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Magister Scientiae - MSc / Crinum macowanii (C. macowanii) (Amaryllidacea) as authenticated by Mr. F. Weitz at the Herbarium, University of the Western cape, is widely used a traditional remedy and is thought to have therapeutic value (Fennell and van Staden 2001). The objective of this study was to determine the cardiovascular effects of the crude aqueous extract of Crinum macowanii on the rat and to determine the effect of pre-treatment drugs on Crinum macowanii in in vivo, anaesthetized normotensive, male Wistar rats (200-250 g.). / South Africa

Magister Scientiae Dentium - MSc(Dent) / The majority of Cameroonians depend on traditional medicines for their health care needs and about seven per cent of the average household health budget is spent on traditional medicines irrespective of their incomes. The aim of this study was (i) to assess the role of traditional healers (THs) in providing oral care services in Cameroon; (ii) to determine their cost of treatment and to investigate reasons why people visit THs. The present study was cross sectional and consisted of a sample of 21 THs and 52 clients with a history of dental problems. It utilized semi structured questionnaires and photographs to collect data. The mean age of THs was 46.0 years (range 20-77 years). Thirty per cent of THs were above 40 years and the majority males. Nearly a quarter of the THs practiced as herbalists and the remainder practiced both divination and herbalism. More than two thirds of Cameroonians, who patronize THs for their oral health needs, fall within the 20-40 year age group. THs in this region are experienced and enjoy good relationships with hospitals and other THs. However, collaboration between the oral health work force and THs is very poor as only 6% of all patients seen by THs are referred to the dentist. Socio-cultural and economic factors affect the oral health care seeking behavior of patients in this area and only 6.5% of patients visit dental clinics. Reasons for not attending dental clinics included cost, poor accessibility, superstition and fear. / South Africa

Magister Artium - MA / IsiXhosa is one of the Nguni languages. It falls under the Bantu Languages and is spoken mainly by people living in the South Eastern and Western regions of South Africa. Traditionally, language symbols were frequently used by the Xhosa people to shape their culture as well as to instil values that were highly regarded in their society, such as ubuntu (humanity). Their oral traditions were passed on from generation to generation − through narratives, proverbs, idioms, riddles, songs and praise poems. The elders would name their children using phrases from oral expressions and by doing so, help in the preservation of societal norms and values. IsiXhosa names that are taken from all forms of oral literature are known as proverbial names. During the colonisation of South Africa, the arrival of European settlers with different culture and values rapidly overhauled the Xhosa society and their customs. Given that certain, if not all oral traditions, including that of the traditional naming system, did not meet the approval of the new masters, a new naming system was imposed on the population. However, the end of the apartheid regime in the 1990’s ushered in a new era of indigenous cultural revival and in particular a trend to revert back to traditional isiXhosa naming practices. Conversely, most proverbial names have overtime been detached from the original oral literature and do not necessarily convey the original meaning or message. Therefore, this study undertakes to explore the meanings of isiXhosa proverbial names in relation to isiXhosa culture. It also provides a deeper insight into the origin and conceptualisation of isiXhosa names in relation to isiXhosa traditional oral literature, namely proverbs, idioms, riddles and poetry. A review of historic data related to the subject and a survey was conducted with adult isiXhosa speakers to ascertain whether the meanings of proverbial names are transparent to them. The study shows how naming practices played an important and defining part in the oral history of the Xhosa people. It also served as a system to record the events that happened around the time of birth. The comparison of results from the desk study and the respondents’ interpretations revealed that the meanings of names from oral traditions are inseparable from a socio-cultural matrix.

Magister Artium - MA / This study falls within the framework of the larger multidisciplinary university health initiative (MUTHI) objectives to investigate and document the use of local medicinal plants for the treatment of HIV and symptoms of related opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis, thrush and shingles in the Western Cape. The study stems from twelve months fieldwork in Strand, Western Cape and the collection of plants from Mpoza, Eastern Cape for a variety of reasons. The study ethnographically documents when, under which circumstances and where plants are collected for use.As far as I am aware this is the first anthropological study which "follows" traditional healers in the Western Cape to a site in the Eastern Cape where they collect plants. Seventeen plants were collected from different genera which traditional healers reported to use as treatment for suspected HIV and related symptoms. For each plant I describe the medicinal uses,preparatory techniques and plant parts used as suggested by traditional healers. I also explore healer's aetiologies concerning plants, treatments and the social-material relations which are prevalent in my research settings.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / In this thesis, I examine the narratives of authenticity, the limits thereof, the potential interests served by these narratives, and the power relations involved in the promotion of an authentic San identity. I focus on four key areas to achieve this goal: the methodological issues involved in studying authenticity, the framing of the land claim lodged by the San against the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa in 1995, the post-land claim settlement activities on the restituted farms, and the various issues around authenticity and traditional leadership. I will also highlight a variety of issues, ranging from livelihoods to governance, community-based natural resource management (CBNRM), identity and ethnicity, and common property debates. The study begins with a brief introduction to the richly textured and highly contested debates and analytical issues concerning the San. Among other things, this first part of the thesis deals with naming, the alleged disappearance of the San, and the eventual reemergence of this group in the post-apartheid landscape of southern Africa. This is followed by a brief description of some aspects of the natural environment of the southern Kalahari and how the San see themselves situated within this cultural–ecological complex. This exploration of the cultural–ecological landscape is not meant to mirror previous San studies of cultural ecology but rather to offer an account of a possible San ontology. The thesis gives an inventory firstly of the research methods applied by myself, and then probes the research encounter reflexively. The main descriptive chapters of the thesis begin with an examination of how the ≠Khomani San emerged onto the political landscape of post-1994 South Africa and how an ethnic entity was constituted through the land restitution process. The post-restitution activities of at least three subgroups of the ≠Khomani San Common Property Association (CPA) are then examined and shown to be a series of contestations and challenges of authenticity. In the final chapter, I take an experimental look at a particular institution that emerged as central to the debates about authenticity and the management of resources in the ≠Khomani San CPA

Magister Scientiae Dentium - MSc(Dent) / The antimicrobial and antifungal efficacy of indigenous plant extracts against Streptococcus mutans , Escherichia coli and Candida albicans .Aim: To determine the antimicrobial and antifungal efficacy of indigenous plant extracts, Tamarindus Indica (T. ndica), Hibiscus sabdariffa (H. sabdaraffi), Adansonia digitata (A.digitata) and Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) against Streptococcus mutans ( S. mutans ), Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) objectives:The objectives of this study were to: 1.Measure the zones of growth inhibition by T. indicia , A. digitata , M.oleifera and H. sabdariffi extracts against, S.mutans , E.coli and C.albicans . 2.Compare the size of inhibition zones of different bacteria or fungus, S. mutans ,E.coli and C. albicans, around the same plant extract.3.Compare the size of inhibition zones for the same bacteria in different plant extracts T.indicia ,A.digitata H.sabdariffi and M.oleifera Methodology .The antimicrobial and antifungal effect of the ethanolic extracts of T. indica , H.sabdariffa, A.digitata and M.oleifera was performed using the disc diffusion method against S. mutans ,E.coli and C.albicans. The antibacterial and antifungal activity of the plants was determined by measuring the diameter of the inhibition zones. esults and conclusion: The results showed that.T.indica and H.sabdariffa ethanolic extracts have an antibacterial effect against S.mutans and E.coli.However, H.sabdariffi showed a significantly higher antibacterial effect against E.coli and S.mutans, with a range of 14.50mm to 12.01mm and 16.41 mm to 14.39 mm compared to T.indica ,with a range of 11.41 mm to 7.04mm and 6.88mm to 10.40mm, respectively.Furthermore, the statistical multiple pairwise test (Conover Iman procedure/Two -tailed test) omputed that the effect of H.sabdariffi is significantly (critical value >7.229) greater for the G ram positive S.mutans than the G ram negative E.coli.On the other hand,T.indica showed a similar antibacterial effect against S.mutans and E.coli,respectively.In contrast, M. oleifera and A.digitata ethanolic plant extracts showed no antibacterial effect against E.coli and S.mutans. All the indigenous plants tested, T.indica ,H.sabdariffa, M. oleifera and A.digitata had no antifungal activity on C.albicans

Magister Pharmaceuticae - MPharm / Evaluation of the antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of Ruta graveolens L. in mice and rats FIRDOWS LOONAT M. Pharm. Pharmaceutical Sciences thesis: School of Pharmacy, University of the Western Cape Ruta graveolens (Rutaceae) L. is a medicinal plant that is commonly used to manage and treat essential events such as pain, inflammation and fever. Despite its popularity, particularly as a medicinal plant in the Calvinia district and Bredasdorp region of South Africa, scientific data to substantiate its widespread traditional use and the possible mechanisms of action for this plant species is lacking. Therefore, the objectives of this study were: to scientifically evaluate and validate the antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of Ruta graveolens using the acetic-acid writhing test and hot-plate test, the carrageenan rat paw oedema test, and the E. coli-induced pyrexia test, respectively; to investigate the possible mechanisms of the antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of the plant using interaction studies; to determine some secondary metabolites present in the plant species using standard phytochemical analytical procedures; to characterise the plant species using HPLC techniques; and to determine the safety profile of the plant species using an acute toxicity study.Three percent (3 %) acetic acid (0.25 ml, i.p.) produced a substantial number of writhes in mice. The leaf methanol extract of Ruta graveolens (100 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly reduced the number of writhes induced by 3 % acetic acid (0.25 ml, i.p.). R. graveolens (100 mg/kg,i.p.) produced 54 % inhibition of 3 % acetic acid-induced writhes. Indomethacin (20 mg/kg,i.p.) and paracetamol (500 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly reduced the number of 3 % acetic acidinduced writhes. Indomethacin (20 mg/kg, i.p.) and paracetamol (500 mg/kg, i.p.) produced 57 % and 80 % inhibition of 3 % acetic acid-induced writhes, respectively. R. graveolens (25– 50 mg/kg, i.p. and 200 – 400 mg/kg, i.p.) and indomethacin (10 mg/kg, i.p.) did not significantly reduce the number of writhes induced by 3 % acetic acid. However, combined therapy of the leaf methanol extract of R. graveolens (25 mg/kg, i.p.) and indomethacin (10 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly reduced the number of 3 % acetic acid-induced writhes. The combined therapy of the lowest and sub-effective doses of the leaf methanol extract of R. graveolens (25 mg/kg, i.p.) and indomethacin (10 mg/kg, i.p.) produced 59 % inhibition of the writhes elicited by 3 % acetic acid. The leaf methanol extract of R. graveolens (50 – 400 mg/kg, i.p.) greatly delayed the reaction time in mice to thermal stimulation produced with hot-plate. 50 – 400 mg/kg (i.p.) of the leaf methanol extract of R. graveolens significantly antagonised rat paw oedema induced by 1 % carrageenan (0.1 ml, subplantar) over the 4 h period of testing. In addition, indomethacin (10 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly antagonised 1 % carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema. R. graveolens (25 mg/kg, i.p.) and indomethacin (2mg/kg, i.p.) given separately did not significantly alter rat paw oedema induced by 1 % carrageenan. However, combined therapy of the leaf methanol extract of R. graveolens (25 mg/kg, i.p.) and indomethacin (2 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly reduced 1 % carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema. The leaf methanol extract of R. graveolens (400 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly reduced the mean rectal temperature of normothermic rats. Ruta graveolens (100 – 400 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly reduced pyrexia induced by E. coli (50 μg/kg, i.m.) over the 5 h period of testing. In addition, pentoxifylline (50 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly reduced E. coliinduced pyrexia. Ruta graveolens (25 – 50 mg/kg, i.p.), paracetamol (500 mg/kg, i.p.) and pentoxifylline (10 mg/kg, i.p.) did not significantly reduce pyrexia induced by E. coli.However, combined therapy of the leaf methanol extract of R. graveolens (25 mg/kg, i.p.)and pentoxifylline (10 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly reduced E. coli (50 μg/kg, i.m.)-induced pyrexia.The phytochemical studies of the powdered leaves of Ruta graveolens indicated the presence of alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, tannins and triterpene steroids. The HPLC fingerprint indicated characteristic peaks at the following retention times; 1.654 min,2.271 min, 2.403 min, 4.705 min and 7.691 min. The LD50 obtained for Ruta graveolens after oral administration was probably greater than 4000 mg/kg which shows that the plant extract is non-toxic to mice.In conclusion, the data obtained indicate that Ruta graveolens possesses antinociceptive, antiinflammatory and antipyretic activities. Since prostaglandins have been shown to mediate acetic acid-induced writhes, prostaglandins, histamine, serotonin, capsaicin and bradykinin implicated in carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) implicated in E.coli-induced pyrexia, it is possible that R. graveolens may be producing its antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities by affecting these chemical mediators. The data obtained also justify the use of the plant species by traditional medicine practitioners for the treatment of painful and inflammatory conditions, and pyrexia.

Magister Legum - LLM / The aim of the study was to assess Zimbabwe‘s legal response to gender-based violence that can be to traditional cultural practices. First, most traditional cultural practices in Zimbabwe are discriminatory towards women and girls; the study has therefore shown the link between gender-based violence and traditional cultural practices. Second, it has been shown that the recognition of the right to culture by international and regional instruments is subject to non-violation of human rights. Third, the min-thesis has also established that in complying with its international obligations on the protection of women from gender-based violence linked to traditional cultural practices, Zimbabwe has enacted a plethora of legislation. More importantly, the study has also proven that despite these legal initiatives, gender-based violence linked to traditional cultural practices still continues. This mini-thesis has, among other factors, highlighted the following as shortfalls in legislations passed to address this problem: poor enforcement of these laws; Zimbabwe‘s hybrid legal system where customary law operates in conjunction with civil laws; weak wording of some pieces of legislation, such as legislation that deals with marriage rights for women married under customary law; and that most women, especially those in rural areas are not fully equipped with the knowledge of the different pieces of legislation that have been put in place to protect them from such violence.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / This study sought to investigate if there are common cultural elements for preventing and transforming violent conflict in selected patrilineal and matrilineal tribes in Malawi, as well as selected societies from other parts of Africa. The researcher argues that in both patrilineal and matrilineal tribes in Malawi, violent conflict prevention and transformation methods are inherently rooted in elaborate socio-political governance structures. This also applies to other societies in Africa, such as the pre-colonial traditional societies of Rwanda, the Pokot pastoral community in the North Rift of Kenya, the ubuntu societies in South Africa and the Acholi of Northern Uganda. The basic framework for these structures comprise the individuals (men, women and older children), as the primary building blocks, the family component comprising of the nucleus and extended families as secondary building block and traditional leadership component. Within these socio-political governance structures, individuals coexist and are inextricably bound in multi-layered social relationships and networks with others. In these governance structures, a certain level of conflict between individuals or groups is considered normal and desirable, as it brings about vital progressive changes as well as creates the necessary diversity, which makes the community interesting. However, violent conflicts are regarded as undesirable and require intervention. Consequently, the multi-layered social networks have several intrinsic features, which enable the communities to prevent the occurrence of violent conflicts or transform them when they occur, in order to maintain social harmony. The first findings show that each level of the social networks has appropriate mechanisms for dissipating violent conflicts, which go beyond tolerable levels. Secondly, individuals have an obligation to intervene in violent conflicts as part of social and moral roles, duties and commitments, which they have to fulfil. Thirdly, the networks have forums in which selected competent elders from the society facilitate open discussions of violent conflicts and decisions are made by consensus involving as many men and women as possible. In these forums, each individual is valued and dignified. Fourthly, there are deliberate efforts to advance transparency and accountability in the forums where violent conflicts are discussed. However, in general terms, women occupy a subordinate status in both leadership and decision-making processes, though they actively participate in violent conflict interventions and some of them hold leadership positions. In addition, the findings show that the tribes researched have an elaborate process for transforming violent conflicts. This process includes the creation of an environment conducive for discussing violent conflicts, listening to each of the disputants, establishing the truth, exhausting all issues, reconciling the disputants and in case one disputant is not satisfied with the outcomes of the discussions, referring the violent conflict for discussion to another forum. Furthermore, individuals in both patrilineal and matrilineal tribes are governed by moral values including respect, relations, relationships, interdependence, unity, kindness, friendliness, sharing, love, transparency, tolerance, self-restraint, humility, trustworthiness and obedience. These moral values enhance self-restraint, prevent aggressive behaviour, as well as promote and enhance good relationships between individuals in the family and the society as a whole. The researcher argues that the positive cultural factors for prevention and transformation of violent conflict, outlined above, which are inherent in the traditional African socio-political governance system should be deliberately promoted for incorporation into the modern state socio-political governance systems through peace-building and development initiatives as well as democratisation processes. This could be one of the interventions for dealing with violent conflict devastating Africa today.