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An extensive compulsory cattle dipping programme was introduced in Venda from 1915 to counter rinderpest and East Coast Fever (ECF). This study approached the sustainability of cattle dipping from environmental, economic, social and governance perspectives against the backdrop of the country’s history and political ecology, focusing on the effects of dipping strategies and operations in Vhembe district of Limpopo Province (the former Venda) in response to ECF. Dipping infrastructre continues to be used in Venda after the eradication of ECF in 1954 and even to the present, albeit below capacity. Arsenic residues occur in soils around all sampled dip sites, especially within 20 m from dip tanks and where red clays and organic-rich loamy soils prevail. Ecologically, dipping practice has therefore not been sustainable, while economically, farmers perceive dipping to enhance livestock health, and they gain benefit from continued use of cattle in agriculture and transport. Being close to watercourses and villages, most dip tank sites pose community safety and health risks, with even fatalities occurring at untended and abandoned tank facilities. Yet the social sustainability benefits of dipping practice, such as the creation of forums where cattle owners and veterinarians interact, the resultant formation of cattle owners’ associations, and the occurrence of recreational opportunities on dip days are also evident. Government has been the main role player in providing dipping services, resulting in limited involvement of and cooperation between other role players; therefore the contribution of the Limpopo Draft Policy on Cattle Dipping (2011) to efficient dipping governance was evaluated. A Sustainable Community Cattle Dipping Model was consequently developed to address the shortcomings in governance, as well as ecological, economic and social issues of the sustainability of dipping practice. This thesis contributes to an understanding that cattle dipping in communal areas are spatial entities that reflect the dynamics of structure-agency. It underscores environmental injustices like arsenic contamination occurring around dip tanks, and the effects of inequitable distribution of dip sites on human health and safety. The economic benefits and limitations of existing dipping practice are also highlighted. It culminates in the development of a Sustainable Community Cattle Dipping Model to enhance the sustainability of dipping practice. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology / PhD / Unrestricted

Theileria parva is a complex protozoan parasite causing East Coast fever in Eastern and Central Africa. Vaccination using live parasites is an effective control measure and has been used in Zambia based on locally isolated and introduced T. parva stocks. Diversity among T. parva populations was investigated in parasites from two Zambian provinces with different disease epidemiologies and control histories. Isolates from the pre-vaccination era, local and exotic stocks used for vaccination, and one recent field isolate were cloned and passaged in vitro to study genomic stability over time. The results of the data from three genome-wide probes indicate a marked homogeneity and stability among the Zambian isolates in contrast to East African isolates. Results from Southern blot profiles and the polymorphic immunodominant molecule (PIM) sequence analysis suggest a common origin for the Zambian isolates from the pre-vaccination era, except for one isolate (Zam5) from Southern Province. This isolate showed characteristics suggesting a buffalo origin. Assays for genotype characterisation were developed using five allelic markers. Multilocus characterisation revealed identical profiles in a recent Zambian isolate from Southern Province and two components of an exotic cocktail vaccine, indicating the escape of one of the vaccine stocks in the field. Characterisation of T. parva field populations by RFLP-PCR assays after immunisation revealed the presence of dominant genotypes from those that had been used for vaccination. Circumstantial evidence for the involvement of one of the exotic vaccine parasites in epidemics in Southern Province is presented and a hypothesis formulated for the rapid spread of this genotype. Analysis of the characterisation data suggested the existence of two groups of T. parva parasites of different origin. The classic T. parva group, characterised by a dimorphism of the p150, p104 and p32 loci and the absence of a p67 insert and a buffalo-derived group which showed a polymorphism of p150, p104 and p32 and the presence of a p67 insert. There is evidence that recombination occurs, resulting in parasites that have characteristics of both groups. The relevance of these recombinant parasites in the epidemiology of the disease seems low. Characterisation of larger samples from areas of regular buffalo-cattle contact is necessary to clarify this. Sequence analysis of the most discriminative locus (PIM) was undertaken and gene conversion could be the main mechanism generating diversity. A more appropriate nomenclature for T. parva is proposed based on the growing evidence of molecular differences among isolates and stocks.

Thesis (MSc (Veterinary Science)--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.

This dissertation looks at the impact of East Coast Fever on African homestead society in Natal in the period 1901-1910. The disease broke out in Natal at the beginning of 1904. With the realization that East Coast Fever was another lethal epizootic, the Natal Colonial Government introduced measures to control the spread of the disease and finally eradicate it. The campaign was, however, not successful. The disease thus spread throughout the colony and led to the loss of many cattle owned by Africans. By 1909 not more than four divisions in the colony remained free of the disease. The death of many cattle deprived Africans of the means of extensive cultivation, the source of income for the payment of rents and taxes, and Ilobolo. Many African males were forced to leave their homesteads for the towns and the mining sector in search of work. This eventually changed the nature of the homestead society. / History / M.A. (History)

This dissertation looks at the impact of East Coast Fever on African homestead society in Natal in the period 1901-1910. The disease broke out in Natal at the beginning of 1904. With the realization that East Coast Fever was another lethal epizootic, the Natal Colonial Government introduced measures to control the spread of the disease and finally eradicate it. The campaign was, however, not successful. The disease thus spread throughout the colony and led to the loss of many cattle owned by Africans. By 1909 not more than four divisions in the colony remained free of the disease. The death of many cattle deprived Africans of the means of extensive cultivation, the source of income for the payment of rents and taxes, and Ilobolo. Many African males were forced to leave their homesteads for the towns and the mining sector in search of work. This eventually changed the nature of the homestead society. / History / M.A. (History)