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A comparative assessment of the socio-economic dimension of Niger delta militancy and Boko Haram insurgency: towards the security-development nexus in Nigeria
Get PDFThesis Submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) In the Department of Development Studies, Faculty of Arts at the University of Zululand, 2019.This study critically explores, in comparative terms, the socio-economic dimension (drivers and effects) of Niger Delta Militancy and Boko Haram insurgency, within the ongoing debate on the nexus between security and development. Using the mix of Root Cause and Rational Choice theories (2RCs), the study through qualitative methods, demonstrates the relative implication of socio-economic causes and effects of both insurgencies, based on evidence from interviews, available video documentaries and literatures. Acknowledging the weak, however irrefutable, connection between security and development, the study underscores that the social and economic dimension of both insurgencies must be factored into a long-term recovery plan, despite the seeming religious façade of Boko Haram.
The study demonstrates that while poverty, for instance, is necessary but insufficient in explaining conflict, its persistence amidst affluence and economic growth suggest that it significantly determines the hopelessness, angst and lack of trust in the system that often nudges some citizens to seek alternative means of redress. Such means may be ethnonationalism or religion as suggestive of the Niger Delta militancy or Boko Haram insurgency respectively. In addition, both insecurities have been hijacked by certain individuals for self-benefiting ends. This hijack is somewhat driven by personal rational calculus and oiled by the pan-Nigeria “socio-economic neediness” among the masses. In this regard, while the masterminds manipulate this ‘socio-economic neediness’, the lower ranks (of these insurgencies) derive immediate economic or political benefits from participation through criminality.
Meanwhile, the study found that socio-economic causes are more easily identifiable in the Niger Delta insurgencies as compared to Boko Haram’s, especially from the standpoint of legitimate grievances. For the Boko Haram insurgency, the socio-economic underdevelopment in the northern region are ideologically manipulated to mobilise wide support for the insurgency through monetary inducement, leveraging on the vulnerability of the populace. This is especially compounded by the lower level of education among it ranks of foot soldiers and general level of human underdevelopment across the region.
The implication of Nigeria’s mono-cultural economy for the country’s development trajectory and the current instabilities are explored to illuminate what, why, and how the resultant socio-economic underdevelopment could be related to both insurgencies. Accordingly, the popular criticism of the socio-economic dimension that often allude to the relatively higher level of
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poverty in other parts of the north compared to Borno is critically revisited. This is done by demonstrating that Boko Haram is hardly a Borno or North-east phenomenon exclusively. Indeed, the historical and ideological resonance of Islamic extremism of Boko Haram, across the entire northern region, strongly reinforces this view.
The study further demonstrates how the protracted insurgencies, among other agitations in the country continue to inhibit Nigeria’s overall development, creating an endless circle of conflict. Hence, in contributing to the attainment of a durable and sustainable resolution, this study advocates that adequate and improved redress of the socio-economic dimension, among the other notable undeniable dimensions must take place. In this regard, the study critically engages the mix of defence, diplomacy and development (the 3D) as used in other conflict regions in the world, to decipher possible ways forward. Minding context dependence of such policy frameworks and the difficulty with transferability however, the study ultimately seeks only to draw adaptable lessons, especially its accents on inter-agency cooperation (human and material resource) in comparable insurgencies. Herein lies the security-development nexus in Nigeria, given the deepening human insecurity and underdevelopment spawned by both insurgencie
The nexus between social spending and economic growth in South Africa: a cointegration approach
Get PDFA dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the Degree of Masters (MCom) in the Economics Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law at the University if Zululand, 2019.South African government has been utilizing expansionary expenditure for the past two decades to tackle the declining growth and the prevailing socioeconomic challenges. This policy stance is heavily grounded in the Keynesian theory which proposes that government spending stimulates economic growth. Several empirical studies testing the Keynesian proposition are generally affirmative but these studies do not tell us how disaggregated and particular components of government spending affect economic growth. Against this background, this study contributes to existing knowledge by using a disaggregate measure of government spending to establish the association between government social spending and economic wellbeing, which is measured by economic growth, income distribution inequality and household consumption expenditure.
The autoregressive distributed Lag (ARDL) econometric modelling approach is employed to estimate the impact of disaggregated government social spending on economic growth (growth model), income inequality (Gini model) and household consumption expenditure (consumption model). Therefore, the three models utilise time series data spanning from 1983 to 2016. The results showed that education spending improves economic growth during the short run, but has an insignificant impact on economic growth in the long run. Health spending has a negative impact on economic growth during the short run, however, stimulates growth in the long run.
Social protection spending boosts economic growth during both in the short run and the long run. On the other hand, social spending on education and health have an equalizing impact on income distribution during the long run, except for social protection spending. While during the short run only health and social protection spending reduce income inequality. The long-run results for consumption model indicate that education spending has an insignificant effect on household consumption and public spending on health has a negative impact on household consumption respectively. While social protection spending promoted household consumption. Notably, all government social spending variables are unsuccessful in promoting household consumption expenditure during the short run as the impact is statistically insignificant.
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Therefore, the overall results revealed that government social spending variables have a significant impact on economic wellbeing, especial during the long-run. However, the impact caused by disaggregated social spending is small. Even though the social spending components are inelastic, most have a significant impact, which makes social spending has an important role in the variation of economic growth, income distribution and household consumption spending. Another important finding is that government cannot overall rely on government social spending to boost its economic perspective therefore, may need to focus on other economic fundamentals to raise economic wellbeing
Exploring grade 10 isizulu home language teachers’ strategies when teaching isizulu novels in the Pinetown District
No full textA dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the Degree of Master of Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instructional Studies, Faculty of Education, at the University of Zululand, 2019.This study explored the practices and strategies of secondary school teachers when teaching and analysing novels in rural schools. The study specifically probed the practices and strategies of Grade 10 isiZulu Home Language teachers who work in disadvantaged, rural areas. Many studies have shown that there is a link between the learners’ ability to read and academic performance. This study was an attempt to understand how educators teach and analyse isiZulu novels in disadvantaged secondary schools in the Pinetown District.
The study was a qualitative study, which was located within the interpretive paradigm. Participants were purposefully selected from the five schools. Five Grade 10 isiZulu Home Language teachers were involved in the study. This study was a case study of five high schools in a rural area called Inchanga, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Class observations, individual face-to-face semi- structured interviews and document analysis were used as data collection methods.
In this study the findings revealed that teaching novels was still a challenge and teachers had a limited understanding of what it entails. Two strategies appeared to be dominant in the teachers’ teaching strategies, which revealed the educators’ lack of understanding of the complexities inherent in the teaching of novels. It was also discovered that context played a crucial role in the teaching of novels in these schools as most of the schools lacked set works and textbooks suitable to the learners’ background.
The study recommends that the Department of Basic Education (DoBE) should provide appropriate or relevant teaching and learning resources to schools. The availability of set works and textbooks will develop learners’ reading and writing abilities. In addition, a review of post provisioning norms for teachers is also necessary as this presently impacts negatively on the schools situated in the rural areas, where teachers have to be redeployed to other schools. This is problematic as their redeployment tends to leave schools without suitably qualified teachers. This is very important, especially in high schools where educators require specialisation in the subjects they teach.
It is hoped that the suggestions of the findings of this research should be beneficial to principals, teachers, non-governmental organisations involved in educator training, developers of curriculum, writers and all those who have an interest in education
Participatory selection of traditional leafy vegetables and variation in morphology and mineral content of colchicine-treated Corchorus olitorius plants in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
No full textA dissertation submitted in fulfillment of the academic requirements for the degree of Master of Science in the Department of Agriculture in the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering, University of Zululand, 2020Traditional leafy vegetables (TLVs) are mostly wild-collected, nutrient-rich herbaceous plants whose leaves, shoot tips, flowers and fruits are consumed as vegetables. They are well-adapted to harsh environmental conditions and grow in soils with limited fertility. This study focused on TLVs that are utilized by a rural community of the KwaMbonambi area of northern KwaZulu-Natal, South-Africa.
A survey was conducted to identify the most preferred TLV’s in this study area and to determine factors affecting their consumption and cultivation. In a total of 19 recorded TLV species, Amaranthus hybridus, A. spinosus, A. thunbergii, Bidens biternata and Corchorus olitorius, were the most preferred in the area based primarily on their appealing taste. Most TLVs were collected from the wild mainly by females, during the rainy summer season, and were consumed only once a week depending on their availability. The cultivation of TLVs was very rare because poor seed quality restricted their cultivation.
Participatory variety selection was done with the KwaMbonambi community of the study to evaluate 15 Amaranthus genotypes. Amaranthus was selected because of its popularity as a TLV in the area. During the participatory variety selection, mild-tasting and high-yielding genotypes were the most preferred. Genotypes ACAT seed fair, Tanzania and AMES-22680 were the most preferred in terms of the above traits.
Induced mutation through colchicine has been successful in many crop species but least applied in traditional leafy vegetables. The effect of colchicine treatment on 15 morphological traits and 19 leaf minerals were therefore investigated in Corchorus olitorious. The evaluated colchicine treatments showed significant (P < 0.05) differences among them in both morphological and nutritional traits evaluated. Of all morphological traits measured, only the leaf chlorophyll content (LCC) of the 0.025 g l-1 colchicine treatment for two hours was significantly higher than the control. The trend for mineral nutrient content was similar with the highest values for most nutrients corresponding with 0.025 g l-1 of colchicine for two hours treatment
Development of a point-of-care biomedical imaging diagnostics for cancer screening
Get PDFThesis submitted to the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Degree Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Faculty of Science and Agriculture at the University of Zululand, 2019.Despite our improved understanding of cancer biology, this disease remains a global health phenomenon, affecting the populations in developed and developing countries, of every socioeconomic strata. It is the second leading cause of death worldwide with over 10 million new cases and over 5 million deaths annually. The point-of-care diagnostic approach holds important promise for the early detection of cancer since most cases are treatable at an early stage of the disease. Research has shown that over 90 per cent of cancer cells express some forms of proteins, which can serve as biomarkers for early detection, thereby increasing survival rate in cancer patients. Recently, nanotechnology has been used to develop nanoparticles like a quantum dot, known for their unique optical properties and sizes and applicable for diagnosis in cancer cells research. In this study, colloidal cadmium telluride quantum dots were synthesised, capped and stabilised with Gum Arabic polymer. These particles were characterised using UV absorption, Photoluminescence (PL), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis and zeta potential to determine their stability in different media. These quantum dots were then used for in-vitro cytotoxicity studies on 4 different cancer cell lines (HeLa, MCF-7, PC-3 and U87) in a dose-dependent manner. Results: cells were found to have over 50% viability for almost all cell line. Binding studies were evaluated in-vitro. Chlorotoxin peptide labelled with FITC at the C and N-terminals respectively were used for this study while fluorescence intensity was used to determine the binding of the cell to the peptides and expressed in percentage. Results show that cells bind more to chlorotoxin peptide with FITC attached to the N-terminal of the CTX than CTX peptide with FITC at the C- terminal and this binding was dose-dependent. Chlorotoxin (HIS-CTX-GST tagged) was genetically recombined and expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) BL21 cells, purified using nickel beads. Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was
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used to analyse the protein and results show noticeable bands at 30 kDa which corresponding to the HIS-GST-CTX protein. Block studies experiment was carried out using CTX-FITC labelled peptide and recombinantly expressed CTX to determine the binding effect of both peptides to the cells that is if they are specific or receptor-dependent. The results revealed that the binding of the CTX-FITC was receptor dependent. Biotinylated chlorotoxin was conjugated to quantum dots using streptavidin-biotin chemistry and cytotoxicity of this conjugates was carried out using WST-1 cell viability assay. Cell binding and uptake were also analysed. These studies will serve as a point-of-care diagnosis for cancer treatment as early diagnosis a key to surviving the disease. Also the in vivo studies cell uptake can be used to improve surgical procedure by ensuring total tumour removal, and this can prevent tumour reoccurrence.National Research Foundatio
Experiences of educators towards the implementation of inclusive education in Richards Bay Schools
Get PDFA dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Education of the requirements for the Degree Master of Education in the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education at the University of Zululand, 2019.The implementation of inclusive education in mainstream schools has for some time faced challenges in South African schools. Although much has been achieved in terms of policy development, and the restructuring of schools, the effects of changes have not been properly managed and evaluated. Evaluation and monitoring changes will help to determine the achievement of the policies and tracking the implementation of inclusive education. The main aim of this study was to assess teachers’ experiences of the implementation of inclusive education and to determine the strategies they employed in order to accommodate diversity in their classrooms. Questionnaires were used, both closed-ended and open-ended questions to collect data from primary school teachers. Seven Richards Bay primary schools were identified as the sampling frame. Out of seven schools, one school chose not to participate. A total number of 104 teachers participated in this study. The closed-ended questions were analysed quantitatively. With regards to open-ended questions qualitative analysis was employed. The study revealed that teachers do embrace inclusive education however, most were still found practicing their old methods of teaching, which they were using before inclusive education was introduced. This was due to lack of skills and training. Teachers were given options to choose from with regard to special methods they use in accommodating diversity in their inclusive classrooms. Out of 104 teachers who participated, fifty nine (59) indicated that they do not use any special method to accommodate diversity in their classroom while (45) forty five declared that they use special methods in their inclusive classrooms. The study recommends that in-service training should be provided. Monitoring strategies should be put in place in order to provide support and guidance to teachers. Parents must also be involved in the education of their children. Through the involvement of the School Governing Bodies (SGBs)
The credit channel of monetary policy transmission in the selected emerging markets
Get PDFA dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law for the Degree of Master of Commerce in Economics in the Department of Economics at the University of Zululand, 2019.The credit channel has been investigated extensively in developed countries yet few studies have been conducted in emerging, developing and in less developed countries. This research employs a panel VAR model and five country-specific-VAR models to determine the effectiveness of the credit channel in the selected inflation targeting emerging markets (Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Russia and South Africa), that have implicitly or explicitly embraced the inflation targeting monetary policy framework, over the period 2000Q1-2016Q4. The balance sheet channel is not investigated due to a lack of data in the available database. The study adopted the traditional bank lending channel theory by Bernanke and Blinder (1988), according to which monetary policy rate shocks are propagated to economic variables through credit. The control variables in the models include gross domestic product, bank loans to the private sector, monetary policy rate, money supply, consumer price index and the nominal exchange rate. IRF are generated from the panel VAR model as averages, and compared to the IRF generated from each VAR model. Overall, the bank lending channel and interest rate channel were found to be according to theory and effective with a 1.5 period lag in the selected emerging markets. It is advisable for the five emerging countries to continue to develop innovations for greater efficiency in the conducting of monetary policy; this will further assist the more inelastic variables to become more responsive. The bank lending channel was found to be more effective in Brazil and Russia and the magnitudes of the decline of bank loans are quite similar for both countries, where, after the third period, the decline is about o.2% for a 1% initial shock to interest rates. However, the bank lending channel in South Africa, Chile and Mexico was found to be ineffective, perhaps due to the high indebtedness of consumers, perhaps arising out of financialization reasons. In the South African context, the authorities ought to revisit the National Credit Act to assess why bank loan issues are inelastic to monetary policy tightening.The causality patterns suggests that all variables Granger cause each other
A career guidance counselling and assessment programme for disadvantaged high schools, in the case of the Eastern Cape, in South Africa
Get PDFA dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fulfilment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy in Community Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Zululand, 2019.The study is a career assessment and counselling programme for disadvantaged high schools in the Eastern Cape Province, in South Africa. The specific aim was to guide learners through a process of career exploration in order to make appropriate career choices and plans. The sample consisted of 90 blacks, 1 coloured and 2 Indians from selected schools in the Eastern Cape Province. The main objectives were to formulate a career assessment and counselling programme, as an ongoing process of change, and not as an event, to empower disadvantaged students through their participation in the process; to nurture learning through engendering a tolerance of mistakes and differences in ideas, and to provide opportunities for the development of all.
Using a qualitative research design, self-administered questionnaires were distributed to respondents. A convenient/purposive, non-probability sampling procedure was utilised. Descriptive statistics were used to to analyse demographic data, including frequencies and percentages. Qualitative data, obtained from open-ended questions of the survey questionnaire, were content analysed to identify the main themes. Nine themes were identified.
The results showed that many disadvantaged high schools did not have educators who were qualified in career guidance issues. Furthermore, there was a lack of governmental support in career guidance in disadvantaged schools. Additionally, there was a lack of equipment and funding required in career guidance. It has been indicated that the use of psychologists and
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psychometric assessment in career assessment will improve the quality of career guidance.
It can be concluded that many disadvantaged and poor schools do not have educators who are qualified in career guidance issues. Disadvantaged schools do not have adequate resources such as money to pay qualified professionals to help learners in making optimised and better career decisions. The South African government is not supportive of these disadvantaged schools. Learners continue to be ignorant as far as career guidance issues are concerned. Many students are not aware of the benefits of counselling
Effective pedagogic practices for understanding the accounting equation for grade 8 Economics and Management Science in selected schools in the UMhlathuze Circuit
No full textA dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the Degree of Master of Education in the Department of Psychology Education and Special Education, Faculty of Education, at the University of Zululand, 2020.The teaching of the accounting equation in Grade 8 presents a challenge to the pedagogical content knowledge of the teachers, which is seemingly a contributory factor to learner underperformance. As a point of departure, one of the objectives of this study was to look at the causes of learner underperformance in applying the accounting equation. Therefore, if there is urgency in addressing learner underperformance, it is imperative to look to what extent the usage of various pedagogical practices impact on addressing learner underperformance in the EMS Grade 8 accounting equation section. This prompted the researcher to conduct a study on the effectiveness of teaching and learning relating to the Grade 8 learners taking accounting, specifically using the accounting equation as the benhmark, with a view to improving learner understanding of accounting through the application of technologically aided pedagogic practices to facilitate the teaching and learning. In most instances, it is noted that the more teacher-centred methods of teaching, where memorisation of concepts and formula is common, are widely used. Most teachers rely on textbooks as the primary source of instruction; hence the accounting subject content is mainly abstract to learners who are unable to relate it to real-life situations in a manner that is meaningful. The effective teaching of accounting should concur with key documents such as the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (GAAP), which is constitutionally derived and endorsed by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountant (SAICA). The participation of teachers to contribute to the accounting curriculum is compromised, in the way that they are called to assist in an ad-hoc fashion, which results in unsustainable learning environments. On the basis of the above, the study aims to formulate a strategy to create effective pedagogic practices for understanding the accounting equation and so improve learner performance in this section of the Economics and Management Science learning area. The study provides findings and recommendations such as recommending professional teacher development in the EMS learning area to enhance the subject content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge of the teachers. The study also indicates possible future research and ways to open opportunities for improving the rate of underperforming learners. The main findings led to the conclusion that the teaching and learning of the accounting equation section should be optimised through
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the use of effective pedagogic practices which are learner-centred and promote peer mentoring and self-regulated learning. The study ends by proposing curriculum development for Grade 8 learners in relation to creating a balance in EMS assessment curriculum weighting.National Research Foundation (NRF
Generic structure potential analysis of Christian street evangelism in Southwestern Nigeria
No full textPeer reviewed article published under Inkanyiso journal, Volume 11 Number 1, p.30 -34, November 2019.Christian street evangelism is one of Bible-based doctrinal practices found among Nigerian Christians, especially in Southwestern Nigeria. Studies have examined language use in Christian activities, including sermons in church services, funerals and marriage ceremonies. However, no scholarly attention has been paid to a linguistic description of language use in Christian street evangelism, which, although shares some features with other contexts of Christian activities, manifests some elements that characteristically define it among the series of Christian evangelistic activities. This study, therefore, is a generic structural potential analysis of Christian street evangelism in Southwestern Nigeria. Data were gathered using ethnographic techniques. Data comprised fifteen observed street evangelism activities randomly sampled in different cities in Southwestern Nigeria. Data were subjected to discourse analysis within the purview of Halliday and Hassan’s (1985) Generic Structure Potential (GSP) theory. Findings reveal Christian street evangelism features five obligatory elements: songs, greetings, sermon, prayer and finis; and three optional elements: declaration of purpose, call for confession, and welcome to the fold. The GSP of Christian street evangelism in Southwestern Nigeria can be cata-
logued as