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A critical analysis of the two English translations of the first isizulu novel Insila kaShaka : a corpus-based approach
No full textTranslating culture-specific items between different languages is a nerve wrecking task that often poses a great challenge to the translator. This can be ascribed to the fact that the items to be rendered are unknown or known, but not yet lexicalised in the target language. Translators faced with this challenge often have to make use of different approaches or strategies at their disposal in order to produce a comprehensible and acceptable translation in the target culture. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine and compare the approaches adopted by translators of the two English translations of the isiZulu novel Insila kaShaka, by Dr. JL Dube, in their endeavour to overcome the challenge of rendering items carrying cultural connotations. The first translation was produced by Prof. J Boxwell and appeared in 1951, and the second one was done by Mrs TN Nene and Mr RM Kavanagh and was released in 2017. Furthermore, the study seeks to determine whether the time period under which the two translations were produced as well as power relations between the two languages concerned had an influence on the choice of the approach employed by the translators. The study employed the corpus-based method for data analysis and interpretation, and a corpus-query software called ‘ParaConc’ for this purpose. Moreover, the approaches, namely descriptive translation studies, corpus-based translation studies and post-colonial translation theory were used as theoretical underpinnings of the research. The findings revealed that the translator of the first translation adopted the target text-oriented approach in his rendering of the novel while the translators of the second translation, on the other hand, strove to maintain equitable use of the source text-oriented and target text-oriented approach. The results further indicated that time period as well as power relations indeed exerted some influence on the choice of the approach employed by the translators.Ukuhumusha amagama aphathelene namasiko phakathi kwezilimi ezehlukene kungumsebenzi onzima kakhulu ovame ukumnika inkinga lowo ohumushayo. Lokhu kudalwa ukuthi lawo magama okumele ahunyushwe awaziwa noma awanawo amagama ahambisana nawo kulolo limi okuhunyushelwa kulo. Abahumushi ababhekene nale nkinga kuvame ukuthi basebenzise izindlela noma amasu akhona ukuze bahumushe ngendlela ezwakalayo neyamukelekile ngokosiko lolimi okuhunyushelwa kulo. Ngakho-ke, inhloso yalolu cwaningo ukuthola kanye nokuqhathanisa izindlela ezasetshenziswa abahumushi bezincwadi ezimbili zesiNgisi ezahunyushwa zisuselwa kwinoveli yesiZulu ethi Insila KaShaka, eyabhalwa nguDkt. J.L. Dube, ekulweni nenkinga yoluhumusha amagama amayelama nosiko. Incwadi yokuqala yesiNgisi yahunyushwa nguSlz. J. Boxwell yase ishicilelwa ngonyaka ka-1951, kanti eyesibili yona yahunyushwa nguNkk. T.N. Nene kanye noMnu. R.M. Kavanagh yase ishicilelwa ngonyaka ka-2017. Ucwaningo luphinde futhi lufune ukuthola ukuthi ngabe isikhathi izincwadi zesiNgisi ezahunyushwa ngaso kanye namandla lezi zilimi ezimbili ezazinawo ngesikhathi sokuhumusha kwaba nawo yini umthelela kwindlela abahumushi abayisebenzisa uma behumusha le ncwadi. Lolu cwaningo lusebenzisa indlela yokucwaninga esebenzisa i-corpus, kanti lusebenzisa ubuchwepheshe obubizwa nge-ParaConc okuyibo obusetshenziswa uma kuhlaziywa. Ucwaningo luzoncika kwinjulalwazi i-Descriptive Translation Studies, i-Corpus-based Translation Studies kanye ne-post-colonial translation theory. Imiphumela yocwaningo iveza ukuthi umhumushi wencwadi yesiNgisi yokuqala wasebenzisa indlela evuna ulimi okuhunyushelwa kulo uma ehumusha le noveli, kanti abahumushi bencwadi yesibili bona balwela ukusebenzisa ngokufana indlela evuna ulimi okususelwa kulo kanye naleyo evuna ulimi okuhunyushelwa kulo. Iphinde futhi iveze ukuthi isikhathi izincwadi ezahunyushwa ngaso kanye namandla lezi zilimi ezimbili ezazinawo ngaleso sikhathi ngempela kwaba nomthelela ekukhethweni kwendlela abahumushi abayisebenzisa.Go fetolela maina a setso magareng ga Dipolelo tsa go fapanafapana ke mosomo wo bothata kudu woo nako le nako o tlisago bothata bjo bogolo go mofetoledi. Se se ka dirwa ke gore maina ao a fiwago ga a tsebje goba a a tsebja fela ga a na tlhaloso mo lelemeng leo go fetolelwago go lona. Bafetoledi bao ba lebanego le bothata bjo gantsi ba somisa ditsela goba maano a go fapanafapana ao ba nago le wona gore ba ntshe phetolelo ya go kwesisega le go amogelwa setsong sa polelo yeo go fetolelwago go yona. Ka fao, maikemisetso a thuto ye ke go laetsa le go bapetsa ditsela tseo di somiswago ke bafetoledi ba diphetolelo tsa Seisemane tse pedi tsa padi ya isiZulu ya go bitswa Insila kaShaka, yeo e ngwetswego ke Dr J.L. Dube, maikemisetso e le go fenya mathata a go fa maina ao a sepelelanago le setso, Phetolelo ya mathomo e tsweleditswe ke Prof. J. Boxwell gomme ya phatlalatswa ka 1951, mola ya bobedi e tsweleditswe ke Mdi T.N. Nene le Mna R.M. Kavanagh gomme yona ya phatlalatswa ka 2017. E bile, thuto ye e nyaka go hwetsa ge e le gore nakong yeo ge diphetolelo tse pedi di tsweletswa le tswalano magareng ga dipolelo tse pedi tse, ge di bile le khuetso mo go kgetheng ga tsela yeo e somiswago ke bafetoledi. Thuto ye e somisa tsela ya khophase go fetleka le go hlatholla data, le lenaneo la khomphutha la go nyakisisa khophase la go bitswa ‘ParaConc’ e somisetswa wona mosomo wo. Ka fao, ditsela, tsa go bitswa ‘Descriptive Translation Studies’, ‘Corpus-based Translation Studies’ le teori ya ‘Post-colonial translation’ di somiswa bjalo ka diteori tse bohlokwa tsa nyakisiso ye. Dikhwetso di tsweleditse gore mofetoledi wa phetolelo ya mathomo o somisitse tsela ya sengwalo sa mothopo ge a fetolela padi mola bafetoledi ba phetolelo ya bobedi, mo le lengwe, ba lekile ka maatla go somisa ka go lekana sengwalo sa mothopo le tsela ya sengwalo seo se lebantswego. Dipoelo di bontshitse le go feta gore nako le ditswalano tse maatla di kgonne go huetsa mo go kgetheng tsela yeo e somiswago ke bafetoledi.Linguistics and Modern Language
Developing a psychological retention framework for private organisations
Get PDFAbstracts in English, Zulu and AfrikaansThe current research focused on exploring the relationship dynamics between the retention- related dispositions (organisational commitment, job embeddedness and hardiness) in relation to resilience-related behaviour capacities (resilience and career adaptability) and from the relation dynamics found develop a psychological retention framework for South African private sector. A quantitative survey was performed on a non-probability convenience selected sample of (N = 574) of permanently employed (84.6%), job level (at staff level) (81%), female (62.5%), married (48.6%), Black African (47.1%), individuals between the ages of 36-45 years (39.5%). The canonical correlation analysis indicated organisational commitment, job embeddedness and hardiness as the strongest retention-related dispositions variables in predicting resilience and career adaptability. The correlation data were used to inform the structural equation modelling, which indicated a good fit between organisational commitment, job embeddedness, hardiness, resilience and career adaptability. Hierarchical moderated regression showed that organisational commitment, job embeddedness, hardiness significantly moderated the relationship between resilience and career adaptability. Both Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U Tests revealed significant differences in terms of the socio-demographic variables. Kruskal-Wallis test was performed in order to establish whether the levels of organisational commitment, job embeddedness, hardiness, resilience and career adaptability of respondents showed significant differences according to age, race, marital status and job level. The Mann-Whitney U Test was performed in order to establish whether the levels of organisational commitment, job embeddedness, hardiness, resilience and career of respondents showed a significant difference according to gender and employment status. On a theoretical level, the current study deepened the understanding of the individual and the diverse elements of the hypothesised psychological retention framework. On an empirical level, the current study delivered an empirically and holistically tested psychological retention framework in terms of the unique and diverse elements. On a practical level, individual and organisational interventions in terms of the psychological retention framework were recommended.Ucwaningo lwamanje lugxile ekuhloleni ukuguquguquka kobudlelwano phakathi kwezimo ezihlobene nokugcinwa (ukuzinikela kwenhlangano, ukugxiliswa komsebenzi kanye nokuqina) ngokuhlobene namandla okuziphatha ahlobene nokukhuthazela (ukuqina nokuzivumelanisa nezimo emsebenzini) kanye nokusuka emandleni obudlelwano atholakele ukuthuthukisa uhlaka lokugcinwa kwengqondo yemboni ezimele yaseNingizimu Afrika. Inhlolovo yokuqoqa nokuhlaziya imininingwane yezinombolo yenziwe kusampula elikhethiwe lokungenzeki kube lula (N = 574) labaqashwe unomphela (84.6%), izinga lomsebenzi (ezingeni labasebenzi) (81%), abesifazane (62.5%), abashadile (48.6%), AbaMnyama base- Afrika (47.1%), abantu abaneminyaka ephakathi kuka-36-45 (39.5%). Ukuhlaziywa kwendlela esetshenziselwa ukukhomba nokulinganisa izinhlangano phakathi kwamaqoqo amabili okuguquguqukayo kubonise ukuzibophezela kwenhlangano, ukugxiliswa komsebenzi kanye nokuqina njengokuguquguquka okunamandla okuhlobene nokugcinwa kokubikezela ukuqina nokuzivumelanisa nezimo emsebenzini. Imininingwane yokuhlobana yasetshenziselwa ukwazisa isilinganiso sezibalo zesakhiwo, ebonisa ukuvumelana okuhle phakathi kokuzibophezela kwenhlangano, ukugxiliswa emsebenzini, ukuqina, ikhono lokululuma ngokushesha ebunzimeni nokuvumelana nezimo komsebenzi. Ukuhlehla okulinganiselwe ngokwezinga eliphezulu kubonise ukuthi ukuzibophezela kwenhlangano, ukugxiliswa komsebenzi, ukuqina kwengamela ngokuphawulekayo ubudlelwano phakathi kokuqina nokuzivumelanisa nezimo emsebenzini. Kokubili Ukuhlolwa kwe-Kruskal-Wallis kanye ne- Mann-Whitney U kwembule umehluko obalulekile ngokuya ngokuhlukahluka kwenhlalo yabantu. Ukuhlolwa kwe-Kruskal-Wallis kwenziwa ukuze kutholwe ukuthi ingabe amazinga okuzinikela kwenhlangano, ukugxiliswa komsebenzi, ukuqina, ikhono lokululama ngokushesha ebunzimeni kanye nokuvumelana nezimo emsebenzini kwabaphenduli kubonisa umehluko omkhulu ngokuya ngeminyaka, uhlanga, isimo somshado nezinga lomsebenzi. Ukuhlolwa kwe-Mann-Whitney U kwenziwa ukuze kutholwe ukuthi ingabe amazinga okuzinikela kwenhlangano, ukugxiliswa komsebenzi, ukuqina, ikhono lokululama ngokushesha ebunzimeni, kanye nomsebenzi wabaphenduli kubonisa umehluko omkhulu ngokobulili nesimo sokuqashwa. Ngokwezinga lombono, ucwaningo lwamanje lwajulisa ukuqonda komuntu ngamunye kanye nezinto ezihlukahlukene zohlaka lokugcinwa kwengqondo okucatshangelwayo. Ngokwezinga lokususelwe kokubhekwayo, ucwaningo lwamanje lulethe uhlaka lokugcinwa kwengqondo oluhlolwe ngokususelwe kokubhekwayo nokuphelele ngokwezinto ezihlukile nezihlukahlukene. Ezingeni elingokoqobo, ukungenelela komuntu ngamunye kanye nenhlangano ngokohlaka lokugcinwa kwengqondo kuphakanyisiwe.Die hedendaagse navorsing het daarop gefokus om die verhoudingsdinamika tussen retensie- verwante ingesteldhede (organisatoriese toewyding, werkverbondenheid en gehardheid) en gedragsvaardighede wat verband hou met veerkragtigheid (veerkragtigheid en loopbaan- aanpasbaarheid) te ondersoek. Die verhoudingsdinamika wat geïdentifiseer is, is aangewend om ’n psigologiese retensieraamwerk vir die Suid-Afrikaanse privaatsektor te ontwikkel. ’n Kwantitatiewe opname is op ’n nie-waarskynlikheid, gerieflikheidsgeselekteerde steekproef van (N = 574) individue uitgevoer: permanent aangestel (84.6%), posvlak (op personeelvlak) (81%), vroulik (62.5%), getroud (48.6%) en Swart Afrikane (47,1%) in die ouderdomsgroep van 36-45 jaar (39,5%). Die kanonieke korrelasie-analise het organisatoriese toewyding, werkverbondenheid en gehardheid as die sterkste retensie-verwante ingesteldheidsveranderlikes in die voorspelling van veerkragtigheid en loopbaan- aanpasbaarheid aangedui. Die korrelasiedata is aangewend om die strukturele vergelykingsmodellering toe te lig, wat ’n sterk verband tussen organisatoriese toewyding, werkverbondenheid, gehardheid, veerkragtigheid en loopbaan-aanpasbaarheid getoon het. Hiërargies-gemodereerde regressie het getoon dat organisatoriese toewyding, werkverbondenheid en gehardheid die verband tussen veerkragtigheid en loopbaan- aanpasbaarheid aansienlik gemodereer het. Beide Kruskal-Wallis toetse en Mann-Whitney U- toetse het beduidende verskille ten opsigte van die sosio-demografiese veranderlikes aangedui. Die Kruskal-Wallis toetse is uitgevoer om vas te stel of die vlakke van organisatoriese toewyding, werkverbondenheid, gehardheid, veerkragtigheid en loopbaan- aanpasbaarheid van respondente betekenisvolle verskille met betrekking tot ouderdom, ras, huwelikstatus en posvlak getoon het. Die Mann-Whitney U-toetse is uitgevoer om vas te stel of die vlakke van organisatoriese toewyding, werkverbondenheid, gehardheid, veerkragtigheid loopbaan-aanpasbaarheid van respondente ’n beduidende verskil ten opsigte van geslag en indiensnemingstatus getoon het. Op teoretiese vlak het die hedendaagse studie begrip van die individu en diverse elemente van die veronderstelde psigologiese retensieraamwerk verdiep. Op en empiriese vlak het die huidige studie ’n empiries- en holisties-getoetste psigologiese retensieraamwerk in terme van die unieke en diverse elemente gelewer. Op praktiese vlak is individuele en organisatoriese intervensies met betrekking tot die psigologiese retensieraamwerk aanbeveel.D. Phil. (Human Resource Management)Human Resource Managemen
The church's mission in the morality and spirituality of the immigrants in Johannesburg: Rosettenville Baptist Church as a case study
No full textText in French with summaries and keywords in French and EnglishThe mission of the Church in the morality and spirituality of migrants living in South Africa is becoming more and more complex. Most of these migrants run away from degrading social and political situations of their countries of origin to seek asylum in South Africa...
Faced with this grim situation regarding migrants living in South Africa, the Church cannot remain silent otherwise she will be accused of complicity. She must rather make a contribution towards collective wellbeing of both South Africans and migrants. Amidst the numerous challenges faced by migrants, this research highlights that one of the contributions the Church has to make is about building and sustaining the morality and spirituality of migrants in the host country.
Because true, long-lasting development is first and foremost moral and spiritual.
The findings of this study can help churches in major South African cities such as Johannesburg to carry out their prophetic missions including taking care of migrants which will have as one of the goals to contribute positively towards the morality and spirituality of migrants. This will in turn lead to a peaceful coexistence with South African Citizens and to national socioeconomic development that will benefit all people who live in South Africa.La mission de l’Eglise dans la moralité et spiritualité des migrants vivant en Afrique du Sud,
devient de plus en plus complexe. Ceci est la conséquence logique de la situation sociale et
politique dégradante de leurs pays d’origine mais aussi de leur pays d’asile qui est l’Afrique
du Sud. Face à cette situation sombre des migrants vivant en Afrique du Sud, l’Eglise ne peut
rester silencieux sinon, elle sera taxée de complicité. Car le vrai développement, durable et
solide est d’abord morale et spirituel. Le résultat de cette étude, cas de l'église Baptiste de
Rosettenville à Johannesburg, en Afrique du Sud; peut aider les églises se trouvant dans les
grandes villes sud-africaines bien accomplir leurs missions prophétiques. Selon
la vision de Dieu, leur but sera decontribuer positivement à la moralité et spiritualité des
migrants, gage d’une cohabitation pacifique avec les autochtones et d’un développement
durable et solide d’une nation.M. Th. (Missiology)Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiolog
Factorial structure of the Community of Inquiry Survey in a South African open and distance e-learning environment
Get PDFNoneWe aimed to determine the factor structure and reliability for the Community of Inquiry Survey in a South African Open and Distance e-Learning Environment. Participants were 572 honours students. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to determine the factorial structures. Structural equation modelling yielded a three-factor structure including perceptions of teaching, social, and cognitive presence. The reliability of scores for the total scale was 0.96. The three-factor structures of the Community of Inquiry Survey had a high internal consistency ranking from 0.90 to 0.95. The Community of Inquiry Survey appears valid for student advisement and support in the South African distance learning environment.Finance, Risk Management and BankingN/
Information sharing on social media pages related to wildlife conservation in a South African national game reserve
Get PDFPurpose – Social media sites contribute significantly to nature conservation in, that they enlighten and educate those members of the public who would ordinarily not be in a position, or would not be fortunate enough to visit the park and experience the various aspects first-hand. The purpose of this paper is to showcase social media pages related to a national game reserve in South Africa. This game reserve is the largest in the country and has a wide variety of conserved fauna and flora.
Design/methodology/approach – The theoretical framework used is the SCOPE framework that streamlines strategy development, content choice, refinement of online engagement, choice of social media platform and evaluations of social media campaigns.
Findings – The findings relate to the content found on these social media pages, as well as how members of the public interact with each other and officials from the game reserve in sharing experiences related to this wilderness area.
Research limitations/implications – The research is related to the Kruger National Park in
South Africa and is limited to three social media sites.
Originality/value – Through its social media presence, this South African game reserve is able to share experiences from what is effectively a living museum, as well as from its library and archives, with members of the public and allowing individual members to share their encounters with wildlife and their historical memories of this wilderness area.Information Scienc
Coping strategies and health implications of the urban poor in the face of limited water and sanitation services: the case of Caledonia in Harare Zimbabwe
Get PDFThe 21st century has seen increased urbanisation the world over. In many of these countries,
urbanisation has not been followed with adequate service provision. This qualitative study
sought to investigate the state, impact and coping means to water, sanitation and hygiene
(WASH) services in Caledonia informal settlement found in Harare, Zimbabwe. Data were
collected using interviews, document review and group discussions with conveniently and
purposively sampled key informants and residents. Analysing data using the Public Service
Improvement theory, the enabling approach and thematic approach, the study noted limited
access to WASH services due to the absence of a functional governance structure, political
interference, absence of water reservoir and financial constraints. Amid these WASH
challenges, residents resorted to water harvesting and purchasing, borehole drilling, digging
and pit latrines, burning and dumping of waste in undesignated areas. While a relief to
residents, the measures have detrimental effect on social and economic welfare of residents.
Thus, the study recommends establishment, resourcing and capacitation of a well-coordinated
and functional local authority to run the affairs of Caledonia.M.A. (Development Studies)Development Studie
Investigating Covid-19 twitter sentiments during the 2021 vaccine roll-out in South Africa
No full textVaccination is a vital component in the control of a pandemic like COVID-19. However, to a certain extent, COVID-19 vaccines have been met with public fear and scepticism, thereby making it difficult for communication practitioners, health authorities and health experts to communicate science-based information on the vaccines. Social media have been proven to play a significant role in the low acceptability of vaccines. The fundamental objective of this research was to investigate the sentiment of tweets and themes within those tweets on COVID-19 vaccines in South Africa, from January to May 2021.
Twitter is one of the most effective platforms for monitoring vaccine sentiments with the view of informing communication campaigns of the proactive use of social media during disease outbreaks and identifying, responding to and avoiding vaccine misinformation. The results of the study hold potential interest for organisations responsible for the uptake of vaccines, such as the Department of Health, regional health organisations, like the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, global health organisations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), and social science researchers.
The study employed both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, while Meltwater Media Intelligence was utilised to collect data. The Meltwater Media Intelligence tool was programmed to track and identify tweets concerning COVID-19 vaccines in South Africa, from January to May 2021. To acquire relevant tweets, the program browsed and indexed tweets by using machine-learning algorithms and an online Boolean searches. Tweets were extracted by using prominent hashtags, which resulted in the creation of a research string. After the data had been cleaned, the remaining tweet collection – which consisted of 20 841 original tweets and individual users’ quoted tweets – was analysed.
The sentiment analysis of tweets on COVID-19 vaccines resulted in demonstrating that the majority (85%) of tweets from January 2021 to May 2021 expressed neutral emotions around COVID-19 vaccinations.
Furthermore, tweets with neutral sentiments were the most prevalent during the entire period, whereas tweets with positive sentiments were the least prevalent during this period. Between February and May 2021, negative and positive attitudes were balanced. Furthermore, the thematic analysis of 150 tweets (which have been equally sampled from negative, neutral and positive tweets), between January 2021 to May 2021, on COVID-19 vaccines, revealed a total of 25 topics, which were grouped into seven overarching themes. In descending order, based on the number of tweets, the vaccine delivery and roll-out theme has 37 tweets, which accounts for 24.7%. The next theme, vaccine acceptance, included 30 tweets, which accounted for 20%. The third theme, government trust, had 29 Tweets which accounted for 19.33%. Knowledge of vaccines and vaccination information theme comprised of 19 Tweets accounting for 12.67%. Vaccine hesitancy was the fifth theme with 15 tweets accounting for 10% of the overall sample. The sixth theme, vaccine efficacy and safety, totalled 12 tweets, which accounted for 8.00%. Finally, the theme economic impact gathered the least number of tweets, accounting for eight tweets to make 5.33%.
This study contributes to the emerging picture of COVID-19 related sentiments on Twitter in South Africa. The study shows that Twitter sentiment and thematic analyses can be leveraged by studying the varying sentiments during the roll-out of critical health interventions such as the COVID-19 vaccine.M.A. (Communication Science)Communication Scienc
Multimodality, cultural production, and the protest event: Considerations of space, politics, and affect in South Africa
Get PDFThe high levels of protest in South Africa have produced varied academic literature on the subject. Although political and structural determinants of protest are readily acknowledged, social actors who comprise protest events are rarely centralised within scholarly inquiry. The particularities of protests are thus less considered than the structural issues underlying protests. We therefore argue that studying the multimodality of cultural production within protests affords researchers insight into the socially embedded nature of protest from the perspective of protester as a social actor. When we understand culture as continually being remade with and against different semiotic repertoires, then protest comes to signify a series of dynamic moments wherein cultural meanings are deployed for political purposes. Accordingly, we explore protest in South Africa by examining how the cultural practices of stick-fighting, dance, and song are navigated within the protest as a politico-affective space. Our analysis of cultural production within this space does not diminish the fundamentally political nature of protest, but instead uses cultural registers to expand how we engage the political. We conclude by reflecting on how multimodal considerations push protest research to explore the internal dynamics of protests and what this means for the understanding of protests more generally.Institute for Social and Health Studies (ISHS
Biodetoxification of organic contaminants using microorganisms isolated from gold (Au) mine tailings
Get PDFBenzonitrile (C6H5C≡N) is a synthetic nitrile with vast applications as a solvent and intermediate in the manufacturing of drugs, perfumes, dyes, rubber, textiles, agrochemicals, resins, and specialty lacquers. Benzonitrile is the most used form of synthetic nitriles. The discharge of these synthetic nitriles directly into the environment via wastewater is an alarm for possible health hazard, pointing to the toxicity of these compounds some of which possess carcinogenic and mutagenic traits. Therefore benzonitrile (synthetic nitrile) waste requires treatment before being discharged into the environment. The physical and chemical treatment methods to treat nitrile contaminated waste is usually expensive and could lead to the production of toxic by-products that require further treatment. Hence bioremediation process which is an environmentally friendly, cost effective and does not produce toxic by-products is an effective alternative and preferred method of decontamination. The hypothesis of the study was that microorganisms isolated from Au mine tailings are able to degrade environmental contaminants (nitriles).
The study approach included isolating and identifying microorganisms from gold (Au) mine tailings. Followed by the extraction and identification of organic compounds foun in Au mine tailings. A solid-liquid extraction method was used with dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate and hexane as extraction solvents. Compounds were identified via Liquid Chromatography quadrupole –Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS), for non-volatile compounds, and Gas Chromatography Quadrupole Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (GC-QTOF-MS), for volatile compounds. This study focused on the degradation of benzonitrile as the contaminant of interest. Preliminary biodegradation trials were conducts whereby the microorganisms were incubated in a minimal media (M.M) which contained aminobenzonitrile, as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen, for 72 hrs., shaking at 180 rpms, pH 7 and 30 °C. Ammonia was monitored as a product of nitrile degradation using Merck ammonium (NH4+) (00683) test kit and quantified using a Merck Spectroquant Nova 60. A bacterial consortium was formed which consisted of bacterial species capable of degrading aminobenzonitrile thereby yielding ammonium.
The bacterial consortium was subjected to optimization studies using response surface methodology (RSM) to achieve optimal physiochemical parameters. Biodegradation products were identified using GC-MS and allowed for pathway determination based on products formed.
The isolated microorganisms from Au mine tailings belonged to the Bacillus and Paenibacillus genus as identified by the 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The microorganisms isolated from Au mine tailings were identified as P. shunpengii, B. pumilus, B. safensis, B. thuringiesis and B. cereus. A total of 27 organic compounds of interest were extracted and identified, compound classes with environmental significance such as; ethers, pyridines, pyrimidines, phenols and nitriles were amongst these compounds of interest. Preliminary biodegradation trials conducted indicated that all bacterial species isolated from Au mine tailings possess the ability to biodegrade aminobenzonitrile by detecting ammonium on the Merck spectroquant. The physical and chemical parameters of biodegradation of aminobenzonitrile were optimised using RSM with optimised conditions for temperature, pH and substrate (aminobenzonitrile) concentration being 35 °C, 9.46 and 50 mg/L respectively, with the maximum biological removal efficiency (BRE %) of 73% over a 72 hrs. period. 2-piperidinone was identified as a biodegradation product of aminobenzonitrile by the bacterial consortium, furthermore, 2-piperidinone is a cyclic amide which indicates that the bacterial consortium utilises the NHase enzymatic pathway of nitrile degradation.Civil and Chemical Engineerin
Quality of pre-service teacher training at regional state colleges in Ethiopia
No full textThe study examined the quality of pre-service teacher training at regional state colleges in Ethiopia. The study aimed to investigate the views and experiences of educational managers, teacher educators, and student teachers regarding the quality of pre-service teacher training and how their views and experiences help explain reasons for poor performance in the colleges of teacher education.
Philosophically, the study employed pragmatism that prioritizes the practical consequences of the methods used in answering the research questions. A mixed method approach was used to collect qualitative and quantitative data to get the whole picture of the problem. In the study, four purposefully selected regional state teacher education colleges that use the same academic legislation were involved. A simple random technique was used to select 212 teacher educators, 294 student teachers, and 94 educational managers (Deans, vice deans, stream officers, and department heads). A purposive sampling technique was used to select 16 teacher educators and eight deans (deans and academic vice deans from sampled colleges) for the interview. Moreover, a purposive sampling technique was used to select student teachers for four focused group discussions. Questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussion guides were used as data collection instruments. Descriptive statistics such as percentages, frequency distribution, means, and standard deviations were utilized to analyse quantitative data. Among the Inferential data analysis techniques, one-way ANOVA was employed to compare the views and experiences of sample groups. The qualitative data were analysed based on identified themes and sub-themes through narration maintaining its trustworthiness, credibility, and genuineness.
The findings revealed that teachers did not use active learning/teaching strategies that foster quality learning; students did not show commitment to their learning and teacher educators did not use diversified samples of students‘ work to assess their students. Instead, teacher educators use traditional assessment methods that encourage a surface approach to learning. The study also revealed that the practicum program, which is a key for quality teacher training was inadequately planned and budgeted. Moreover, the partnership between the college and the schools was loose and school mentors were not adequately trained to assist and guide the mentee and the supervision from the college lacks consistency. Besides, there was a discrepancy between what students learn in college and what they face in independent teaching. The findings further revealed that, in the CTEs, there was no well-established internal quality assurance system.
The researcher recommended that the CTEs should develop a quality teaching model that defines quality teaching in the context of teacher education. Teacher educators should be given adequate capacity-building training on contemporary teaching methods that enhance students‘ active construction of knowledge. There is a need to standardize the assessment system in the colleges. The colleges should promote new modes of assessment over traditional assessment methods. The CTEs should establish an independent internal quality assurance unit fully mandated to perform overall activities related to assuring the quality of the core process of the colleges. The CTE should adequately plan and implement a school-based learning program (practicum) establishing strong partnerships with catchment schools. Adequate training should be given to school mentors and college tutors on making the practicum program more effective.D. Phil. (Education (Education Management))Educational Leadership and Managemen