Thesis (MSc (Paraclinical Sciences, Veterinary Science))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print format.

Producenten Kevin Parker har onekligen fått igenkänning för sitt trumsound. Som huvudsaklig låtskrivare och producent i rockbandet Tame Impala har han skapat sig ett ”signature sound”. Eftersom många gillar hur Parkers trummor låter har det förts långa diskussioner angående produktionsprocessen. Uppsatsen ämnade att ta reda på hur Parkers produktion sett ut och vilka ljudliga artefakter det är som utgör hans sound. Resultatet visar på en väldigt nedskalad inspelning. Ofta med ett enkelt vintage-trumkit och tre till fyra mikrofoner, dämpade skinn samt en hel del kompression och distorsion. Soundet kan beskrivas som väldigt energiskt, mycket tack vare just hård kompression och distorsion. Parkers sound känns igen även utanför Tame Impala. Trummorna upplevs i många fall som mycket mer än bara ett rytminstrument. Uppsatsen förklarar hur okonventionella produktionsprocesser kan ge upphov till originella ljudliga karaktärer, vilket i slutändan kan anses en positiv konsekvens.

Worldwide there is a growing concern of the emergence and evolution of antimicrobial resistance among bacterial pathogens, which poses a threat to human and animal health. The extensive use and misuse of antimicrobials in human and veterinary clinical therapy and agricultural practices have been a major selective force for the emergence, selection, and dissemination of antimicrobial resistant bacteria and resistant genes. Commensal bacteria constitute a reservoir of resistant genes and their level of resistance is considered to be a good indicator for resistance problems to be expected in pathogens. The monitoring of the prevalence of resistance in indicator bacteria such as faecal Escherichia coli and enterococci in different human and animal populations allows the comparison of the prevalence of resistance and to detect transfer between animals and humans and vice versa. Antimicrobial resistance has however, been found in the bacteria of wildlife not exposed to antimicrobials and living in remote areas of this earth. This has implications for resistance control strategies. Previous studies on antimicrobial resistance in wildlife have yielded contrasting results, such as an almost complete absence of resistance in enterobacteria isolated from moose, deer and vole in Finland compared to a high prevalence of resistance in faecal bacteria from wild rodents living in northwest England, which are possibly due to differences in the ecological systems and the proximity to anthropogenic activities. This study further investigates the phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance in wildlife. A previous study conducted in the conservancy area of Kruger National Park (KNP) within South Africa showed that surface water could be a possible source of antimicrobial resistance in unexposed animal populations and that impala (Aepyceros melampus) were good sentinel animals for the documentation of antimicrobial resistance through rivers. This current study followed on this hypothesis and investigated the prevalence of resistance in commensal bacteria isolated from impala and their water sources in KNP. The following four perennial river systems were selected: the Olifants, the Letaba, the Crocodile, the Sabie-Sand Rivers. Samples of river water (n=11) and faeces (n=165) were collected at 11 different sites along these rivers. Samples were directly plated and resistant colonies were selected by means of discs containing antimicrobials (direct plating method). Resistant colonies that grew in the presence of antimicrobials were cultured and identified. Isolates of E. coli (n=12), Enterobacter cloacae (n=49), Pantoea species (n=9), Enterococcus faecalis (n=59), Enterococcus faecium (n=4) and Enterococcus durans (n=64) were tested for susceptibility to a selection of commonly used veterinary antimicrobial drugs. Susceptibility to 18 antimicrobial drugs was determined by means of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) using a commercial MIC test (Sensititre® Bovine/Porcine plate format BOP06F). Our results allow us to give further support to our working hypothesis that antimicrobial resistance, as evidenced in the impala faeces, may have been due to the impala drinking from the polluted rivers, knowing full well that impala are not routinely subjected to any form of antimicrobial treatment. Although the isolates obtained from the water sources were not as many as those obtained from the faecal samples, a degree of resistance was also observed across all the four river systems that we isolated bacteria from, and this was also evident in the faecal samples as well. Our results also further add to the importance of wildlife as sentinels in environmental antimicrobial resistance studies. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Veterinary Tropical Diseases / Unrestricted

The aim of the study was to describe the helminth parasites of the common game species in the Limpopo Province, focusing on the northern and western parts where the climate is harsh and dry, with a large area considered to be semi-arid. In total 36 animals were examined which included ten impala, Aepyceros melampus, eight kudu, Tragelaphus strepsiceros, four blue wildebeest, Connochaetes taurinus, two black wildebeest, Connochaetes gnou, three gemsbok, Oryx gazelle, one nyala, Tragelaphus angasii, one bushbuck, Tragelaphus scriptus and one waterbuck, Kobus ellipsiprymnus, as well as six warthogs, Phacochoerus aethiopicus, and a single bushpig, Potamochoerus porcus. New host records for species include Trichostrongylus deflexus in the blue wildebeest, Agriostomum gorgonis in the black wildebeest, Stilesia globipunctata in the waterbuck, and Fasciola hepatica in the kudu. The only known zoonotic helminth recovered was one hydatid cyst of an Echinococcus sp. from the lungs of a warthog. The total burdens and species variation of the helminths in this study were all consistently low compared to other studies done in areas with higher rainfall. This has practical implications when animals are translocated to areas with higher rainfall and higher prevalence of helminths. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Veterinary Tropical Diseases / unrestricted

Thesis (PhD) -- Stellenbosch University, 1995. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Graling in the Kruger National Park. south of Phalaborwa Gate, is contaminated with copper, probably from a nearby copper refinery. Cattle in the neighbourhood have died from copper poisoning while the average copper concentration in the livers of impala in the Krgler National Park, was found to be abnormally high. The possibility exists that the ultrastructure of spermatozoa may serve as an indicator of environmental conditions. To examine this statement further, the purpose of this study includes the following: - To describe the ultrastructure of normal impala sperm as well as their abnormalities. - To quantify the sperm abnormalities of each experimental animal and to relate the abnormalities with the copper concentration in the impala liver, in order to determine whether any correlation exists between these two variables. Impala have been terminated monthly, from 1992.06.09 to 1993.05.15. in the vicinity of Phalaborwa Gate and in the Skukuza area for other research projects. Their sperm were made available for this study. The control group consisted of 20 animals which comprised 14 animals from an area, not contaminated with copper, along the Nwaswitshaka spruit near Skukula and 6 animals originally from the same area but which had been kept in captivity at Skukuza on a diet, not contaminated with copper. The experimental group consisted of 44 animals which comprised 32 animals from copper contaminated grazing along the Tshutshi spruit south of Phalaborwa Gate and 12 animals captured along the Nwaswitshaka spruit which were kept on a copper contaminated diet in captivity at Skukuza. Sperm from the epididymis of each animal were collected and fixed in a temporary laboratory. The sperm were processed at the Electron Microscopy Unit of the Faculty of Veterinary Science of the University of Pretoria and studied by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The copper concentration in the liver was analyzed and bone marrow collected of each animal in order to determine the condition of the animal. The external morphology of a normal impala sperm was documented by means of SEM and the dimensions of the sperm determined. SEM micrographs of observed sperm abnormalities were taken. Percentages for normal sperm and the percentages of some abnormalities of a control group (Average liver copper concentration - ALCC = 37.9 ppm WB) were calculated. The same percentages were also calculated for an experimental group (ALCC = 104 ppm WB). The control group and the experimental group exhibited 91.6% and 93.6% normal sperm respectively. The difference in percentage sperm abnormalities of the two groups was of the same order. The increased copper in the livers of the experimental group has thus not lead to an increase of the percentage macro-abnormalities observed with SEM. The ultrastructure of normal impala sperm were described and documented with micrographs by means of TEM. The deviations of the normal sperm ultrastructure were also recorded on micrographs. Percentages were calculated for the normal sperm sections, as well as the abnormalities of some sperm sections of a contrl group (ALCC = 33.86 ppm WB). The same percentages were also calculated for an experimental group (ALCC = 122.5 ppm WB). For the control group the average percentage sperm neck sections with vacuoles was : 31.5% and for the experimental group this percentage was : 57.9%. The increased copper concentrations in the livers of the experimental group thus led to an increase of the percentage of sperm necks with vacuoles. There is also reason to believe that the difference of the percentages of sections of the sperm head, in the control and experimental group, should be remarkably greater. A graphic analysis of the TEM-data has also shown that a statistically significant correlation exists between the percentage of sperm with vacuoles in the neck and the copper concentrations in the livers of impalas. The conclusion is that high level copper concentrations exert a detrimental effect on the ultrastructure of the sperm neck. The possibility also exists that copper concentrations in impala liver > 500 ppm WB. will show a correlation with the percentages of some of the other abnormalities observed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die weiding suid van Phalaborwahek in die Krugerwildtuin word waarskynlik vanaf 'n nabygeleë kopersmeltery met koper besoedel. Van die plaasdiere in die omgewing het reeds van kopervergiftiging gevrek en die gemiddeIde koperkonsentrasie in die lewers van rooibokke is abnormaal hoog. Die moontlikheid bestaan dat die ultrastruktuur van spermatozoa as 'n indikator van omgewingstoestande kan dien. Om bogenoemde moontlikheid verder te ondersoek was die doelwit van hierdie studie die volgende: Om die ultrastruktuur van normaIe rooiboksperme en hulle abnormaliteite te beskryf en die spermabnormaliteite van elke proefdier te kwantifiseer en met die koperkonsentrasie in die lewer in verband te bring om sodoende te bepaal of daar 'n korrelasie tussen die twee veranderlikes bestaan. Rooibokke wat maandeliks vanaf 1992.06.09 tot 1993.05.15 vir ander navorsingsprojekte in die omgewing van Phalaborwahek en Skukuza getermineer is, se sperme is vir die studie beskikbaar gestel. Die kontrolegroep het bestaan uit 20 diere wat saamgestel is uit 14 diere afkomstig van die Nwaswitshakaspruit naby Skukuza, uit 'n gebied wat nie met koper besoedel is nie en 6 diere uit 'n groep wat oorspronklik uit dieselfde gebied gekom het, maar wat te Skukuza in aanhouding geleef het op voedsel wat nie met koper besoedel was nie. Die eksperimentele groep het bestaan uit 44 diere waarvan 32 in die omgewing van die Tshutshispruit suid van Phalaborwahek versamel is en die ander 12 diere is langs die Nwaswitshakaspruit gevang en op 'n koperbesoedelde dieet te Skukuza aangehou. Sperme uit die epididymis van elke dier is in 'n tydelike laboratorium versamel en gefikseer. By die Elektronmikroskopie Eenheid van die Fakutreit van Veeartsenykunde van die Universiteit van Pretoria is die sperme voorberei en met behulp van skandeerelektronmikroskopie (SEM) en transmissie-elektronmikroskopie (TEM) bestudeer. Die koperkonsentrasie in die lewer is bepaal en murgvet is versamel om die kondisie van die diere te bepaaI. Met SEM is die uitwendige morfologie van 'n normale rooiboksperm met mikrograwe gedokumenteer en die mates van die sperm bepaal. Mikrograwe van waargeneemde spermabnormaliteite is met SEM geneem. Persentasies is vir normale sperme en die abnormaliteite van sommige sperme van 'n kontrolegroep (Gemiddelde lewerkoperkonsentrasie - GLKK =37.9 dpm NB) bereken. Dieselfde persentasies is ook vir 'n eksperimentele groep (GLKK = 104 dpm NB) bereken. Van die kontrolegroep het 91.6% en van die eksperimentele groep 93.6% sperme normaal vertoon. Die verskil in persentasies spermafwykings van die twee groepe was ook van dieselfde orde. Die verhoogde koperkonsentrasie in die lewers van die eksperimentele groep het dus nie gelei tot 'n verhoging van die persentasie makro-abnormaliteite wat met SEM waargeneem is nie. Die ultrastruktuur van 'n normale rooiboksperm is met behulp van TEM beskryf en met mikrograwe gedokumenteer. Die afwykings van die spermultrastruktuur is ook op mikrograwe vasgelê. Persentasies is vir die normale spermsneë en die abnormaliteite van sommige spermsneë van 'n kontrolegroep (GLKK = 33.86 dpm NB) bereken. Dieselfde persentasies is ook vir 'n eksperimentele groep (GLKK = 122.5 dpm NB) bereken. Vir die kontrolegroep was die persentasie neksneë met vakuoles = 31.5% en vir die eksperimentele groep was die persentasie = 57.9%. Die verhoogde koperkonsentrasie in die lewer van die eksperimentele groep het dus gelei tot 'n verhoging van die persentasie neksneë met vakuoles. Rede bestaan om te glo dat die verskil van die persentasies kopsneë van die kontrole- en eksperimentele groep ook aansienlik hoër behoort te wees. 'n Grafiese analise van die TEM-data het ook getoon dat daar 'n statisties betekenisvolle korrelasie tussen die persentasie spermnekke met vakuoles en die koperkonsentrasie in die lewer van rooibokke bestaan. Die bevinding is dat hoë lewerkoperkonsentrasies 'n nadelige invloed op die ultrastruktuur van die spermnek uitoefen. Die moontlikheid bestaan ook dat koperkonsentrasies in die lewer > 500 dpm NB ook 'n korrelasie met sommige van die ander abnormaliteite sal toon.

Thesis (MScAgric)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Although kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) and impala (Aepyceros melampus) are found in the same geographical area, there is variation in their diets as kudu are predominantly browsers, feeding on tree and shrub leaves, while impala are known as mixed feeders as they graze and browse. Therefore this poses the question whether the diet would influence their meat quality. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the physical measurements and chemical composition of M. longissimus dorsi, M. biceps femoris, M. semimembranosus, M. semitendinosus and M. supraspinatus for kudu and impala, two southern African antelope species. The effects of age (adult and sub-adult) and gender (male and female) were also determined. The sensory characteristics of the M. longissimus dorsi muscle for sub-adult kudu and impala were investigated. Correlations between the various physical measurements and chemical composition of the meat were verified. Physical measurements and chemical composition of the M. longissimus dorsi muscle were tested for correlations with the sensory ratings of the meat. Dressing percentage of impala (59.88%) (n=28) was higher than that of kudu (57.60%) (n=35). The main effects (species, gender and age) showed no differences for drip loss and cooking loss. However, muscles differed in terms of cooking loss with impala M. semitendinosus having the highest (38.28%) value and kudu M. longissimus dorsi having the lowest value (30.77%). For impala, the highest Warner–Bratzler shear (WBS) values were measured for M. semimembranosus (5.90 kg/1.27cmø), followed by M. biceps femoris, M. longissimus dorsi, and M. semitendinosus with the lowest WBS values measured for M. supraspinatus (3.61 kg/1.27cmø). All impala muscles had lower L* values and appeared darker in colour than kudu muscles, except for M. supraspinatus. Adult animals also had lower L* values than the sub-adult group. Kudu had significantly higher a* and b* values (more red) than impala. Chroma values were higher for kudu, thus appearing brighter in colour. The respective muscles of kudu and impala investigated differed significantly in terms of physical characteristics. However, gender and age did not have an effect on the physical measurements. Moisture content was higher in kudu meat (76.46%) than in impala meat (75.28%). Muscles differed for both moisture and fat content. The highest fat was found in M. supraspinatus followed by M. biceps femoris, M. semitendinosus, M. semimembranosus and M. longissimus dorsi. Protein content did not differ between species (kudu: 21.66%; impala: 22.26%), gender (male: 21.98%; female: 21.95%) and age groups (adult: 21.74%; sub-adult: 22.18%). Kudu M. longissimus dorsi (1.62%) had lower fat content than impala M. longissimus dorsi (2.22%) and female animals had a higher fat content than male animals. Sub-adults (1.20 ± 0.02%) had higher ash content than adults (1.10 ± 0.03%). The M. supraspinatus had the lowest protein and also the highest fat content, with M. semimembranosus having the lowest fat content but the highest value for protein. Myoglobin content did not differ between species, although females had higher (6.58 ± 0.20 mg/g) myoglobin content than males (5.11 ± 0.25 mg/g). Glycolitic muscles had the lowest myoglobin content with the highest values found in M. supraspinatus, an oxidative muscle. An interaction was noted between species and muscle for myoglobin content. Myoglobin content in impala M. longissimus dorsi was higher than that in kudu M. longissimus dorsi; however for all other muscles the myoglobin content was lower in impala. Gender did not affect mineral content. Potassium levels were highest for kudu while phosphorus was more prevalent in impala meat. Adult and sub-adult groups differed in terms of potassium, calcium and zinc content. Potassium and calcium content were higher for subadult animals while zinc content was higher in adult animals. In impala meat, stearic acid (22.67%) was the major fatty acid, followed by palmitic acid (16.66%). In contrast, oleic acid (24.35%) was the most profuse fatty acid in kudu, followed by linoleic acid (22.95%). The SFA’s as a percentage of the total fatty acids differed between impala (51.12%) and kudu meat (34.87%). Kudu meat had a higher concentration of total PUFA (38.88%) than impala (34.06%) meat. The PUFA: SFA ratio for kudu meat (1.22) was more favourable than that for impala meat (0.73). The ratio of n-6 PUFA’s to n-3 PUFA’s for kudu and impala were determined as 2.22 and 3.76 respectively. From the current findings it is evident that kudu and impala meat have advantageous fatty acid profiles and can be a healthy substitute for other red meats. Kudu meat (72.62 ± 1.86 mg/100g) had higher cholesterol than impala meat (55.35 ± 1.84 mg/100g). It is recommended that further studies be done in order to confirm the cholesterol content of kudu meat. Within species, no gender differences for any of the sensory characteristics tested were noted. The impala meat had a more intense game aroma than the kudu meat, while kudu meat was found to be more juicy than impala meat. It can therefore be concluded that the marketing of game meat should be species-specific as there are distinct flavour and aroma differences between kudu and impala meat. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Alhoewel koedoes (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) en rooibokke (Aepyceros melampus) in dieselfde geografiese area voorkom, is daar variasie in hulle diëte. Koedoes is hoofsaaklik blaarvreters, terwyl rooibokke bekend staan as gemengde vreters aangesien hulle grassowel as blaarvreters is. Die vraag ontstaan dus of die verskil in diëet die kwaliteit van hulle vleis sal beϊnvloed. Die doel van hierdie ondersoek was dus om die fisiese metings en chemiese samestelling van die M. longissimus dorsi, M. biceps femoris, M. semimembranosus, M. semitendinosus en M. supraspinatus vir koedoes en rooibokke te bepaal. Die invloed van ouderdom (volwasse en onvolwasse) en geslag (manlik en vroulik) op hierdie eienskappe is ook geëvalueer. Die sensoriese eienskappe van die M. longissimus dorsi van onvolwasse koedoes en rooibokke is ook ondersoek. Korrelasies tussen die fisiese metings en chemiese samestelling van die vleis is ondersoek. Die fisiese metings en chemiese samestelling van die M. longissimus dorsi is getoets vir korrelasies met die resultate van die sintuiglike evaluering van die vleis. Die gemiddelde uitslagpersentasie van rooibokke (59.88%) (n=28) was hoër as die van koedoes (57.60%) (n=35). Daar was geen verskille in drupverlies en kookverlies vir die hoofeffekte (spesie, geslag en ouderdom) nie. Spiere het wel verskil in terme van kookverlies, met die hoogste waarde gemeet vir rooibok M. semitendinosus (38.28%) en die laagste waarde vir koedoe M. longissimus dorsi (30.77%). In rooibokke was die hoogste Warner- Bratzler skeurkrag waardes gemeet vir M. semimembranosus (5.76 kg/1.27cmø), gevolg deur M. biceps femoris, M. longissimus dorsi, en M. semitendinosus met die laagste Warner- Bratzler skeurkrag waardes gemeet vir M. supraspinatus (3.78 kg/1.27cmø). Alle rooibokspiere het laer L* waardes gehad en was donkerder van kleur as koedoespiere, behalwe vir M. supraspinatus. Laer L* waardes is ook verkry vir volwasse diere in vergelyking met onvolwasse diere. Die a* en b* waardes was hoër in koedoe- as in rooibokvleis, m.a.w. koedoevleis het rooier vertoon. Die onderskeie koedoe- en rooibokspiere het betekenisvol verskil in terme van fisiese eienskappe, terwyl geslag en ouderdom geen effek op die fisiese eienskappe gehad het nie. Voginhoud was hoër in koedoe- (75.52%) as in rooibokvleis (74.52%). Verkille tussen spiere is opgemerk vir beide vog- en vetinhoud. M. supraspinatus het die hoogste vetinhoud gehad, gevolg deur M. biceps femoris, M. semitendinosus, M. semimembranosus en M. longissimus dorsi. Geen verskille is opgemerk tussen spesies (koedoe: 21.66%; rooibok: 22.26%), geslagte (manlik: 21.98%; vroulik: 21.95%) en ouderdomme (volwasse: 21.74%; onvolwasse: 22.18%) in terme van proteϊeninhoud nie. Die vetinhoud van koedoe M. longissimus dorsi (1.62%) was laer as dié van rooibok M. longissimus dorsi (2.22%) en die vetinhoud van vroulike diere was hoër as dié van manlike diere. Onvolwasse diere (1.20 ± 0.02%) het ‘n hoër asinhoud as dié van volwasse diere (1.10 ± 0.03%) getoon. In terme van die onderskeie spiere het M. supraspinatus die laagste proteϊen- en die hoogste vetinhoud gehad, terwyl M. semimembranosus die laagste vet- en die hoogste proteϊeninhoud gehad het. Die mioglobieninhoud was nie beϊnvloed deur spesie nie, terwyl vroulike diere ‘n hoër (6.58 ± 0.20 mg/g) mioglobieninhoud as manlike diere (5.11 ± 0.25 mg/g) gehad het. Die M. supraspinatus, ‘n oksidatiewe spier het die hoogste mioglobieninhoud gehad, terwyl glikolitiese spiere die laagste mioglobieninhoud gehad het. ’n Interaksie tussen spesie en spier was opgemerk vir mioglobieninhoud. Rooibok M. longissimus dorsi het ‘n hoër mioglobieninhoud as koedoe M. longissimus dorsi gehad, terwyl die mioglobieninhoud vir al die ander spiere laer was in rooibokke. Mineraalinhoud was nie deur geslag beϊnvloed nie. Kaliumvlakke was hoër in koedoevleis, terwyl fosforvlakke hoër was in rooibokvleis. Kalium- en kalsiuminhoud was hoër in onvolwasse diere terwyl die sinkinhoud hoër was in volwasse diere. Steariensuur (22.67%), gevolg deur palmitiensuur (16.66%) was die mees algemene vetsure in rooibokvleis. In teenstelling hiermee was oleϊensuur (24.35%), gevolg deur linoleϊensuur (22.95%) die mees algemene vetsure in koedoevleis. Die totale versadigde vetsure was laer in koedoevleis (34.87%) in vergelyking met rooibokvleis (51.12%), terwyl die totale polionversadigde vetsure in koedoevleis (38.88%) hoër was as dié van rooibokvleis (34.06%). Die verhouding van n-6 tot n-3 poli-onversadigde vetsure vir koedoe en rooibok was 2.22 en 3.76 onderskeidelik. Hierdie resultate bevestig dat koedoe- en rooibokvleis oor ‘n vetsuurprofiel beskik wat ’n gesonde alternatief bied tot ander rooivleise. Die cholesterolinhoud van koedoevleis (72.62 ± 1.86 mg/100g) was hoër as dié van rooibokvleis (55.35 ± 1.84 mg/100g). Dit word egter aanbeveel dat verdere studies gedoen word om die cholesterolinhoud van koedoevleis te bevestig. Binne spesies was daar geen geslagsverkille vir enige van die sensoriese eienskappe nie. Rooibokvleis het ‘n meer intense wildsvleis aroma as koedoevleis gehad, terwyl koedoevleis meer sappig was as rooibokvleis. Hierdie resultate dui daarop dat die bemarking van wildsvleis spesie-spesifiiek moet wees aangesien daar defnitiewe geur en aroma verskille tussen koedoe- en rooibokvleis is.

Earnings in the South African and Zimbabwean mining industries have been severely impacted by these countries' socio-economic and political changes in the last decade. News reports and international research publications consistently rates Zimbabwe as a country with the highest political risks in the world. In South Africa (SA), the initial mining charter requiring 51% Black Economic Empowerment, was leaked to the press in 2002 before promulgation making international investors weary. The currency, the Rand (R) has strengthened from the US$ from R13.85 in 2002 to R 7.17 in 2007, significantly impacting on returns as investors to shift their portfolio to other sectors. The purpose of this research was to explore the implications of country risk and investor sentiment for Impala Platinum's valuation and provide strategy recommendations to improve its market rating whilst sustaining its competitive advantage as a platform for achieving its 2010 vision. In this study, a brief environmental scan of the mining industry was undertaken focusing on the platinum sector as well as a background review of the industry and a five year performance comparison between Impala and Anglo Platinum. It also reviewed corporate strategy literature as it relates to the research problem as well as theoretical models of investor sentiment and decision making processes. The specific research design was primarily exploratory in nature. The Implats valuation conundrum appears to be a phenomenon and the best way to achieve the main research objective was to identify any new ideas, preliminary explore some possible hypothesis and provide strategy recommendations to the board. The research adopted both quantitative and qualitative designs to focus on understanding the values, attitudes and perceptions of investors, which is interpretive and inductive in nature. A holistic case study was the specific vehicle used to conduct the research. The research population was made up of all investors in different regions of the world. Given that the study specifically related to the Implats valuation relative to Amplats, the sampling was tailored to their common investors. Data was collected using a questionnaire; the likert five scale was used to design the questionnaire. The following recommendations were made as a result of the research. Implats should implement measures to build its value chain and attempt to move to a cost quartile not easy to replicate without significant investment and time. In the short term Implats needs to continue improving on its fundamental values whilst crafting a take over defence strategy. It also needs to improve on its investor relations program to robustly communicate its political risk management strategy. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2006.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an economically devastating picornaviral disease affecting over 40 species of cloven-hoofed animals. The virus occurs as seven immunologically distinct serotypes which are characterized by high levels of intra- and intertypic variation. The three South African Territories (SAT) serotypes 1-3 are endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, a region where the epidemiology of the disease is particularly complex due to the presence of six of the seven serotypes, the role of wildlife in virus maintenance and the apparently higher levels of variation in the endemic serotypes. These factors make it imperative to establish methods suited to elucidating the regional epidemiology. One of the integral parts of this process is the genetic characterization of regionally representative viruses in order to assess the variation in the field and to clarify the role of wildlife. Nucleotide sequence data and methods suited to studying the SAT-types are however limited. A first priority was therefore to establish a PCR-based nucleotide sequencing technique targeting the highly immunogenic and phylogenetically informative 1D genome region encoding the VP1 protein. The screening of multiple serotypes and subtypes prevalent on the African continent confirmed that this method was robust and well-suited to molecular epidemiological studies in the southern Africa region. The method was first applied in the characterization of FMD virus recovered from the reproductive tract of free-living African buffalo in the Kruger National Park. Nucleotide sequencing assisted in authentication of the results and indicated that carrier status was likely, but it was not possible to unequivocally demonstrate persistent infection of FMDV. In a separate study, the role of impala antelope (Aepyceros melampus) in the epidemiology of the disease in South Africa was assessed. Genetic characterization of impala and African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) viruses collected over an eleven year period confirmed that inter-species transmission occurred on several occasions and that virus can persist in impala populations for more than 12 months. Inter-species transmission and investigation of the possible mechanisms facilitating virus transmission from persistently infected buffalo focussed on the Kruger National Park in South Africa. In order to ensure regional relevance the study was broadened to incorporate buffalo populations throughout southern Africa. Viruses of the three SAT-types recovered from diverse African buffalo populations were therefore characterized. The results reveal that independently evolving viral lineages occur in distinct geographical regions for each of the SAT-types examined and that the levels of intratypic variation are in the order of 52 - 55 % on nucleotide level across the genome region characterized. Given the strict locality-specific grouping of buffalo viruses the likely usefulness of this database for tracing the origin and course of contemporary and historical SAT-type outbreaks was investigated. Molecular epidemiological studies conclusively show that buffalo are indeed the ultimate source of infection for susceptible cloven-hoofed animals occurring in close proximity, that interspecies transmission occurs between cattle and antelope and that trans-boundary transmission of virus remains a threat to disease security in southern African countries. / Thesis (PhD (Microbiology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Microbiology and Plant Pathology / unrestricted

The demand for the control of safe food, from consumers the world over, has revolutionized the manner in which wild game meat harvesting occurs. In developed countries, food quality, food and human safety with quality controlling systems embracing environmental carbon footprint issues are constantly improving, for international harmonization at each level of production “from stable to table”, “farm to fork”, “field to yield” as well as from “cradle to grave”. Food industries globally have adopted the in Hazard Analysis Critical control Point (HACCP) system. This is a risk assessment process using Hygiene Assessment Systems (HAS) as a mitigating strategy for risk communication through training. It is also a holistic system that is compatible with international trends designed not only for food safety and quality, but it also embraces other aspects of farming such as animal welfare, environmental management and Occupational Safety and Health. Global marketing for international trade demands quality assurance from trading partners thereby promoting economic growth for developing countries. The watch dog bodies such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO) prohibit trading for non-compliance, therefore trade barriers are in place for uncertified food of animal origin, EU regulations are stringent requirements that need compliance and so too the OIE regulations for disease control, while the Codex Alimentarius Commission maintains trade harmonization. In South Africa Hygiene Assessment Systems (HAS) is a National Hygiene management strategy implemented at abattoirs, that promotes and facilitates quality and hygiene and is reflective of South African quality abroad. It is prescribed under the section, “Essential National Standards” in the Meat Safety Act, 2000, (Act 40 of 2000). This Act covers red meat and includes both domestic animals and game. The Veterinary Procedural Notices (VPN’s) are used for export of game and give far more detailed guidelines than the legislation for game meat sold and consumed locally in South Africa. The objective of the Hygiene Assessment System (HAS) is to create a national awareness of quality to better improve the quality of life of all South Africans, whilst at the same time it is used as an auditing tool for Veterinary Public Health to effectively compare essential standards within the nine provinces. Currently this programme is referred to as the National Abattoir Rating Scheme (NARS), which is only applicable to the high and low throughput Red Meat and Poultry abattoirs in South Africa and not to the Game or Rural abattoirs, thereby further compounding the duality of food standards with food safety being compromised. This study has been undertaken because there are inadequate risk control measures such as introduction of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) guidelines on primary and secondary meat inspection, specifically on game for local consumption, not only within South Africa, but in the international arena as well. A revision of the HAS document and audit will also be needed to meet with the local (not just export) criteria for wild game harvesting, to enable food safety, thus enabling food security in the remote non - agricultural areas in KwaZulu -Natal. Venison is the meat of today because of health priorities that have arisen over the last ten years. It is low in trans - fatty acids and is regarded internationally as a healthy product produced organically in a free range situation. South Africa has a large potential export market for venison to the European Union because the demand, for venison, exceeds supply in Europe. However, the European Union’s “safe food regulation” that was introduced between 2005 and 2007 with an implementation date of 2008 (Regulation1021/2008) has made it imperative that the HACCP principle is applied to any food or food product of animal origin imported into the European Union or its member states. Also, HACCP specifies that a multidisciplinary team of experts is selected. This then lends itself to a participatory approach to risk assessment as wide consultation is required. This participatory approach was used, including expert opinion surveys and focus group discussions with stakeholders and role-players in the game industry such as commercial hunters, state veterinary services and game ranch owners. Such participants may have better insight into existing conditions than external experts with recognised educational qualifications, usually used in the HACCP team. From this and the relevant Veterinary Procedural Notices for game harvesting, a HACCP process flow and critical control points were derived for the primary phase of meat inspection, including slaughter, primary meat inspection and loading for transport to the abattoir. This was modified during a phase or trial harvesting and then implemented during the harvest of 1758 impala carcasses which were subsequently exported. In addition, environmental risks were considered and a risk mitigation strategy designed, to reduce any possible environmental impacts. In northern Kwazulu Natal, game ranches and conservation areas are in close proximity to the rural poor where food is scarce and comes at a premium price. These game farms harvest seasonally for either the local or export market, hence there is abundance of game offal and by-products available, yet it is at present left in the field or taken to the vulture restaurants (in line with the VPN). Participatory risk analysis was thus also used to investigate the feasibility of using edible offal from impala (Aepyceros melampus) as a source of renewable protein, to address food security issues in impoverished communities in the study area, the districts of uPongola and Jozini, in northern KwaZulu Natal. Structured interviews on the cultural acceptability of impala offal were held with 162 randomly sampled adult respondents in veterinary districts associated with dip tanks. A two stage cluster design was used where the state veterinary areas were stage one and the dip tanks (with proportional random sampling of community members) were the second stage. Offal is a popular food in South Africa in different cultures, called “ithumbu” in IsiZulu, “ boti” by the Indian group, “afval” in Afrikaans and “tripe” in English. Generally demand outstrips supply of offal at red meat abattoirs in South Africa. It was found that there was no significant difference between those who would eat impala offal and those who would eat the offal of sheep. It was concluded that it is feasible to use inspected game offal from impala as a protein source in much the same way as red meat offal is used and that the current practice of leaving the offal for predators was likely, if it continues, to cause imbalances in the predator/ prey ratio on game farms. It is recommended that the VPN for game be amended to encompass inspected offal being allowed into the formal food chain, in line with the standard operating procedure developed during this study. Also that current fragmentation of legislation and the implementation thereof is revisited for effective control for harmonisation of food safety standards for game meat within South Africa. / Dissertation (MMedVet)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Paraclinical Sciences / unrestricted

A case control study was performed in the conservancy area of the Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa to find out whether the faeces of impala (Aepyceros melampus) were more likely to contain tetracycline resistant Escherichia coli (TREC) when they drank from rivers that contained these bacteria, compared to rivers that were uncontaminated with TREC. Five perennial rivers (Crocodile, Letaba, Olifants, Sabie and Sand) were selected. A total of 11 points in these rivers were sampled on three separate occasions and cultured for E. coli. Impala herds within 5 kilometres of each water collection site were identified and between 5 and 10 fresh faeces were collected for each collection period (n=209 faecal specimens). Selective culturing of E. coli was done and the resulting colonies were screened for tetracycline resistance by using the Lederberg Replica Plating (LRP) method. Resistant colonies were those that grew in the presence of 4 mg/L of tetracycline. Both a resistant and/or a susceptible isolate were then selected from each specimen, and subjected to the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) micro-broth dilution test for tetracyclines. The breakpoint for the MIC method was considered ≥ 8 mg/L (which is higher than for the LRP method). Twenty one of the 33 water specimens examined were found to be contaminated by E. coli. Among them (n=21), 76.19% (n=16) were resistant to tetracycline using the LRP method, although using the MIC method only 19.05% (n=4) were resistant. All of the resistant strains originated from the Letaba, Olifants and Crocodile rivers (TRECpos rivers). Among the 209 impala faeces sampled, 191 were positive for the presence of E. coli (91.38%). Within these (n=191), 36.64% (n=70) showed TREC using the RPL method, while using the MIC, 9.95% (n=19) were found to be TREC. The RPL and MIC methods showed a concordance of only 48%. Resistant isolates screened by PCR for tet(A) and tet(B) genes were found to be negative and it was concluded that other resistant genes were responsible. The odds ratios (OR) showed that impala drinking from TRECpos rivers were 19.3 (2. 63-141.68) times more likely to be infected with TREC than unexposed impala / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Paraclinical Sciences / unrestricted