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An exploration of cultural practices in relation to women’s social experiences in rural communities, a case study of King Cetshwayo District Municipality
(University of Zululand, 2021) Mkhize, Nontobeko Mildred; Nojiyeza, I.S.; Masuku, M.M.
This study is an exploration of the scale of the harmful impact of the cultural practices on women in rural communities. It explored the impact of: ukuthwala (bride abduction), ilobolo (bride price), female genitals mutilation, virginity testing, ukungena (levirate custom), African rituals, traditional initiation, wife beating and polygamy on women which are cultural practices that the study paid focus on. These practices were explored within King Cetshwayo District Municipality (KCDM), KwaZulu Natal Province, South Africa. The study set out to achieve six specified objectives: (i) to explore the experiences of women within societies where cultural practices are administered and assist them to reflect on those experiences (ii) to determine the challenges encountered by women due to customary rules, and their coping means (iii) to identify measures put in place to assist women living under customary rules (iv) to determine positions of women in structures in which traditional rules are imposed (v) to put forward interventions which protect women’s rights against discrimination (vi) to determine if the cultural practices discriminate against women and if so how far such discrimination goes and it was premised on theoretical lenses of post-modern feminism which evolved within the third wave of feminism, African feminist theories, patriarchy theorization, critical theory and legal pluralism. Women within the rural community were given a chance to retell their own versions of cultural practices. Methodologically, the study used a qualitative approach which was guided by an in-depth semi-structured style of interviewing, and followed an exploratory research design. Data gathering methods comprised of semi-structured interviews with participants while data was collected through in-depth one-on-one interviews, narratives, notes taking and a focus group discussion of men. The study used non-probability methods of sample selection, specifically, snowball sampling combined with purposive sampling in order to confirm issues, validate, compare and collect more information. Using these techniques, a total of twenty women comprised the sample plus five men. Data was analysed qualitatively through thematic analysis. The study revealed the following: cultural practices are indeed a reality; they have an immense impact on women and they are viewed as manipulative practices that encourage the subordination of women. These are central to the performance of the rituals that continue to aggravate violence against women. Furthermore, it transpired that culture is incapable of holding its goalposts; the unfriendly policies on cultures are a driving tool to cultural practices’ elevation; political infiltration of cultures and community forums as avenues of cascading the benefits of the practices. The study discovered that despite legislative intervention and policy framework, cultural practices still persist among the African communities in KCDM. The reasons for this persistent existence are discussed, followed by recommendations for possible resolutions. The study concludes that cultural practices play a pivotal role in shaping men to demonstrate authoritative power on women.
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ScRING finger protein, Mdm2, MdmX, p53, cancer, ubiquitination, drug discovery, ZINC16046951, University of Zululand, South Africa
(University of Zululand, 2021) Mathenjwa, Makhosazana Siduduzile; Kappo, Abidemi Paul
World-wide cancer is rated as the deadliest disease, more than TB, HIV and malaria combined. Parveen et al., 2015 reports that unless drastic measures are taken, cancer will statistically increase by 78% by 2030. Although different cancer therapies have been employed to combat cancer development, immunotherapy remains the current hope as a manipulative therapy to provide immune boost, more specificity and effective drug design against cancer (Vanneman and Dranoff, 2012). Really Interesting New Gene (RING) finger protein is a truncated domain from RBBP6 known to function independently in protein-protein interaction and cellular processing signalling. It is a 10 kDa protein defined by its hallmark residues cysteine and histidine that binds two zinc ions for structural stability and integrity (Dominguez., 2004; Krishna et al., 2003). When human RING finger domain was used as a searching bait to fish out other possible RING finger domains from other organisms, Saccharomyces cerevisiae RING (ScRING) finger domain stood out amongst others as it lacked the first zinc binding site which is abnormal for RING finger domain (Kappo et al., 2012). ScRING finger domain is cysteine rich domain from a Mpe-1 RBBP6 homologue that binds zinc ion for structural stability. Therefore, biochemical, structural and In silico characterisation was done for this study to provide basic insight into the hypothesis that ScRING finger protein is a RING finger-like protein or an abnormal RING finger protein and to determine target inhibitors for RING finger-type E3 namely, Mmd2 and MdmX. Expression, purification, Far-UV CD, Intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence, SE-HPL chromatography and ANS fluorescence were used to biochemically and structurally characterise ScRING finger protein. In silico inhibitory studies, for Mdm2 and MdmX complexes with RO-2443 as a control, and ZINC16046951, as the experimental ligand, were conducted using molecular dynamics tools, namely RMSD, RMSF and Rog. MM/PBSA and MM/GBSA were utilized to calculate binding free energy contributions per complex amino acids. Far-UV CD confirmed ScRING finger domain is a protein dominated by β-sheets which are a major contributing factor in protein stability and integrity. ANS fluorescence indicated the presence of hydrophobic binding pockets required for protein-protein interaction. These results provided direction towards regarding ScRING finger protein as a RING finger domain rather than a RING finger-like domain. In silico inhibitory studies showed ZINC16046951 as the highest energy binding and Table ligand to Mmd2 compared to other complexes. These results provided the baseline information needed for drug discovery and structural determination.
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Exploring the effectiveness of local government strategic initiatives to eradicate poverty and inequality: perceptions of Salamanga community in Mozambique
(University of Zululand, 2022) Mthembu, Mary; Shamase, M. Z.
The study’s primary objective was to examine the efficacy of local government’s strategic measures utilized to combat poverty and inequality in Salamanga, Mozambique. It has come to that the government of Mozambique’s strategic initiatives are ineffective and fall short of their claimed goals. The report offers proof that the Salamanga community in Mozambique is still in need of help even after decades of gaining freedom. The community’s distance from hospitals and schools continues to increase the population’s lack of education. The majority of those who were able to pursue education at lower levels failed to reach tertiary levels. The study also found that a lack of key financial resources, critical infrastructure and education opportunities correlates to community distress and enduring poverty. The study concluded from the discussion of the data that strategic measures to reduce poverty and inequality in Mozambique are ineffective and occasionally fail at implementation phase with no beneficial outcomes. However, the study found that, from the perspectives of the local authorities, Mozambique’s local government’s strategic efforts are effective and have a good impact on eradicating poverty and inequality. Government policy makers were advised to make sure that their plans are supported by enough and other pertinent resources in addition to looking good on paper. The research also recommended that the government of Mozambique make sure that any tactical actions aimed at reducing inequality and poverty be maintained for next generations. According to the survey, some community members are not even aware of the government’s strategic plans or programs used to combat poverty and inequality. This raises questions about the community’s participation in decision-making over matters that affect the community. It was suggested that the government must include the community on offer them an opportunity to voice their own ideas and opinions to measures for eradicating poverty and inequality.
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Acute and chronic toxicity of copper and zinc and environmental tolerances to the estuarine amphipod, melita zeylanica
(University of Zululand, 2015) Mofokeng, Refilwe P.; Vivier, L.; Cyrus, D. P.
Owing to economic growth and their geographic positioning, harbours and estuarine ecosystems have been considerably accelerated development around them over the past years. This has in turn induced excessive stress on these systems. Due to elevated metal deposition from surrounding industries, toxic metal concentrations are often evident in these systems as sediments tend to accumulate metals. Toxicity tests are essential in predicting the effects of contaminated water and sediments on biota. Acute bioassays refer to short term bioassay with mortality as an end-point, while chronic bioassays often take longer with sub-lethal end-points including growth and fecundity. In the past, acute toxicity tests were often reported as they were easier to conduct and generally more affordable than chronic tests. Chronic bioassays, however, are more relevant as chronic exposures are most likely to occur in the environment and they have higher sensitivity to metals sediment toxicity tests are often preferred over water-only tests, as metals tend to bind to sediment over prolonged periods of time , therefore, they provide a time-integrated measure of metal accumulation within estuarine ecosystems. Due to their high metal toxicity, environmental tolerance, abundance, as well as ease to handle in the laboratory, amphipod bioassays are used worldwide in toxicity testing. In this study acute and chronic toxicity bioassays were undertaken with the aim to determine the suitability of Melita zeylanica as an estuarine benchmark toxicity test organism in sub-tropical ecosystems. Melita zeylanica amphipods were collected in Mzingazi Canal, Richards Bay Harbour, and cultured in climate control chambers in aerated culture trays. Exposure experiments of M. zeylanica to Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn) were conducted at 25⁰C and a salinity of 25 using a 6 by 5 grid. The LC₅₀ EC₅₀ as well as metal concentrations in tissue and sediment were determined following a microwave digestion method, while an ICP-MS was used for metal analysis of sediment and tissue concentrations. An overview on amphipod toxicity bioassays using Cu and Zn over the past 10 years (2003-2013) was conducted with the aim to report on chronic toxicity publications during the past decade. General sensitivity of amphipods to Cu and Zn as well as the frequency of use of various endpoints (fecundity, accumulation, growth and behaviour) were reported. Results of the overview suggested that amphipods are generally more sensitive to Cu than Zn. Corophium volutator, however, showed a lower LC₅₀ value for Zn (10.03 µg/g-1) than that of Cu (26.07 µg/g-1). Fecundity was the most reported endpoint with C. volutator being the most used amphipod over the past ten years. It was concluded, however that no one amphipod species can represent all amphipod species as amphipods tend to adapt deferentially to their immediate environment. A Cadmium (Cd) reference toxicity test is often used as a method of standardising interlaboratory results as it is non-essential in organisms. A Cd 96hr static water-only reference test was used in this study to determine relevant toxicity of M. zeylanica as compared to other amphipods. This study also evaluated the median lethal concentrations (LC₅₀) of ammonia on M. zeylanica during a static 96hr sediment toxicity bioassay. Survival of M. zeylanica across a broad range of salinity (5-40) was also determined during 96hr bioassay. The Cd water-only tolerance test showed that M. zeylanica sensitivity to metals is comparable to that of other amphipods, with LC₅₀ of 1.17 µg/g-1 a Melita zeylanica was found to be more sensitive to ammonia as compared to other studies with a LC₅₀ of 17 µg/g-1 a Melita zeylanica however, was found to be tolerant to a wide range of salinities (5-40) but intolerant to freshwater. A 10-day acute sediment toxicity test with mortality as an endpoint and a 28 day chronic sediment toxicity test, with growth and fecundity as end-points, were conducted. Following the acute toxicity test, LC₅₀ values for Zn and Cu were found to be 9.15 and 11.76 µg/g-1 with LC₉₀ values of 238.5 and 78.6 showing that M. zeylanica is more sensitive to Cu at high concentrations. Tissue metal levels showed that M. zeylanica is able to accumulate both Zn and Cu in relation to sediment concentrations. This finding demonstrated that M. zeylanica is potentially a good biomonitor organism, as the ability to accumulate metals is one of the key requirements that qualify organisms as toxicity organisms the chronic bioassay showed that both Zn and Cu affected fecundity of M. zeylanica. Amphipods were, however, found to be more sensitive to Cu compared to Zn. EC₅₀ values of 2.7 and 0.8 µg/g-1 were recorded for Zn and Cu, respectively. Amphipod growth was also inversely correlated to Cu concentration. South Africa has experienced accelerated growth in its economy over the past decade which has resulted in increased demand for cargo container handling capacity throughout South African ports. Richards Bay Harbour is currently the largest deep-water port in South Africa, used primarily for the export of coal. Furthermore, there have been proposals to expand the port over the next 40 years, resulting in 5 times increase in its surface area. In order to test the suitability of M. zeylanica as a bio-indicator of estuarine contaminated sediments in South Africa, a field validation study was conducted in Richards Bay Harbour with sediment samples being collected from 9 sites. Samples were analysed for aluminium (AI) Arsenic (As), Cd, Cu, Iron (Fe) Mercury (Hg) Nickel (Ni), (Pb) and (Zn) concentrations. Metal concentrations recorded at the Bulk terminal. Metal concentrations were found to be within standard quality guidelines as stipulated by the Department of Water Affairs as well as the Australian sediment guidelines. The data from this study was compared with historical data to identify contaminated areas. Elevated Zn concentrations within the harbour were contrary to historical data, as a result Polycyclic chlorine biphenyls (PCB) and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) analysis was conducted to identify or eliminate oil-spill as a potential reason for the high Zn concentration. Metal accumulation in M. zeylanica following exposure to sediments showed that M. zeylanica is a good accumulator of metal, particularly for As, Cr, and Hg. When compared to other amphipods widely used in toxicity bioassays, M. zeylanica was found to accumulate metals to comparable concentrations. A range of 5-59 µg/g-1 and 98-227 µg/g-1 were recorded for Cu and Zn, higher than that of Melita matilda (140 µg/g-1 Zn), a closely associated species. Richards Bay Harbour is of high ecological and economic importance as it serves as both a fully functional estuarine ecosystem and is also one of the busiest ports in South Africa. Richards Bay Harbour as an estuarine environment has already been put under immense pressure with increased cargo handling over the past ten years. Plans to expand the harbour will also result in re-suspension of metal causing secondary metal contamination, which may contribute to loss of organisms and thus hinder the role of the harbour as an ecosystem. Although several toxicity and biomonitoring studies have been conducted on the harbour, no Estuarine Management Plan (EMP) has been put in place to Richards Bay Harbour as yet. EMP should, therefore, be urgently designed and implemented, with all stakeholders accommodated. National Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQG’s) should also be implemented as different areas do not necessarily react in the same manner, therefore, the use of international SQG’s would not be entirely appropriate. In terms of Estuarine Ecological Biodiversity, Richards Bay Harbour is Classified as a category C estuary, according to the National Water Act; no estuarine system should be allowed to degrade below D-class. The intended development of Richards Bay Harbour will, potentially, result in deterioration of the ecological integrity of the harbour. An EMP is thus of high importance within the harbour given the divergent roles of Richards Bay Harbour as both an estuarine ecosystem and a large cargo handling port. Although, M. zeylanica was found to be sensitive to ammonia, it was overall, found to be a good accumulator of metal, relatively easy to handle in the laboratory tolerant to a wide salinity range and it was found in abundance in the Mzingazi Canal. Furthermore, accumulation of metals within amphipods did reflect sediment metal concentrations, particularly for Zn and Cu, following the 10-day toxicity bioassays. The findings of the study, thus suggest that M. zeylanica can and can be recommended as a suitable bio-monitor species in South African and can be recommended as a suitable bio-monitor species ins South African coastal waters.
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The characterisation of some selected social behaviours of Zulu sheep
(University of Zululand, 2018) Dlomo, Mhlengani Zamukulunga
Zulu sheep are an ecotype of the Nguni sheep and are native to South Africa. They are found in the northern region of KwaZulu-Natal. However, the breed is under threat. There is a need to characterise the existing populations in order to design informed conservation programmes. The behaviour of the Zulu sheep has not been documented. The knowledge of animal behaviour is essential to understand welfare implication. The study was designed to characterise some selected behaviours of Zulu sheep, i.e. lamb behaviours, the distances between ewes and lambs from birth till natural weaning, and social dominance in rams of similar age group. The study was divided into two experiments; the first experiment consisted of lambs and ewes and the second experiment consisted of rams only. In the first experiment, ten ewes and their lambs were used. These animals grazed in natural pastures and water was provided ad libitum. Lamb behaviours were recorded and the distances between the lamb and its mother were estimated using field posts. A feed competition test was used to determine the social dominance in rams, with water provided ad libitum. Physical body traits for each ram were recorded. During the first week after parturition, lying behaviour of lambs was highest (53.5%), but as the lambs grew older, distance reached 19.4 m in the 19th week. There was no significant difference between gender behaviours in lambs (p>0.05). In rams, the correlation of time spent at the feeder was moderately positively correlated with social rank. The social rank of the rams had no significant effect on the time spent at the feeder. Moderate positive correlation was also established between proportion of weans and times spent at the feeder. In lambs, it was concluded that grazing behaviour and average distance between ewes and lambs are low during the early growth stage, but they increase with lamb growth. In rams, the social rank of Zulu sheep is not affected by body size. It is important to understand behaviour, distance, social rank, lamb and feed competition test.