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Neoarchaean clastic rocks on the Kaapvaal Craton : provenance analyses and geotectonic implications

- Schneiderhan, Eva Anita

  • Authors: Schneiderhan, Eva Anita
  • Date: 2008-08-13T12:19:27Z
  • Subjects: Geology South Africa , Stratigraphic geology , Cratons , North-West (South Africa)
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/377453 , uj:7672 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/853
  • Description: The provenance of the Neoarchaean Ventersdorp Supergroup and several age-related supracrustal successions was analysed to gain insight into the geotectonic evolution of the Kaapvaal Craton during the transition from the Archaean to Proterozoic Eras. The studied successions include, besides the siliciclastic formations of the Ventersdorp Supergroup, the upper Wolkberg and Buffelsfontein Groups, the Godwan Formation and the Schmidtsdrift Subgroup of the basal Transvaal Supergroup in Griqualand West. Petrographic, whole rock geochemical and Sm-Nd isotopic analyses were combined with SHRIMP U-Pb age dating of detrital zircons. Furthermore, Rb-Sr isotopic studies were carried out on carefully selected suites of samples from surface exposure or, wherever possible, on deep diamond drill core. The Ventersdorp Supergroup is an up to 5 km thick undeformed, only slightly metamorphosed volcano-sedimentary succession deposited on the Kaapvaal Craton between 2714 Ma and 2665 Ma. A lack of major time hiati to the underlying Mesoarchaean Witwatersrand Supergroup and covering Neoarchaean to Palaeoproterozoic Transvaal Supergroup render the Ventersdorp Supergroup very well suited for the investigation of the geotectonic evolution of the Kaapvaal Craton near the Archaean-Proterozoic boundary. This is supported by its excellent preservation, which also allowed detailed studies of sedimentological structures, such as seismites indicating Neoarchaean earthquakes. The provenance analyses carried out on the clastic formations of the Ventersdorp Supergroup point to a gradual change in tectonic evolution from typically Archaean to post-Archaean processes rather than a drastic, unique transition in the case of the Kaapvaal Craton. Texturally immature wackes of the Kameeldoorns Formation, representing the oldest clastic units of the Ventersdorp Supergroup, are derived mainly from Mesoarchaean source rocks, whereas the stratigraphically younger Bothaville Formation displays geochemical signatures comparable with Archaean trondhjemite-tonalite granodiorite-suites (TTGs), thus suggesting crustal addition in the so-called ‘Archaean-style’. The extension of provenance analyses to supracrustal successions that are tentatively correlated with the Bothaville Formation, revealed contributions from granitoid V sources that formed under post-Archaean and Archaean conditions. Furthermore, the geochemical data for all analysed formations support a passive margin setting. Arc settings, as indicated in some samples, are due to the input of less fractionated volcanic material that provides evidence of distal volcanism. Analyses of Nd-isotopic systematics and U-Pb ages of detrital zircons revealed a Mesoarchaean age for the source rocks of the formations. U-Pb age dating of detrital zircons of the Godwan Formation suggests that this formation is of Mesoarchaean age, and therefore not a correlative of the other Neoarchaean successions. Hence, the results suggest that the continental crust of the Kaapvaal Craton was thick enough since the Mesoarchaean (2.8 - 3.1 Ga) to allow long-term crustal recycling, and therefore modern plate tectonic processes could have operated earlier than on other well-studied cratonic blocks. During the Neoarchaean, however, crustal thickening of the Kaapvaal Craton took place by accretion of Archaean-style TTGs along the margins of the craton. Thus, Archaean and post-Archaean tectono-magmatic processes co-existed. Furthermore, the Neoarchaean supracrustal successions represent the first sedimentation events on an entirely stabilised and tectonically quiescent Kaapvaal Craton. Input from distal volcanic sources marks the last sign of volcanic activity prior to the craton-wide deposition of carbonate rocks of the Transvaal Supergroup. Geochronological data also imply a connection of the Neoarchaean Kaapvaal Craton to further cratonic blocks that may hold source rocks for the studied formations, as for some small age populations of older detrital zircons (ca. 3.1 - 3.4 Ga), no suitable source area could be identified on the Kaapvaal Craton itself. However, it seems unlikely that the Zimbabwe Craton was one of these cratonic blocks, because the Rb-Sr whole rock ages of all studied formations yield a model age of 2092 ± 55 Ma, which is thought to correspond to a craton-wide influence of the 2.05 Ga old Bushveld Igneous Complex on the Rb-Sr isotope systematics of all analysed clastic successions. This influence is apparently missing in the Southern and Central Marginal Zones of the Limpopo Belt, suggesting that the collision between the Kaapvaal and Zimbabwe Cratons only took place after the emplacement of the Bushveld Igneous Complex, i.e. after 2.05 Ga. , Dr. U. Zimmermann Prof. J. Gutzmer
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A 'Good death'?: Rustenburg miners dying from HIV/AIDS

- Makhura, Prudence Nare

  • Authors: Makhura, Prudence Nare
  • Date: 2008-10-27T06:38:37Z
  • Subjects: Miners diseases , AIDS (Disease) , Death , North-West (South Africa)
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:13257 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1327
  • Description: M.A. , This dissertation examines the fear that surrounds death as a consequence of AIDS. It focuses on the relationship that exists between two kinds of deaths, namely the ‘good death’ and the ‘wild death’. The aim of this dissertation is two-fold. It specifically investigates the existence of a ‘good death’, posing the question whether dying ‘wildly’ is necessarily inhumane or unnatural. Secondly, it seeks to emphasise the fact that the stigma surrounding AIDS increases the fears of dying and death. In this dissertation, investigation is confined to workers on the Impala Platinum Mines on the western limb of the bushveld complex, near the towns of Phokeng and Rustenburg in South Africa’s North West Province. The dissertation focuses on mineworkers, among whom – as a consequence of an excessive use of prostitution, single sex hostels, strenuous working conditions, and a lack of knowledge – there is a high level of HIV infection. The dissertation consists of two critical parts. The first aims at understanding the ideas of the fears of dying and death, with a specific focus on the theory of good and wild death, while the second analyses these fears in relation to HIV-positive miners. My methods of data collection, analysis and interpretation were ethnographic, providing a description of death and AIDS in concrete circumstances, rather than an abstract and hypothetical analysis of the phenomenon of dying and death. Information was acquired from 25 selected HIV-positive mine respondents during the period November 2002 to March 2003. This dissertation deals with a topic on which little has been written in relation to AIDS sufferers in South Africa. Its objectives are to clarify the meaning of a ‘good death’ by drawing on the South African approach of a ‘good death’ and to also examine what would be required in trying to help people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) to achieve this ‘good death’. , Prof. P. Alexander Dr. Ria Smit
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"Experiences of relapsed psychiatric patients in Mafikeng in the North-West Province"

- Lobelo, Motlhagodi Ivy

  • Authors: Lobelo, Motlhagodi Ivy
  • Date: 2008-11-18T08:32:08Z
  • Subjects: Psychotherapy patients' relapse , Psychotherapy patients' treatment , North-West (South Africa)
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:14715 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1720
  • Description: M.Cur. , The problem of relapsed psychiatric patients is global, it is high in rural areas where services are not readily available. Lack of knowledge of psychiatric conditions and the management by family of patients play a part in psychiatric patients relapsing. Families reject their family members (patients) when they are in hospital, for what they did when their illness started. Some patients assaulted people, stripped naked in the street. The family then disassociate themselves from the patient because of that behaviour. Studies have indicated that the following reduce the rate of relapse of psychiatric patients: • psycho-education for families regarding the causes of mental illness and its management; and • active involvement of families of patients in the treatment plan of these patients. The researcher’s interest was triggered by the high rate of psychiatric patient relapses in the institution where she works. The researcher decided to investigate the experiences of patients who have relapsed. An investigation was done whereby an explorative, descriptive, contextual and qualitative design was used to find out what the experiences of patients are who have relapsed. Phenomenological interviews were done with seven participants who were purposively selected. Permission was first obtained from the gatekeepers and participants. Thereafter, a pilot study was done with one patient who met the selection criteria for the study. This was done to help the researcher to discover the strong and weak points of the research and to make corrections where necessary. Following Guba’s model (Krefting, 1991:214-222) strategies ensured trustworthiness. Data analysis was done following Tesch’s method of data analysis (Creswell, 1994:154-156). The results showed that patients’ basic needs are neglected in some areas. Emotional dimensions of participants were not catered for by health workers, which resulted in participants getting frustrated and angry. After the data analysis guidelines for psychiatric nurses were described to assist psychiatric patients to mobilise their resources. Recommendations were made regarding the application of the results of the study in psychiatric education, nursing practice and research and for family members. It was concluded that the questions of the study were answered and the objectives were achieved.
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View, Saulspoort

- Van Warmelo, Nicolaas Jacobus

Kgatla basket presented by Ofentse Pilane to T.A.C. Emmett, Saulspoort, 1936

- Van Warmelo, Nicolaas Jacobus

Brass neckrings (Tswana) presented by August Mokgatle to T.A.C. Emmett, Rustenburg

- Van Warmelo, Nicolaas Jacobus

Livelihood activities in female-headed households: Letlhakane village

- Kgatshe, Mamedupe Maggie

  • Authors: Kgatshe, Mamedupe Maggie
  • Date: 2008-06-04T13:14:12Z
  • Subjects: Women in economic development , Women in community development , North-West (South Africa)
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:8919 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/538
  • Description: The study to investigates the livelihood activities of female-headed households in Letlhakane village. In its attempt to examine how these activities are organised, maintained and diversified, it analyses the challenges in carrying out the activities and the possible solutions to these challenges at the household level. The study concerns itself with the views of female heads on the livelihood activities done in their households. The main focus is on what these women and their household members were doing for the survival of the entire household in the remote rural village of Letlhakane between December 2004 and January 2005. For this study a qualitative methodology was vital to gather information on the livelihood activities and composition of households and the contribution of the members to the survival of the household. In-depth, follow-up interviews were used as the research method. The informants of the study were female heads from female-headed households. This was supplemented with observation by the researcher on the activities and the physical surroundings of the village. Photos were also taken in the village. This study reaches a number of conclusions. First, female-headed households in Letlhakane village are a diverse group in terms of the activities they embark on and the composition of their households. But they share a common aspect: their livelihood activities are not sufficient for the survival of their households. There were few or no activities for household survival, even for those households that have been female-headed for a long period of time. As compared to single household heads, female heads with partners were better off when judged by overall returns from the activities. The activities in the households studied were keeping goats, fowls and domestic animals such as dogs and subsistence agriculture in the form of growing maize, melons, cabbages, spinach, beans and fruit gardens. They also grew trees and plants for medicinal purposes such as aloes and lemons. Boyfriends were another source of income for some of the female-headed households. Most of the activities were geared towards immediate consumption, and could not stretch as far as investment. Lower returns from the activities affected children from these households in two ways. Firstly, they had to engage in activities to help provide for the household and secondly some had to drop out of school because of insufficient means to afford schooling. Women heads had the responsibilities of caring for and nurturing the family, raising children and providing food for their household in the households studied. The absence of opportunities for survival and insecure livelihood activities pose a threat to the continued survival of these households. The main obstacles to the livelihood activities were lack of resources such as sufficient land and water, cooperation between residents, skills and financial capital. A major difficulty for women especially, is that voices are only listened to in the village if they come from an adult male figure in the household. Positive aspects for livelihoods that came out from the study were the prevalence of social capital amongst neighbours and relatives. , Carina van Rooyen
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View of school, Saulspoort

- Van Warmelo, Nicolaas Jacobus

Rhino horn club, presented to T.A.C. Emmett by August Mokgatle, Rustenburg

- Van Warmelo, Nicolaas Jacobus

The role of land reforms in the alleviation of rural poverty: a study of the Uitkyk community of the North West Province

- Ayuk, Peter Tabot

  • Authors: Ayuk, Peter Tabot
  • Date: 2009-08-03T10:46:16Z
  • Subjects: Rural poverty , Rural poor , Land reform in South Africa , North-West (South Africa)
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:8608 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2918
  • Description: M.Comm. , This dissertation examines the role of land reforms in the alleviation of rural poverty. A three-pronged approach is adopted in the background study process. This includes a review of the South African land reform programme, a review of international experiences in land reforms, and finally, a focused study of the Uitkyk community of the North West Province. Chapter 1 lays the framework for the study and ends up with the fundamentals of the South African land reform programme. Chapter 2 examines experiences in land reforms in three other countries namely, Brazil, China and Zimbabwe. Based on the comparability of these countries to South Africa in various respects, lessons are drawn from their experiences for South Africa. Chapter 3 traces the origin and evolution of the land question among the Uitkyk community and their subsequent quest for restitution. Chapter four presents empirical evidence from a field survey, with subsequent analysis thereof. Finally, Chapter 5 summarises the lessons drawn from the Uitkyk and South African experience and the international experience. It also offers some tentative recommendations for the South African land reform programme. Two fundamental approaches to land reforms are recognised in this dissertation. These include the government-assisted approach and the market based approach. It is difficult to find any pure form of either approaches anywhere on a national scale. However, at different time periods, countries may tend to prefer one approach over the other. After the 2005 National Land Summit, there is growing , momentum for South Africa to switch from a predominantly market-based· approach to a more government-assisted programme. For a land reform programme to be effective, it must go beyond changes in access to resources to actual economic development. Such development is indicated by changes in income, employment, nutrition and education. The evidence from this dissertation suggests that within the Uitkyk community, land reforms may so far have resulted in change in access to land, but not so much in economic development. To advance the goals of land reform, South Africa will have to carefully consider the tradeoffs between two seemingly conflicting goals of land reform, namely, efficiency and equity, Both community and individual beneficiaries of land grants must also take greater responsibility in translating the change in land access to more wealth and better living conditions.
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