The extent of urban Green Collar employment, its contribution to poverty alleviation and potential for growth in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: King, Andrew
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Economic development -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty prevention -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Job creation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Urban ecology (Sociology) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Urban poor -- Employment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Clean energy industries -- Employment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Renewable energy sources -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land use, Urban -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Open spaces -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/115191 , vital:34095
- Description: The aim of this research was to investigate the job provisioning benefits of urban green space (GS), the ability of these jobs to alleviate poverty amongst poor urban households, as well as the potential to increase the number of Green Collar (GC) jobs. According to Lal et al. (2010), Roy et al. (2012) and others, environmental employment or GC jobs, represent the very synergy between social, economic and environmental resilience and sustainability, and have the ability to provide an additional range of goods and services. Data was collected from 12 towns and cities in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, all varying in population, town size and geographic location. Structured employer, employee and resident interviews were used to collect data, which pertained to a number of employment characteristics and employee living conditions. Throughout the sample, 19 different types of jobs were identified, and a total of 17 429 GC employees were counted, sharing a total of approximately R503 million in annual wages. Some GC employees were found to still be in a position of poverty despite employment, while others enjoyed a higher standard of living as a result, although this was largely dependent on the extent of wages and other household and employment attributes. Using lessons learnt from previous chapters, a number of data sources and a creative approach, the potential for growth and improvement in the urban GC sector was discussed, and the way forward involves private, public, informal and civil sector participation and innovation; which will not only enhance environmental and social ecosystem services, but also provide meaningful employment opportunities to the otherwise impoverished. Urban GC jobs should be widely viewed as a useful tool in achieving social, environmental and economic prosperity in urban landscapes (Bowen and Kuralbayeva, 2015).
- Full Text:
- Authors: King, Andrew
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Economic development -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty prevention -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Job creation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Urban ecology (Sociology) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Urban poor -- Employment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Clean energy industries -- Employment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Renewable energy sources -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land use, Urban -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Open spaces -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/115191 , vital:34095
- Description: The aim of this research was to investigate the job provisioning benefits of urban green space (GS), the ability of these jobs to alleviate poverty amongst poor urban households, as well as the potential to increase the number of Green Collar (GC) jobs. According to Lal et al. (2010), Roy et al. (2012) and others, environmental employment or GC jobs, represent the very synergy between social, economic and environmental resilience and sustainability, and have the ability to provide an additional range of goods and services. Data was collected from 12 towns and cities in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, all varying in population, town size and geographic location. Structured employer, employee and resident interviews were used to collect data, which pertained to a number of employment characteristics and employee living conditions. Throughout the sample, 19 different types of jobs were identified, and a total of 17 429 GC employees were counted, sharing a total of approximately R503 million in annual wages. Some GC employees were found to still be in a position of poverty despite employment, while others enjoyed a higher standard of living as a result, although this was largely dependent on the extent of wages and other household and employment attributes. Using lessons learnt from previous chapters, a number of data sources and a creative approach, the potential for growth and improvement in the urban GC sector was discussed, and the way forward involves private, public, informal and civil sector participation and innovation; which will not only enhance environmental and social ecosystem services, but also provide meaningful employment opportunities to the otherwise impoverished. Urban GC jobs should be widely viewed as a useful tool in achieving social, environmental and economic prosperity in urban landscapes (Bowen and Kuralbayeva, 2015).
- Full Text:
Improved singlet oxygen generation by a novel bodipy dye and a study of upconverison nanoparticles mixed with a functionalized bodipy compound
- Wildervanck, Martijn Johannes
- Authors: Wildervanck, Martijn Johannes
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3718 , vital:20538
- Description: This research explores the use of the versatile 4,4-difluoro-4-boro-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (BODIPY) dyes and the modification of their spectroscopic properties. The synthesis of a tetramethyl-BODIPY bearing a sterically hindered meso-phenyl ring with an ethynyl functional group at the para-position was compared to that of its freely rotating counterpart with no methyl substituents on the BODIPY core, with the fluorescence properties in particular proving to be markedly different. These phenyl-ethynyl-substituted BODIPYs were used as the starting materials for the synthesis of novel BODIPY dyes for sensor applications via Sonogashira coupling reactions at the ethynyl position, but this resulted instead in the serendipitous synthesis of a novel BODIPY dimer in which the para-positions of the meso-phenyl rings are linked by a diethynyl bridge. Following iodination at the 2, 6-positions, the dimer was found to have a singlet oxygen quantum yield of 0.88, compared to the value of 0.86 that was obtained for the analogous monomer. Since the εmax values for the main spectral bands of the dimers are significantly higher, the compounds may be of interest for singlet oxygen generation applications. A second study was carried out on the interaction between methyl ester functionalized BODIPY dyes and upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) to explore the possible use of BODIPY-UCNP conjugates in biomedical applications. The singlet oxygen generation properties of the BODIPY were tested following iodination at the 2, 6-positions, a singlet oxygen quantum yield value of 0.86 was obtained. Three sets of oleate capped UCNPs were synthesized with different diameters and were rendered water dispersible with the addition of a silica shell. The necessary scaffolding for conjugation to the BODIPY was provided by amine groups following functionalization of this shell. All of the sets of oleate capped and silica coated UCNPs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and their emission properties were studied upon excitation at 978 nm with a diode laser with a Picoquant Fluotime 300 spectrophotometer that enables the measurement of anti-Stokes emission. The potential utility of UCNP-BODIPY conjugates for singlet oxygen applications, such as PDT, was then assessed.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Wildervanck, Martijn Johannes
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3718 , vital:20538
- Description: This research explores the use of the versatile 4,4-difluoro-4-boro-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (BODIPY) dyes and the modification of their spectroscopic properties. The synthesis of a tetramethyl-BODIPY bearing a sterically hindered meso-phenyl ring with an ethynyl functional group at the para-position was compared to that of its freely rotating counterpart with no methyl substituents on the BODIPY core, with the fluorescence properties in particular proving to be markedly different. These phenyl-ethynyl-substituted BODIPYs were used as the starting materials for the synthesis of novel BODIPY dyes for sensor applications via Sonogashira coupling reactions at the ethynyl position, but this resulted instead in the serendipitous synthesis of a novel BODIPY dimer in which the para-positions of the meso-phenyl rings are linked by a diethynyl bridge. Following iodination at the 2, 6-positions, the dimer was found to have a singlet oxygen quantum yield of 0.88, compared to the value of 0.86 that was obtained for the analogous monomer. Since the εmax values for the main spectral bands of the dimers are significantly higher, the compounds may be of interest for singlet oxygen generation applications. A second study was carried out on the interaction between methyl ester functionalized BODIPY dyes and upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) to explore the possible use of BODIPY-UCNP conjugates in biomedical applications. The singlet oxygen generation properties of the BODIPY were tested following iodination at the 2, 6-positions, a singlet oxygen quantum yield value of 0.86 was obtained. Three sets of oleate capped UCNPs were synthesized with different diameters and were rendered water dispersible with the addition of a silica shell. The necessary scaffolding for conjugation to the BODIPY was provided by amine groups following functionalization of this shell. All of the sets of oleate capped and silica coated UCNPs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and their emission properties were studied upon excitation at 978 nm with a diode laser with a Picoquant Fluotime 300 spectrophotometer that enables the measurement of anti-Stokes emission. The potential utility of UCNP-BODIPY conjugates for singlet oxygen applications, such as PDT, was then assessed.
- Full Text:
Investigating soil microbial interactions of Portulacaria afra
- Authors: Fulmaka, Aviwe
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/54598 , vital:26592
- Description: Portulacaria afra commonly known as Spekboom contributes significantly to carbon sequestration and has been widely planted in degraded areas of the Eastern Cape. Approximately 50% of planted cuttings do not survive although the cause of this decline is unknown. Like many indigenous plants, Spekboom forms a symbiotic relationship with mycorrhizal fungi and the interaction with rhizobacteria may enhance and improve plant growth and establishment. This study aims to investigate these relationships which will include a survey of the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal populations associated with Spekboom, determination of the causal agent of Spekboom decline, isolation and identification of the associated rhizobacteria and investigation of their plant growth promotion properties and assessing the ability of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and selected rhizobacteria to enhance establishment and growth of Spekboom. Soil and root samples from selected trial sites were used to assess AM fungal spore abundance and colonisation; isolation, characterization, and identification of rhizobacteria and determine the interaction of the microbes on Spekboom growth and tolerance to Fusarium. AM spore abundance and percentage root colonisation did not differ between the three Spekboom plots. Molecular analyses of the SSU region from the plots showed 4 families of AM fungi and were identified as Ambisporaceae, Glomeraceae, Claroideoglomeraceae and Paraglomeraceae. A suspected Fusarium pathogen was isolated and molecularly identified. Pathogenicity tests indicated reduced Spekboom growth with poor root development. Thirty four rhizobacterial isolates were tested for various plant growth promoting abilities. Of these, 6 were able to produce IAA which may promote plant root growth, 27 siderophores and 23 were phosphate solubilisers. Bacterial isolates were molecularly identified to be from various species of Bacillus, with some Arthrobacter, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas and Microbacterium. Inoculation of Spekboom cuttings with mycorrhizal fungi and selected rhizobacterial isolates significantly improved shoot height. Spekboom cuttings challenged with Fusarium and inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi and two rhizobacterial isolates significantly improved growth. The inoculation of cuttings in the nursery with mycorrhizal fungi and selected rhizobacteria is recommended prior to establishing Spekboom in the field.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Fulmaka, Aviwe
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/54598 , vital:26592
- Description: Portulacaria afra commonly known as Spekboom contributes significantly to carbon sequestration and has been widely planted in degraded areas of the Eastern Cape. Approximately 50% of planted cuttings do not survive although the cause of this decline is unknown. Like many indigenous plants, Spekboom forms a symbiotic relationship with mycorrhizal fungi and the interaction with rhizobacteria may enhance and improve plant growth and establishment. This study aims to investigate these relationships which will include a survey of the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal populations associated with Spekboom, determination of the causal agent of Spekboom decline, isolation and identification of the associated rhizobacteria and investigation of their plant growth promotion properties and assessing the ability of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and selected rhizobacteria to enhance establishment and growth of Spekboom. Soil and root samples from selected trial sites were used to assess AM fungal spore abundance and colonisation; isolation, characterization, and identification of rhizobacteria and determine the interaction of the microbes on Spekboom growth and tolerance to Fusarium. AM spore abundance and percentage root colonisation did not differ between the three Spekboom plots. Molecular analyses of the SSU region from the plots showed 4 families of AM fungi and were identified as Ambisporaceae, Glomeraceae, Claroideoglomeraceae and Paraglomeraceae. A suspected Fusarium pathogen was isolated and molecularly identified. Pathogenicity tests indicated reduced Spekboom growth with poor root development. Thirty four rhizobacterial isolates were tested for various plant growth promoting abilities. Of these, 6 were able to produce IAA which may promote plant root growth, 27 siderophores and 23 were phosphate solubilisers. Bacterial isolates were molecularly identified to be from various species of Bacillus, with some Arthrobacter, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas and Microbacterium. Inoculation of Spekboom cuttings with mycorrhizal fungi and selected rhizobacterial isolates significantly improved shoot height. Spekboom cuttings challenged with Fusarium and inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi and two rhizobacterial isolates significantly improved growth. The inoculation of cuttings in the nursery with mycorrhizal fungi and selected rhizobacteria is recommended prior to establishing Spekboom in the field.
- Full Text:
Isolation, characterization and biomimetic oxidation of selected marine natural products and their analogues
- Authors: Mutsvairo, Tafadzwa
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64685 , vital:28592
- Description: Marine brown algae produce a variety of terpenes with a wide range of biological activities. However, very few phytochemical studies of brown algae have been conducted in South Africa. Therefore, in our continued search for biologically active natural products, we examined the South African brown alga Brassicophycus brassicaeformis. The dichloromethane-methanol extract of B.brassicaeformis was fractionated by silica gel column chromatography followed by normal phase HPLC to give pure four pure compounds which were identified by spectroscopic methods as; fucosterol, fucoxanthin and two monogalactosyldiacylglycerol lipids. Many potential drug molecules such as natural products have failed to reach the market due to poor pharmacokinetic and metabolic profiles despite having potent biological activity. Therefore the importance of early drug metabolism studies in the drug development process is clear. A biomimetic oxidation model was used for in vitro drug metabolism studies to predict any possible metabolites that could be produced by these natural products. Two biomimetic oxidation models catalyzed by two water soluble metalloporphyrins as biomimics of cytochrome P450, in the presence of two terminal oxidants either hydrogen peroxide or iodobenzene diacetete were successfully developed. The models were applied to a range of natural products. The oxidation of the quinone natural products, sargahydroquinoic acid, and lapachol was most easily achieved by metalloporphyrins employed in this study.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mutsvairo, Tafadzwa
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64685 , vital:28592
- Description: Marine brown algae produce a variety of terpenes with a wide range of biological activities. However, very few phytochemical studies of brown algae have been conducted in South Africa. Therefore, in our continued search for biologically active natural products, we examined the South African brown alga Brassicophycus brassicaeformis. The dichloromethane-methanol extract of B.brassicaeformis was fractionated by silica gel column chromatography followed by normal phase HPLC to give pure four pure compounds which were identified by spectroscopic methods as; fucosterol, fucoxanthin and two monogalactosyldiacylglycerol lipids. Many potential drug molecules such as natural products have failed to reach the market due to poor pharmacokinetic and metabolic profiles despite having potent biological activity. Therefore the importance of early drug metabolism studies in the drug development process is clear. A biomimetic oxidation model was used for in vitro drug metabolism studies to predict any possible metabolites that could be produced by these natural products. Two biomimetic oxidation models catalyzed by two water soluble metalloporphyrins as biomimics of cytochrome P450, in the presence of two terminal oxidants either hydrogen peroxide or iodobenzene diacetete were successfully developed. The models were applied to a range of natural products. The oxidation of the quinone natural products, sargahydroquinoic acid, and lapachol was most easily achieved by metalloporphyrins employed in this study.
- Full Text:
Invariant control systems and sub-Riemannian structures on lie groups: equivalence and isometries
- Authors: Biggs, Rory
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64815 , vital:28607
- Description: In this thesis we consider invariant optimal control problems and invariant sub-Riemannian structures on Lie groups. Primarily, we are concerned with the equivalence and classification of problems (resp. structures). In the first chapter, both the class of invariant optimal control problems and the class of invariant sub-Riemannian structures are organised as categories. The latter category is shown to be functorially equivalent to a subcategory of the former category. Via the Pontryagin Maximum Principle, we associate to each invariant optimal control problem (resp. invariant sub-Riemannian structure) a quadratic Hamilton-Poisson system on the associated Lie-Poisson space. These Hamiltonian systems are also organised as a category and hence the Pontryagin lift is realised as a contravariant functor. Basic properties of these categories are investigated. The rest of this thesis is concerned with the classification (and investigation) of certain subclasses of structures and systems. In the second chapter, the homogeneous positive semidefinite quadratic Hamilton-Poisson systems on three-dimensional Lie-Poisson spaces are classified up to compatibility with a linear isomorphism; a list of 23 normal forms is exhibited. In the third chapter, we classify the invariant sub-Riemannian structures in three dimensions and calculate the isometry group for each normal form. By comparing our results with known results, we show that most isometries (in three dimensions) are in fact the composition of a left translation and a Lie group isomorphism. In the fourth and last chapter of this thesis, we classify the sub-Riemannian and Riemannian structures on the (2n + 1)-dimensional Heisenberg groups. Furthermore, we find the isometry group and geodesics of each normal form.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Biggs, Rory
- Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/64815 , vital:28607
- Description: In this thesis we consider invariant optimal control problems and invariant sub-Riemannian structures on Lie groups. Primarily, we are concerned with the equivalence and classification of problems (resp. structures). In the first chapter, both the class of invariant optimal control problems and the class of invariant sub-Riemannian structures are organised as categories. The latter category is shown to be functorially equivalent to a subcategory of the former category. Via the Pontryagin Maximum Principle, we associate to each invariant optimal control problem (resp. invariant sub-Riemannian structure) a quadratic Hamilton-Poisson system on the associated Lie-Poisson space. These Hamiltonian systems are also organised as a category and hence the Pontryagin lift is realised as a contravariant functor. Basic properties of these categories are investigated. The rest of this thesis is concerned with the classification (and investigation) of certain subclasses of structures and systems. In the second chapter, the homogeneous positive semidefinite quadratic Hamilton-Poisson systems on three-dimensional Lie-Poisson spaces are classified up to compatibility with a linear isomorphism; a list of 23 normal forms is exhibited. In the third chapter, we classify the invariant sub-Riemannian structures in three dimensions and calculate the isometry group for each normal form. By comparing our results with known results, we show that most isometries (in three dimensions) are in fact the composition of a left translation and a Lie group isomorphism. In the fourth and last chapter of this thesis, we classify the sub-Riemannian and Riemannian structures on the (2n + 1)-dimensional Heisenberg groups. Furthermore, we find the isometry group and geodesics of each normal form.
- Full Text:
The development of a parental alienation syndrome interview protocol
- Authors: De Jager, Melissa
- Date: 2013-07-12
- Subjects: Parental alienation syndrome Custody of children -- Psychological aspects Child abuse
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3182 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008212
- Description: Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) is a childhood disorder that arises almost exclusively in child custody disputes. Its primary manifestation is the unjustified rejection of a once-loved parent by a child due to a combination of the 'programming' parent's alienating techniques and the child's own contributions to the vilification of the targeted parent. Parental Alienation (PA) is differentiated from PAS as in the case of the former the child's rejection is justified and may be explained either by normal developmental behaviours or by child abuse that involves no form of programming. The purpose of this study is to develop a preliminary interview protocol to aid in the detection of PAS, with a special emphasis on differentiating false allegations of abuse, which usually accompany severe PAS, from true abuse. The aim of the study is to develop a protocol to enhance diagnostic clarity and facilitate appropriate custody-related recommendations. The interview protocol is based on an extensive thematic literature analysis in conjunction with existing guidelines for conducting a child custody and visitation interview. The interview protocol comprises a child and parent section, which both have their own reference tables with supporting corresponding information. The protocol 's administration instructions are outlined in a covering information page. Rigour was added to the protocol by having it assessed for clarity and accessibility by four medico-legal professionals with custody-related experience, and their opinions regarding the protocol's structure, sections, questions and reference tables were taken into consideration in the revision of the protocol. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Authors: De Jager, Melissa
- Date: 2013-07-12
- Subjects: Parental alienation syndrome Custody of children -- Psychological aspects Child abuse
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3182 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008212
- Description: Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) is a childhood disorder that arises almost exclusively in child custody disputes. Its primary manifestation is the unjustified rejection of a once-loved parent by a child due to a combination of the 'programming' parent's alienating techniques and the child's own contributions to the vilification of the targeted parent. Parental Alienation (PA) is differentiated from PAS as in the case of the former the child's rejection is justified and may be explained either by normal developmental behaviours or by child abuse that involves no form of programming. The purpose of this study is to develop a preliminary interview protocol to aid in the detection of PAS, with a special emphasis on differentiating false allegations of abuse, which usually accompany severe PAS, from true abuse. The aim of the study is to develop a protocol to enhance diagnostic clarity and facilitate appropriate custody-related recommendations. The interview protocol is based on an extensive thematic literature analysis in conjunction with existing guidelines for conducting a child custody and visitation interview. The interview protocol comprises a child and parent section, which both have their own reference tables with supporting corresponding information. The protocol 's administration instructions are outlined in a covering information page. Rigour was added to the protocol by having it assessed for clarity and accessibility by four medico-legal professionals with custody-related experience, and their opinions regarding the protocol's structure, sections, questions and reference tables were taken into consideration in the revision of the protocol. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
A multivariate model of the offence behaviours of South African serial killers
- Authors: Hodgskiss, Brin Allan
- Date: 2013-05-14
- Subjects: Serial murderers -- South Africa -- Psychology Criminal behavior
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3169 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007793
- Description: It was hypothesised that there would be behavioural consistencies in the offences of South African serial killers. The themes underlying these observable differences can help us understand the nature of these offences. Crime scene data was ohtained from police records, and structured, in-depth offender interviews. 73 offences, committed by 13 offenders, were analysed. The analysis used Smallest Space Analysis (SSA), a Multidimensional scaling (MDS) procedure. This analysis revealed systematic patterns of behaviour in the offences. It was found that the focus of these offences is an impersonal, hostile, and act-focused murder were the victim is treated as a depersonalised object. Empirical support for an underlying thematic structure to these offences was also provided. The offence themes identified relate to the nature of the actions committed during the offence, and the function these actions had for the offender. These fmdings thus support the hypothesis that these offences will display meaningful behavioural variation. These findings have direct utility in the investigation and study of serial killing in South Aflica. They also provide the basis for comparison with previously suggested typologies of serial killing, and indicate directions for future research into this phenomenon in the South African setting. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Authors: Hodgskiss, Brin Allan
- Date: 2013-05-14
- Subjects: Serial murderers -- South Africa -- Psychology Criminal behavior
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3169 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007793
- Description: It was hypothesised that there would be behavioural consistencies in the offences of South African serial killers. The themes underlying these observable differences can help us understand the nature of these offences. Crime scene data was ohtained from police records, and structured, in-depth offender interviews. 73 offences, committed by 13 offenders, were analysed. The analysis used Smallest Space Analysis (SSA), a Multidimensional scaling (MDS) procedure. This analysis revealed systematic patterns of behaviour in the offences. It was found that the focus of these offences is an impersonal, hostile, and act-focused murder were the victim is treated as a depersonalised object. Empirical support for an underlying thematic structure to these offences was also provided. The offence themes identified relate to the nature of the actions committed during the offence, and the function these actions had for the offender. These fmdings thus support the hypothesis that these offences will display meaningful behavioural variation. These findings have direct utility in the investigation and study of serial killing in South Aflica. They also provide the basis for comparison with previously suggested typologies of serial killing, and indicate directions for future research into this phenomenon in the South African setting. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
A history of the German settlers in the Eastern Cape, 1857-1919
- Authors: Zipp, Gisela Lesley
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Colonists -- Eastern Cape -- 19th Century Immigrants -- Germany -- History Immigrants -- Germany -- Social life and customs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3609 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004215
- Description: This thesis came into being as the result of a question innocently posed to me three years ago: Why do some towns in the Eastern Cape have German names? This thesis is not so much an answer to that question (which is answered in the following paragraphs) as an attempt to answer the questions that followed: Were the Germans really as benevolent and hard-working as much of the most readily available literature implies? Why did the military settlers leave and the peasant farmer settlers remain? What was the nature of relationships between the German settlers and other groups in the area? How did the German settlers see themselves? The existing literature provides the historic details, more or less, but not the context and explanations I sought. As such, I set out to find them and document them myself, addressing three main questions: 1. What was the (changing) nature of the German settlers' day-to-day lives between 1857 and 1919? 2. How was a German identity maintained/constructed within the German communities of the Eastern Cape between 1857 and 1919? 3. How did the Germans interact with other groups in the area? In answering these questions, I have also provided the necessary background as to why these settlers chose to come to South Africa, and why some of them left. I have limited this study to the period between 1857 and 1919 so as to include the First World War and its immediate aftermath, a time when enmity between Great Britain and Germany would have made life difficult for German descendants in the Union of South Africa. Introduction, p. 7.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Zipp, Gisela Lesley
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Colonists -- Eastern Cape -- 19th Century Immigrants -- Germany -- History Immigrants -- Germany -- Social life and customs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3609 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004215
- Description: This thesis came into being as the result of a question innocently posed to me three years ago: Why do some towns in the Eastern Cape have German names? This thesis is not so much an answer to that question (which is answered in the following paragraphs) as an attempt to answer the questions that followed: Were the Germans really as benevolent and hard-working as much of the most readily available literature implies? Why did the military settlers leave and the peasant farmer settlers remain? What was the nature of relationships between the German settlers and other groups in the area? How did the German settlers see themselves? The existing literature provides the historic details, more or less, but not the context and explanations I sought. As such, I set out to find them and document them myself, addressing three main questions: 1. What was the (changing) nature of the German settlers' day-to-day lives between 1857 and 1919? 2. How was a German identity maintained/constructed within the German communities of the Eastern Cape between 1857 and 1919? 3. How did the Germans interact with other groups in the area? In answering these questions, I have also provided the necessary background as to why these settlers chose to come to South Africa, and why some of them left. I have limited this study to the period between 1857 and 1919 so as to include the First World War and its immediate aftermath, a time when enmity between Great Britain and Germany would have made life difficult for German descendants in the Union of South Africa. Introduction, p. 7.
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An evaluation of the use of testamentary and Inter vivos trusts as estate-planning vehicles and the development of holistic estate-planning models involving the use of these trusts
- Authors: Naidoo, Loganathan
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Commission of Inquiry into Certain Aspects of the Tax Structure of South Africa Income tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Taxation -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Trusts and trustees -- South Africa Trusts and trustees -- Taxations -- South Africa Estate planning -- South Africa Estates (Law) -- South Africa Administration of estates -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:904 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008100
- Description: Trusts are subject to multiple forms of legislative regulation dealing with taxation and governance. Trusts were widely used by planners as tax avoidance shelters. Tax legislation was amended to subject trusts, other than special trusts as defined, to the highest income tax rate of forty percent, in terms of section 5(2) of the Income Tax Act, 58 of 1962. The inter vivos trust is also subject to a wide range of anti-avoidance measures, including those contained in sub-sections (3) to (8) of section 7 of the Income Tax Act and Part X of the Eighth Schedule to the Act, as well as the general anti -avoidance measures in section 103. These measures impact negatively on the use of trusts for estate-planning purposes. The research objective was to evaluate the use of testamentary and inter vivos trusts for estate-planning purposes and to develop a holistic estate-planning model incorporating these planning instruments. Both the testamentary trust and the inter vivos trust were evaluated against broad principles of effective estate planning and the taxes and duties applicable to them. The research also reviewed the writings of financial planners on various techniques and models used for estate planning, as wells as case studies documented in the literature. The research developed and evaluated holistic estate-planning models incorporating testamentary trusts and inter vivos trusts, respectively. By neutralizing the effects of various taxes and duties, it was demonstrated that it is possible to develop an estate plan that satisfies most of the requirements of effective estate planning.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Naidoo, Loganathan
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Commission of Inquiry into Certain Aspects of the Tax Structure of South Africa Income tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Taxation -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Trusts and trustees -- South Africa Trusts and trustees -- Taxations -- South Africa Estate planning -- South Africa Estates (Law) -- South Africa Administration of estates -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:904 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008100
- Description: Trusts are subject to multiple forms of legislative regulation dealing with taxation and governance. Trusts were widely used by planners as tax avoidance shelters. Tax legislation was amended to subject trusts, other than special trusts as defined, to the highest income tax rate of forty percent, in terms of section 5(2) of the Income Tax Act, 58 of 1962. The inter vivos trust is also subject to a wide range of anti-avoidance measures, including those contained in sub-sections (3) to (8) of section 7 of the Income Tax Act and Part X of the Eighth Schedule to the Act, as well as the general anti -avoidance measures in section 103. These measures impact negatively on the use of trusts for estate-planning purposes. The research objective was to evaluate the use of testamentary and inter vivos trusts for estate-planning purposes and to develop a holistic estate-planning model incorporating these planning instruments. Both the testamentary trust and the inter vivos trust were evaluated against broad principles of effective estate planning and the taxes and duties applicable to them. The research also reviewed the writings of financial planners on various techniques and models used for estate planning, as wells as case studies documented in the literature. The research developed and evaluated holistic estate-planning models incorporating testamentary trusts and inter vivos trusts, respectively. By neutralizing the effects of various taxes and duties, it was demonstrated that it is possible to develop an estate plan that satisfies most of the requirements of effective estate planning.
- Full Text:
An investigation into understanding the experiences of the level 5-7 student teachers when teaching fractions in primary schools in Namibia: a case study
- Authors: Vatilifa, Ndamononghenda
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- Research -- Namibia -- Case studies Fractions -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- Research -- Namibia -- Case studies Mathematics teachers -- Training of -- Namibia -- Case studies Education, Elementary -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1398 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001792
- Description: The Namibian government through the Ministry of Education seeks for teachers to meet the demands and rise to the challenges of the post-independence basic education system. Therefore the University of Namibia Education Faculty must ensure through the training of student teachers for both lower, upper primary and secondary school level that these demands are met. Research shows that one of the major challenges in teacher training programs, specifically in the mathematics education programmes, lies with the student teachers’ difficulties in dealing with various topics in mathematics, particularly fractions. The teaching of fractions is a challenging area at primary level and lays the foundation for understanding different topics in upper grades such as algebra, ratio and proportion, statistics and probability, to mention just a few. This study focused on an exploration of teaching fractions by five student teachers during their teaching practice.The main purpose was to gain an understanding of the experiences of the level 5-7 student teachers with regard to their practice of fraction teaching; their experience of the mathematics education course with respect to the teaching of fractions; and their prior experience related to fractions and fraction teaching at Grade 6 level. The findings from this research showed that student teachers viewed mathematics, specifically fractions, as just about doing calculations, doing drill and practice as in this way learners’ understanding of fractions is enhanced. The importance of using rules and procedures was emphasized as paving the way to mastering fractions. The data analysis also revealed that student teachers employed different teaching approaches when they considered learners’ prior knowledge. However, they misinterpreted the learner-centred approach in terms of group work and class discussion in their teaching of fractions. The data also revealed that some student teachers had an understanding of fractions as they managed to redirect their learners from applying some fraction misconceptions. The findings further showed that due to lack of understanding most of the participants experienced fear and anxiety in their fraction teaching; attempted an approach then reverted to old practices used in schools; taught fractions as symbolic representations where no meaning was involved; used incorrect terminologies such as ‘1 over 4’ or ‘1 out of 4’ instead of a ‘quarter’ or ‘one-fourth’. It is further revealed that the some student teachers viewed a fraction as a pair of two different whole numbers and can be broken apart. The findings of this study yielded one main implication for the teaching of mathematics: that the teacher training programs, specifically for mathematics teachers, must take into consideration the weaknesses and strengths of the student teachers shown in this study to properly train and prepare them to become effective mathematics teachers.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Vatilifa, Ndamononghenda
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- Research -- Namibia -- Case studies Fractions -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- Research -- Namibia -- Case studies Mathematics teachers -- Training of -- Namibia -- Case studies Education, Elementary -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1398 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001792
- Description: The Namibian government through the Ministry of Education seeks for teachers to meet the demands and rise to the challenges of the post-independence basic education system. Therefore the University of Namibia Education Faculty must ensure through the training of student teachers for both lower, upper primary and secondary school level that these demands are met. Research shows that one of the major challenges in teacher training programs, specifically in the mathematics education programmes, lies with the student teachers’ difficulties in dealing with various topics in mathematics, particularly fractions. The teaching of fractions is a challenging area at primary level and lays the foundation for understanding different topics in upper grades such as algebra, ratio and proportion, statistics and probability, to mention just a few. This study focused on an exploration of teaching fractions by five student teachers during their teaching practice.The main purpose was to gain an understanding of the experiences of the level 5-7 student teachers with regard to their practice of fraction teaching; their experience of the mathematics education course with respect to the teaching of fractions; and their prior experience related to fractions and fraction teaching at Grade 6 level. The findings from this research showed that student teachers viewed mathematics, specifically fractions, as just about doing calculations, doing drill and practice as in this way learners’ understanding of fractions is enhanced. The importance of using rules and procedures was emphasized as paving the way to mastering fractions. The data analysis also revealed that student teachers employed different teaching approaches when they considered learners’ prior knowledge. However, they misinterpreted the learner-centred approach in terms of group work and class discussion in their teaching of fractions. The data also revealed that some student teachers had an understanding of fractions as they managed to redirect their learners from applying some fraction misconceptions. The findings further showed that due to lack of understanding most of the participants experienced fear and anxiety in their fraction teaching; attempted an approach then reverted to old practices used in schools; taught fractions as symbolic representations where no meaning was involved; used incorrect terminologies such as ‘1 over 4’ or ‘1 out of 4’ instead of a ‘quarter’ or ‘one-fourth’. It is further revealed that the some student teachers viewed a fraction as a pair of two different whole numbers and can be broken apart. The findings of this study yielded one main implication for the teaching of mathematics: that the teacher training programs, specifically for mathematics teachers, must take into consideration the weaknesses and strengths of the student teachers shown in this study to properly train and prepare them to become effective mathematics teachers.
- Full Text:
Linking institutional and ecological provisions for wastewater treatment discharge in a rural municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Muller, Matthew Justin
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Sewage disposal plants -- South Africa -- Sundays Estuary (Eastern Cape) , Sewage disposal -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Sewage -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa , Water-supply -- South Africa -- Management , Sewage disposal in rivers, lakes, etc. -- South Africa -- Sundays Estuary (Eastern Cape) , Rivers -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Sundays Estuary (Eastern Cape) , Rivers -- Regulation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:6044 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013048
- Description: The Green Drop Certification Programme, launched in 2008 alongside the Blue Drop Certification Programme, aims to provide the Department of Water Affairs with a national overview of how municipalities and their individual wastewater treatment works (WWTW) are complying with licence conditions set by the National Water Act (NWA) (No. 36 of 1998; DWAF 1998) and the Water Services Act (No. 108 of 1997; DWAF 1998). By publishing the results of each municipality’s performance, the programme aims to ensure continuous improvement in the wastewater treatment sector through public pressure. The programme has been identified by this project as a necessary linking tool between the NWA and the Water Services Act to ensure protection and sustainable use of South Africa’s natural water resources. It does this through assisting municipalities to improve their wastewater treatment operations which in theory will lead to discharged effluent that is compliant with discharge licence conditions. These discharge licences form part of the NWA’s enforcement tool of Source Directed Controls (SDC) which help a water resource meet the ecological goals set for it as part of Resource Directed Measures (RDM). The link between meeting the required SDC and achieving the RDM goals has never been empirically tested. This project aimed to determine the present ecological condition of the Uie River, a tributary of the Sundays River which the Sundays River Valley Municipality (SRVM) discharges its domestic effluent into. It then determined whether the SRVM’s WWTW was complying with the General Standard licence conditions and what the impact of the effluent on the river was through the analysis of monthly biomonitoring, water chemistry and habitat data. Lastly, the project examined the effectiveness of the Green Drop Certification Programme in bringing about change in the SRVM’s wastewater treatment sector, which previously achieved a Green Drop score of 5.6 percent. It wanted to examine the underlying assumption that a WWTW which improves its Green Drop score will be discharging a better quality effluent that will help a water resource meets the RDM goals set for it. The Kirkwood WWTW did not have a discharge licence at the time of assessment and was thus assessed under the General Standard licence conditions. It was found that the Kirkwood WWTW was not complying with the General Standard discharge licence conditions in the Uie River. This was having a negative impact on the river health, mainly through high concentrations of Total Inorganic Nitrogen (TIN-N), orthophosphate and turbidity. The SRVM should see an improvement in its Green Drop score for the Kirkwood WWTW. However, the municipality showed no implementation of necessary programmes. Implementation of these programmes would help the SRVM meet the General Standard licence conditions (part of SDC) which would help the Uie River meet the RDM goals set for it.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Muller, Matthew Justin
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Sewage disposal plants -- South Africa -- Sundays Estuary (Eastern Cape) , Sewage disposal -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Sewage -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa , Water-supply -- South Africa -- Management , Sewage disposal in rivers, lakes, etc. -- South Africa -- Sundays Estuary (Eastern Cape) , Rivers -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Sundays Estuary (Eastern Cape) , Rivers -- Regulation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:6044 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013048
- Description: The Green Drop Certification Programme, launched in 2008 alongside the Blue Drop Certification Programme, aims to provide the Department of Water Affairs with a national overview of how municipalities and their individual wastewater treatment works (WWTW) are complying with licence conditions set by the National Water Act (NWA) (No. 36 of 1998; DWAF 1998) and the Water Services Act (No. 108 of 1997; DWAF 1998). By publishing the results of each municipality’s performance, the programme aims to ensure continuous improvement in the wastewater treatment sector through public pressure. The programme has been identified by this project as a necessary linking tool between the NWA and the Water Services Act to ensure protection and sustainable use of South Africa’s natural water resources. It does this through assisting municipalities to improve their wastewater treatment operations which in theory will lead to discharged effluent that is compliant with discharge licence conditions. These discharge licences form part of the NWA’s enforcement tool of Source Directed Controls (SDC) which help a water resource meet the ecological goals set for it as part of Resource Directed Measures (RDM). The link between meeting the required SDC and achieving the RDM goals has never been empirically tested. This project aimed to determine the present ecological condition of the Uie River, a tributary of the Sundays River which the Sundays River Valley Municipality (SRVM) discharges its domestic effluent into. It then determined whether the SRVM’s WWTW was complying with the General Standard licence conditions and what the impact of the effluent on the river was through the analysis of monthly biomonitoring, water chemistry and habitat data. Lastly, the project examined the effectiveness of the Green Drop Certification Programme in bringing about change in the SRVM’s wastewater treatment sector, which previously achieved a Green Drop score of 5.6 percent. It wanted to examine the underlying assumption that a WWTW which improves its Green Drop score will be discharging a better quality effluent that will help a water resource meets the RDM goals set for it. The Kirkwood WWTW did not have a discharge licence at the time of assessment and was thus assessed under the General Standard licence conditions. It was found that the Kirkwood WWTW was not complying with the General Standard discharge licence conditions in the Uie River. This was having a negative impact on the river health, mainly through high concentrations of Total Inorganic Nitrogen (TIN-N), orthophosphate and turbidity. The SRVM should see an improvement in its Green Drop score for the Kirkwood WWTW. However, the municipality showed no implementation of necessary programmes. Implementation of these programmes would help the SRVM meet the General Standard licence conditions (part of SDC) which would help the Uie River meet the RDM goals set for it.
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Ill at ease in our translated world ecocriticism, language, and the natural environment in the fiction of Michael Ondaatje, Amitav Ghosh, David Malouf and Wilma Stockenström
- Authors: Johnson, Eleanore
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Ondaatje, Michael, 1943- The English patient Ghosh, Amitav. The hungry tide Malouf, David, 1934- An imaginary life Stockenström, Wilma. The expedition to the Baobab tree Ecocriticism Human ecology in literature Nature in literature
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2234 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002277
- Description: This thesis explores the thematic desire to establish an ecological human bond with nature in four contemporary novels: The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje, The Hungry Tide by Amitav Ghosh, An Imaginary Life by David Malouf, and The Expedition to The Baobab Tree by Wilma Stockenström. These authors share a concern with the influence that language has on human perception, and one of the most significant ways they attempt to connect with the natural world is through somehow escaping, or transcending, what they perceive to be the divisive tendencies of language. They all suggest that human perception is not steered entirely by a disembodied mind, which constructs reality through linguistic and cultural lenses, but is equally influenced by physical circumstances and embodied experiences. They explore the potential of corporeal reciprocity and empathy as that which enables understanding across cultural barriers, and a sense of ecologically intertwined kinship with nature. They all struggle to reconcile their awareness of the potential danger of relating to nature exclusively through language, with a desire to speak for the natural world in literature. I have examined whether they succeed in doing so, or whether they contradict their thematic suspicion of language with their literary medium. I have prioritised a close ecocritical reading of the novels and loosely situated the authors’ approach to nature and language within the broad theoretical frameworks of radical ecology, structuralism and poststructuralism. I suggest that these novels are best analysed in the context of an ecocritical mediation between poststructuralist conceptions of nature as inaccessible cultural construct, and the naïve conception of unmediated, pre-reflective interaction with the natural world. I draw especially on the phenomenological theories of Maurice Merleau-Ponty, whose insistence that perception is always both embodied and culturally mediated truly renders culture and nature irreducible, intertwined categories. By challenging historical dualisms like mind/body and culture/nature, the selected novels suggest a more fluid and discursive understanding of the perceived conflict between language and nature, whilst problematizing the perception of language as merely a cultural artefact. Moreover, they are examples of the kind of literature that has the potential to positively influence our human conception of nature, and adapt us better to our ecological context on a planet struggling for survival.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Johnson, Eleanore
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Ondaatje, Michael, 1943- The English patient Ghosh, Amitav. The hungry tide Malouf, David, 1934- An imaginary life Stockenström, Wilma. The expedition to the Baobab tree Ecocriticism Human ecology in literature Nature in literature
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2234 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002277
- Description: This thesis explores the thematic desire to establish an ecological human bond with nature in four contemporary novels: The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje, The Hungry Tide by Amitav Ghosh, An Imaginary Life by David Malouf, and The Expedition to The Baobab Tree by Wilma Stockenström. These authors share a concern with the influence that language has on human perception, and one of the most significant ways they attempt to connect with the natural world is through somehow escaping, or transcending, what they perceive to be the divisive tendencies of language. They all suggest that human perception is not steered entirely by a disembodied mind, which constructs reality through linguistic and cultural lenses, but is equally influenced by physical circumstances and embodied experiences. They explore the potential of corporeal reciprocity and empathy as that which enables understanding across cultural barriers, and a sense of ecologically intertwined kinship with nature. They all struggle to reconcile their awareness of the potential danger of relating to nature exclusively through language, with a desire to speak for the natural world in literature. I have examined whether they succeed in doing so, or whether they contradict their thematic suspicion of language with their literary medium. I have prioritised a close ecocritical reading of the novels and loosely situated the authors’ approach to nature and language within the broad theoretical frameworks of radical ecology, structuralism and poststructuralism. I suggest that these novels are best analysed in the context of an ecocritical mediation between poststructuralist conceptions of nature as inaccessible cultural construct, and the naïve conception of unmediated, pre-reflective interaction with the natural world. I draw especially on the phenomenological theories of Maurice Merleau-Ponty, whose insistence that perception is always both embodied and culturally mediated truly renders culture and nature irreducible, intertwined categories. By challenging historical dualisms like mind/body and culture/nature, the selected novels suggest a more fluid and discursive understanding of the perceived conflict between language and nature, whilst problematizing the perception of language as merely a cultural artefact. Moreover, they are examples of the kind of literature that has the potential to positively influence our human conception of nature, and adapt us better to our ecological context on a planet struggling for survival.
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Ties that bind: a critical discourse analysis of the coverage of the Millennium Development Goals in the Mail and Guardian
- Authors: Marquis, Danika Ewen
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Mail & Guardian , South African newspapers -- History -- 21st century , Journalism -- South Africa -- 21st century , Press -- South Africa -- 21st century , Developing countries -- Social conditions , Developing countries -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3536 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015462
- Description: This study analysed the representation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the Mail and Guardian from 2000 to 2007. It drew on perspectives from cultural studies, the constructionist approach to representation and the sociology of news production. Through the use of the quantitative and qualitative research methods, content analysis and critical discourse analysis, this study established first, that few significant changes have occurred within the newspaper's coverage of the MDGs during this period, and second, that the people most affected by the MDGs and affiliated programmes are seriously under-represented and that the manner of representation marginalises and subordinates them.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Marquis, Danika Ewen
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Mail & Guardian , South African newspapers -- History -- 21st century , Journalism -- South Africa -- 21st century , Press -- South Africa -- 21st century , Developing countries -- Social conditions , Developing countries -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3536 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015462
- Description: This study analysed the representation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the Mail and Guardian from 2000 to 2007. It drew on perspectives from cultural studies, the constructionist approach to representation and the sociology of news production. Through the use of the quantitative and qualitative research methods, content analysis and critical discourse analysis, this study established first, that few significant changes have occurred within the newspaper's coverage of the MDGs during this period, and second, that the people most affected by the MDGs and affiliated programmes are seriously under-represented and that the manner of representation marginalises and subordinates them.
- Full Text:
Solar cycle effects on GNSS-derived ionospheric total electron content observed over Southern Africa
- Authors: Moeketsi, Daniel Mojalefa
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Ionosphere -- Africa, Southern Electrons Ionospheric electron density -- Africa, Southern Ionosondes -- Africa, Southern Electromagnetic waves
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5489 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005275
- Description: The South African Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) network of dual frequency receivers provide an opportunity to investigate solar cycle effects on ionospheric Total Electron Content (TEC) over the South Africa region by taking advantage of the dispersive nature of the ionospheric medium. For this task, the global University of New Brunswick Ionospheric Modelling Technique (UNB-IMT) was adopted, modified and applied to compute TEC using data from the southern African GNSS Network. TEC values were compared with CODE International GNSS services TEC predictions and Ionosonde-derived TEC (ITEC) measurements to test and validate the UNB-IMT results over South Africa. It was found that the variation trends of GTEC and ITEC over all stations are in good agreement and show pronounced seasonal variations with high TEC values around equinoxes for a year near solar maximum and less pronounced around solar minimum. Signature TEC depletions and enhanced spikes were prevalently evident around equinoxes, particularly for a year near solar maximum. These observations were investigated and further discussed with an analysis of the midday Disturbance Storm Time (DST) index of geomagnetic activity. The residual GTEC – ITEC corresponding to plasmaspheric electron content and equivalent ionospheric foF2 and total slab thickness parameters were computed and comprehensively discussed. The results verified the use of UNB-IMT as one of the tools for ionospheric research over South Africa. The UNB-IMT algorithm was applied to investigate TEC variability during different epochs of solar cycle 23. The results were investigated and further discussed by analyzing the GOES 8 and 10 satellites X-ray flux (0.1 – 0.8 nm) and SOHO Solar Extreme Ultraviolet Monitor higher resolution data. Comparison of UNB-IMT TEC derived from collocated HRAO and HARB GNSS receivers was undertaken for the solar X17 and X9 flare events, which occurred on day 301, 2003 and day 339, 2006. It was found that there exist considerable TEC differences between the two collocated receivers with some evidence of solar cycle dependence. Furthermore, the daytime UNB TEC compared with the International Reference Ionosphere 2001 predicted TEC found both models to show a good agreement. The UNB-IMT TEC was further applied to investigate the capabilities of geodetic Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) derived TEC using the Vienna TEC Model for space weather monitoring over HartRAO during the CONT02 and CONT05 campaigns conducted during the years 2002 (near solar maximum) and 005 (near solar minimum). The results verified the use of geodetic VLBI as one of the possible instruments for monitoring space weather impacts on the ionosphere over South Africa.
- Full Text:
Solar cycle effects on GNSS-derived ionospheric total electron content observed over Southern Africa
- Authors: Moeketsi, Daniel Mojalefa
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Ionosphere -- Africa, Southern Electrons Ionospheric electron density -- Africa, Southern Ionosondes -- Africa, Southern Electromagnetic waves
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5489 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005275
- Description: The South African Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) network of dual frequency receivers provide an opportunity to investigate solar cycle effects on ionospheric Total Electron Content (TEC) over the South Africa region by taking advantage of the dispersive nature of the ionospheric medium. For this task, the global University of New Brunswick Ionospheric Modelling Technique (UNB-IMT) was adopted, modified and applied to compute TEC using data from the southern African GNSS Network. TEC values were compared with CODE International GNSS services TEC predictions and Ionosonde-derived TEC (ITEC) measurements to test and validate the UNB-IMT results over South Africa. It was found that the variation trends of GTEC and ITEC over all stations are in good agreement and show pronounced seasonal variations with high TEC values around equinoxes for a year near solar maximum and less pronounced around solar minimum. Signature TEC depletions and enhanced spikes were prevalently evident around equinoxes, particularly for a year near solar maximum. These observations were investigated and further discussed with an analysis of the midday Disturbance Storm Time (DST) index of geomagnetic activity. The residual GTEC – ITEC corresponding to plasmaspheric electron content and equivalent ionospheric foF2 and total slab thickness parameters were computed and comprehensively discussed. The results verified the use of UNB-IMT as one of the tools for ionospheric research over South Africa. The UNB-IMT algorithm was applied to investigate TEC variability during different epochs of solar cycle 23. The results were investigated and further discussed by analyzing the GOES 8 and 10 satellites X-ray flux (0.1 – 0.8 nm) and SOHO Solar Extreme Ultraviolet Monitor higher resolution data. Comparison of UNB-IMT TEC derived from collocated HRAO and HARB GNSS receivers was undertaken for the solar X17 and X9 flare events, which occurred on day 301, 2003 and day 339, 2006. It was found that there exist considerable TEC differences between the two collocated receivers with some evidence of solar cycle dependence. Furthermore, the daytime UNB TEC compared with the International Reference Ionosphere 2001 predicted TEC found both models to show a good agreement. The UNB-IMT TEC was further applied to investigate the capabilities of geodetic Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) derived TEC using the Vienna TEC Model for space weather monitoring over HartRAO during the CONT02 and CONT05 campaigns conducted during the years 2002 (near solar maximum) and 005 (near solar minimum). The results verified the use of geodetic VLBI as one of the possible instruments for monitoring space weather impacts on the ionosphere over South Africa.
- Full Text:
An analysis of neural networks and time series techniques for demand forecasting
- Authors: Winn, David
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Time-series analysis , Neural networks (Computer science) , Artificial intelligence , Marketing -- Management , Marketing -- Data processing , Marketing -- Statistical methods , Consumer behaviour
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:5572 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004362 , Time-series analysis , Neural networks (Computer science) , Artificial intelligence , Marketing -- Management , Marketing -- Data processing , Marketing -- Statistical methods , Consumer behaviour
- Description: This research examines the plausibility of developing demand forecasting techniques which are consistently and accurately able to predict demand. Time Series Techniques and Artificial Neural Networks are both investigated. Deodorant sales in South Africa are specifically studied in this thesis. Marketing techniques which are used to influence consumer buyer behaviour are considered, and these factors are integrated into the forecasting models wherever possible. The results of this research suggest that Artificial Neural Networks can be developed which consistently outperform industry forecasting targets as well as Time Series forecasts, suggesting that producers could reduce costs by adopting this more effective method.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Winn, David
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Time-series analysis , Neural networks (Computer science) , Artificial intelligence , Marketing -- Management , Marketing -- Data processing , Marketing -- Statistical methods , Consumer behaviour
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:5572 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004362 , Time-series analysis , Neural networks (Computer science) , Artificial intelligence , Marketing -- Management , Marketing -- Data processing , Marketing -- Statistical methods , Consumer behaviour
- Description: This research examines the plausibility of developing demand forecasting techniques which are consistently and accurately able to predict demand. Time Series Techniques and Artificial Neural Networks are both investigated. Deodorant sales in South Africa are specifically studied in this thesis. Marketing techniques which are used to influence consumer buyer behaviour are considered, and these factors are integrated into the forecasting models wherever possible. The results of this research suggest that Artificial Neural Networks can be developed which consistently outperform industry forecasting targets as well as Time Series forecasts, suggesting that producers could reduce costs by adopting this more effective method.
- Full Text:
The demand for broad money (M2) in Botswana
- Authors: Tsheole, Thapelo
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Monetary policy -- Botswana , Demand for money -- Botswana , Botswana -- Economic conditions , Quantity theory of money
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:966 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002700 , Monetary policy -- Botswana , Demand for money -- Botswana , Botswana -- Economic conditions , Quantity theory of money
- Description: There has been extensive theoretical and empirical research on the subject of demand for money function. This particularly stems from the important role demand for money plays in macroeconomic analysis, especially in the design and implementation of monetary policy. The increase in studies, especially in developing countries, can also be attributed to a number of factors like: the impact of moving towards flexible exchange rate regimes, globalisation of financial markets, ongoing financial liberalisation, innovations in domestic financial products, the advancement in econometrics techniques and other country-specific events. This study estimates and examines the nature and stability of the demand for broad money (M2) in Botswana. This is particularly important in that the usefulness of a money demand function in the conduct of monetary policy depends crucially on its stability. The stability of the money demand function is crucial in that a stable money demand function would mean that the quantity of money is predictably related to a set of key economic variables linking money and the real economic sector. Therefore, this will help central banks to select appropriate monetary policy actions. Based on the findings, the study also proposes policy interventions. The vast majority of the literature on demand for money has underscored the fact that variable selection and representation, and the framework chosen are the two major issues relevant to modelling and estimation of the demand for money function. In modelling and estimating the demand for money function in Botswana, this study surveys a stream of theoretical and empirical literature on money demand in developed and developing countries, including countries that have similar financial sector similar to Botswana. Due consideration is also given to the macroeconomic and financial sector development in Botswana to help in the identification of the variables that are included in the demand for money equation. Most importantly, this helped in getting meaningful results that are free from theoretical and estimation problems. In particular, this study applied the multivariate cointegration approach as proposed by Johansen (1988) and Johansen and Juselius (1990) to estimate the relationship between broad money (M2), real income, interest rate, South African treasury bill rate, inflation rate and US dollar/pula bilateral exchange rate. The study obtains one unique long run relationship between money and the scale and opportunity cost variables. The coefficients of the long run relationship are then modelled along the general to specific approach as proposed by Campos, Ericsson and Hendry (2005). In this type of approach the general model is reduced by sequential elimination of statistically insignificant variables and checking the validity of the reductions at every stage to ensure congruence of the finally selected parsimonious model. In accordance with the economic quantity theory of money, the long run income elasticity obtained is 0.8021, which is close to the value one (unitary) suggested by economic theory. The coefficients of real income, exchange and inflation rate have the expected positive signs and were significant in the long run. Therefore, the long run demand for money (M2) in Botswana was found to be positively affected by real income, inflation rate and exchange rate. The lack of statistical significant of the own rate of money (88 day commercial bank deposit rate) and the foreign opportunity cost variable (South African Treasury bill rate) is attributed to multi-collinearity problems between these two interest rates. This could be caused by the fact that short term rates in Botswana are very responsive to movements in the money markets rates in South Africa. The short run dynamics of the demand for money function shows the slow speed of adjustment to equilibrium of about 2.9 percent in the first quarter and this is reflective of the lack of sufficient availability of banking services and the low returns on financial assets which could allow economic agents to re-establish equilibrium levels of money holdings faster. The final parsimonious model obtained clearly reflects a well specified stable demand for money function. Therefore, based on the findings we can be precise in stating that targeting a monetary aggregate can be a viable policy for the monetary authorities in Botswana.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Tsheole, Thapelo
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Monetary policy -- Botswana , Demand for money -- Botswana , Botswana -- Economic conditions , Quantity theory of money
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:966 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002700 , Monetary policy -- Botswana , Demand for money -- Botswana , Botswana -- Economic conditions , Quantity theory of money
- Description: There has been extensive theoretical and empirical research on the subject of demand for money function. This particularly stems from the important role demand for money plays in macroeconomic analysis, especially in the design and implementation of monetary policy. The increase in studies, especially in developing countries, can also be attributed to a number of factors like: the impact of moving towards flexible exchange rate regimes, globalisation of financial markets, ongoing financial liberalisation, innovations in domestic financial products, the advancement in econometrics techniques and other country-specific events. This study estimates and examines the nature and stability of the demand for broad money (M2) in Botswana. This is particularly important in that the usefulness of a money demand function in the conduct of monetary policy depends crucially on its stability. The stability of the money demand function is crucial in that a stable money demand function would mean that the quantity of money is predictably related to a set of key economic variables linking money and the real economic sector. Therefore, this will help central banks to select appropriate monetary policy actions. Based on the findings, the study also proposes policy interventions. The vast majority of the literature on demand for money has underscored the fact that variable selection and representation, and the framework chosen are the two major issues relevant to modelling and estimation of the demand for money function. In modelling and estimating the demand for money function in Botswana, this study surveys a stream of theoretical and empirical literature on money demand in developed and developing countries, including countries that have similar financial sector similar to Botswana. Due consideration is also given to the macroeconomic and financial sector development in Botswana to help in the identification of the variables that are included in the demand for money equation. Most importantly, this helped in getting meaningful results that are free from theoretical and estimation problems. In particular, this study applied the multivariate cointegration approach as proposed by Johansen (1988) and Johansen and Juselius (1990) to estimate the relationship between broad money (M2), real income, interest rate, South African treasury bill rate, inflation rate and US dollar/pula bilateral exchange rate. The study obtains one unique long run relationship between money and the scale and opportunity cost variables. The coefficients of the long run relationship are then modelled along the general to specific approach as proposed by Campos, Ericsson and Hendry (2005). In this type of approach the general model is reduced by sequential elimination of statistically insignificant variables and checking the validity of the reductions at every stage to ensure congruence of the finally selected parsimonious model. In accordance with the economic quantity theory of money, the long run income elasticity obtained is 0.8021, which is close to the value one (unitary) suggested by economic theory. The coefficients of real income, exchange and inflation rate have the expected positive signs and were significant in the long run. Therefore, the long run demand for money (M2) in Botswana was found to be positively affected by real income, inflation rate and exchange rate. The lack of statistical significant of the own rate of money (88 day commercial bank deposit rate) and the foreign opportunity cost variable (South African Treasury bill rate) is attributed to multi-collinearity problems between these two interest rates. This could be caused by the fact that short term rates in Botswana are very responsive to movements in the money markets rates in South Africa. The short run dynamics of the demand for money function shows the slow speed of adjustment to equilibrium of about 2.9 percent in the first quarter and this is reflective of the lack of sufficient availability of banking services and the low returns on financial assets which could allow economic agents to re-establish equilibrium levels of money holdings faster. The final parsimonious model obtained clearly reflects a well specified stable demand for money function. Therefore, based on the findings we can be precise in stating that targeting a monetary aggregate can be a viable policy for the monetary authorities in Botswana.
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Relationship between employee performance, leadership and emotional intelligence in a South African parastatal organisation
- Authors: Hayward, Brett Anthony
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Employees -- Rating of , Leadership , Leadership -- Psychological aspects , Emotional intelligence , Government business enterprises -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1206 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1019740
- Description: This research investigates the relationship between employee performance, leadership and emotional intelligence in a South African parastatal. The literature provided discusses the three variables of performance, leadership and emotional intelligence. Information was gathered, using three instruments, from a sample of 160 leaders and 800 raters. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire was used to determine leadership style within the parastatal, while the Emotional Competency Profiler was used to determine the emotional intelligence of the leaders within the parastatal. Employee performance was captured and recorded using the parastatal’s performance appraisal process. Leadership and emotional intelligence were identified as the independent variables and employee performance as the dependent variable. Data obtained from each of the research instruments was then statistically analysed. Through linear regression analysis it was concluded that there is a significant relationship between employee performance and an emotionally intelligent, transactional leader. However, no significant linear relationship was found between employee performance and an emotionally intelligent, transformational leader. Simple correlation analysis showed that there is a relatively weak significant linear relationship between emotional intelligence and transactional leadership. Moreover, it was found that there is a very strong significant linear relationship between emotional intelligence and transformational leadership. This research therefore adds a new dimension to employee performance, leadership and emotional intelligence, since no similar study has been conducted. As this research takes place in the South African context, it contributes to the bank of findings relating to the concepts.
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- Authors: Hayward, Brett Anthony
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Employees -- Rating of , Leadership , Leadership -- Psychological aspects , Emotional intelligence , Government business enterprises -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1206 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1019740
- Description: This research investigates the relationship between employee performance, leadership and emotional intelligence in a South African parastatal. The literature provided discusses the three variables of performance, leadership and emotional intelligence. Information was gathered, using three instruments, from a sample of 160 leaders and 800 raters. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire was used to determine leadership style within the parastatal, while the Emotional Competency Profiler was used to determine the emotional intelligence of the leaders within the parastatal. Employee performance was captured and recorded using the parastatal’s performance appraisal process. Leadership and emotional intelligence were identified as the independent variables and employee performance as the dependent variable. Data obtained from each of the research instruments was then statistically analysed. Through linear regression analysis it was concluded that there is a significant relationship between employee performance and an emotionally intelligent, transactional leader. However, no significant linear relationship was found between employee performance and an emotionally intelligent, transformational leader. Simple correlation analysis showed that there is a relatively weak significant linear relationship between emotional intelligence and transactional leadership. Moreover, it was found that there is a very strong significant linear relationship between emotional intelligence and transformational leadership. This research therefore adds a new dimension to employee performance, leadership and emotional intelligence, since no similar study has been conducted. As this research takes place in the South African context, it contributes to the bank of findings relating to the concepts.
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The exploration of the impact of state ownership on Uganda's New Vision Newspaper's social role
- Authors: Wasswa, John Baptist
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: New Vision (Uganda) , Government and the press -- Uganda , Press and politics -- Uganda , Newspaper publishing -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3493 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002948 , New Vision (Uganda) , Government and the press -- Uganda , Press and politics -- Uganda , Newspaper publishing -- Uganda
- Description: The global trends of democratisation and privatisation that swept much of the developing world in the 1980s and 1990s led to significant changes in the conceptualisation, organisation and performance of the media. In Africa democratisation attained a new meaning with associated processes of liberalisation of broadcasting to end the monopoly of broadcasting by the state. The private media of the liberalised market is increasingly putting the public media system, both broadcast and print, under serious competition, and forcing them to adjust to changing circumstances. The New Vision newspaper in Uganda is one such public service media organisations that are owned by the state and yet have to compete in the new more democratic and liberalised environment. This study set out to explore the extent to which state-ownership impacts on The New Vision’s social role. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods of date collection, I have established the that although The New Vision is a public service medium for which government remains the major source of news, it does not in most cases give the state more or preferentially prominent coverage at the expense of other interest groups in society. On contrary, basing of the amount of coverage of civil society I established that The New Vision enabled the various groups public sphere to interact. The newspaper to an extent also plays the democratic role of monitoring government although there was little evidence of monitoring of corporate abuse. The nature of The New Vision Statute, and the global trends that have changed the conduct of official and private business, have rendered the theories on the 1980s’ development media theories increasingly inapplicable, forcing The New Vision to develop its own version of development journalism that is socially relevant. The study recommends that whereas much of The New Vision Statute is progressive, sections of it should be removed to protect the newspaper from being manipulated by government functionaries, if the it is to continue enabling the public sphere. The newspaper should also increase its monitoring of corporate abuse, and make internal reforms to improve the coverage of development related issues.
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- Authors: Wasswa, John Baptist
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: New Vision (Uganda) , Government and the press -- Uganda , Press and politics -- Uganda , Newspaper publishing -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3493 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002948 , New Vision (Uganda) , Government and the press -- Uganda , Press and politics -- Uganda , Newspaper publishing -- Uganda
- Description: The global trends of democratisation and privatisation that swept much of the developing world in the 1980s and 1990s led to significant changes in the conceptualisation, organisation and performance of the media. In Africa democratisation attained a new meaning with associated processes of liberalisation of broadcasting to end the monopoly of broadcasting by the state. The private media of the liberalised market is increasingly putting the public media system, both broadcast and print, under serious competition, and forcing them to adjust to changing circumstances. The New Vision newspaper in Uganda is one such public service media organisations that are owned by the state and yet have to compete in the new more democratic and liberalised environment. This study set out to explore the extent to which state-ownership impacts on The New Vision’s social role. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods of date collection, I have established the that although The New Vision is a public service medium for which government remains the major source of news, it does not in most cases give the state more or preferentially prominent coverage at the expense of other interest groups in society. On contrary, basing of the amount of coverage of civil society I established that The New Vision enabled the various groups public sphere to interact. The newspaper to an extent also plays the democratic role of monitoring government although there was little evidence of monitoring of corporate abuse. The nature of The New Vision Statute, and the global trends that have changed the conduct of official and private business, have rendered the theories on the 1980s’ development media theories increasingly inapplicable, forcing The New Vision to develop its own version of development journalism that is socially relevant. The study recommends that whereas much of The New Vision Statute is progressive, sections of it should be removed to protect the newspaper from being manipulated by government functionaries, if the it is to continue enabling the public sphere. The newspaper should also increase its monitoring of corporate abuse, and make internal reforms to improve the coverage of development related issues.
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Stakeholder perceptions of success factors in an academically successful Swazi high school in Manzini, Swaziland
- Authors: Mabuza, Johannes Tshotsho
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: St Michael's High (Manzini, Swaziland) Education -- Swaziland Education, Secondary -- Swaziland Academic achievement -- Swaziland High school students -- Swaziland Education -- Parent participation -- Swaziland Educational leadership -- Swaziland School management and organization -- Swaziland
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1901 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006223
- Description: In contrast with the large number of poorly performing schools in Swaziland over the past decade (1991-2000), a few schools have managed to attain consistently good results. One such school is St Michael's High. This study draws on the perceptions of different major stakeholders at St Michael's of factors deemed to have contributed to academic success at the school. The study thus follows Fertig (2000), who advocates research in effective schools to be done by looking at the perceptions of different stakeholders rather than in relation to an objective checklist. In this study, St Michael's High is found to be an effective school. Its experience can play a vital role in helping other ineffective and failing schools to improve their academic standing and tarnished public image, provided the schools unreservedly commit themselves to changing their ways. This investigation is aimed at understanding the roles which the school leadership and associated stakeholders have played in making St Michael's an exemplary school in Swaziland. Its findings indicate that the schools that themselves take the initiative to improve their effectiveness are the ones which are successful, which accords with the consensus in research literature on school effectiveness. The evidence gathered in this study suggests that St Michael's is characteristic of such effective schools. Since this is a qualitative interpretive case study on perception of success factors in a girls' high school within the city of Manzini, interviews comprising semi-structured questions were highly useful in tapping the understanding of how various stakeholders contribute to the academic achievement of students in the school. The findings, organised in the form of themes, help illuminate what appears to be a systematic and well-focussed approach toward the academic development of the school and the fulfilment of its goals. Every aspect of the school system is thoroughly explored. The validity of the stakeholders' claim that St Michael's High is a dream school for most Swazi children is verified by the school's examination results for the past decade. But what the research reveals are the cultural, academic, social, and moral values and beliefs which serve as a strong anchor for the school leadership and management, and without which St Michael's as an organisation would be unable to meet the challenge of implementing academic and national reconstruction.
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- Authors: Mabuza, Johannes Tshotsho
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: St Michael's High (Manzini, Swaziland) Education -- Swaziland Education, Secondary -- Swaziland Academic achievement -- Swaziland High school students -- Swaziland Education -- Parent participation -- Swaziland Educational leadership -- Swaziland School management and organization -- Swaziland
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1901 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006223
- Description: In contrast with the large number of poorly performing schools in Swaziland over the past decade (1991-2000), a few schools have managed to attain consistently good results. One such school is St Michael's High. This study draws on the perceptions of different major stakeholders at St Michael's of factors deemed to have contributed to academic success at the school. The study thus follows Fertig (2000), who advocates research in effective schools to be done by looking at the perceptions of different stakeholders rather than in relation to an objective checklist. In this study, St Michael's High is found to be an effective school. Its experience can play a vital role in helping other ineffective and failing schools to improve their academic standing and tarnished public image, provided the schools unreservedly commit themselves to changing their ways. This investigation is aimed at understanding the roles which the school leadership and associated stakeholders have played in making St Michael's an exemplary school in Swaziland. Its findings indicate that the schools that themselves take the initiative to improve their effectiveness are the ones which are successful, which accords with the consensus in research literature on school effectiveness. The evidence gathered in this study suggests that St Michael's is characteristic of such effective schools. Since this is a qualitative interpretive case study on perception of success factors in a girls' high school within the city of Manzini, interviews comprising semi-structured questions were highly useful in tapping the understanding of how various stakeholders contribute to the academic achievement of students in the school. The findings, organised in the form of themes, help illuminate what appears to be a systematic and well-focussed approach toward the academic development of the school and the fulfilment of its goals. Every aspect of the school system is thoroughly explored. The validity of the stakeholders' claim that St Michael's High is a dream school for most Swazi children is verified by the school's examination results for the past decade. But what the research reveals are the cultural, academic, social, and moral values and beliefs which serve as a strong anchor for the school leadership and management, and without which St Michael's as an organisation would be unable to meet the challenge of implementing academic and national reconstruction.
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A critical analysis of the in-service education courses offered at Trinset, with particular reference to Geography
- Mniki, Felicia Nobesuthu Vuyiswa
- Authors: Mniki, Felicia Nobesuthu Vuyiswa
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Teachers -- In-service training -- South Africa Geography teachers -- In-service training -- South Africa Transkei Teachers' In-service College
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1475 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003356
- Description: The aim of establishing the Transkei Teachers’ In- Service College (Trinset) in 1986 by the former Transkei Department of Education, was to alleviate the problem of inappropriately qualified teachers. This problem was seen as impacting negatively on the performance of matriculation candidates in the final examinations. In the twelve years since the college’s inception there has been no formal evaluation, this despite the perception of the importance of evaluation as an integral part of planning and implementation for any educational endeavour (Mc Naught, Taylor & O’Donoghue, 1990). This study analyses the courses offered at Trinset with particular reference to the subject of Geography. The aim is to explore how best these courses can support educators in the light of the current changes in South African education. The analysis of the in-service courses used a multifaceted approach guided by the participatory principle underlying Fourth Generation Evaluation. The analysis of the in-service courses offered by Trinset, in particular by the Geography Department, has served to raise questions and to highlight issues that are seen as particularly valuable in the reconfiguration of Trinset that is part of the current educational transformation process in South Africa in terms of the provision of in-service education.
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- Authors: Mniki, Felicia Nobesuthu Vuyiswa
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Teachers -- In-service training -- South Africa Geography teachers -- In-service training -- South Africa Transkei Teachers' In-service College
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1475 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003356
- Description: The aim of establishing the Transkei Teachers’ In- Service College (Trinset) in 1986 by the former Transkei Department of Education, was to alleviate the problem of inappropriately qualified teachers. This problem was seen as impacting negatively on the performance of matriculation candidates in the final examinations. In the twelve years since the college’s inception there has been no formal evaluation, this despite the perception of the importance of evaluation as an integral part of planning and implementation for any educational endeavour (Mc Naught, Taylor & O’Donoghue, 1990). This study analyses the courses offered at Trinset with particular reference to the subject of Geography. The aim is to explore how best these courses can support educators in the light of the current changes in South African education. The analysis of the in-service courses used a multifaceted approach guided by the participatory principle underlying Fourth Generation Evaluation. The analysis of the in-service courses offered by Trinset, in particular by the Geography Department, has served to raise questions and to highlight issues that are seen as particularly valuable in the reconfiguration of Trinset that is part of the current educational transformation process in South Africa in terms of the provision of in-service education.
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