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The socio-economic impacts of xenophobia in South Africa: a case study of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole

  • Authors: Yawlui, Robert Mensah
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Immigrants -- South Africa -- Economic conditions , Immigrants -- South Africa -- Social conditions , Xenophobia -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:9057 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1007961 , Immigrants -- South Africa -- Economic conditions , Immigrants -- South Africa -- Social conditions , Xenophobia -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay
  • Description: Xenophobia became known as manifest of relations and perceptions of an "in–group" towards an "out-group", including a fear of losing identity, suspicion of its activities, aggressions, and desire to eliminate its presence to secure a presumed purity. This study aims to address the socio-economic impacts of xenophobia in South Africa. As a matter of fact, the 2008 xenophobia attacks amongst others were violent and acted as visible wake-up call to the country to focus attention on the reality of human migration. South African democratic constitution recognises immigration, and gives multiple reasons why nationals from other countries have to migrate to settle in South Africa. This study was grounded within the field of Development studies and undertook a case study of investigating the socio- economic impacts of xenophobia in Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole (NMBM) as a case study. The study employed the use of semi- structured interviews whereby a questionnaire was used to guide the researcher in the interview process. A total of 40 officials were interviewed, ranging from governmental department through to civil societies to private immigration consultants and immigrants in South Africa, in order to avoid the generation of biases. The data obtained from respondents were presented, analysed, and discussed. From the data collected, it was possible to single out the impacts of xenophobia in NMBM. Some of the consequences generated from the fact that the community need more awareness programs, the local and national government need to capacitate the citizens to create sustainable jobs and the DoHA‟s activities greatly relegate immigrants to the backyard. Based on the study findings, the main recommendations offered to NMBM was to create a forum to advice the DoHA to channel efforts into managing migration issues sustainably rather than "stopping" it. Furthermore to catalyse Civil Society and NGOs to initiate support mechanisms to hold government accountable. This will greatly provide a perfect platform for development.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

The sustainability of health committees in the Nelson Mandela Bay health district

  • Authors: Madyibi, Nwabisa
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Community health services -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Citizen participation , Primary health care -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:9169 , http://hdl/handle.net/10948/d1020105
  • Description: Purpose of this treatise- This Paper aims to investigate the Sustainability of Health Facility Committees in the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District. Design/methodology/approach – This study consists of a literature review and a pilot study. Qualitative research approach was used in order to obtain descriptive data from the targeted group. The primary sources of data collection the researcher used were from the members of the committee, health facility manager, chairperson and the health promoter who are members of the health committees. Focus group discussions with health committees were conducted to provide rich in-depth data. Literature and journal articles were also used to provide secondary data to corroborate findings. Research limitations- A major limitation to this study is that due to the nature of the nature of the research report it was not possible to assess the sustainability of health Facility Committees from other areas in the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District. Findings-The study has revealed that Community Health committees are sustained by the commitment and passion members have for the work done in the facilities and health committees. The study also revealed that social cohesion plays a major part in the sustainability of Community Health Committees (CHC). Lack of involvement by ward councilors, support from the Health Department, uncertainty of responsibilities by the health committees and limited skills were indicated as major setbacks threatening the sustainability of Community Health Committees. It can thus be concluded that these limitations must be properly addressed in order to enable and uphold the sustainability of Community Health Committees. Original/value -So far, there has been limited research which has been undertaken with regards to the subject of Sustainability of Health Facility Committees in Nelson Mandela Bay Health District. This study will aid in enabling a better understanding of what sustains Community Health Committees and the Challenges facing such communities in order to enable individuals and the parties involved to better formulate solutions to overcome these challenges in Nelson Mandela Bay.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

The sustainability of rural sanitation facilities in municipalities

  • Authors: Maxwele, Zukani
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Sanitation, Rural -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sanitary engineering -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sewage disposal, Rural -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Citizen participation , Municipal services -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:9713 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020580
  • Description: Progress has been made in eradicating the backlog in sanitation. This is reflected by the 2011 Census results that reflect a 21 percent increase in the provision of sanitation between the 2001 Census and the 2011 Census. In the rural areas of O.R. Tambo District Municipality, the eradication of sanitation backlogs is done through the provision of VIPs for sanitation. Even with this progress, there are still challenges resulting from the previously constructed sanitation facilities. Some of the challenges relate to the poor quality of these facilities. Community members – via the IDP road shows have voiced their unhappiness with regard to some of the sustainability factors of these structures. Community members feel they were not involved in decisions related to the sanitation projects. It has also been observed that the municipality and its agents do not conduct environmental management studies; and some pits of these structures were not lined, and the health and hygiene training, together with post-construction assessment was not done. In this study, an assessment of the provision of sanitation facilities, in order to identify some of the key factors that are critical to the sustainability of rural sanitation facilities, was done. The research findings should be helpful in assisting local government to improve the provision of sanitation facilities, with the aim of ensuring sustainability, improving community satisfaction, and improving the quality of life for the people living in these villages. For the purpose of the study, a quantitative research approach was used. A research questionnaire was used to collect the data; and it was distributed through email to a sample of respondents that understood sanitation issues. The data were collected from municipal officials, consultants working on sanitation projects, as well as other stakeholders with influence and an interest in sanitation. The results were analysed to establish the findings and to propose recommendations, in order to improve the sustainability of rural sanitation facilities. From the research findings, the recommendations highlighted the need for an improved participatory approach in implementing sanitation projects. To ensure sustainability, the following issues are key: monitoring and supervision; community participation and adherence to design guidelines; a review of the sanitation provision policy; as well as the promotion of health and hygiene.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

The talisman

The tax implications of the sale of a business

  • Authors: Walker, Sandra
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Sale of business enterprises -- Taxation -- South Africa , Business tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
  • Identifier: vital:8945 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021002
  • Description: Currently, there are two ways to structure the sale of a business. The first is the sale of the ownership of the business, and second, the sale of its assets. The structure of the sale, by way of its ownership or by way of its assets, can have varying and complex tax consequences, and should be an important consideration during negotiations between the seller and purchaser of the business. The purchaser and the seller, in order to minimise tax consequences, should carefully consider the tax payable, flowing from the sale of the business, but often fail to do so because of the complex nature of current tax legislation. My own experience, as a practising accountant and tax practitioner, has been that when faced with complex tax legislation, the seller and the purchaser of a business often choose to ignore this aspect of the sale during negotiations. Those who have attempted to establish the tax consequences of the sale of a business during negotiations have been discouraged by the lack of a practical means to assist them in doing so. Consequently, I have undertaken a conceptual analysis and interpretation of South African tax legislation, interpretations of such legislation by the Court and other related matters with a view to examining, determining and summarising the tax consequences of the sale of a business in a practical manner, and thereby provide the seller and the purchaser with a practical means to assist them in determining the optimal structure for the sale of the business.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

The tax treatment of receipts and accruals arising from equity option contracts

  • Authors: Doidge, Stephen
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Derivative securities Options (Finance) Swaps (Finance) Income tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Taxation -- South Africa Futures
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: vital:903 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007921
  • Description: In this thesis the tax treatment of equity option contracts is examined. The writer gives an overview of the derivatives market in general and discusses the nature and effect of equity options in detail. Limited amendments have been made to the South African Income Tax Act No 58 of 1962 ('the Act') since the emergence of derivative instruments and at present only three types of derivative instruments are recognised: forward exchange and option contracts relating to forward exchange, interest rate swaps based on notional capital amounts and option contracts. Other than section 241 of the Act which deems all receipts and accruals from foreign exchange contracts to be income, the other sections dealing with derivatives do not concern themselves with capital or revenue classification. Accordingly, the classification of receipts and accruals arising from an equity option transaction is generally governed by the ordinary principles of South African tax law with the added problem of there being limited South African case law applying these general prinCiples to such transactions. The research undertaken in this thesis results in the establishment of a framework designed to determine the classification as revenue or capital the receipts and accruals arising from equity option contracts. Speculating, trading and investing in equity options is examined with regard to the general principles of South African tax and available case law. Hedging transactions are analysed with specific reference to their exact nature as well as general tax principles and available case law. The analogy of Krugerrands is used to draw parallels with the tax treatment of receipts and accruals arising from equity options used for hedging purposes. Once the theoretical framework has been established for revenue or capital classification, the actual tax treatment of both revenue and capital receipts is examined with reference to the Act and issues such as the gross income definition, the general deduction formula, trading stock and timing provisions are analysed and applied to receipts and accruals arising from equity option transactions. The thesis concludes with a summary of the findings and recommendations are made based on the research conducted.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

The use of Blackboard as a tool for the teaching and assessment of large classes in mathematics education: a case study of second year level Bachelor of Education students in one university in South Africa

  • Authors: Riley, Alanna
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Blackboards , Blackboard drawing , Mathematics -- Study and teaching , College students , Educational change , Information technology , Teaching -- Aids and devices , College teaching , Assessment , Blended learning
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
  • Identifier: vital:16182 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006237 , Blackboards , Blackboard drawing , Mathematics -- Study and teaching , College students , Educational change , Information technology , Teaching -- Aids and devices , College teaching , Assessment , Blended learning
  • Description: This study locates the Blackboard Learning Management System as a Technology Enhanced Learning tool within the bounds of the discipline of eLearning and aimed to interrogate the use of Blackboard for the purposes of teaching, learning and assessment in large classes. It is evident from the literature reviewed that changes in both Higher Education in the South Africa with regards to policy and legislation in addition to international shifts towards increased access and participation in a fast paced, ever-evolving knowledge-based economy, providing the context for this work. The theoretical framework for this study is not unidimensional due to the fact that the educational field of eLearning as an area of specialisation draws on a multitude of theories in terms of their utility value for instructional design of courses utilising Information and Communications Technology as a mode of delivery. This study was conducted within the bounds of an interpretivist paradigm as the researcher sought to focus on the use of Blackboard and the experiences of the lecturers and students involved in the implementation thereof. The research design for this study took the form of a case study and a multiple case method was employed. The researcher collected data through personal interviews conducted with participating lecturers, while student data was collected by means of a qualitative survey which was conducted through the Blackboard Learning Management System. The data was analyzed by means of a thematic analysis, consistent with the interpretive paradigm chosen for this study. The findings of this study revealed that Blackboard was utilised effectively in order to facilitate communication, access to course resources and promoted more efficient assessment processes. The implementation was however not without challenges many of which were systemic and focused on the lack of resources available to the students. The implications of using Blackboard for teaching and assessment of large classes include the use of the Learning Management System as part of a multimodal method of course delivery in an effort to reach the multitude of registered students both conceptually as well as electronically. The recommendations arising from this study include consideration on the part of the faculty for a unified approach in the use of Blackboard for communication as well as deployment of resources. Additionally, this study may form the foundation of further studies in this field, with a focus on the active engagement and training of lecturers in order to integrate traditional teaching methods with blended learning opportunities.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

The use of English and isiXhosa in teaching and learning Physical Sciences in four schools in King Williams Town education district of the Eastern Cape: a case study

  • Authors: Sibanda, Busani
  • Date: 2013
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
  • Identifier: vital:16222 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019733
  • Description: The present study investigates the use of English and isiXhosa in teaching and learning Physical Sciences in four King Williams Town schools. Physical Sciences educators and Grade 11 Physical Sciences learners were interviewed to find out about their perceptions with regard to the language(s) used in the learning and teaching of the subject Physical Sciences. The same educators and learners were also observed to find out their actual language practices in class. The findings revealed that English was the preferred medium of instruction in the learning and teaching of Physical Sciences, even though the majority of learners had low proficiency in English. Both teachers and learners extensively use code-switching to bridge this language gap in order to improve the learning of content. The choice to use isiXhosa to bridge the English second language barrier was influenced by the language profile of the learners. However, even in lessons in which teachers used code-switching, the participation of learners in class discussions was very low because the delivery of the lessons was still teacher-centred. The National Department of Education assessment policy seems to limit schools toward adopting English as the LoLT even though learners in these schools were isiXhosa first language speakers. The fact that all assessment are done in English leads to school adopting English on LoLT. Schools adopted the English only policy as way of promoting learners’ learning and understanding of English, so that the learners are not disadvantaged by the English language factor when writing examinations.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

The use of Facebook and Twitter in sports public relations in the 2012 Olympics

  • Authors: Cash, Carol-Anne
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Sports journalism -- South Africa , Social media -- South Africa , Communication -- Social aspects -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:8370 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020640
  • Description: The purpose of this study was to provide professionals practising sports public relations in South Africa with insight into the use of social media platforms Facebook and Twitter. The secondary data from this study was drawn from the fields of communications, public relations, new media, social media, sport and marketing. South African Paralympic swimmers Kevin Paul and Shireen Sapiro were selected as the case studies and their Facebook and Twitter sites were analysed. The data was analysed leading up to, during and after the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics. Content analysis using quantitative and qualitative data was utilized to conduct this study. During the period 27 July to 30 September 2012, the study was able to evaluate data by identifying the reach, frequency, interaction of the stakeholders and the positive or negative impact social media had on these athletes. The study established that there were correlations between the secondary and primary research that was undertaken. The findings revealed that social media platforms Facebook and Twitter can be useful tools to communicate with stakeholders. Social media can also create support for the athletes, create two-way interaction, create unity and enhance reputation. It was identified that social media could only be effective if it enticed stakeholders to engage with the brand and create two-way communication. Immediate feedback by responding to comments as soon as possible to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders is essential. This can be done through comprehensive planning, monitoring and proactively seeking ways to satisfy stakeholder needs.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

The use of tax incentive measure in conjunction with carbon taxes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve economic growth: a comparative study with lessons for South Africa

  • Authors: Poole, Richard
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Elasticity (Economics) , Substitution (Economics) , Carbon taxes , Carbon taxes -- South Africa , Greenhouse gas mitigation , Greenhouse gas mitigation--South Africa , United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change -- (1992). Protocols, etc. -- 1997 Dec. 11 , Kyoto Protocol , Substitution elasticity
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: vital:875 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001607 , Elasticity (Economics) , Substitution (Economics) , Carbon taxes , Carbon taxes -- South Africa , Greenhouse gas mitigation , Greenhouse gas mitigation--South Africa , United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change -- (1992). Protocols, etc. -- 1997 Dec. 11
  • Description: In 1997 industrialized nations, the Third Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, met in Kyoto, Japan to sign a treaty (the “Kyoto Protocol”) in terms of which industrialized nations would be required to reduce their greenhouse gas emission by at least five percent below 1990 levels by the end of the “first commitment period” 2008-2012. South Africa is not regarded as an industrialized nation, but nonetheless acceded to the Kyoto Protocol in 2002. The literature reviewed in the present research reveals that, although idealistic, the Kyoto Protocol has been problematic. Fourteen meetings of the Conference of Parties to the Kyoto Protocol between 1997 and 2011 have achieved little more than to repeatedly defer and redefine Kyoto obligations. This research was undertaken to document the existing environmental taxation policies employed in selected international jurisdictions with a view to providing a framework for environmental tax policy formation in South Africa to assist this country in meeting its “greenhouse gas” emission targets, while at the same time promoting economic growth. A doctrinal research methodology was adopted in this study as it mainly analysed and interpreted legislation and policy documents and therefore the approach was qualitative in nature. An extensive literature survey was performed to document the various environmental policies that have been legislated in the selected jurisdictions. Comparisons were drawn with proposed tax policy measures for South Africa. The literature indicates that in the selected international jurisdictions carbon taxes achieved less-than-optimal results, largely due to political and industry-competitive agendas. With South Africa planning to introduce a carbon tax, it is submitted that the implementation of a carbon tax regime in isolation will be counter-productive, given South Africa’s economic profile. On the basis of the literature reviewed, it was concluded that South Africa should consider “recycling” carbon tax revenues within the economy to fund a broad-based tax incentive regime that will stimulate the change to non-carbon energy whilst promoting growth through sustainable development
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  • Date Issued: 2013

The value of non-native fish species : a study of recreational angling in the Amathole district

  • Authors: Kinghorn, James Wolmarans
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Fishing -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Introduced fishes -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Fisheries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Non-native fish species , Recreational angling , Amathole district
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEcon
  • Identifier: vital:930 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001456
  • Description: Experience has shown that effective fisheries governance requires a sound understanding of fisheries as systems incorporating both ecological and human dimensions. The Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries requires that the human components of these systems be considered when developing management and governance frameworks. While the potential for inland fisheries to contribute towards societal welfare and the development of rural livelihoods is becoming increasingly apparent, developing South African inland fisheries requires a careful consideration of both their positive and negative impacts, given that they revolve mainly around five of the world‟s top 100 invasive species. This thesis aimed to explore the value of inland recreational fisheries to rural livelihoods in the Amathole District of South Africa, to the regional economy, and to anglers themselves. Three methods were used to isolate this value. Economic impact analysis was used to estimate the combined total economic impact of the 2011 Divisional Tournament (n=31) and the 2012 Amatola Bass Classic (n=100) on the regional economy of the Amathole District, estimated to be R106 625. The travel cost method was applied to data from the 2012 Amatola Bass Classic in order to estimate the social welfare generated by this tournament. The Negative Binomial model, corrected for truncation and endogenous stratification, estimated this value at R 1 960 090. The sustainable livelihoods framework was used to conduct a broad-based analysis of the value of Amatola Wild Trout, the firm which constitutes the fishery surrounding the rural village of Cata. It was found that the fishery had been responsible for a modest pecuniary impact on the community of Cata within its first two years of establishment, although significant improvements in human capital were found to have resulted from the development of the fishery. These results provide insights into the economic dimension of fisheries in the Amathole District, and will prove useful when weighing up the positive and negative impacts of non-native fish species, particularly when informing decisions regarding their potential eradication.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

The viability of introducing radio frequency identification to the South African truck tyre market: a cross-sectional study

  • Authors: Francis, Merwin
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Business logistics -- South Africa Radio frequency identification systems , Inventory control -- South Africa Product life cycle
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21678 , vital:29732
  • Description: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is revolutionizing business practices across industries worldwide as means for its commercial application continue to be developed. It is surpassing barcoding as the preferred means of product identification due to its’ ability to identify goods at item-level as opposed to batch- or type identification, and with no line-of-sight requirements for item detection. Although many industries have successfully employed the technology and are reaping the rewards, RFID’s adoption in the truck tyre industry is still in its infant stage. A small number of documented cases discuss the limited roll-out and testing of RFID effectiveness in satisfying the demands and expectations associated with this specific application. This study is aimed at evaluating the viability of introducing RFID to the South African market. The market readiness is reflected in the perceptions of Continental Tyre South Africa’s (CTSA’s) customers regarding the perceived benefits of RFID. More importantly, it is revealed in how it affects customers’ buying behaviour and, by implication, the impact on CTSA’s sales. The results of the study also reveal critical aspects unique to the South African truck tyre market which could potentially be addressed through the introduction of RFID. These aspects form the basis of the conclusions and recommendations for future actions by CTSA.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

The violence of language : contemporary hate speech and the suitability of legal measures regulating hate speech in South Africa

  • Authors: Janse van Rensburg, Leanne
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Hate speech -- South Africa , Hate speech -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Racism in language , Freedom of speech -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
  • Identifier: vital:3663 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001866 , Hate speech -- South Africa , Hate speech -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Racism in language , Freedom of speech -- South Africa
  • Description: This thesis unites law and social science so as to give a comprehensive account of the phenomenon of racial hate speech in South Africa as an obstacle to transformation. Hate speech is presented as a form of violent language and an affront to the constitutional rights of freedom of speech, equality and dignity. To establish the nature of hate speech, the fluid quality of language is explored so as to show how language can be manipulated, on the one hand, as a means to harm, and employed, on the other hand, as a tool to heal and reconcile. This double gesture is illustrated through the South African linguistic experience of past hate and segregation and the current transformation agenda. It is through this prism that hate speech regulation is discussed as an uneasy fit in a country where freedom of expression is constitutionally protected and where language plays an important role in bringing about reconciliation, and yet words are still being employed to divide and dehumanise. This reality necessitates a clearly articulated stance on the regulation of language. The thesis accordingly interrogates the current legal standards in relation to hate speech with reference to international law that binds South Africa and the constitutional standard set for the regulation of language and the prohibition of hate speech. Thereafter, the current and proposed legislative prohibitions on hate speech, the residual common law provisions governing expression and the regulation of language in the media are outlined and analysed. These legal frameworks are explored in terms of their content and their application in various fora so as to ascertain what the South African approach to hate speech prohibition is, whether it is consistent and, ultimately if it is indeed suitable to the South African experience and the realities of language. This thesis concludes that contemporary hate speech measures lack a coherent understanding of what hate speech entails and a general inconsistency in approach as well as application is found in the treatment of hate speech complaints in South Africa. This is explained through the fallibility of language as a medium to regulate expression and solutions are offered to not only taper current and proposed hate speech provisions but to also consider alternative forms of resolving hate speech complaints
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  • Date Issued: 2013

The zero-rating of certain professional services in terms of the Value-Added Tax Act

  • Authors: Roberts, Tanya
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: South Africa. Value-Added Tax Act, 1991 , Tax exemption -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Value-added tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: vital:8968 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021006
  • Description: The third sphere of government (Local Government) has been persistently clouded by unfavourable Annual Financial Statement (AFS) audit reports. This results in local government losing credibility and its stakeholders losing confidence in the institutions or municipalities. In-depth analysis of the root cause of this dilemma is an opportunity for the municipality to reorganise its house and redeem its dignity and credibility to its stakeholders through addressing the identified challenges. The importance of the study can be attributed to the need to investigate the root causes of unfavourable audit opinion and recommend possible remedies that can assist municipalities to improve their audit report outcomes which in turn will improve the confidence of its stakeholders. The primary objective of the study was to investigate variables that impact on the audit report outcomes on annual financial statements of the municipalities that are within Alfred Nzo District (AND) Jurisdiction, including Alfred Nzo District Municipality (ANDM). This was achieved through investigating the root causes of the audit report outcomes with specific focus on the relationship that exists between the management role and audit outcomes of the Alfred Nzo District Municipalities. This was measured by the municipality’s leadership, governance, internal controls and human capital management. Convenient sampling was used wherein 150 questionnaires (30 per municipality) were sent out to the selected employees in all the municipalities in the Alfred Nzo District. Out of the questionnaires that were sent out, 103 responses were received. These were analysed to draw findings, conclusion and recommendations. The empirical results of the study revealed that there is strong evidence that leadership, governance and human capital management have a positive influence on the municipality’s AFS audit report outcomes. It also revealed that there is overwhelming evidence that internal controls have a positive influence on the municipality’s AFS audit report outcomes. The study recommends how leadership, governance, internal controls and human capital management must be improved. It also provides future research recommendations to improve this study.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

Time budgets, blood urea content, total protein and body condition scores as adaptive responses to seasonal dynamics by breeding Nguni cows and heifers reared on a sweetveld

  • Authors: Mapfumo, Lizwell
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Nguni cattle -- South Africa , Cattle -- Feed utilization efficiency -- South Africa , Beef -- Quality -- South Africa , Slaughtering and slaughter-houses -- South Africa , Cattle -- Breeding -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
  • Identifier: vital:11826 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015738 , Nguni cattle -- South Africa , Cattle -- Feed utilization efficiency -- South Africa , Beef -- Quality -- South Africa , Slaughtering and slaughter-houses -- South Africa , Cattle -- Breeding -- South Africa
  • Description: The objective of this study was to determine time budgets, blood urea content, total protein and body condition score as adaptive responses to seasonal dynamics by breeding Nguni cows and heifers reared on a sweetveld. Twenty four clinically healthy Nguni cows and heifers were selected for the study. The animals were grouped according to their parities namely: Parity 1 (n=5), Parity 2 (n=5), Parity 3-6 (old cows) (n=9) and in-calf heifers (n=5). Two separate experiments were conducted and running concurrently. In the first experiment time budgets (time spent walking, grazing, lying down, drinking water and browsing) of the cows and heifers were monitored for two consecutive days once a month, while in the second experiment blood samples were collected from the coccygeal vein once a month during weighing. Body condition scores were also determined during weighing times. Heifers maintained significantly (p0.05) of both blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (7.5±0.39 mmol/l) and TP (80.7±1.19 g/l) in November. All the animals had the least BUN levels in January (1.93±0.18 mmol/l) while the highest total protein (TP) (82.1±1.08 g/l) was recorded in February. All the animals showed distinct (p0.05) in most behavioural attributes in the cool-wet season. Heifers spent significantly (p0.05) body condition scores, amount of time spent browsing and drinking water. On the other hand, heifers (14.7±1.50%) and first parity cows (13.9±1.50%) traded-off most (p<0,05) of their time walking during the cool-dry season. Similarly heifers spent more time browsing (6.4±0.62%) forage plants (p<0.05) than all the cows during the cool-wet season. Grazing (r = 0.17) and standing (r = -0.18) were correlated (p<0.05) with all the behavioural attributes measured in this environment. It was concluded that seasonal dynamics in trade-off behaviour through time budgeting, maintenance of BUN and TP were necessary for the Nguni cows and heifers to maintain their body condition scores within a narrow range throughout the four seasons.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

Tolerance intervals for variance component models using a Bayesian simulation procedure

  • Authors: Sarpong, Abeam Danso
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Bayesian statistical decision theory , Multilevel models (Statistics)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:10583 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021025
  • Description: The estimation of variance components serves as an integral part of the evaluation of variation, and is of interest and required in a variety of applications (Hugo, 2012). Estimation of the among-group variance components is often desired for quantifying the variability and effectively understanding these measurements (Van Der Rijst, 2006). The methodology for determining Bayesian tolerance intervals for the one – way random effects model has originally been proposed by Wolfinger (1998) using both informative and non-informative prior distributions (Hugo, 2012). Wolfinger (1998) also provided relationships with frequentist methodologies. From a Bayesian point of view, it is important to investigate and compare the effect on coverage probabilities if negative variance components are either replaced by zero, or completely disregarded from the simulation process. This research presents a simulation-based approach for determining Bayesian tolerance intervals in variance component models when negative variance components are either replaced by zero, or completely disregarded from the simulation process. This approach handles different kinds of tolerance intervals in a straightforward fashion. It makes use of a computer-generated sample (Monte Carlo process) from the joint posterior distribution of the mean and variance parameters to construct a sample from other relevant posterior distributions. This research makes use of only non-informative Jeffreys‟ prior distributions and uses three Bayesian simulation methods. Comparative results of different tolerance intervals obtained using a method where negative variance components are either replaced by zero or completely disregarded from the simulation process, is investigated and discussed in this research.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

Towards an information security awareness process for engineering SMEs in emerging economies

  • Authors: Gundu, Tapiwa
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Computer security -- South Africa , Information technology -- South Africa , Computer networks -- Security measures -- South Africa , Information resources management -- South Africa , Small business -- South Africa , Engineering firms -- South Africa , Confidential communications -- South Africa , Information Security Awareness , Information Security Behaviour , Information Security Training
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Information Systems)
  • Identifier: vital:11138 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007179 , Computer security -- South Africa , Information technology -- South Africa , Computer networks -- Security measures -- South Africa , Information resources management -- South Africa , Small business -- South Africa , Engineering firms -- South Africa , Confidential communications -- South Africa , Information Security Awareness , Information Security Behaviour , Information Security Training
  • Description: With most employees in Engineering Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) now having access to their own personal workstations, the need for information security management to safeguard against loss/alteration or theft of the firms’ important information has increased. These Engineering SMEs tend to be more concerned with vulnerabilities from external threats, although industry research suggests that a substantial proportion of security incidents originate from insiders within the firm. Hence, technical preventative measures such as antivirus software and firewalls are proving to solve only part of the problem as the employees controlling them lack adequate information security knowledge. This tends to expose a firm to risk and costly mistakes made by naïve/uninformed employees. This dissertation presents an information security awareness process that seeks to cultivate positive security behaviours using a behavioural intention model based on the Theory of Reasoned Action, Protection Motivation Theory and the Behaviourism Theory. The process and model have been refined and verified using expert review and tested through action research at an Engineering SME in South Africa. The main finding was information security levels of employees within the firm were low, but the proposed information security awareness process increased their knowledge thereby positively altering their behaviour.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

Towards identifying how knowledge management concepts may be applied to enhance the tendering process in South African public sector institutions

  • Authors: Kasi, Sizukisa Bridget
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Letting of contracts -- South Africa , Knowledge management , Public contracts -- South Africa , Transparency in government -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:1150 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007741 , Letting of contracts -- South Africa , Knowledge management , Public contracts -- South Africa , Transparency in government -- South Africa
  • Description: The state of the Tendering Process in South African Government Institutions has become an area of concern in recent years with issues related to transparency, governance and rigid retrospective procedures being cited as impediments to efficiency. In tum, Knowledge Management (KM) and its ability to be applied to all types of organisations to increase efficiency has been popularised extensively. An analysis of KM literature suggested that the principles of KM may be used to increase efficiency and create competitive advantage. This study attempted to identify whether the benefits gained by other organisations through the application of Knowledge Management principles, could be applied to the Tendering Process in South African Government Institutions. The study sought to identify how Knowledge Value Chain by Wang and Ahmed (2005) may be leveraged to create an enhanced Tendering Process. The study then reviewed the Tendering Processes conducted in Australia, United States of America, Malaysia and South Africa and sought to identify the common steps in a tendering process in order to construct a standard tendering process. The Knowledge Value Chain was then applied to this process to create a standard tendering process enhanced by Knowledge Management Principles. The model was compared to the processes currently conducted in two Government institutions and two parastals. The findings indicated that the model is well suited for Government Organisations and would assist in the creation of greater transparency, however the practical implementation of the model is yet unlikely as the model suggest electronic access to information, and the process in South African Government Institutions is predominately paper-based.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

Trade liberalisation and poverty alleviation in South Africa

  • Authors: Gundu, Tafadzwa Amanda
  • Date: 2013
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , M Com
  • Identifier: vital:11480 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015283
  • Description: The study attempts to address, from amongst the key issues in the current debate on economic development: the effect of trade liberalization on poverty. The relationship between trade liberalization and poverty levels is investigated in both the long run and the short run for South Africa. To measure trade liberalization, trade openness is used as the standard index. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) measures financial openness while taxation is a measure of public intervention in the country. Consumption per capita is a proxy for poverty and Real Gross Domestic Product (RGDP) controlled for economic growth. Applying the Johansen Co-integration Techniques and Error Correction Method, empirical results suggest that trade liberalization has a cumulative effect on poverty reduction in the long-run. Lower poverty level is associated with low taxation and high foreign direct investment, particularly in the short run, in South Africa. Therefore, it is recommended that the government needs to design and pursue active development strategies to benefit from openness. There is also a need to enhance the tax revenues of the state through better collection of revenues, and administrative reforms rather than expenditure cut backs, which can reduce the effectiveness of the public sector. The government needs to strengthen allocation of funds to social sectors so as to bring the issue of poverty reduction to the central stage of economic policy making.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

Trade union responses to the casualisation of labour in the Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Loni, Kholosa Siphe
  • Date: 2013 , 2013-04-23
  • Subjects: Labor unions -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Casual labor -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Precarious employment -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Temporary employees -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- Research -- South Africa Industrial relations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Labor and globalization
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:3286 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003056
  • Description: This thesis focuses on trade union responses to casualisation of labour in the Eastern Cape. In the context of increased globalization, some employers have attempted to achieve high production outputs while saving on operational costs. The ‘flexible firm’ model is used as but one theory to explain increased flexibility in the workplace. In an effort to achieve increasingly flexible firms that may swiftly respond to subsequent challenges such as increased international competition, employers have been seen incorporating more non-standard workers in the form of casual, temporary, part-time, and seasonal workers. This has been a matter of concern for the unions for numerous reasons: some nonstandard workers are subjected to sub-standard working conditions, irregular working hours and little or no benefits; casual work is arranged in such a way that it is virtually impossible for these workers to join a union – a predicament which bears a high possibility of a decline in the typically standard worker–based membership of trade unions; and non-standard workers are often faced with the representation gap predicament which entails that they are not adequately protected by labour legislation. The thesis explores the responses of trade unions to these challenges, and the proposals that they have made in this regard, by focusing on the sectoral dynamics of non-standard labour in the province. It further discusses the regulation of non-standard labour, as poor representation of some non-standard workers bears consequences for the regulation of the practice of non-standard work. The research adopted qualitative research techniques in the form of semi-structured interviews, and used purposive and snowball sampling in accessing relevant data for analysis purposes.
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  • Date Issued: 2013
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