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Extraction of Li2CO3 from Zimbabwean petalite, from the Bikita deposit, was studied using ammonium bifluoride (ABF) digestion at temperatures ranging from room temperature to 600 oC, and gram quantities of ore. ABF digestion bypasses the conventional high-temperature conversion of the mineral to β-spodumene before acid roasting. The process reaction takes place at surprisingly low temperatures—even at room temperature with slurry formation due to the release of water. Below the melting point of ABF, the main products are LiF, AlF3, K2NaAlF6, and (NH4)2SiF6. (NH4)2SiF6 decomposes readily to form ammonia and gaseous SiF4. At higher temperature the products are cryolithionite (Li3Na3Al2F12) and eucryptite (LiAlSiO4). The fluoride solids are not readily soluble in water, and may be roasted in sulfuric acid at relatively mild conditions for a few tens of minutes, then water leached, with 99 % pure lithium carbonate easily recovered from the aqueous phase. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2020. / Chemical Engineering / MSc / Unrestricted

Recent criticism has claimed Marechera's unconventionality represents an anomaly in Zimbabwean literature. Problematically, this implies a fundamental separation of the author from the concerns, styles and strategies of other writers. In this thesis I argue, on the contrary, that Marechera demonstrates a propensity for dialogue with other Zimbabwean writers. Moreover, such a dialogue is crucial to the development of a critical discourse capable of addressing elements of contradiction. Returning Marechera to the heart of debate in Zimbabwean literature, the thesis focuses on the meaning of his transgressions, alongside selected texts by other Zimbabwean authors. These include Doris Lessing, Charles Mungoshi, Shimmer Chinodya, Yvonne Vera, Tsitsi Dangarembga, Nevanji Madanhire, Chenjerai Hove, and Stanley Nyamfukudza. I also consider the relevance of lesser-known women's writing and queer narratives, and Marechera's meaning to anti-racist, feminist, and gay liberation initiatives. As a background to my analysis, I ascertain discursive links in an historical sequence of sexual regulation. I argue that the 'black peril' panics in settler society (fear of interracial sex), the rounding-up of single women deemed to be prostitutes in the 1980s, and the anti-gay campaigns of the mid-1990s are all underpinned by a moral discourse which continuously reproduces an ideology of racial, social and sexual hygiene. Marechera's writing refuses this ideology, I claim, but his transgressions are rarely straightforward and frequently misunderstood. His treatment of interracial sexuality deeply problematises conventional concepts and representations of racial identity: his controversial characterisations of women subvert traditional patriarchalist iconographies of womanhood; and his treatment of queer issues (unprecedented in Zimbabwean literature) destabilises assumptions of heteronormativity. Despite such radicalism, however, Marechera's writing, moving beyond transgression. remains notoriously inconsistent and therefore resistant, I argue, to assimilation by progressive political projects. Although Marechera complicates debates, dialogue with the author is crucial, I nevertheless maintain, precisely for this reason.

Magister Artium (Child and Family Studies) - MA(CFS) / The aim of this research was to explore and describe the challenges of 'undocumented' Zimbabwean immigrants with regards to preserving their family and identity while in South Africa. Three main objectives identified which were: (i) To explore and describe what family and identity means to the 'undocumented' Zimbabwean immigrants. (ii) To explore and describe 'undocumented' Zimbabwean immigrants' challenges with regards to their family life and identity upon arrival in South Africa. (iii) To explore and describe 'undocumented' Zimbabwean immigrants' challenges at preserving and maintaining their family relations and identity while in South Africa. A qualitative study utilising explorative and descriptive research designs was employed in a bid to answer the research question, namely: How do 'undocumented' Zimbabwean immigrants preserve their family and identity while in South Africa? Data were collected by means of unstructured individual interviews and transcribed verbatim. Initially, six participants were purposively selected and they in turn directed the researcher through snowball sampling to the other nine participants who fit the research criteria until data saturation had been attained. The interviews were analysed according to Creswell's (2008) steps as well as guidelines for phenomenological data. Data were also analyzed to ensure its dependability, conformability, transferability and credibility. The researcher adhered to ethical considerations of confidentiality, self-determination, no harm, as well as beneficence. From the data emerged four main themes i.e. • 'undocumented' Zimbabwean immigrants in SA's challenges in preserving their families • 'undocumented' Zimbabwean immigrants in SA's challenges in preserving their identity 'undocumented' Zimbabwean immigrants' challenges relating to their journey to SA • challenges experienced by 'undocumented' Zimbabwean immigrants during their stay in SA. Based on these findings, recommendations were made to social workers, social service professionals, governmental and Non-Governmental Organizations on how to mitigate the challenges that come with 'undocumentation.'

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an important antenatal infection that is prevalent in the developing world. The disabling and potentially fatal effects of CMV acquisition or reactivation during pregnancy on the developing foetus and or neonate are known but, factors predisposing pregnant women to CMV are not well studied. CMV has a wide host cell tropism that includes gut epithelial cells. CMV infection in the gut epithelial cells results in a leaky gut and potential gut microbial dysbiosis. In this study, we set out to determine the prevalence of CMV infection as well as factors associated with CMV reactivation in a cohort of pregnant Zimbabwean women. We also aimed to determine the role of CMV infection and CMV susceptibility host genetics on gut bacterial profiles. Seroprevalence of CMV was determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A high prevalence of previous exposure to CMV, as denoted by the presence of anti-CMV IgG antibodies in participants' sera, was observed. Anti-CMV IgM antibodies that denote active CMV infection were detected in the sera of 4.6% (n=35/524) study participants. Prevalence of CMV was also determined using real time PCR, CMV reactivation was higher (6.7%) when using PCR than when using immunological assays (4.6%). The presence of CMV DNA was significantly associated with HIV positivity (p=0.04). PCR is the gold standard for CMV diagnosis, thus, CMV DNA positivity was used to denote CMV infection status in this thesis. The second objective was to determine if the differential effect of CMV acquisition or reactivation among HIV infected participants was due to variability in plasma efavirenz containing antiretroviral therapy (ART) exposure. Efavirenz (EFV) plasma concentrations were determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CYP2B6 gene, which encodes the main EFV metabolizing enzyme were genotyped. Carriers of CYP2B6 poor metaboliser (PM) genotypes (c.516T/T and c.983T/C) had significantly higher mean plasma EFV concentration compared to carriers of CYP2B6 fast metabolizer genotypes (i.e., c.516G/G and c.983T/T). CYP2B6 PM genotype carriers were significantly less likely to be positive for CMV DNA when compared with fast metabolizer genotype carriers (pC (p=0.002), TLR7 rs179008A>C (pC (p=0.003). In contrast, presence of the IL6 rs10499563T>C polymorphism was inversely correlated with CMV infection (p=0.002). The reported genetic variants are reported to modulate proteins involved in immune responses against viral infections, thus, their association with susceptibility to CMV infection. Such findings may assist in the designing of a muchneeded candidate CMV vaccine. Lastly, we set out to determine the possible role of CMV infection in shaping gut microbiota profiles. We report on a significant difference (p=0.001) in the beta diversity of gut bacterial profiles between HIV- and age-matched CMV-infected (cases) and CMVuninfected (controls) participants. Using linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size (LefSe), significant differences in the relative abundance of specific bacterial taxa were observed between cases and controls (p2). Significantly lower abundance of Lactobacillus reuteri and Roseburia, genera associated with lower microbial translocation was observed in cases than controls. Lower relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Roseburia, is consistent with microbial translocation and heightened inflammation, respectively, hence higher likelihood of microbial translocation and inflammation occurring in cases than controls. Furthermore, Prevotella copri, a species that has been association with cytokine release and chronic inflammation was significantly more abundant in cases than controls. CMV is a known chronic inflammatory condition, and this study provides further confirmation through the higher relative abundance of P.copri in cases than controls. Biomarker identification has proven to be a successful means of translating molecular data into clinical practice, such as vaccine development in the case of CMV infection. Overall, this study reports the possible interaction of various host factors in facilitating CMV acquisition or reactivation during pregnancy. In the setting of HIV-CMV coinfection, our findings emphasise on the need for genotype guided drug dosage to achieve therapeutic EFV so as to maintain the balance between host and coinfecting microbes in HIV management. Comprehensive genotype guided drug dosage, if taken as a once-off test should be affordable especially in resource-limited settings. This is particularly important in pregnant women who are at a risk of vertically transmitting infection to the immunologically immature foetus and or neonate. Data from this study may assist in curbing the host associated challenges in designing an effective CMV vaccine. Moreover, the biomarkers reported may assist in diagnosis and management of potential CMV acquisition or reactivation during pregnancy. However, bigger prospective, functional studies would be needed to confirm the exact roles of the biomarkers identified in this study in the diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutics of CMV infection.

The study examined the effect of financial inclusion technologies on the financial performance of Zimbabwean banks. The study employs ATM, mobile banking (MB), internet banking (IB) and point of sale (POS) transactions on the financial performance of banks as measured by return on assets. The study adopted the explanatory design and the target population of the study consisted of all the 13 commercial banks in Zimbabwe, with the study period being six years, from 2013 to 2018. The panel data was estimated using fixed and random effects. The findings of the research indicated that all the commercial banks in Zimbabwe at the time of doing this study were using POS, ATM, Mobile banking and Internet banking as they adopted digital forms of banking. In terms of financial performance, banks have been able to increase their return on assets between the years 2013 and 2018. In terms of regression analysis, the findings indicate that for every 1% increase in Mobile banking, ATM and Internet banking there will be an accompanying 0.6%, 0.9%, and 0.5% increase in financial performance respectively while for every 1% increase in POS, there will be a 0.7% decrease in financial performance. Therefore, the research recommended banks to go a step ahead in being innovative through designing new products which will only be accessible to clients who access banking through digital banking methods. Also, the research recommends the government of Zimbabwe to put in place sound macro-economic policies for the whole economy to recover so that the commercial banks in Zimbabwe can fully utilize the benefits associated with digital banking.

Literally hundreds of novels were written by white Rhodesians during the U.D.I. era of the 1960s and 1970s. Since Independence, however, not much more than a handful of literary texts have been produced by whites in Zimbabwe. This dissertation, therefore, involves an interrogation of both white discourse and the (reduced) space for white discourse in postcolonial Zimbabwean society. In addition to the displaced moral space, and the removal of the economic and political power base, there has been an appropriation of control over the material means of production of any discourse and white discourse, which has become accustomed to its position of superiority due to its dominance and dominating tendencies, has struggled to come to terms with its new, non-hegemonic 'space'. In an attempt to come to some understanding of the literary silence and marginalisation of white discourse in post-independence Zimbabwe there has to be some understanding of the voice that was formed during the British South Africa Company's administration and which reached a crescendo of authoritarian self-assertion at the declaration of unilateral independence. Vital to this discussion (in Part I) is an uncovering of the myths that were intrinsic to white discourse in the way that they were created as justification for settlement and to propagandise the aggressive defence of that space that was forged in an alien landscape. These myths have not been easily cast aside and, hence, have made it so difficult for white discourse to adapt to post-colonial society. Most Rhodesian novels were extremely partisan and promulgated these myths. Part II, discusses ex post facto novels about the war (from the white perspective) to investigate whether white discourse is recognising the lies that make up so much of its belief system. This investigation of this particular perspective of the war, then, will help to define at what stage white Zimbabweans are at in the development of a national culture. Part III takes this discussion of acculturation and national unity further. Furthermore, through the discussion of a number of novels in this chapter, it is argued that white discourse is struggling to come to terms with its non-hegemonic position and is continuing to attempt to assert its control. The 'space' available to the early settlers' discourse for appropriation, however, has been removed and, in the reduced space available to white discourse, one continued area of possible control is that of conservation.

MA, Dissertation in Development Studies, Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, 2011 / This research was encouraged by the recent developments in migration patterns in the world. Though immigration is not new to South Africa, with people migrating to the country from as early as the 1600s, there has been a notable increase post – 1994 at the fall of apartheid. The profile of migrants has also changed considerably to include refugees, asylum seekers and other forced migrants (Landau 2007; Jacobsen 2006). It is the emergence of a new group of immigrants in the form of asylum seekers and their relationship with the state, economy and society which makes for interesting analysis. This thesis argues that the continual framing of migration as a security issue, in relation to crime and unemployment overlooks the positive brain gain for the recipient countries (Mawadza 2007). Framing forced migration in this manner disregards the important question of why people migrate and what service they (can) provide to their countries of asylum and in the process violates their rights.

Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009. / Full text also available online. Scroll down for electronic link.

This study explored the experiences and survival strategies of teachers in Zimbabwe in the context of low salaries that were brought by the adoption of the multicurrency system in 2009. The specific objectives were to: (i) examine the main socio-economic challenges that teachers are facing after the dollarization of the economy; (ii) establish how the teachers are coping with the challenges; and (iii) illuminate some of the key areas in which in which government may improve conditions and enhance teachers’ wellbeing so as to retain them in the education sector. To achieve its objectives, the study adopted a qualitative interpretive research paradigm. Data collection entailed conducting in-depth interviews with 20 male and female teachers drawn from primary and secondary schools in high and low density areas of the capital Harare. The objective of the interviews was to explore the coping strategies of the teachers in the post-crisis period. The livelihood framework provided the theoretical and analytical framework for the study. The key thesis of this framework is that there is a direct link between assets and the options people possess in practice to pursue alternative activities that can generate the income level required for survival. The interview guide was thus designed to solicit information of the respondents’ income levels; income-generating activities, expenditure and purchasing patterns, rural-urban ties, social networks, and community participation. The key findings of the study were that: the main socio economic challenges that the teachers are facing after the dollarization of the economy include poor salaries, poor living conditions, poor working conditions, demotivation, and restricted career growth paths and to cope with these challenges, the teachers are using the five identified forms of capital—human, physical, natural, financial, and social— to sustain their livelihoods. However a salient finding was that the teachers generally reduced their expenditure and diversified their sources of income as coping strategies. The study concludes with the following three policy recommendations. First, the government should consider using tangible compensation to improve teachers’ remuneration. Second, the government should also improving infrastructure in educational institutions to ensure that working conditions are conducive for teachers to carry out their work effectively. Third and finally, the government in partnership with organizations that promote children’s rights should mobilize resources that can be used to improve teacher motivation. These could include incentives, accelerated promotions and manpower development. / Mini Dissertation (MSocSci)--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Sociology / MSocSci / Unrestricted