Tese de mestrado integrado. Engenharia Electrotécnica e de Computadores - Telecomunicações. Faculdade de Engenharia. Universidade do Porto. 2008

Thesis (M.Ed.) --University of the North, 1992. / Refer to the document

Thesis ( M.A. ( African Languages)) -- University of Limpopo, 2012 / The study handled a variety of taboos applicable in Tshivenda, that is, taboos that pertain to food, plants, initiation schools and ceremonies and animals. The study has highlighted whether taboos still have any role to play in present-day life as far as Tshivenda is concerned. Again, the study has examined whether the beliefs that some Tshivenda speaking people still have taboos which are based on facts or myths. Lastly, the study has investigated the impact of taboos regarding the preservation of Tshiven􀦒a identity and culture. Thodisiso iyi yo bvisela khagala zwiila zwine zwa vha hone kha lushaka lwa Vhavenda. Zwiila izwi ndi zwi kwamaho zwidiwa, zwimela, mula na zwifuwo. Ngudo iyi yo sumbedza uri zwiila zwi vhonala zwi tshe na ndeme na kha lushaka lwa Vhavenda namusi. Yo dovha ya sengulusa uri fulufhelo line Vhavenda vha vha nalo kha zwiila lo disendeka na nga mazwifhi kana ndi ngoho na. Tshinwe tshe tsenguluso iyi ya bvisela khagala ndi masiandaitwa a u tevhedza kana u sa tevhedza zwiila kha mvelele ya Vhavenda.

Thesis (M.A. (African Languages)) -- University of Limpopo, 2011 / The mini-dissertation investigated the ways in which one qualifies as a traditional healer in Tshivenda. The study has discovered that a person cannot choose to become a traditional healer, he or she is chosen by the ancestors into this profession and they make their wishes known to the person concerned through continuous illness and dreams. Nowadays, there is an increased number of traditional healers in the community. It seems as if the community is confused as to whether all these healers have gone through the proper ways of becoming a traditional healer in Tshivenḓa or they are largely interested in the economic gain.

Thesis (M A. (African Languages)) -- University of Limpopo, 2009 / The study evaluates the communicative aspects of the Vhavenḓa female traditional attire in the Vhembe region, Limpopo Province. Chapter one carries an introduction and background to the study, aim of the study, rationale and objectives of the study, significance of the study, literature related to the study and data analysis thereof. Chapter two carries the detailed investigation of the Vhavenḓa Traditional attire as well as the relevant times to wear that attire, where and their uses. Chapter three carries the Vhavenḓa Traditional attires that are not allowed to be worn in some occasions. Chapter four carries the findings and the recommendations of the study. Chapter five is the summary of the study.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Agriculture)) --University of Limpopo, 2010 / Ten experiments were conducted to determine the effect of dietary energy to protein ratio level on growth and productivity of indigenous Venda chickens raised in closed confinement from day-old up to thirteen weeks of age. The ten experiments were based on five different energy levels of 12.2, 13, 13.2, 13.4 and 14 MJ ME/kg DM. Each dietary energy level had five different levels of protein concentrations of 220, 190, 180, 170 and 160 g/kg DM, thus ending up with twenty five different dietary energy to protein ratio levels. Experiments 1 to 5 examined the effect of dietary energy to protein ratio on productivity of unsexed Venda chickens aged one to six weeks. Experiments 1 to 5 each commenced with 160 unsexed day-old indigenous Venda chicks with an initial weight of 25 ± 2 g per bird and each lasted for a period of six weeks. In each experiment, the chicks were randomly assigned to five treatments with four replications, each having eight birds. Thus, 20 floor pens (1.5 m2 /pen) were used in total for each experiment. All the five experiments were carried out around the same time. A complete randomized design was used for each experiment. A quadratic regression model was used to determine the ratios for optimum feed intake, growth rate, feed conversion ratio, live weight, metabolisable energy and nitrogen retention in each experiment while a linear model was used to determine the relationship between optimal responses in the above variables and dietary energy to protein ratio levels. Dietary energy to protein ratio level for optimal response for any variable was relative and depended on the energy to protein ratio values of the diet. Energy to protein ratios of 63, 67, 70, 74 and 78 MJ ME/kg protein promoted optimal live weights of 415, 408, 370, 365 and 344 g at six weeks of age for diet energy levels of 12.2, 13, 13.2, 13.4 and 14 MJ ME/kg DM, respectively. However, optimal response trends for different variables were also influenced by the dietary energy to crude protein ratio. Optimal feed intake increased linearly with increasing dietary energy to protein ratio levels. Similarly, optimal metabolisable energy level increased linearly with increasing dietary energy to protein ratio levels without any increase in live weight. On the other hand, increasing dietary energy to protein ratio level decreased growth rate with a linear deteriorating feed conversion ratio,thus, negatively affecting live weight of the chickens at six weeks of age. However, increasing dietary energy to protein ratio levels improved efficiency of protein utilization with a linear deteriorating metabolisable energy utilization. In experiments 1 to 5, correlation analysis indicated that optimal feed intake, feed conversion ratio and metabolisable energy level were positively and strongly correlated with dietary energy to protein ratio levels while optimal live weight, growth rate and nitrogen retention were negatively and strongly correlated with dietary energy to protein ratio levels. The study indicated that a diet containing a crude protein content level of 178 g/kg DM and an energy level of 14 MJ ME/kg DM allowed for optimal utilization of absorbed protein and energy for growth in unsexed indigenous Venda chickens aged between one and six weeks. Experiments 6 to 10 examined the effect of dietary energy to protein ratio level on productivity of male Indigenous Venda chickens raised in closed confinement from seven up to 13 weeks of age. Each experiment commenced with 100 seven-week old male Venda chickens with an initial weight of 320 ± 2 g per bird. In each experiment, the chickens were randomly assigned to five treatments with four replications, each having five birds. Thus, 20 floor pens (1.5 m2/pen) were used in total for each experiment. All the five experiments were carried out around the same time and for a period of seven weeks. A complete randomized design wasused for each experiment. A quadratic regression model was used to determine energy to protein ratios for optimum feed intake, growth rate, feed conversion ratio,live weight, metabolisable energy, nitrogen retention, carcass yield, breast meatyield and fat pad deposition in each experiment while a linear model was used to determine the relationship between optimal responses of the above variables and dietary energy to protein ratio levels. Energy to protein ratios of 60, 71, 66, 72 and 71 MJ ME/kg protein promoted optimal live weights of 1167, 950, 983, 1235 and 1172 g at thirteen weeks of age for diet energy levels of 12.2, 13, 13.2, 13.4 and 14 MJ ME/kg DM, respectively. Optimal response trends in feed intake, growth rate, feed conversion ratio, nitrogen retention, and metabolisable energy intakes in male Venda chickens tended to increase with increase in dietary energy to protein ratio level. In contrast, optimal carcass and breast meat yield tended to decrease with increasing dietary energy to protein ratio level. However, optimal live weight and fat pad remained unchanged with increase in dietary energy to protein ratio value. Additionally, increasing dietary energy to protein ratio level improved efficiency of protein utilization with deteriorating metabolisable energy utilization.On the other hand, experiments 6 to 10 showed that optimal feed intake, growth rate, feed conversion ratio, live weight, metabolisable energy level, nitrogen retention and fat pad were positively and poorly correlated with dietary energy to protein ratio levels while optimal carcass weight and breast meat yield were negatively and poorly correlated with dietary energy to protein ratio levels This study indicated that a diet containing 193 g CP/kg DM and an energy level of 14 MJ ME/kg DM allowed for optimal utilization of absorbed protein and energy for growth in male indigenous Venda chickens aged between seven and thirteen weeks.It is, therefore, concluded that optimal response trends for different variables in growing unsexed Venda chickens offered diets differing in optimal dietary energy to protein ratio levels are influenced by the diet crude protein content rather than the feed energy level per se. Diets containing decreased dietary energy to protein ratio levels may promote improved growth rate and efficient feed conversion ratio while naturally restricting feed intake. Diets containing increased dietary energy to protein ratio levels favoured efficient utilization of consumed dietary protein. However, with such diets, protein became limiting and birds increased their feed intake attempting thereby to obtain more of the limiting protein in order to meet their protein requirement regardless of the energy value of the diet.It is, also, concluded that growing male Venda chickens increased their feed intake with increase in dietary energy to protein ratio. This is contrary to what has been observed in broiler chickens which decrease their intake with increase in diet energy value. It is suggested that this might reflect the differences between indigenous and broiler chickens in terms of their genetic and physiological abilities to regulate their feed intakes according to dietary energy levels. / National Research Foundation (NRF)

Thesis (M.ED.) --University of Limpopo, 2008 / The research covers the way the Vhavenḓa people bury their dead. Although the emphasis is on Tshivenḓa burials, the study has also examined the way burials are undertaken in other cultures such as Xhosa, Sotho, Indians, Xitsonga, Hindu, Greek and Muslim culture. The study shows that burials in Tshivenḓa are characterized by peculiar features. For instance the way the royal people are buried is different from the way the ordinary people are laid to rest. In addition, there are also special rituals that must be performed when children, women and men are buried. The study also includes to the fact that mordernity, has an impact on the manner in which the Vhavenḓa conduct their burials. In the past burials where cheap to conduct whereas these days they are relatively expensive. Lastly, the study has discovered that both old and modern forms of burials have advantages and disadvantages. It is, therefore, crucial for people to utilize the advantages of both the afore mentioned types of burial.

Thesis (M.A.(African language))--University of Limpopo, 2011 / The aim of this study was to investigate the problems encountered by translators when translating medical terms from English into Tshivenda. It has been revealed in this study that the major problem that the translators are confronted with is lack of terminology in the specialized field such as Health. This problem is caused by the fact that different languages entail a variety of culture. The study revealed that most translators and lexicographers resort to transliteration and borrowing when confronted with zero-equivalence. They regard transliteration and borrowing as the quickest possible strategies. The study discovered that transliteration should not be opted as an alternative strategy to deal with zero-equivalence as users will be led to a state of confusion. The study revealed that communicative translation is regarded as the most fruitful method of translation as it conveys the exact message of the original in a best possible manner. Both the source and the target users get the same message.

Thesis (M.A.) --University of Limpopo, 2012 / The study deals with ubuntu as reflected in the selected novels of Magau, A.W and Maumela, E.T. Qualitative research method was employed. The study has discovered that ubuntu appears in many forms in Tshivenḓa such as respect for the dignity and worth of human beings, honesty, compassion, solidarity, generosity and forgiveness and reconciliation. The findings also reveal that Tshivenḓa puts more emphasis on activities which signify ubuntu than material wealth. The study also found that there are activities that are emical to ubuntu such as disrespect, dishonesty, cruelty, selfishness and greed and lack of forgiveness and reconciliation. Ubuntu occupies a central position amongst the Vhavenḓa and anyone who negates what ubuntu promotes and upholds has been regarded as non-human.

Thesis (M.A. ( African languages)) --University of Limpopo, 2013 / The study examines the impact of sterility on Tshivenḓa language and social life. The study deals with words and other linguistic aspects that are generated by this condition and how sterility influences social relations among the Vhavenḓa.