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The e-agriculture research landscape in South Africa : a systematic literature review
No full textThesis (MTech (Information Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.The objective of this study was to determine the current status of e-agriculture research in
the South African context. A systematic literature review was used to gather and analyse
data in alignment with the objective of the study. The researcher used keywords and
combined search keywords on web search engines and digital databases to obtain
pertinent research papers. The scope of the study was limited to the period 2000-2016. The
books, theses, conference papers and journal articles identified as pertinent to conduct the
study, amounted to 114 in number. The analysis of the study described the focus of
research papers, research methods, research approaches, theoretical lenses, units of
analysis and observation, levels of analysis, historical development, and major concepts
and disciplines used by authors in their studies. The study also sought to discover the year
of publication and assessment of searchability of the papers.
The results indicate that 13 papers (11.4%) were published in the first five years (2000-
2004) and 51 papers (44.7%) in the last five years (2012-2016) of the delimited period for
the study. The results of the study further indicate that the application of geographic
information systems (GISs) towards improving agriculture was the most prominent eagriculture
research area in South Africa (27 papers, 23.6%), followed by the use of satellite
enhancing agriculture (26 papers, 22.8%). E-government direct services, mobile in
agriculture, and agricultural information systems were the least prominent e-agriculture
research areas in South Africa with a contribution of two papers (1.8%) each. The results of
this study show that information mapping was the most used research method by
researchers in their studies (57 papers, 50%), followed by the case study method with 31
papers (27.1%). The results further denote that the least used research method was
industry reports with no mention of it in any of the pertinent papers, followed by grounded
theory with two papers (1.7%). Interpretivism was the most used research approach by
researchers (six papers, 5.2%) during the period 2000-2016.
The findings of this study clearly show that researchers still need to address certain issues
or problems regarding e-agriculture in South Africa in order to improve the agricultural
sector. The contribution of the study is to understand the importance of enhancing research
capability and socio-economic transformation of farmworkers and farmers through
enhanced communication of agriculture research knowledge in the area of agricultural
informatics. A foundation for further studies was created for continuous e-agriculture
research in South Africa
The importance of financial management knowledge and accounting skills among department managers in the hotel industry within the Cape Town metropolis
No full textThesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.The hospitality industry has undergone far-reaching changes based on discussions held with industry representatives. Due to the rapid development of accounting systems there is an over reliance on systems to control costs. This influences the accounting skills of department managers, which are insufficient to manage their departments effectively. The research investigates the role and relevance of accounting skills amongst department managers of selected hotels in Cape Town. The research methodology employed a semi-structured questionnaire that was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data. The focus was on selected three-star (3) and five-star (5) hotels within Cape Town. The findings were drawn from a small sample of 45 hotels, among which 35 participants from the 45 hotels completed the questionnaire. A review of literature identified a strong need for department managers to have accounting skills, but there is limited evidence whether they actually hold these skills. Statistical analysis of the responses revealed that less than 50% of the participants were confident that they had sufficient accounting skills to manage their departments effectively. Two key issues were identified (1) the benefits of accounting skills (2) the need for formal accounting skills training. If the findings and concerns of the lack of accounting skills are not addressed it will affect cost control, costs will increase and profitability will be negatively affected. Recommendations include more interaction and forging links between academia and industry. A challenge for hospitality academics is review current financial management training provided and introduces mentorship programmes to develop the accounting skills of department managers
Consumer adoption of online grocery shopping In the Cape Metropolitan Area, South Africa
No full textThesis (MTech (Retail Business Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.The growth and use of information and communication technologies (ICT) such as the Internet across the globe, has been phenomenal. For both businesses and consumers, the Internet birthed new and highly effective and efficient avenues for communicating and transacting. The use of the Internet as a business trading platform known as e-commerce became popular in the 1990s and has inevitably led to the mushrooming of online retailers. The growth of this non-store retail segment poses a threat to traditional brick and mortar retail stores, although retail experts now view online retailing as an evolution rather than a revolution.
Previously, non-grocery merchandise was the predominant commodity that was being sold online, but there is now growing evidence of online grocery shopping (OGS). Most developed nations such as UK, USA, France and Finland are considered to have well-developed online grocery markets, yet developing countries such as South Africa are still at an infancy stage. Most research about OGS had a Eurocentric view, and there are limited studies that focus on other parts of the world such as Africa.
This research study took a consumer-centric perspective to understand consumer adoption of OGS, with the specific aim of determining factors that influence consumers’ behavioural intention to adopt OGS in the Cape Metropolitan area of South Africa. This study followed a quantitative research approach and a statistically derived sample size of 455 respondents was used. These respondents were conveniently selected at shopping malls in the Cape Metropolitan area. Of the questionnaires that were distributed, 391 questionnaires were usable and were captured on Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 for the purpose of data analysis.
The findings of the study showed that most respondents were black single females aged between 26 and 45 years with a diploma education level. The study also showed that 84.9% (n=391) of respondents had not adopted OGS, which indicated that most respondents were still accustomed to in-store grocery shopping. Using the Generalised Linear Model to determine which factors influenced consumers’ behavioural intention to adopt OGS, only Perceived Cost (PCo) had a significant influence on consumers’ behavioural intention to adopt OGS. Other factors such as Perceived Usefulness (PU), Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU), Visibility (VIS), Perceived Risk (PR), Perceived Image Barrier (PIB) and Social Attractiveness (SAT) had an indirect influence on consumers’ behavioural intention to adopt OGS. Based on the findings of the study in order to improve consumer adoption of OGS, the following recommendations have been made. Firstly, that online grocery managers and e-marketers should market OGS emphasising the usefulness and cost effectiveness of using it while at the same time factors such as PU, PEOU, VIS, PR, VIS, PIB and SAT should also be integrated into the communication campaigns. Secondly, that further research can be done to find ways that grocery retailers can use retain online grocery shoppers
The Utilisation of Enterprise Risk Management in Fast-Food Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises Operating in the Cape Peninsula
No full textThesis (MTech (Internal Auditing))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.It is widely accepted that small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) are pivotal to any country’s economic growth. In a South African dispensation, these business entities are believed to be the panacea to the economic challenges facing the country. Consequently, a number of initiatives have been deployed by national government to assist these business entities, inter alia, the formation of the Ministry of Small Business Development in 2014. Notwithstanding government support these business entities have received over the years, the sustainability of South African SMMEs still remains among the worst in the world. One of the main cited reasons for this weak sustainability is a lack of management skills, particularly risk management skills. Taking the latter into account, it comes as no surprise that previous studies show that South African SMMEs make use of customised risk management initiatives which are regarded as inadequate and/or ineffective. For this research study, the main objective was to determine the extent to which South African SMMEs utilise enterprise risk management (ERM) – a formal approach to manage risks in a holistic manner. To achieve the latter, a literature review was conducted from which relevant terms were conceptualised (see Chapter 2). Subsequently, primary data were collected using questionnaires, while taking into account various ethical considerations, and gleaned responses were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics (see Chapter 4). Although the inferential statistics suggested that the sampled South African SMMEs made use of ERM initiatives, further investigation revealed that these initiatives were used by chance as opposed to choice. Hence, it was concluded that these entities did not make use of ERM. In essence the results echoed the notion from scholarly literature that South African SMMEs unknowingly use ERM initiatives which are customised, inadequate and/or ineffective. Stemming from the conclusions reached, relevant recommendations were articulated to assist these business entities towards the implementation of ERM in a structured manner
Cyanogen and mycotoxin reduction for cassava (Manihot Esculenta Crantz) cultivated soil
No full textThesis (DTech (Environmental-health))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018.The management of agricultural soil and its sustainable use, namely productivity, is paramount to the agricultural industry worldwide. Large-scale agricultural product producers and scientists emphasise using environmentally benign methods to increase agricultural production such as taking a green chemistry approach to agricultural activities and/or using cultivation techniques for the bio-augmentation of agricultural soil. Some of these agricultural products, such as cassava (Manihot esculenta), produce cyanogens which promote the infestation of a cyanogen-resistant microbial species known to produce mycotoxins during decomposition. Although cyanogens and mycotoxins are important components in the functioning of the earth system and agricultural soil, their cumulative effects can result in reduced soil productivity, hence degradation. Furthermore, the presence of mycotoxins in the environment and agricultural produce is hazardous to the environment, including the biotic communities in soil and humans. Therefore, an environmentally benign (green chemistry approach) method for the reduction of cyanogens and mycotoxins was proposed for this research study.
The method investigated had to be applicable in-situ for the biodegradation of cyanogens and mycotoxins. Their reduction from decomposing cassava in cultivated soil, which can be used on a small and large scale, would mitigate deleterious effects of a less reported, unknown mycotoxins producer (fungal species), Cunninghamella bertholletiae (KT275316), found to be a free cyanide- (CN-) resistant isolate. The C. bertholletiae was isolated from decomposing cassava tubers and silt, subsequent to culturing on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and in an equivalent volume of nutrient broth (NB) containing KCN (4mg/40mL) at 30 °C for 120 hrs. The isolate demonstrated an ability to biodegrade CN- into NH3 and NO3. NH3 and NO3 are nitrogenous by-products produced when young cassava plants are cultivated in a controlled environment, with 80% of the initial CN- concentration being efficiently degraded to NH3/NO3 at a conversion rate of 77.5% and 72.5% (fungus from silt and cassava), respectively, within 120 hrs.
From this research, it was observed that Sub-Saharan Africa is the largest contributor to the CN- load into the environment; from cassava cultivation as per FAO data. The quantity of CN- released was estimated at 0.025x10-3 to 6.71 ppq, with further increases of 60.5% being projected to be released into the environment by 2024. As such, it was hypothetically assumed that numerous species in cassava-cultivated soil become CN- resistant as they are exposed to CN- from decomposing cassava, becoming pathogenic thus antigonistic towards other biota in cassava-cultivated soil. Consequently, the pathogenicity of the isolate was investigated against organisms (n = 12) from cassava-cultivated soil. The isolate demonstrated inhibitory pathogenic activity against some soil bacterial communities such as Oligella ureolytica, Acinetobacter sp., Pseudomonas luteola and Sphingomonas paucimobilis. The isolate also demonstrated minor antagonistic effects against Myroides sp., Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Candida lipolytica, Cryptococcus albidus and Rhodotorula sp.. Further research to identify extracellular metabolites produced by this organism, using a fermentation method was also carried out using a liquid state fermentation technique. 30 mL Erlenmeyer flasks containing 25 mL of NB/KCN (source of CN-) at 37 °C for 168 hrs, with a volume of (5 mL), extracts from the fermentation being filtered, centrifuged, mixed with chloroform for a liquid-liquid extraction procedure subsequent to a nitrogen-facilitated blow-down technique and reconstitution with 100% analytical grade methanol, for LC/MS-TOF 6230 analysis. The analysis revealed that the isolate was able to produce the mycotoxins/secondary metabolites, Fumonisin B1 (FB1) and Deoxynivalenol (DON).
Though the isolate (KT275316) demonstrated the ability to biodegrade cyanide as well as produce mycotoxin, an environmentally benign strategy (green chemistry method) with a potential to biodegrade CN-/NH3/NO3/NO2 for the biodegradation of mycotoxins was evaluated, including the identification of biodegradation by-products post-biodegradation treatment. Thus, plant extracts from Nepenthes mirabilis were found to contain enzymes such as carboxylesterase, β-glucosidase, β-glucoronidase and phosphatidyl inositol phospholipase C (identified using both quantitative and qualitative methods). The plant extracts were used with treated samples from the fermentation and were subjected to biodegradation. Thus, resulting in biodegradation by-products such as Heptadecanone Octadecanamide, Octadecenal for FB1 and Tolmetin for DON, respectively. For future research, it is therefore recommended that plant extracts with similar properties to those observed for N. mirabilis extracts (juice) be sought for application of the proposed method
Exploration and application of MISR high resolution Rahman Pinty-Verstraete time series
No full textThesis (Doctor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.Remote sensing provides a way of frequently observing broad land surfaces. The availability
of various earth observation data and their potential exploitation in a wide range of socioeconomic
applications stimulated the rapid development of remote sensing technology. Much of the research and most of the publications dealing with remote sensing in the solar spectral domain focus on analysing and interpreting the spectral, spatial and temporal signatures of the observed areas. However, the angular signatures of the reflectance field, known as surface anisotropy, also merit attention. The current research took an exploratory approach to the land surface anisotropy described by the RPV model parameters derived from the MISR-HR processing system (denoted as MISR-HR anisotropy data or MISR-HR RPV data), over a period of 14+ years, for three typical terrestrial surfaces in the Western Cape Province of South Africa: a semi-desert area, a wheat field and a vineyard area. The objectives of this study were
to explore (1) to what extent spectral and directional signatures of the MISR-HR RPV data may vary in time and space over the different targets (landscapes), and (2) whether the observed variations in anisotropy might be useful in classifying different land surfaces or as a supplementary method to the traditional land cover classification method. The objectives were achieved by exploring the statistics of the MISR-HR RPV data in each spectral band over the different land surfaces, as well as seasonality and trend in these data. The MISR-HR RPV products were affected by outliers and missing values, both of which influenced the statistics, seasonality and trend of the examined time series. This research
proposes a new outlier detection method, based on the cost function derived from the RPV model inversion process. Removed outliers and missing values leave gaps in a MISR-HR RPV time series; to avoid introducing extra biases in the statistics of the anisotropy data, this research kept the gaps and relied on gap-resilient trend and seasonality detection methods, such as the Mann-Kendal trend detection and Lomb-Scargle periodogram methods. The exploration of the statistics of the anisotropy data showed that RPV parameter rho exhibited distinctive over the different study sites; NIR band parameter k exhibits prominent high values for the vineyard area; red band parameter Theta data are not that distinctive over
different study sites; variance is important in describing all three RPV parameters. The explorations on trends also demonstrated interesting findings: the downward trend in green band parameter rho data for the semi-desert and vineyard areas; and the upward trend in blue band parameters k and Theta data for all the three study sites. The investigation on seasonality showed that all the RPV parameters had seasonal variations which differed over spectral bands and land covers; the results confirmed expectations in previous literature that parameter varies regularly along the observation time, and also revealed seasonal variations in the parameter rho and Theta data. The explorations on the statistics and seasonality of the MISR-HR anisotropy data show that these data are potentially useful for classifying different landscapes. Finally, the classification results demonstrated that both red band parameter rho data and NIR band parameter k data could successfully separate the three different land surfaces in this research, which fulfilled the second primary objective of this study. This research also demonstrated a classification method using multiple RPV parameters as the classification signatures to discriminate different terrestrial surfaces; significant separation results were obtained by this method
In vitro propagation studies of rare Argyroderma species strictly endemic to the Knersvlakte region of South Africa
No full textThesis (MTech (Horticulture)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.A study was conducted to investigate the effects of various media composition and wounding treating on the in vitro propagation of Argyroderma subalbum and A. testiculare explants derived from mature plants, antioxidants and plant growth regulators (PGR) concentrations. One experiment consisted of 3 medium types including Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium strength, vitamin supplement. Fifteen replicates were used for each treatment. The shoots were then sub-cultured to ten replicate regenerated medium consisting of varying levels and combination of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and 10 μM 6-Benzyladenine (BA) supplements. In another experiment consisted of varying levels of auxins with MS medium strength, activated charcoal (AC) and vitamin supplements ten replicates were used for each treatment. Results indicated the positive role of cytokinins types’ 6-Benzyladenine (BA), 2-isopentyladenine (2iP) and Kinetin in inducing callus formation from wounded explants. The highest rate of friable callus formation of wounded explants was observed in media containing vitamin supplementation with BA at 10 μM. Callus formation significantly increased with the addition of vitamins at 10 μM on BA, 2iP and kinetin. With regards to the effects of various media composition and wounding explants on in vitro growth and regeneration of A. subalbum and A. testiculare, significant results were achieved with BA, 2iP and kinetin concentrations on explants discoloration and callus formation. The antioxidant treatment, AC did not reduce explants discoloration, but the induction of the callus was developed furthermore, results showed that IAA with BA concentrations without addition of AC there was significantly difference on both species but A. subalbum dominated with browning intensity (Chapter 3). Only sub-culturing of the explants succeeded in preventing explants discoloration and subsequently increased the number of shoots. The interaction between Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) concentrations combined with BA resulted in the most effective technique in reducing explants discoloration at the media contact point. This study provides an insight into the contributing factor and methods of overcoming the major problem of phenolic oxidation and promoting the in vitro growth and regeneration of A. subalbum and A. testiculare
Investigating the association between Leucocyte Telomere length and glucose intolerance
No full textThesis (MSc (Biomedical Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.Background: Telomeres are DNA-proteins situated at the ends of linear chromosomes, responsible for genome stabilization. A link has been previously described between leucocyte telomere length (LTL) and age-related inflammatory disorders such as atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer. Since diabetes mellitus has been described as a chronic inflammatory condition, it has been hypothesized that there is significant LTL shortening in individuals with dysglycaemia.
Aim: To investigate leucocyte telomere length in patients with pre-diabetes, newly diagnosed, known diabetics on treatment and to compare the results to normoglycaemic individuals.
Methods: A total of 205 eligible subjects (78% women) median age 56 years, from the Bellville-South community were followed-up between 2008 and 2011. Baseline and follow-up data collections included glucose tolerance status, anthropometric, blood pressure, lipids, insulin, γ-glutamyl transferase, cotinine, and HbA1c. In all participants, telomere length was measured using the absolute telomere q-PCR method performed on a Bio-Rad MiniOpticon Detector.
Results: Although there was a change in individuals’ glycaemic status over the 3 years, no significant differences were observed in LTL across glycaemic status: (Baseline p = 0.7618, 3 Year Follow-up p = 0.2204). However, in a multiple regression model, adjusted for age and gender, LTL was negatively associated with age and GGT, and positively associated with high density lipoproteins (HDL) (all p < 0.05).
Discussion and conclusion: This research study was the first longitudinal study of LTL in Africans. We show that LTL shortening is not evident within three years, nor is it associated with glycaemia. Our findings also corroborate previous notions associating LTL with age. The lack of association between LTL and glycaemia has been previously reported, however further studies are required using larger sample and broader BMI spread
A grounded theory for active video game design to promote gamer engagement and immersion
No full textThesis (MTech (Information Technology)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.Active Video Games (AVGs) are a form of video games that rely on gamer motion as the main source of interaction between the AVG and the player. These AVGs serve a number of purposes, such as medical rehabilitation, education, social development, and motor skill development, among others. Prolonged play of AVGs is not sustainable as gamers lose interest in playing AVGs after the initial period of acquiring them. Therefore, the following research question was posed: “What design factors contribute to an engaged and immersed AVG experience?” The aim was to explore the inhibiting and enhancing factors influencing engagement and immersion among AVG gamers, as well as to develop a theory of AVG design. Constructivist Grounded Theory (CGT) was used as the methodology to carry out this study, which adopted an inductive approach towards the research to construct a theory firmly grounded in the data. Play Active Theory (PAT) is the outcome of this process, which explores the engagement and immersion factors related to AVG design as well as the abandonment and replayability of AVGs. PAT was compared to existing engagement and motivation theories as part of the CGT process, and further refined. In closing, the research question was answered and the aims of the study were met. A reflection account of the research journey concludes the thesis
Techno-economic analysis of a gasification system using refuse-derived fuel from municipal solid waste
No full textThesis (Doctor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.The search for alternatives to fossil fuel is necessary with a view to reducing the negative environmental impact of fossil fuel and most importantly, to exploit an affordable and secured fuel source. This study investigated the viability of municipal solid waste gasification for a fuel cell system. Potential solid fuels obtained from the study in the form of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) had high heating value (HHV) between 18.17 MJ/Kg - 28.91 MJ/Kg with energy density increased from 4142.07 MJ/m3 to 10735.80 MJ/m3. The molecular formulas of RDF derived from Ladies Smith drop-off site, Woodstock drop-off site and an average molecular formula of all thirteen municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal facilities were CH1.43O1.02, CH1.49O1.19, and CH1.50O0.86 respectively. The comparative ratios of C/H were in the range of 7.11 to 8.90. The Thermo Gravimetric Analysis showed that the dehydration, thermal decompositions, char combustions were involved in the production of gaseous products but flaming pyrolysis stage was when most tar was converted to syngas mixture. The simulation of RDF gasification allowed a prediction of the RDF gasification behaviour under various operating parameters in an air-blown downdraft gasifier. Optimum SFR (steam flowrate) values for RDF1, RDF2 and RDF3 were determined to be within these values 2.80, 2.50 and 3.50 and Optimum ER values for RDF1, RDF2 and RDF3 were also determined to be within these values 0.15, 0.04 and 0.08. These conditions produced the desired high molar ratio of H2/CO yield in the syngas mixture in the product stream. The molar ratios of H2/CO yield in the syngas mixture in the product stream for all the RDFs were between 18.81 and 20.16. The values of H2/CO satisfy the requirement for fuel cell application. The highest concentration of heavy metal was observed for Al, Fe, Zn and Cr, namely 16627.77 mg/Kg at Coastal Park (CP), 17232.37 mg/Kg at Killarney (KL), 235.01 mg/Kg at Tygerdal (TG), and 564.87 mg/Kg at Kraaifontein (KF) respectively. The results of quantitative economic evaluation measurements were a net return (NR) of 1.11 million and a discounted cash flow rate of return (DCFROR) of 24.80 % and 28.20 % respectively. The results of the economic evaluations revealed that some findings of the economic benefits of this system would be viable if costs of handling MSW were further quantified into the costs analysis. The viability of the costs could depend on government responsibility to accept costs of handling MSW