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Stereotyping, Exploitation, and Appropriation of African Traditional Religious Beliefs: The Case of Nyaminyami, Water Spirit, among the Batonga People of Northwestern Zimbabwe, 1860s–1960s
No full textThis article examines the forms of knowledge that existed between Africans and Europeans regarding local indigenous religious beliefs, focusing particularly on the case of Nyaminyami, a water spirit that is part of the belief systems prevalent among some BaTonga people of northwestern Zimbabwe. The article briefly outlines the “traditional” BaTonga beliefs and practices relating to Nyaminyami, which were diametrically opposed to those of the Europeans. It then scrutinizes the ways the beliefs have been exploited and appropriated by different interest groups and races from the 1860s to the 1960s. The BaTonga people, who held strong beliefs in Nyaminyami, and European colonists used the idea of Nyaminyami for different social, political, and environmental agendas prior to, during, and after resettlement. Nyaminyami played changing sociocultural and economic functions for the BaTonga people over time. They revered Nyaminyami as their river god in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries; they also appropriated the beliefs by rallying behind the river god for protection from their displacement in 1958 following the construction of the Kariba Dam on the Zambezi River. Nyaminyami was also appropriated by European interest groups who used the idea of Nyaminyami to cast Africa as the “dark continent” and to stereotype the BaTonga people as primitive. This article relies on data obtained through a reading of European explorers' texts and by gathering oral traditions among the BaTonga and Shangwe
Dark brown three-legged round African clay pot
No full textDark brown round African clay pot, with three legs and a shield pattern. Interior of pot is cream coloured.Donated/gifted to Nelson Mandela University ArchivesForms part of: Brigalia Bam collectio
Sisters Assisting South Africans Award (S.A.S.A.A.)
No full textDr. Brigalia Bam received the Sisters Assisting South Africans Award (S.A.S.A.A.), "with profound appreciation for the valuable assistance rendered towards making our visit fruitful".Presented by Karen S. Daughtry, Chairperson, Brooklyn, New York, July 1995.Donated/gifted to Nelson Mandela University ArchivesForms part of: Brigalia Bam collectio
Silver plate photograph of Dr. Brigalia Bam and Bishop Phillips
No full textSilver photo plate of Dr. Brigalia Bam and Bishop Phillips. The plate was awarded to Dr. Brigalia Bam from Bishop Phillips at the 6th Annual B.R.P. Peace Lecture.Donated/gifted to Nelson Mandela University ArchivesForms part of: Brigalia Bam collectio
Lifetime Achievement for Distinguished Public Service
No full textDr. Brigalia Bam was awarded a Lifetime Achievement for Distinguished Public Service in 2011, from the Public Sector Advisory Council.Donated/gifted to Nelson Mandela University ArchivesForms part of: Brigalia Bam collectio
Cloning, expression, partial characterisation and application of a recombinant GH10 xylanase, XT6, from Geobacillus stearothermophilus T6 as an additive to chicken feeds
Get PDFMonogastric animal farming has largely been sustained by feeding animals with grain feedstocks containing non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) and anti-nutritive factors, which cause adverse effects, such as increased digesta viscosity and entrapment of nutrients, which leads to the inaccessibility of nutrients. These effects have been linked to a reduction in nutrient digestion and absorption, which results in a decreased feed conversion ratio, energy metabolism and animal growth. Monogastric animals do not produce enzymes that can hydrolyse these NSPs. The application of exogenous enzymes as supplements to animal feeds has been implemented to reduce viscosity and increase nutrient absorption in poultry and pigs over the past few decades. The aim of this study was to clone, express, partially characterise and apply a glycoside hydrolase (GH) family 10 xylanase (XT6), derived from Geobacillus stearothermophilus T6, as an additive to locally produced chicken feeds. The xt6 gene (1,236 bp) was subcloned and expressed in Escherichia coli DH5α and BL21(DE3) cells, respectively. Upon expression, XT6 had a molecular weight of 42 kDa and was partially purified by Ni-NTA chromatography and ultrafiltration. The purification step resulted in a yield of 66.7% with a 16.8-fold increase in purification. XT6 exhibited maximal activity when incubated at a pH and temperature of pH 6.0 and 70°C, respectively, with a high thermostability over a broad range of pH (2–9) and temperature (30–90 °C). The specific activities of XT6 on extracted soluble and insoluble wheat flour arabinoxylans were 110.9 U/mg and 63.98 U/mg, respectively. Kinetic data showed that XT6 displayed a higher catalytic activity and affinity (Vmax = 231.60 μmol/min/mg and KM = 2.759 mg/ml) for soluble wheat arabinoxylan, compared to insoluble wheat arabinoxylan (Vmax = 99.02 μmol/min/mg and KM = 5.058 mg/ml). High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed that the enzyme hydrolysed wheat flour, arabinoxylan and chicken feeds, producing a range of xylooligosaccharides (XOS), with xylotetraose and xylopentaose being the predominant XOS species. Hydrolysis of both soluble and insoluble wheat flour arabinoxylans by XT6 led to a significant reduction in substrate viscosity. The effects of simulated gastrointestinal fluid contents, such as proteases, bile salts and mucins, on XT6 stability were also studied. Exposure of XT6 to pepsin did not significantly reduce its activity; however, the inhibitory effect of trypsin and mucin on XT6 was much greater. The presence of gut-derived bile salts had no iii | P a g e significant effect on XT6 activity. Finally, it was shown that the XOS produced from the hydrolysis of chicken feeds (starter and grower feeds) by XT6 significantly enhanced the growth of the probiotic bacteria B. subtilis, while there was no significant improvement in the growth of S. thermophilus and L. bulgaricus. In conclusion, the recombinantly produced XT6 demonstrated efficient hydrolysis of starter and grower feeds, and produced XOS that showed prebiotic activity on selected probiotic bacteria. In addition, the pH, temperature and simulated gastric juice content stability of XT6 renders it an attractive candidate as an additive for chicken feeds.Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 202
Assessing the density and distribution of spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta) in Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Get PDFProtected areas are becoming increasingly isolated refugia for large carnivores and are critical for their survival. Spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta) have, for centuries, been ‘managed’ as problem causing animals and their conservation has been largely overlooked. To preserve a population, it is paramount to understand its distribution and abundance through reliable and cost-effective monitoring techniques. My study estimated the density of spotted hyaenas and their use of space in Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park (HiP), South Africa. I compared camera trap by-catch data and call-up surveys between 2013–2018 to assess spotted hyaena densities. The camera trap data estimated an average of 16.72 (SD: ±2.22) hyaenas per 100 km2 between 2013–2018, with an annual estimated high of 19.01 in 2018 and a low of 12.77 in 2015. The call-up surveys consistently produced lower estimates than those obtained from the camera trap data. These results highlight the importance of calibrating the response probability factor for call-up surveys to maintain precision. The space use of spotted hyaenas was analysed using the photo-capture data obtained during the same six-year period, to produce individual 100% Minimum Convex Polygon’s (MCPs). Seven clan territories were identified from individual female home ranges that overlapped by more than 66% of their MCPs. Territory sizes were similar to historical estimates for the park, with averages of 13.96 (SD: ±6.48) km2 in Hluhluwe and 34.61 (SD: ±23.87) km2 in iMfolozi. My study successfully used by-catch camera data to calculate annual density estimates and investigate the spatial use patterns for spotted hyaenas in HiP. I demonstrate that this approach is cost-effective and reliable for calculating density estimates. Conservation practitioners should take heed of the advancements in technology and analytical capacity now available to them to improve monitoring efforts. My study specifically calls for collaborative efforts to use existing camera trap data to improve regional estimates and population trends of spotted hyaenas across their range.Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Zoology and Entomology, 202
Square brown wooden jewelry box
No full textSquare brown wooden jewelry box from the Canadian Government with the Canadian state emblem displayed on the lid, which was gifted to Dr. Brigalia Bam.Donated/gifted to Nelson Mandela University ArchivesForms part of: Brigalia Bam collectio
Mexican woven belt
No full textMexican woven belt gifted to Dr. Brigalia Bam at the first United Nations World Conference on Women, in Mexico in 1975.Donated/gifted to Nelson Mandela University ArchivesForms part of: Brigalia Bam collectio
Perceived impacts of Swartkop Nature Reserve on community livelihoods in Motherwell, Gqeberha
Get PDFThis study investigated the perceived impacts of Swartkop Nature Reserve on community livelihoods in Motherwell, Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The study was motivated by tons of litter and rubble due to neglect of the nature reserve by the community and the municipality. These problems have the potential to cause pollution and ecological degradation. The study was therefore pursued to understand the reasons behind the neglect of the nature reserve, determine how the community is involved in governance and management of the nature reserve and analyse their perceptions about the impact of Swartkop Nature Reserve on their livelihood and community development. The qualitative research methodology was utilised and primary data obtained through self-administered unstructured interviews with thirty-two participants. The participants of the study were from the community of Motherwell; particularly residents of wards 6, 7 and 9. These residents were chosen because of their proximity to the nature reserve and the fact that they are more affected than any other ward that is not as close to the nature reserve. The study found that lack of education and awareness, lack of collaboration between the community and municipality, lack of activism among residents, poor upbringing of some participants are some of the reasons that have contributed towards littering and illegal dumping. Furthermore, failure by the municipality to provide services to the community, especially in collecting refuse and provision of designated landfill, was another finding about what has contributed to the littering on the nature reserve. In terms of impact on livelihoods, the study revealed several activities such as farming, harvesting of medicinal plants, recreational activities, recycling and fishing which could enable the community benefit from the nature reserve. Based on the findings, the study recommends a redeclaration of Swartkop Nature Reserve to incorporate heritage and culture as predominant activities that should take place. Furthermore, it is recommended that the municipality should strive to halt the expansion of the informal settlement and illegal dumping of refuse and rubble in the nature reserve as these are major risks that threaten the biodiversity of the nature reserve. A partnership was proposed between the municipality and the community vi through its Community Trust and Ward-Based Cooperatives as consultative platforms. This partnership between the municipality and community should champion the conservation of the nature reserve which will include reserve management planning, fencing and security, law enforcement, rehabilitation, reintroduction of animals and socio-economic development to create employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for the community of Motherwell.Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic science, 202