OpenUCT is the open access institutional repository of the University of Cape Town (UCT). It preserves and makes UCT scholarly outputs digitally and freely available, including theses and dissertations, journal articles, book chapters, technical and research reports, as well as open educational resources.
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Open Access
The impact of mobile money on Rwandan household consumption
(2025) Cedras, Joshua; Hollander, Hylton
Research on consumption patterns in developing countries shows that precautionary savings behaviour is common. This is driven by high-risk exposure to natural and economic shocks, and a lack of formal insurance mechanisms among rural farming households. The spread of mobile phones has introduced mobile money, which offers new financial opportunities to marginalized groups. This study examines mobile money's impact on consumption in Rwanda, using data from the Rwanda FinScope 2020 Survey. It applies probabilistic models and an instrumental variable approach to explore the relationship between mobile money use and consumption. The study finds that mobile money is financially inclusive and increases the likelihood of higher consumption among households. Remittances, representing financial flows between households, are key to this increased consumption smoothing. The findings suggest further research is needed to investigate whether household welfare improvements align with positive consumption patterns.
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Open Access
The significance of composition in supplementing extratextual narrative: a topical cue analysis of Star Trek: discovery to provide narrative meaning within instrumentation
(2025) Forbes, Aidan Jarod; Ndodana, Bongani
This dissertation is an exploration of the latest instalment of the Star Trek franchise, Star Trek: Discovery. In its most rudimentary form, this is a study of the characteristics of the soundtrack, but intrinsically, it is an investigation into the extratextual narratives which the music conveys – the story the music tells – through its musical design. In a great sense, the narrative bases itself on the “Star Trek vision” which perpetuates progressive ideals, at times obstinately against the grain. The vision promises a future and critiques a present, and centres itself around theories of utopianism in various incarnations, from assertions of racial equality through the allusion to Afro-futurism in the racially volatile mid-century, to the hyper-representation of queer identities during a time of ideological turbulence in the American landscape of the late 2010s. Empowerment and idealism-to-a-fault have always permeated throughout the Star Trek vision. The music arguably shares this. This dissertation will explore these themes of idealism and utopianism, in contexts of heroism and romance, by considerations of the musical cues in applicable narrative moments, through harmony, melody, and instrumentation. Existing analyses of the Star Trek musical corpus are sparse, and the field of academia that concerns itself with Star Trek rarely ventures into musicology and music theory. Individual theses and journal articles can be identified, of which only a handful align with this study's analytical methodology, and even fewer with the focus area of Discovery. While concern of this scarcity is valid, the sparse research field contributes to a more creative research approach and methodology. While semiosis is a core figure in the research, other methodological paradigms such as spectromorphology are referenced. Linguistic and morphological notions are key in the ultimate methodology of the analysis. A model of analysis synergises various semiotic and typographic methodologies, with the non- technological aspects of spectromorphology – that is, an approach that designs its assertions around aural observation rather than pure pictographic interpretation. Tomaszewski, seminalsemiotic film music theoretician's approaches, the approaches of analysts Metz, the theories behind Smalley's analyses, and the writings of Getman, all come together to inform the design of this study's methodology. Within this study, Star Trek: Discovery (2017-2024) will be analysed and an investigation into the nonverbal linguistics of the instalment will require, at times, references to earlier instalments to ultimately ascertain not only meaning but a definitive sense of evolution or divergence within the soundtrack. Discovery is the flagship series of the fourth wave of television media in the Star Trek franchise – the first wave was the genesis series, Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969); the second wave was the exodus, expanding the Star Trek universe with multiple new series, Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994) the progenitor and the central narrative of this era of Star Trek; the third wave consisted of one series, Star Trek: Enterprise (2001-2005). Discovery lay the groundwork for a new generation of Star Trek, modernly situated and trailblazing notions beyond the Star Trek vision. Its music, in its divergent style and nature, assures this novel progression.
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Open Access
Imaging-based lensless polarisation-resolving fluid stream analyser for automated, label-free and cost-effective microplastic classification
(2024) Montandon, Fraser Derrick Charles; Nicolls, Frederick
The presence of microplastics in the environment is of concern with the actual distribu-tion of this pollution remaining relatively unknown. The ocean is of particular interest as the monitoring of microplastics in this area presents a challenge in that in situ fluid stream solutions are not readily available and traditional sampling methods are labour-intensive and costly. Additionally, the lack of consensus on sampling techniques makes comparing results dicult. Our proposed device demonstrates an imaging-based lens-less polarisation-sensitive fluid stream analyser (FSA) for automated, label-free, and cost-e↵ective microplastic classification. The FSA performs analysis at high flow rates with a custom-designed illumination circuit that reduces motion blur and provides quan-titative sample information using a polarisation-sensitive image sensor. Digital in-line holography (DIH) and birefringence numerical computation are utilised in the processing workflow. The device can be used for either quantitative polarisation-sensitive imaging and analysis or for further machine-learning-based activities, including the classification of samples. Both abilities are demonstrated in this study. Our analyser computes the two-dimensional birefringent characteristics of samples and we investigate the detection of synthetic polymer birefringent textures due to the optical anisotropy of these materi-als. We perform a comparative machine learning study with both learned and filter bank feature generation being assessed to aid the microplastic classification process. The FSA and classifier components are used to develop an end-to-end workflow that samples a fluid stream and determines the composition of marine and microplastic particles. We use two phytoplankton cultures to create a simplified marine environment for testing purposes. To demonstrate the performance of our classification methods we tested our device and workflow in a two-class configuration for marine microorganisms and plastics, as well as a five-class configuration for marine microorganisms and four individual plastic types (polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS)). Our analysis shows that high accuracy is achieved from the classifier implementation, with the simulated marine environment experiments further supporting the ability of the proposed implementation.
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Open Access
How rewilding impacts ecosystem health in a semi-arid region
(2025) Faria, Alexandro Carlos; Janion-Scheepers, Charlene; Hawkins, Heidi; Midgley, Guy
Rewilding represents more than just the reintroduction of iconic charismatic species; it holds the potential to assist in reestablishing critical ecosystem functions, helping create dynamic, resilient, and self-sustaining ecosystems. Here I test the general idea that the reintroduction of megafauna such as elephant, rhino, and buffalo will alter soil and vegetation characteristics as well as dung beetle assemblages via megafauna trampling and feeding behaviours, ultimately improving ecosystem health. This was conducted in two different vegetation types, Montagu Shale Renosterveld and Western Klein Karoo. By examining these key indicators of ecosystem health, this research has revealed that the rewilded areas generally exhibit higher levels of dung beetle abundance (up to 3.7 times higher than livestock areas), improved soil dynamics (e.g. 11–12% lower bulk density), and greater vegetation productivity as shown by EVI trends. The study also investigated the potential of leveraging carbon credits as a means to fund restoration projects in semi-arid settings, but ultimately concluded that a more nuanced approach is likely needed in the form of biodiversity credits. Ultimately, this study provides tentative evidence that well-managed rewilding can indeed assist in restoring degraded landscapes. This, in turn, reaffirms the crucial role of nature-based solutions in biodiversity conservation and highlights the importance of positive land stewardship and management. These findings underscore the importance and viability of embracing rewilding as a legitimate method by which to protect and regenerate degraded landscapes. In addition, this study illustrates how the impact of rewilding is not uniform across ecosystem types by comparing findings between the two stated vegetation types. All these findings suggest that a more holistic approach is needed to evaluate and value rewilding initiatives, one which includes key ecological variables such as vegetation dynamics, various soil characteristics, and insect populations. By taking an interdisciplinary approach to conservation through combining rigorous ecological assessments with innovative financing mechanisms (such as biodiversity credits) in the future, it is more likely to capture the multifaceted benefits of rewilding and foster long-term ecosystem resilience. This comprehensive strategy is pivotal for transforming biodiversity conservation and ensuring robust ecological recovery across diverse landscapes, while increasing the likelihood of financial viability and sustainability of rewilding projects.
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Open Access
Comparative analysis of BNP Paribas' approaches to energy sustainability, security, and costs in France and South Africa
(2025) Corgnier, Julien; Zolfaghari, Badri; Kruger, Wikus
This thesis investigates BNP Paribas' approaches to sustainability, security, and energy costs in France and South Africa, comparing the bank's strategies in response to energy challenges. The research problem focuses on banks' challenges in creating consistent energy sustainability strategies across different regulatory and socio-economic contexts. The study aims to understand how BNP Paribas balances sustainability and profitability in these regions. The research employs a qualitative methodology, using a comparative case study approach. Data was collected through interviews with key stakeholders and content analysis on secondary data, focusing on the bank's energy investment strategies, regulatory interactions, and responses to local challenges. The data was analysed thematically to identify patterns and differences in the bank's approaches in the two countries. The study concludes that regional contexts influence the effectiveness of bank's energy sustainability projects. In France, BNP Paribas has taken advantage of a stable regulatory environment to promote renewable energies. They target 90% renewables in their portfolio by 2030, supported by policies like the European Green Deal. In South Africa, challenges such as coal dependency, regulatory inconsistencies and socio-economic complexities limit the bank's efforts. As a result, direct energy investments were reduced and its Johannesburg branch closed in 2024. Instead, BNP Paribas has focused on stable African regions such as Morocco, aligning itself with its sustainability goals. These findings contribute to the field of sustainable finance by providing insights into the complexities banks face in balancing sustainability and profitability. The study underscores the importance of context-specific strategies and the role of banks in promoting global energy transitions.