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Symbols of Song: Theorising Melodic Complexity in South Africa`s Indigenous Music
No full textArt and Musi
Identification of bioactive compounds and evaluation of antibacterial activity of selected medicinal plants against vibrio cholerae
No full textBackground: Cholera has remained a significant public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa since its emergence and is still endemic today. Despite the manageable nature of the disease, cholera in Zimbabwe continues to pose a major public health challenge due to various overwhelming factors. Medicinal plants are effective options for such infections due to their diverse bioactive compounds with notable therapeutic potential. Thus the study focused on identifying medicinal plants utilised in traditional cholera treatment and validating their medicinal use through analysis of bioactive compounds, cytotoxicity assessment, and evaluation of antibacterial activity against Vibrio cholerae.
Methodology: A literature study approach was employed, to identify and select medicinal plants. The agar well diffusion method was applied to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of these selected plants against V. cholerae, while the brine shrimp lethality assay was conducted to assess their cytotoxic activity. Finally, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was performed to determine the bioactive compounds present in the selected medicinal plants.
Results: Ziziphus mucronata Willd., Kirkia acuminata Oliv., Sclerocarya birrea Hochst., and Crossopteryx febrifuga Benth. were the most utilised by several ethnic groups. Significant anti-Vibrio cholerae activity was demonstrated by K. acuminata, S. birrea, and Z. mucronata, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of stembark extracts at ≤ 1 mg/mL. Extracts of Z. mucronata and K. acuminata showed no toxic effects, with lethality concentrations (LC50) of 1023.58 μg/mL and 1583.34 μg/mL, respectively. The GC-MS analysis identified 23 distinct phytochemical constituents in the extracts of K. acuminata and 22 in Z. mucronata stembarks, including bioactive compounds with established antimicrobial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties such as behenic alcohol, 1-dodecanol, and octacosanol, as well as pharmacologically underexplored hydrocarbons like tetrapentacontane and tetracontane, albeit in varying concentrations.
Conclusion: K. acuminata and Z. mucronata were successfully recognised as medicinal plants suitable for incorporation into cholera management. Their significant antibacterial and non-cytotoxic activities, along with a wide range of bioactive compounds revealed through GC-MS analysis, validate their use in traditional medicine and offer important insights into novel drug development. However, it is essential to highlight that these findings should not be viewed as a complete substitute for the established mainstream approaches to cholera treatment or prevention.Ph.D. (Life Sciences)College of Agriculture and Environmental Science
The Measure of Matter
No full textFor more information see link to the artist's website: https://www.gwennethmiller.com/the-measure-of-matter-2024The travelling solo exhibition “The Measure of Matter” consists of 21 new works reimagining spines and objects to consider being bound by time and matter. The first installation was in the two front rooms Tina Skukan Gallery and the second installation took place at White River Art Gallery, where the narrative flow was reconceptualised. The research was triggered by the physical problem of struggling to walk due to Spondylitis of back bones. In the months before the pending operation, I studied the anatomy and contemplated frailty. Images of the skeleton and the spine, transmuted into an interest in the spines of old books, existential mapping devices and objects associated with mortality and the interrogation of what really matters. My artworks address a shared reality: we are all bound by time and matter, and the anxieties of an uncertain future. My preliminary research considered how I could extend my personal experiences into works that would resonate with the audience bringing its own history and realities to the exhibition. The painting “Platteland” was a reworking of the brush I worked with the previous year, but here I added water to suggest a journey of the object as ‘body’ on the way elsewhere. It was the work that triggered the association and link with weathered bones. Drawing the past into the present, I have used alchemic yellow tones in works such as “Map to no-where (becoming something)”, and the darkly humorous dancing “Salome I” and “Salome II”. Interestingly, the Biblical Salome is vilified by Jung in his Red Book (2009) although he equates her with the soul.
Initially I approached anatomy as a mechanistic system of levels until I discovered the body’s incredible ability to grow new bone, restructuring the old into something new. Bridgman’s (1972) “The human machine” introduced me to the tiny Atlas bone that supports the human skull. It is named after the titan Atlas who, in Greek mythology, supported the world on his shoulders. The painting, “Atlas” was accompanied by “Load Bearing”, depicting an overloaded truck - begging the question of burden – albeit with some sense of humour. Bridgman’s images of the human spine reminded me of my weathered books kept intact by a network of stubborn threads, like tendons binding muscle and bone. These inspired the creation of “All that matters” and “The spine study” series. At Skukan Art Gallery, the series was positioned to form a dialogue with the permanent sculptural works that related to objects of labour, but the installation was reformatted and retitled at White River Art Gallery, to “A library of time from Göttingen”, as the space seemed to demand a different reading. In high resolution photography the books were treated as if they were portraits, commemorating time with subtitles such as “Becoming wood” and “Dictionary of the disappearing”.
Conceptually I considered weather mapping to contemplate fresh winds blowing life into matter. The chronicle flow was a method to renew thinking about illness as a cyclical part of life. Visual associations were layered until the medium and material began to communicate meaningful new associations. Torn layers of paper and thickly applied charcoal evidenced awareness as embodied thinking.
Much like the atlas bone, our spiritual compass decides what matters and what does not, and how we measure its bearing and influence. These works form an interdisciplinary conversation with reflections on phycology, new-material culture and research on ‘falling upwards” in life, to borrow Richard Rohr’s words. In this sense the work contributes to new understanding, bridging the above fields in visualization. “The Measure of Matter” exhibitions and several walkabouts were well attended at both Tina Skukan Gallery and at White River Art Gallery. Opportunity for academic talks were optimised as the audience attended for my solo and the solo of Elfriede Dreyer, which were presented alongside each other but as separate research. Both spaces have a good following and are well established institutions. The artworks were published on social media and were taken into the archive of the Unisa Institutional Repository for permanent research access.
Bridgman, GB. 1972. The human machine. New York: Dover.
Jung, CG. 2009. The Red Book: Liber Novus. Edited by S. Shamdasani. New York: Norton.Art and Musi
Determinants of black men's health-seeking behaviours in the primary health care settings of Ga-Rankuwa Township, Tshwane, Pretoria
No full textMost Black men in South Africa have a tendency to avoid seeking medical assistance
when they are sick, and they die prematurely, largely due to preventable causes. They
are the least consumers of their public primary health care services, unlike their female
counterparts. This is despite the fact that public primary health care in South Africa is
available at no cost to all citizens. Most of the country’s health care policies and
legislation have neglected the health care needs and interests of Black men. There are
very few health education programmes available in the country today that target men at
the level of public primary health care. Hence, some studies have shown that most
Black men in South Africa rely on traditional methods for healing or treatment, whereas
some prefer to use over-the-counter medications for treatment.
This study investigated why Black men in South Africa do or do not use their local public
clinics for medical treatment. It aimed to examine their views about these facilities and
services and their experiences with them in the past when they visited them for medical
treatment. The study was qualitative in its approach and took an explorative,
descriptive, and contextual design. It consisted of a research sample of 15 participants,
Black men, aged between 25 and 66 years, living near the public health care facilities of
the township of Ga-Rankuwa, Tshwane. The participants were purposively sampled,
and primary data collected face-to-face and some remotely via WhatsApp calls through
in-depth, semi-structured interviews, and analysed using thematic analysis.
The study revealed that the health-seeking behaviours of Black men living in Ga-
Rankuwa, Tshwane, are influenced by a wide range of sociological factors (sociocultural,
structural, and individualistic factors), some of which act as barriers and some
as spurs in their health-seeking behaviours. Therefore, understanding the healthseeking
behaviours of Black men requires a multifaceted approach that emphasises the
importance of collaboration and engagement with several stakeholders and policy
makers at the societal level. This study fills a notable gap in the literature concerning the
health-seeking behaviours of Black men within the system of public primary health care.PhD. (Sociology)Sociolog
Exploring Heteronormativity and the Illusion of the ‘Real Man’: A Case Study of Sivuyile (Siv) Ngesi
Get PDFIn this paper, we aim to explore public reactions to non-normative expressions of masculinity within South African society. We argue that although society has become more accepting of such expressions, there still exists public criticism and heteronormative labelling of sexuality and gender. The case study of a local entertainment celebrity, Sivuyile Ngesi, is used to interrogate the illusion of the “real man” and the construction of heteronormative masculinities in the South African context. Ngesi’s personal portrayal of his masculine identity is unconventional and provides an example of an atypical expression of a Black African heterosexual identity. In the paper we draw on a range of local media sources, as well as an in-depth interview with Ngesi himself, to discuss an idiosyncratic vision of an alternative Black African masculine identity and the realities and implications around it.Sociolog
Social workers' experiences, challenges and solutions in preventing the recurrence of children living on and off the streets in the City of Tshwane, Pretoria
Get PDFEmerging from this study in social development planning and execution of social cluster services, a critical segment representing children living on and off the streets does not catch the eye of the role players, such as the Department of Social Development, especially those in places of authority with a level of influence to respond appropriately to the situation. The researcher identified a gap, believing that it has a bearing on CYCC social workers who are on the frontline in efforts to administer professional services to prevent the problem from recurring. This research was conducted in the City of Tshwane, Pretoria, Gauteng Province. The researcher has applied contextual qualitative research methodology and approaches in exploring social workers’ experiences, challenges, and solutions in preventing the recurrence of children living on and off the streets. As an important component of the research methodology, sampling methods used include probability and non-probability to ensure accuracy in selecting the targeted participants given the study population. Subsequently, the data collection methods used is the semi-structured one-to-one interviews with questions which helped gain more concise and detailed picture of each participant’s beliefs about the theme of the study. As for the data analysis and interpretation, the process followed includes arrangement of interview notes through transcription to allow critical review and coding process. Recurring themes were identified and to facilitate easy analysis, subthemes, categories and subcategories were considered. To ascertain reliability and credibility, data verification was done by arranging debriefing sessions with the participants which allowed the researcher to verify the information given in the interviews. The researcher also gave the final draft of her research to a CYCC social worker colleague to read the work for the feedback. To adhere to research ethical standard, before interviews, each participant was given a consent form which was explained before the signing. Examples drawn from the findings indicate that with constant and close collaboration between the Department of Social Development and designated social workers, the police, the Children’s Court, CYCC social workers, and the South African Council for Social Service Professions, they can leverage each other’s strengths and capacities to create an ecosystem that will fast track an agenda of improved prevention service delivery to children living on and off the streets.Social Wor
Integration im interkulturellen Gemeindebau : Luhmanns Systemtheorie für die Leitung evangelischer Freikirchen in Deutschland
Get PDFAbstract in English, Germany, Venda and AfrikaansTitle in English and GermanyThis research is based on the leaders of intercultural congregations who regularly interact with the ideas, needs and interests of different cultures. To this end, Luhmann's systems theory is being examined with regard to the intercultural congregation, the integration of different cultures and leadership in intercultural congregations. The result of the interdisciplinary research work can serve to remind us that leadership is an interactive relationship process. Leaders influence congregations while they are themselves influenced by the Holy Spirit, other cultures, and by their own perceptions. This understanding reveals the role of leaders to be a flexible, culturally sensitive one with leaders being individuals who are also willing to learn. This research, which is a first, analysed the application of Luhmann's systems theory on the leadership of intercultural congregations in Germany. It is primary research within the context of the Evangelical free churches. In practical terms, the research results may contribute to the analysis of the intercultural congregation, to the self-reflection of the leaders and to intercultural dialogue.Hierdie navorsing is gebaseer op die leiers van interkulturele gemeentes wat gereeld te doen het met die idees, behoeftes en belange van verskillende kulture. Met hierdie doelwit voor oë word Luhmann se stelselteorie ondersoek wat betref die interkulturele gemeenskap, die integrasie van verskillende kulture en leierskap in interkulturele gemeentes. Die uitkoms van die interdissiplinêre navorsingswerk kan dien om ons te herinner dat leierskap ’n interaktiewe verhoudingsproses is. Leiers beïnvloed gemeentes terwyl hulle self deur die Heilige Gees, ander kulture en deur hulle eie waarnemings beïnvloed word. Hierdie verstandhouding openbaar die rol van leiers as ’n buigsame, kultureel sensitiewe rol met leiers wat individue is wat gewillig is om te leer. Hierdie navorsing, wat die eerste oor hierdie onderwerp is, het die toepassing van Luhmann se stelselteorie op die leierskap van interkulturele gemeentes in Duitsland ontleed. Dit is primêre navorsing in die konteks van die Vrye Evangeliese Kerke. Prakties gesproke kan die navorsingsresultate bydra tot die ontleding van die interkulturele gemeente, tot die selfrefleksie van die leiers, en tot interkulturele dialoog.Thodisiso iyi yo disendeka nga vharangaphanda vha zwivhidzo zwa mvelele vha dzulelaho u mbilimbidanana na mihumbulo ya thodea na madzangalelo a mvelelo dzo fhambanaho. U swika zwino, sisiteme ya thyeori ya Luhmann i kha di tolwa mayelana na zwivhidzo zwa mvelele dzo tanganelanaho, thanganyiso ya mvelele dzo fhambanaho na vhurangaphanda kha zwivhidzo zwa mvelele dzo tanganelanaho. Mvelele dza thodisiso dza masia o tanganelanaho dzi nga shuma u ri humbudza uri vhurangaphanda ndi mushumo wa vhushaka ha tshumisano. Vharangaphanda vha tutuwedza zwivhidzo musi vhone vha khou tutuwedzwa nga Muya mukhethwa, dziṅwe mvelele na nga kuvhonele kwavho. Kupfesesele ukwu ku bvisela khagala mushumo wa vharangaphanda u shandukaho, u pfesesaho mvelele hu na murangaphanda muthihi kha vhathu vho diimiselaho u guda. Thodisiso iyi ndi ya u thoma, yo saukanya u itela tshumiso nga thyeori ya sisiteme ya Luhmann ya vhurangaphanda ha zwivhidzo zwa mvelele dzo tanganelanaho ngei Dzheremane. Ndi thodisiso khulwane kha nyimele ya kereke dzo vhofholowaho kha Evangeli. Zwavhudivhudi, mvelele dza thodisiso dzi nga dzhenelela kha u saukanya tshivhidzo tsha mvelele dzo tanganaho, u disedzulusa sa vharangaphanda na therisano vhukati ha mveleleDiese Forschungsarbeit geht von den Leitenden interkultureller Gemeinden aus, die mit den Vorstellungen, Bedurfnissen und Interessen der unterschiedlichen Kulturen umgehen müssen. Dafür wird die Systemtheorie Luhmanns hinsichtlich der interkulturellen Gemeinde, der Integration unterschiedlicher Kulturen und der Leitung in interkulturellen Gemeinden untersucht. Das Ergebnis der interdisziplinaren Forschungsarbeit erinnert daran, dass Leitung ein interaktives Beziehungsgeschehen ist. Die Leitenden nehmen Einfluss und werden selbst vom Heiligen Geist, anderen Kulturen und der eigenen Wahrnehmung beeinflusst. Aus diesem Verstandnis erschließt sich die Rolle der Leitenden, die flexibel, kultursensibel und lernbereit leiten. Diese Forschungsarbeit ist ein erstes Ergebnis für die Anwendung von Luhmanns Systemtheorie auf die Leitung interkultureller Gemeinden in Deutschland und fur den Kontext der evangelischen Freikirchen eine Primarforschung. Praktisch kann das Forschungsergebnis zur Analyse der interkulturellen Gemeinde, zur Selbstreflexion der Leitenden und zum interkulturellen Dialog beitragen.M. Th. (Christian Leadership)Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiolog
Climate change’s effect on foundation phase learners’ behaviour and academic performance in the classroom
No full textAbstracts in English, Afrikaans and XhosaClimate change is a global crisis, but younger children are exceptionally vulnerable to the impacts. Teachers constantly experience many challenges, but the challenge mentioned the most, is related to negative behaviour traits and the learners’ ability to stay focused. The theoretical framework followed was The Theory of Planned Behaviour and the Social Change theory. A qualitative case study was conducted using an interpretivist paradigm and convenience sampling was used to identify three schools and one teacher from each school. Data was generated from 3 teachers from 3 different schools through face-to-face interviews, non-participant observations and document analysis. The findings discovered a relationship does exist and in extreme heat, learners are lethargic and cannot concentrate for long, also, cold weather has a negative impact on the learners. Lastly, findings showed how learners’ absenteeism is increasing as well. The study recommended that teachers need to do more research about the topic and teachers must have contingency plans in place to give learners the same effect as what break time does.Klimaatsverandering is 'n wêreldwye krisis, maar jonger kinders is buitengewoon kwesbaar vir die impakte. Onderwysers ervaar voortdurend baie uitdagings, maar die uitdaging wat die meeste genoem word, hou verband met negatiewe gedragseienskappe en die leerders se vermoë om gefokus te bly. Die teoretiese raamwerk wat gevolg is, was The Theory of Planned Behavior and the Social Change theory. 'n Kwalitatiewe gevallestudie is uitgevoer met behulp van 'n interpretivistiese paradigma en geriefsteekproefneming is gebruik om drie skole en een onderwyser van elke skool te identifiseer. Data is gegenereer van 3 onderwysers van 3 verskillende skole deur middel van aangesig-tot-aangesig onderhoude, nie-deelnemer waarnemings en dokumentontleding. Die bevindinge het ontdek 'n verwantskap bestaan wel en in uiterste hitte is leerders lusteloos en kan hulle nie lank konsentreer nie, ook het koue weer 'n negatiewe impak op die leerders. Laastens het bevindinge getoon hoe leerders se afwesigheid ook toeneem. Die studie het aanbeveel dat onderwysers meer navorsing oor die onderwerp moet doen en onderwysers moet gebeurlikheidsplanne in plek hê om leerders dieselfde effek te gee as wat pousetyd doen.Ukutshintsha kwemozulu yingxaki yehlabathi, kodwa abantwana abancinci basengozini kakhulu kwiimpembelelo. Ootitshala bahlala befumana imingeni emininzi, kodwa owona mceli-mngeni ukhankanywe kakhulu, unxulumene neempawu zokuziphatha ezingalunganga kunye nokukwazi kwabafundi ukuhlala begxile. Isakhelo sethiyori esalandelwa yiTheory of Planned Behavior kunye nethiyori yoTshintsho lweNtlalo. Kwaqhutywa i-qualitative case study kusetyenziswa i-paradigm yokutolika kwaza kwasetyenziswa isampuli ezilula ukuqaphela izikolo ezithathu notitshala omnye kwisikolo ngasinye. Idatha yenziwe ngootitshala aba-3 abaphuma kwizikolo ezi-3 ezahlukeneyo ngodliwano-ndlebe lobuso ngobuso, ngemigqaliselo yabantu abangathabathi nxaxheba nocazululo lwamaxwebhu. Iziphumo ezifunyenweyo zifumanise ukuba ubudlelwane bukhona kwaye kubushushu obugqithisileyo, abafundi bayonwaba kwaye abakwazi kugxininisa ixesha elide, kananjalo, imozulu ebandayo inefuthe elibi kubafundi. Okokugqibela, iziphumo zibonise indlela okwanda ngayo ukungabikho kwabafundi esikolweni. Uphononongo lucebise ukuba ootitshala kufuneka benze uphando oluthe kratya malunga nesihloko kwaye ootitshala mababe nezicwangciso zokuqulela okungenzeka ukunika abafundi ifuthe elifanayo nelo lenziwa lixesha lekhefu.M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)Psychology of Educatio
Interrelated transformative process dynamics in the face of resource nexus challenges : an invitation towards cross case analysis
No full textThe need for more attention to the social and human dimensions in global change sciences
and natural resources management requires in-depth understandings of transformative
approaches and processes. More inclusive and systemic approaches are needed that embrace
complexity and support transformative learning, shifts in power relations, collective and
relational agency and structural transformations for adaptive and innovative governance.
Scientific understanding of how such change can be brought about is still limited. In this
paper, which sets the scene for this Special Issue, we develop a conceptual framework for
analyzing transformative processes across a range of diverse cases. Aspects of the conceptual
framework are applied, tested and elaborated in three following papers in the Special Issue,
deepening understanding of how transformative change in complex social-ecological systems
may originate at nexus boundary zones such as that portrayed by the water-food-energy
nexus. Specifically, the paper conceptually elaborates four iteratively related dynamics of
transformative learning, transforming power relations, transformative agency and transforming
structures which intersect in transformation processes. The perspectives offer tools for cross
case analysis in the longer term, but also tools for supporting co-engaged, generative
research processes.Political Science