Interaction effects of effective microorganisms and prolonged storage on germination and seedling vigour of maize, sorghum and sunflower

Published ArticleA study involving two incubation experiments and a germination experiment in sandy soil was conducted to determine the influence of Multiplied Effective Micro-organisms (M-EM) that were exposed to different levels of irradiation and temperature fluctuation as well as prolonged storage, on the germination and seedling vigour of maize, sorghum and sunflower. Irrespective of poor handling and/or prolonged storage of M-EM, seed treatment with M-EM improved germination under optimal conditions for all crops compared to the control. Increased planting depths and cold stress were used to create conditions where seed treatment with M-EM may improve germination and seedling growth. Seed treatment with M-EM significantly improved germination and seedling vigour of the stress-tolerant maize cultivar following cold stress. Similar improved seedling vigour results were observed for the stress-tolerant sunflower cultivar at increased planting depth. It was concluded that the beneficial influence of M-EM as a seed treatment was remarkable, even after exposure of M-EM to unfavourable environmental conditions and prolonged storage before application. Further research under field conditions and in different cultivation systems are required before the large scale application of M-EM as seed treatment can be recommended

Power and Insecurity: The politics of globalisation

Globalisation is presented by some as an inevitable force of history. However, it is very much the result of political and policy decisions made by powerful elites to advance their interests. Globalisation is not a benign, neutral process, but ideologically driven in the service of the rich and powerful. This ideology is neo-liberalism, which, in the name of ‘competition’ and ‘effi ciency’, pursues a world in which the ‘market’ reigns over society. The impoverishment of Africa is a consequence of processes begun by political decisions in international organisations in which the odds are stacked against the South. Because of power imbalances, rules are made that disadvantage poor nations. Thus, international agreements have unequal outcomes. This article examines the effects of such decisions through the prism of the decimation of the clothing industry in SouthAfrica. The article concludes with an exposition on insecurity as the leitmotif of the era

Extension needs of small-scale dairy farmers in the North-Eastern Free State

The study evaluated the management practices of small-scale dairy farmers in the North-Eastern Free State. The sample area focused on farmers (on communal and state land farms) in the former self-governing territory of Qwaqwa, as well as in parts of the Harrismith, Kestell and Bethlehem districts where newly settled land-reform beneficiaries are concentrated. In this study it was found that most of the problems experienced by the farmers were related to the unresolved land tenure system (communal land), as well as shortage of water, lack of working capital, untimely veld fires, lack of co-operation among farmers (farming group schemes) and inadequate extension services to advise small-scale dairy farmers. Due to a lack of mechanical implements, all the small-scale dairy farmers in the sample made use of manual labour. Knowledge, skills, training and co-operation among themselves were identified by the respondents as being prerequisites for success. Future interventions aimed at improving and strengthening the sustainability and the livelihoods of the small-scale dairy farmers, thereby ensuring equity and reducing economic vulnerability of small-scale dairy projects, should take into account a number of different factors. With regard to extension, government should endeavour to provide an effective service, thereby establishing links with formal channels of marketing, as well as local markets and informal marketing systems, training in farming principles, financial assistance, assistance in acquiring a farm or more land, improving environmental conservation and promoting social infrastructure. The study also reveals that mixed farming should be promoted, since it is unlikely that small-scale farmers can make a living purely from dairying

Intellectual capital management in a South African retail company

This research commenced with a study of the concepts of knowledge management and intellectual capital to establish a clear understanding of the importance of the management of intellectual assets of a company. In the review of existing measurement models the strengths and weaknesses and primary uses of each model were explored to understand the different goals for using different models. After the need for an intellectual capital management tool was established, different models were considered and recommendations were made for developing an intellectual capital management tool in retail companies in South Africa

The (non-)recognition of same-sex marriage in the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act 120 of 1998

The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 provides for all people to be equal, including people of all sexual orientations, and at the same time guarantees the right to participate in the cultural life of one’s choice. This contribution examines the issue of same-sex marriage in South Africa through the combined lens of the right to equality and the right to culture. More specifically, it assesses whether same-sex couples are afforded the right to marry in accordance with their customary cultural beliefs and whether same-sex customary marriage is provided for in the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act 120 of 1998. Following an analysis of Constitutional Court jurisprudence on the right to equality and to culture, certain provisions of the Recognition Act are examined for their in-/exclusion of homosexual persons. It would appear that the only gender-neutrally phrased section in the Recognition Act dealing with customary marriages in particular is sec. 3, which lists the requirements for such marriages to be valid. Whether this was an oversight on the part of the legislature, or whether it was intentional, is uncertain. However, several other sections, notably also the definition of lobolo in sec. 1, are phrased from a distinctly heteronormative perspective. A subsequent discussion of homosexual practices in Africa serves a dual purpose. It not only debunks some prominent African leaders’ contention that homosexuality is “un-African”, but also reveals that homosexual marriage along with a number of ancillary same-sex forms of customary marriage are not catered for in the provisions of the Recognition Act. In light of these findings, the contribution concludes with recommendations for the improvement of the Recognition Act to be less exclusionary and discriminatory. It is further argued that, by adjusting the phrasing of the Act, the South African legislature stands to gain much more than affording same-sex couples recognition in customary law. It would also go a long way towards promoting a culture of tolerance towards all people, in line with what the Constitution demands

Risk behaviour of primary school learners in a disadvantaged community - a situation analysis

The prevalence of substance use and high-risk sexual behaviour of 460 primary school learners, from four schools in a historically disadvantaged urban area, was investigated. It was found that 14% of the primary school learners in this study currently used alcohol, 4% smoked marihuana, 3% sniffed solvents, 9% used over-the-counter medicines and 2% used illegal drugs. Of the 24% of learners that reported being sexually experienced, only 40% protected themselves from HIV / AIDS and 35% used birth control measures. Furthermore, the learners indicated that they did not experience high levels of support from their families and friends and many of them were exposed to substance abuse in their homes. The majority of the learners were of the opinion that substance use and sexual activity were inappropriate behaviour for their age group. Recommendations are made for prevention strategies aimed at primary school learners. (South African Journal of Education: 2003 23 (1): 58-64

ASSESSMENT OF VEGETABLE PRODUCTION PRACTICES IN QWAQWA WITHIN THABO MOFUTSANYANA DISTRICT

Published ArticleIn this study, the information such as biographical information of the vegetable farmers, information about the vegetable gardens or farms, the current vegetable farming practices, irrigation practices on the vegetable soil and the farmers’ physical and financial records were assessed. The assessment was conducted through interviews and questionnaires. Seventy three point three percent of the farmers’ respondents farm on communal land whereas 33.3% of the respondents are farming on land size of two to four hectares. A model was developed to reflect the process vegetable farmers must follow when acquiring communal land from the Chief for vegetable production. Sixty six point seven percent plough the garden soil to the depth of 30cm. Of the twenty-eight respondents, 85.7% are planting in seedbeds while the rest are planting on ordinary rows without seedbeds. The findings of this study will guide vegetables farmers towards best practices on vegetable production

Problems experienced by women re-entering the education profession: a South African case study

The problems experienced by women re-entering the education profession in South Africa were focused on. A review of the literature revealed that problems are experienced at five different levels: within the women themselves, in their work situation, at management level, within their career, and within society. These observations were tested empirically by means of a structured questionnaire. The results indicated that the most significant problems were experienced by women educators at three levels: within themselves, within their career, and within society. Problems at management level were not widely experienced by female educators. On the basis of these findings, it is recommended that increases in maternity benefits, as well as the introduction of paternity and childcare leave, should be introduced to assist women educators to combine work and family responsibilities more successfully. Good childcare facilities are also essential for allowing re-entering women to combine family and workplace responsibilities. More promotion opportunities should also be provided for women who aspire to educational management positions. (South African Journal of Education: 2003 23 (1): 65-70

Practical challenges relating to the supervision of small estates

Previously, the supervision of the administration of deceased estates was divided along racial lines. Law reform has, however, seen the establishment of a single system that is fair to all South Africans – or is it? Following a brief contextualisation of the legal position on the supervision of deceased estates prior to, and following the definitive Moseneke judgement of 6 December 2000, this article sets out to examine whether the equality envisaged by that judgement and recent legislation pertaining to the supervision of small estates is actually being achieved.The research reveals some practical challenges, including poor service delivery at service points; banks renouncing their nomination as executor of small estates for a lack of sufficient financial benefit; the non-registration of customary marriages; the poor protection currently afforded to vulnerable minor beneficiaries of deceased estates, and the lack of a more affordable, accessible way than lengthy and costly court procedures to challenge a decision of the Master of the High Court. To address these challenges, it is recommended that service point infrastructure be strengthened; that banks be required to communicate more openly with their clients; that extensive awareness campaigns be launched on the urgent need for all customary marriages to be registered; that the agreement between government and Legal Aid South Africa, which is supposed to serve minor beneficiaries of deceased estates, be revisited, and that the possibility of an estate ombudsman be explored

Learning from professional conversation: A conversation analysis study

This article analyses conversation around classroom discipline to establish how teachers learn through professional conversation. The study was a qualitative study that originally adopted an ethno-methodological research design. Purposive sampling was used to select 6 primary school teachers from the East London Education District in the Eastern Cape. A video recorder was used to capture the conversation which lasted for 31 minutes 56 seconds after school hours. The recording was viewed repeatedly and transcribed verbatim. Three learning episodes were selected from the transcript for further transcription following Jefferson’s notations for conversation analysis purposes. Clayman and Gill’s (2004) conversation analysis levels were used to analyse selected episodes to establish how teachers learn through professional conversation. The findings show that teachers learn through requesting advice and testing ideas, and through the sharing of ideas. The findings also indicate that teachers use response preferences (response favourites both in agreement or disagreement during conversation), repairing or assisting one another through talking, nodding, and laughing as learning strategies. The study concludes that professional conversation is relevant for continuing teachers’ professional development. We recommend that teachers should embrace professional conversation for exchanging knowledge and experiences for learning purposes. We also encourage teachers to adopt conversational strategies highlighted in this study for professional learning purposes. Research experts on teacher learning should be involved in school workshops in order to further enhance teacher learning in specific areas. Keywords: classroom discipline; conversation analysis; professional conversation; professional learning; teacher learnin