Exploring the Opportunities and Challenges of Network Formation for Cooperatives in South Africa

Since inception, modern cooperatives have been instrumental in uplifting the social and economic conditions of people. As an economic model that seeks to advance the collective interest of its members, the cooperative movement has come to be viewed as an invaluable tool for human and economic development. Over the years, a number of challenges (such as the lack of knowledge about the purpose and functions of cooperatives, information, marketing skills and financial resources) have precluded cooperatives in developing countries, like South Africa, from actualizing these esteemed ideals. In some countries, there has been a growing emphasis on network formation by cooperatives as a strategy to overcome some of these challenges. Consequently, the past two decades have witnessed an emerging body of literature on cooperative networks. The bulk of studies on networks have largely focused on how resources and capabilities influence inter-organizational linkages that facilitate access to resources embedded in a network. Such resources include information, financial resources, new technologies and a variety of social capital. This article reviews the literature on network formation by cooperatives and identifies the attendant challenges and benefits. The article also reflects on the lessons that South African cooperatives could learn from these experiences to facilitate the development of a vibrant cooperative sector.  Key words: Cooperatives, networks, economic development, social capita

Heavy metals in South African medicinal plants with refence to safety, efficacy and quality.

Ph. D. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 2014.The trend in commercialization of medicinal plant products reflects the excessive exploitation of medicinal plants from the wild populations. Due to widespread soil pollution, there is a likelihood that medicinal plants could be harvested from heavy metal-contaminated soils and thus pose a potential health threat to consumers. Unregulated procurement coupled with the unhygienic trading environment, poor post-harvest handling and processing, represent major routes of heavy metal contamination in medicinal plant products. A comparative screening was carried out to assess the levels of heavy metal contamination in some frequently used South African medicinal plants obtained from out-door traditional medicinal markets and muthi shops. Plant samples were digested using a microwave-assisted acid digestion system and the elemental content determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrophotometry (ICP-OES). There was multi-elemental contamination in the investigated medicinal plants with elevated levels of Fe, Al and Mn detected in most of the samples and levels of As and Hg were above the World Health Organization limits of 1 mg kg-1 and 2 μg kg-1 respectively. The high levels of metal contaminations in some of the investigated medicinal plants is a health concern and urgent measures are needed to protect the health of consumers. Samples were quantified for their total phenolic and flavonoid contents as well as screened for antibacterial activity. Variable phenolic and flavonoid composition and antibacterial activity showed that the quality and efficacy of medicinal plants sold at traditional medicine markets is compromised. Data obtained from elemental analysis was subjected to hierarchical cluster analysis which categorized samples into four main groups with samples within a group having relatively similar metal analyte compositions. Hierarchical cluster analysis proved to be a valuable tool in this preliminary screening of heavy metal contamination in medicinal plants and can potentially be used to develop a large database for easy monitoring of plant species with hyperaccumulative potentials. Information such as site of collection, plant species and plant part could be a valuable approach to ensure safety, efficacy and quality of medicinal plants sold at traditional medicine markets. Exposure to Cd and Al for six weeks in a pot trial induced responses in Bulbine natalensis, Drimia elata and Hypoxis hemerocallidea and these included variations in heavy metal uptake, growth parameters and physiological changes. Generally, application of Cd and Al at low concentrations (2 and 500 mg L-1 respectively) enhanced growth parameters in the three plant species compared to the control plants. However, at the highest concentrations of Cd 10 and Al 1500 mg L-1 respectively, there was significant growth inhibition. Hypoxis hemerocallidea exhibited good tolerance to Al exposure up to 1000 mg L-1 compared to the other plant species. Some of the physiological changes such as accumulation of free-proline increased progressively with increasing heavy metal treatments in all the investigated plant species. The combined treatment of Cd 5:Al 1000 mg L-1 exhibited synergistic effects on the uptake and accumulation of Cd and Al with values of about 83 and 918 mg kg-1 respectively in the bulbs of D. elata. In B. natalensis, the combined treatment of Cd 10:Al 1500 mg L-1 resulted in the highest amount of Cd (67 mg kg-1) in the bulb samples while the highest amount of Al (1607 mg kg-1) was recorded after treatment with Cd 5:Al 1000 mg L-1. There was an antagonistic effect on the uptake and accumulation of Cd in H. hemerocallidea in the combined treatments. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis of the abaxial leaf surface indicated that more Al was translocated to the shoot in H. hemerocallidea compared to Cd. The bulbs and corms of the investigated medicinal plants are the most extensively utilized plant parts in traditional medicine. High levels of Cd and Al in the bulbs and corms raise public health concerns. Analysis of photosynthetic pigments showed total chlorophyll progressively decrease with increasing heavy metal stress in all three plant species. The effect of Cd and Al on chlorophyll fluorescence in H. hemerocallidea was investigated. Non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) was adversely affected in most of the heavy metal-treated plants indicating a photoinactivation of photosystem II (PSII) reaction centres. In the present study, increasing heavy metal treatment resulted in the inability of H. hemerocallidea to utilize the absorbed light energy leading to oxidative stress. Exposure to Cd and Al treatments for six weeks induced several ultrastructural changes in H. hemerocallidea including damage to the cortical cells and an increase in xylem size. Transmission electron microscopy revealed a complete breakdown of the thylakoids at the highest Cd treatment and the application of Al at moderate and the highest treatment significantly reduced the size of the chloroplasts. These ultrastructural changes could possibly explain the reduced chlorophyll fluorescence and the amounts of total chlorophyll recorded at the higher levels of heavy metal treatments. Biosynthesis and accumulation of secondary metabolites under heavy metal stress were variable in the investigated plants. The moderate Cd treatment at Cd 5 mg L-1 up-regulated the synthesis of total phenolics slightly compared to the controls in B. natalensis. All the other heavy metal treatments down-regulated the synthesis of total phenolics and flavonoids compared to the control plants in B. natalensis. Application of Cd and Al at the lowest concentrations, 2 and 500 mg L-1 respectively up-regulated the synthesis and accumulation of both phenolics and flavonoids in D. elata compared to the control plants. In H. hemerocallidea, the highest amounts of total phenolics and flavonoids were recorded at the moderate Cd treatment (5 mg L-1). High performance liquid chromatography showed a significant decrease in the levels of hypoxoside, a bioactive compound in H. hemerocallidea after heavy metal exposure. The lowest amount of hypoxoside was recorded at the highest concentration of the combined treatment (Cd 10:Al 1500 mg L-1). These variable responses to heavy metal stress indicated the need for in-depth research on changes of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants exposed to heavy metals in order to ensure ultimate quality and efficacy of medicinal plant products. There was a progressive decrease in antioxidant activity as measured by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging in the bulb extracts of B. natalensis and D. elata. The lowest treatment of Al (500 mg L-1) had slightly higher DPPH activity compared to the positive control (ascorbic acid). Extracts of H. hemerocallidea exhibited a progressive increase in DPPH activity with increasing heavy metal treatments. There was a significant decrease in the DPPH activity at the highest Cd application (10 mg L-1) compared to the control plants indicating a loss in the biosynthesis of important bioactive compounds at high levels of heavy metal exposure. Cadmium applied at low and moderate concentrations enhanced antibacterial activity (0.78 mg mL-1) against Staphylococcus aureus in B. natalensis compared to the control plant extracts. However, there was poor antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli in all the heavy metal-treated plants in B. natalensis. Application of Cd and AL at low concentration in D. elata enhanced good antibacterial activity (0.78 mg mL-1) against E. coli which is less susceptible to antibiotics than S. aureus. Extracts from all Cd-treated plants as well as low and moderate Al-treated H. hemerocallidea plants exhibited the good antibacterial activity against S. aureus compared to the control plants. Plants treated with the combined Cd 2:Al 500 mg L-1 treatment also had good activity against S. aureus. However, all the extracts of H. hemerocallidea exhibited poor activity against E. coli. The responses of plants to Cd and Al varied depending on the species. Their ability to accumulate elevated levels of heavy metals raises concerns not only on the safety of these products but also the issues regarding the quality and efficacy of plants grown on heavy metal contaminated soils. The findings presented in this thesis highlight the need for stringent monitoring of heavy metal contamination in medicinal plant material sold at traditional medicine markets and the need for safe and sustainable cultivation of important medicinal plants. This will ensure that medicinal plant products are of a standard quality, safe from toxic contaminants and consistent in terms of phytochemical compositions

RANCANG BANGUN SISTEM APLIKASI UJIAN SEKOLAH AUTOMATIC BERBASIS LURING

Penelitian ini membahas tentang rancang bangun sistem aplikasi ujian sekolah automatic berbasis luring. Ujian merupakan salah satu syarat yang harus dilewati oleh para siswa di sekolah. Selain menjadi tolak ukur siswa dalam meperoleh nilai dan ujian juga menentukan berhasil atau tidaknya pelaksanaan kurikulum di sekolah. Namun pada pelaksanaan ujian di sekolah yang masih menggunakan kertas dan belum terkomputerisasi dengan baik, hal ini dapat menyebabkan cost atau biaya yang dikeluarkan oleh sekolah setiap semester cukup besar, dan juga dalam pengolahan soal dan jawaban ujian yang masih manual dapat menyebabkan kesalahan-kesalahan seperti kertas jawaban ujian yang tercecer atau hilang. Dengan adanya Aplikasi Ujian Sekolah Automatic Berbasis Luring ini dapat mengurangi pembiayaan dalam perawatan (Hosting). Sedangkan sistem yang akan dibangun adalah manajemen ujian yang dikelolah oleh Admin, Guru dan proses ujian yang akan dijalani oleh siswa berupa pilihan ganda. Selain itu, Guru akan otomatis mengelola soal sesuai dengan mata pelelajaran ajar pada saat melakukan login sehingga dapat mengurangi kesalahan dalam pengelolahan soal ujian. Metode yang digunakan pada percancangan ini adalah pengembangan sistem dengan model Waterfall

Pengaruh Pendidikan Kewirausahaan , Lingkungan Keluarga Dan Efikasi Diri Terhadap Intensi Berwirausaha Mahasiswa Di STKIP PGRI Tulungagung (Studi Pada Mahasiswa Pendidikan Ekonomi Tahun 2019-2020)

This study aims to determine (1) the effect of entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurship intentions of Economic Education students at STKIP PGRI Tulungagung Academic Year 2019/2020; (2) the influence of the family environment on the intentions of entrepreneurship in Economic Education students at STKIP PGRI Tulungagung Academic Year 2019/2020; (3) the effect of self-efficacy on the entrepreneurship intentions of Economic Education students in STKIP PGRI Tulungagung Academic Year 2019/2020; (4) the influence of entrepreneurship education, family environment and student self-efficacy on the intentions of entrepreneurship in Economic Education students at STKIP PGRI Tulungagung Academic Year 2019/2020; The data collection method used in this study uses a questionnaire / questionnaire. The population in this study were 48 students of Economic Education at STKIP PGRI Tulungagung Academic Year 2019/2020. Because this study uses population, the samples and sampling of the study were not used in this study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, prerequisite tests, multiple linear regression analysis. The results of this study indicate that included in the type of quantitative research. Quantitative data analysis used is multiple linear regression and uses SPSS version 24.0 (1) the effect of entrepreneurship education, family environment and student self-efficacy on student entrepreneurship intentions with a regression coefficient of entrepreneurship education of 0.093, coefficient value of the family environment of 0.453 and value of Self-efficacy regression coefficient of 0.462 and F arithmetic> F table (91.484> 2.82); (2) entrepreneurship education has a positive effect on entrepreneurial intentions with a coefficient value of 0.093 and t arithmetic> t table (0.730 <2.01537); (3) family environment has a positive effect on entrepreneurial intentions with a regression coefficient of 0.093, t arithmetic for (5.198> t table 2.01537)) self-efficacy has a positive effect on entrepreneurial intentions with a regression coefficient of 0.093 and t arithmetic for (3.834> t table 2.01537)

The implementation of cooperative policy : perceptions from cooperatives in the Umgungundlovu District Municipality (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa).

Ph. D. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2016.The thesis explores the evolution of cooperative policies in South Africa and investigates the challenges experienced by cooperatives located in the uMgungundlovu District in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The study adopted a cross-sectional qualitative design with twenty-six conveniently selected cooperatives. Representatives of the participating cooperatives were interviewed face-to-face using a semi-structured questionnaire. This generated detailed empirical data that elucidated the challenges facing cooperatives in the uMgungundlovu District. These cooperatives operated in rural, poverty-stricken, underdeveloped locations. The study found that a number of challenges including a lack of finance, access to inputs, land, transport, market, income, knowledge, and skills hindered the success of these cooperatives. Unfortunately, many of these cooperatives are small in terms of membership and employees. As a result, they have not led to employment creation or local economic development in the uMgungundlovu District. The study also found that a majority of the participant cooperatives in the uMgungundlovu District cannot survive without ongoing government support. The study concludes that the dependence of these cooperatives on government support makes them non-viable, unsustainable, and not conducive to local economic development. The thesis recommends that the government redefine its relationship with the cooperative sector by focusing on creating an environment that fosters the growth of cooperatives rather than being at the forefront of the formation and support of cooperatives. This thesis argues that the nature of government’s relationship with cooperatives is essential in changing how cooperators perceive cooperatives. It recommends changing the perception that cooperatives are a government development programme, or a means to access government funding. Government needs to make it clear that cooperatives are member-owned, self-sustaining business entities. Although the literature suggests that networking is central to successful cooperative activity, this research indicates that participant cooperatives from the uMgungundlovu District do not engage in any meaningful networking activities. In the uMgungundlovu District, it was found that cooperatives are not only dependent on government funding; they are not intent on establishing collaborative relationships with other cooperatives. On the contrary, they regard other cooperatives as rivals, competing for government grants and hence many do not trust or collaborate with other cooperatives. In addition, cooperatives are located in extremely poor and underdeveloped environments. The competition among cooperatives for access to funding is therefore high. Furthermore, networking with other cooperatives is difficult in the uMgungundlovu District for a number of reasons (namely, vast geographical distances between cooperatives; the competition for government tenders; the political and religious differences in the local community; and lack of experience and skills in governing cooperatives). The study proposes a renewed emphasis on educating and capacitating cooperatives to value and engage in productive networking activities. To facilitate cooperation among cooperatives, it is recommended that training and support offered to cooperatives is tailored towards emphasising the values and benefits of networks. This can be achieved through the provision of support to groups of cooperatives in order to create networking opportunities that will foster collaboration among cooperatives

Stabilisation of base course materials with nanoemulsions.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.The province of KwaZulu-Natal, like many geographical locations in South Africa and around the globe, lacks quality materials suitable for pavement construction. Pavement engineers are aware of the dangers of utilising substandard materials in building roadways due to their susceptibility to several forms of distress. Aside from the unrestrained emission of carbon compounds to the atmosphere and the high cost associated with hauling standard materials to the construction site, the continuous depletion of these natural materials results in distortion of the environment. Several techniques are employed to enhance substandard construction materials using traditional and non-traditional stabilisers; however, many researchers have proven the latter's effectiveness at improving marginal paving materials over the former. The use of nanotechnological products, including nano polymers and nano-modified emulsions on South African pavements, is still at the experimental stage; however, numerous research studies using this technology are promising and could lead to the ultimate transformation of pavement structures that will satisfy the current environmental demands. Nanoemulsions can be formed using emulsifying agents to break down larger droplets of one liquid into smaller, more uniformly dispersed droplets throughout another liquid. This study aims to improve the performance of a substandard base course material with nanoemulsions. The study also seeks to provide a long-lasting wearing course for unsurfaced roads in South Africa and across the globe. In this current study, two stabilisers designated as nano A and B were obtained from two manufacturers in South Africa. The stabilisers were mixed by mass at 0,7% - 1,5% with the soil sample, and the results indicate an optimum content at 1% and 1,2% for nano A and B, respectively. The impact of the stabilisers on the material was evaluated through California bearing ratio, unconfined compressive strength, and indirect tensile strength tests. Analysis of the experimental results reveals that nano A and B significantly improved the bearing strength of the material by as much as 53% and 92%. Significant improvements were also noted in the results of unconfined compressive strength and indirect tensile strength. Evaluation of the effect of rapid and 28-day curing conditions on the specimens yields similar results. Nano B also showed great potential by creating a hydrophobic effect in the soil matrix. These enhancements would prevent moisture damage in the stabilised layer and ensure the construction of quality roads

A policy analysis of e-learning at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.Policy analysis is a tool used by policy analysts to understand the complexity of policy. Different analysts use diverse models of policy analysis but they seldom agree on the model that is the most ideal for analysing policy. This study is geared towards a policy analysis of e-learning at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). Using both quantitative and qualitative data, the study showed that the implementation of e-learning at UKZN has various characteristics that cannot be explained exhaustively within the framework of a single model of policy analysis. In the absence of an institutional e-learning policy framework, various actors and subsystems are actively implementing e-learning at UKZN. This negates the stagist model of policy analysis, according to which, policy is made up of logical and sequential stages with one stage – e.g. policy formulation – preceding the other – e.g. implementation. This is clearly not the case at UKZN where e-learning is being implemented in the absence of a formal policy framework. Due to the high ambiguity and low conflict that characterize the implementation of e-learning at UKZN, the study found that e-learning at UKZN could be situated within Matland’s ambiguity/conflict model. The need to contextualise e-learning is a key concern expressed by participants in the study. The study also found that the willingness to implement e-learning is significantly high with 84.6% of those surveyed expressing a willingness to implement e-learning. Similarly, more than half of respondents are of the view that UKZN needs to develop an e-learning policy framework. This approach fits into the incremental model according to which policy formulation is gradual and it is informed by the learning that emerges from implementation

Heavy metal contamination in South African medicinal plants: A cause for concern

AbstractThe quality and safety of herbal medicines is becoming a major concern worldwide particularly due to contamination by heavy metals. The present study quantified the levels of heavy metals in frequently used South African medicinal plants and determined the variations in certain biological activities and phytochemical compositions. Eleven plant species were obtained from both muthi shops (MS) (commercial outlets) and from open street markets (OSM) for comparison. Samples were dried, powdered and digested using microwave acid-assisted digestion. The digested solutions were analysed for heavy metals using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Plants were classified based on their elemental composition using chemometric techniques. Powdered plant samples were extracted using 70% acetone and screened for antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus. Phytochemical analyses were carried out to determine total phenolic and flavonoid content. Of the 22 samples analysed, Bulbine natalensis obtained from OSM and Alepidea amatymbica obtained from MS exhibited high levels of Al [5559 and 4392mg/kg dry weight (DW)] and Fe (4164 and 4465mg/kg DW) respectively. Levels of As and Hg were above the World Health Organization permissible limits in most of the samples analysed. Hierarchical cluster analysis classified the samples into four groups based on their metallic analyte concentrations. Group one having low metal content and group four having a high metal content. In general, plant samples with high levels of metals yielded greater antibacterial activity. However, antibacterial activity recorded in this study is not an indicator of high levels of heavy metal contamination as some samples despite the high levels of metal exhibited low antibacterial activity. The variations in the amounts of phenolics and flavonoids in the evaluated samples could have probably been that some of the plant samples may have been harvested from different localities or at different times of the year, perhaps plant age or degree of storage. The results highlighted the need for in-depth risk and quality assessments

APPLYING THE STRATEGIES OF DISAGREEMENT EXPRESSION IN THE MOVIE OF AARON SORKIN’S A FEW GOOD MEN

This study talks about the forms and strategies of disagreement expressions used by the characters in in Movie Script Aaron Sorkin’s A Few Good Men. The aims of this research are to find out the forms and types of disagreement strategies. The descriptive qualitative was used in this research and the data were the conversation among the characters. The analysis was based on Muntigl and Turnbull’s (1998) for the types of disagreement strategies in disagreement expression  and  for the  types  of  the  form based  on Liu’s (2004). The study involves thirty (30) data taken from drama plays. The study found that (1) disagreement expression can be identified by the form to describe the type of the sentence, they are declarative form involves  twenty three (23) data of disagreement expression which is found in all types of disagreement strategy, (2) Interrogative form involves four (4) data of disagreement expression which is found in challenge and counterclaims strategy. (3) Imperative form involves two (2) data of disagreement expression which is found in challenge strategy (4) Exclamative form involves one (1) data of disagreement expression which is found in contradict strategy. Second, the result of the analysis also shows that there are four types of disagreement strategies usually used by the characters: Irrelevancy Claims involves four (4) data, Challenge involves nine (9) data, Contradict involves nine (9) and Counterclaims involves eight (8) data

A review of contested perspectives on climate change finance.

This work is based on the research supported by the South African Research Chairs Initiative of the Department of Science and Technology and National Research Foundation (DST/NRF) of South Africa (Grant No 71220). The work was also produced with the assistance of the Programme to Support Pro-Poor Policy Development (PSPPD Phase II) a partnership between the Presidency, the Republic of South Africa and the European Union under the project addressing the poverty and inequality challenge, grant for climate change adaptation and poverty reduction co-benefits: human capabilities toward green micro-enterprise. The contents of this work are the sole responsibility of the authors and can in no way be taken to reflect neither the views of the European Union nor the National Research Foundation.There is an overwhelming consensus that climate change is a reality that requires urgent attention through mitigation and adaptation strategies. A slow rise in aggregate funding and investment towards projects which incorporate adaptation with respect to the consequences of climate change or mitigation of the known causes of climate change has occurred globally. This illustrates the increased intention of the public and private sectors to find appropriate interventions which work towards the lowering of carbon emissions or finding ways for the public to adapt their current behaviour to the eminent changes of climate. In this report, we present a critical review of literature on climate change financing. The review engages the meaning, sources and monitoring of the flow of climate finance. We also present discourses on issues related to the evaluation of the social impacts of climate finance on intended beneficiaries. These debates are contextualised in eThekwini Municipality’s approach to climate change adaption and mitigation. We note that there are many concerns regarding climate change finance that require further attention. These issues range from whether or not climate finance should form part of official development assistance (ODA), how funds should be distributed and who should climate change initiatives benefit. These issues could hamper the implementation of many useful strategies and much needed finance could end up funding projects that are not for public benefit. Furthermore, there is a conspicuous absence of appropriate and standard criteria for projects to meet in order to qualify as a climate change initiative. The lack of explicit requirements for projects to provide co-benefits to communities remains an unsettling problem and allows for substantial room for funding of unsuitable and in some cases, non-existent climate change projects. Much work still needs to be done to setup the identification criteria and measurement frameworks to help with issues of transparency, accountability and tracking of climate finance. This is especially needed in developing countries in order to curtail the misuse of climate funds in all tiers of government. There is also an urgent need to create a system that will govern, prescribe and monitor the use of climate funds for the betterment of the eco-systems, non –human species and humans