The role of mentoring in the advancement of female leadership in corporate organisations
- Authors: Mhlanga, Siyavuya Marcia
- Date: 2023-12
- Subjects: Leadership in women -- South Africa , Women executives , Mentoring in business
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65762 , vital:74235
- Description: Richard Branson reportedly said that “if you ask any successful business person, at some point along the road, they will always have had a great mentor”. The lack of representation of females at senior and executive levels is slowly transforming, yet not at the required rate. The study was conducted to evaluate the role of mentoring in the advancement of female leadership in corporate organisations. The research method that was followed was a qualitative and explanatory inductive approach to interview participants and observe their experiences and opinions with regard to the role of mentoring in the advancement of women through the following themes: job satisfaction, organisational culture, organisational development mentoring and the barriers and challenges that affect women. The focus area includes women in current senior level positions who have aspirations to advance into more senior or executive levels. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants and due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has affected the globe, a small group of well-respected individuals was selected according to their credibility. The key observations reflected within the study that the themes which were dominant included the following: 1)inequality, 2) lack of support and the importance of a sponsor/coach and 3) barriersand challenges (the “glass ceiling” and “boys club”) that still exist. The findings of the study will equip the role players within corporate organisations and associated bodies to ensure mentoring is used and encouraged for adoption among all organisations, implement mentorship strategies and apply the ADAPT mentoring model. Furthermore, the findings will serve to bring relevant insights and recommendations to promote more women in senior, executive and board-level positions. The implications of the findings suggest that mentoring is an enabler of advancement leverage for female leadership into senior and executive levels. The limitations of the study were the effects of COVID-19 and the subsequent countrywide lockdown, where constraints of meeting in person, availability of time, network and data constraints availed themselves. The researcher was unbale to ascertain long-term effects of the role of mentoring in advancing female leadership, but rather encourages its main benefits and is positive of the influence it may hold to set a precedent. The study established that the ability to create spaces of empowering women in corporates builds strong, economically viable corporates that promote mentoring to advance female representation. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 2023
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- Date Issued: 2023-12
Every gig counts: understanding the livelihood strategies of Zimbabwean platform food delivery workers in Makhanda, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mwansa, Kombe
- Date: 2023-10-13
- Subjects: Gig economy South Africa Makhanda , Food delivery services South Africa Makhanda , Zimbabweans South Africa , Immigrants Social conditions , Self-reliant living , Sustainable livelihood
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/425193 , vital:72218
- Description: Zimbabweans are often faced with several obstacles upon their arrival in South Africa. This thesis seeks to understand the lives and livelihoods of Zimbabwean gig economy workers in Makhanda using the case of Platform food delivery workers. Drawing from Chambers and Conway (1991) Sustainable Livelihoods Approach and existing literature the study explores the livelihoods of ten Zimbabwean gig workers in Makhanda using non-random purposeful sampling. Using qualitative methodology, the study examines their demographic backgrounds; pathways to employment in the gig economy; the economic and social livelihood strategies at their disposal, the daily challenges they face; and the livelihood outcomes they acquire as a result of their livelihood strategies. A case study involves an in-depth examination of a single individual, group, organization, or event. It is particularly useful for understanding complex phenomena in their real-world context. The study took on a case study approach which involved an in-depth examination of Zimbabwean Platform food delivery workers in Makhanda. The study found that there are complex connections between the gig economy and migrants' livelihoods. From one perspective in the context of South Africa’s constricted labour markets, gig work offers migrant workers quick pathways to employment and self-sufficiency. From another perspective gig work is precarious and technology companies misclassify gig workers as independent contractors, which leaves gig workers in vulnerable positions. Further findings show that migrant gig workers often combine gig work with other livelihood strategies in pursuit of secure and sustainable livelihoods. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2023
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- Date Issued: 2023-10-13
Foreign aid and Human Development Indicators: Evidence from South Africa
- Authors: Mwimba, Inambao
- Date: 2023-04
- Subjects: Human development indicators , Official Development Aid
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/62162 , vital:72003
- Description: The purpose of this study is to determine whether foreign aid influences the quality of life in South Africa. To do so, the study analyses the relationship between foreign aid and the human development index (HDI). HDI consists of three other indices: the index of wellbeing, the index of education, and the index of income. To measure the relationship between foreign aid and HDI, five Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) models are used in estimating the effect of foreign aid on HDI as well as life expectancy, education level, unemployment, and GDP per capita from 1993 to 2019. Income, population density, and credit are given to the private sector are part of the empirical models as controlled variables. The results show that no significant relationship exists between foreign aid and HDI, education, and GDP, while aid is linked to a lower life expectancy rate and unemployment. These findings imply that aid can increase the HDI in South Africa by contributing to a decreased unemployment rate, and thus policy makers should establish concrete plans and develop economic strategies that focus on creating incentives that attract more aid, especially in the short run. This can lead to a decrease in the unemployment rate, which is often regarded as South Africa’s biggest economic issue. , Thesis (Ma) -- Faculty of Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2023
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- Date Issued: 2023-04
Philosophical inquiry into the value of liberal education
- Authors: Wotshela, Siphosihle
- Date: 2023-03-30
- Subjects: Liberal education , Education, Humanistic Philosophy , Education, Humanistic South Africa , Education, Humanistic Social aspects South Africa , Jacob Klein
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/408954 , vital:70540
- Description: Throughout history, scholars have offered numerous conceptions of liberal education, with each scholar providing a slightly and sometimes extremely different idea of what liberal education actually is, what it entails, and what value one stands to gain by partaking in this particular type of education. In this thesis, I inquire into the topic of liberal education in an attempt to clearly understand what value partaking in this type of education offers the contemporary South African. In the process, I offer a defence against what I refer to as the societal context problem—a problem that questions the possibility of a universal benefit that can be obtained by partaking in liberal education. I also offer a comprehensive argument for the preference of Jacob Klein’s conception of liberal education, making the claim that Klein’s conception and the value he identifies with his conception is more convincing than that offered by other scholars because Klein’s conception and the value associated with the conception is universal in a way that allows it to remain relevant even when confronted with the problem of societal context. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Philosophy, 2023
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- Date Issued: 2023-03-30
Motives and barriers to the implementation of renewable energy sources in South African tertiary institutions
- Authors: Sibindi, Siyangiso
- Date: 2022-04-06
- Subjects: Renewable energy sources South Africa , Education, Higher South Africa , Education, Higher Environmental aspects South Africa , Environmental responsibility South Africa , Climate change mitigation South Africa , Sustainable development South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/284537 , vital:56072
- Description: Organisations face major challenges to address the exploitation of non-renewable resources and consider management considerations for dealing with climate change. Organisations have been pushed to play a part in their carbon footprints and in curbing climate change. Among these organisations are tertiary institutions that can greatly impact environmental sustainability and address carbon dioxide emissions by embarking on renewable energy technologies. Tertiary institutions play a major role in society by the provision of skilled labour and personnel that are equipped to deal with a range of advancements and challenges. The sustainability of these tertiary institutions has thus been called into question due to the impact they can bring to societies. This research thus aims to identify the motives and barriers to renewable energy adoption in tertiary education institutions. To do this, a literature review was conducted to identify possible motives and barriers to renewable energy adoption. These were then compiled into a questionnaire that was sent to respondents of three different institutions. Respondents were then requested to give feedback on each of the motives and barriers. The respondents were also asked general questions found in literature that addressed the adoption of renewable energy technologies in tertiary institutions. The data was collected using the designed questionnaires. The respondents were able to articulate their perceived barriers and motives to the implementation of renewable energy technologies in tertiary institutions. Data analysis was done using thematic analysis. The results showed that the barriers in the implementation of renewable energy technologies in tertiary institutions were: ‘Cost to Install’, ‘Transition Process’ and ‘Government Policies’. The motives on why educational institutions need to embark on renewable energy projects were found to be ‘Energy Independence’, ‘Cleaner Source of Energy’ and ‘Reduction in Carbon Emissions’. The cost of renewable energy technologies, the process of moving from the Eskom grid, and renewable energy policies that are ambiguous were some factors that were highlighted by respondents on why it is challenging to adopt renewable energies in tertiary institutions. On the other hand, the effects of load shedding currently being experienced in the country and the migration to cleaner sources of energy that cause less harm to the environment, are some of the drivers noted by respondents on why tertiary institutions need to embark on renewable energy technologies. More emphasis needs to be put by stakeholders on tertiary institutions to migrate to cleaner sources of energy, and policies need to be put in place in order to promote institutions to adopt these types of energies. Governments and other role-players need to be visible at all times in addressing energy challenges in tertiary institutions in the wake of the recent load-shedding concerns that have been crippling South Africa. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Commerce, Rhodes Business School, 2022
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- Date Issued: 2022-04-06
The impact of the hybridisation of dactylopius opuntiae cockerell cochineal lineages on the biological control of cactus weeds
- Authors: Mofokeng, Kedibone
- Date: 2022-04-06
- Subjects: Dactylopius South Africa Eastern Cape , Cochineal insect South Africa Eastern Cape , Opuntia South Africa Eastern Cape , Dactylopius Hybridization South Africa Eastern Cape , Insect-plant relationships , Weeds Biological control South Africa Eastern Cape , Host affinity
- Language: English
- Type: Master's thesis , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/232466 , vital:49994
- Description: In an attempt to control the harmful invasive alien plant, Opuntia megapotamica Arechav. (Cactaceae), a population of the cochineal insect Dactylopius opuntiae Cockerell (Dactylopiidae) (known as the ‘engelmannii’ lineage) is being considered as a potential biological control agent. This lineage of cochineal and the already established ‘ficus’ and ‘stricta’ lineages of the same cochineal species will inevitably hybridise where they occur in sympatry, possibly influencing the efficacy of the lineages on their respective hosts. Laboratory studies were conducted to investigate the likely outcomes of hybridisation between the ‘engelmannii’ and ‘ficus’ lineages. Detailed hybridisation trials, during which individual insects were manipulated and crossed, were used to compare the host affinity of F₁ and F₂ hybrids between the ‘ficus’ and ‘engelmannii’ lineages with the host specificity of the two pure-bred lineages. Host affinity was determined by plotting the net rate of increase (R) of a cochineal population developing on one host plant species against R on the other host plant species. F₁ hybrids were less species-specific than the purebred lineages in both crosses. Thus, the first generation will most likely remain effective in controlling both plant species in the field. F₂ hybrids produced a mixture of purebred and hybrid genotypes, with a higher net rate of increase when compared to purebred nymphs on their alternative host. Biological control of both Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. (Cactaceae) and O. megapotamica in the Eastern Cape Province, where both invasive alien plant species occur together, could be enhanced by the less specific nature of the F₁ progeny, which developed equally well on both O. megapotamica and O. ficus-indica; but this benefit will be reduced by the loss of host specificity of F₂ progeny. The success of biological control would depend on whether the species-specific nymph encounters its target host, because the less specific nymphs will have little effect on controlling either weed. These findings indicate that only purebred D. opuntiae lineages should be released in monocultures of their targeted weed. Long-term consequences of hybridisation should be monitored in the field. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Zoology and Entomology, 2022
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- Date Issued: 2022-04-06
Contribution of the Community Works Programme (CWP) on poverty alleviation in the Western Cape Province
- Authors: Tshomela, Buyiswa Ellen
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Community development -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Poverty -- Prevention -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Western Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54652 , vital:46880
- Description: To address the persistent challenge of the high level of unemployment, poverty, and inequalities, in 2006, the South African government initiated the Community Works Programme that provides an employment safety net for people living in marginalized areas where access to employment opportunities is very limited. The study aims to investigate the contribution of the CWP on poverty alleviation in the Western Cape Province. A qualitative research approach and a qualitative survey questionnaire were used to conduct the study in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The WC Province has a total target of 17 700 participants in the 27 sites established across seven districts with an average site size of 656 participants. A purposive stratified sampling technique was used to sample 90 participants. Semi-structured interviews, with open-ended questions, were conducted with all the 90 respondents. A thematic content data analysis process was used to analyse data. Findings such as positive contribution or benefits of the programme, economic benefits, personal development, and capacity building, and enhanced economic inclusion and opportunities will be discussed in this study. Recommendations will be made based on the findings of the study. The research findings have shown that the dominant perception expressed by the participants of the CWP was that the program has made a significant contribution to their livelihood. The primary research data also showed that most of the participants utilized the wages received from the programme to buy food, pay for municipal services, pay family educational needs, pay for personal educational needs, demonstrating that the CWP has made a significant contribution to the livelihood of the participants. The literature review reflected that with the high level of unemployment in South Africa, the conditions that necessitated the implementation of this kind of community public works programme remain intact and the intended beneficiaries remain vulnerable and marginalised. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-12
The dark side of emotional labour of South African Police Service officers, working in KwaZulu-Natal
- Authors: Thwala, Fezeka Asande
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Police South Africa , Police Attitudes , Police Job stress South Africa KwaZulu-Natal , Police psychology South Africa KwaZulu-Natal , Police Social conditions , Anger , Aggressiveness , Intimidation , Employee morale South Africa KwaZulu-Natal , Work environment South Africa KwaZulu-Natal , Corporate culture South Africa KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190950 , vital:45044
- Description: This research paper explores the concept of emotional labour through the lens of the dark side of emotional labour, which includes emotions such as anger, aggression, intimidation, and neutrality. The concept of the dark side of emotional labour seeks to investigate the experiences and effects the performance of these emotions has on police officers as required by the SAPS organisation. These experiences are explored using three central themes: emotional neutrality, emotional toxicity, and emotionally dirty work. This paper places emphasis on emotional labour not only restricted to the performance of positive emotions such as smiling and presentable appearance such as Arlie Hochschild (1983) account of air hostesses but also extending to the expectation or requirement for the performance of dark emotions, which is quite evident in the case of police officers. This study was conducted in KwaZulu Natal, with Police Officers that have acquired the necessary training to be police officers and have worked a minimum of 2 years. The research methodology used was qualitative, and data were obtained from semi-structured interviews. These were then analysed and presented in line with the research objectives. The research found evidence of how individuals' different positions influence how frequently they perform and express negative emotions. It found that the gender difference also contributes to the diverse experiences of dark emotions. Furthermore, it found that the continuous experience of negative emotions has, to an extent, affected the police officers in their lives outside of the organisation. This study concluded by discussing the implications and recommendations for further research. , Thesis (MSocSci) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
Enhancing the provision of social housing through public-private partnerships in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Authors: Sobuza, Duduzile
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54806 , vital:47905
- Description: The purpose of this study was to establish the extent to which the provision of social housing can be enhanced through public-private partnerships (PPPs) in the Buffalo City Municipality. A total quality management approach was used as a foundation to understand the application of PPPs in social housing delivery in the Buffalo City Municipality. The study was desktop research to understand the role of PPPs in the provision of social housing. The findings of the study revealed that PPPs provide additional capital for social housing development. The study highlighted that PPPs play a crucial role in providing alternative management and implementation skills as well as offering greater efficiency in the utilisation of financial resources in the delivery of social housing. The findings of the study further revealed that PPPs accelerate social housing delivery through the provision of additional sources of finance where the government is unable to increase public debt to meet investment needs. The study also identified a plethora of constraints that can hinder the adoption of PPP initiatives in social housing delivery. These include capacity constraints, financial constraints, lack of access to land and an unfavourable policy environment. Subsequently, the study advanced a set of recommendations in this regard that includes the creation of transparent and competitive procurement processes, government support in terms of financial incentives, review of the regulatory framework to improve access to land and the regulation of financial services institutions for access to affordable housing credit. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Department of Public Management and Leadership , 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-04
The effect of transport infrastructure investment on economic growth in South Africa
- Authors: Matsolo, Khanya
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Transportation -- South Africa , Infrastructure (Economics) -- South Africa , Economic development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/51699 , vital:43364
- Description: The objective of the study was to examine the effect of transport infrastructure investment on economic growth of South Africa. The time series data that covered the period from 2001-2019 using converted quarterly data was used. The study applied autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) to analyse the relationship between transport infrastructure investment and economic growth in South Africa. The empirical results shows that there is positive relationship between these two variables both in the short run and long run. Thus, it is recommended that policy makers should develop strategies that are aligned with effective and efficient transport infrastructure investment to enhance economic growth in South Africa. , Thesis (MPhil) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Development Finance, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-04