Leucadendron is a moderately large genus of Proteaceae almost entirely restricted to the Cape Floristic Region of southern Africa. The genus is unusual in being dioecious and sexually dimorphic. ITS sequence data were obtained from 62 of the 96 currently recognized taxa (85 species and 11 subspecies). Phylogenetic analyses were conducted under Maximum Likelihood and parsimony and resolved nine groups of species with varying degrees of bootstrap support, but relationships between these groups are largely unsupported. The phylogeny conflicts with the current taxonomic arrangement, which is based mainly on fruit morphology. The two sections of the genus, Alatosperma and Leucadendron, and several subsections within these sections, are resolved as non-monophyletic. This means that taxonomically important characters (such as fruit shape) have evolved multiple times, as the species with nutlike fruit (resolved into two of the nine groups) appear to have evolved independently from ancestors with winged fruit. Based on the topology obtained, the life history traits of anemophily, myrmechochory, and re-sprouting have also originated multiple times. Dispersal–Vicariance (DIVA) analysis suggests that the genus had an ancestral area in the Karoo Mountain and Southeastern phytogeographic centres of endemism in the southwestern Cape.

This study pays attention to youth of Indian-descent within the context of sexuality and identity and their role in HIV/AIDS. By gaining an understanding of this interaction between identity and sexuality, it adds to our knowledge of the social dynamics that contribute to the prevalence or lack of prevalence of HIV/AIDS within population groups. This study uses a social constructionist discourse analytic framework and aims to explore the construction of sexual knowledge by Southern African youth of Indian-descent. The findings indicate that the construction of sex is primarily one of risk and ambiguity. Additionally, the construction of sexual knowledge highlights the significance of gender differentials and the importance of agency and responsibility for sexual education. These constructions reinforce traditional educational roles that contribute to the construction of sex as risky and ambiguous. In addition, a social identity of Indian-ness and othering is used as a strategy to give meaning to the lack of parental responsibility with regard to sexual education. The use of social identity is seen as highlighting the importance of acknowledging the sexual values within which youth are embedded. This study concludes with possible ways to shift these constructions. For example, one of the conclusions suggests the implementation of an alternative school-based sexual education that acknowledges the sexual values in which youth are embedded. Furthermore, this acknowledgement of sexual values should take place within a holistic sex education programme that is positive about sexuality. Additionally, a reframing of youth as capable and active decision-makers in their sexual education is necessitated in order to see youth as a potential resource in HIV/AIDS prevention.

The work reports on cyclic voltammetry (CV), square wave voltammetry and spectroelectrochemistry of the following complexes: tetrakis (benzyl mercapto) phthalocyanine complexes of Zn(II) (ZnTBMPc, 4a ), Co(II) (CoTBMPc, 5a ), Fe(II) (FeTBMPc 6a ); and tetrakis (dodecylmercapto) phthalocyanine complexes of Zn(II) (ZnTDMPc, 4b), Co(II) (CoTDMPc, 5b) and Fe(II) (FeTDMPc, 6b). More reversible CV couples were observed for complexes 4a, 5a and 6a containing thiol phenyl ring substituents. Complexes 4b, 5b and 6b containing long chain thiol substituents showed less reversible couples. Complexes 6a and 6b showed a relatively large number of redox processes (5 for 6a and 6 for 6b) within the potential window employed in this work. The processes for FePc derivatives (6a) are assigned to FeIIIPc-1/FeIIIPc-2, FeIIIPc-2/FeIIPc-2, FeIIPc-2/FeIPc-2, FeIPc-2/FeIPc-3 and FeIPc-3/FeIPc-4 and for the CoPc derivative (5a) to CoIIIPc-1/CoIIIPc-2, CoIIIPc-2/CoIIPc-2, CoIIPc-2/CoIPc-2 and CoIPc-2/CoIPc-3.

Using notions of change developed by Thomas Kuhn, the thesis argues that the rise of globalisation and the end of the Cold War presented the Westphalian or state-centric paradigm of international relations with a Kuhnian paradigm “crisis”. As a result, both the theory and the practice of international relations are in the midst of (what Kuhn calls) a “paradigm shift”. Emerging from this shift is (what is described in this work as) “Access World” and “Denial World” – a particular global configuration of the practice of international relations. Kuhn’s idea of “incommensurability” seems to typify the relationship between the two components of this bifurcated configuration of the international. Both intellectual risk-taking and political courage are required if the ontological struggle raging between “Access World” and “Denial World” is to be settled. This will pave the way for a new paradigm to emerge. Kuhn provides us with the insight that, to achieve this ontological breakthrough, a fundamental change in our vision of the discipline of International Relations, but also of the world of everyday international relations, is required. This entails recasting the study of International Relations as an emancipatory project and by recognising the centrality of human beings in the practice of international relations. Only if this is done, will we be able to arrive at a cosmopolitan political bargain that is appropriate for the 21st century.

Early stage fishes, namely larvae and early juveniles, were collected from 12 estuaries and associated habitats in the warm temperate region of South Africa between July 1998 and December 2000. This study served to provide new information and expand on existing knowledge of early stage fish assemblages associated with various types of Eastern Cape estuaries. A total of 65 536 predominantly postflexion fish larvae were collected. Together with early juveniles, taxa comprised 72 species from 25 teleost fish families. Surf zones associated with two intermittently open estuaries showed that estuary-dependent marine species predominated in this zone. Early stage fishes responded positively during natural estuary opening events and concentrated along the estuary outflow plume, suggesting that cueing from estuary and/or river water may be taking place. A habitat study in the Swartkops Estuary, using light traps, showed that newly recruited larval fishes concentrated along the margins of the estuary and unlike their older juvenile counterparts, were poorly represented in eelgrass beds. A multi-estuary comparison, including seven permanently open and five intermittently open estuaries, indicated that early stage fish assemblages were more diverse than indicated by past investigations. Early stage fishes were also shown to concentrate in the mesohaline regions of these estuaries. Studies of estuaries with altered freshwater flow regimes were also included in the research. A regulated release of dam water in the euhaline Kromme Estuary failed to induce a cueing response from estuary-dependent marine fish larvae. This project showed that large amounts of freshwater are required to reverse the negative effects of river impoundments. The release study did show that estuary-resident fishes were sensitive to small natural pulses of freshwater and responded by spawning. However, excessive river supply through an inter-basin water transfer scheme was shown to have a flushing effect on the larvae and early juveniles of the estuary-resident Gilchristella aestuaria in the upper reaches of the Great Fish Estuary. This effect was evident in comparisons with the freshwater starved Kariega Estuary where concentrations of G. aestuaria, a species usually more abundant in freshwater rich estuaries, were considerably higher. This finding suggests that freshwater minima and maxima be considered when assessing and managing estuarine systems.

This short policy brief advocates for more attention to be paid to the potential of natural resource commercialisation as a means to livelihood security and poverty alleviation in rural South Africa. It is one of a set of four policy briefs based on the findings of several case studies across the country.

This thesis takes the form of an in-depth case study within which the play therapy process of an aggressive 5-year-old boy was explored. The aim of the research was to examine the abundant expressions of aggression that were present within his therapy, and in so doing reflect their rich communicative content and their relevance and purpose in the development of his Self. Object relations theory formed the lens and theoretical context for this research with Winnicott’s contributions and Parens' model of aggression being considered in particular. A detailed data resource of the therapy process was compiled and transposed into narrative form. These narratives were reviewed with a reading guide as a means to facilitate a hermeneutic exploration of the data. The emergent themes were considered against the case data and the current theory, which allowed for their further analysis and development. From this the value of using Parens’ model was considered and deemed useful although limited in its contribution. The analysis and the themes which emerged conveyed how within this case the child’s aggression presented as: a significant feature of his ambivalence towards relationships; a powerful and pervasive protective fantasy of omnipotence; inherently linked to his sense of self and self expression; and as actively involved in his True Self’s hope-filled attempts for an alternative experience. This thesis provides a descriptive account of a challenging case, offering insights into the value and meaningful content of aggressive behaviours, with the intention being to reflect that which is often not easily appreciated or readily observable within such a therapy process, a trace of hope.

It is a widely acknowledged fact that women’s access to the full rights of citizenship in the liberal state is restricted because of their unequal responsibility for childcare. The South African state, however, despite its theoretical commitment to gender equality, has failed substantially to engage with the issue of childcare and women’s citizenship. This is problematic because in failing to envisage a role for itself in supporting women with their responsibility for childcare, the state has not only neglected its Constitutional commitments to gender equality, but it has also failed to realise the benefits that could potentially accrue to children if women’s access to economic citizenship is not hampered by childcare. Recognising this problem, this thesis attempts to engender some debate as to how the South African state could feasibly correct this failure. In doing so, it uses feminist political theory as a basis and takes a critical view of the two childcare policies that have dominated the debate over women’s citizenship and childcare in Western liberal democracies – socialised care and the neofamilialist model. In concluding it attempts to provide an idea of what feasible, state-based childcare policies could look like in present-day South Africa.

In this study we apply the knowledge of fuzzy sets to group structures and also to decision-making implications. We study fuzzy subgroups of finite abelian groups. We set G = Z[subscript p[superscript n]] + Z[subscript q[superscript m]]. The classification of fuzzy subgroups of G using equivalence classes is introduced. First, we present equivalence relations on fuzzy subsets of X, and then extend it to the study of equivalence relations of fuzzy subgroups of a group G. This is then followed by the notion of flags and keychains projected as tools for enumerating fuzzy subgroups of G. In addition to this, we use linear ordering of the lattice of subgroups to characterize the maximal chains of G. Then we narrow the gap between group theory and decision-making using relations. Finally, a theory of the decision-making process in a fuzzy environment leads to a fuzzy version of capital budgeting. We define the goal, constraints and decision and show how they conflict with each other using membership function implications. We establish sets of intervals for projecting decision boundaries in general. We use the knowledge of triangular fuzzy numbers which are restricted field of fuzzy logic to evaluate investment projections.

This commentary looks at the influences of globalisation on broadcasting policy reforms in Zambia and South Africa, with specific focus on such processes as deregulation, privatisation, commercialisation, communitarianism and technological convergence. It concludes that globalisation does not affect southern African countries uniformly; rather, it is refracted in accordance with the different cultural and political experiences of such countries.