantitative research design, and a multi-stage sampling technique and RaoSoft sample size calculator were used to select 125 households. the data was collected by interviewing the respondents using a structured questionnaire that was analysed using t-test statistics, Principal component analysis, and Probit regression analysis. The results have revealed that there is a significant relationship between egg consumption and sociocultural factors ꭓ2 = 78.59; p < 0.001. Pearson, ꭓ2 = 259. 28, p = 0.04 and Deviance, ꭓ2 = 168.40, p = 0.99 and Cox and Snell (0.467), Nagelkerke (0.542), and McFadden (0.318). Principal Components analysis extracted Factor 1 (taboo knowledge), Factor 2 (taboo consequences), Factor 3 (taboo practice), Factor 4 (taboo adherence), Factor 5 (taboo belief), Factor 6 (taboo negligence), and Factor 7 (taboo implications). Probit regression analysis has shown well fitted with Chi-square values of 9.86 x 125 (Knowledge), 463.64 (Adhere), 559.57 (Practice), 784 x 125 (Belief), 6.62 x 125 (constraints) at p < 0.001. The study has concluded that cultural reasons play a major role in influencing egg consumption than socioeconomic, economic, and availability factors. It is therefore recommended that interventions such as educational programs that encourage healthier eating behaviours should be designed and implemented, these programs should be designed in a way that will incorporate culturally relevant approaches that people in Kwazulu-Natal can resonate with, to enhance their potential effectiveness in improving the frequency of egg consumption in the area. Furthermore, it is recommended that future research should delve deeper into the history of the specific cultural norms, beliefs, and practices surrounding egg consumption within the region (Moswane & Oladele, 2024)
A systematic review of teachers’ perceptions of learners’ intelligence in relation to gender, age, and cultural differences.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.This study investigated teachers’ perceptions of intelligence with particular reference to learners’ gender, age, and cultural differences. A systematic review of relevant existing studies conducted within twenty years (2002 to 2022) on teachers’ perceptions of intelligence was undertaken. To implement the study a protocol referred to as Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and the data search strategy called Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome (PICO), were adopted. Guided by these methodological strategies the study collected and synthesised data qualitatively to answer the key questions of the research. To extract and collate the findings from the different relevant sources included in the sample for the review, a qualitative thematic synthesis was used, which yielded the emerging themes.
The findings revealed that: Learners’ intelligence as perceived by teachers is related to age, gender, and culture. Teachers have two different types of mindsets that influence their perceptions of learners’ intelligence which are referred to as implicit theories of intelligence (incremental and entity mindsets or beliefs). Teachers who consider intelligence as malleable/incremental believe that intelligence can develop over time and can suffer interference or improvements from the environment and undergo some changes throughout life. Whereas teachers who consider intelligence as a fixed entity see intelligence as innate and the brain as having little or no plasticity. There is shortage of data and studies that investigate teachers’ perceptions in the field of intelligence, particularly in relation to scholars in the African continent. Such dearth of research is regretted and suggests that there is a need for researchers in the African continent to double their efforts towards conducting studies focusing on teachers’ perceptions of intelligence. Implications of these findings were examined and recommendations for improved policy and further research were proffered
A mixed-methods study on the impacts of online learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic on the envisioned emancipatory Social Work Education at a South African University.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.The adoption of online learning methods by institutions accustomed to face-to-face teaching and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic was widely debated. It impacts on professions such as social work which are aimed at emancipatory education and are rooted in critical paradigms, remained unknown. This study examined how online learning impacted the envisioned emancipatory social work education at a South African university. Grounded in emancipatory pedagogy theory and framed within critical and post-positivist paradigms, the study employed an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design. Data were collected in two phases: a quantitative phase with N=213 participants selected through simple random sampling, and a qualitative phase with 15 participants selected through purposive sampling. Data collection included self-administered questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), for univariate, descriptive, bivariate, multivariate, and mediation analyses, while qualitative data were analysed through critical discourse analysis. Findings were integrated through narrative synthesis and joint display tables. Univariate analysis showed an average age of 20.8 years, with 73.2% female participants. Participants had varying Online Learning (OL) experience: 36.2% (one year), 31.9% (two years), and 31.9% (three years). Descriptive analysis indicated 76.66% incorporation of Epistemological Dialogues (ED) in OL. A significant positive correlation existed between OL and ED (p < .011), but not with Transformative Critical Consciousness (TCC) (p = .316) or Transformative Critical Action (TCA) (p = .054). ED correlated positively with TCC (r = .266, p < .001) and TCA (r = .332, p < .001). Regression analysis showed ED explained 7.1% variance in TCC (R² = .071) and 11.6% in TCA (R² = .116). ED’s mediating effect on TCC (-0.0902) and TCA (-0.1582) was indirect and negative. Challenges included lecturer-centred pedagogies, language barriers, passive learning, power dynamics, and the digital divide, impacting ED quality. Although some students developed TCC, they struggled to translate it into TCA, limiting the realisation of praxis. While OL presented opportunities, it hindered full realisation of emancipatory social work education. Therefore, there is a need for fundamental rethinking of education during crises in social work. In the South Africa, such rethinking should also address historical disadvantages
Conservation genetics of Oreochromis mossambicus across South Africa: foundational knowledge for management of this vulnerable species.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.South African freshwater habitats face escalating threats from anthropogenic activities and suboptimal management practices, resulting in a worrisome decline in freshwater taxa. This study addressed a critical knowledge gap concerning the impact of these threats on the genetic diversity and population structure of freshwater fish species in South Africa, focusing on Oreochromis mossambicus. Despite its ecological and economic significance, little is known about the genetic diversity and population structure of both farmed and wild O. mossambicus in the region. Hybridisation with the introduced O. niloticus has further exacerbated the species' vulnerability, leading to its classification as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Establishing baseline genetic data is essential for the effective conservation and management of O. mossambicus populations in South Africa. This research pursued five primary objectives: Firstly, this study assessed the genetic diversity and population structure of wild O. mossambicus in major river catchments across KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo provinces. Using 14 microsatellite loci, I established baseline genetic data and evaluated if the current water management practices maintain the species' existing genetic structure. Significant genetic differentiation was found among populations, with STRUCTURE analyses revealing 15 geographically correlated genetic clusters. These findings emphasised the role of anthropogenic activities, changes in catchment use, and water management strategies in shaping the genetic structure of O. mossambicus, highlighting the need for conservation-oriented management to preserve existing genetic diversity. Secondly, using 14 microsatellite markers, I determined the genetic diversity and origin of four farmed O. mossambicus populations in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga provinces, comparing them with wild populations from nearby rivers. The results indicated lower genetic diversity in farmed populations compared to surrounding wild populations. In particular, the uMphafa ponds population exhibited distinctive genetic characteristics, underscoring the need for careful monitoring. This chapter highlighted the potential for using farmed populations from Zini Fish Farm and Fresca Fisheries Farm for selective breeding and broodstock supplementation to maintain genetic diversity in aquaculture practices. Thirdly, this study evaluated the presence of genetic material in farmed and wild O. mossambicus as a potential indication of genetic introgression from introduced O. niloticus and O. aureus using 14 microsatellite loci. Genetic structure analyses revealed evidence of the presence of genetic material and potential introgression primarily between O. mossambicus and O. niloticus in several wild populations across Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal. Additionally, shared genotypic frequencies between O. aureus and farmed O. mossambicus from uMphafa ponds and Fresca Fisheries Farm were detected. This chapter advocated for stringent measures to preserve the genetic integrity of wild O. mossambicus populations, particularly those showing no signs of introgression by introduced species, to ensure sustainable management of this vulnerable species. Fourthly, this study reviewed the status of COI and 12S rRNA reference libraries for native and introduced freshwater fish in South Africa. An analysis of DNA records available on GenBank and the Barcode of Life Database (BOLD) revealed significant gaps in the records for both markers. Specifically, 34 species, six genera, and zero families of native South African freshwater fish lack COI barcode records, while 86 species, 22 genera, and eight families lack 12S rRNA records. In contrast, non-native fish had complete barcode records for both COI and 12S rRNA. Establishing comprehensive reference libraries for both markers is a crucial first step in developing an eDNA protocol for the non-invasive monitoring of freshwater fish in South Africa. This eDNA protocol may help enhance the effectiveness of monitoring and conservation efforts for threatened species like O. mossambicus and facilitate the early detection and monitoring of invasive species such as O. niloticus. Lastly, the study developed and tested the efficacy of environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding as a non-invasive method for detecting O. mossambicus and the introduced O. niloticus and O. aureus in KwaZulu-Natal. A multi-marker system, incorporating fragments of the cytochrome oxidase I (COI), 12S rRNA, and 16S rRNA gene regions, was employed. The eDNA metabarcoding identified 211 fish-related sequences, including a few sequences of O. mossambicus and O. niloticus, from 481,913 raw reads, demonstrating the method's effectiveness in detecting diverse fish species. However, achieving species-level identification remained challenging, likely due to incomplete reference databases. This chapter highlighted the potential use of eDNA for detecting and monitoring both native and introduced Oreochromis species in South Africa. It emphasised the need to refine the protocol further and design specific primers for more accurate identification. Additionally, this chapter underscored the importance of comprehensive reference libraries and ongoing refinement of eDNA metabarcoding protocols to maximize their potential for freshwater fish monitoring. To enhance conservation efforts, the present study recommends routine genetic monitoring, improved water management practices, expansion of barcode reference libraries, and refinement of eDNA protocols with species-specific primers. Implementing these strategies will aid in better management and preservation of O. mossambicus and other freshwater fish, ensuring their longterm viability and ecological health
Vibration response of graphene-reinforced nanocomposite plates using finite element analysis, optimization and functionally graded techniques.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Industries naturally strive to improve processes, materials, and material applications in order to raise the quality of the resource under consideration. This thesis focuses on proposing a numerical scheme to optimize and maximize the natural frequency response generated in 3-phase nanocomposite laminated plates through the use of graphene nanoplatelets (GPLs) and fibre reinforcement in terms of glass and carbon fibres. Many industries are now interested in conducting research on graphene reinforcement to form superior composites with the intention that the research may lead to a number of useful present-day and future initiatives. The natural frequency of nanoreinforced composite laminated plates has been researched in published articles by using techniques such as the Halpin-Tsai model and rule of mixtures to derive micromechanical equations and the Hamiltonian approach to acquire the equations of motion which are later solved via governing equations to obtain the natural frequency of the system. The current study uses MATLAB coding techniques to implement a Finite Element Model to accurately analyse the frequency response of a nanocomposite plate, the effective material properties of which are found using the micromechanical equations that are further discussed in this study. The composite plate's kinematics are developed using the first order shear deformation theory (FSDT). By using micromechanical equations the properties of a 2-phase composite, reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets (GPLs) located in the matrix, can be calculated. After the effective material properties have been calculated for this graphene-reinforced composite, the same micromechanical equations are applied once again for the introduction of fibre reinforcement (glass or carbon fibre) thereby forming a 3-phase nanocomposite laminate reinforced with graphene and fibres.
The study builds itself around two major aspects which are the maximum generated natural frequencies and the optimized natural frequencies for a defined set of parameters including graphene content, fibre reinforcement type and content, boundary conditions, fibre orientation, number of layers in the laminate and thickness ratio. The first investigation focuses on optimizing a hybrid, multi-scale graphene/fibre reinforced composite laminate plate in order to provide an optimal design solution resulting in a superior natural frequency and ultimately reducing the probability of resonance. Resonance occurs when the natural frequency of an object aligns with the vibration frequency of the excitation source. When resonance occurs it can lead to structural failure of the object. In this study a Sequential Quadratic Programming Algorithm is used to optimize the fundamental frequency. The Sequential Quadratic Programming Algorithm was chosen based on the extensive use and validity in numerous research studies and the successful application thereof. A Matlab function is used to implement the SQP optimization, called fmincon. In the central Matlab code this function is used, and the developed finite element analysis code calculating the natural frequencies for the composite laminate is called as a Matlab subroutine by this SQP function. No convergence problems were identified in these optimization simulations. The results of this research revealed that adding graphene nanoplatelets (GPLs) improved the fundamental frequency of the composite and that maximum GPLs content in all layers is not always the optimal solution. Every simulation produces both the optimized fundamental frequency and the design efficiency, which is represented as the ratio of the maximum fundamental frequency that corresponds to optimal design divided by the reference frequency of the laminate that results from uniform properties. The second research paper expands on the ideas of the first by altering the plate geometry to define a cantilever support condition for a 45° skew laminated composite plate. The second study formulates an optimization scheme for a skew cantilever plate subject to similar constraints applied to the rectangular plate and provides a comparison of their natural frequencies. By investigating skew plates and various boundary conditions the research data adapted to form solutions for a broad spectrum of industry wide applications. In the second study the findings showed that a more economical design, with lower fibre volume content, could be produced by distributing the graphene and fibres optimally throughout the plate's thickness. Secondly, the skew laminate's design efficiency appeared to decline despite the apparent increase in natural frequency when compared to the results for a rectangular laminate. The third study investigates the natural frequency of a rectangular laminated composite plate with functionally graded (FG) reinforcement material. Functionally graded materials are composites that have two or more constituent materials with contents that are changed gradually or continuously so as to maximize the composite’s strength properties. Five distinct graphene reinforcement distribution patterns applied along the thickness direction of the laminate were used in the functionally graded application to identify the distribution that produced the maximum natural frequency. The distribution patterns considered in this investigation are Type ‘V’, Type ‘A’, Uniform (UD), Type ‘O’ and Type ‘X’. The analysis model was defined as in the previous studies for a rectangular laminated plate with the exception of the optimization scheme as this research was formulated to investigate the apparent maximum natural frequency of the laminated composite. In the majority of the simulations, the defined distribution pattern was assigned to each layer and investigated for variable constraints similar to the previous studies. Additionally, a simulation was done for a layerwise distribution of the FG patterns with different patterns assign in the subsequent layers. The data obtained from the analysis showed the Type ‘X’ distribution produces the maximum natural frequency when lower fibre content is used (<5 glass and <7.8% carbon) in combination with graphene as the reinforcement materials. On the other hand, the largest natural frequencies are produced by the uniform distribution when the fibre content rises above the specified levels.
This research introduces 3-phase material optimization framework and defines a design efficiency factor that quantifies the output of optimization. Results indicate that graphene nanoparticles, when introduced into the matrix of the nanocomposite, produced much higher natural frequencies as compared to conventional fibre reinforced laminates. The results also showed that carbon fibres that were utilized as reinforcement perform better in maximizing the natural frequency compared to glass fibres. It is noted that optimization results in increased reinforcement contents in the outer layers of the laminate and reduced or no reinforcement in the inner layers, indicating that this is the optimal distribution of reinforcement with respect to the observed fundamental frequency. Increasing the number of design variables also improved the fundamental frequency. In terms of the skew laminate versus the rectangular laminate, the observation was made that the fundamental frequency was larger for a skew laminate than a rectangular laminate but the design efficiency decreased compared to the rectangular laminate. The thesis also suggests optimal functionally graded distributions along the thickness, in terms of maximizing natural laminate frequencies. Industrial applications in civil, aerospace, mechanical and energy sectors can adopt some of these outcomes, towards a cost-effective design of advanced nanocomposite materials
Exploring perceptions of employees of the University of KwaZulu-Natal towards the Employee Assistance Programme.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.The EAP field is emerging; hence, not much research has been conducted at institutions of higher learning, particularly at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. In a broader context, the EAP is a fairly new field in South Africa, as Terblanche (2018) reported that the concept of the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) was primarily introduced in South Africa in the early 1980s. The field has been refined over the years; however, there is still limited research and literature. The motivation for this study stemmed from the researcher’s observations of being employed as a social worker at the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA), a non-profit organisation in Durban. The researcher observed that from 2019 – 2022, there was a considerable number of clients from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and other surrounding institutions seeking SANCA services for either themselves or their significant others. Unexpectedly, most of the clients were not referred to by their in-house EAP. Out of curiosity, the researcher became motivated to explore the reasons why the employees at UKZN opted for self-referrals and not via their respective EAP programmes.
Through this research, the study aimed to explore the perceptions of the employees of the University of KwaZulu-Natal regarding the employee assistance programmes, specifically focusing on the Howard Campus in Durban. The objectives of the study were to explore employees’ awareness of the UKZN Employee Assistance Programmes, to explore employees’ perceptions of the EAPs available at UKZN, to explore employees’ attitudes towards EAPs, to explore employees’ willingness to use in-house EAPs and to ascertain the accessibility of the EAP service
The study was conducted at the Howard campus only due to accessibility. The study was advertised through the University of KwaZulu- Natal electronic notice system. The research approach adopted for this study was qualitative, employing the exploratory research design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of 13 employees from the University of KwaZulu-Natal's Howard Campus in Durban. It is important to note that participation in the study was voluntary, and no employees were coerced into taking part in the interviews. During the interviews, participants were encouraged to share their experiences and understanding of various aspects related to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). Specifically, participants were asked about their awareness of the EAP, their perceptions of its functioning, their willingness to utilise the programme, and their experiences regarding its accessibility. The use of semi-structured interviews allowed for flexibility in the interview process, enabling participants to elaborate on their responses and provide rich, detailed insights into their perceptions and experiences with the EAP.
A theoretical background detailing the Employee Assistance Programme was provided through literature. In the literature, the goals, objectives and intentions of EAP were discussed. The study further detailed existing legislation guiding the EAP in South Africa. The aspects of EAP which are critical for EAP effectiveness were also explored and discussed. These include the purpose of the EAP, accessibility of the EAP, and roles of EAP as per EAP core technologies.
The findings were presented through in-depth analysis and interpretation through a detailed report in accordance with the five objectives of the study. The study generally found that participants shared that they have a limited awareness of the available EAP service at the university of KwaZulu-Natal. Secondly, most participants reported that they perceived the EAP as a mental health and counselling service only and had limited information about other services offered by the EAP. Thirdly, some participants indicated that they prefer to utilise external private services compared to their EAP service because they prefer to maintain privacy in the workplace. However, other participants expressed a positive willingness to utilise the EAP service, which provided improvements in marketing and visibility. Furthermore, there were participants who expressed reluctance to use the service due to concerns about confidentiality and protection of privacy. Lastly, most participants indicated that they were unaware of the physical location of the EAP office. Participants raised concerns about accessibility of the EAP programme. Based on the findings of the study, conclusions and recommendations were made regarding the improvement of the EAP at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. The recommendations were divided into two categories, namely, recommendations for practice and recommendations for future research. The recommendations to improve practice include conducting educational initiatives to improve the general awareness of the EAP and service provisions. Secondly, improving marketing and visibility strategies are recommended in order to include those who do not have access to the university’s virtual advertising platform. Finally, it was recommended that employees be reassured about confidentiality and privacy through training and seminars in order to encourage them to utilise the service in confidence
Presence and persistence of the Peregrine Falcon and Lanner Falcon in South Africa.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) and the Lanner Falcon (Falco biarmicus) are small to medium-sized birds that display behavioural plasticity to diverse environments and are widely distributed throughout sub-Saharan Africa, where they occur sympatrically. Peregrine Falcons have an almost global distribution, and Lanner Falcons have an Afro-tropical distribution. The aim of this thesis was to determine the presence and persistence of the Peregrine Falcon and the Lanner Falcon across South Africa. This study leverages data from the Southern African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP1 and SABAP2), social media platforms (Facebook®, eBird®, and iNaturalist®), and literature (sourced from Google Scholar®, Web of Science®, Scopus®, and PUBMED®) to investigate the distribution and relative abundance of the Peregrine Falcon and Lanner Falcon across South Africa. Both species, often coexisting across sub-Saharan Africa, share similar habitat preferences and prey species selection. Peregrine Falcons’ behavioural plasticity to urban environments highlights its resilience, whereas Lanner Falcons displayed mixed responses suggesting targeted conservation strategies to mitigate the impacts of habitat fragmentation, land use changes, and urban encroachment. Peregrine Falcons had a more restricted distribution within South Africa than Lanner Falcons, and both species had distributions within urban areas. The presence of Peregrine Falcons negatively influenced Lanner Falcons distributions and abundance. Lanner Falcons were more frequently observed but remained understudied in comparison. Overall, both species are understudied in Africa, particularly in South Africa. Research on both falcons focussed on their breeding ecology and the health of the species with a focus on egg-shell thickness in response to environmental factors and parasitic studies. Research was primarily based in Europe and North America, and both species remain understudied in other regions of geographical distribution. Research techniques for monitoring and data collection relied on observational data and biological and genetic sampling. Established monitoring techniques are commonly used, and new novel approaches such as citizen science remain underutilised but with growing interest. The findings in this thesis highlight the complex relationship between urbanisation, species competition, social interactions, ecology, behaviour, and habitat preferences in shaping these falcons' distribution and population trends
The development of a framework for a climate change stabilization strategy to achieve sustained carbon emisson reduction from organic waste in South African municipalities.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.According to the Global Carbon Atlas, South Africa is ranked as the 14th highest greenhouse gas emitter globally (Global Carbon Atlas, 2021). The waste sector is estimated to contribute to 4.8% of the total emissions across the country according to the 8th National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report of South Africa (DFFE 2021). It is estimated that 76% of the total municipal solid waste in South Africa is disposed of into landfill facilities (DFFE, 2021). Landfilling and waste management as a whole are regulated through the National Environmental Management: Waste Act and the National Waste Management Strategy (NWMS). In an effort to determine and reduce the impacts of various sectors contribution to global warming, the South African National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) commissioned the Mitigation Potential Analysis (MPA) study. The MPA methodology was developed to guide major sectors such as agriculture, transport and waste among others in understanding their contributions to global warming as well as to propose mechanisms at a national level to reduce the impacts of key sectors on global warming (DFFE 2018).
The purpose of this study directly aligns with the goals of the MPA in efforts to mainstream the discourse climate change in waste management decision making, through the development of a preliminary framework to guide greenhouse gas mitigation from waste management activities using a bottom up approach starting at municipal level. The overarching hypothesis of this study is that municipalities in South Africa are the main custodians of solid waste in the country and can therefore play a key role in the effective mitigation of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the waste sector. However, some of the major gaps identified in understanding the exact contributions of the waste sector on climate change is the availability of good quality data as well as the lack of funding, capacity and know-how at municipal level to conduct GHG emissions and mitigation studies. The main aim of the study is to determine the annual contributions of the organic waste fraction to climate change over the next 50-years in two case study municipalities: one district municipality representative of a district municipality at provincial level, and one metropolitan municipality representative of the 8 metropolitan municipalities of South Africa.
A second aim is that to develop a framework in support of the strategy for the stabilization of climate change from the management of organic waste at municipal level. This was conducted through the identification of pathways for the diversion of the organic waste fraction of municipal solid waste in the selected case study municipalities using the currently available data and forecasting techniques. In order to achieve these aims, the objective of the study encompassed four key components: data collection; a waste stream analysis and identification of waste amounts; an assessment of carbon emissions and reductions from organic waste in the case study municipalities and lastly the development of a framework for a greenhouse gas mitigation strategy to achieve climate change stabilization. This study assessed the GHG emissions and emission reduction potential from the organic food waste fraction and the garden refuse fraction in the Garden Route District (GRDM) and City of Cape Town (CoCT) municipalities in the Western Cape, South Africa. These case study municipalities were selected based on their individual contributions to the total population of the Western Cape and their contributions to the provinces gross domestic product (GDP). The Waste Resource Optimization and Scenario Evaluation (WROSE) model is a life cycle assessment based model which assists the user in determining which integrated waste management scenario is most suitable, specific to a municipals needs. This is based on the selection of appropriate technology pathways to divert waste from landfill as well as implement alternative waste treatment solutions. The study began with first advancing the WROSE model through the development of an algorithm to enable the model to perform long term greenhouse gas forecasting, This was done through the use of, waste generation data which was forecast in line with the total population growth. Using these identified figures and IPCC emission factors, the study assessed the potential GHG emissions and emission reduction achievable from the extraction of the organic waste fraction and garden refuse fraction in both case study municipalities. Thereafter, the study employed the WROSE model for the identification of appropriate mitigation pathways and alternative waste treatment technology options (Trois and Jagath, 2011 and Trois et al., 2023). The study further assessed the viability of the organic foodwaste fraction at varied intervals of recovery for use in applicable integrated waste management technology options such as landfilling with gas recovery and anaerobic digestion that are geared towards decarbonisation in the solid waste sector. A multicriteria decision analysis technique was incorporated for the development of the preliminary framework for climate change mitigation from municipal solid waste.
In addition this study outlined a comparative analysis conducted between the two case study municipalities to determine how population affects waste generation and ultimately GHG emission contributions in the waste sector. The key finding is that existing municipal infrastructure is not designed for separated collection of the organic food waste fraction, nor is there existing infrastructure for the treatment of the organic waste fraction of municipal solid waste. Therefore, this study proposes a framework which adopts a phased approach to GHG emission reductions through the optimization of existing waste management facilities and the development of necessary infrastructure for the management of organic waste fractions over a 50 year period to achieve carbon emission reductions in the waste sector.
This study developed a novel bottom-up framework for a greenhouse gas mitigation strategy that will contribute to climate change stabilization using immediate-term, short-term, mediumterm and long-term interventions that can be applied at municipal level in order to contribute to national emission reduction targets. This bottom-up approach is aimed at guiding the developments of individual greenhouse gas mitigation mechanisms at a local municipal level which contributes to the larger system of meeting NDC targets. The study is also the first application of a Tier 2 for the MPA approach which embodies national methodologies, in this case the WROSE tool as a country-specific model and IPCC emission factors to determine the GHG emissions and reduction potentials from the waste sector. These reductions can be achieved through the introduction of separated collection systems at local municipal level and technology options such as a material recovery facility, anaerobic digestion and composting in a staged approach. The framework will allow decision makers to develop a greenhouse gas mitigation strategy that will be applicable to the needs of the municipality based on existing infrastructure and available waste quantities which will ultimately contribute to meeting the needs of the NDC targets for South Africa using a bottom-up approach
Recombinant expression and characterization of Plasmodium falciparum copper-binding proteins: Glutaredoxin 1 and S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase.
No full textDoctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) is responsible for most malaria deaths in humans, however, but most Pf infections do not lead to death of the infected individual. Elimination strategies have not worked well due to the emergence of drug resistance from parasites, creating a need for further research on novel drug targets against malaria. Copper is a cofactor for enzymes like the cytochrome c oxidase in various organisms. If not tightly regulated, its redox activity may lead to a free radical generation that may be destructive to the cellular structure. In infected red blood cells, excess or absence of copper leads to the growth inhibition of malaria parasites. This is because copper is an essential mineral to the parasite. Therefore, acquisition, distribution both in the cytosol and mitochondria, and efflux of this metal must be understood. The current study aimed to identify and determine the copper-binding abilities of PfGrx1 and PfSAHH, proteins that could have a role in the cytosolic distribution of copper and secretory pathway, thereby maintaining optimum copper levels in P. falciparum. The in-silico analysis revealed copper binding CXXC and GXGXXGXG motifs in the amino acid sequences for PfGrx1 and PfSAHH proteins, respectively. These binding motifs which are present in the two proteins, have been found to bind copper in other organisms. PfGrx1 and PfSAHH were cloned, expressed as His-tag proteins, purified, and resolved on SDS-PAGE gel, then detected as ~12 and ~53 kDa proteins respectively, using mouse anti-His-tag antibodies on a western blot. Just like proteins in other systems, the purified rPfGrx1 and rPfSAHH bound copper in-vitro and in-vivo using ascorbic acid oxidation, and Bicinchoninic acid (BCA) copper release assays. When the growth of E. coli cells with or without the plasmid expressing the recombinant proteins was monitored in the presence or absence of 8 mM copper, E. coli cells with expressed recombinant proteins were able to grow suggesting that copper was bound to the recombinant proteins in-vivo, thus enabling growth of the bacteria. Protein-to-protein interaction modeling studies showed a possibility of PfGrx1 and PfSAHH interacting with each other and other copper proteins, suggesting a possible transfer of copper from protein to protein, and potential copper pathways in P. falciparum. The binding of copper was supported by docking studies that established copper binding sites for PfCtr1, PfGrx1, PfSAHH, PfCox17, PfCox11, PfCox19, and PfSco1. Characterization of Plasmodial copper-binding proteins can provide an understanding of Plasmodia copper homeostasis with potential novel drug target determination using bioinformatic tools. More interaction studies may provide novel and likely offer the basis for understanding of mechanisms for drug deliveries to the parasite, though further studies are needed to elucidate the existing channels
An evaluation of the back-to-basics programme to enhance municipal performance: the case of eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality.
No full textMasters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.This study aimed to evaluate the Back-to-Basics Programme (B2BP) to enhance municipal performance in the case study of eThekwini Municipality. Since the advent of democracy, the local government system has been subject to several extensive reforms to ensure the municipalities are developmental-oriented. Hence, municipalities remain the cornerstone and the champions of service delivery for their citizenry. Against the backdrop, the National Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs 2014 introduced the B2BP to challenge the status quo at the municipality level. To ensure that municipalities serve communities better by focusing on the five (5) critical pillars, mainly public participation, infrastructure services, good governance, financial management, and building institutional capacity. This study adopted a qualitative method to generate information that answered the research questions. The interpretivism philosophy and the inductive approach with thematic analytical data interpretation informed this study. The study showed a significant improvement in how the municipality delivers services to its citizenry. The Back-to-Basics programme managed to improve the performance and functionality of the eThekwini Municipality through the implementation of the B2BP. However, some areas still had challenges, such as community participation, since many councillors failed to convene community meetings to report back to their communities. Furthermore, the program was confronted by numerous challenges, namely: - treating the B2BP as malicious compliance; the politicization of the B2BP; lack of political support; administrative instability due to high vacancy rates; poor political governance and political stability due to poor management of coalition. However, the B2BP has a great potential to change the status quo at the municipality level and, at the same time, enhance municipal performance and speed up service delivery. Therefore, in unleashing the potential of the B2BP, this study recommended that it is imperative to sustain the program through the reaffirmation of the commitment from both political and administrative authorities, ensuring de-politicization of the B2BP, strengthening monitoring and evaluation of the Back-to-Basics program to ensure accountability