As a major tributary of the Nyl River, and ultimately for the Nylsvley wetland, the Olifantspruit... more As a major tributary of the Nyl River, and ultimately for the Nylsvley wetland, the Olifantspruit, Limpopo province, South Africa, was investigated during the summer (high flow) and winter (low flow) of 2007 at three sites. This preliminary study used physical and biological indicators to determine the quality of the water that ultimately flows into Nylsvley. Significant seasonal differences were
In Limpopo Province, harvesting plants for herbal use by traditional health practitioners and ord... more In Limpopo Province, harvesting plants for herbal use by traditional health practitioners and ordinary people is an everyday practice. The study investigated the utilization of the following Threatened or Protected Plant-listed species (TOPS): Alepidea amatymbica Eckl. & Zeyh., Brackenridgea zanguebarica Oliv., Dioscorea sylvatica Eckl., Drimia sanguinea (Schinz) Jessop, Siphonochilus aethiopicus (Schweinf.) B.L.Burtt and Warburgia salutaris (G.Bertol.) Chiov. in Limpopo Province, South Africa. A total of 333 participants were interviewed in this study, across the five districts of the Limpopo Province. Results indicate that traditional health practitioners (THPs) and community members (CMs) use these species exclusively for medicinal purposes. Remedies were often prepared using the underground parts of the plants, which were purchased chiefly from muthi shops–shops trading in both indigenous and exotic plant and animal material used for witchcraft and/or healing. Just over 58.4% of...
One of the most important psychological concepts required for enhanced learning is motivation. Th... more One of the most important psychological concepts required for enhanced learning is motivation. This is especially true for science, which is seen by learners as being difficult. This study investigated the motivational changes with regard to studying science and the gender and age differences when using hand puppets in the science classroom. In order to examine this, a 7-week intervention involving the teaching of science by means of hand puppets was conducted in two Grade 6 and two Grade 7 classes in rural-based Dikgale, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The learners’ motivation was assessed in terms of basic psychological needs, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, with a questionnaire before and after the intervention. Data were analysed using a paired sample t-test, an independent t-test and a MANCOVA. The results show an increase in basic psychological needs and intrinsic motivation, and a decrease in extrinsic motivation for science, after the use of hand puppets. In addition, it appears that there are no gender and age differences regarding motivational change when using hand puppets in science education. It is therefore concluded that hand puppets are a promising teaching method that positively affects the motivation of school learners studying science. Thus it is recommended that further research in the form of an experimental longitudinal design be undertaken to ascertain long-term motivational changes.
This study highlighted that mopane worms at point-of-sale is a potential vehicle for foodborne pa... more This study highlighted that mopane worms at point-of-sale is a potential vehicle for foodborne pathogens, and showed that E.coli and K. pneumoniae may survive the techniques used during worm processing. This study further argues that, dried worms are the most economical due to the easy way of preserving worms with no appreciable loss of its nutritional qualities. In addition, because of their hard and dry texture, there is a reduced number and types of microorganisms that can thrive on them. When compared to the microflora of field processed worms and sun dried, the outcome of this study points to the imperativeness of good sanitary practices during the drying period of worms. In addition, the habit of displaying the dried worms in dirty containers or heaping carelessly on the floor in unventilated areas should be discouraged. There is, however, the need for further investigation on the processing, handling, storage and nutritional qualities of dried mopane worms with a view of find...
As a major tributary of the Nyl River, and ultimately for the Nylsvley wetland, the Olifantspruit... more As a major tributary of the Nyl River, and ultimately for the Nylsvley wetland, the Olifantspruit, Limpopo province, South Africa, was investigated during the summer (high flow) and winter (low flow) of 2007 at three sites. This preliminary study used physical and biological indicators to determine the quality of the water that ultimately flows into Nylsvley. Significant seasonal differences were
In Limpopo Province, harvesting plants for herbal use by traditional health practitioners and ord... more In Limpopo Province, harvesting plants for herbal use by traditional health practitioners and ordinary people is an everyday practice. The study investigated the utilization of the following Threatened or Protected Plant-listed species (TOPS): Alepidea amatymbica Eckl. & Zeyh., Brackenridgea zanguebarica Oliv., Dioscorea sylvatica Eckl., Drimia sanguinea (Schinz) Jessop, Siphonochilus aethiopicus (Schweinf.) B.L.Burtt and Warburgia salutaris (G.Bertol.) Chiov. in Limpopo Province, South Africa. A total of 333 participants were interviewed in this study, across the five districts of the Limpopo Province. Results indicate that traditional health practitioners (THPs) and community members (CMs) use these species exclusively for medicinal purposes. Remedies were often prepared using the underground parts of the plants, which were purchased chiefly from muthi shops–shops trading in both indigenous and exotic plant and animal material used for witchcraft and/or healing. Just over 58.4% of...
One of the most important psychological concepts required for enhanced learning is motivation. Th... more One of the most important psychological concepts required for enhanced learning is motivation. This is especially true for science, which is seen by learners as being difficult. This study investigated the motivational changes with regard to studying science and the gender and age differences when using hand puppets in the science classroom. In order to examine this, a 7-week intervention involving the teaching of science by means of hand puppets was conducted in two Grade 6 and two Grade 7 classes in rural-based Dikgale, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The learners’ motivation was assessed in terms of basic psychological needs, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, with a questionnaire before and after the intervention. Data were analysed using a paired sample t-test, an independent t-test and a MANCOVA. The results show an increase in basic psychological needs and intrinsic motivation, and a decrease in extrinsic motivation for science, after the use of hand puppets. In addition, it appears that there are no gender and age differences regarding motivational change when using hand puppets in science education. It is therefore concluded that hand puppets are a promising teaching method that positively affects the motivation of school learners studying science. Thus it is recommended that further research in the form of an experimental longitudinal design be undertaken to ascertain long-term motivational changes.
This study highlighted that mopane worms at point-of-sale is a potential vehicle for foodborne pa... more This study highlighted that mopane worms at point-of-sale is a potential vehicle for foodborne pathogens, and showed that E.coli and K. pneumoniae may survive the techniques used during worm processing. This study further argues that, dried worms are the most economical due to the easy way of preserving worms with no appreciable loss of its nutritional qualities. In addition, because of their hard and dry texture, there is a reduced number and types of microorganisms that can thrive on them. When compared to the microflora of field processed worms and sun dried, the outcome of this study points to the imperativeness of good sanitary practices during the drying period of worms. In addition, the habit of displaying the dried worms in dirty containers or heaping carelessly on the floor in unventilated areas should be discouraged. There is, however, the need for further investigation on the processing, handling, storage and nutritional qualities of dried mopane worms with a view of find...
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