Addressing xenophobic violence in UMlazi suburb: perceptions of a migrant family.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Xenophobic violence is a recurring phenomenon in South Africa, due to the numbers of asylum seekers, immigrants and refugees entering the country. As some black South Africans, believe that African immigrants compete with them for limited opportunities provided for them within the current social stratification. As a means of excluding African immigrants, black South Africans have adopted the negative ideology of ―aMakwerekwere to describe and relate with African immigrants. In this dissertation, violence against black African immigrants is labeled as “Afrophobic and Nergrophobic”. The study adopts the Bio-cultural theory and Relative deprivation theory in order to understand the phenomenon. This study employed a qualitative research method were purposive sample of an African Migrant Family. The study draws on information gathered through in-depth semi-structured interviews carried out in UMlazi from February to March 2018. Research findings were examined through thematic content analysis. Results showed that South Africans are becoming more intolerant of foreigners, Poverty, and political unrest are driving factors for many immigrants coming to South Africa; Xenophobic violence is the attitude, physical and emotional violence perpetrated towards immigrants most especially black immigrants; Violence against foreign nationals operates through a level of physical and cultural appearance and poor black African immigrants living in informal settlements are the victims of these attacks and Negative representations of African immigrants have thus triggered xenophobic violence

Isotopic resetting of zircon : influence of age, temperature and chemical environment

Abstract: To assess the causes and extent of isotopic resetting of zircon, U-Pb and Lu-Hf analyses have been performed on zircons from Archean and Bushveld granites as well as Transvaal sediments which have been intruded by magmas of the Bushveld Complex, Pilanesberg Complex, Spitskop Complex, Goudini Complex, and Karoo dolerites in the vicinity of Bushveld Complex using laser ablation multi-collector inductively coupled plasma source mass spectrometry (LA-MC-ICPMS). U-Pb results for zircon analyses from both Archean granites and Transvaal sedimentary rocks indicate that they have undergone partial Pb loss and age resetting. Pb loss was influenced by radiation damage in zircons and metamorphism. Contributions from the Bushveld Complex thermal overprint cannot be excluded, based on evidence from concordia diagrams and 207Pb/206Pb ages; two samples of Magaliesberg sandstones (MEMG 3, 4), closest to the contact with the Marginal Zone, are affected the most. The presence of common Pb and its correction also contributed in shifting the data towards younger 207Pb/206Pb ages. Younger alkaline intrusions as well as Karoo dolerites did not have much influence on zircon signatures. There are only small differences in initial Hf ratios of analyses within the same sample, indicating that the Lu-Hf isotope system remained undisturbed. There are no appreciable effects on trace element concentrations to support that disturbance in U-Pb signatures of zircons is accompanied by their modifications. ..M.Sc. (Geology

Service delivery protests in Mpofana Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.South Africa has been experiencing a rising tide of protests since 2000. While some argue that the reasons for the protests is the lack of service delivery, others argue that, in fact, it is the quality of service that is the problem. To this end, the notion of service delivery protests has perhaps become a common place in South Africa. Some argue that the use of the term service delivery is often too broad and varies. There are two divergent views on the reasons behind the protests. The first view largely driven by the governing party in South Africa, the African National Congress (ANC) and the government it leads suggests that South Africa has achieved a lot already since 1994. The protests are a sign that those who are still waiting in line to get their turn for services are impatient because they see a great number of their neighbours receiving the services they also desperately need. Another opinion largely supported by empirical evidence suggests that the poor majority are unhappy with the fruits of democracy. This view largely suggests that protest is a ‘rebellion of the poor’. The aim of this study is to investigate the reasons behind protests in South Africa. This will be achieved through the lens of Mpofana local municipality. The study used two theoretical approaches to explore the subject, namely, principal agency theory, on one hand, and invited and invented spaces, on the other. The idea was to understand the nature of the relationship that exists between people of Mpofana. Using the agency theory it was easy to explain some of the notions and motivations people of Mpofana put behind their involvement in protests. They view protests both as a method of effective communication and self-activity which allows them to create their own spaces (i.e. invented spaces) of participation when the official platforms are no longer trusted to work in their favour. It is also their way of reclaiming the authority they delegated to the local council (principal agency or PA relationship) through elections. In the end, their reclaiming of authority prevents them from incurring further agency losses by limiting goal conflict on the part of the agent (local council). These two theories were selected because they made it possible to understand more closely the reactions and responses that people of Mpofana attach to their protest action. In this way, it was also possible to explain or contribute to the current protest debates in South Africa by using Mpofana as a point of reference. It is clear that there is growing social distance between the citizens and their representatives. It is also very clear from the research that the existing public participation mechanisms are not working and that protests are a reaction to this frustration. In other words, out of frustration with goal conflict and its attendant agency costs, the restrictive and/or ineffectiveness of formal spaces of participation become less favoured by grassroots. Therefore they invent their own spaces of participation with a view to defy the status quo and influence the policy and decisions in their favour. The study adopted a qualitative approach which administered open-ended questions to a convenient sample of three focus groups of participants selected from a sample frame of three wards, namely, ward one, three and five within the Mpofana municipality. The study also used structured interviews to determine the nature of responses (or lack, thereof) from the municipality, in terms of its mandate, in relation to the service delivery needs of the local citizens

Synthesis and characterization of novel [Pt(diimine) (acylthiourea)]+ complexes as potential anticancer agents and exploring the use of sulphobutyl-ether-B-cyclodextrin and surfactant micelles as a drug delivery system

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree Master of Science (MSc) in Chemistry. Johannesburg, March 2017.A series of [Pt(diimine)(Ln-O,S)]Cl complexes, where Ln-O,S represents a series of N,N dialkyl-N’-acylthiourea ligands and diimine represents (1,10-Phenanthroline; 5,6-dimethyl 1,10-phenanthroline or [3,2-d:2’,3’-f]-quinoxaline were successfully synthesised and characterised. A new crystal structure was obtained for N,N-di(2-hydroxy)-N’ benzoylthiourea which revealed an interesting herringbone crystal packing arrangement. The cytotoxicity of the series of complexes was evaluated on H1975 lung cancer cell lines at 50 µM and 5 µM. All the complexes were highly cytotoxic with cell death of 90-98% at 50 µM. However, at 5 µM there were much more variations on cell viability percentages. Although the structure–activity relationship can only be established when the IC50 (the concentration of an inhibitor where the response is reduced by half) values are determined, it is clear that the complexes containing the methyl substituents on the 5 and 6 positions of the phenanthroline moiety were the most cytotoxic with almost 98% cell death at 5 µM. The solubility of the complexes did improve by using N,N-dialkyl-N’-acylthiourea as ancillary ligands, however aqueous solubility remains a major problem. Sulphobutyl-ether-β-cyclodextrin (captisol) and low-molecular-weight surfactant micelles as drug delivery systems were considered in attempt to improve the solubility. DOSY NMR Spectroscopy revealed that there was no inclusion complex formation between the complex and capstiol, although the chemical shift trend suggested that there is at least some interaction. The low-molecular-weight surfactant micelles were considered as an alternative, which showed some promise as a drug delivery system, since the aqueous solubility improved and a colloidal suspension was obtained.LG201

Motives for (In)effective Giving: Comparing Rural and Urban Groups in South Africa.

Different cultures have their own set of norms and values that not only shape people’s motives but also influences their decision making. What may be viewed as logical and ethical in one culture, may be seen as illogical or unethical in another. One area that is consistently affected by cross-cultural differences in motives is charitable giving. Recently, there has been an increase in interest around effective altruism— a social movement and philosophy that argues, people should give to charities that do the most good. Prior research that has found that people do not give based on efficiency; instead, people give based on subjective preferences. Using OLS models and a utility maximizing structural model, this paper provides insights that help us understand the trade-offs people make between effectiveness and meaningfulness when they donate. Further, this paper shows that salient characteristic matches between a donor and a recipient, such as matches on nationality and suffering from a familiar affliction, increase donation amounts. This research has the potential to both inform highly effective charities on how to better target different cultures as well as advance our theoretical understanding on giving motives by shedding light on how culture impacts the development and acquisition of these disparate motives

COVID-19: understanding the pandemic, mitigating the risks, and building a resilient future.

Master’s Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the world, necessitating a deep understanding of the virus, mitigation of risks, and the establishment of a resilient future. In this article, authored by John Smith, the focus is on comprehending the nature of the pandemic, including its origin, transmission, and impact. Furthermore, the article explores the importance of mitigating risks through individual responsibility, public health measures, and global solidarity. Building a resilient future is also discussed, with an emphasis on strengthening healthcare systems, diversifying economies, and promoting education and awareness. The article concludes by highlighting the need for collective efforts navigating this crisis and emerging stronger as a global community

Effects of relative humidity and temperature on small scale peach fruit drying using a tunnel solar dryer: a case study of peach fruit produced by small scale farmers in the midlands of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

The study investigated the relationships between tunnel and ambient temperature and relative humidity (RH) and their effects on the performance of a tunnel solar dryer tested by drying peach slices. The temperature and RH showed an inverse proportion because if the ambient temperature increased, both the tunnel and ambient RH dropped. There was a direct proportion between the increasing ambient temperature and increased tunnel temperature. The use of treatment such as ascorbic acid or lemon juice did not have a significant effect on the overall drying between the yellow and white landraces. Ascorbic acid had a tendency to perform better than lemon juice which was also better than the untreated slices in terms of the taste and overall acceptability of the dried products. White peach slices were of better quality than yellow slices. It was concluded that solar drying is possible in the Midlands region. Extension officers and researchers can work hand in hand in partnerships with communities in implementing old and cheap but ignored technologies such as this method of food drying.Keywords: Ambient temperature, ambient RH, tunnel RH, tunnel temperature, lemon juice, ascorbic aci

The question of digital presence: a focus on subscription video on demand transactions

Abstract: The emergence of the internet has disrupted, altered and transformed the way business is conducted. The conventional brick-and-mortar business models have been replaced and continue to be replaced by new operating models that are, by their very nature, impervious to national borders. The broadcasting and media sector is no different. The previous 20 years have seen consumers moving away from scheduled local television, in the form of traditional pay-TV, to a growing demand for subscription video on demand (“SVoD”) (internet-based) television. SVoD businesses are conducted over the internet with no limitations on their physical presence in a country. The ability to conduct successful businesses in foreign jurisdictions without having any physical presence in those foreign market jurisdictions has allowed and enabled multinational (MNE) SVoD businesses to plan their tax affairs in a manner that often results in little or no taxes being paid in the jurisdictions where their customers are based. Globally, tax administrations have not had reportable successes with the taxation of SVoD transactions, especially where the SVoD activities are performed by persons located in different jurisdictions. This is largely due to the fact, in terms of the current international taxation principles, an MNE SVoD business can only be taxed in a foreign jurisdiction if it has a permanent establishment (PE) in that foreign jurisdiction. The OECD has recognised that the international tax laws have not kept pace with the digital economy, such as SVoD businesses. It has therefore embarked on an exercise to refine taxation rules in relation to digital businesses like SVoDs. The primary objective of this research paper is to investigate the applicability of the guidance proposed by the OECD, as a tool to address challenges on the taxation of SVoD transactions. The analysis was performed from a direct tax perspective only. This study finds that the current international tax rules, through the PE concept, are failing to tax the new digital economy, especially those online businesses where no physical delivery of goods is required, such as is the case with SVoD businesses.M.Com. (South African and International Tax

Dual-channel OCT for velocity measurement in microfluidic channels.

A dual-beam Optical Coherence Tomography system has been developed, using a bespoke dual optical fibre, to simultaneously image microfluidic channel structures and measure high velocity flows (presently 250μm/s) from a single optical access point

Feminizing migration patterns and remittances: socio-economic experiences of female migrant street vendors, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Using the African Feminist Theory coupled with Migration theory and the Social Identity Theory and qualitative/phenomenology research design, this study purposively sampled twenty (20) women who are street vendors in Pietermaritzburg KwaZulu-Natal. The study is titled: Feminizing migration patterns and remittances: socio-economic experiences of female migrant’s street vendors, PMB, KwaZulu-Natal. This anthropological study revealed quite a number of research findings; it proved that feminized migration is a dawn that has allowed women to have a financial muscle that they have used to remit back to advance their families, education and health needs of their children and families at large. This study also revealed that migration patterns have allowed women to migrate from different parts of Southern Africa; hence most research participants came from Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Malawi, Mozambique, Ghana, Congo and Botswana. The analysis of the study shows that female street vendors don’t occupy vending stalls. Another pertinent finding of the study is that Pietermaritzburg streets proved to be an informal economic space from which these women have generated money that they own, which has lowered their dependency on their husbands. This study revealed that even women who head households have embarked on migration patterns to provide for their families as they are not married. While street vending has proved to have been an informal economic space for foreign women. The study also revealed that foreign women are vending illegally as they don’t have licenses to trade on the street. Most women indicated that they were occupying rented stalls. This means that some South Africans who had licensed stalls are now generating income from these women, but owners of these stalls are often not around to protect them when evicted by policies because they can’t produce licenses. The study revealed that these female street vendors sell different goods; some sell corrugated iron baths (ubhavu wokugeza kathayela), brooms and bath dishes, fruits and vegetables, airtime, chips and sweets etc. depending on the targeted group of people in that area. This study revealed that their daily earnings between R1050 and R2500 prove that Pietermaritzburg streets are full of economic possibilities. These women can safeguard their vending earnings, which are remitted formally while others are informally remitted. With financial independence, these women had the state of holding sufficient financial gain to fund their surviving expenditure for their entire living without having to work or seek help from their spouses. The study revealed that these remittances play a role in raising the standard of living of those who receive these remittances and assisting the global poverty. Study findings also revealed that Covid-19 restrictions were imposed in South Africa to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus and decrease the number of fatalities impacted on street vendors. They were not allowed to sell during the stricter levels of lockdown. However, amid such conditions, women remittances played a constitutional part in changing the socio-economic situations of the people left in households, It has allowed them to buy necessities such as food and clothing. Many can now afford to buy sanitary towels for their girl children, which means that the young girls no longer miss school because they now have their monthly supply of sanitary towels. Study contributions and recommendations are discussed in the last chapter of this thesis