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Basotho indigenous plant names : an onomastics study
Get PDFThe Basotho people have shared a deep-rooted connection with plants since ancient
times, driven by their rich indigenous knowledge. This knowledge has enabled the
community to bestow meaningful names upon their native flora, making them
comprehensible and significant. Within the Basotho culture, names hold immense
importance and are believed to possess the power to influence situations and the
characteristics of individuals, plants, or animals bearing them. This naming practice
showcases the Basotho's creativity and profound understanding of their cultural and
historical heritage. The objectives of this study wereto identify the names of Basotho
indigenous plants, to explore naming practices and cultures within the Basotho
community and establish the relationship thereof; to describe the morphological
features of Basotho indigenous plant names, and to describe the link between
morphological and semantic aspects of Basotho indigenous plant names. The socioonomastics
framework underpinned this study. This theory studies names in a social
context, including their usage and perception in interpersonal interactions. The study
employed an ethnographic content analysis using the qualitative method. Two
methods were used to gather data for the study. The first was a semi-structured
interview with traditional healers and herbalists who gave insight into different plants that Basotho found and used in the study's Qwaqwa area. The second method was a
secondary data collection method where different pieces of literature on Basotho
plants were discussed. Data from semi-structured interviews and secondary sources
was analysed using ethnographic data analysis, a methodical approach to identifying
and comprehending human behaviour and cultural patterns using qualitative data. The
study found that our ancestors' vast indigenous knowledge and environmental
awareness are demonstrated by the names given to the therapeutic plants. For
present and future generations of traditional healers and herbalists, their capacity to
name plants according to their morphological characteristics and semantic relationship
to their treatments cleared the path for indigenous plant knowledgeM.A. (Languages, Linguistics and Literature)Linguistics and Modern Language
The traction of moral virtues compared to risk-return fundamentals in fossil-fuel related investments
Get PDFThe fundamental view that investors require compensation aligned to the risk attributes they discern in their investments runs at odds with efforts to curb climate risks. Moral considerations should play an important role in climate-related investments (Hulme, 2014).
However, in the case of fossil fuel investments, the moral virtues in decisions are blurred. This article aims to determine the extent of moral virtues in investment decisions involving fossil fuels amidst risk-return principles. Document analysis is used from a population of 60 banks identified as increasing or reducing fossil fuel financing from the Cable News Network website. In addition to a random sampling of banks, market prices, and ten-year
government bonds data are obtained from Macrotrends and Yahoo.com websites to compute the cost of equity over a sevenyear period using the capital asset pricing model (CAPM). The t-test proves that the required returns for increasing fossil fuel financing
remain higher than those for decreasing, while regression reflects that the moral virtue gap remains an existential threat to climate mitigation. These results demonstrate that the curbing of climate risks remains elusive unless investors place moral considerations
above monetary returns. In conclusion, the need for adequate monetary compensation for investing in fossil fuels far outweighs the moral obligation.Graduate School of Business Leadershi
Teaching learners with reading difficulties in inclusive senior phase classrooms of Tshwane South, Gauteng Province
Get PDFReading is a cornerstone of every learner's success in school and throughout life. However, many learners in the senior phase experience reading difficulties globally. One reason for this is that teachers cannot support reading difficulties. As teachers, they are not willing to support such difficulties because they do not regard this as their responsibility. In addition, literature shows that teachers struggle to teach these learners in the senior phase. The current study explored how teachers teach reading to learners with reading difficulties in inclusive senior-phase classrooms. In this qualitative study, constructivism was used as a lens that guided the study. Fourteen (14) teachers and five (5) SBST members participated in this study. Data was collected through interviews, observations, and document analysis. Creswell’s model of data analysis was used to analyze the data. Four findings emerged from the collected data, and recommendations are presented in this study.M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)Inclusive Educatio
The coexistence of psychological drivers and deterrents of consumers’ willingness to try cultured meat hamburger patties: evidence from South Africa
No full textAbstract
The widespread consumption of alternative meat products, such as plant-based alternatives in the hamburger patty market, has provided insights into the potential of commercially produced cultured meat. Evidence from previous alternative meat studies shows mixed results on whether experience with commercially available alternative protein will help to overcome or compound consumers’ concerns about cultured meat. This study investigates the effect that South African consumers’ implicit perceptions developed by experience with and from attitudes about novel products and perceptions about the product could influence their acceptance of cultured meat. South African consumers’ perceptions were estimated using opinion statements, and the level of agreement was ranked on a Likert scale. Composite indices were extracted from these data, which were regressed against consumers’ willingness to try cultured meat burger patties. Results suggest that the implicit perceptions (worldviews) promoted both neophobic and neophilic attitudes, while explicit (product-specific) perceptions indicated that concerns of anticipated social, cultural and economic disruptions may drive non-adoption. The study’s results suggest targeted marketing approaches that can utilise implicit perceptions to promote consumer adoption. Other results indicated the areas of concern that should be addressed to facilitate acceptance and the population groups that could be targeted as early adopters. These results contribute to a better understanding of the potential market for cultured meat in the world's eighth-largest per capita beef consumer and provide insights into drivers and deterrents of cultured meat in an environment that struggles with food security
Whole genome sequencing of antimicrobial resistant strains of selected bacterial species from communally grazed cattle of Mogosane village, South Africa
No full textText in EnglishThe gastrointestinal tract of cattle houses several microorganisms that are excreted through faecal material into the environment. Some strains of these microorganisms are known to be zoonotic and carry determinants of antimicrobial drug resistance (AMR). Antimicrobial-resistant organisms from food producing animals pose a significant public health danger globally (Song et al., 2022). This research aimed at conducting whole genome sequencing (WGS) for both generic Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Enterobacter hormaechei (E. hormaechei) isolates from healthy communally grazed cattle faecal samples, and identifying AMR determinants. This study also assessed the phenotypic resistant profiles of E. coli and E. hormaechei isolates from the same study population. In total, 35 faecal samples were collected and traditional microbiological techniques were used to culture and isolate bacteria from faecal samples. Of the 35 samples only three (n=3; 9%) of the samples yielded E. coli isolates and 12 (34%) were positive for E. hormaechei. Confirmed E. coli and E. hormaechei isolates were tested for susceptibility using the NCCL disc diffusion method towards 10 antimicrobials namely: Gentamycin (CN), Streptomycin (S), Neomycin (N), Ciprofoxacin (CIP), Norfloxacin (NOR), Erythromycin (E), Ampicillin (AMP), Chloramphenicol (C), Nalidixic acid (NA) and Tetracycline (T). A selection of isolates exhibiting resistance to more than two antibiotics were sent to the Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Institute (ARC-OVI) for the purpose of extracting DNA. For whole genomic sequencing, Illumina TruSeq Nano DNA Library Preparation kit was used to construct DNA libraries. These libraries were sequenced on an Illumina Hiseq X instrument to generate 2 x 150bp reads. Whole genome assemblies were performed with Abyss software (v.2.2.4-1) at default parameters. Thereafter, the generated raw reads (fastq files) were assembled on the Inqaba Biotech platform. Reference assembly for WGS was done with De novo assembly. Pathogenwatch (https://pathogenwatch/) was used to get possible species as a positive hit per the assembled Contig fasta file. For annotating and reference assembly, bacterial and viral resource center were used (https://www.bv-btc.ord). Blast-ncbi was used (basic local alignment tool: https://blast.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Blast.cgi) for accession ID for reference assembly.
All E. coli isolates (100%), exhibited resistance against streptomycin and erythromycin, thus a phenotype of S-E. The aforementioned isolates also showed 100% intermediate resistance against NA and AMP. The two E. coli isolates were evidenced as susceptible to all other antimicrobials. These isolates exhibited resistance to two drugs from two antimicrobial classes, indicating the absence of multi-drug resistance (MDR). With regards to AMR genes, “aphA” together with “rpsL” mutation genes were detected in E. coli isolates that showed phenotypic resistance to aminoglycoside. WGS annotations are accessible under BioProject accession number PRJNA1028407. The experimental sequence reads archives (SRA) are accessed under SRR26374259 and SRR26393805 respectively in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) platform. Twelve (n=12; 34%) E. hormaechei were isolated from communally grazed HMVC. Of the 12, seven (n=8; 67%) were resistant to E and AMP, and four (n=4; 33%) to S, E and AMP. The observed phenotypes were E-AMP (67%), S-E-AMP (33%). AMR was observed in 67% of these isolates, while 33% were MDR. AMR was observed in 67% of these isolates. Several AMR and MDR determinants were identified and included: “acrA”, “acrB” and “marA” genes amongst many others. WGS annotations are accessible under BioProject accession number PRJNA991313 and the experimental sequence reads archives (SRA) of the 12 E. hormaechei isolates are accessed in the NCBI platform. This study identified possible phenotypic resistance profile of bacterial from communally grazed cattle. The results reported here confirm the presence of antimicrobial drug resistance determinants among cattle in rural areas of South Africa. The obtained data provides support for future research on E. coli and E. hormaechei isolates from communally grazed HMVC. Thus, to prevent the distribution of AMR organisms or their transferable resistance genes, a sensible use of antimicrobials is still necessary in veterinary medicine, animal husbandry, and human health. Further studies on AMR should be undertaken especially in rural areas, where communal farmers and veterinary officials could be using over-the-counter and prescribed medicines when it is not necessary.D. Phil. (Agriculture and Animal Health)Agriculture and Animal Healt
The role of small-scale irrigation on rural smallholder food security outcomes in Wolaita Zone of Southern Ethiopia
Get PDFSmall-scale irrigation (SSI) started earlier in Wolaita and contributed to food production. However, rural smallholders in the area are still food insecure. This research aimed to understand the role of irrigation on food security outcomes of rural smallholder farmers in Wolaita, southern Ethiopia. Previous studies focused on the role of SSI on food availability and accessibility but lacked the food utilisation and stability dimension. Therefore, this research had intended to understand the role of irrigation interventions in the improvement of rural smallholders’ food availability, accessibility, utilisation, stability, and capability.
The study adopted a mixed-method research approach. Before data collection, 139 journal articles were systematically reviewed. The sample size for the quantitative household survey study was 400 participants. Forty key informants were interviewed. Furthermore, ten focus group discussions were conducted. The results were analysed using descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test, multivariate regression, and multinomial regression analysis.
According to the findings, SSI users have shown significantly higher mean total crop harvested (M= 96.9967) than non-users (M= 26.9680), at the p-value of 0.000. Moreover, the findings indicate that SSI users had significantly higher values for the variable "Total Livestock Unit” by sample rural households (M=3.31) compared to the group of non-users of SSI (M=2.38) at the p-value of 0.000. Furthermore, SSI users had higher mean income from annual crop production sold and from animals, animal by-products, and other non-productive asset sales than non-users. The statistical test also provided a significant difference in the household dietary diversity between SSI users (M= 8.63) and non-users (M= 4.94), with SSI users having a significantly higher mean HDDS at p<0.01. In contrast, the qualitative analysis indicates that SSI users provide adequate and quality food for children than non-users.
SSI users had lower mean HHS than non-users. Moreover, SSI users (M=3.73) had significantly lower scores for the Household Coping Strategy Index variable,
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compared to non-users (M=7.88) at p<0.01. According to the multivariate regression analysis of HDDS and HHS, the independent variables that determine the rural food security outcome are total crop produced, income from crop sold, sum of purchased food groups, Total Livestock Units, and income from animal, animal by-products, and other assets. Furthermore, as of multinomial logistic regression access to irrigation, sex and education level are the common key determinants of HDDS and HHS. However, owned farmland size and family size are not common determinants of HDDS and HHS in the study area.
The findings, therefore, indicate that unless intensive agriculture is implemented, it is not possible to improve the dietary diversity, reduce the hunger and enhance coping capacity of the rural smallholders in the study area. Therefore, irrigation has a significant role in the food security outcome of rural smallholders specifically in Wolaita Zone, southern Ethiopia, and Ethiopia. So, policymakers and development practitioners in the area should promote sustainable agricultural practices, invest in irrigation infrastructure, provide financial support, strengthen extension services, address gender inequalities and environmental challenges, foster public-private partnerships, and promote nutrition-based agricultural activities.D. Phil. (Development Studies)Development Studie
Development of greener ultrasound and microwave-based sample preparation methods for spectroscopic determination of heavy metals in pet food samples
Get PDFContamination of pet food with heavy metals is a crucial problem worldwide and it results in adverse health effects on pets, massive recall of the product, damaging of the brand name and financial loss. Therefore, researchers have been constantly monitoring heavy metals in pet food samples using spectroscopic techniques especially inductively coupled plasma- optical emission (ICP-OES). However, food matrices cannot be directly introduced into the standard ICP-OES there is always a need for a sample preparation step. Mostly reported wet chemistry sample preparation method have had limitations due to large use of concentrated acids. Thus, development of new methods, that is; minimizing use of concentrated acids, reduction of energy consumption and utilizing reusable materials are the future trends for principles of green chemistry. Therefore, the current study aimed at developing and validating greener microwave and ultrasound-based sample preparation methods for determination of cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), tin (Sn), and chromium (Cr) prior to ICP-OES analysis. The optimum conditions (200 °C, 40 mins, 0.5g, and 5 mol/L for temperature, digestion time, sample mass and H2O2 concentration, respectively) for microwave- assisted hydrogen peroxide digestion (MW-AHPD) were investigated using multivariate tools, certified reference material wheat flour (FAP80467) and fish (ERMBB422). The MW-AHPD demonstrated excellent accuracy (96-98%), reproducibility (≤ 2.1%) and method detection limits of 0.0675 to 0.3765 μg/g. Application in real pet food samples made from maize, rice, vegetables, fish, and wheat reported concentration levels of Cd, Pb, As, Cr and Sn ranged between 11.2-22.6, 6.4-11.9, 3.44-13.4, 0.44-2.98 and 0.18-0.98 μg/g, respectively.
Furthermore, the optimum conditions for ultrasound assisted hydrogen peroxide extraction (UA-HPE) were: 80 °C, 60 mins, 0.5g, 5 mol/L, for sonication temperature, extraction time, sample mass, and H2O2 concentration, respectively. The UA-HPE method was accuracy (>95%), precise (≤ 1.9 %) with acceptable method detection limits (0.3498 and 0.49 μg/g). The reported concentration levels by UA-HPE were 0.86-11.34, 4.50-11.45, 2.61-12.5, <DL-7.94, and <DL-1.04 μg/g for Cd, Pb, As, Cr and Sn, respectively. Both methods (UA-HPE and MW-AHPD) were assessed for greenness using the AGREEPrep metric tool and had similar scores of 0.74 (UA-HPE) and 0.76 (MW-AHPD), confirming the greenness. It is worthy to indicate that maximum concentration limits for Cd, Pb, As, Cr and Sn in pet food samples are: (10, 10, 10, 12.5 and 200 μg/g respectively) as reported by South African regulators. However, the current study showed that Cd (11.2-22.6 μg/g), Pb (11.45-11.9 μg/g) and As (12.5-13.4 μg/g) were above the maximum tolerable limits, for the fish and wheat-based pet food samples. Therefore, these results imply that South African pets are at risk from consuming wheat and fish-based pet foods. More studies on health risk assessment are required to further confirm the findings.M. Sc. (Chemistry)College of Engineering, Science and Technolog
An interdisciplinary approach to theological studies in a public university
Get PDFTheological curriculum in South African universities is comprised of disciplines such as church history, the Old Testament, the New Testament, systematic theology, missiology and practical theology. Theology has been approached through these disciplines and their interaction with each other in an intradisciplinary way. This article argues that theology needs to be done beyond theological disciplines through an interdisciplinary approach to increase its influence in a public university such as the University of South Africa (UNISA). The limitations and drawbacks of this approach are discussed. A brief history of theological studies at UNISA is
also discussed to understand how the curriculum of theology has been approached in the past. An interdisciplinary approach is proposed to maximising the research profile of theology through research outputs and postgraduate supervision. In addition, this approach can attract graduates from other fields such as law, medicine, commerce and so forth. An interdisciplinary approach is relevant in designing and developing short learning programmes to attract students to study theology. The development of interdisciplinary niche areas is also important in attracting postgraduate students. Lastly, the approach is pivotal in avoiding theology’s possible dearth and death in a public university.Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiolog
Turning rubbish into a fountain of health: innovative water treatment solutions for a sustainable future
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Corporate board, assurance and sustainability reporting practices: a focus on selected African countries
No full textPurpose – In recent times, stakeholders have called on corporate organizations especially those charged with governance to embrace full disclosure on non-financial issues, especially sustainability reporting. Based on this premise, this study aims to examine the influence of corporate board and assurance on sustainability reporting practices (SRP) of selected 80 firms from 8 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
Design/methodology/approach – To measure the corporate board, the authors use both board variables and audit committee variables. Also, the authors adapted the sustainability score model as used by previous authors in the field of sustainability disclosure to measure SRPs. The analysis was done using both ordered logistic regression and probit regression models.
Findings – The results show that the combination of board corporate and assurance has a positive and significant impact on the sustainability reporting practice of selected firms in sub-Saharan Africa.
Practical implications – The study places emphasis on the need for strong collaboration between the corporate board and external assurance in evaluating and enhancing the quality of sustainability disclosure.
Originality/value – The study bridged the gap in the literature in the area of corporate board, assurance and SRP of corporate firms which has received little attention within sub-Saharan Africa.AuditingN/