An evaluation of the opinions of students enrolled in Sesotho modules at the University of the Free State

The lack of equivalence between African languages on the one hand and Afrikaans and English on the other hand under the governments that ruled South Africa until the collapse of apartheid has seriously undermined the status of African languages. Indigenous South Africans experienced decades of marginalisation – so much, in fact, that many, including African scholars, have come to view the study and use of African languages in education in an unfavourable light. Even more astounding is the view that Africans who study African languages beyond secondary school are regarded as “academically weak”. The perception that scholars studying African languages do not meet the requirements has resulted in fewer Africans studying their indigenous languages in school. This article aims to explore students’ attitudes towards Sesotho and probe the factors linked to students’ attitudes. The study employs a mix-methods research approach for data elicitation. Methodological triangulation (questionnaire and interviews) was used to maximise the validity and credibility of the findings. The conclusion of this study is that most of the students have a positive attitude towards Sesotho at the University of the Free State. Students feel that Sesotho should be developed meaningfully so that it can be used as a medium of instruction in classes. Students overwhelmingly support the notion of meaningful development of indigenous languages (such as Sesotho) so that they can contribute to the development of South Africa. The data in this study also suggest that indigenous languages should not be allowed to die out

Seasonal variation in some physiological parameters of calves on communal rangeland of North West Province, South Africa

Mineral deficiency of roughages has been widely proven in research to affect productivity in ruminants. Accurate determination of grass minerals and biochemical profile of blood will provide valuable information to assist in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of nutritional diseases of veterinary importance. This study, therefore, aimed to document the variations in levels of some selected micro and macro mineral concentrations of both grass and blood and blood chemistry as influenced by season of the year (winter, spring, summer and autumn) in selected communal farming locations of the North West Province of South Africa. Blood and Grass samples were collected from herds and areas distributed throughout the North West Province. Areas selected were the Southern region (5 herds, n=48), Bophirima region (8 herds, n=62), Central region (9 herds, n=70) and Bojanala region (6 herds, n=45). The phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) concentrations of grass (3.65 and 15.22 mg/g) were increased (P<0.05) during the spring and summer, respectively, compared to other seasons while lower P, Ca and magnesium (Mg) concentrations (0.89, 6.45 and 0.97 mg/g) were obtained during the winter. Serum P, Ca, Mg, Iron (Fe), potassium (K) and copper (Cu) concentration were significantly (P <0.05) influenced by change in season. Higher (P <0.05) serum P, Mg, potassium (K) and copper (Cu) concentration were obtained during the summer compared to other seasons. However, Ca and Iron (Fe) were significantly (P <0.05) increased during the summer, autumn and spring than winter period. Albumin, alanine transaminase (ALT), total bilirubin (TBIL), cholesterol (CHOL), creatinine kinase (CK), glucose (GLU) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentrations were significantly (P<0.05) reduced in summer compared to other season. Seasonal variations across the year have a great influence on mineral concentration of the grass and subsequently on blood serum concentrations. Therefore, proper documentation and timely evaluation of nutritional quality of available forages is required

Assessment and automatic progression of learners in the foundation phase

Changes in Education usually brings along with it problems of curriculum implementation, such as assessment, evaluation and curriculum design. One of the major problems is how learners are going to be assessed for progression and how the teachers are going to adapt to these new approaches. In this research the focus was on the following problems: Are the new assessment criteria met by the facilitator? Can the opinions/ideas and attitudes of facilitators be transformed? Do facilitators understand the new assessment criteria and how to use them? To find out how knowledgeable the educators are on assessment criteria and what the educators average attitudes are towards the new assessment criteria. In the empirical research data was gleaned by means of questionnaires. Thereafter, correlation coefficient was used to determine the correlation between variables and the t-test and chi-square test were used to test the null hypothesis.Psychology of EducationM.Ed. (Psychology of Education

Dietary nano-dicalcium phosphate improves immune response and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens

Various levels of substitution of nano-dicalcium phosphate (nCaHPO4) for the calcium and phosphorus supplied by limestone and monocalcium phosphate were evaluated, based on weight change, serum constituents, immune response and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens. The birds were assigned to five dietary treatments containing 0% (control), 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% substitution levels of nCaHPO4 from days 0 to 42. Data were collected for blood measurement and intestinal morphology and analysed with one-way analysis of variance. Feeds substituted with 40% nCaHPO4 showed a higher mean value of final weight and better feed conversion. The results revealed similar haematological parameters across the treatment groups. At the same time, nCaHPO4 influenced most of the serum biochemical constituents, such as calcium, phosphorus, glucose, albumin, and total protein. High concentrations of total protein were observed for birds fed 60% nCaHPO4 compared with other treatments. The highest comparable means for albumin were observed in birds fed 40% and 60% nCaHPO4. Cholesterol levels were increased when birds were fed 0% and 40% of diets. Elevated serum phosphorus concentration was observed when 0%, 40%, 60% and 100% substitution levels were fed, whereas 80% presented the least mean value. The results also showed that birds fed 40% nano-dicalcium phosphate had the highest villi length, which signified improved absorption of minerals. In conclusion, 40% and 60% levels of nCaHPO4 could be used to boost immune response and functional intestinal morphology of broiler chicken with no negative effect on haematological parameters

Screening of traditionally used South African medicinal plants against Candida albicans.

Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003.Candida species were discovered more than a century ago as a causative organism of oral thrush. In HIV patients, the presence of oral candidiasis has been shown to be the earliest opportunistic infection. Candidiasis lesions associated with HIV infections are primarily a reflection of the specific change of the host's immune response caused by the virus. Studies of AIDS all over the world show that 58-81% of all patients contract a fungal infection at some time during the primordial stage or after developing AIDS and 10-20% have died as a direct consequence of fungal infections. Twenty four South African medicinal plants were screened using a modification of the NCCSL broth microdilution antifungal test against Candida albicans standard strain ATCC 10231 and two clinical isolates from a 5-month- old baby and an adult. This assay was performed in order to find a traditional remedy to treat oral candidiasis. Of all the screened plants Allium sativum L., Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Polygala myrtifolia L. and Tulbaghia violacea L. aqueous extracts were found to have the best activity. Allium sativum and Tulbaghia violacea aqueous bulb extracts had MIC values of 0.56 mgml-1 and 3.25 mgml-1 respectively, whilst Polygala myrtifolia leaf extracts and Glycyrrhiza glabra rhizome extracts had MIC values of 1.56 mgml-1 and 3.25 mgml-1 respectively when tested against the isolate from a 5-month-old baby, which was the most susceptible of the isolates used. All the extracts had higher MIC values against the standard strain (ATTC 10231), which was the least susceptible to the extracts used. Stability testing was performed on fresh aqueous extracts of A. sativum, G. glabra, T. violacea and P. myrtifolia stored at 4°C, 23°C and 33°C over a period of one week, to determine the stability of the extracts in solution. All A. sativum extracts maintained stability for three days in solution, whilst T. violacea extracts remained stable for only two days in solution. TLC fingerprinting of A. sativum and T. violacea extracts indicated the presence of the known antibacterial and antifungal compound allicin. The activity of allicin and other active compounds was observed by using the bioautographic assay, which was performed on these extracts. P. myrtifolia and G. glabra extracts lost stability 24 hours after preparation at all tested temperatures. However, it was clear with the four plant extracts tested that storage of solutions at higher temperatures reduced their activity and stability. The unpleasant taste and smell of A. sativum and G. glabra could however not be masked, since the intake of these two extracts would result in HIV patients being recognised. These two plants where therefore not considered for further investigation. G. glabra and P. myrtifolia are both saponin containing plants. These could be the active constituents responsible for the anticandidal action. G. glabra is known for its biological activity as an antibacterial agent, whilst other Polygala species have been reported to possess antifungal saponins. Although P. myrtifolia and G. glabra are not stable for more than 24 hours, they do not have an unpleasant smell or taste. These plants are therefore further investigated for use as oral mouthwash in clinics and homes

Evaluation of ART restorations and sealants under field conditions in South Africa

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this documentDissertation (MSc (Odont) (Community Dentistry))--University of Pretoria, 2007.Community Dentistryunrestricte

Istraight Lendaba

My collection of stories describes the lives of ordinary black people living in post‐apartheid South Africa, especially those living in the margins, and the compromises that poverty forces them to make. In such a world, virtue and vice are flip sides of the same coin. My stories search for hope in an environment which Ayi Kwei Armah describes as “so completely seized with danger and so many different kinds of loss.” My writing is inspired by Mozambican writer Luis Bernardo Honwana, South African writer Joel Matlou whose demotic stories gave voice to everyday life in the townships, and Cameroonian writer Werewere Liking’s as well as Brenda Fassie’s powerful representation of the subversive nature of African women

Quality control and performance of HIV rapid tests in a microbicide clinical trial in rural KwaZulu-Natal.

BACKGROUND: Quality control (QC) and evaluation of HIV rapid test procedures are an important aspect of HIV prevention trials. We describe QC and performance of two rapid tests, Determine™ and Uni-Gold™ used in a microbicide clinical trial in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. METHODS/RESULTS: Internal QC of both HIV rapid tests was conducted at the trial site using a Uni-Gold control kit (Uni-Gold™Recombigen® HIV). Both assays produced the expected results for a total of 4637 QC tests. Study participants were tested for HIV at screening and, if enrolled, at regular time points throughout the study. Positive or discordant results were confirmed by a double HIV immunoassay testing strategy at a local laboratory. Overall, 15292 HIV rapid test were performed. Sensitivity and specificity of Determine was 98.95% (95% CI: 97.72-99.61) and 99.83% (95% CI: 99.70-99.91) respectively [positive predictive value (PPV) 97.91% (95% CI: 96.38-98.92)], for Uni-Gold it was 99.30% (95% CI: 98.21-99.81) and 99.96% (95% CI: 99.88-99.99) respectively [PPV 99.47% (95% CI: 98.46-99.89)]. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that a Uni-Gold control kit can be used for internal QC of both Uni-Gold and the HIV-1 component of the Determine rapid tests. Both rapid tests performed proficiently in the trial population

Harvesting Site Influenced the Concentration Level of Nitrogen and Mineral Status of Woody Species in Semi-Arid Areas of South Africa

Feed shortages in semi-arid areas cause a major set-back for livestock production. An understanding of the nutritive value of woody species in most parts of savanna regions can be vital to predicting what these species can offer for livestock productivity. The study assessed the variation in nitrogen and mineral concentration of leaves of woody species as influenced by harvesting site in South Africa. The study sites were communal areas in Limpopo and North West provinces. A total of 52 browse species were selected and used for this study. All statistical tests showed that there was a significant effect of species and site on both nitrogen and mineral concentrations of species. In Limpopo Province, the concentration of phosphorus and calcium was high in Adansonia Digitata species, while Androstachys Johnsonii had the lowest concentration of P and Ca. The highest (P \u3c 0.05) nitrogen level was obtained in Berchemia discolour, while the lowest (P \u3c 0.05) value was obtained in Euclea divinorum in Limpopo province. Bridelia mollis H. had the highest (P \u3c 0.05) zinc (Zn) concentration, whereas Berchemia zyheri had the lowest (P \u3c 0.05) Zn value in Limpopo province. Searsia lancea and Searsia pyroides in North-West sites had higher P when compared to all other species in the same sites. Diospyros lycioides also exhibited the highest (P \u3c 0.05) magnesium concentration level of all other species in the same sites. Prosopis velutina had the highest (P \u3c 0.05) copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) compared to all other species in the same NW sites. Senegalia caffra, Grewia flava, Vachellia karroo, Vachellia nilotica subsp. kraussiana, Searsia leptodictya, and Melia azedarach found in the Limpopo province had the highest (P \u3c 0.05) phosphorus level when compared to the same species found in the North-West province. Senegalia caffra, Peltophorum africanum, Grewia. flava, Vachellia hebeclada, and Terminalia sericea found in the North-West province sites had the highest (P \u3c 0.05) iron levels when compared to the same species found in Limpopo province. Nitrogen concentration was regulated by the harvesting location and woody species. With the exception of Terminalia sericea, P Peltophorum africanum from Limpopo province, all browse species from all sites exhibited N concentrations more than 1.28%. There is a need to provide supplementation to those animals exposed to species that have a lower concentration of certain elements