A research report in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science (by coursework and research report) in the School of Science Education of the University of the Witwatersrand. March 1998 / This research report investigates the influence of Chope (a native Mozambican language) on the teaching and learning of fundamental electric' concepts. Two research instruments were used: a written task and an interview. The written task investigated students' understanding, in Chope and Portuguese (the instructional language), of twenty fundamental electric concepts, as well as translations of scientific sentences about electricity from Portuguese to Chope. The interview was used as an auxiliary instrument to better understand procedures used in the written task. The study showed that Chope as prior knowledge can be understood in three ways: (1) as a positive influence when knowledge acquired through Chope is scientifically acceptable; (2) as a negative influence when a Chope "definition" hinders understanding of an electric concept; and (3) as an auxiliary agent in the understanding of the precise meanings of electrical terms. There are however other influences such as childhood environment and common usage.

This research investigates how the speech community living in Maputo city uses language in relation to HIV/AIDS and studies related stigmas which impede women's access to HIV/AIDS counselling services. My hypothesis is that frequent use of gender stereotypes in AIDS discourse aims at stigmatising women as AIDS propagators, while minimizing male sexual transgressions in the AIDS crisis. Interpretation of primary data collected via focus group discussions and interviews is done with five different approaches that study respectively: social meanings and representations of AIDS embedded in context, the stigmatising process correlating gender stereotypes and discrimination against women, stereotypical speech attitudes and speech mechanism as well as the functions and effects of stereotyping. My conclusion is that deeply rooted gender barriers are to be removed in order to combat the social plague of AIDS and that ethnography of communication offers interesting models for development projects that can initiate behavioural changes through speech. / Linguistics / M.A. (Sociolinguistics)

This research investigates how the speech community living in Maputo city uses language in relation to HIV/AIDS and studies related stigmas which impede women's access to HIV/AIDS counselling services. My hypothesis is that frequent use of gender stereotypes in AIDS discourse aims at stigmatising women as AIDS propagators, while minimizing male sexual transgressions in the AIDS crisis. Interpretation of primary data collected via focus group discussions and interviews is done with five different approaches that study respectively: social meanings and representations of AIDS embedded in context, the stigmatising process correlating gender stereotypes and discrimination against women, stereotypical speech attitudes and speech mechanism as well as the functions and effects of stereotyping. My conclusion is that deeply rooted gender barriers are to be removed in order to combat the social plague of AIDS and that ethnography of communication offers interesting models for development projects that can initiate behavioural changes through speech. / Linguistics and Modern Languages / M.A. (Sociolinguistics)

The aim of this research is to highlight both the conceptual and practical factors that constrain attempts to link humanitarian assistance and development aid in political emergencies in Southern Africa by using the case study of Mozambique in the period between 1975-1995. Extensive use and reference to Norwegian relief and development aid during the above-mentioned period is made. Although cross-reference is made to other donor countries such as the Like-minded Group (comprising of Canada, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland) and UN agencies that supported Mozambique's transition from war to peace, the major focus is on Norway as she has traditionally been the sixth largest bilateral donor by the early 1990's and incorporated long-term development priorities in her programs.

The MOZAL aluminium smelter in Maputo is the largest-ever foreign direct investment in Mozambique. South Africa&rsquo / s state-owned Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) owns 24% shares in MOZAL and the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) and Eskom provided road and power supply infrastructure to ensure the success of the smelter. BHP Billiton is the majority shareholder, the other being Mitsubishi. MOZAL is the flagship of South Africa&rsquo / s foreign policy for regional integration in southern Africa and economic reconstruction in Mozambique: a practical manifestation of the African Renaissance. This thesis is a case study of MOZAL as an example of cross-border industrial development and its implications for development in Mozambique. Using an eclectic multidisciplinary Critical Global Political Economy (critical GPE) theoretical framework, a survey of relevant literature and a series of selected open interviews, it examines how development based on the assumptions of industrialisation and neo-modernisation espoused by the governments and private sector champions of MOZAL impact on class, gender, environmental and social justice in Mozambique. The research identifies the socio-economic development dimensions of MOZAL for Mozambique and how the cost and benefits are distributed among the various social groups and actors directly and/or indirectly involved with the MOZAL aluminium smelter. The main findings are that MOZAL as a private sector FDI project is a qualified success. On the positive side, it contributes to economic growth. However, the benefits to Mozambique are exaggerated and are not broadly distributed. On the negative side, it contributes to increasing the economic dependence of Mozambique on the South African economy. Instead of narrowing the development gap, the smelter has contributed to increased differentiation between companies in South Africa and Mozambique and, within Mozambique, between the Northern and Southern regions, as well as among MOZAL employees and the majority of the population in Maputo. The implications are that the development benefits from foreign direct investment cross-border industrial development projects may, at least in the short-term, lead to uneven regional integration and development enjoyed by a few.

A major obstacle facing the successful creation of an African aquaculture industry, based upon Oreochromids, is the irregular supply of good quality fish seed. There are several causative biological processes behind its irregular supply. The aim of this research was therefore to determine the basic requirements for the establishment and maintenance of a small breeding facility, for O. mossambicus. The goal was to make a unit that was simple and which could be easily replicated in rural, satellite aquaculture seed stations. The results obtained illustrate that a small reproduction unit can produce large quantities of healthy 90-day fry. Asynchronous hatching of the eggs and spawning asynchrony in female Oreochromis mossambicus are two elements which negatively affect uniformity in the fry produced. Typical fish seed production uses large ponds partitioned into breeding allotments or a series of breeding pools. While the earthen ponds provide a substrate in which a nest can be excavated, its presence is not required for mating success in the closely related O. niloticus (Linneaus 1758). Female mate choice, as well as apparent fecundity, according to nest size has been clearly recorded in related cichlids but no investigations have been made as to nest size and spawning synchrony in O. mossambicus. The main focus of this investigation was to ascertain whether O. mossambicus would accept artificial nest substitutes in preference to their own constructed ones and secondly, whether different alternatives would elicit different levels of acceptance. The observed results indicate a ready acceptance for artificial nest alternatives, with nest lip height being prioritised by the fish . The implications thereof are discussed in relation to the potential for optimization of breeding arenas for O. mossambicus by the provision of artificial nests whose dimensions satisfy both male and female preferences. In established communities, Oreochromis mossambicus display various complex and ritualised behaviours during stable and disruptive events. The aim of this research was primarily to produce a glossary of behaviours defining these interactions, particularly with reference to male-male behaviours. Three males and six females were allowed to acclimatise over one month, with various social groupings being established within the first few days. Results from this study illustrated not only a dynamic social structure, signaled via various chemosensory and visual methods, but also supported recent findings in apparent male-male courtship and the underlying ii causes. Furthermore, the observed male-male activity of the nestholder malesfirmly corroborate the current practice in aquaculture whereby only one male is allocated per breeding arena. The use of artificial incubation of Oreochromis spp. eggs has become widespread in high intensity fish seed production. Various types of incubator exist, and their selection is dependent on the specific attributes of the egg to be incubated. Currently available incubators are typically of a funnel (up-flow) or round bottomed (down-flow) design. Neither permits easy access to the eggs, which is particularly important when dealing with poor quality water as is typically found in rural areas. The aim of this study was to devise and test an easy-to-use incubator, applicable to rural seed production projects, which offers advantages over currently available incubator types. The final design, WETNURSE Type II, offered improved hatching rates over Type I, with a mean hatching success of 75%. While falling short of the desired 80% success rate (Rana 1986), the various other benefits provided by the design justify further optimization and testing. Three distinct populations of O. mossambicus, representing populations of inbred, randomly mated and genetically unknown (wild-caught) pedigree were analysed according to their food conversion efficiency (FCE). The intra- and inter-sample crosses were done with single males in order to produce half-sib progeny batches which allowed for the assessment of sire influences on the FCE of the progeny batches. The results show that the population of unknown pedigree is comparable to that of the randomly mating population, indicating the presence of sufficient genetic variation to permit further selection; the genetic contribution of the males to their respective progeny was insignificant in relation to that made by the female.

In Southern Africa and Mozambique, tropical lowland accounts for 22% and 65%, respectively, of area under maize production, but grain yield is compromised by downy mildew disease (DM, which is caused by Peronosclerospora sorghi (Weston and Uppal) Shaw), and lack of appropriate varieties, especially hybrids. Among other factors, productivity can be enhanced by deploying DM resistant hybrids, which are higher yielding than open pollinated varieties. Development of a viable hybrid-breeding programme requires knowledge of genetic effects governing yield and DM resistance in inbreds, and effective germplasm management requires heterotic groups and heterotic patterns to be established. In addition, knowledge of farmer-preferred traits is required. Currently, such information is not available to the hybrid-breeding programme in Mozambique. The objectives of this study were, therefore; i) to identify farmers’ preferred variety traits and major production constraints, ii) to determine combining ability effects of inbred maize S4 lines for grain yield and DM resistance, iii) to determine heterotic groups and heterotic patterns among the elite inbred maize lines, and iv) to investigate gene effects governing resistance to DM in breeding source inbred maize lines from the breeding programme in Mozambique. During 2007/08, 142 households were involved in a survey conducted in three districts representing two maize agro-ecological zones in Mozambique. Formal surveys and informal farmer-participatory methods were employed and data subjected to analysis in the SPSS computer programme. Results indicated that there was a low utilization of improved varieties, especially hybrids, with grain yield estimated at 0.7 t ha-1. Farmers were aware of the major production constraints and could discriminate constraints according to their importance for their respective communities. For the lowland environment, farmers identified downy mildew, drought, and cutworm and stem borer damage as the main constraints. In contrast, for the high altitude environments, they ranked ear rot, seed and fertilizer availability, turcicum leaf blight, grey leaf spot diseases and low soil fertility among the major constraints limiting productivity. The most important variety selection criteria were grain yield, short growth cycle, white and flint grain with stress tolerance to drought, low soil fertility, diseases, and grain weevils. These afore mentioned traits, would be priority for the breeding programmes for the lowland and mid altitude environments in Mozambique. To determine combining ability for downy mildew resistance, heterotic groups and heterotic patterns, two testers (open-pollinated varieties) ZM523 (Z) and Suwan-1 (S), were crossed with 18 lines to generate 36 top crosses for evaluation. Crosses were evaluated at two sites under DM. Preponderance of GCA effects indicated that additive gene effects were more important than non-additive gene effects in governing both grain yield and downy mildew resistance in the new maize lines. Based on specific combining ability (SCA) data, lines for yield were classified into two heterotic groups, S and Z; whereas based on heterosis data, lines were fitted into three heterotic groups (S, Z and SZ). Further heterotic patterns and gene action for yield were determined by subjecting nine inbred lines and the two testers, S and Z, to an 11 x 11 diallel-mating scheme. The diallel crosses, three hybrid checks and the two testers were evaluated in six environments in Mozambique. Results revealed that non-additive gene effects were predominant for yield components. In addition, high levels of heterosis for yield was observed and three heterotic groups identified (Z, S and S/Z), and five exceptional heterotic patterns among the inbred elite maize lines were observed. Topcrosses with yield levels comparable to single cross hybrids were also identified, and these would be advanced in the testing programme with potential for deployment as alternative cheaper and sustainable technology to conventional hybrids for the poor farming communities in Mozambique. To determine gene effects for downy mildew resistance in potential breeding lines, two maize populations were derived from crosses between downy mildew susceptible line LP67, and resistant lines DRAC and Suwan-L1. To generate F2 and backcross progenies (BCP1 and BCP2), F1 progenies were self-pollinated and simultaneously crossed to both inbred parents (P1 and P2). All the six generations (P1, P2, F1, F2, BCP1, and BCP2) of the populations were evaluated at two sites under downy mildew infection. A generation mean analysis was performed in SAS. It was revealed that downy mildew resistance was influenced by genes with additive and dominance effects, plus different types of epistatic effects such as additive x additive, and dominance x dominance. Overall results indicated that genes with predominantly non-additive effects controlled resistance in DRAC, whereas resistance in Suwan-L1 was largely influenced by additive gene effects. These findings have serious implications on the effective use of these downy mildew resistance sources in breeding programmes that aim to generate varieties with downy mildew resistance. Overall, results suggested that inbreeding and selection within heterotic groups, followed by hybridization between inbreds within and across heterotic groups would be effective to generate new hybrids. The breeding programme will consider development of conventional hybrids, such as single crosses and three way crosses, and top crosses. Implications of the findings of the study and recommendations are discussed. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important food and cash crop in Mozambique and production has been constrained by lack of high-yielding cultivars and disease infection. Objectives of this study were: 1) to identify farmers’ major groundnut production constraints and their preferences for cultivars; 2) to determine genotypic variation among landraces for agro-morphological traits and resistance to groundnut rosette disease; 3) to determine agronomic performance and resistance to groundnut rosette disease among advanced groundnut lines; and 4) to determine the inheritance of resistance to groundnut rosette disease. The study was conducted in northern Mozambique from 2008/2009 to 2010/2011. In attempt to identify farmers’ major groundnut production constraints and their preferences in cultivars, a participatory rural appraisal (PRA) was conducted in Namuno and Erati districts in northern Mozambique. Results from the PRA showed that farmers were aware of the constraints affecting groundnut production and productivity in the study area. The major constraints included groundnut rosette disease, insect pests, lack of seeds and improved cultivars, low soil fertility and lack of infra-structure. Groundnut rosette disease was ranked the most important constraint, and it was widespread in the region. Selection criterion for groundnut cultivars used by women differed from that used by men within village and across villages. However, high yield and oil content were the most important traits preferred by farmers followed by pod and seed size, earliness, disease and insect pest resistance. Fifty-eight groundnut landraces were collected from northern Mozambique (Nampula, Cabo Delgado, Niassa and Zambezia) and evaluated for variation in agro-morphological traits and resistance to groundnut rosette disease. The landraces showed high phenotypic diversity in agro-morphological traits. Clustering by nearest neighbour method indicated that the genotypes could be grouped into six clusters, indicating that agro-morphological diversity exists. The highest yielding genotypes were Pambara-4, Pambara-2, Pambara-6, lle-1, Imponge-1-Tom and Gile-5. There was considerable genetic variability for resistance to groundnut rosette disease among the landraces. Four landraces (PAN-4, Imponge-4, Pambara-3, Metarica Joao) were classified as resistant. No significant correlation was observed between seed yield and groundnut rosette incidence. Thirty-two improved lines were evaluated for performance in two growing seasons across three locations in northern Mozambique (Nampula, Namapa and Mapupulo). The results indicated that the highest yielding genotype was 23A and the highest yielding location was Namapa. There was a significant and negative correlation between seed yield and groundnut rosette disease indicating that the seed yield was negatively influenced by the disease. The results on stability analysis indicated that genotype 35B was the most stable across environments since it had coefficient of regression around unity (bi=1.024), high coefficient of determination (R2=0.999), and small variance deviation (var-dev=162.8), and 13 % above average seed yield. It is, therefore, concluded that genotype 35A could be recommended for cultivation on diverse environments of northern Mozambique. A trial was conducted using the parents and F2 populations derived from a 7 X 7 diallel cross. The test materials were infected with groundnut rosette disease using the spreader-row technique. The results indicated that no genotype was immune to disease. The mean squares due to both general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were significant indicating that additive and non-additive gene actions were involved in the expression of resistance to groundnut rosette disease. The general predictability ratio (GCA:SCA) was 0.97, indicating the predominance of additive over non-additive gene action in the inheritance of the disease. The study also found that groundnut rosette disease was controlled by two recessive genes. However, some genetic modifiers may also be present and influence disease expression. In general, the study revealed that breeding opportunities do exist, incorporating farmers preferred traits and major groundnut production constraints into new groundnut cultivars. Improving cultivars for resistance to groundnut rosette disease will be a major breeding focus, while selection for other traits and constraints will not be ignored. Resistance has been identified from local landraces. Advanced lines with high yields across environments were identified that can be recommended for release. The high significant additive effects observed for groundnut rosette disease implied genetic advance could be effective in the F2 and later generations through selection, although modifiers could slow the progress. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.

Poverty in its many guises - poor housing, no employment, indifferent health and hunger is a driving force for scavenging. In most developing countries, the informal recovery of material from waste is a common survival strategy for the poor. In fact, up to 2% of populations in developing countries depend on recovering, re-using and selling waste materials from streets, dumpsite or landfills for their livelihood. The aim of this study was to develop an understanding of the socio-economic conditions affecting the scavengers and scavenging activities at the Hulene dumpsite in Maputo. This study set out to develop a conceptual framework depicting scavenging, its problems and opportunities. This was used to structure the research. The main issues addressed were: • The driving forces of scavenging where poverty is the major factor. • The organization of scavengers and scavenging activities showing that there is no formal organization of scavengers, which leads to exploitation of vulnerable groups. • The reaction from the national and local authorities, with the prevalence of a repressive policy and absence of support. • The gender dimension on scavenging activities; and • The perception of health risks. The findings are that scavenging constitutes a means of livelihood for poor people. These activities respond to the market demand and not to environmental considerations. However, in performing scavenging activities which results in informal recycling and resources recovery, people generate environmental benefits, economic benefits and social benefits. Other findings are that the informal organization of scavengers increases the exploitation and the health risk of scavengers. Thus, organization is a key to the success of scavengers and indirectly to the municipal economy. It is concluded that the framework set out in this thesis is useful in the sense that it illustrates the factors which influence scavenging activities. This framework can be used for further research in similar situations. It is also concluded that prohibition of scavenging activities would have undesirable consequences for the economy of Maputo in particular and of Mozambique in general. Thus, since this activity brings benefits to scavengers and to society, the government should support and stimulate this activity and not persecute those who provide this service. Consequently, as a recommendation, government, local communities and NGOs are called upon to support scavengers. The formation of scavenger co-operatives can promote sustainable grassroots development in this sector of the population. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-Unversity of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

Maize streak virus (MSV) disease, transmitted by leafhoppers (Cicadulina mbila, Naude), and maize downy mildew (DM) disease caused by Peronosclerospora sorghi (Weston and Uppal) Shaw, are major contributing factors to low maize yields in Africa. These two diseases threaten maize production in Mozambique, thus the importance of breeding Mozambican maize varieties that carry resistance to these diseases. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) was employed to pyramid MSV and DM disease resistant genes into a single genetic background through simultaneous selection. Firstly, it was essential to determine the genetic diversity of MSV disease resistance in 25 elite maize inbred lines to aid in the selection of suitable lines for the introgression of the msv1 gene; and subsequently, to introduce the msv1 resistance gene cluster from two inbred lines, CM505 and CML509, which were identified as the ideal parental lines for the introgression of MSV disease resistance into a locally adapted Mozambican inbred line LP23 that had DM background resistance. Pyramiding the resistance genes by the use of simple sequence repeat (SSR) molecular markers to track the MSV gene cluster was investigated in 118 F3 progeny derived from crosses of CML505 x LP23 and CML509 x LP23. High resolution melt (HRM) analysis using the markers umc2228 and bnlg1811 detected 29 MSV resistant lines. At the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) in Zimbabwe, MSV disease expression of the 118 F3 progeny lines was assessed under artificial inoculation conditions with viruliferous leafhoppers and the effect of the MSV disease on plant height was measured. Thirty-seven family lines exhibited MSV and DM (DM incidence ≤50) disease resistance. Individual plants from a total of 41 progeny lines, that exhibited MSV disease severity ratings of 2.5 or less in both locations within each of the F3 family lines, were selected based on the presence of the msv1 gene based on SSR data, or field DM disease resistance, and were then advanced to the F4 generation to be fixed for use to improve maize hybrids in Mozambique for MSV resistance. Simultaneous trials were run at Chokwe Research Station in Mozambique for MSV and DM disease assessment, under natural and artificial disease infestation, respectively. Thus the MSV and DM genes were effectively pyramided. Lines with both MSV and DM resistance were advanced to the F4 generation and will be fixed for use to improve maize hybrids in Mozambique for MSV and DM resistance, which will have positive implications on food security in Mozambique. This research discusses the results of combined selection with both artificial inoculation and the three selected SSR markers. It was concluded that a conventional maize breeder can successfully use molecular markers to improve selection intensity and maximise genetic gain. / Thesis (M.Sc.Agric)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.