3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions
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Item Water utilization and population demography in South Africa: key ethical and human rights issues(2010-09-23) Mugabi, BrianAccess to sufficient water is a constitutionally recognized right in the Republic of South Africa as well as being a Universal Human Right. Despite this however, the world wide population numbers are ever growing and water is known to be finite. The Constitution’s Bill of Rights gives South African citizens the right to reproductive choices. South Africa is a water stressed country, with three forces feeding into availability of freshwater, namely; climate change, demographic factors, and policies. Currently, the problem of accessing safe freshwater is under question. This is presents a problem as the Constitution also addresses the right to a healthy environment. Uncontrolled population growth is detrimental to environmental integrity. It is arguable as to whether it is possible to conserve the environment, and at the same time realize human reproductive rights as envisioned in the Constitution. In this research report I reflect on the state of water and environmental resources in view of the right to procreate. I suggest that environmental education could play a major role in finding “the right balance”.Item The removal of heavy metals from wastewater using South African clinoptilolite(2010-04-09T06:47:52Z) Kapanji, Kutemba KainaThis research concerns the further characterisation and establishment of adsorption behaviour of the South African clinoptilolite. Synthetic single- and multi-component wastewaters were used, and experiments conducted in both batch and column systems at 25oC ± 2. Wastewaters containing heavy metals ions Cu2+, Co2+, Ni2+ and Cr3+, were used at different feed concentrations (50 - 500 mg/L), and adsorbed onto natural and homoionic (Na+, K+, Ca2+, NH+ 4) forms of the zeolite. The Na+-form clinoptilolite had an improved cation exchange capacity over the natural one, and the selectivity series of metal ions by these two forms varied. Brunauer Emmett Teller surface area analysis carried out also confirms that preconditioning clinoptilolite with Na+ ions results in an increase in pore diameter, allowing for easier diffusion of ions and more adsorption. An atomic adsorption spectrophotometer (AAS) was used to analyse metal ions in solution. Adsorption efficiencies with over 75% of metal ions adsorbed in the first hour of contact were recorded, and complete adsorption equilibrium being reached in 4 hrs. Regeneration of Na+-form and natural clinoptilolite (using 0.5M NaCl stripping solution) initially showed an increase in loading capacities, then a decrease with the subsequent cycles. A comparison between two particle sizes revealed that smaller particle sized clinoptilolite have slightly higher adsorption capacities. The equilibrium data also fitted well with the linear form of the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms at lower concentrations of 50 mg/L.Item New approach to private sector participation in the water sector of Africa's developing countries(2008-08-12T07:42:46Z) Eldidy, Nezar Abdelfattah MohamedAbstract will not load on to DSpaceItem The contribution of social dilemma theory and individualism/collectivism to the marketing of water(2008-03-06T13:11:53Z) Chipp, Kerry FionaAbstract The role of marketing in social issues has grown over the last thirty years since Kotler himself introduced the concept (Kotler & Zaltman, 1971). In the evolution of social marketing it has moved from being entirely marketing process orientated towards expanding its vision to other useful theories from the subject’s parent disciplines. Social dilemma theory, one such theory, evolved in the laboratories, computer programmes and field experiments of psychologists and economists. In 1991 marketers proposed the theory as an aid to understanding individual action in collective problems. The current study assesses the relevance of social dilemma theory for the marketing of water conservation behaviours in an emerging market. As such, it seeks to establish if the key variables were present and what, if any, impact large cultural forces, such as individualism and collectivism have on individual conserving behaviour. Individualism and collectivism were studied at the personal level of idiocentrism and allocentrism and along the sub-dimensions of horizontal and vertical individualism and collectivism. The interactions of these values on individual behaviour were studied, together with two key variables in social dilemma theory namely, perceived consumer effectiveness (PCE) and faith in others (FIO). Individual perceptions of resource abundance and attitudes towards non-marketing solutions, such as a sanctioning system, were investigated. The study was conducted among 444 teenage learners at secondary schools in Gauteng. A descriptive research design was used. The study found that there was an interaction between social dilemma variables and individualism/collectivism which did have an impact on individual conserving behaviour. Most, but not all relationships were verified. Collectivists required higher levels of perceived consumer effectiveness in order to engage in conservation actions, while individualists needed a greater sense of the co-operation of others. Faith in others and individualism/collectivism emerged as having a direct impact on consumer behaviour, while perceived consumer effectiveness was a moderator of the other variables and had no main, direct, effect on behaviour. Water was thought of as an abundant resource and in little need of conservation. Low income consumers favoured a sanctioning system to enforce compliance. The implications of the study for marketing theory and practice are discussed. -Item Volume of verse: wandering through water(2006-10-26T09:34:40Z) Rachbuch, Shelley Ann.;This thesis comprises a volume of verse entitled ‘Wandering through water’ and a theoretical reflection on it. The volume contains poems written, edited and refined over the two year research period (July 2003 to May 2005). A reflexive essay accompanies it, providing a template for an account of the poems’ composition and a description of poetic devices and practices employed. It also engages with the primary concerns of the verse and its possibilities. The essay reflects on the working method employed: the process and necessity of refining a poem by tracing its multiple revisions. Reflexive tools utilized in this ‘mapping’, include the ‘Writer’s Reflexive Journal’, suggestions and comments made during supervision and workshop processes, as well as engagement with other poet’s work. The reflexive essay also explores that the thematic priorities of the poetry and its inspiration which is rooted in a historical, Jewish and South African context. In the space of the poetry it is re-narrated, negotiated and struggled with and at times experienced without the mediation of conscious thought, to produce alternative meaning and the possibility of selfhood. It explores the responsibilities of a poet to her community. Further, that the writing of poetry contains within it the possibility of extending that which is personal and contextualised into a spiritual or universal experience.