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The programmatic enforcement of affirmative action

  • Authors: Ncume, Ali Zuko
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Affirmative action programs -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Discrimination in employment -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5521 , vital:20873
  • Description: Historically, racism was deeply rooted in the workplace in South Africa where white people were largely afforded better opportunities than their black counterparts. This position changed after South Africa became a democratic country. In the new South Africa, legislation has been adopted to combat unfair discrimination. This legislation is founded upon the equality clause contained in section 9 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. Section 9 prohibits unfair direct or indirect discrimination against any person on any of the listed grounds. It also makes provision for protection against unfair discrimination on unlisted grounds. The Employment Equity Act was enacted to bring equality to the workplace and to give effect to section 9(2) of the constitution. The Employment Equity Act promotes equal opportunities and fair treatment and seeks to eliminate unfair discrimination. Section 6 of the Employment Equity Act contains the main thrust of the Act’s prohibition against unfair discrimination. However not all discrimination is unfair. Section 6(2) of the Employment Equity Act provides that discrimination based on the inherent requirements of a job or in terms of affirmative action measures will not be unfair. This section implies that there are grounds of justification which may cause discrimination to be fair. These grounds are affirmative action and inherent requirements of a job. Affirmative action is a purposeful and planned placement and development of competent or potentially competent persons in or to positions from which they were debarred in the past. Affirmative action is an attempt to redress past population, on local and national level. One of the requirements of affirmative action in South Africa is that it must target persons who have been discriminated by unfair discrimination in the past. There are affirmative action measures incorporated in the Employment Equity Act. There exists also a designed programmatic enforcement of affirmative action measures.
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  • Date Issued: 2015

The quantification of fucoxanthin from selected South African marine brown algae (Phaeophyta) using HPLC-UV/Vis

  • Authors: Mubaiwa, Byron Tawanda
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Marine algae , Brown algae , High performance liquid chromatography , Functional foods , Xanthophylls , Carotenoids , Extraction (Chemistry)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
  • Identifier: vital:3868 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017879
  • Description: Marine brown algae (seaweeds) are a rich source of fucoxanthin, a xanthophyll carotenoid that is naturally, an accessory pigment in the process of photosynthesis of sea vegetation such as Sargassum incisifolium. Fucoxanthin has been exploited by nutraceutical companies for its anti-obesity effects that has resulted in an increase of seaweed slimming preparations such as FucoThin™. The field is getting widespread consumer attention as interest in fucoxanthin has also transcended to its widespread biological potential which include cytotoxicity, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-plasmodium effects. We therefore wanted to identify a reliable source(s) of fucoxanthin from diverse samples of South African marine brown algae in order to explore our medicinal chemistry interests around the cytotoxicity and anti-malarial potential of fucoxanthin. A known source, Sargassum incisifolium, was used to isolate (maceration in CH₂Cl₂/MeOH at 35 °C followed by a hexane/EtOAc step gradient silica column of the crude extract and reversed phase semi-prep HPLC) and characterize (1D and 2D NMR) fucoxanthin (reference standard) in order to develop an analytical method for its determination in selected diverse brown algae commonly found in South Africa. The HPLC [Column: Phenomenex® Synergi™ (250 x 3.0 mm i.d); Mobile phase: ACN/H2O (95:5)] method developed for this analysis was validated according the guidelines set by the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH). Fifteen species were then assessed for fucoxanthin content (μg/g of dried weight) using the developed method. Stability studies on fucoxanthin were also carried out to assess photo- and pH degradation of fucoxanthin. Zonaria subarticulata (KOS130226-18) from Kenton-On-Sea beach and Sargassum incisifolium (PA130427-1) from Port Alfred beach were found to be the highest producers of fucoxanthin with 0.50 mg/g and 0.45 mg/g dried weight respectively. Fucoxanthin was found to be both photo-labile and sensitive to both acidic and basic pH environments. However, the pigment was more photostable in pure as opposed to extract form and also showed to be more stable at pH 10.0. Our findings show that Z. subarticulata and S. incisifolium could be reliable sources of fucoxanthin and can be considered as the algae to use in optimized extraction procedures in further studies. Also, when working with fucoxanthin, it is important to protect it from light. Any consideration of taking fucoxanthin preparation orally (as a nutraceutical) should consider protecting the active from the harsh conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. Any upscale production of fucoxanthin from seaweed should consider variations such as geographical, seasonal, lifecycle stage, etc. of identified algae as these may be important factors in obtaining effective concentrations of fucoxanthin.
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  • Date Issued: 2015

The reform of world order?: BRICS in an Interpolar world

  • Authors: Phyllis, Yvonne
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Uncatalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/193520 , vital:45339
  • Description: International relations has recently seen new developments which are unpredictable and in their infant stage. The causes of these developments are plentiful, the consequences stemming from waning unipolarity to the emergence of new fora creating their own spaces. Whatever the case, international relations is not as it was in the period just after the Cold War. As a result, the terms of global governance established after 1990 have come under serious scrutiny. This transition has the makings of a new world order, an interpolar world order. This study asserts that we no longer live in a unipolar world, nor do we live in a world which can only be described as multipolar. It makes the argument that although multipolarity is a crucial element of the world, it only offers a partial description of today’s order. The study asserts that it is interpolarity which is closest in accounting for today’s world. Not only does it describe the world as multipolar, it also describes it as interdependent. To this end, the study provides a detailed account of what is meant by an interpolar world order and how differently it explains international events. It also provides an account of factors which can develop in an interpolar world. One of these includes allowing room for emerging powers to create their own spaces in efforts of avoiding co-option while continuing to realise the importance of operating within a context of continuity. This means that emerging countries create their own spaces but they also realise the importance of working with already established regimes such as the G20. BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) is used as a case study to indicate one of the new developments afforded by an interpolar order-the emergence of new fora. The study asserts that although BRICS is rife with internal dissimilarities, it has indicated some degree of political will in one aspect; that is; advocating for the reform of the terms of global governance, advocating for more representative forms of global governance. The study thus explores factors of a world whose contours are gradually changing but which are unpredictable and in flux. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Political and International Studies, 2015
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  • Date Issued: 2015

The registrar Dr Steve Fourie addressing the students, 21 Oct 2015

  • Authors: Thomas, Cornelius
  • Date: 2015
  • Type: Image
  • Identifier: vital:8060 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020557
  • Description: On Wednesday, 21 October 2015, Rhodes University closed in solidarity with the higher education sector as students and staff embarked on nationwide protest action against the shortage of funding in the South African higher education sector. #FeesMustFall is a national student led protest movement that began in mid-October 2015 in response to proposed increases in fees at South African universities. These images depict the peaceful march and illustrate the extent of solidarity among staff, students and community members who joined in support of the protest.
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  • Date Issued: 2015

The regulation of agricultural subsidies in the World Trade Organization framework : a developing country perspective

  • Authors: Chigavazira, Farai
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Foreign trade regulation -- Developing countries Agricultural laws and legislation -- Developing countries Tariff on farm produce -- Developing countries
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1874 , vital:27569
  • Description: The Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) was adopted to eliminate the illegitimate use of tradedistorting agricultural subsidies and thereby reduce and avoid the negative effects subsidies have on global agricultural trade. However, the AoA has been fashioned in a way that is enabling developed countries to continue high levels of protectionism through subsidization, whilst many developing countries are facing severe and often damaging competition from imports artificially cheapened through subsidies. The regulation of subsidies in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has been a highly sensitive issue. This is mainly due to the fear of compromising food security especially by developed countries. Developing countries have suffered negatively from the subsidy programmes of developed countries who continue to subsidize their agricultural sector. This position of the developing countries in the global trade system which has been described as weak, has drawn criticism that the WTO as it currently operates does not protect the interests of the weak developing nations, but rather strengthens the interests of the strong developed nations. The green box provisions which are specifically designed to regulate payments that are considered trade neutral or minimally trade distorting has grossly been manipulated by developed countries at the mercy of the AoA. Developed countries continue to provide trade distorting subsidies under the guise of green box support. This is defeating the aims and objectives of the AoA. The study examines the regulation of WTO agricultural subsidies from the developing countries’ belvedere. It looks at the problems WTO member states face with trade distorting subsidies, but focuses more on the impact these have on developing states. It scrutinizes the AoA’s provisions regulating subsidies with a view to identify any loopholes or shortcomings which undermine the interests and aspirations of developing countries. This is behind the background that some of the provisions of the AoA are lenient towards the needs of developed countries at the expense of developing countries.
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  • Date Issued: 2015

The relationship between concurrently measured SASS (South African Scoring System) and turbidity data archived in the South African River Health Programme’s Rivers Database

  • Authors: Gordon, Andrew K , Griffin, Neil J , Palmer, Carolyn G
  • Date: 2015
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Article
  • Identifier: vital:7098 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015956
  • Description: The need for monitoring the biological impacts of instream sediments has long been recognised, yet robust and scientifically defensible tools for doing so are still in the early stages of development because of the difficulties experienced by researchers in characterising the complicated mechanisms of biological effect elicited by sediment particles. Biological monitoring is one such tool, and this paper reports on the initial stages of a study to determine the most applicable approach for measuring the effects of instream sediments on aquatic macroinvertebrates in the South African context. In this first instance, the suitability of the rapid macroinvertebrate biomonitoring tool (the South African Scoring System) was investigated by determining the extent of the correlation between concurrently measured SASS metrics and turbidity data collected for the South African River Health Programme. All three SASS metrics – SASS score, number of taxa (NOT), and average score per taxon (ASPT) – were found to be significantly negatively correlated with turbidity, although variation in the data was high. Turbidity was found to be the major driver of change in ASPT. In contrast, electrical conductivity was the major driver of SASS scores and NOT, with turbidity a close second. When combined, electrical conductivity and turbidity accounted for 80 percent (SASS score) and 75 percent (NOT) of the variation in the regression model. Consequently, SASS metrics are a crude, but reliable, indicator of the negative biological implications of excessive instream sedimentation as measured by turbidity. A number of other potential biomonitoring approaches for detecting the impacts of fine sediment exposure are identified for further investigation: spatial analyses of macroinvertebrate assemblages; and the use of structural and functional metrics.
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  • Date Issued: 2015

The relationship between employer branding and organisational commitment

  • Authors: Tryfonos, Angelique
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Corporate culture , Organizational commitment , Psychology, Industrial
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:9419 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021146
  • Description: The aim of this study was to determine whether a relationship exists between organisational commitment (OC) and employer branding (EB). The purpose was to Identifying whether employer branding effects organisational commitment (affective, normative and continuance commitment) and how significant that effect may be. Questionnaires were personally distributed by the researcher directly to employees under study. Non-probability sampling was used in the form of judgement sampling. The sample consisted of 124 employees from various retail outlets throughout Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. Five hypotheses were set for evaluation. A practically significant relationship was established between organisational commitment (OC) and employer branding (EB). A small practically significant relationship was found between gender and normative commitment. A medium practically significant relationship was found between gender and training and development as well as between gender and work/life balance. Statistically significant relationships were discovered with regards to age and leadership and also between age and rewards and recognition. A statistically significant difference was established between age and overall employer branding (EB). These findings suggest that a more positive employer brand will lead to improved organisational commitment (OC). More so, retail organisations aiming to improve on organisational commitment should incorporate those employer branding (EB) factors which employees’ place greater emphasis on, within their employer brand, which in turn will lead to greater organisational commitment.
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  • Date Issued: 2015

The relationship between leadership and organisational effectiveness among indigenous banks in Kenya

  • Authors: Muriithi, Samuel Muiruri
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Leadership -- Kenya , Organizational effectiveness -- Kenya , Transformational leadership -- Kenya , Strategic planning -- Kenya , Community banks -- Kenya , Structural equation modeling , Emotional intelligence
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: vital:1208 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020015
  • Description: Defining leadership effectiveness (LE) remains a controversial subject with scholars and researchers disagreeing on a common definition. Most studies term leadership effectiveness as the leaders’ ability to successfully exercise personal influence and abilities in order to accomplish set standards. Such leadership effectiveness was measured using three elements, namely influence, follow commitment and versatility. To be effective, leaders must possess certain competencies and perform specific tasks (independent variables). In this study, three leadership competencies, namely strategic thinking, emotional effectiveness and transformational leadership were examined. Similarly, seven leadership tasks (set organisational direction, develop human capital, build core competencies, create organisational alignment, sustain appropriate organisational culture, manage change and establish balanced organisational control) were identified as essential for the attainment of leadership effectiveness (intervening variable) which, in turn, leads to organisational effectiveness (dependent variable). Given the importance of leadership effectiveness to organisational effectiveness, the purpose of this study was to identify, investigate and empirically test the possible relationship between leadership effectiveness and organisational effectiveness within the Kenyan indigenous banks. To achieve the aim of the study, a survey was undertaken using a structured self-administered questionnaire. The respondents were identified using both probability and non-probability techniques with the survey yielding 257 usable questionnaires that were statistically analysed. The proposed hypothetical relationship between leadership effectiveness and organisational effectiveness was assessed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), a multivariate statistical technique. The SEM included Cronbach’s alpha and confirmatory factor analyses to assess the dicriminant reliability and validity of the measuring instrument, and Goodness-of-fit indices. The study findings demonstrated the existence of a strong relationship between leadership competencies, tasks performed and leadership effectiveness which in turn impacts on organisational effectiveness, in this case the overall effectiveness of the Kenyan indigenous banks.
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  • Date Issued: 2015

The relationship between organisational commitment, work engagement and turnover intentions

  • Authors: Robinson, Nicole Dianne
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Social responsibility of business , Organizational commitment , Labor turnover
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6582 , vital:21119
  • Description: “The question of employee turnover has come to gain greater attention especially in the 21st century where organisations all over the world, in various industries, have faced this problem at some stages of their evolution” (Zahra et al, 2013:78). Turnover intentions have further become a vital study for organisations and researchers as research has found that once an employee has actually implemented the behaviour to quit, it is highly unlikely that an employer will be able to “gain access to them to understand their prior situation” (Darroux, Johnathan & Thibeli, 2013:78). Several studies have been devoted to examine the impact of various factors such as organisational commitment, work engagement, age, gender and tenure on turnover intentions in an attempt to assist organisations in alleviating the challenges associated with turnover (Darroux, Johnathan & Thibeli, 2013). The results of these studies have continually shown that both work engagement and organisational commitment have a significant effect on turnover intentions (Yin & Yang, 2002; Meyer, Stanley, Herscovitch & Topolnytsky, 2002 and Tett & Meyer, 1993).
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  • Date Issued: 2015

The relationship between organisational culture, transformational leadership and organisational change outcomes in private intensive care units

  • Authors: Jordan, Portia Janine
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Corporate culture , Organizational change , Leadership , Organizational effectiveness
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6401 , vital:21082
  • Description: In order for organisations to grow and maintain their competitive advantage, change has become the norm. The healthcare industry and especially private healthcare organisations, is no exception. Organisational change often implies a change in organisational culture. The concept of culture refers to the ways of thinking, values and ideas of things rather than the concrete, objective and more visible part of the organisation. Organisational culture is not to be viewed in isolation as culture and leadership are intertwined. Leaders shape cultures and their fundamental role is affecting others and making changes that increase organisational efficiency and performance. Patient safety, cost-effective care based on the best available evidence and patient satisfaction are top priorities of healthcare organisations, especially intensive care units where critically ill patients are cared for. Alignment of the organisational culture and leadership with a hospital‘s vision, namely to deliver quality patient care, is thus essential. A positivistic research paradigm, with a quantitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual approach was used to conduct the study. The study explored whether transformational organisational culture, leadership and desired organisational change outcomes existed in private intensive care units in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan and East London areas. It aimed at exploring the relationship between selected demographic variables, culture, leadership and organisational change outcomes. Lastly, the relationship between organisational culture and leadership (independent variables) and organisational change outcomes (dependent variable) was explored. The sample comprised 130 professional nurses who were selected from all the adult intensive care units in the private healthcare industry in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan and East London areas. A structured questionnaire with a Cronbach‘s alpha of more than 0.8 was used to collect data. The empirical results indicated that transformational leadership and a conducive organisational culture existed in the private intensive care units sampled. However, it was found that innovation and innovative care practices could be improved. Care practices were not necessarily aligned with the latest, available innovative techniques, procedures and practices. Reflective practices and in-service training to improve care practices and encourage and promote innovative care practices were not always optimised. Recommendations related to the findings were made for managers, as well as for research, education and practice. Ethical principles were maintained throughout the study.
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  • Date Issued: 2015

The relationship between religion/spirituality and the general psychological well-being of the institutionalized elderly population in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

  • Authors: Walton, Karen Lynn
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Psychology, Religious Psychology and religion
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5708 , vital:29366
  • Description: Psychological well-being has a number of known benefits and is important for the quality of life of the elderly in particular. South Africa can be considered a religious country with the majority of citizens identifying with some religious orientation. The elderly are considered to be a more religious segment of the population, leading to a quantitative exploratory study being undertaken in order to ascertain whether a correlation exists between psychological well-being and religiosity/spirituality in the elderly institutionalised population of South Africa. The General Psychological Well-Being Scale and ASPIRES was administered to a convenience sample of 336 participants in the Eastern Cape Province. A significant but weak positive correlation was found between the variables of psychological well-being and religiosity. A difference was also found between White and African participants’ level of psychological well-being. An ANOVA was performed on the demographic information collected from participants. It was found that higher levels of education and access to private medical care were associated with higher levels of psychological well-being. A regression analysis was also performed on the data. It was found that although religiosity/spirituality does account for some of the variance, there were still a large number of other factors that influence psychological well-being in the elderly that were not captured in this study. Limitations of the study are that the results can’t be generalised to elderly residing at home. All of the participants also lived in urban areas and so differences may be found with rural elderly. Some further directions for research are discussed.
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  • Date Issued: 2015

The relationship between socio-demographic factors and psychometric screening performances of primary school children with barriers to learning

  • Authors: Pretorius, Claudette
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Psychological tests for children , Behavioral assessment of children , Child development -- Testing
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/9044 , vital:26459
  • Description: Inclusive education generally promotes a shift away from the use of psychometric assessment for the placement of learners in special education facilities. This study, however, examines the potential role of psychometric screening for inclusive education in South Africa. This was done by investigating the relationship between selected demographic factors of age, gender, parental levels of education, and caregiver employment status – and psychometric test performances in children identified as having barriers to learning. The participant sample consisted of 329 primary school children aged between 6 and 15 years from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan area. Demographic data was collected by means of a questionnaire completed in collaboration with participants’ caregivers and their school authorities. Participants were psychometrically assessed by means of the Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices (CPM) and the Bender Gestalt Test (BGT), which are commonly used screening measures in the South African context. Results indicated a relationship between test scores and the demographic variables of age and gender on both the Raven’s CPM and the BGT. Paternal level of education was found to impact positively on the BGT scores when the father had achieved a Grade 10 level of education or higher. No statistically significant relationship was found between any of the other socio-demographic factors and the performance scores on the Raven’s CPM and the BGT. It was concluded that the measures appear to be free of undue influence or bias arising from demographic factors. They were found to be useful psychological measures which should be included in screening processes when identifying children with barriers to learning.
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  • Date Issued: 2015

The relative contribution of non-timber forest products, agriculture and off-farm sources of income to rural households in Koloni and Guquka, Eastern Cape

The representation of sex workers in South African media: danger, morals and human rights

  • Authors: Hunt, Sally , Hubbard, Beatrice
  • Date: 2015
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/139101 , vital:37705 , DOI: 10.5842/46-0-618
  • Description: The ideological construct of gender typically positions women below men, and “others” certain types of women even more, especially those distinguished from idealised femininity by aspects of their sexuality. This paper explores the representation of sex work and sex workers in the South African media in 2009 and 2010, a time during which there was an increase in news coverage of sex work during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Analysis of the two data sets revealed that sex work is still often perceived as immoral and dangerous, and that sex workers – overwhelmingly represented as women – are criminalised for their actions while client agency is largely obscured, which is in line with previous studies of South African newspapers. However, a strong liberal representation of sex workers was also found in one data set, which advocates the decriminalisation of sex work in the context of human rights. The use of the term “sex work” and its derivatives, rather than “prostitution”, was found to index this progressive stance.
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  • Date Issued: 2015

The requirement of "bumping" in operational-requirement dismissals

  • Authors: Strydom, Wynand Wilhelmus
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Employees -- Dismissal of -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Unfair labor practices -- South Africa , Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5896 , vital:21009
  • Description: This treatise interrogates the concept of bumping and commences with the background and rationale to the study. It poses a problem statement and sets out the aims and objectives it intends to achieve by virtue of specific research questions identified in the first chapter. The second chapter deals with the history and origin of the concept of bumping whereafter it elaborates on the evolution of bumping in the South African labour-law context and it furthermore introduces the retrenchment guidelines as drafted by Halton Cheadle in 1985. A review and reappraisal of the retrenchment guidelines by Andre van Niekerk are also raised in the second chapter. This is followed by a discussion on the aspects relating to fair selection criteria as pronounced by South African labour-law jurisprudence and deals specifically with the concept of LIFO and the employment universe. The third chapter also raises the various forms of bumping, as well as applicable limitations thereto. Following an in-depth look at the South African courts’ interpretation of bumping-related scenarios, a comparison with international standards is launched whereby relevant ILO recommendations are used as reference. An interpretation of United Kingdom case law is discussed, whereafter it is compared with the South African approach. The fifth chapter deals with the legislative requirements for fair dismissals and fair retrenchment dismissals in particular. The nexus between substantive and procedural fairness requirements is highlighted and the remainder of the fifth chapter deals with procedural fairness requirements which would be applicable in bumping-related retrenchment scenarios. The final chapter briefly alludes to whether bumping should be categorised as a genuine alternative to retrenchment, or merely as an extension of LIFO as a selection criterion. The treatise concludes with procedural recommendations in dealing with bumped employees in the form of retrenchment guidelines for consultations with employees affected by bumping.
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  • Date Issued: 2015

The role of academic middle managers in the planning and implementation of curriculum change in private higher education institutions in Botswana

  • Authors: Rudhumbu, Norman
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Universities and colleges -- Botswana -- Administration Education, Higher -- Aims and objectives -- Botswana Curriculum planning -- Botswana
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2979 , vital:28214
  • Description: The purpose of the study was to examine the role of academic middle managers (AMMs) in the planning and implementation of curriculum change in private higher education institutions in Botswana. This study employed a mixed methods research approach which utilised a structured questionnaire and a semi-structured interview guide to gather data on AMMs‟ role in the planning and implementation of curriculum change in PHEIs in Botswana. SPSS version 21 was used for analysing quantitative data while thematic analysis was used for analysing qualitative data on the role of AMMs in the planning and implementation of curriculum change in PHEIs. The study showed that the role of AMMs in the planning and implementation of curriculum change in PHEIs was too complex and demanding because they spent most of their time on daily administrative routines instead of on core academic activities such as planning and implementing curriculum change in their departments. The AMMs in the PHEIs under study operated more like managers in academic departments than academics in management. As a result the study showed that AMMs faced more challenges than opportunities in their planning and implementation of curriculum change in PHEIs. The major challenges AMMs faced in the planning and implementation of curriculum change were a highly controlled and strict work environment, role conflict, lack of autonomy, role strain and heavy workloads which limited the time AMMs spent on the core business of managing curriculum change in their departments. The study also highlighted some of the strategies albeit a few, which, despite the numerous challenges AMMs faced, are used to try and make the planning and implementation of curriculum change by AMMs was to some extent successful. The study provided insight on the influence of AMMs biographical characteristics as well as the influence of AMM job requirements (such as having a detailed job description and having authority over curriculum matters) on how AMMs enacted their role in curriculum change. Based on the results of the study, a model to assist AMMs in the effective planning and implementation of curriculum change was proposed.
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  • Date Issued: 2015

The role of agricultural co-operatives in food security in the Eastern Cape, Province of South Africa: the case of the Nkonkobe Local Municipality

  • Authors: Dyalvane, Ncumisa
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Agriculture, Cooperative -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2867 , vital:28110
  • Description: This study highlights the contribution of agricultural co-operatives in promoting food security in the Nkonkobe Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.Although the dawn of democracy saw the government making efforts to address food insecurity and provide solutions to the challenges related to it a lot remains to be done. As a result, food insecurity remains a fundamental concern in South Africa in particular among villagers in the Nkonkobe Local Municipality. Consequently, the study focuses on the state of Agricultural Co-operatives in the Nkonkobe Municipality and their role in food security. Therefore, this dissertation therefore discusses problems plaguing Agricultural Co-operatives in Nkonkobe. This study highlights the contribution of agricultural co-operatives in promoting food security in the Nkonkobe Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.Although the dawn of democracy saw the government making efforts to address food insecurity and provide solutions to the challenges related to it a lot remains to be done. As a result, food insecurity remains a fundamental concern in South Africa in particular among villagers in the Nkonkobe Local Municipality. Consequently, the study focuses on the state of Agricultural Co-operatives in the Nkonkobe Municipality and their role in food security. Therefore, this dissertation therefore discusses problems plaguing Agricultural Co-operatives in Nkonkobe. The qualitative methodology was used because it seeks to dig out in-depth information so as to understand the causes of food insecurity despite agricultural co-operatives and government assistance being in place. The food security situation was analysed using the sustainable livelihoods and basic needs approaches. The findings of the study reveal that agricultural co-operatives face a number of challenges. These include inadequate funds, poor market places, transport problems, shortage of farming equipment and insufficient water supply. In addition, the ability of agricultural co-operatives to make a worthy contribution to food security is being adversely hindered by poor implementation capacity and financial management. This in turn makes them unable to strengthen and expand their business operations. The study suggests that the government or the municipality should build sustainable water sources like dams as well as provide taps in the community to boost productivity all year round in the agricultural cooperatives hence guaranteeing food security in Nkonkobe Local Municipality,the Eastern Cape and South Africa at large.
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  • Date Issued: 2015

The role of child support grants in poverty alleviation in rural communities

  • Authors: Yapi, Kanyisa
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Child welfare -- South Africa , Child support -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7710 , vital:23396
  • Description: This study seeks to investigate the challenges faced by the recipients of the child support grant, with special reference to Morgan Bay, a rural area under the aegis of the Amathole District Municipality in East London. The child support grant is a strategy that was introduced to alleviate poverty in previously disadvantaged communities. The child support grant replaced the state maintenance grant. South Africa has high levels of unemployment; and this situation is considered to be a major contributing factor to poverty. After the apartheid era, the African National Congress (ANC) led government introduced a litany of redistributive policy frameworks aimed at reversing the imbalances of the past created by the apartheid government. The child support grant, which was established during the year 1998, is viewed as one of the strategies introduced by the South African government aimed at alleviating poverty caused by the lack of jobs. The aim of the study is to assess the implementation of the child support grant impact as a developmental strategy in rural communities, such as Morgan Bay. The study seeks to determine how the child support grant redistribution has affected rural communities. In other words, the research seeks to determine whether the child support grant redistribution has affected rural communities positively or negatively, and to ascertain whether it has mitigated the impact of socio-economic challenges in rural communities. The study also seeks to explore other strategies, which could be implemented to supplement the child support grant, and possibly decrease the level of dependence on the child support grant – by having a back-up strategy for alleviating poverty.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2015

The role of civil society in advancing education rights : the case of Gadra Education, Grahamstown, South Africa

  • Authors: Msindo, Esteri Makotore
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Gadra Education (Grahamstown, South Africa) , Right to education -- South Africa , State departments of education -- South Africa , Educational change -- South Africa , Social justice -- South Africa , Civil society -- South Africa , Social contract
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
  • Identifier: vital:3392 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016500
  • Description: This thesis has identified and analysed the role of an NGO called Gadra Education in advancing education rights to the less advantaged people of Grahamstown in South Africa. Gadra Education’s role has been identified as twofold. Firstly as an educational NGO, Gadra Education’s initiatives directly impact on the lives of the less economically and socially privileged learners who, due to their previous learning environment in state schools, do not achieve academic results that ensure entry into tertiary level. Secondly its role is identified in its nature as an organisation that emerged due to the deficiencies in the state schooling system. It therefore stands de facto as a critical institution for critique of the state’s education system. The thesis concludes that without confronting the Department of Education or collaborating with it, Gadra Education offers a significant alternative approach which can potentially influence the state to improve the state schooling system. Its strategy of non-confrontation to the state, informal and non-corporatist is advantageous as an NGO that focuses on the actual provision of education. It focuses on instilling Ubuntu values of sharing and giving that are of critical significance in teaching and learning. The context of the thesis is located broadly within socio-economic rights and specifically on education rights. In South Africa where the state has not adequately met the educational obligations for the economically and socially less privileged citizens, the emergence of educational NGOs that focus on providing education to the poor is of vital importance. Although other NGOs that confront the state are important in pushing the state to deliver especially on school infrastructure, teacher deployment and other educational challenges, Gadra Education model ensures academic success for the learner. Lessons can be drawn from Gadra Education which can be potentially useful to state schools and other NGOs that seek to advance education rights to disadvantaged communities.
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  • Date Issued: 2015

The role of cooperatives in local economic development and job creation

  • Authors: Ramncwana, Zukiswa
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Cooperative societies , Economic development , Job creation
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5919 , vital:21013
  • Description: This study concentrates on the role of cooperatives in Local Economic Development (LED) and the creation of sustainable jobs. In ascertaining this role, it was imperative that the study also examine the participant’s perceptions and attitudes as the drivers in attaining the sustainable livelihoods; where their desire, their beliefs and their perceived social norms are examined. In line with the examination of the participant’s perceptions and attitudes as the drivers in attaining the sustainable livelihoods, we have also identified the drivers or catalyst to really changing the behaviour and/or performance and really taking action. Motivation of this study is that the participants and LED officials will learn from the lessons that are identified. Lessons can be learned from our history in South Africa that through dedication and sustained motivation goals can be realised. Motivation and commitment are therefore important in strengthening the foundations of cooperative development towards job creation; where social capital is the driver of commitment and motivation and should be promoted as such. Through the cooperation that is inherent in cooperatives people pull together towards realising their dreams. The sustainable jobs are however not attainable at this stage of cooperative development but strong foundations are however being built to realise these goals in the near future. Unemployment is a big problem that policy makers are looking for solutions to, and hence the development of policy measures like the Cooperative Policy to address poverty through creation of cooperatives. These cooperatives collectively benefit the members and create a platform for mutual cooperation. Self-motivation and ‘Ubuntu’ need to be ingrained more in our culture and find a ‘new meaning’. There is a role for social capital and the unity that is within ‘Ubuntu’ to really be used as the undoubted asset that it is. Social capital can be seen as the driver of commitment and motivation. This can also be seen in the Mutual Incentives Theory’ (MIT) of motivations to participate developed by Birchall and Simmons, as meaningful participation can be motivated by three variables. These variables are shared goals, shared values and sense of community. These three variables are all integrated in social capital; where social capital could be seen as the common denominator. Such conclusions about the importance of social capital in driving meaningful participation in cooperatives should be widely acknowledged. The promotion of social capital in all its forms should be wide spread and it should form part of the basis for solutions to cooperative development.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2015
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