102 research outputs found
Fighting for justice and freedom through music: The case of Thomas Mapfumo, Hosiah Chipanga and Leonard Zhakata, ca. 1988–2015
No full textThe pervasive contention in scholarship on contemporary Zimbabwe is that the quintessence of the post-independence Zimbabwean experience consists in unchecked political dictatorship and unprecedented economic regression. This contention derives from the fact that with the advent of independence in 1980, the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) regime that replaced the Rhodesia Front (RF) in the corridors of power embarked on a campaign to achieve political hegemony through the entrenchment of patronage, violence and corruption. However, this is not all that there is to the post-independence Zimbabwean narrative. As this article makes clear, the post-independence Zimbabwean experience also speaks to a pro-democracy struggle in which the authors of the Zimbabwean debacle are confronted on various platforms, particularly the protest songs of musicians such as Thomas Mapfumo, Hosiah Chipanga and Leonard Zhakata. Since the late 1980s, these musicians have been relentless in their criticism of the ZANU-PF establishment, its strong-arm tactics and self-image as the indispensable guardian of Zimbabwean interests. This article maintains that through euphemism, ridicule and overt criticism, Mapfumo, Chipanga and Zhakata forge an aesthetic of resistance that exposes and contests the institutionalisation of patronage, violence and corruption in post-independence Zimbabwe
Stochastic simulation of soil water status on reclaimed land in northern Alberta
No full textStudies of spatial variability and simulation of available soil water and extractable soil water are scarce and yet such data are essential in hydrologic and solute transport modeling. A study was conducted to characterize spatial variability of available soil water and extractable soil water on a reclaimed site in northern Alberta. The vegetation on site included grasses, legumes and shrubs. The site was reclaimed and the reconstructed profile was made up of 40-100 cm of clay loam/peat material overlying fine tailings sand. Soil water was measured using neutron moisture meters on a frequency of approximately two weeks during the growing season for a 2-year period. Spatial characterizations of available soil water (ASW) and extractable soil water (ESW) on the driest and wettest measurement days were conducted using geostatistical methods. A sample semi-variogram was estimated and several permissible theoretical models fitted and the model of best fit was determined using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). The spherical model was found to best represent the semi-variogram for available soil water and extractable soil water. Both the available soil water and extractable soil water had very high degrees of spatial dependence (> 99%) and the range of within which sample points were auto-correlated was less than 1 m. The conditional stochastic simulation of extractable soil water at unsampled locations that were 5 m north of the sampled locations indicated a high degree of uncertainty. This implies that generation of exhaustive data sets may require more sampling points at closer spacing to reduce uncertainty
Antecedent soil water for managed landscapes in central Alberta
No full textLand management practices are known to influence runoff through alteration of the antecedent soil water For accurate estimation of runoff, direct measurement of antecedent soil water would be necessary. This study investigated antecedent soil water and the potential for summer storm runoff under different land management practices. The two-year study was conducted on five sires: three sites under forage (one on reclaimed mine lands), and two sites under pasture. Treatments included haying, mowing, fallow, and moderate and heavy livestock grazing. Soil water was measured with a neutron probe and was generally less than 50% of water holding capacity (dry conditions). During recharge periods, water increased to nearfield capacity, but soil water was close to wilting point for some measurement dates. Pasture sites were generally wetter than forage sites, with the difference being most pronounced on fallow treatments. The reclaimed site had generally lower total soil water than the unmined ones
Effect of Maternal HIV and Malaria Infection on Pregnancy and Perinatal Outcome in Zimbabwe
No full textTo investigate the effect of isolated or concomitant infection with malaria and HIV on pregnancy and neonatal outcome
Oxytocin modulates nitric oxide generation by human fetal membranes at term pregnancy
No full textPROBLEM: Nitric oxide (NO), an important mediator of the inflammatory response, is involved in several reproductive processes including pregnancy and labor. Uterus, placenta and fetal membranes are significant sources of NO. Presently, there is no information on factors regulating NO production by fetal membranes. METHOD OF STUDY: Human fetal membranes at term gestation were cultured for 24 hr in the presence of oxytocin. The concentrations of NO metabolites nitrites in culture medium were determined by the Griess reaction. The presence of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. RESULTS: Oxytocin increased nitrite release by fetal membranes. Messenger ribonucleic acid iNOS expression was also enhanced by oxytocin. These effects were more marked in tissues obtained after labor than before labor. CONCLUSIONS: Oxytocin exerts an overall stimulatory effect on NO release by fetal membranes. This action might be of relevance in the biomolecular processes leading to parturition
Monitoring and evaluation of HIV/AIDS programmes by Non-Governmental Organisations : a case study of uMngeni Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
No full textSubmitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Masters in Public Management, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016.South Africa is facing a universe challenge in managing HIV/AIDS epidemic as it is the worst affected country in the world with the largest number of people affected and infected with HIV/AIDS. While significant numbers of stakeholders have come on board to help the South African government fight the disease, the setting up of effective and efficient Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems has been a challenge.
The study focussed on Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) managing HIV/AIDS in the uMngeni Local Municipality. NGOs normally operate using resources from funders who in turn requires robust accountability of their fund utilisation. Robust accountability can only be achieved by reporting with the aid of an effective and efficient M&E system. The aim of the study was to evaluate the current M&E systems of NGOs implementing HIV/AIDS programs in the uMngeni Local Municipality; investigate the reporting mechanism of NGOs implementing HIV/AIDS programmes; identify monitoring and evaluation challenges faced by NGOs implementing HIV/AIDS programmes in the uMngeni Local Municipality, KwaZulu Natal; and to make recommendations for the improvement of M&E implemented by NGOs.
A questionnaire was distributed to senior managers at NGO’s in the uMngeni Local Municipality, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The data collected were analysed with SPSS version 22.0.The results were presented in the form of graphs and cross tabulations, with other figures being used for data collected from open ended questions.
The study revealed that NGOs managing HIV/AIDS in the uMngeni Local Municipality face a number of challenges including a lack of statistical skills; a shortage of qualified staff; a lack of M&E knowledge; a dearth of M&E systems within organisations; inadequate resources; a lack of commitment by staff members; poor stakeholder involvement; poor quality data; and a lack of appropriate M&E tools. The results of the study also revealed that NGOs managing HIV/AIDS programmes in the uMngeni Local Municipality were not referring to best practices when managing M&E systems for their programmes.
Recommendations were drafted using the findings of the research, literature reviewed and best practices for monitoring and evaluating HIV/AIDS programmes. It is highly recommended that through more effective capacity building, NGOs managing HIV/AIDS programmes in the uMngeni Local Municipality will be able to improve existing M&E systems. Designing of the M&E plan along with stakeholder involvement is also crucial in managing HIV/AIDS M&E systems. The allocation of adequate resources for M&E activities should be prioritised for approximately ten percent of the total programme budget. Indicators should be carefully selected and aligned to collect relevant data.
NGOs managing HIV/AIDS in the uMngeni Local Municipality could also monitor and evaluate programme activities on a regular basis. They should also have a standard of operation procedure (SOP) for data quality management. Emphasis on programme data quality could also be an action point for effective management of HIV/AIDS M&E system and this can be further strengthened by conducting data quality audits. Finally, NGOs managing HIV/AIDS programmes in the uMngeni Local Municipality should disseminate M&E findings to stakeholders and use data to make informed programme decisions.
Assessing the impacts of small-holder farming activities on Wetland Area in Nzhelele Agricultural Hub in the Vhembe District; Limpopo Province, South Africa
No full textMENVSCDepartment of Geography and Environmental SciencesWetlands play a crucial role in supplying essential ecosystem products and services, yet they are threatened by several anthropogenic activities. Wetlands are at risk of crop production which depend on the reliability of water supply. The effects of farming on wetlands are a result of the exploitation of wetland resources and the extensive usage of fertilizers. Notwithstanding the alleged role that farming plays in the destruction and degradation of wetlands, wetland area fluctuations and anthropogenic impacts over time and across regions have not been adequately assessed. The aim of this case study research was to assess the impacts of small-holder farming activities on wetland area in Makhado Local Municipality, in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province. Data was collected through interviews and the main data collection tools were a questionnaire, Landsat 8 satellite and UAV images of 2014, 2018 and 2022. The participants of the study included a variety of individuals such as farmers, household heads, extension officer (Mulimisi) and of the community. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used to analyze the survey data. Analysis of satellite imagery was done using Aeronautical Reconnaissance Coverage Geographic Information System (ArcGIS) (Version 10.1) and Earth Resources Data Analysis System ERDAS Imagine (version 2015) software packages. The results show that farming is the major activity within the wetland area over the years 2014 to 2022 which increased from 96 hectares to 181 hectares. Throughout the study period, there have been significant changes to the wetland region. The main contributory factors were the expansion of agriculture (cultivation), increased food demand due to population growth and local water deficit. There is insufficient assistance and mentoring provided by the government to the community and to small-holder farmers when it comes to land use reform and awareness building among villagers and farmers about the importance of wetlands. The results also show that 78.3% of the respondents are not aware that farming has impacts on wetland areas while 17.7% of the respondents are aware. Lack of knowledge has been identified as one of the major factors contributing to the environmental effects of land use change in the wetland area. This study suggested that to manage wetland resources properly, local small-holder farmers and the local community should both be targeted for awareness campaigns and initiatives.National Research Foundation (NRF
Guidelines for safe trafficking and cultivation, and resistance–density–moisture relations of three disturbed soils from Alberta
No full textCotton Production Under Contract System In Small Holder Farming Sector Of Zimbabwe
No full textAbstract Contract farming has evolved in communal areas to ensure that the resource poor smallholder farmers are equipped to increase crop output per hectare. In this study cotton production under contract farming was assessed in Kanyaga Communal area of Mashonaland West Province in Zimbabwe through a survey. Fifty (50) smallholder farmers were randomly selected to participate in the survey. The survey sought to identify such aspects as assets that the farmers had, organisations that are involved in input provision, types of inputs and timing of provision of inputs, nature of technical support that was provided to the farmers as well as farmers' perception of the cotton seed buyers. Farmers in the Kanyaga smallholder cotton producing area had various assets to assist them in cotton production. They receive inputs such as seed and chemicals. Seed cotton buyers offered technical support, which included training on marketing, agronomy, farm management and transport. The absence of assistance with operations such as tillage and funds for harvesting reduces the benefits of the interaction between the cottonseed buyers and the farmers. Cottonseed buyers should introduce a participatory approach in price determination as strategy of making the relationship with farmers sustainable
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