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Leveraging and enhancing existing legal frameworks in the African Regional system for the prevention of ecocide and environmental dam
No full textM.A. (Laws)Department of Public LawThe African Regional system has been a subject of ongoing debates and discussions on how to protect the environment and combat ecocide effectively. In this regard, various legal frameworks have been put in place to address these issues, particularly the Bamako Convention on The Ban Of Import To Africa And The Control Of Transboundary Movement And Management Of Hazardous Wastes Within Africa. However, there is still room for improvement in leveraging and enhancing these existing legal frameworks for more efficient ecocide prevention and environmental protection. The Protocol On The Amendments To The Protocol On The Statute Of The African Court Of Justice And Human Rights (Malabo Protocol) provides a more effective way to criminalise Ecocide. The main question addressed in this research is how the African Regional system can prevent ecocide and ensure environmental protection through Article 28L of the Malabo Protocol. If so, how should this be done, and if not, how can existing legal frameworks be leveraged and enhanced?
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Teaching Mathematics in the Foundation Phase in Erkurhuleni South District schools, Gauteng Province, Republic South Africa
No full textM. Ed (Educational Management)Department of Educational StudiesUnderperformance of learners in Mathematics in South Africa is a burning issue. Learners in Mathematics do not perform at a level that would allow them to progress to the next grade and this often impacts the Grade 12 results significantly. As a result, it has become evident that the critical problem was the Foundation Phase, where a learner did not get a strong foundation during the early stage of Mathematics. To address the needs of learners, educators with skills and knowledge must fill the gap by identifying the barriers of learners in Mathematics at the Foundation Phase. The study adopted a qualitative approach. Educators in Foundation Phase training covers all subjects, namely Mathematics, Life Skills, Home Language and Additional Language. Some educators may lack interest, knowledge, methods or skills in teaching all the subjects. The educators’ lack of interest may affect learners’ performance because the educator may not do proper lesson planning and lesson presentation. The study employed Skemp's Theory of Relational and Instrumental Learning.The researcher has elicited the views of Foundation Phase educators on the challenges of teaching Mathematics through a case study design, in which two primary schools in the Ekurhuleni South-East Circuit had been involved. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of eight educators, two members of School Management Teams, and two curriculum advisors from district support educators in Mathematics to establish the challenges they encounter when teaching Mathematics in the Foundation Phase. The challenges encountered in the teaching of Mathematics vary across schools and often range from knowledge of pedagogical content, skill, professional training, attitudes, school environment, language, and background. The study found that, educators and learners would benefit greatly from the use of technology in the classroom, furthermore when learners receive the best instruction possible via the use of digital technology and given the fullest attention possible, they would inspire to reach their greatest potential. The study suggested further research and recommendations regarding educators, the schools and School Management Teams (SMTs), parents, and facilitators from the district
Design, Synthesis, And Biological Evaluation of Anti-HIV and Anti-plasmodial Activities of Some Hydroxypyridinone-aminoquinoline Derivatives
Get PDFM. Sc (Chemistry)Department of ChemistryMalaria and HIV-AIDS are fatal infectious diseases. Given the overlap of their geographic distribution and resultant coinfection rates, interactions between the two diseases pose major public health problems are the most vulnerable population groups. Young children and pregnant women are the most vulnerable population groups, yet they have limited medication options because of immunocompromising. The levels of CYP3A4 in children and pregnant women is elevated and thus necessitating dose adjustments for most drugs in clinical use to achieve treatment success. Without the dose adjustment the resultant low drug bioavailability exposes pathogens to sub-optimal dosages thus fomenting drug resistance. Hydroxypyridinone-aminoquinoline (HPO-AQS) compounds which were found to be potent CYP3A4 inhibitors, could be repurposed as antimalarials and anti-HIV specifically for children and expectant mothers. Thus, the study also aims at repurposing HPO-AQS for treatment of HIV-AIDS and malaria coinfections. Despite the CYP3A4 liability of the HPO-AQs, these molecules can be repurposed for chemotherapeutic applications in cancer and HIV-AIDS where CYP3A4 inhibition is not an issue if risk and benefit analysis is carefully considered.
The rational design was based on quinoline as an antimalarial pharmacophore and iron chelation inhibition of plasmodium proliferation in addition to studies earlier done by Andayi et al. The HPO-AQS were designed in two series (kojic derivatives and maltol derivatives) in such a way that they have a chelator (HPO) linked to quinoline nucleus with varying linker lengths. Thereafter, the in-silico predictions were done using SwissADME. The attention of this work was focused on the predictions of lipophilicity, physicochemical properties, and CYP isoform targets. SwissADME results predicted that HPO-AQs could be developed as synthetic medical products. This has been the basis of subsequent synthesis and in vitro studies.
The kojic derived compounds (1a-l) were prepared by coupling N-(7-chloro-4-quinolinyl)-diaminoalkanes (6a-g) to 2-(chloromethyl)-5 (benzyloxy)-1-alkylpyridin-4-(1H)-ones (3a-3c). The synthesis of the maltol-derived (2a-i) conjugates involved the Michael addition of N-(7-chloro-4- quinolinyl)-diaminoalkanes (6a-g) to 3-benzyl protected methyl maltol (10a) or protected ethyl maltol (10b). Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and Mass Spectroscopy confirmed the successful synthesis of all the target compounds. The target compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicities, anti-HIV, antiplasmodial, anticancer and antioxidant activities in vitro.
A general observation on the toxicities of all the compounds, when evaluated on three different cell lines, is that maltol-derived compounds (2b and 2d) were more toxic compared to the kojic-derived compounds (1a, 1b, 1f and 1g). With this observation, the kojic moiety counteracts the toxic effects caused by the quinoline scaffold better than the maltol moiety.
Based on the TZM-bI cells MTT assays, the most nontoxic compounds [1b; 1e; 1f; 1g and 2b] with relatively higher IC50 values, were further evaluated for anti-HIV (Reverse Transcription Inhibition and HIV Protease Activity inhibition) and antioxidant activities. The compounds with lower cytotoxicity IC50 values in the TZM bl cell line [1a and 2d] were further evaluated for their anti-cancer properties using the Nitric Oxide Assays. In the reverse transcriptase assays, 1e (IC50 = 26.2±0.19μM) and 1f (IC50 = 32.90±3.79μM) were the better inhibitors whilst 1g (IC50 = 56.56 ± 0.74μM) was the least inhibitor. In the protease inhibition assay, 1e was the best inhibitor (in relation to the positive control). Of the two evaluated compounds, 1a and 2d, none of them produced nitric oxide as expected, as the tested compounds were not very toxic but moderately toxic in the cytotoxic assays, as observed by the cytotoxicity results. The protected HPO-AQS showed no antioxidative potential, and 1b only showed antioxidant properties but only in high concentrations.
The antiplasmodial activities of HPO-AQS were evaluated against the chloroquine drug-sensitive (NF54) and the chloroquine drug-resistant strains (K1). These activities on the wild-type isolate, P. falciparum Nf54, range from moderate to very high, with some IC50 values below 20nM, which is comparable to the control antimalarial agents. Resistance indices analysis showed that most of the compounds had values greater than 5, except for 1a with RI = 3.5. However, there is cross-resistance for the rest of the compounds, which can be expected of these compounds due to their 7-chloroquinoline moiety.National Research Foundation (NRF
Spatial planning strategies for sustainable municipal household water service provision: a case study of Thohoyandou Town in Vhembe District Municipality of Limpopo, South Africa
No full textMaster of Urban Regional PlanningDepartment of Urban and Regional PlanningMany towns across South Africa, including Thohoyandou, continue to face significant challenges when it comes to reliable municipal water supply. The root causes often lie in aging or inadequate infrastructure, the pressures of rapid town expansion, and ongoing governance issues that hinder effective service delivery. This study focuses on how spatial planning can play a key role in supporting sustainability and access to household water services in Thohoyandou town. A mixed-methods case study approach was used to explore these issues in depth. Data collection included 382 household questionnaires, interviews with ten municipal officials, direct observation of local water infrastructure, and a thorough review of existing planning documents. Through both quantitative and qualitative analysis, the study assessed the current state of water service delivery and how it relates to the town’s planning processes. The findings point to a range of interconnected problems. The study identified a disconnect between Vhembe District Municipality’s Spatial Development Framework and its Water Services Development Plan. This misalignment has contributed to gaps in infrastructure provision, particularly in newly developed or rapidly growing areas. The study responds to these issues by proposing a more integrated planning approach that would better coordinate rural and town development with water infrastructure needs. This includes aligning spatial development plans with water service strategies, fostering collaboration between planners and engineers, targeting infrastructure upgrades in fast-growing parts of the town, and actively involving communities in decision-making around water services. If these strategies are put into action, Thohoyandou could see a meaningful improvement in both the consistency and fairness of its water supply. Moreover, the proposed framework supports national policy goals laid out in the Spatial Planning and Land Use Act (SPLUMA, 2013) and the National Development Plan 2030. It also aligns with key global goals, including Sustainable Development Goal 6 (clean water and sanitation) and Goal 11 (sustainable cities and communities)
Factors influencing arthropod diversity in the citrus landscape in Tshipise, Limpopo Province South Africa
No full textMSC in Biological Sciences: ZoologyDepartment of Biological SciencesCitrus plants play a crucial role in global food and nutrient supplies. South Africa exported 165.1 million cartons of citrus during the 2023 season and projected growth to 200 million cartons within four years. However, citrus crops are vulnerable to pest infestations, leading to a heavy reliance on chemical pesticides. Different pesticide types and dosages leave varying residue levels on treated citrus, with strict maximum residue limits (MRLs) enforced by global markets. Ongoing shifts in MRL standards and concerns over chemical dependence have pressured Southern African citrus producers to adopt Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches that balance effective pest control with minimised chemical use. This study investigated the factors influencing arthropod diversity in citrus agroecosystems, focusing on how landscape heterogeneity influences IPM. Using a landscape context approach, it quantified arthropod diversity within citrus orchards and surrounding habitats and edges to understand how these areas support beneficial arthropods like predators and parasitoids (Chapter 2). Results showed that diverse landscapes supported higher populations of beneficial arthropods in natural habitats, enhancing natural pest control, whereas croplands harboured more pest species.
Additionally, the study evaluated the effects of excluding insectivorous vertebrates to assess their roles in pest suppression, crop damage reduction, and the spatial distribution of Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Chapter 3). By elucidating arthropod population dynamics, the role of landscape structure and context, and insectivorous vertebrates, this study highlights the importance of landscape heterogeneity in enhancing natural pest control within citrus agroecosystems.
Findings show that maintaining diverse, non-crop habitats near croplands can support natural enemy populations, reducing reliance on chemical pesticides in IPM. The study also reveals that landscape context, especially proximity to natural habitats, influences the distribution and impact of crucial pests like T. leucotreta within citrus orchards. These insights offer practical guidance for optimising IPM approaches, suggesting that incorporating elements of natural habitats within agricultural landscapes can improve pest suppression and align with evolving global standards for pesticide residue limits
Exploring challenges and intervention strategies for harvesting Mopane worms in conservation areas: A case study of selected areas in Vhembe District Municipality
No full textM.A. (African Studies)Department of African StudiesThis study explored the challenges and intervention strategies for harvesting Mopane worms at Ha-Gumbu, Matiyani, and Bokmakieries Farm in the Vhembe District. It was observed that conservation areas in South Africa continued to use pesticides and deforestation, which could potentially lead to the extinction of Mopane worms. Pesticides were found to damage the leaves of Mopane trees, adversely affecting the mass production of Mopane worms. As Mopane worms are an indigenous staple crucial for local livelihoods, their decline poses significant concerns for the communities dependent on them. The overharvesting of Mopane worms without adequate ecosystem protection led to environmental unsustainability. This study highlighted the need for conservation areas to adopt alternative pest control methods and avoid deforestation to protect Mopane worm breeding habitats. The study was guided by the Afrocentricity Theory developed by Molefi Kete Asante in 2009, which emphasizes the recognition of African values and perspectives. A qualitative research design was employed, utilizing purposive and snowball sampling methods for selecting participants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and thematic data analysis was used to interpret the findings. Data saturation was achieved with the 13th participant. The study revealed that sustainable management and harvesting practices are essential for preserving Mopane worms for future generations. Implementing integrated pest management strategies and promoting conservation practices that do not compromise Mopane worm habitats are crucial for ensuring the long-term viability of Mopane worm populations. The study concluded that balancing conservation efforts with local economic needs is vital for the sustainable harvesting of Mopane worms. Effective measures must be taken to mitigate environmental impacts while supporting the livelihoods of the local communities
Exploring perceptions of rural youth participation in political elections: A case study of Thulamela Municipality
No full textM.A. (Political Science)Department of Arts and Social SciencesSince the end of apartheid in 1994, South Africa held elections every five years to promote democratic engagement and allow citizens to choose their representatives. Despite this democratic foundation, the political landscape revealed a concerning trend: South African youth increasingly became disinterested in participating in political processes, particularly elections. This study investigated the phenomenon of voter apathy among South African youth, focusing specifically on factors that influenced this disengagement among rural youth. Through a phenomenological approach, research analyzed the 2021 local government elections, revealing significant apathy among young voters, which undermined the principles of participatory democracy. Utilizing qualitative research methods, the study incorporated both primary and secondary data collection techniques, including interviews and document analysis. Purposive sampling was used to select 18 16 youth’s from the Thulamela municipality, allowing for a focused examination of their attitudes and behaviours related to electoral participation.
Thematic analysis was employed to explore the findings from recorded interviews, providing insights into the experiences and perceptions of rural youth regarding elections. Ultimately, this study aimed to contribute to the understanding of youth voter apathy in rural areas and proposed actionable recommendations to enhance electoral engagement. The findings reveal a complex interplay of socio-economic factors and personal beliefs that shape the political attitudes of rural youth. By focusing on the lived experiences of these young individuals, the research highlights the distinctive challenges they face in the political arena, offering valuable insights into the broader implications of youth participation in democratic processes. This approach not only enriches the understanding of the phenomenon but also emphasizes the importance of incorporating the perspectives of marginalized groups in electoral discours
The Constitutionality of Ex Post Facto Authorisation for Environmentally Harmful Activities in South Africa
No full textLLMIsmail Mahomed Centre for Human and Peoples RightsEnvironmental activities that have been listed as harmful under the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) must be authorised prior to commencement in South Africa. The process of authorisation (EA) requires an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to be commissioned before a listed activity could commence on the environment. Failure to commission EIA and obtain EA constitutes an offence under NEMA. Despite being an offence, section 24G of NEMA permits EA to be obtained ex post facto, subject to payment of an administrative fine. Scholarship shows that ex post facto EA undermines the EIA process and the preventative, precautionary and integrated environmental management principles under section 2 of NEMA. Other writings posit that the ex post facto EA legitimizes the pursuit of critical projects for economic development, even if they are harmful. Considering that both the pursuit of environmental protection, which the EIA seeks to achieve, and the realization of economic development, which the ex post facto EA seeks to validate, are both constitutionally entrenched in South Africa, the position of ex post facto EA raises a tension that requires a constitutional enquiry in light of section 24 and section 33 of the Constitution.
Through doctrinal research and comparative methodology, this study interrogates ex post facto EA in the context of constitutionally entrenched values, such as environmental protection, sustainable and socio-economic development, and just administrative action, to establish whether the process is constitutional. It further explores good practices in other legal systems, especially, India and the United Kingdom, in relation to ex post facto EA. The study suggests that these legal systems employ the process of ex-post facto EA only in exceptional cases, to strike a balance between environmental protection and economic development. The study recommends that ex post facto EA should generally be prohibited in South Africa and only be granted in exceptional circumstances wherein the developers will bear the onus to prove the exceptionality of their unlawfully commenced projects to ensure that there is accountability and transparency of the process
Student's perceptions regarding the use of female condoms at the University of Venda, in Limpopo Province, South Africa
No full textMPHDepartment of Public HealthSouth Africa is a nation severely impacted by sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS, and unwanted pregnancy among youth. Even though the public sector has made female condom programmes that also help distribute female condoms, there is still mixed reaction between male and female students towards female condoms. This study aimed to describe cultural perceptions, identify personal perceptions, and determine social perceptions towards female condoms. This study utilised a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional survey approach. The study was conducted at the University of Venda in Limpopo province. A systematic sampling method was used to sample the respondents. The study's intended sampling size was 398 respondents, but only 386 students' questionnaires were included. This is the case as other respondents did not respond to some of the questions in the survey. The questionnaire instrument used had closed-ended questions. To ensure validity and reliability, the researcher presented the study proposal to the Department of Public Health, where suggestions were made, and the supervisor was involved in the study and questionnaire development. The researcher did a pretest first to ensure the data collected was adjusted so that the questions given to respondents were made clear and to ensure that the data was reliable and high-quality. The University of Venda Research Ethics Committee approved the study, and permission to conduct the study was obtained from the director of student affairs. The data was analysed using the Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) version 29.0.2.0. The data was presented in tables and histogram. The study findings revealed insufficient knowledge regarding the female condom, negative attitudes towards its discussion, gender inequality, misconceptions, and inadequate access to female condoms at tertiary institutions. The study suggested recommendations based on the findings and addressed the limitations of this study
Response of macadamia nut yield, quality, and soil health to the application of different rates of macadamia husk compost in a subtropical climatic zone of Vhembe District, South Africa
No full textMSCAGR (Soil Science)Department of Plant and Soil SciencesMacadamia farmers are currently using macadamia husk compost as a supplement to
chemical fertilizers in their respective orchards. Regardless of the good results from the
application of macadamia husk compost, there is no consensus on the recommended
amount of macadamia husk compost to apply in order to improve the fertility status of
the soil as well as to increase crop yield and quality. A three-year study to investigate
the value of using compost made from macadamia husks on macadamia trees was
initiated in April 2020, on a sandy loam soil classified as Rhodic ferralsols . A Completely
Randomized Block Design (CRBD) with four replications was used in this study. The
aim of this study was to establish an application guideline that specifies the rates of
macadamia husk compost application. However, the applied rates must be able to
improve the fertility status of the soil and at the same time not compromise the yield and
quality of macadamia nuts. Macadamia husk compost was mixed with pine bark and
wood chips at the ratio of 30:35:35, respectively, and applied in August 2020, 2021 and
2022 after each harvest. Twelve months after macadamia husk compost application at
the rate of 0 (control) t ha-1, 4 t ha-1, 8 t ha-1 and 12 t ha-1 of data on macadamia nut
yield, nut quality, soil properties, and leaf nutrient concentration parameters were
collected. The compost application process was repeated again after 24 months (2022).
Collected data was subjected to a statistical analysis using GenStat® version 17 (VSN
International, UK).
The soil pH values of the compost treated soils were significantly (p<0.05) higher than
those of the control and increased with increasing rate of compost application. The
maximum pH value of 6.47 was observed after applying 12 t ha-1 of compost. This result
could be attributed to a high number of exchangeable cations present in the compost.
However, the pH values observed in this study were within the acceptable range for the
growth and production of macadamia trees. Application of compost significantly
increased (p<0.05) the levels of Microbial carbon (MB-C), Microbial Nitrogen (MB-N),
Soil Organic carbon (SOC) and Particulate Organic Matter (POM) contents in the study
site. Applying 12 t ha-1 of macadamia husk compost to the soil at the study site
increased SOC, POM, MB-C and MB-N contents by 149 %, 190 %, 319 % and 50 %,
respectively This increment in soil biological properties emphasises the importance of
adding compost to the soil with the aim of increasing the levels of organic matter content
which is considered as the reservoir for plant nutrient. Exchangeable cations Potasium
(K), Calcium (Ca) and Magnesium (Mg) significantly (p<0.05) increased with the
compost applications of 8 t ha-1 and 12 t ha-1 compared to when no compost was
applied. These increases can be attributed to a direct contribution of these nutrients
from the compost itself and/or the increased cation exchange capacity of the soil as a
result of compost addition. The incremental application of compost increased the
available phosphorus content in the soil. The maximum values (16.93 and 13.22 mg kg-
1) of available phosphorus content were recorded with the application of 8 t ha-1nd 12 t
ha-1 of compost, respectively. However, the concentration of available phosphorus in
the soil was below 30 mg kg-1 which is the recommended soil norm for macadamia
production in South Africa for all soil types.
The results of this study found that the control treatment had the maximum bulk density
value (1.34 g cm-3). Soil amended with 8 t ha-1 and 12 t ha-1 of compost had the least
bulk density values (1.28 and 1.29 g cm-3, respectively). Soil bulk density tends to
decrease with an increase in the quantity of compost application and is an indicative of
an increase in soil pore space where water is moved through the soil more efficiently by
large pores than by smaller ones. Macadamia husk compost application rates showed
no (p>0.05) significant difference on the soil agregate stability of the different
treatments. On the other hand, macadamia husk compost applied at different rates at
the study site was more effective at increasing the infiltration rate of water in the soil.
This could be associated with the fact that compost act as a surface mulch thus reducing
evaporation. Mulching or covering the soil surface with a layer of plant residue is an
effective method of conserving water, because it reduces surface runoff and increases
infiltration of water into the soil.
The infiltration rate was higher for 12 t ha-1 compared to 0 t ha-1, in a minute there was
already an infiltration rate of 41.57 mm h-1 whereas for the control (0 t ha-1) it was 17.71
mm h-1. There was also a significant (p<0.05) effect on the water holding capacity
related with an increase in the application rates of the compost with the least percentage
at 0 t ha-1 (1.33%) and the maximum at 12 t ha-1was (2.2%).
There was a significant (p<0.05) effect of treatments on the concentration of K and Mg
in the leaves of macadamia trees. The maximum (0.66%) and minimum (0.58%) leaf K
were observed on trees amended with 12 t ha-1 and control, respectively. Application of
compost did not have significant effect on the concentration of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus
(P), Calcium (Ca), Cupper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Iron) Fe and Boron (B) in the leaves
of macadamia trees except for Zinc (Zn). The concentration of nutrient elements (N, P,
Zn, Cu, and B) in the leaves of macadamia trees under investigation was considered
low but not deficient when compared with recommended standard leaf norm, whereas
Potasium (K), Calcium, Magnesium (Mg), Mn and Fe were sufficient for the growth and
production of macadamia trees.
The results of this study have proved beyond reasonable doubt that the application of
compost made from macadamia husks can increase yield and quality of nuts, and
improve the fertility status (physical, chemical and biological properties) of the soil. In
the light of the above, it was recommended that South African Macadamia Assocication
Council (SAMAC) through its structures must encourage all macadamia farmers to start
using compost made from macadamia husks as a supplement to inorganic fertilizers. In
this study, application of 12 t ha-1 was the most appropriate rate of application. However,
for meaningful recommendation for a wide range of macadamia growers, further studies
need to be conducted over a long period of time in different macadamia growing
locations covering different soil types