Determining the potential drivers of invasive C4 grasses at De Hoop Nature Reserve, South Africa

Grassland and shrubland distribution in SA is associated with rainfall seasonality. In grassland the vegetation is exclusively C4 while the shrub and tree component is generally C3. Shrublands, in contrast, are predominantly C3, for both woody and herbaceous species, though there can be a small C4 sedge and grass component. The C4 grassy biomes dominate the warm season rainfall region while C3 grasses predominate in the shrublands of the cool season rainfall regions. The C4 grasses are poorly competitive in cold climates. There are however anomalous patches of C4 grasses in cool season rainfall regions dominated by fynbos shrublands such as those at Potberg, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Overberg region, South Africa. Although the southern Overberg region receives rainfall year-round, more than half of the rain falls in the cooler months of the year. These C4 grassland patches appear to be invading the fynbos even on the nutrient poor podsols. The main objective of this study was to gain a better understanding of the ecology of these anomalous C4 grasslands in a fynbosdominated region. I first explored the role of roads as a conduit for grass invasion by sampling sites adjacent to and further away from the road verge. This was done by identifying all species in plots 5 m (Roadside pots) and 100 m (Adjacent plots) from the road verge every 500 m along a 14 km management road at Potberg. My results show that the most common C4 grasses were Cynodon dactylon and Eragrostis curvula whilst the most common C3 grass was Merxmuellera disticha. Both Roadside and Adjacent plots had more C4 grass species than C3 grasses. The frequency distribution of both C3 and C4 grass species was significantly higher on the Roadside plots than on the Adjacent plots. Although there was a higher incidence of C4 grass occurrence on the Roadside plots I conclude that, roadsides are not the conduit for C4 grass invasion into fynbos as several large patches of the C4 grass Eragrostis curvula and Imperata cylindrica can be found several kilometres away from the roadside and there are fewer C4 grasses away from the road verge. I then explored the impacts of C4 grasses on fynbos species diversity by identifying all the plants in 100 plots, half in fynbos-dominated vegetation and half in grassy patches. My results show that C4 grasses had a negative effect on fynbos species richness. The areas invaded by the C4 grass had fewer fynbos species (average of 7) compared to areas with C3 grasses (average 17). Some C4 grasses had more of an effect than others with some of the most aggressive the clonally spreading species Imperata cylindrica, Setaria sphacelata var. torta and Cynodon dactylon. C4 grasses such as Aristida diffusa and Themeda triandra occur naturally in the fynbos with little impact on fynbos species richness. Eragrostis curvula, a tall bunch grass, was also locally dominant in places at the expense of fynbos species diversity. To examine the drivers influencing colonisation of fynbos by C4 grass, I set up a transplant experiment designed to examine the extent to which topographic position along a slope (moisture availability), an increase in nutrient availability and a decrease in competition for resources influences the establishment and growth of C4 grass. To do this I transplanted tufts of Setaria sphacelata var. torta in three positions along a slope, with and without nutrient additions and with and without competition for soil resources. I removed competition for resources by trenching and inserting a plastic sheath around each grass tuft to a depth of 500 mm. My results show an increase in mortality in drier treatments at the top of the slope. Trenching and fertiliser addition had significant positive effects on grass biomass and negative effects on root shoot ratios. Slope position however only had significant effects on root shoot ratios. Plants at the top of the slope had significantly higher root/shoot ratios than those plants at the bottom (P0.05). Based on the results of this research, it can be concluded that the grass patches have a negative effect on fynbos species diversity. These grass patches are not a remnant from when the reserve was still a farm but are relatively new and are not invading out from the roads. I examined rainfall seasonality from 1910 to 2015 and found no change. My results from trenching show that physical disturbance that breaks up fynbos root systems will help promote C4 grass invasion. Thus, any activities that increases physical disturbance of the fynbos such as off-road vehicles and trampling by large mammals must be avoided to maintain intact fynbos. While this has not occurred at Potberg, I speculate that because of fire suppression, there has been a decline in species diversity and a reduction in competition for resources allowing the C4 grasses to establish and dominate. The impact of fire on C4 grass needs more research, to understand if too frequent or less frequent fire will disturb fynbos and allow invasion by C4 grasses

Structural controls and 3-D geometry of gold mineraliastion at Consort Gold Mine and along the northern margin of the Archaean Barberton Greenstone Belt, Barberton

The area around New Consort Gold Mine (NCGM) is complexly deformed during at least 5 distinct events named D1NC – D5NC. D1NC - D3NC events involve progressive shearing and folding linked to the 3250-3225 Ma accretionary history of the Barberton greenstone belt (D1NC and D2NC), and subsequent 3105 Ma emplacement and doming of surrounding batholiths (D3NC). During D3NC the area experienced intense strain partitioning with the development of a network of shear zones, which envelop structural domains characterized by locally unique deformation histories. Around NCGM, D3NC events involved early shearing (D3aNC) along the Consort Bar followed by two episodes of 600m scale folding (D3bNC and D3cNC) resulting in a complex fold interference pattern. Pegmatites intruded during D3NC. D4NC structures comprise a network of extensional brittle-ductile shear fractures and associated kink bands and crenulation folds that formed concomitant with gold mineralization after all the D3NC structures had fully developed, marking a clearly separate event. The D4NC fractures are distributed along 100-200m wide corridors as 10-100m scale, enechelon, Riedel, anti-Riedel and P-shear arrays. D5NC structures represent represent late reverse faults of unknown age. The critical structures controlling gold mineralization are the D4NC fracture zones. The distribution of high-grade ore zones is controlled by the intersection orientation of D4NC fractures and suitable host lithologies, mainly the silicified hinge zones of D1NC folds and the laminated chert of the Consort Bar. Because these host lithologies were complexly folded in D1NC-D3bNC-D3cNC fold interference patterns, the 3-D distribution of ore zones is highly discontinuous and complex. Kinematics analysis and stress inversion using Bingham tensor solutions and an optimized dihedron method, of mineralized D4NC fractures along old gold workings at NCGM, consistently indicate a vertical σ1, and a horizontal NW-SE iii directed σ3, within a pure extensional stress regime indicating that gold mineralization occurred in an extensional tectonic setting. Results for the nearby Clutha, Albion and Woodstock mines are similar. This study suggests that gold mineralization in the NCGM area can be linked to an extensional event that may have developed separately from the accretionary events shaping the craton and may have coincided with the opening of Dominion Group basins

African renaissance: Effects of colonialism on Africa's natural resources and the right to development

Colonialism began in Africa in the 14th century, with the primary objective of accumulating wealth at the expense of African peoples. To achieve this purpose, some European nations obliterated African autonomy by creating colonial territories, in order to harness Africa’s natural resources without constraint to expand their economic systems. In retrospect, recognising the impact of colonialism, it is unquestionable that, while Africa significantly contributed to the development of the world, its peoples were disproportionately dispossessed of their natural resources and their livelihood endangered. In the face of these historic injustices, as Africa looks to creating her own development, the departure point would be to correct the current inconsistency of being rich in natural resources, yet poor and underdeveloped. The right to self-determination entails for Africans to have control over, and exercise the right to permanent sovereignty over natural resources, with the purpose of achieving continental development. Reflecting on the ethos of African renaissance and pan-Africanism, which are anchored on the need for “collective self-reliance”, the African Union adopted Agenda 2063 in 2015 as a continental roadmap to structural transformation, inclusive growth, and sustainable development. This paper argues that to fulfil the aspirations contained in Agenda 2063 requires prioritising the right to permanent sovereignty over natural resources. In this regard, it advances the argument for resource nationalism as a means to achieve the right to development in Africa

Evaluation of water and sanitation challenges in informal settlements: a case study of Duncan Village, East London, South Africa

Water and sanitation are basic human needs. It is also a constitutional right for all citizens in South Africa to have access to both water and sanitation. Supply of water and sanitation services in South Africa is characterised by both achievements and challenges. As informed by literature, in South Africa it is evident that water and sanitation still hold many challenges in poor communities, particularly in informal settlements. This study was conducted with the purpose of evaluating water and sanitation challenges in the informal settlements of Duncan Village and make recommendations, where applicable, to the local municipality for possible remedies. Despite the provision of water and sanitation by the Buffalo City Metro Municipality, the study reveals that there are serious water and sanitation challenges in Duncan Village. High water losses, illegal water connections, illegal sanitation connections causing sewer spillages, vandalism of both water and sanitation service infrastructure, and lack of operations and maintenance are identified as the key water and sanitation challenges. According to the findings, the causes of these challenges include the municipality's lack of proper planning for informal settlements; lack of visibility of municipal water and sanitation officials in informal settlements; lack of awareness; lack of public participation; overpopulation; lack of monitoring; and lack of operations and maintenance budget to help keep the provided facilities intact and usable. The study's key recommendations include intense involvement of the municipality and the ward councillors, ownership by the residents, monitoring of water and sanitation facilities, operations and maintenance, and formalising Duncan Village informal settlements. This was accomplished using questionnaires to gather, analyse, and interpret the collected data. The study targeted residents, ward councillors, and a municipal officer from the municipality's Water and Sanitation section as respondentsThesis (MSci) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 202

A systematic study of the South African genus Prionium (Thurniaceae)

The South African monocotyledonous plant genus Prionium E. Mey (Thurniaceae; Cyperid clade) is an old, species-poor lineage which split from its sister genus Thurnia about 33 - 43 million years ago. It is a clonal shrubby macrophyte, widespread within the Fynbos biome in the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) with scattered populations into the Maputaland-Pondoland Region (MPR). This study of the systematics of the genus Prionium investigates whether this old lineage comprising of a single extant species P. serratum, is morphologically, genetically and ecologically impoverished, and identifies apomorphic floral developmental traits in relation to its phylogenetic position as sister to the Cyperid families, Juncaceae and Cyperaceae. Sampling for morphological, molecular and ecological studies was done to obtain representatives from its entire distribution range, falling within the phytogeographic regions of the CFR (North West, NW; South West, SW; Agulhas Plain, AP; Langeberg, LB) and extending into Eastern Cape (South East, SE) and KwaZulu Natal (KZN). Samples for the floral ontogenetic study were collected to obtain representatives of the Cyperid clade families: Cyperaceae (Eriophorum, Scirpus), Juncaceae (Juncus, Luzula) and Thurniaceae (Prionium)

Understanding the christian message in Venda : a study of the traditional concepts of God and of life hereafter among the Venda, with reference to the impact of these concepts on the christian churches

This dissertation reflects on the problem of the Vhavenda experience of simultaneous belief in the life hereafter and the Biblical God. The study therefore indicates a systematic analysis of the Vhavenda concept of God as well as of life hereafter with regard to their own traditional and cultural experience. It became clear that Africans through the ages did believe in God. The human beings are created by God and life is a gift from God to the individuals, which means that they believed in God long before the missionaries came to this country. Africans had their own culture and their own religion. It is stated that God was worshipped as the greatest one. His Venda name was Nwali. In certain areas he was called by other names such as Raluvhimba and Khuzwane. This is a clear indication that the Vhavenda worshipped one God although they referred to him in three names; other tribe had other names for him. Burial rituals play a significant role in Venda culture as it a pointer to the new world of the living dead. The burial rites make it quite vivid that bereaved believed strongly and convincingly that the dead is only making a way or taking a journey to his /her final destiny, the new world only know to the deceased .The living are convinced that the deceased have extra - power, as they are nearer to God, and they are now in possession of double powers, the one they had whilst they were still alive and the one they acquired after death. Death is just a process of removing a person from the present of his being into the past .He / she goes to the land of the living dead which is not very different from this one. It is a duplication of this life. He / she will join the deceased members of his /her family. Life will continue just as it has been. Death is not feared but accepted as something natural and inevitable. After all, it is through death that one joins one’s departed fellows; therefore death is not regarded as annihilation. The researcher has found out that there are few things which the African traditional religion seems not to understand or come to terms with regard to Christ and Christianity. In this case, the idea of Jesus as the Son of God and only great ancestor of all humanity seems to be a very strange and confusing concept among African traditionalists. They seemed to be failing to understand that Christ is a new great ancestor not in terms of family mediation only, but in the all inclusive and holistic approach in matters pertaining to faith. Christ Jesus is not only the great ancestor, but is God, mediator and saviour. The Christian eschatology does differ from the traditional Venda belief, in a very important instance, while ‘’eternal life’’ for the Vhavenda means reaching back into the past , joining the living dead whose lives are behind us , the Christian message reaches into the future, the coming of Jesus Christ , the promise of a new Heaven and a new Earth. At the end a number of conclusions reached and a few points for future research added.Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2009.Science of Religion and Missiologyunrestricte

Thermal decomposition of vinyl- and allylsilane platinum(II) complexes and platinum(II)catalysed synthesis of (E),(E)-1,4-diphenyl-1,3-butadiene

Thermal stabilities of Pt(II) complexes: K[PtCl3(CH2=CHSiMe3)], K[PtCl3(CH2=CHCH2SiMe3)], K[(acac)PtCl(CH2=CHSiMe3)] and [PtCl(CH2=CHCH2SiMe3)]2, were examined. All complexes were found to be stable at room temperature but they decomposed without melting above about 90 oC. The allylsilane complex decomposed above about 125 oC. All complexes liberated chlorotrimethylsilane on decomposition, showing the facile cleavage of the C-Si bond by nucleophilic attack on the silicon by the chloride ion. (E),(E)-1,4-diphenyl-1,3-butadiene was stereoselectively synthesised in good yield from (E)-β-styrylsilane in the presence of Zeise’s salt. KEY WORDS: Thermal analysis, Vinyl- and allylsilane platinum(II) π-complexes, Platinum(II) catalysed synthesis, (E),(E)-1,4-diphenyl-1,3-butadiene  Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2008, 22(3), 445-448

Eating disorder symptomatology among black female teenagers in a rural area of KwaZulu-Natal: a cross-sectional study.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence of eating disorder symptomatology and statistical relationship between eating disorder pathology and body image among Black female teenagers in a rural area of KwaZulu-Natal. Furthermore, the influence of body mass index (BMI) and socioeconomic status were explored. A literature review of eating pathology was conducted and the content thereof was compared to the study hypotheses. Different theories (the vulnerability model, social comparison theory, cognitive behavioural theory and bioecological theory of human development) were adopted to examine multiple potential vulnerabilities and maintenance of eating disorders amongst Black female teenagers in rural areas. Research in this field has revealed that acculturation to a Western value system and body image ideals appear to affect the prevalence of eating disorders among Black women. There is a paucity of South African research on cross-cultural attitudes and behaviours associated with eating disorders among Black teenagers in rural areas. The sample comprised 184 Zulu female public high school learners in a rural area of KwaZulu-Natal between the ages of 13 and 19 years. Data were collected with a demographic questionnaire and the Eating Disorder Inventory. The results showed a possible link between dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs and eating disorders. No correlation was found between socioeconomic status and eating disorders. Most of the participants (52.2%) were classified in the normal weight category (BMI), whereas the remaining participants were classified in the obese class III and underweight, which may suggest that some of the participants may have displayed patterns associated with eating disorders. The results are discussed in relation to the literature, recommendations for future research based on the limitations of this study, are made

Monilinia fructicola intercepted on Prunus spp. imported from Spain into South Africa between 2010 and 2020

The international trade of plants and their products, such as fresh fruits, can facilitate the introduction and spread of foreign pests and diseases. We examined South Africa’s import of stone fruits (Prunus spp.) as a pathway for introducing Monilinia fructicola (G. Wint.) Honey and document recommended phytosanitary measures to deal with the risk associated with its exportation into the country. Fresh fruits of Prunus spp. are imported from various countries. The current study provides a report on 10 years (2010–2020) importation of Prunus spp. from Spain to South Africa with associated cases of M. fructicola. We also detail the current management measures for imported stone fruits from Spain to South Africa. We report 18 M. fructicola detections that were found during the study period. The number of detections presents enough trends to determine the level of phytosanitary concerns regarding the importation of Prunus spp. fresh fruit from Spain, which cannot be neglected. M. fructicola is an economically important brown rot on many fruit hosts and potentially threatens agricultural and horticultural industries, the environment, and biodiversity in South Africa. The importation of Prunus spp. requires intensive management strategies for M. fructicola, as pathogens may pose a major phytosanitary concern because it could thrive and reproduce in various environmental conditions and on various host plants in South Africa. Therefore, if M. fructicola establishes in South Africa, its impacts will have consequences for different key socio-economic sectors, including the agricultural industry. Significance:• Monilinia fructicola is a pest of quarantine significance for South Africa.• If not managed properly, the importation of Prunus spp. with associated M. fructicola will be a significant phytosanitary concern that could cause severe economic impacts on the South African agricultural industry