Intergroup conflict in selected schools in Diepkloof, Johannesburg north district
- Authors: Mkhomi, Moses Sipho
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Conflict management -- South Africa -- Johannesburg , Intergroup relations -- South Africa -- Johannesburg
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:16150 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019995
- Description: Intergroup conflicts are rife in public schools and often the bone of contention is promotional posts. These conflicts can affect the quality of teaching and learning if the focus of the teachers moves from the primary purpose of teaching to contesting senior posts. In addition, such contestation often splits the teaching staff into groups or factions. One such split is between the group made up of teachers belonging to the politically-aligned union and the group of teachers from non-politically aligned teacher unions or those not unionised at all. The School Governing Body parent-wing is often caught in conflict between these two groups as it has the legislative power to recommend appointment to the District Director. It is within this context that this study explores the perceptions of stakeholders in selected schools in Diepkloof with regard to intergroup conflict and investigates whether cadre deployment plays a role in this conflict. The findings of this study reveal stakeholders' perceptions that politically-aligned unions tend to exert influence to have their members promoted and, in the process, often overlook better qualified educators.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mkhomi, Moses Sipho
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Conflict management -- South Africa -- Johannesburg , Intergroup relations -- South Africa -- Johannesburg
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:16150 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019995
- Description: Intergroup conflicts are rife in public schools and often the bone of contention is promotional posts. These conflicts can affect the quality of teaching and learning if the focus of the teachers moves from the primary purpose of teaching to contesting senior posts. In addition, such contestation often splits the teaching staff into groups or factions. One such split is between the group made up of teachers belonging to the politically-aligned union and the group of teachers from non-politically aligned teacher unions or those not unionised at all. The School Governing Body parent-wing is often caught in conflict between these two groups as it has the legislative power to recommend appointment to the District Director. It is within this context that this study explores the perceptions of stakeholders in selected schools in Diepkloof with regard to intergroup conflict and investigates whether cadre deployment plays a role in this conflict. The findings of this study reveal stakeholders' perceptions that politically-aligned unions tend to exert influence to have their members promoted and, in the process, often overlook better qualified educators.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
International joint ventures and firm value: an empirical study of South African partner firms
- Mangwengwende, Tadiwanashe Mukudzeyi
- Authors: Mangwengwende, Tadiwanashe Mukudzeyi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Joint ventures Joint ventures -- South Africa Business enterprises -- Valuation International business enterprises
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1033 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004174
- Description: This study investigates international equity joint ventures (IJVs) and South African partner firm value creation at formation. In addition, it tests whether four contentious formation characteristics, namely, the geographical location of the IJV partner, the level of economic development in the IJV partner’s home country, the level of equity held by the South African firm and the industry of the South African firm, can explain when South African IJVs are value enhancing and when they are value diminishing. IJVs are a popular business mode and an important channel for infrastructure and skills investment in developing countries. However, despite their popularity and potential social benefits, these IJVs are predominantly created by the decisions of private firms to collaborate with foreign firms and governments. Consequently the preservation and development of the IJV investment channel is dependent on the encouragement of private firm IJV participation. It is at uncovering potential tools to encourage IJV participation by South African firms that IJV firm value creation becomes important because it stands as a motivator for South African firms’ involvement in IJVs. Existing literature on IJVs and partner firm value has presented conflicting evidence with support for the views that they are value enhancing, value diminishing or of no immediate consequence to their partners’ firm value. Consequently, previous research offers limited firm value support for IJVs. For South African firms considering joint ventures and national policy makers determined to promote IJVs there is a need for an investigation of South African partner IJV firm value effects. Moreover, it is also necessary to test potential explanatory variables that may help to explain when the IJVs are value enhancing and when they are not as this will inform IJV contract negotiations and how limited national government resources are used to promote IJVs. In order to assess firm value creation for South African firms this study performed event studies on IJV formation announcements from 1998 to 2011 using daily share returns from the Johannesburg Securities Exchange taking care to incorporate recent developments in the event study methodology. The study found that while the market responds to IJV announcements, its responses do not, on average, reflect that IJVs are firm value enhancing for their South African partners at formation. This stands in contrast to considerable empirical literature and IJV firm value creation theory. In addition, factoring in formation characteristics, argued to potentially help explain cases of value creation and destruction from IJVs, provided limited explanation for positive and negative wealth effectsfor South African firms entering IJVs. This result has important value for IJV participants, national economic policy makers and IJV researchers. For IJV participants and national policy makers, the results caution unfettered entry/support for IJVs and challenge the role of equity distribution in determining the value of the IJV to its partner firms. For IJV researchers, the results present new evidence questioning IJV firm value creation at formation and provide a potential explanation for the conflict in previous IJV research. The study makes four key contributions to the existing knowledge of IJV firm value creation. Firstly, it assesses IJV wealth effects for the hitherto untested South African IJVs. Secondly, in doing so it adds a new data set (South African IJVs) to the current IJV literature. Thirdly, in reviewing the literature on IJV firm value creation the study presents a disaggregated model of IJV firm value creation from which to develop IJV research and potentially solve the persistent conflict in empirical results on IJV partner wealth effects. Finally, it informs future South African IJV agreements by uncovering factors that influence and do not influence partner wealth effects for South African firms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mangwengwende, Tadiwanashe Mukudzeyi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Joint ventures Joint ventures -- South Africa Business enterprises -- Valuation International business enterprises
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1033 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004174
- Description: This study investigates international equity joint ventures (IJVs) and South African partner firm value creation at formation. In addition, it tests whether four contentious formation characteristics, namely, the geographical location of the IJV partner, the level of economic development in the IJV partner’s home country, the level of equity held by the South African firm and the industry of the South African firm, can explain when South African IJVs are value enhancing and when they are value diminishing. IJVs are a popular business mode and an important channel for infrastructure and skills investment in developing countries. However, despite their popularity and potential social benefits, these IJVs are predominantly created by the decisions of private firms to collaborate with foreign firms and governments. Consequently the preservation and development of the IJV investment channel is dependent on the encouragement of private firm IJV participation. It is at uncovering potential tools to encourage IJV participation by South African firms that IJV firm value creation becomes important because it stands as a motivator for South African firms’ involvement in IJVs. Existing literature on IJVs and partner firm value has presented conflicting evidence with support for the views that they are value enhancing, value diminishing or of no immediate consequence to their partners’ firm value. Consequently, previous research offers limited firm value support for IJVs. For South African firms considering joint ventures and national policy makers determined to promote IJVs there is a need for an investigation of South African partner IJV firm value effects. Moreover, it is also necessary to test potential explanatory variables that may help to explain when the IJVs are value enhancing and when they are not as this will inform IJV contract negotiations and how limited national government resources are used to promote IJVs. In order to assess firm value creation for South African firms this study performed event studies on IJV formation announcements from 1998 to 2011 using daily share returns from the Johannesburg Securities Exchange taking care to incorporate recent developments in the event study methodology. The study found that while the market responds to IJV announcements, its responses do not, on average, reflect that IJVs are firm value enhancing for their South African partners at formation. This stands in contrast to considerable empirical literature and IJV firm value creation theory. In addition, factoring in formation characteristics, argued to potentially help explain cases of value creation and destruction from IJVs, provided limited explanation for positive and negative wealth effectsfor South African firms entering IJVs. This result has important value for IJV participants, national economic policy makers and IJV researchers. For IJV participants and national policy makers, the results caution unfettered entry/support for IJVs and challenge the role of equity distribution in determining the value of the IJV to its partner firms. For IJV researchers, the results present new evidence questioning IJV firm value creation at formation and provide a potential explanation for the conflict in previous IJV research. The study makes four key contributions to the existing knowledge of IJV firm value creation. Firstly, it assesses IJV wealth effects for the hitherto untested South African IJVs. Secondly, in doing so it adds a new data set (South African IJVs) to the current IJV literature. Thirdly, in reviewing the literature on IJV firm value creation the study presents a disaggregated model of IJV firm value creation from which to develop IJV research and potentially solve the persistent conflict in empirical results on IJV partner wealth effects. Finally, it informs future South African IJV agreements by uncovering factors that influence and do not influence partner wealth effects for South African firms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Introducing a Critical Pedagogy of Sexual and Reproductive Citizenship: Extending the ‘Framework of Thick Desire'
- Macleod, Catriona I, Vincent, Louise
- Authors: Macleod, Catriona I , Vincent, Louise
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/434411 , vital:73056 , ISBN 978-1-4899-8025-0 , https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780203069141-7/introducing-critical-pedagogy-sexual-reproductive-citizenship-catriona-macleod-louise-vincent
- Description: In Michelle Fine’s influential 1988 paper,‘Sexuality, Schooling, and Adolescent Females: The Missing Discourse of Desire’, she examined the “desires, fears, and fantasies”(p. 30) shaping responses to sex education in the United States in the 1980s. Fine’s work encouraged a ‘turn to pleasure’in sexuality education research. This work focused on and critiqued Fine’s idea, elaborated below, of a ‘missing discourse of desire’in the education of young people and of young women in particular (see for instance Allen, 2004, 2005; Connell, 2005; Rasmussen, 2004, 2012; Tolman, 1994; Vance, 1993). Less taken up, however, was a second major thread in Fine’s 1988 paper, namely the ‘absence of entitlement’in which she argued that not only the absence of a discourse of desire but also the absence of “viable life options” for young women combined to produce their vulnerability (Fine, 1988, p. 49). Almost twenty years later, in a 2006 article, Fine, with Sara McClelland, revisited the missing discourse of desire, this time in the context of an educational crusade in the United States advocating Abstinence Only Until Marriage (AOUM) approaches to sexuality education.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Macleod, Catriona I , Vincent, Louise
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , book chapter
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/434411 , vital:73056 , ISBN 978-1-4899-8025-0 , https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780203069141-7/introducing-critical-pedagogy-sexual-reproductive-citizenship-catriona-macleod-louise-vincent
- Description: In Michelle Fine’s influential 1988 paper,‘Sexuality, Schooling, and Adolescent Females: The Missing Discourse of Desire’, she examined the “desires, fears, and fantasies”(p. 30) shaping responses to sex education in the United States in the 1980s. Fine’s work encouraged a ‘turn to pleasure’in sexuality education research. This work focused on and critiqued Fine’s idea, elaborated below, of a ‘missing discourse of desire’in the education of young people and of young women in particular (see for instance Allen, 2004, 2005; Connell, 2005; Rasmussen, 2004, 2012; Tolman, 1994; Vance, 1993). Less taken up, however, was a second major thread in Fine’s 1988 paper, namely the ‘absence of entitlement’in which she argued that not only the absence of a discourse of desire but also the absence of “viable life options” for young women combined to produce their vulnerability (Fine, 1988, p. 49). Almost twenty years later, in a 2006 article, Fine, with Sara McClelland, revisited the missing discourse of desire, this time in the context of an educational crusade in the United States advocating Abstinence Only Until Marriage (AOUM) approaches to sexuality education.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Invasion of Lantana into India: analyzing introduction, spread, human adaptations and management
- Hari Krishnan, Ramesh Kannan
- Authors: Hari Krishnan, Ramesh Kannan
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Lantana -- India Weeds -- Control -- India Plant introduction -- India Natural resources -- India Botany, Economic -- India Botany -- Social aspects -- India
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4728 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001756
- Description: Objectives and Research Questions 1. To reconstruct the history of invasion of Lantana in India from where, by who, and when was Lantana species introduced into India?, given its long history in the country, is it still spreading or has it become more or less stable? 2. To study the human adaptation to Lantana invasion: socioeconomic causes and consequences of the use of Lantana as an alternative source of livelihood for forest dependent communities in southern India; how have local communities adapted to the invasion?; what are the key determinants that may have driven communities to use Lantana?; what are the economic consequences of the use of Lantana by local communities? 3. To critically review local practices and forest policy for the management of Lantana in southern India.; how has the use of Lantana by local communities impacted its local regeneration?; does the use of Lantana in local context have implications for its management?; what has been the role of the Forest Department and its policies in managing Lantana?
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Hari Krishnan, Ramesh Kannan
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Lantana -- India Weeds -- Control -- India Plant introduction -- India Natural resources -- India Botany, Economic -- India Botany -- Social aspects -- India
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4728 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001756
- Description: Objectives and Research Questions 1. To reconstruct the history of invasion of Lantana in India from where, by who, and when was Lantana species introduced into India?, given its long history in the country, is it still spreading or has it become more or less stable? 2. To study the human adaptation to Lantana invasion: socioeconomic causes and consequences of the use of Lantana as an alternative source of livelihood for forest dependent communities in southern India; how have local communities adapted to the invasion?; what are the key determinants that may have driven communities to use Lantana?; what are the economic consequences of the use of Lantana by local communities? 3. To critically review local practices and forest policy for the management of Lantana in southern India.; how has the use of Lantana by local communities impacted its local regeneration?; does the use of Lantana in local context have implications for its management?; what has been the role of the Forest Department and its policies in managing Lantana?
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Investigating factors affecting customer retention at Nedbank South Africa
- Authors: Madzivhandila, Rofhiwa
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Banks and banking -- Customer services -- South Africa , Customer services -- Quality control , Bank marketing -- South Africa , Customer relations -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8845 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020100
- Description: The banking sector plays an important role in the economy of any country across the world. The recent financial crisis shows how much of the world’s economy is influenced by the banking sector. There are different roles that banks play in contributing to the operation and growth of an economy. Their role spreads from that of intermediary to that of provider of payment clearing services. Banks are an important and integral part of any economy. According to a study by Greenberg & Simbanegavi (2009), the South African banking sector is fertile ground for high levels of competition amongst its players. This competition is important for the proper working of the modern economy. According to Van Leuvensteijn et al. (2008), because banks act as the main vehicle for monetary policy, reduced competition in the banking sector can hinder the efficiency of monetary policy. As a result of the competition in the banking sector, customer retention is a key component of banks’ strategies in today’s market. The main aim of the study was to investigate factors affecting customer retention at Nedbank South Africa. The study focused on the institutional causes of bank customer defection and sought to investigate the effects of three factors (Customer service quality, Satisfaction with product, and Switching costs) on Customer Retention. This study showed the importance of customer retention and more importantly how the mentioned three factors affect customer retention at Nedbank South Africa. One of the highlights that came out of this research was that 50 perscent of the respondents were either considering closing their account or were likely to close their account within the next 12 months. In conclusion, these three factors were found to be important in the customer retention strategy of the bank. Recommendations were presented by the author on how to integrate the factors into a retention framework that can contribute to the profitability of the bank. Areas of future research that can be helpful to the bank were also highlighted by the author.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Madzivhandila, Rofhiwa
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Banks and banking -- Customer services -- South Africa , Customer services -- Quality control , Bank marketing -- South Africa , Customer relations -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8845 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020100
- Description: The banking sector plays an important role in the economy of any country across the world. The recent financial crisis shows how much of the world’s economy is influenced by the banking sector. There are different roles that banks play in contributing to the operation and growth of an economy. Their role spreads from that of intermediary to that of provider of payment clearing services. Banks are an important and integral part of any economy. According to a study by Greenberg & Simbanegavi (2009), the South African banking sector is fertile ground for high levels of competition amongst its players. This competition is important for the proper working of the modern economy. According to Van Leuvensteijn et al. (2008), because banks act as the main vehicle for monetary policy, reduced competition in the banking sector can hinder the efficiency of monetary policy. As a result of the competition in the banking sector, customer retention is a key component of banks’ strategies in today’s market. The main aim of the study was to investigate factors affecting customer retention at Nedbank South Africa. The study focused on the institutional causes of bank customer defection and sought to investigate the effects of three factors (Customer service quality, Satisfaction with product, and Switching costs) on Customer Retention. This study showed the importance of customer retention and more importantly how the mentioned three factors affect customer retention at Nedbank South Africa. One of the highlights that came out of this research was that 50 perscent of the respondents were either considering closing their account or were likely to close their account within the next 12 months. In conclusion, these three factors were found to be important in the customer retention strategy of the bank. Recommendations were presented by the author on how to integrate the factors into a retention framework that can contribute to the profitability of the bank. Areas of future research that can be helpful to the bank were also highlighted by the author.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Investigating issues adversely affecting Grade 9 learner performance in the Natural Sciences in selected schools in the Cofimvaba District
- Authors: Hlalukana, Sibonginkosi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa , Competency-based education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9465 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020821
- Description: South Africa faces a deepening crisis due to underachievement in science at secondary school level. High failure rates in science at Grade 12 have resulted in the subject being an unpopular choice in the Cofimvaba District, resulting in fewer learners electing to take the subject at Further Education and Training (FET) level. As a result acute shortages of scientific oriented professionals such as engineers, technologists, skilled artisans, technicians, doctors and chartered accountants derail the development of South Africa. Hence, this study seeks to investigate issues that affect Grade 9 learner performance in the Natural Sciences in the Cofimvaba District. A qualitative research design using observations and interviews with learners and teachers as instruments were conducted to gain an insight into the barriers to teaching and learning in South African rural schools. The findings of this study reveal direct and indirect factors commensurate with the findings of Mji and Makgato (2006:264). They included: classroom climate, the Language of Teaching and Learning (LoLT) in Natural Science classrooms, practical work, teacher subject specialisation and the socio-economic background of the learners. Based on the findings of this study it can be concluded that the quality of teachers, a lack of resources, neglect of the practical component, home conditions and parental absence all contribute as barriers to learner performance in the Natural Sciences.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Hlalukana, Sibonginkosi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa , Competency-based education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9465 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020821
- Description: South Africa faces a deepening crisis due to underachievement in science at secondary school level. High failure rates in science at Grade 12 have resulted in the subject being an unpopular choice in the Cofimvaba District, resulting in fewer learners electing to take the subject at Further Education and Training (FET) level. As a result acute shortages of scientific oriented professionals such as engineers, technologists, skilled artisans, technicians, doctors and chartered accountants derail the development of South Africa. Hence, this study seeks to investigate issues that affect Grade 9 learner performance in the Natural Sciences in the Cofimvaba District. A qualitative research design using observations and interviews with learners and teachers as instruments were conducted to gain an insight into the barriers to teaching and learning in South African rural schools. The findings of this study reveal direct and indirect factors commensurate with the findings of Mji and Makgato (2006:264). They included: classroom climate, the Language of Teaching and Learning (LoLT) in Natural Science classrooms, practical work, teacher subject specialisation and the socio-economic background of the learners. Based on the findings of this study it can be concluded that the quality of teachers, a lack of resources, neglect of the practical component, home conditions and parental absence all contribute as barriers to learner performance in the Natural Sciences.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Investigating modernisation in Iran in relation to the changing fifth news filter of Herman and Chomsky's 'Propaganda Model'
- Authors: Godfrey, Lianne
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Social change -- Iran , Propaganda, Anti-communist -- Iran
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8432 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020828
- Description: The focus of this dissertation falls on the transformation of the fifth news filter of the propaganda model identified by Edward S. Herman and Noam Chomsky in their Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media. This transformation entails a shift from an anti-communist orientation, to an anti-Islamic orientation, and while this shift has been alluded to by several theorists, in what follows it will be dealt with more systematically. In this regard, it will be traced from its roots, in the tension between modernisation theory – as espoused by figures such as Daniel Lerner – and the anti-modernisation theory of Iranian scholars such as Ahmad Fardid, Jalal al-e Ahmad and Ali Shari’ati. Following this, the development of the anti-Islamic orientation of the fifth news filter, in the wake of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, and the ensuing Iranian hostage crisis, will be explored. This will be done as a precursor to examining the continued reflection of the related tropes and stereotypes in US mainstream film, with particular focus falling on Ben Affleck’s Argo (2012). Finally, this dissertation will conclude with a consideration of the possible effects of such representations on the tensions between the US and Iran over the latter’s nuclear ambitions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Godfrey, Lianne
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Social change -- Iran , Propaganda, Anti-communist -- Iran
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8432 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020828
- Description: The focus of this dissertation falls on the transformation of the fifth news filter of the propaganda model identified by Edward S. Herman and Noam Chomsky in their Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media. This transformation entails a shift from an anti-communist orientation, to an anti-Islamic orientation, and while this shift has been alluded to by several theorists, in what follows it will be dealt with more systematically. In this regard, it will be traced from its roots, in the tension between modernisation theory – as espoused by figures such as Daniel Lerner – and the anti-modernisation theory of Iranian scholars such as Ahmad Fardid, Jalal al-e Ahmad and Ali Shari’ati. Following this, the development of the anti-Islamic orientation of the fifth news filter, in the wake of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, and the ensuing Iranian hostage crisis, will be explored. This will be done as a precursor to examining the continued reflection of the related tropes and stereotypes in US mainstream film, with particular focus falling on Ben Affleck’s Argo (2012). Finally, this dissertation will conclude with a consideration of the possible effects of such representations on the tensions between the US and Iran over the latter’s nuclear ambitions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Investigating rural Ugandan women's engagement with HIV and AIDS-related programmes on community radio: a case study of Mama FM's Speak out and Listen
- Authors: Kigozi, James Musisi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Community radio , AIDS (Disease) in women -- Research -- Uganda , AIDS (Disease) -- Research -- Uganda , AIDS (Disease) and mass media -- Research -- Uganda , AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3414 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001845
- Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate how rural Ugandan women engage with discussions of HIV and AIDS on community radio. It explored how this audience may relate such broadcast discussions to their own lived experience of HIV and AIDS. It is explained in the study that, while the Uganda government has an official policy of openly discussing matters of HIV and AIDS, health communication strategies still operate within a context where there is an underlying "culture of silence" that discourages openness about sexual matters. It is also pointed out that there are widespread gender disparities among rural communities, which severely limit women's ability to make use of health communication initiatives aimed at educating them. Against this backdrop, the study sets out to explore audience responses to a particular example of Speak Out and Listen, a weekly programme broadcast on Mama FM, a Kampala-based radio station managed by the Uganda Media Women's Association (UMWA). The study maps out responses to the programme by a particular group of rural women. It is argued that these research participants' comments confirm the importance, noted in literature dealing with health education, of drawing for content on what members of an audience have to say about their own lived context. It is proposed that, despite the existence of a 'culture of silence', the women's comments demonstrate an ability to speak with confidence about their experience of living with HIV and AIDS. Thcy are able, more particularly to discuss the constraints placed by gendered power relations on women's ability to draw on the educational content of programming that targets people living with HIV and AIDS. As such, the comments that such women offer represent a valuable resource for HIV and AIDS related programming. The principal conclusion of the study is that health communication initiatives such as Speak Out and Listen would benefit from facilitating conversations with their target audience about their lived experience of HIV and AIDS, and incorporating such discussion into their programmes
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Kigozi, James Musisi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Community radio , AIDS (Disease) in women -- Research -- Uganda , AIDS (Disease) -- Research -- Uganda , AIDS (Disease) and mass media -- Research -- Uganda , AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3414 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001845
- Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate how rural Ugandan women engage with discussions of HIV and AIDS on community radio. It explored how this audience may relate such broadcast discussions to their own lived experience of HIV and AIDS. It is explained in the study that, while the Uganda government has an official policy of openly discussing matters of HIV and AIDS, health communication strategies still operate within a context where there is an underlying "culture of silence" that discourages openness about sexual matters. It is also pointed out that there are widespread gender disparities among rural communities, which severely limit women's ability to make use of health communication initiatives aimed at educating them. Against this backdrop, the study sets out to explore audience responses to a particular example of Speak Out and Listen, a weekly programme broadcast on Mama FM, a Kampala-based radio station managed by the Uganda Media Women's Association (UMWA). The study maps out responses to the programme by a particular group of rural women. It is argued that these research participants' comments confirm the importance, noted in literature dealing with health education, of drawing for content on what members of an audience have to say about their own lived context. It is proposed that, despite the existence of a 'culture of silence', the women's comments demonstrate an ability to speak with confidence about their experience of living with HIV and AIDS. Thcy are able, more particularly to discuss the constraints placed by gendered power relations on women's ability to draw on the educational content of programming that targets people living with HIV and AIDS. As such, the comments that such women offer represent a valuable resource for HIV and AIDS related programming. The principal conclusion of the study is that health communication initiatives such as Speak Out and Listen would benefit from facilitating conversations with their target audience about their lived experience of HIV and AIDS, and incorporating such discussion into their programmes
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Investigating the effectiveness of environmental sustainability initiatives at General Motors South Africa
- Authors: Walsh, Lauren Arlene
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: General Motors Corporation , Sustainable development , Economic development -- Environmental aspects , Industrial management -- Environmental aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8903 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020996
- Description: There is a consensus globally that climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing operations. Immediate actions are required to reduce the carbon footprint in order for the environment to endure future logistics processes and activities (The National Treasury department of South Africa, 2010). Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are emissions generated from manufacturing processes, distribution networks and treatments processes (Verfaillie and Bidwell, 2000). Companies globally are expected to monitor pollution and focus on reducing the discharge of pollutants. Logistics Managers are therefore pressured to reduce the carbon footprint as it affects the environment and our health. Companies are becoming more concerned with the impact of various activities and processes on the environment. Traditional logistics models, primarily focuses on minimising cost with little focus on the environmental impact and sustaining operations for the future (Sbihi and Eglese, 2009) General Motors (GM) is a multi-national vehicle manufacturer with operations in various countries. GM filed for bankruptcy in 2009 resulting in the formation of the new GM; one of the focus areas was to ensure sustainability which resulted in the introduction of the ‘Sustainability in motion’ program in 2009 (New York Times, 2009). General Motors South Africa (GMSAf) is a vehicle assembler with manufacturing facilities and head offices located in Port Elizabeth. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the multinational General Motors Company. The aim of the research is to determine whether a culture that promotes environmentally conscious behaviour exists within employees and their relationships within a team, with management, stakeholders and suppliers. The study will assist in highlighting areas which need improvement to enable the creation of environmentally sustainable initiatives and implementation thereof. The empirical study revealed that the following management commitment, education and training, performance management and participation and involvement were important factors in the effective implementation of an environmental sustainability program.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Walsh, Lauren Arlene
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: General Motors Corporation , Sustainable development , Economic development -- Environmental aspects , Industrial management -- Environmental aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8903 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020996
- Description: There is a consensus globally that climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing operations. Immediate actions are required to reduce the carbon footprint in order for the environment to endure future logistics processes and activities (The National Treasury department of South Africa, 2010). Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are emissions generated from manufacturing processes, distribution networks and treatments processes (Verfaillie and Bidwell, 2000). Companies globally are expected to monitor pollution and focus on reducing the discharge of pollutants. Logistics Managers are therefore pressured to reduce the carbon footprint as it affects the environment and our health. Companies are becoming more concerned with the impact of various activities and processes on the environment. Traditional logistics models, primarily focuses on minimising cost with little focus on the environmental impact and sustaining operations for the future (Sbihi and Eglese, 2009) General Motors (GM) is a multi-national vehicle manufacturer with operations in various countries. GM filed for bankruptcy in 2009 resulting in the formation of the new GM; one of the focus areas was to ensure sustainability which resulted in the introduction of the ‘Sustainability in motion’ program in 2009 (New York Times, 2009). General Motors South Africa (GMSAf) is a vehicle assembler with manufacturing facilities and head offices located in Port Elizabeth. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the multinational General Motors Company. The aim of the research is to determine whether a culture that promotes environmentally conscious behaviour exists within employees and their relationships within a team, with management, stakeholders and suppliers. The study will assist in highlighting areas which need improvement to enable the creation of environmentally sustainable initiatives and implementation thereof. The empirical study revealed that the following management commitment, education and training, performance management and participation and involvement were important factors in the effective implementation of an environmental sustainability program.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Investigating the grade four ESL teachers' and learners' attitudes and experiences of learning and teaching through the medium of English in five primary schools in the King William's Town district
- Authors: Gqamane, Gilbert Khangelani
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , English language -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- South Africa , Curriculum planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6290 , vital:21070
- Description: In this study I investigated the attitudes and experiences of Grade four ESL learners and teachers in learning and teaching through the medium of English. The sample for the study was purposive and the design was a multiple case study which involved five primary schools from the rural environs of KWT. Grade four ESL teachers and learners of the five chosen primary schools participated in this study. The objective of this research study was to investigate the attitudes and experiences of grade four ESL teachers and learners in learning through the medium of English in order to establish how these experiences and attitudes may have an influence on teaching for effective school learning. The research method used was qualitative with a small quantitative component. The following research tools were used in collecting data: Language surveys, classroom observation schedules, teacher questionnaires, teacher level interviews, language comprehension tests and learner level interviews. The data were generated to provide answers to the main research question which was: ―What are Grade four ESL teachers‘ and learners‘ attitudes and experiences of learning through the medium of English in five primary schools in the KWT district? The analyses of data generated from the language surveys confirm that in the KWT rural schools from grade one to grade three isiXhosa is used exclusively. It is in grade four where the official transition from isiXhosa to English begins. The data generated from the language surveys further confirm that both learners and teachers use isiXhosa as their mother tongue and English is an additional language for both groups. The analysis of data generated from learner interviews suggests that the most prevalent attitude from the learners is that English is a hindering factor to school learning because they do not understand it. However, the learners also highlight the need to study English because it is the language of success and aspiration which is normally used in the global village. The analysis of the data generated from teacher questionnaires and the teacher level interviews also suggests that English is a barrier to school learning for ESL learners. ESL learners do not achieve optimally in English medium school learning. However, the same data suggest that English is still preferred to be the LoLT because it is perceived to be the language of success and aspiration. Moreover, the majority of written materials is in English and English is perceived to be an international language. The analysis of the data generated from language comprehension tests suggests that it had an effect on performance when the learners wrote a test that they had seen in another language. This is indicated by the learners‘ better levels of performance in the language tests when they have seen in another language. The main finding of the study is that English medium learning makes school learning difficult. The transition from isiXhosa medium learning to English medium learning in grade four is early. Teachers resort to code switching as a language strategy for effective teaching in order to minimise the blow caused by the use of English as the LoLT.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Gqamane, Gilbert Khangelani
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , English language -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- South Africa , Curriculum planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6290 , vital:21070
- Description: In this study I investigated the attitudes and experiences of Grade four ESL learners and teachers in learning and teaching through the medium of English. The sample for the study was purposive and the design was a multiple case study which involved five primary schools from the rural environs of KWT. Grade four ESL teachers and learners of the five chosen primary schools participated in this study. The objective of this research study was to investigate the attitudes and experiences of grade four ESL teachers and learners in learning through the medium of English in order to establish how these experiences and attitudes may have an influence on teaching for effective school learning. The research method used was qualitative with a small quantitative component. The following research tools were used in collecting data: Language surveys, classroom observation schedules, teacher questionnaires, teacher level interviews, language comprehension tests and learner level interviews. The data were generated to provide answers to the main research question which was: ―What are Grade four ESL teachers‘ and learners‘ attitudes and experiences of learning through the medium of English in five primary schools in the KWT district? The analyses of data generated from the language surveys confirm that in the KWT rural schools from grade one to grade three isiXhosa is used exclusively. It is in grade four where the official transition from isiXhosa to English begins. The data generated from the language surveys further confirm that both learners and teachers use isiXhosa as their mother tongue and English is an additional language for both groups. The analysis of data generated from learner interviews suggests that the most prevalent attitude from the learners is that English is a hindering factor to school learning because they do not understand it. However, the learners also highlight the need to study English because it is the language of success and aspiration which is normally used in the global village. The analysis of the data generated from teacher questionnaires and the teacher level interviews also suggests that English is a barrier to school learning for ESL learners. ESL learners do not achieve optimally in English medium school learning. However, the same data suggest that English is still preferred to be the LoLT because it is perceived to be the language of success and aspiration. Moreover, the majority of written materials is in English and English is perceived to be an international language. The analysis of the data generated from language comprehension tests suggests that it had an effect on performance when the learners wrote a test that they had seen in another language. This is indicated by the learners‘ better levels of performance in the language tests when they have seen in another language. The main finding of the study is that English medium learning makes school learning difficult. The transition from isiXhosa medium learning to English medium learning in grade four is early. Teachers resort to code switching as a language strategy for effective teaching in order to minimise the blow caused by the use of English as the LoLT.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Investigating the impact of supply chain technologies within automative supplier clusters
- Authors: Schultz, Lance Craig
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Business logistics -- Technological innovations , Inventory control , Production management , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8918 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021093
- Description: Organisations are constantly expected to be more competitive while working in an environment in which time and cost are limited, thereby preventing such organisations from taking the time required to be responsive. The supply chain provides a critical linkage between various organisations which should seek collective opportunities to improve performance. It is, therefore, important that organisations understand that conventional knowledge and methods will not serve unless there is a concerted focus on improvement of organisational performance toward fulfilling increased expectations, not just maintaining that which is comfortable. A more sustainable approach may be the introduction of supply chain best practice. An optimal supply chain is one that continuously strives to reduce unnecessary cost and eliminate waste, thereby increasing the percentage of time that may be devoted to value-adding activities. Supply chain technology principles were assessed and the application thereof, sought to understand its efficiency and effectiveness. This study was intended to identify supply chain cost dimensions with a focus on the optimal use of supply chain technology. Within the current supply chain context, the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) was explored to identify opportunities. A supply chain audit tool (SCAT) was developed which had proven to be an effective tool to analyse it’s logistics functions. Implementation of remedial tools through the SCAT could result in a leaner, cost optimal and more value-adding process. The result of conducting individual organisational improvements is expected to result in an overall improvement in the total supply chain. These supply chain cost drivers were rooted in cost, quality, safety and product performance. Recommendations on further improvements were also offered.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Schultz, Lance Craig
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Business logistics -- Technological innovations , Inventory control , Production management , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8918 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021093
- Description: Organisations are constantly expected to be more competitive while working in an environment in which time and cost are limited, thereby preventing such organisations from taking the time required to be responsive. The supply chain provides a critical linkage between various organisations which should seek collective opportunities to improve performance. It is, therefore, important that organisations understand that conventional knowledge and methods will not serve unless there is a concerted focus on improvement of organisational performance toward fulfilling increased expectations, not just maintaining that which is comfortable. A more sustainable approach may be the introduction of supply chain best practice. An optimal supply chain is one that continuously strives to reduce unnecessary cost and eliminate waste, thereby increasing the percentage of time that may be devoted to value-adding activities. Supply chain technology principles were assessed and the application thereof, sought to understand its efficiency and effectiveness. This study was intended to identify supply chain cost dimensions with a focus on the optimal use of supply chain technology. Within the current supply chain context, the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) was explored to identify opportunities. A supply chain audit tool (SCAT) was developed which had proven to be an effective tool to analyse it’s logistics functions. Implementation of remedial tools through the SCAT could result in a leaner, cost optimal and more value-adding process. The result of conducting individual organisational improvements is expected to result in an overall improvement in the total supply chain. These supply chain cost drivers were rooted in cost, quality, safety and product performance. Recommendations on further improvements were also offered.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Investigating the possibility of using wild silk fancy yarns to produce upholstery fabrics for home furniture
- Authors: Somi, Bongiwe Promrose
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Textile design , Textile fabrics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7616 , vital:22103
- Description: About a decade ago an attempt to build a viable wild silk industry, prompted by the discovery of the naturally available wild silk cocoons in the North West Province of South Africa, was made and a degumming plant was established in the Ganyesa village. The challenges faced in that establishment soon brought the developments to a standstill and cited among the problems was the lack of designer input in the production stages, which resulted in poor quality products. Focusing on the design problem the intention of this research is to explore a more effective design and production method for the wild silk fabrics. Through assessing the previously produced fabrics in order to identify their limitations, and by experimenting with innovative fabric production processes, a suitable aesthetic quality can be added to the final products. Starting with the investigation of current trends and choosing a design theme as a guide for the production process, fabric samples intended for use in upholstery of home furniture are developed. With the objective of successfully achieving a balance between aesthetic appeal and suitability for the intended end use, the fabrics are subjected to performance assessments based on internationally recognised standards. From the findings of this research it is therefore envisaged that, from the design aspect, proper redevelopment of the South African wild silk industry could encourage further involvement from textile designers. This would bring more improvement to the fabrics produced and encourage their use in different applications.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Somi, Bongiwe Promrose
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Textile design , Textile fabrics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7616 , vital:22103
- Description: About a decade ago an attempt to build a viable wild silk industry, prompted by the discovery of the naturally available wild silk cocoons in the North West Province of South Africa, was made and a degumming plant was established in the Ganyesa village. The challenges faced in that establishment soon brought the developments to a standstill and cited among the problems was the lack of designer input in the production stages, which resulted in poor quality products. Focusing on the design problem the intention of this research is to explore a more effective design and production method for the wild silk fabrics. Through assessing the previously produced fabrics in order to identify their limitations, and by experimenting with innovative fabric production processes, a suitable aesthetic quality can be added to the final products. Starting with the investigation of current trends and choosing a design theme as a guide for the production process, fabric samples intended for use in upholstery of home furniture are developed. With the objective of successfully achieving a balance between aesthetic appeal and suitability for the intended end use, the fabrics are subjected to performance assessments based on internationally recognised standards. From the findings of this research it is therefore envisaged that, from the design aspect, proper redevelopment of the South African wild silk industry could encourage further involvement from textile designers. This would bring more improvement to the fabrics produced and encourage their use in different applications.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Investigating the prevailing knowledge about co-operatives in South Africa and the determinants of their success
- Authors: Frans, Nonyameko
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Cooperative societies -- South Africa , Cooperative societies -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8862 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020206
- Description: The development of co-operatives has been increasingly seen, both globally and in developing countries, as a key strategy for a high economic growth rate, job creation and poverty alleviation. In trying to address these challenges, the South African government has been promoting co-operatives as an instrument for economic growth and socio-economic integration. Despite the realisation of the important role that cooperatives could play, not enough research has been done on the successes and failures of these organisations in achieving economic growth and socio-economic development in countries. The present study is an attempt to address this research gap. The primary objective of this study was to increase the success of co-operatives in South Africa by investigating the prevailing nature of operations of co-operatives and the determinants of the success of these organisations. More specifically, the study gathered qualitative information about co-operatives, identified which factors influence co-operatives in general and investigated which of these factors are the most important determinants of the success of these organisations in South Africa. A census was conducted of the 110 co-operatives registered in the database of the Leadership Academy (LA) of the NMMU Business School. Only 50 executive members of 26 co-operatives participated in the study (response rate of 23.6 percent). The empirical results revealed that the two most critical success factors for co-op success were the handling of finances and leadership; that language groups viewed coop success differently; and that females provide stronger leadership than males in cooperatives. The results also showed that skills development is an important factor in achieving these critical success factors. These results presented important managerial implications for the success of co-operatives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Frans, Nonyameko
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Cooperative societies -- South Africa , Cooperative societies -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8862 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020206
- Description: The development of co-operatives has been increasingly seen, both globally and in developing countries, as a key strategy for a high economic growth rate, job creation and poverty alleviation. In trying to address these challenges, the South African government has been promoting co-operatives as an instrument for economic growth and socio-economic integration. Despite the realisation of the important role that cooperatives could play, not enough research has been done on the successes and failures of these organisations in achieving economic growth and socio-economic development in countries. The present study is an attempt to address this research gap. The primary objective of this study was to increase the success of co-operatives in South Africa by investigating the prevailing nature of operations of co-operatives and the determinants of the success of these organisations. More specifically, the study gathered qualitative information about co-operatives, identified which factors influence co-operatives in general and investigated which of these factors are the most important determinants of the success of these organisations in South Africa. A census was conducted of the 110 co-operatives registered in the database of the Leadership Academy (LA) of the NMMU Business School. Only 50 executive members of 26 co-operatives participated in the study (response rate of 23.6 percent). The empirical results revealed that the two most critical success factors for co-op success were the handling of finances and leadership; that language groups viewed coop success differently; and that females provide stronger leadership than males in cooperatives. The results also showed that skills development is an important factor in achieving these critical success factors. These results presented important managerial implications for the success of co-operatives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Investigating the problems experienced by virtual team members engaged in requirements elicitation
- Authors: De Abrew, Upuli Kanchana
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Virtual work teams Virtual work teams -- South Africa System design System analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1151 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007845
- Description: The constant acceleration in the rate of technological innovation, and the ever growing emphasis on the importance of information for competition has seen organisations around the world strive for the technologies that give them global customer reach. One of the most pervasive technological innovations developed is the internet, and its unique quality of being able to draw people from across the world together in one virtual space has given birth to the concept of virtual teams. Organisations have seized the advantages of such virtual teams to give them the cost and time reductions they need to stay competitive in the global marketplace. In the software industry, where product and service development is always a race against time, forward thinking software companies in the developed world have taken full advantage of the cost and time saving benefits that virtual teams have to offer. In addition, the rate of expansion of technology and software to support such teams is also growing exponentially, offering increasingly faster ways of virtual working. Despite the immense advantages offered by such teams, South African software development companies do not seem to engage in distributed work to any great degree. The importance of this research rests on the belief that South African software development companies will be unable to avoid engaging in distributed software development if they are to achieve and maintain competitiveness in the global marketplace. This research focuses on a sub-section of the software development process with a specific reference to South African software development. The requirements elicitation phase of software development is one of the initial stages of any software project. It is here that developers work with the users in order to identify requirements for the system to be built. It is acknowledged that other phases of distributed development also bring to bear their own problems, however, in the interests of scoping this research, only the requirements elicitation process is focused on. The research shows that most techniques of requirements elicitation can be adapted for use within the virtual environment, although each technique has its share of advantages and disadvantages. In addition, virtual team members experience problems during their general, day-to-day interactions, many of these arising from the dependence on technology for communication and task performance. The research identifies the problems in both categories, and develops a holistic model of virtual requirements elicitation to prevent or solve the problems experienced by virtual teams engaged in distributed requirements elicitation. The model is made up of three key frameworks, each of which prescribes actions to be taken to ensure the success of the virtual team within the requirements elicitation process. The model is verified through the testing of its critical success factors. Certain aspects of the model were adapted based on the findings of the study, but it was confirmed that the rationale behind the model is sound, indicating that it has the potential to solve the problems of virtual RE when implemented.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: De Abrew, Upuli Kanchana
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Virtual work teams Virtual work teams -- South Africa System design System analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1151 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007845
- Description: The constant acceleration in the rate of technological innovation, and the ever growing emphasis on the importance of information for competition has seen organisations around the world strive for the technologies that give them global customer reach. One of the most pervasive technological innovations developed is the internet, and its unique quality of being able to draw people from across the world together in one virtual space has given birth to the concept of virtual teams. Organisations have seized the advantages of such virtual teams to give them the cost and time reductions they need to stay competitive in the global marketplace. In the software industry, where product and service development is always a race against time, forward thinking software companies in the developed world have taken full advantage of the cost and time saving benefits that virtual teams have to offer. In addition, the rate of expansion of technology and software to support such teams is also growing exponentially, offering increasingly faster ways of virtual working. Despite the immense advantages offered by such teams, South African software development companies do not seem to engage in distributed work to any great degree. The importance of this research rests on the belief that South African software development companies will be unable to avoid engaging in distributed software development if they are to achieve and maintain competitiveness in the global marketplace. This research focuses on a sub-section of the software development process with a specific reference to South African software development. The requirements elicitation phase of software development is one of the initial stages of any software project. It is here that developers work with the users in order to identify requirements for the system to be built. It is acknowledged that other phases of distributed development also bring to bear their own problems, however, in the interests of scoping this research, only the requirements elicitation process is focused on. The research shows that most techniques of requirements elicitation can be adapted for use within the virtual environment, although each technique has its share of advantages and disadvantages. In addition, virtual team members experience problems during their general, day-to-day interactions, many of these arising from the dependence on technology for communication and task performance. The research identifies the problems in both categories, and develops a holistic model of virtual requirements elicitation to prevent or solve the problems experienced by virtual teams engaged in distributed requirements elicitation. The model is made up of three key frameworks, each of which prescribes actions to be taken to ensure the success of the virtual team within the requirements elicitation process. The model is verified through the testing of its critical success factors. Certain aspects of the model were adapted based on the findings of the study, but it was confirmed that the rationale behind the model is sound, indicating that it has the potential to solve the problems of virtual RE when implemented.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Investigating the relationship between discipline and student performance in the schools of Kwanobuhle township: 'The discipline factor'
- Authors: Vaaltein, Lawana David
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: School discipline
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8310 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020035
- Description: Indiscipline in schools has been so pervasive that in many instances, learning and teaching have become difficult, if not impossible. There are so many reports of indiscipline in schools that school authorities are continuously trying to find solutions to this catastrophic phenomenon. It is believed that the lack of discipline in schools is a major contributing factor to the failure rate and poor performance of learners. The purpose of the study is to investigate whether indiscipline in township schools has a negative impact on the performance of learners in those schools. There are reports that there is an unacceptable and ruinous level of indiscipline therein. The targeted participants in the research are principals and educators from five senior secondary schools of KwaNobuhle Township, Uitenhage. The participants were purposely selected because of their many years of teaching experience and working with learners. Qualitative and quantitative approaches were used to collect data from participants. Data collection instruments consisted of interviews done with participants and questionnaires filled in by the aforementioned stakeholders. This evidence showed that there are many learning and teaching hours lost due to direct indiscipline and dealing with discipline. This subsequently renders learning and teaching ineffective. It is obvious that, once teaching and learning is ineffective, this will, definitely result in the poor performance of learners and high rate of failure. The study recommends that serious and urgent steps must be taken to minimize or eradicate the menace of indiscipline in these schools as soon as possible. Indiscipline cannot be ignored or taken lightly because there are already so many other structural misfortunes in the education system that are stumbling blocks to the academic achievements of township learners, namely, socio-economic conditions, crime, drugs, alcohol and unemployment. As long as discipline is a problem in the township schools, learners will perpetuate to perform poorly and the failure rate in these schools will rise.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Vaaltein, Lawana David
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: School discipline
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8310 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020035
- Description: Indiscipline in schools has been so pervasive that in many instances, learning and teaching have become difficult, if not impossible. There are so many reports of indiscipline in schools that school authorities are continuously trying to find solutions to this catastrophic phenomenon. It is believed that the lack of discipline in schools is a major contributing factor to the failure rate and poor performance of learners. The purpose of the study is to investigate whether indiscipline in township schools has a negative impact on the performance of learners in those schools. There are reports that there is an unacceptable and ruinous level of indiscipline therein. The targeted participants in the research are principals and educators from five senior secondary schools of KwaNobuhle Township, Uitenhage. The participants were purposely selected because of their many years of teaching experience and working with learners. Qualitative and quantitative approaches were used to collect data from participants. Data collection instruments consisted of interviews done with participants and questionnaires filled in by the aforementioned stakeholders. This evidence showed that there are many learning and teaching hours lost due to direct indiscipline and dealing with discipline. This subsequently renders learning and teaching ineffective. It is obvious that, once teaching and learning is ineffective, this will, definitely result in the poor performance of learners and high rate of failure. The study recommends that serious and urgent steps must be taken to minimize or eradicate the menace of indiscipline in these schools as soon as possible. Indiscipline cannot be ignored or taken lightly because there are already so many other structural misfortunes in the education system that are stumbling blocks to the academic achievements of township learners, namely, socio-economic conditions, crime, drugs, alcohol and unemployment. As long as discipline is a problem in the township schools, learners will perpetuate to perform poorly and the failure rate in these schools will rise.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Investigating the role of human resources in the implementation of the government immovable asset management act and its policy framework
- Authors: Ngwenze, Lizo Archibald
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Government property -- South Africa -- Management , Assets (Accounting) -- Management , Capital -- Government policy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8881 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020653
- Description: There is a strong belief amongst human resource specialists, professionals and academics that strategic human-resource management is critical to the success of the business and wellbeing of employees, and the organisation in which they work. There are two sides to human resources, as a strategic partner: Firstly, how it looks and portrays itself; and secondly, how the organisation views the importance of its human capital. Ulrich, Younger, Brockbank and Ulrich (2012) and the RBL Group (2012) identified six human-resource competencies for human resource (HR) practitioners. These not only identify the role they play in an organisation; but they also assist an organisation in achieving its objectives. These competencies, which apply to all HR practitioners, are: strategic positioner, change champion, credible activist, capability builder, technology proponent, innovator, and integrator. The implementation of the Government Immovable Asset Management Act No.19 of 2007 (GIAMA), and its policy implementation, are critical to infrastructural developments, economic development, and skills development, redressing any imbalances from the past and current history, and also developing a public service that assists the country in being internationally competitive. An HR practitioner with a worldview is critical in facilitating one of the most important transformative pieces of legislation. The research problem in this study is to investigate the role of human resources in the implementation of GIAMA and its policy framework in the Eastern Cape Province’s Port Elizabeth Regional Office by the National Department of Public Works. To achieve this objective, a quantitative study was undertaken on the role of human resources as a “strategic partner”. It involved an extensive literature review to assess the role of strategic human resources. An empirical study was later conducted to investigate the role of human resources in the Port Elizabeth Regional Office (from the National Department of Public Works); and how well this office succeeds in playing its assigned role. The conducted survey was compared with the literature review, to determine whether the Port Elizabeth Regional Office’s human resources are in line with the objectives of being a “strategic partner”. The overall findings revealed that the role of human resources is not that of a “strategic partner”. It also revealed that of the six competencies identified by Ulrich et al. (2012) and the RBL Group (2012), none of them could really be viewed as strategic. Notwithstanding the progressive pieces of legislation, it was appalling to receive the outcome, which indicated organisational failure for the past six years (see Figure 1.1). The conclusion of the study indicated that the Port Elizabeth Regional Office (from National Department of Public Works) must implement legislative recommendations as a starting point, and grow from there. The legislation and regulations are very supportive, and encourage innovative thinking – to achieve government goals – and to be on a par with the private sector.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Ngwenze, Lizo Archibald
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Government property -- South Africa -- Management , Assets (Accounting) -- Management , Capital -- Government policy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8881 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020653
- Description: There is a strong belief amongst human resource specialists, professionals and academics that strategic human-resource management is critical to the success of the business and wellbeing of employees, and the organisation in which they work. There are two sides to human resources, as a strategic partner: Firstly, how it looks and portrays itself; and secondly, how the organisation views the importance of its human capital. Ulrich, Younger, Brockbank and Ulrich (2012) and the RBL Group (2012) identified six human-resource competencies for human resource (HR) practitioners. These not only identify the role they play in an organisation; but they also assist an organisation in achieving its objectives. These competencies, which apply to all HR practitioners, are: strategic positioner, change champion, credible activist, capability builder, technology proponent, innovator, and integrator. The implementation of the Government Immovable Asset Management Act No.19 of 2007 (GIAMA), and its policy implementation, are critical to infrastructural developments, economic development, and skills development, redressing any imbalances from the past and current history, and also developing a public service that assists the country in being internationally competitive. An HR practitioner with a worldview is critical in facilitating one of the most important transformative pieces of legislation. The research problem in this study is to investigate the role of human resources in the implementation of GIAMA and its policy framework in the Eastern Cape Province’s Port Elizabeth Regional Office by the National Department of Public Works. To achieve this objective, a quantitative study was undertaken on the role of human resources as a “strategic partner”. It involved an extensive literature review to assess the role of strategic human resources. An empirical study was later conducted to investigate the role of human resources in the Port Elizabeth Regional Office (from the National Department of Public Works); and how well this office succeeds in playing its assigned role. The conducted survey was compared with the literature review, to determine whether the Port Elizabeth Regional Office’s human resources are in line with the objectives of being a “strategic partner”. The overall findings revealed that the role of human resources is not that of a “strategic partner”. It also revealed that of the six competencies identified by Ulrich et al. (2012) and the RBL Group (2012), none of them could really be viewed as strategic. Notwithstanding the progressive pieces of legislation, it was appalling to receive the outcome, which indicated organisational failure for the past six years (see Figure 1.1). The conclusion of the study indicated that the Port Elizabeth Regional Office (from National Department of Public Works) must implement legislative recommendations as a starting point, and grow from there. The legislation and regulations are very supportive, and encourage innovative thinking – to achieve government goals – and to be on a par with the private sector.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Investigating variables that have impact on annual financial statement audit report outcomes in local government
- Authors: Sigcau, Ntsikelelo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Local finance -- South Africa -- Auditing , Finance, Public -- South Africa , Local government -- South Africa -- Finance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8906 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021004
- 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.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Sigcau, Ntsikelelo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Local finance -- South Africa -- Auditing , Finance, Public -- South Africa , Local government -- South Africa -- Finance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8906 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021004
- 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.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Investigation into causes of service delivery protests in municipalities :a case study of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Authors: Shaidi, Elisante Walter
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Municipal government|zSouth Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Municipal government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:8245 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011153 , Municipal government|zSouth Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Municipal government
- Description: This study investigates the causes of the service delivery protests in South African municipalities that occurred between 2005 to 2013. In a sense, the recent widespread service delivery protests which, in many instances, have turned violent, have sounded an alarm that cannot be ignored. The study is premised on the fact that no political democracy can survive and flourish if the mass of its people remain in poverty, and in a state of inequality and unemployed without tangible prospects for a better life. In this regard, the presence of service delivery protests, especially violent ones, is a threat to South Africa’s young democracy and its sustainability. This study is based on the assumption that the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality, like other municipalities in South Africa, could be confronted with the possibility of further violent service delivery protests if the current causes were not scientifically investigated and solutions found. The study adopted a hypothesis with a view that South African municipalities could succeed in rendering effective public services if matters of poor public participation, corruption, service delivery inhibiting systemic factors, a cumbersome legislative environment, political infighting, poor intergovernmental fiscal regime and the low capacity of municipalities were adequately addressed. The study proposed to provide a brief literature review on the emergence of service delivery protests against the backdrop of a theoretical investigation on the new local government developmental mandate. The empirical survey and research methodology employed in the study is described, followed by the operationalisation of the survey questionnaire used for gathering field data. The research findings of the empirical survey are then statistically analysed, interpreted and reported. Some of the findings on the causes of service delivery protests includes slow pace of service delivery, especially in the delivery of sustainable human settlements, poor public participation and other underpinning systemic factors. Recommendations flowing from, inter alia, the results of the empirical study, are presented on how the existing status quo can be changed to enhance service delivery and development. If adopted, these recommendations will enable the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, as a development agent, to fulfil its developmental mandate thereby addressing the causes of the service delivery protests currently facing it.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Shaidi, Elisante Walter
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Municipal government|zSouth Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Municipal government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:8245 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011153 , Municipal government|zSouth Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Municipal government
- Description: This study investigates the causes of the service delivery protests in South African municipalities that occurred between 2005 to 2013. In a sense, the recent widespread service delivery protests which, in many instances, have turned violent, have sounded an alarm that cannot be ignored. The study is premised on the fact that no political democracy can survive and flourish if the mass of its people remain in poverty, and in a state of inequality and unemployed without tangible prospects for a better life. In this regard, the presence of service delivery protests, especially violent ones, is a threat to South Africa’s young democracy and its sustainability. This study is based on the assumption that the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality, like other municipalities in South Africa, could be confronted with the possibility of further violent service delivery protests if the current causes were not scientifically investigated and solutions found. The study adopted a hypothesis with a view that South African municipalities could succeed in rendering effective public services if matters of poor public participation, corruption, service delivery inhibiting systemic factors, a cumbersome legislative environment, political infighting, poor intergovernmental fiscal regime and the low capacity of municipalities were adequately addressed. The study proposed to provide a brief literature review on the emergence of service delivery protests against the backdrop of a theoretical investigation on the new local government developmental mandate. The empirical survey and research methodology employed in the study is described, followed by the operationalisation of the survey questionnaire used for gathering field data. The research findings of the empirical survey are then statistically analysed, interpreted and reported. Some of the findings on the causes of service delivery protests includes slow pace of service delivery, especially in the delivery of sustainable human settlements, poor public participation and other underpinning systemic factors. Recommendations flowing from, inter alia, the results of the empirical study, are presented on how the existing status quo can be changed to enhance service delivery and development. If adopted, these recommendations will enable the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, as a development agent, to fulfil its developmental mandate thereby addressing the causes of the service delivery protests currently facing it.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Investigation into HIV/AIDS coverage in selected South African newspapers
- Authors: Moqasa, Nketsi Abel
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) in mass media , Mass media -- South Africa , Journalism -- Social aspects , AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa , Content analysis (Communication) , Press -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Com)
- Identifier: vital:11367 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006285 , AIDS (Disease) in mass media , Mass media -- South Africa , Journalism -- Social aspects , AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa , Content analysis (Communication) , Press -- South Africa
- Description: This study investigates HIV/AIDS coverage in selected South African newspapers. The rationale for the study hinges on the fact that the media’s role in informing society about social issues, such as HIV/AIDS, is of paramount importance. The study adopted, principally, the content analysis method and, as a supplement, discourse analysis. Four daily newspapers were content-analysed, namely: Daily Dispatch, Daily Sun, Sowetan and The Star. A total of 288 editions of newspapers, spanning a period of twelve months (January to December 2010) were sampled. This study is informed by agenda setting theory. Discourse analysis was used to determine the compliance of these newspapers to media guides on the use of appropriate language or terminologies. The tone, sentence structures used when disseminating HIV/AIDS stories were also examined. The results revealed that HIV/AIDS coverage by these newspapers is reasonable even though the prominence given to HIV/AIDS issues is dissatisfactory in terms of placement on the page, headline font-size and number of paragraphs devoted to HIV/AIDS stories. 5.0% of HIV/AIDS-oriented stories were placed on the front page; 93.8% on the inside pages while 1.3% were placed on the back pages. It was also found that news and feature were used equally to disseminate HIV/AIDS issues. These genres constituted 50% each. On the other hand, the results revealed a statistically non-significant relationship between the newspapers and categories; that is: (25.09 2 , p 0.122 0.05 ). Results further revealed that these newspapers used appropriate terminology and value-neutral language in their stories. The tone of the messages was found to be positive and encouraging.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Moqasa, Nketsi Abel
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) in mass media , Mass media -- South Africa , Journalism -- Social aspects , AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa , Content analysis (Communication) , Press -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Com)
- Identifier: vital:11367 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006285 , AIDS (Disease) in mass media , Mass media -- South Africa , Journalism -- Social aspects , AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa , Content analysis (Communication) , Press -- South Africa
- Description: This study investigates HIV/AIDS coverage in selected South African newspapers. The rationale for the study hinges on the fact that the media’s role in informing society about social issues, such as HIV/AIDS, is of paramount importance. The study adopted, principally, the content analysis method and, as a supplement, discourse analysis. Four daily newspapers were content-analysed, namely: Daily Dispatch, Daily Sun, Sowetan and The Star. A total of 288 editions of newspapers, spanning a period of twelve months (January to December 2010) were sampled. This study is informed by agenda setting theory. Discourse analysis was used to determine the compliance of these newspapers to media guides on the use of appropriate language or terminologies. The tone, sentence structures used when disseminating HIV/AIDS stories were also examined. The results revealed that HIV/AIDS coverage by these newspapers is reasonable even though the prominence given to HIV/AIDS issues is dissatisfactory in terms of placement on the page, headline font-size and number of paragraphs devoted to HIV/AIDS stories. 5.0% of HIV/AIDS-oriented stories were placed on the front page; 93.8% on the inside pages while 1.3% were placed on the back pages. It was also found that news and feature were used equally to disseminate HIV/AIDS issues. These genres constituted 50% each. On the other hand, the results revealed a statistically non-significant relationship between the newspapers and categories; that is: (25.09 2 , p 0.122 0.05 ). Results further revealed that these newspapers used appropriate terminology and value-neutral language in their stories. The tone of the messages was found to be positive and encouraging.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Investigation into the technical feasibility of biological treatment of precious metal refining wastewater
- Authors: Moore, Bronwyn Ann
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Sewage -- Purification -- Biological treatment -- South Africa Sewage -- Purification -- Activated sludge process -- South Africa Water reuse -- South Africa Flotation -- South Africa Platinum mines and mining -- Waste disposal -- South Africa Platinum mines and mining -- Economic aspects -- South Africa Mine water -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa Platinum mines and mining -- Waste minimization -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3888 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002013
- Description: The hydrometallurgical refining of platinum group metals results in large volumes of liquid waste that requires suitable treatment before any disposal can be contemplated. The wastewater streams are characterized by extremes of pH, high inorganic ion content (such as chloride), significant residual metal loads and small amounts of entrained organic compounds. Historically these effluents were housed in evaporation reservoirs, however lack of space and growing water demands have led Anglo Platinum to consider treatment of these effluents. The aim of this study was to investigate whether biological wastewater treatment could produce water suitable for onsite reuse. Bench-scale activated sludge and anaerobic digestion for co-treatment of an acidic refinery waste stream with domestic wastewater were used to give preliminary data. Activated sludge showed better water treatment at lab scale in terms of removal efficiencies of ammonia (approximately 25%, cf. 20% in anaerobic digestion) and COD (70% cf. 43% in digestion) and greater robustness when biomass health was compared. Activated sludge was consequently selected for a pilot plant trial. The pilot plant was operated on-site and performed comparably with the bench-scale system, however challenges in the clarifier design led to losses of biomass and poor effluent quality (suspended solids washout). The pilot plant was unable to alter the pH of the feed, but a two week maturation period resulted in the pH increasing from 5.3 to 7.0. Tests on algal treatment as an alternative or follow-on unit operation to activated sludge showed it not to be a viable process. The activated sludge effluent was assessed for onsite reuse in flotation and it was found that there was no significant difference between its flotation performance and that of the process water currently used, indicating the effluent generated by the biological treatment system can be used successfully for flotation. Flotation is the method whereby minerals refining operations recover minerals of interest from ore through the addition of chemicals and aeration of the ore slurry. Target minerals adhere to the bubbles and can be removed from the process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Moore, Bronwyn Ann
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Sewage -- Purification -- Biological treatment -- South Africa Sewage -- Purification -- Activated sludge process -- South Africa Water reuse -- South Africa Flotation -- South Africa Platinum mines and mining -- Waste disposal -- South Africa Platinum mines and mining -- Economic aspects -- South Africa Mine water -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa Platinum mines and mining -- Waste minimization -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3888 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002013
- Description: The hydrometallurgical refining of platinum group metals results in large volumes of liquid waste that requires suitable treatment before any disposal can be contemplated. The wastewater streams are characterized by extremes of pH, high inorganic ion content (such as chloride), significant residual metal loads and small amounts of entrained organic compounds. Historically these effluents were housed in evaporation reservoirs, however lack of space and growing water demands have led Anglo Platinum to consider treatment of these effluents. The aim of this study was to investigate whether biological wastewater treatment could produce water suitable for onsite reuse. Bench-scale activated sludge and anaerobic digestion for co-treatment of an acidic refinery waste stream with domestic wastewater were used to give preliminary data. Activated sludge showed better water treatment at lab scale in terms of removal efficiencies of ammonia (approximately 25%, cf. 20% in anaerobic digestion) and COD (70% cf. 43% in digestion) and greater robustness when biomass health was compared. Activated sludge was consequently selected for a pilot plant trial. The pilot plant was operated on-site and performed comparably with the bench-scale system, however challenges in the clarifier design led to losses of biomass and poor effluent quality (suspended solids washout). The pilot plant was unable to alter the pH of the feed, but a two week maturation period resulted in the pH increasing from 5.3 to 7.0. Tests on algal treatment as an alternative or follow-on unit operation to activated sludge showed it not to be a viable process. The activated sludge effluent was assessed for onsite reuse in flotation and it was found that there was no significant difference between its flotation performance and that of the process water currently used, indicating the effluent generated by the biological treatment system can be used successfully for flotation. Flotation is the method whereby minerals refining operations recover minerals of interest from ore through the addition of chemicals and aeration of the ore slurry. Target minerals adhere to the bubbles and can be removed from the process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013