Re-defining the calling – narratives of women excluded from the ordained ministry in the Seventh-Day Adventist church in South Africa
- Chinyamurindi, Willie Tafadzwa
- Authors: Chinyamurindi, Willie Tafadzwa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Ordination of women
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M.Th
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17529 , vital:41085
- Description: This work gives focus to understanding the notion of a calling amongst women excluded from the ordained ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in South Africa. Historically, there is an observation that women attend religious services in larger numbers than their male counterparts. Despite this, it is notable that in terms of leadership, very few women occupy this preserve. Further, the experiences of those in positions of leadership (especially women) remain an under-researched area. This study used a qualitative approach, with an explanatory research design. Analyses were conducted by NVivo qualitative research software amongst 15 women who had completed theological training within the Seventh-day Adventist Church in South Africa. Narrative analysis was used as a means of analysing the collected data. The data analysis generated four main narratives and resultant sub-narrative(s): 1) calling as influencing decision to enter the pastoral ministry; 2) the pastoral ministry framed as a sustained challenge to women pastors; 3) the existence of a perceived theological disjuncture; and finally 4) passive yet overt resolution tactics. Implications for individual and organisational functioning are made based on these findings
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Chinyamurindi, Willie Tafadzwa
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Ordination of women
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M.Th
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17529 , vital:41085
- Description: This work gives focus to understanding the notion of a calling amongst women excluded from the ordained ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in South Africa. Historically, there is an observation that women attend religious services in larger numbers than their male counterparts. Despite this, it is notable that in terms of leadership, very few women occupy this preserve. Further, the experiences of those in positions of leadership (especially women) remain an under-researched area. This study used a qualitative approach, with an explanatory research design. Analyses were conducted by NVivo qualitative research software amongst 15 women who had completed theological training within the Seventh-day Adventist Church in South Africa. Narrative analysis was used as a means of analysing the collected data. The data analysis generated four main narratives and resultant sub-narrative(s): 1) calling as influencing decision to enter the pastoral ministry; 2) the pastoral ministry framed as a sustained challenge to women pastors; 3) the existence of a perceived theological disjuncture; and finally 4) passive yet overt resolution tactics. Implications for individual and organisational functioning are made based on these findings
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The relationship between stock market development and economic growth in Africa
- Authors: Mkhize, Siyanda
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Stock exchanges -- Africa , Africa -- Economic conditions -- 21st century , Economic development -- Africa -- 21st century , Capital market -- Africa , Finance -- Africa -- 21st century , Developing countries -- Economic conditions -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/115149 , vital:34082
- Description: Over the years there has been a substantial increase in the number of African stock markets. This has generated much interest from local and foreign investors, as these stock markets have had high returns. These conditions have created an interesting scenario for investigating the relationship between stock market development and economic growth. However, this opportunity has largely been neglected as the research on African stock market development is limited in developing economies relative to research conducted in developed countries. Furthermore, the research that has been conducted on the relationship between stock market development and economic growth in Africa, has generated inconclusive and conflicting results, in addition to this, the institutional quality of African countries is disregarded in most studies when the stock market development and economic growth nexus is analysed. Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationship between stock market development and economic growth, incorporating institution variables to account for the institutional quality of African countries to provide clarity in this context. To achieve this, two sets of research hypotheses were created the first set aims to determine whether stock development has an influence on economic growth. The second set is to determine if there is any causal relationship between stock market development and economic growth. The study utilizes System Generalized Method of Moments models to examine the effect of stock market development on economic growth, in 18 African countries for the period 2003- 2016. The results indicate that market capitalization has a positive influence on economic growth whilst, contrastingly liquidity in the form of value traded has a negative effect on economic growth. The study further analyses the causal relationship between stock market development and economic growth, by employing the recently developed PVAR-Granger causality test. However, before this is done several Pedroni cointegration tests were first conducted to establish whether a long-term relationship exists between stock market development and economic growth, which revealed that no strong evidence of cointegration exists necessitating the use of a PVAR-Granger causality test. The PVAR-Granger causality test reveals that stock market development granger causes economic growth, irrespective of the stock market development measure used and there is no feedback effect from economic growth. The unilateral causality established in this study flowing from stock market development to economic growth supports the supply-leading hypothesis. The overall results of this study demonstrate that there is ambiguity on the impact of stock market development on economic growth, as the measures of stock market development have contrasting impacts on economic growth. The size component of stock market development in the form of market capitalization has positive influence whilst, liquidity in form of total value traded has a negative effect. However, the causal relationship is clearly shown to be unilaterally flowing from stock market development to economic growth.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mkhize, Siyanda
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Stock exchanges -- Africa , Africa -- Economic conditions -- 21st century , Economic development -- Africa -- 21st century , Capital market -- Africa , Finance -- Africa -- 21st century , Developing countries -- Economic conditions -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/115149 , vital:34082
- Description: Over the years there has been a substantial increase in the number of African stock markets. This has generated much interest from local and foreign investors, as these stock markets have had high returns. These conditions have created an interesting scenario for investigating the relationship between stock market development and economic growth. However, this opportunity has largely been neglected as the research on African stock market development is limited in developing economies relative to research conducted in developed countries. Furthermore, the research that has been conducted on the relationship between stock market development and economic growth in Africa, has generated inconclusive and conflicting results, in addition to this, the institutional quality of African countries is disregarded in most studies when the stock market development and economic growth nexus is analysed. Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationship between stock market development and economic growth, incorporating institution variables to account for the institutional quality of African countries to provide clarity in this context. To achieve this, two sets of research hypotheses were created the first set aims to determine whether stock development has an influence on economic growth. The second set is to determine if there is any causal relationship between stock market development and economic growth. The study utilizes System Generalized Method of Moments models to examine the effect of stock market development on economic growth, in 18 African countries for the period 2003- 2016. The results indicate that market capitalization has a positive influence on economic growth whilst, contrastingly liquidity in the form of value traded has a negative effect on economic growth. The study further analyses the causal relationship between stock market development and economic growth, by employing the recently developed PVAR-Granger causality test. However, before this is done several Pedroni cointegration tests were first conducted to establish whether a long-term relationship exists between stock market development and economic growth, which revealed that no strong evidence of cointegration exists necessitating the use of a PVAR-Granger causality test. The PVAR-Granger causality test reveals that stock market development granger causes economic growth, irrespective of the stock market development measure used and there is no feedback effect from economic growth. The unilateral causality established in this study flowing from stock market development to economic growth supports the supply-leading hypothesis. The overall results of this study demonstrate that there is ambiguity on the impact of stock market development on economic growth, as the measures of stock market development have contrasting impacts on economic growth. The size component of stock market development in the form of market capitalization has positive influence whilst, liquidity in form of total value traded has a negative effect. However, the causal relationship is clearly shown to be unilaterally flowing from stock market development to economic growth.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Assessment of the effect of the down-referral chronic medication distribution system on patients' adherence to chronic medication in the Buffalo City sub-district
- Authors: Ndwandwe, Miriam
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Health services accessibility Pharmacology Patient compliance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPH
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13248 , vital:39626
- Description: The purpose of the study is to determine the effect of the down referral chronic medication distribution system on patient's adherence to chronic medicine in Buffalo City sub - district by ensuring that chronic patients receive their correct medication on time and in correct quantities every month so that they can take the medication as recommended by the health professional. Adherence to chronic medication lead to better health outcome and reduced hospital re-admission. A non-experimental and descriptive quantitative research methodology was used. A data abstraction form developed by the researcher was used to record data from the medical records of chronically ill patients. The results of the study revealed that most of the chronically ill patients who were admitted to hospital were not adherent to their chronic medication. Patients are non-adherent even if they have chronic medication with them. This was evident in the number of patients who do not remember how many days did they not take their treatment. Others indicated that they share their medication with other family members who suffer from the same chronic condition. The patients' lack of understanding of their chronic condition and the consequences of not taking medication as instructed by the health professional contribute to non-adherence. Strengthening of health promotion programmes to educate the patients about their chronic condition would improve adherence. Most of the chronic conditions are life-style modifiable diseases. Patients must be educated about the changes they can make to improve their quality of life.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Ndwandwe, Miriam
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Health services accessibility Pharmacology Patient compliance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPH
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13248 , vital:39626
- Description: The purpose of the study is to determine the effect of the down referral chronic medication distribution system on patient's adherence to chronic medicine in Buffalo City sub - district by ensuring that chronic patients receive their correct medication on time and in correct quantities every month so that they can take the medication as recommended by the health professional. Adherence to chronic medication lead to better health outcome and reduced hospital re-admission. A non-experimental and descriptive quantitative research methodology was used. A data abstraction form developed by the researcher was used to record data from the medical records of chronically ill patients. The results of the study revealed that most of the chronically ill patients who were admitted to hospital were not adherent to their chronic medication. Patients are non-adherent even if they have chronic medication with them. This was evident in the number of patients who do not remember how many days did they not take their treatment. Others indicated that they share their medication with other family members who suffer from the same chronic condition. The patients' lack of understanding of their chronic condition and the consequences of not taking medication as instructed by the health professional contribute to non-adherence. Strengthening of health promotion programmes to educate the patients about their chronic condition would improve adherence. Most of the chronic conditions are life-style modifiable diseases. Patients must be educated about the changes they can make to improve their quality of life.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Correlation of photovoltaics plant performance metrics
- Authors: Vumbugwa, Monphias
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Photovoltaic cells , Perfomance -- Evaluation , Thin films
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45657 , vital:38924
- Description: The generation of electrical energy using Photovoltaic (PV) technology has increased globally with the decrease in the cost of PV systems and the rise in electrical power demand. In South Africa, the support by the government in implementing the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) has seen a growth in PV system deployment and investment in roof and ground mounted, stand alone and grid connected PV plants. This rapid growth shows that the PV industry is becoming highly competitive as there is a shift to low carbon emissions and it is anticipated to be the most affordable source of electricity. Hence, there is need to develop maintenance and fault diagnosis expertise and capabilities in the PV industry, which can in turn improve the dependability, productiveness and lifespan of PV systems. Solar PV modules directly receive and convert solar irradiance into electricity and may not generate the expected optimum energy due to abnormalities which arise when they are exposed to harsh unfavorable environmental conditions in the field. Thermal Infrared (TIR) imaging is widely used as a fault diagnosis tool in operating PV modules and mostly in large PV power plants. Therefore, there is need to research the interpretation of the observed thermal signatures and the impact that the anomalies have on electrical output of the system so as to improve the PV maintenance systems. This research focuses on identifying performance limiting defects using an Infra-Red (I-R) camera, mounted on an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), to understand the effect of thermal signatures on current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of PV module strings. Aerial TIR imaging using a UAV can rapidly identify abnormalities in operational PV modules strings as hotspots. Any deviation of the string I-V curve, from the expected, indicates a problem with one or more PV modules in the string. However, locating the faulty module involves measuring I-V parameters of the individual modules in a string, which is not feasible in large PV power plants. Therefore, there is a need to estimate the power loss associated with the thermal signatures in PV module strings. Visual inspection may help in identifying the exact cause of some hotspots, while other hotspots need special characterization techniques, such as Electroluminescence (EL) and UV Fluorescence (UV-F), which can indicate if a solar cell is cracked or has weak busbars or contact finger connections.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Vumbugwa, Monphias
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Photovoltaic cells , Perfomance -- Evaluation , Thin films
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45657 , vital:38924
- Description: The generation of electrical energy using Photovoltaic (PV) technology has increased globally with the decrease in the cost of PV systems and the rise in electrical power demand. In South Africa, the support by the government in implementing the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) has seen a growth in PV system deployment and investment in roof and ground mounted, stand alone and grid connected PV plants. This rapid growth shows that the PV industry is becoming highly competitive as there is a shift to low carbon emissions and it is anticipated to be the most affordable source of electricity. Hence, there is need to develop maintenance and fault diagnosis expertise and capabilities in the PV industry, which can in turn improve the dependability, productiveness and lifespan of PV systems. Solar PV modules directly receive and convert solar irradiance into electricity and may not generate the expected optimum energy due to abnormalities which arise when they are exposed to harsh unfavorable environmental conditions in the field. Thermal Infrared (TIR) imaging is widely used as a fault diagnosis tool in operating PV modules and mostly in large PV power plants. Therefore, there is need to research the interpretation of the observed thermal signatures and the impact that the anomalies have on electrical output of the system so as to improve the PV maintenance systems. This research focuses on identifying performance limiting defects using an Infra-Red (I-R) camera, mounted on an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), to understand the effect of thermal signatures on current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of PV module strings. Aerial TIR imaging using a UAV can rapidly identify abnormalities in operational PV modules strings as hotspots. Any deviation of the string I-V curve, from the expected, indicates a problem with one or more PV modules in the string. However, locating the faulty module involves measuring I-V parameters of the individual modules in a string, which is not feasible in large PV power plants. Therefore, there is a need to estimate the power loss associated with the thermal signatures in PV module strings. Visual inspection may help in identifying the exact cause of some hotspots, while other hotspots need special characterization techniques, such as Electroluminescence (EL) and UV Fluorescence (UV-F), which can indicate if a solar cell is cracked or has weak busbars or contact finger connections.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Chemical composition of leaf essential oils of Lantana camara varieties in South Africa and their effect on the behavioural preference of Falconia intermedia
- Authors: Ngxande-Koza, Samella W
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4877 , vital:20739
- Description: Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) is one the most problematic invaders in South Africa invading forest edges, sand dunes, and shorelines by forming impenetrable thickets. Lantana camara invasions degrade natural biodiversity, reduce the value of land and consequently it has been a target for biological control, over the last 50 years in South Africa. Studies that have reported on chemical profile of Lantana camara have been conducted around the world but not in South Africa. Hence, the first aim of the current study was to identify the chemical baseline of L. camara varieties in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Recent studies have shown that feeding by one of the agents released against L. camara, Falconia intermedia (Distant) (Hemiptera: Miridae), induces anti-herbivory response through increased leaf toughness and trichome density. A preliminary study conducted also reported the production of volatile chemicals by one variety, Whitney Farm, due to feeding by the mirids. Therefore, the second aim was to determine the induced changes in chemical compounds of L. camara varieties after feeding by F. intermedia. A third aim was to determine the effect these chemical compounds have on the behaviour of F. intermedia. To identify the chemical baseline of L. camara varieties, the essential oils of four L. camara varieties (East London, Port Alfred, Whitney Farm and Heather Glen) were analysed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and that resulted to the identification of 163 constitutive and 75 induced chemicals across the varieties tested. Lantana camara varieties showed different chemical classes but were highly dominated by terpenes. A great variation in the number of constitutive chemical compounds was found in all the varieties. There were 56 constitutive chemical compounds in the Whitney Farm variety, 41 in the East London variety, 36 in the Heather Glen variety and 30 in the Port Alfred variety. The Whitney Farm variety had the highest number (22) of unique constitutive chemicals identified when compared with other varieties. This indicates the chemical distinctiveness of the Whitney Farm variety from the other varieties. In the varieties tested, there were common chemical compounds identified in constitutive and induced (discussed below) states of the plants such as caryophyllene, hexane, naphthalene, copaene and a-caryophyllene. Besides naphthalene, the majority of chemical compounds in South African L. camara varieties were similar to compounds that have been identified across the world, suggesting that they are closely related. The expression of naphthalene in these varieties may be due to changes in the chemicals expressed over evolutionary time as predicted by the Novel Weapons Hypothesis. Amongst the varieties, a great variation in chemical compounds and their concentrations was shown in the induced states of the plants. The concentration of constitutive caryophyllene ranged from (3.13 - 15.7) %, to (4.02 - 11.10) % after feeding. The concentration of constitutive hexane ranged from (6.13 - 71.19) %, to (33.3 - 75.8) % after feeding. The concentration of constitutive naphthalene ranged from (0.21 - 4.79) %, to (0.92 - 2.11) % after feeding. The concentration of constitutive copaene ranged from (0.57 - 1.57) %, to (1.20 - 2.72) %. Lastly, the concentration of constitutive a-caryophyllene ranged from (1.18 - 9.03) %, to (0.78 - 5.48) % after feeding. The changes in chemical concentrations in lantana varieties indicated that feeding by the mirid on L. camara varieties causes an induction by either reducing or increasing the chemical concentrations. To determine the effect of the identified compounds on the behaviour of F. intermedia adults, olfactometer bioassays were conducted using a Y-tube technique. A significantly higher proportion of F. intermedia were attracted to undamaged leaves over damaged leaves and purified air. Undamaged leaves attracted 52 % of F. intermedia from the East London variety, 62.5 % from the Port Alfred variety, 56 % from the Whitney Farm variety, 58 % from the Lyndhurst variety and 54.5 % from the Heather Glen variety in dual choice trials versus damaged leaves. Furthermore, a significantly higher proportion of F. intermedia were attracted to damaged leaves over purified air. Damaged leaves attracted 67 % of F. intermedia from the East London variety, 67 % from the Port Alfred variety, 65.9 % from the Whitney Farm variety, 65.3 % from the Heather Glen variety and 64.5 % from the Lyndhurst variety. Olfactometer bioassays were also conducted using purified standard compounds of four chemical compounds identified from essential oils, hexane was used as a positive control as it is reported to be an insect attractant in literature. Hexane was highly attractive to the mirids compared to three standard compounds caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide and naphthalene at the rate of 80 %, 73 % and 80 %, respectively. The standard compounds tested against F. intermedia are major compounds contained by L. camara varieties and they have proven to have a repellent effect. This may indicate that after feeding by F. intermedia, the major compounds expressed by the plant varieties repel F. intermedia contributing to the invasiveness of this weed. The increased expression of hexane and caryophyllene after feeding may also indicate increased attraction to some insects, opening up the potential for third trophic level interactions in varieties where this is the case. This is the first study on the chemical composition of essential oils of L. camara in South Africa. Therefore, we recommend that where appropriate chemical profile studies of the invasive alien plants should be considered during host specificity testing, and the vital role of chemical compounds on agent-weed interactions must be taken into consideration with other factors before and after the biological control agents are released.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Ngxande-Koza, Samella W
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4877 , vital:20739
- Description: Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) is one the most problematic invaders in South Africa invading forest edges, sand dunes, and shorelines by forming impenetrable thickets. Lantana camara invasions degrade natural biodiversity, reduce the value of land and consequently it has been a target for biological control, over the last 50 years in South Africa. Studies that have reported on chemical profile of Lantana camara have been conducted around the world but not in South Africa. Hence, the first aim of the current study was to identify the chemical baseline of L. camara varieties in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Recent studies have shown that feeding by one of the agents released against L. camara, Falconia intermedia (Distant) (Hemiptera: Miridae), induces anti-herbivory response through increased leaf toughness and trichome density. A preliminary study conducted also reported the production of volatile chemicals by one variety, Whitney Farm, due to feeding by the mirids. Therefore, the second aim was to determine the induced changes in chemical compounds of L. camara varieties after feeding by F. intermedia. A third aim was to determine the effect these chemical compounds have on the behaviour of F. intermedia. To identify the chemical baseline of L. camara varieties, the essential oils of four L. camara varieties (East London, Port Alfred, Whitney Farm and Heather Glen) were analysed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and that resulted to the identification of 163 constitutive and 75 induced chemicals across the varieties tested. Lantana camara varieties showed different chemical classes but were highly dominated by terpenes. A great variation in the number of constitutive chemical compounds was found in all the varieties. There were 56 constitutive chemical compounds in the Whitney Farm variety, 41 in the East London variety, 36 in the Heather Glen variety and 30 in the Port Alfred variety. The Whitney Farm variety had the highest number (22) of unique constitutive chemicals identified when compared with other varieties. This indicates the chemical distinctiveness of the Whitney Farm variety from the other varieties. In the varieties tested, there were common chemical compounds identified in constitutive and induced (discussed below) states of the plants such as caryophyllene, hexane, naphthalene, copaene and a-caryophyllene. Besides naphthalene, the majority of chemical compounds in South African L. camara varieties were similar to compounds that have been identified across the world, suggesting that they are closely related. The expression of naphthalene in these varieties may be due to changes in the chemicals expressed over evolutionary time as predicted by the Novel Weapons Hypothesis. Amongst the varieties, a great variation in chemical compounds and their concentrations was shown in the induced states of the plants. The concentration of constitutive caryophyllene ranged from (3.13 - 15.7) %, to (4.02 - 11.10) % after feeding. The concentration of constitutive hexane ranged from (6.13 - 71.19) %, to (33.3 - 75.8) % after feeding. The concentration of constitutive naphthalene ranged from (0.21 - 4.79) %, to (0.92 - 2.11) % after feeding. The concentration of constitutive copaene ranged from (0.57 - 1.57) %, to (1.20 - 2.72) %. Lastly, the concentration of constitutive a-caryophyllene ranged from (1.18 - 9.03) %, to (0.78 - 5.48) % after feeding. The changes in chemical concentrations in lantana varieties indicated that feeding by the mirid on L. camara varieties causes an induction by either reducing or increasing the chemical concentrations. To determine the effect of the identified compounds on the behaviour of F. intermedia adults, olfactometer bioassays were conducted using a Y-tube technique. A significantly higher proportion of F. intermedia were attracted to undamaged leaves over damaged leaves and purified air. Undamaged leaves attracted 52 % of F. intermedia from the East London variety, 62.5 % from the Port Alfred variety, 56 % from the Whitney Farm variety, 58 % from the Lyndhurst variety and 54.5 % from the Heather Glen variety in dual choice trials versus damaged leaves. Furthermore, a significantly higher proportion of F. intermedia were attracted to damaged leaves over purified air. Damaged leaves attracted 67 % of F. intermedia from the East London variety, 67 % from the Port Alfred variety, 65.9 % from the Whitney Farm variety, 65.3 % from the Heather Glen variety and 64.5 % from the Lyndhurst variety. Olfactometer bioassays were also conducted using purified standard compounds of four chemical compounds identified from essential oils, hexane was used as a positive control as it is reported to be an insect attractant in literature. Hexane was highly attractive to the mirids compared to three standard compounds caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide and naphthalene at the rate of 80 %, 73 % and 80 %, respectively. The standard compounds tested against F. intermedia are major compounds contained by L. camara varieties and they have proven to have a repellent effect. This may indicate that after feeding by F. intermedia, the major compounds expressed by the plant varieties repel F. intermedia contributing to the invasiveness of this weed. The increased expression of hexane and caryophyllene after feeding may also indicate increased attraction to some insects, opening up the potential for third trophic level interactions in varieties where this is the case. This is the first study on the chemical composition of essential oils of L. camara in South Africa. Therefore, we recommend that where appropriate chemical profile studies of the invasive alien plants should be considered during host specificity testing, and the vital role of chemical compounds on agent-weed interactions must be taken into consideration with other factors before and after the biological control agents are released.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Comparative analysis of zero-tillage and conventional tillage practices in the Amahlathi local municipality of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa
- Authors: Gomo, Zintle
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Tillage--South Africa--Eastern Cape Farms, Small--South Africa--Eastern Cape No-tillage--South Africa--Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Agricultural Economics
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11586 , vital:39087
- Description: The current interest in zero tillage/no-till technologies is a result of the need to reduce excessive land degradation in most crop producing areas as well as to enhance sustainable food production. Farmers are always looking for ways to increase yields and profits and zero-tillage may be a way to achieve this goal. However, a systematic comparative study of the performance of zero-tillage and conventional tillage within the former homeland areas of the Eastern Cape Province is lacking. The broad objective of the study is to comparatively analyze zero tillage and conventional tillage and to determine which practice is more beneficial for the land and farmers in the area. Specifically, the study investigated the relative performance of Zero-tillage and conventional–tillage in terms of quantity produced per farm and per hectare, factors influencing the adoption rate of zero tillage and conventional tillage and to determine the relative impact of zero-tillage and conventional tillage on household income. The study was carried out in Amahlathi Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province and employed survey data obtained from 100 respondents using conventional tillage and zero tillage farmers growing spinach, cabbage, beetroot, maize, and potatoes. The study employed a cross-sectional research design. A multistage stratified sampling procedure was used in which the first stage involved selecting respondents from Amahlathi Local Municipally. This was followed by the selection of villages and then the respondents. This was done through stratification of smallholder farmers from the different Villages. This was followed by random sampling which was used to get the sample size for the study. Stata and SPSS were used to analyze the data. Descriptive statistics was used to examine current farming practices in the Eastern Cape Province while Propensity Score Matching was employed to estimate the factors that had an impact on zero tillage adoption as well as the relative impact of zero tillage and conventional tillage on household income. Gross margin analysis was used to estimate profitability of zero tillage and conventional. female farmers are participating more in zero tillage with 63.8percent while males are dominating the conventional tillage with 51.6percent. These results show that females play a crucial role in decision making when it comes to agriculture and adoption of new agricultural technologies. The majority of the farmers involved in the study were young farmers with 58percent from zero tillage and 42percent practically involved in conventional tillage. Moreover, the study showed that 41percent of the respondents practising ZT were married, and about 39percent of the respondents practising conventional tillage were married. The marital status of the respondents suggested that zero-tillage farmers were relatively stable in their farming activities as compared to conventional tillage. The results presented that 52.2percent of the respondents who practised zero tillage were better educated than the 48.4percent of the respondents practising conventional tillage. The respondents that were specialising in zero-tillage, about 41% relied on farming, 6% relied on salaried income and 54percent relied on social grants. On the other hand, respondents that were specialising in conventional tillage about, 26percent relied on farming, 16percent relied on salaried income, while 58percent relied on social grants. The respondents that were specialising in zero-tillage, about 28percent used communal land, 1percent used own land and 71percent used family land. On the other hand, respondents that were specialising in conventional tillage about, 42percent used communal land, 7percent use own land and 52percent used family land. The average household size for both groups of farmers is 5 people per household. Household income distribution for conventional tillage is giving the farmers an average of R3187.10 income while the zero tillage is giving them an income of R2305.80 on average. The study revealed that the landholdings for conventional tillage agriculture tend to be more (1.77 ha) compared to zero tillage (0.79 ha) agriculture. The Propensity Score Matching results indicated that participation in smallholder zero tillage farming contributes to household income. This implies that participating in zero tillage farming can contribute to rural livelihoods, increased income and production yields. The study results showed that households chose different farming systems based on their knowledge, level of education and farming experiences. The gross margin results show that conventional tillage farming households generated more income than zero tillage farming households. Farmers who were involved in conventional tillage farming were complaining that yields and income have decreased with time and they are continuing to decrease while farmers who carried out zero tillage farming indicated that their yields and income have improved considerably and continue to increase with time. Thus, support for adopting and implementing zero tillage practices can be an important factor for improving incomes for rural households. Based on the findings highlighted above, the study recommends provision of farm inputs and continuation of government support with more emphasis on strengthening access to inputs and technical assistance. There is a need for support programmes that would help to motivate farmers for better performance. The programmes include infrastructure developments, research and extension activities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Gomo, Zintle
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Tillage--South Africa--Eastern Cape Farms, Small--South Africa--Eastern Cape No-tillage--South Africa--Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Agricultural Economics
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11586 , vital:39087
- Description: The current interest in zero tillage/no-till technologies is a result of the need to reduce excessive land degradation in most crop producing areas as well as to enhance sustainable food production. Farmers are always looking for ways to increase yields and profits and zero-tillage may be a way to achieve this goal. However, a systematic comparative study of the performance of zero-tillage and conventional tillage within the former homeland areas of the Eastern Cape Province is lacking. The broad objective of the study is to comparatively analyze zero tillage and conventional tillage and to determine which practice is more beneficial for the land and farmers in the area. Specifically, the study investigated the relative performance of Zero-tillage and conventional–tillage in terms of quantity produced per farm and per hectare, factors influencing the adoption rate of zero tillage and conventional tillage and to determine the relative impact of zero-tillage and conventional tillage on household income. The study was carried out in Amahlathi Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province and employed survey data obtained from 100 respondents using conventional tillage and zero tillage farmers growing spinach, cabbage, beetroot, maize, and potatoes. The study employed a cross-sectional research design. A multistage stratified sampling procedure was used in which the first stage involved selecting respondents from Amahlathi Local Municipally. This was followed by the selection of villages and then the respondents. This was done through stratification of smallholder farmers from the different Villages. This was followed by random sampling which was used to get the sample size for the study. Stata and SPSS were used to analyze the data. Descriptive statistics was used to examine current farming practices in the Eastern Cape Province while Propensity Score Matching was employed to estimate the factors that had an impact on zero tillage adoption as well as the relative impact of zero tillage and conventional tillage on household income. Gross margin analysis was used to estimate profitability of zero tillage and conventional. female farmers are participating more in zero tillage with 63.8percent while males are dominating the conventional tillage with 51.6percent. These results show that females play a crucial role in decision making when it comes to agriculture and adoption of new agricultural technologies. The majority of the farmers involved in the study were young farmers with 58percent from zero tillage and 42percent practically involved in conventional tillage. Moreover, the study showed that 41percent of the respondents practising ZT were married, and about 39percent of the respondents practising conventional tillage were married. The marital status of the respondents suggested that zero-tillage farmers were relatively stable in their farming activities as compared to conventional tillage. The results presented that 52.2percent of the respondents who practised zero tillage were better educated than the 48.4percent of the respondents practising conventional tillage. The respondents that were specialising in zero-tillage, about 41% relied on farming, 6% relied on salaried income and 54percent relied on social grants. On the other hand, respondents that were specialising in conventional tillage about, 26percent relied on farming, 16percent relied on salaried income, while 58percent relied on social grants. The respondents that were specialising in zero-tillage, about 28percent used communal land, 1percent used own land and 71percent used family land. On the other hand, respondents that were specialising in conventional tillage about, 42percent used communal land, 7percent use own land and 52percent used family land. The average household size for both groups of farmers is 5 people per household. Household income distribution for conventional tillage is giving the farmers an average of R3187.10 income while the zero tillage is giving them an income of R2305.80 on average. The study revealed that the landholdings for conventional tillage agriculture tend to be more (1.77 ha) compared to zero tillage (0.79 ha) agriculture. The Propensity Score Matching results indicated that participation in smallholder zero tillage farming contributes to household income. This implies that participating in zero tillage farming can contribute to rural livelihoods, increased income and production yields. The study results showed that households chose different farming systems based on their knowledge, level of education and farming experiences. The gross margin results show that conventional tillage farming households generated more income than zero tillage farming households. Farmers who were involved in conventional tillage farming were complaining that yields and income have decreased with time and they are continuing to decrease while farmers who carried out zero tillage farming indicated that their yields and income have improved considerably and continue to increase with time. Thus, support for adopting and implementing zero tillage practices can be an important factor for improving incomes for rural households. Based on the findings highlighted above, the study recommends provision of farm inputs and continuation of government support with more emphasis on strengthening access to inputs and technical assistance. There is a need for support programmes that would help to motivate farmers for better performance. The programmes include infrastructure developments, research and extension activities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Computational design of a smart and efficient control system for a residential air source heat pump water heater
- Authors: Yongoua Nana Joel
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Heat pumps -- Specifications Water heaters Renewable energy sources
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4582 , vital:28435
- Description: An air source heat pump (ASHP) water heater is a renewable and energy efficient hot water heating technology. ASHP water heaters are fast gaining maturity in the South African market and in Africa at large due to their low energy consumption (about 67 percent lower than conventional geysers), relatively low installation and operation cost, their environmental friendly nature and possibly the ease to retrofit with the old inefficient technologies. Furthermore, ASHP water heaters make use of some of the most recent advancement in refrigeration technologies enhancing their performance through a wide range of weather conditions. However, residential ASHP water heaters which come at the tail of a series of highly sophisticated models still harbour primitive control designs. One of such control system is the intermittent (on/off) control whereby the ASHP unit responds to a temperature differential threshold rather than instantaneous temperature fluctuations. Unfortunately, this control method contributes to a rapid deterioration of the compressor and other actuators due to high starting current during transient states and partial loading. Capacity control is a better alterative as it offers a more reliable system’s performance as well as a better protection for the system components. However, the drawbacks of implementing such a technology on residential ASHP water heaters is the initial purchasing cost. We use a systematic approach in this research to circumvent the purchasing cost and complete redesign hysteresis. The first step was centered around a hypothetical analysis of the performance of the heat exchangers in a bid to uncover the weakness during the operation of a residential ASHP water heater. It was observed that at ambient temperatures above 22°C notably during summer and winter afternoons, water only harnesses about 75 percent of the total heat rejected. Furthermore, the actuators keep doing work for about 15-20 minutes even after the heat transfer process has ceased completely. Following these observations, a sequential flow algorithm was developed aimed at matching the consumption point to weather variables like ambient temperature and secondly to most efficiently synchronize actuator components for a better energy management. This novel control method can save up to 58 percent of energy compared to the conventional on/off method during summer afternoons and averagely 20 percent during the rest of the day. It also has the merit to be cost effective as it barely requires no component retrofitting.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Yongoua Nana Joel
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Heat pumps -- Specifications Water heaters Renewable energy sources
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4582 , vital:28435
- Description: An air source heat pump (ASHP) water heater is a renewable and energy efficient hot water heating technology. ASHP water heaters are fast gaining maturity in the South African market and in Africa at large due to their low energy consumption (about 67 percent lower than conventional geysers), relatively low installation and operation cost, their environmental friendly nature and possibly the ease to retrofit with the old inefficient technologies. Furthermore, ASHP water heaters make use of some of the most recent advancement in refrigeration technologies enhancing their performance through a wide range of weather conditions. However, residential ASHP water heaters which come at the tail of a series of highly sophisticated models still harbour primitive control designs. One of such control system is the intermittent (on/off) control whereby the ASHP unit responds to a temperature differential threshold rather than instantaneous temperature fluctuations. Unfortunately, this control method contributes to a rapid deterioration of the compressor and other actuators due to high starting current during transient states and partial loading. Capacity control is a better alterative as it offers a more reliable system’s performance as well as a better protection for the system components. However, the drawbacks of implementing such a technology on residential ASHP water heaters is the initial purchasing cost. We use a systematic approach in this research to circumvent the purchasing cost and complete redesign hysteresis. The first step was centered around a hypothetical analysis of the performance of the heat exchangers in a bid to uncover the weakness during the operation of a residential ASHP water heater. It was observed that at ambient temperatures above 22°C notably during summer and winter afternoons, water only harnesses about 75 percent of the total heat rejected. Furthermore, the actuators keep doing work for about 15-20 minutes even after the heat transfer process has ceased completely. Following these observations, a sequential flow algorithm was developed aimed at matching the consumption point to weather variables like ambient temperature and secondly to most efficiently synchronize actuator components for a better energy management. This novel control method can save up to 58 percent of energy compared to the conventional on/off method during summer afternoons and averagely 20 percent during the rest of the day. It also has the merit to be cost effective as it barely requires no component retrofitting.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Land reform and rural livelihoods of evicted farm workers: a case study of Radway Green Farm Project
- Authors: Zishiri, Kudzanai
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/44377 , vital:25402
- Description: The land issue has remained a contentious one more than two decades into a democratic South Africa. With the dispossession of the indigenous people from their land stretching back as far as 1913, eviction of farm workers and farm dwellers has increased tremendously even in the post-Apartheid era. Thus, the main goal of this study is to analyse the impact of the eviction on the Radway Green farm workers’ community and to examine the factors affecting the generation of livelihood activities in their new settlement. In doing so, I used the Sustainable Rural Livelihoods Approach (SRLA) as my theoretical framework as it conceptually grounds my area of study. It was employed to analyse data gathered from the field through in-depth interviews, focus groups, key informant interviews and descriptive observation of the case study. The centrality of the SRLA concept is on rural development, poverty eradication and the ability or sustainability of the vulnerable and poor to cope with stresses and shocks as they make a living (Scoones, 1998: 5). In that regard, the theoretical framework became an important cornerstone in analysing the impact of eviction of the Radway Green farm workers’ community and examining the factors affecting the generation of livelihoods activities in their new settlement. To analyse the research findings, various themes were utilised Forced Evictions and Resettlement; Eviction or Displacement; The Struggles of Recreating Livelihoods; The Need for Security of Land Tenure and Access to Infrastructure. Under these themes, the study revealed how the eviction was detrimental to the livelihoods of the farm workers and farm dwellers as they lost the land that was a primary source for the construction of their livelihoods. They lost employment, homes, agricultural land for food security and natural resources, social and family structures and most importantly cultural disruption. It is well documented that the rural poor who constitute the farm workers and the farm dwellers are some of the vulnerable people who need constant governmental support through the promulgation of laws that protect them and assist in livelihood construction. Thus, this study also served to examine how the evicted workers and their families have settled into their new homes and how they, in conjunction with the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform and any other government agencies are faring in terms of the establishment of income generating projects for their livelihoods at the new settlement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Land reform and rural livelihoods of evicted farm workers: a case study of Radway Green Farm Project
- Authors: Zishiri, Kudzanai
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/44377 , vital:25402
- Description: The land issue has remained a contentious one more than two decades into a democratic South Africa. With the dispossession of the indigenous people from their land stretching back as far as 1913, eviction of farm workers and farm dwellers has increased tremendously even in the post-Apartheid era. Thus, the main goal of this study is to analyse the impact of the eviction on the Radway Green farm workers’ community and to examine the factors affecting the generation of livelihood activities in their new settlement. In doing so, I used the Sustainable Rural Livelihoods Approach (SRLA) as my theoretical framework as it conceptually grounds my area of study. It was employed to analyse data gathered from the field through in-depth interviews, focus groups, key informant interviews and descriptive observation of the case study. The centrality of the SRLA concept is on rural development, poverty eradication and the ability or sustainability of the vulnerable and poor to cope with stresses and shocks as they make a living (Scoones, 1998: 5). In that regard, the theoretical framework became an important cornerstone in analysing the impact of eviction of the Radway Green farm workers’ community and examining the factors affecting the generation of livelihoods activities in their new settlement. To analyse the research findings, various themes were utilised Forced Evictions and Resettlement; Eviction or Displacement; The Struggles of Recreating Livelihoods; The Need for Security of Land Tenure and Access to Infrastructure. Under these themes, the study revealed how the eviction was detrimental to the livelihoods of the farm workers and farm dwellers as they lost the land that was a primary source for the construction of their livelihoods. They lost employment, homes, agricultural land for food security and natural resources, social and family structures and most importantly cultural disruption. It is well documented that the rural poor who constitute the farm workers and the farm dwellers are some of the vulnerable people who need constant governmental support through the promulgation of laws that protect them and assist in livelihood construction. Thus, this study also served to examine how the evicted workers and their families have settled into their new homes and how they, in conjunction with the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform and any other government agencies are faring in terms of the establishment of income generating projects for their livelihoods at the new settlement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Understanding as an epistemic virtue : a value-driven non-factive account
- Authors: Rybko, Caitlin
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:21195 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6874
- Description: Understanding has been somewhat undervalued and underexplored in the current literature and often its value is tied into that of either truth or knowledge. This thesis aims to provide an account of understanding that defends its value as an epistemic good that is not contingent on either knowledge or truth. I will aim to construct an account that is value driven rather than nature driven as it seems that this is where the problem lies. In order to do this I will assess two current accounts of understanding and show that they cannot adequately explain the value that we give to understanding, nor do they explain how we understand.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Rybko, Caitlin
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:21195 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6874
- Description: Understanding has been somewhat undervalued and underexplored in the current literature and often its value is tied into that of either truth or knowledge. This thesis aims to provide an account of understanding that defends its value as an epistemic good that is not contingent on either knowledge or truth. I will aim to construct an account that is value driven rather than nature driven as it seems that this is where the problem lies. In order to do this I will assess two current accounts of understanding and show that they cannot adequately explain the value that we give to understanding, nor do they explain how we understand.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An assessment of the efficiency and effectiveness of the Working for Water NBAL mapping, contract teams and clearing of Acacia mearnsii
- Authors: Modipa, Rebone Dineo
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3192 , vital:20383
- Description: Working for Water (WfW) works to fulfil their dual mandate of protecting ecosystem services and creating employment opportunities for poor communities. There have been many successes but evidence is increasing regarding the inefficiencies at project and site scales. The study was undertaken in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, at a farm called Ann’s Villa situated in the Kommadagga valley, at the foot of the northern side of the Zuurberg pass. The study sought to assess the efficiency of the WfW mapping of natural biological aliens (NBAL), of contract teams and the effectiveness of the clearing methods employed to clear Acacia mearnsii. To achieve this, WfW mapping was analysed, contract team dynamics of the different task groups were observed and assessed and various Acacia mearnsii and indigenous plant variables were measured pre-and post-clearing of A. mearnsii. The first key finding was that overall the WfW NBAL mapping was inaccurate, with WfW A. mearnsii percentage cover (cover) estimations significantly over-estimated. Acacia mearnsii cover over-estimations resulted in fruitless expenditure as contracts were more expensive than necessary. Cover under-estimations also led to the inability to fulfill contractual obligations and the subsequent halting of the clearing of a large portion the study area. It was recommended that the NBAL mapping as well as the cover estimations of NBALs be conducted more rigorously, with expert assistance where skills are lacking, to avoid the associated fruitless expenditure. The second key finding was that WfW contract teams were largely inefficient, as a result of waiting, stemming from the lack of continuity in work. There was a strong positive relationship between subgroup chainsaw operator (CO) to stacker ratio and subgroup CO to stacker efficiency ratio. These inefficiencies meant that a mean of 58±67% of the total money spent per team resulted in fruitless expenditure. It was recommend that contract teams be organised to promote the continuity of work and that the current high stacker to CO ratios be reversed to increase efficiency and reduce fruitless expenditures. The third key finding was that overall the WfW methods of clearing A. mearnsii were 95% effective with a 90% removal success. The last key finding was that initial clearing operations had a largely insignificant impact on indigenous plant biodiversity. It was recommended that post-clearing inspection of quality control is conducted more rigorously and that penalties be implemented to deter contract teams from cutting indigenous species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Modipa, Rebone Dineo
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3192 , vital:20383
- Description: Working for Water (WfW) works to fulfil their dual mandate of protecting ecosystem services and creating employment opportunities for poor communities. There have been many successes but evidence is increasing regarding the inefficiencies at project and site scales. The study was undertaken in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, at a farm called Ann’s Villa situated in the Kommadagga valley, at the foot of the northern side of the Zuurberg pass. The study sought to assess the efficiency of the WfW mapping of natural biological aliens (NBAL), of contract teams and the effectiveness of the clearing methods employed to clear Acacia mearnsii. To achieve this, WfW mapping was analysed, contract team dynamics of the different task groups were observed and assessed and various Acacia mearnsii and indigenous plant variables were measured pre-and post-clearing of A. mearnsii. The first key finding was that overall the WfW NBAL mapping was inaccurate, with WfW A. mearnsii percentage cover (cover) estimations significantly over-estimated. Acacia mearnsii cover over-estimations resulted in fruitless expenditure as contracts were more expensive than necessary. Cover under-estimations also led to the inability to fulfill contractual obligations and the subsequent halting of the clearing of a large portion the study area. It was recommended that the NBAL mapping as well as the cover estimations of NBALs be conducted more rigorously, with expert assistance where skills are lacking, to avoid the associated fruitless expenditure. The second key finding was that WfW contract teams were largely inefficient, as a result of waiting, stemming from the lack of continuity in work. There was a strong positive relationship between subgroup chainsaw operator (CO) to stacker ratio and subgroup CO to stacker efficiency ratio. These inefficiencies meant that a mean of 58±67% of the total money spent per team resulted in fruitless expenditure. It was recommend that contract teams be organised to promote the continuity of work and that the current high stacker to CO ratios be reversed to increase efficiency and reduce fruitless expenditures. The third key finding was that overall the WfW methods of clearing A. mearnsii were 95% effective with a 90% removal success. The last key finding was that initial clearing operations had a largely insignificant impact on indigenous plant biodiversity. It was recommended that post-clearing inspection of quality control is conducted more rigorously and that penalties be implemented to deter contract teams from cutting indigenous species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
An investigation of green marketing opportunities at BOS Ice Tea
- Authors: Ciesielski, Adrian Adam
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:864 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1021246
- Description: The research addresses the marketing activities of BOS Ice Tea, a South African company, and whether they are reflective and grounded within their marketing activities. By analysing public data and interviewing the founding partners, Richard Bowsher and Grant Rushmere, the findings where compared against the marketing paradigms of Ottoman (1999) and the green marketing practices of Gittell et al. (2012). It was determined that the company engages in green activities, but does not communicate them clearly. Further, where the company did promote organic rooibos and sustainability, their actions were not reflective of these behaviours from an academic point of view. Thus, there was the potential for green washing. The research concludes with suggestions for a 4P’s green marketing framework, and comments on areas that need clarity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Ciesielski, Adrian Adam
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:864 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1021246
- Description: The research addresses the marketing activities of BOS Ice Tea, a South African company, and whether they are reflective and grounded within their marketing activities. By analysing public data and interviewing the founding partners, Richard Bowsher and Grant Rushmere, the findings where compared against the marketing paradigms of Ottoman (1999) and the green marketing practices of Gittell et al. (2012). It was determined that the company engages in green activities, but does not communicate them clearly. Further, where the company did promote organic rooibos and sustainability, their actions were not reflective of these behaviours from an academic point of view. Thus, there was the potential for green washing. The research concludes with suggestions for a 4P’s green marketing framework, and comments on areas that need clarity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Characterization of various garden grass species for energy conversion in a down draft biomass gasifier
- Authors: Mkosi, Lungisa
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Biomass energy Greenhouse gases Renewable energy sources
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5817 , vital:29399
- Description: Energy plays a vital role in socio-economic development and raising living standards of human beings. The overreliance on fossil fuels results in the depletion of fossil fuels as well as environmental pollution from the green-house gases that result from the use of fossil fuels. Biomass feedstock are able to ameliorate this situation by utilizing the CO2 that has been used by plants during photosynthesis. This study investigated the suitability of the three garden grass species (Chloris gayana, Cynodon dactylon and Pennisetum clandestum) as biomass feedstock for gasification purposes. The three garden grass species were collected at the Alice Campus of the University of Fort Hare. These grass species were characterized using elemental analyser (CHNS), FT-IR, EDX and TGA. The Activation energy (Ea) of the three grass species were 48.22 kJ/mol for P. clandestum, 36.8 kJ/mol for C. gayana and 258 kJ/mol for C. dactylon. Of the three grass species, C. gayana had the lowest Activation energy of 36.8 kJ/mol and also had the highest maximum efficiency of 69 percent compared to 65.3 percent for P. clandestum and 63.5 percent for C. dactylon. Actual gasification was not carried out but the results on maximum efficiency were obtained from computer simulation of gasification.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Mkosi, Lungisa
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Biomass energy Greenhouse gases Renewable energy sources
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5817 , vital:29399
- Description: Energy plays a vital role in socio-economic development and raising living standards of human beings. The overreliance on fossil fuels results in the depletion of fossil fuels as well as environmental pollution from the green-house gases that result from the use of fossil fuels. Biomass feedstock are able to ameliorate this situation by utilizing the CO2 that has been used by plants during photosynthesis. This study investigated the suitability of the three garden grass species (Chloris gayana, Cynodon dactylon and Pennisetum clandestum) as biomass feedstock for gasification purposes. The three garden grass species were collected at the Alice Campus of the University of Fort Hare. These grass species were characterized using elemental analyser (CHNS), FT-IR, EDX and TGA. The Activation energy (Ea) of the three grass species were 48.22 kJ/mol for P. clandestum, 36.8 kJ/mol for C. gayana and 258 kJ/mol for C. dactylon. Of the three grass species, C. gayana had the lowest Activation energy of 36.8 kJ/mol and also had the highest maximum efficiency of 69 percent compared to 65.3 percent for P. clandestum and 63.5 percent for C. dactylon. Actual gasification was not carried out but the results on maximum efficiency were obtained from computer simulation of gasification.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
A needs analysis of an employee wellness programme : the case of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Swaziland
- Authors: Madlopha, Sboniso Charles
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Financial Services Regulatory Authority (Swaziland) , Employee health promotion -- Swaziland , Needs assessment -- Swaziland , Absenteeism (Labor) -- Swaziland , Employee morale -- Swaziland , Contracting out -- Swaziland
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:857 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018912
- Description: In 2010, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Swaziland noticed a significant increase in employee absenteeism which they discovered was related mainly to: poor health (sick leave), personal and financial stress (garnishee orders were increasing), and low staff morale, the consequence of which was low productivity and missed deadlines (FSRA, 2010:7). High levels of absenteeism meant that a sizeable number of employees were unable to complete their daily tasks (FSRA, 2010:7). Consequently, in 2011, the FSRA Human Resource Department started a wellness programme for all employees in the organization in an attempt to respond to the human resource challenges reported in 2009/10 financial year. By the end of 2012, FSRA management reported that the introduction of the EWP had not yielded the expected results. This therefore prompted management to request an evaluation of the FSRA employee wellness programme. The aim of this research was to identify and prioritize the needs of employees in terms of requirements of a wellness programme and how it should be delivered. The specific objectives of the study are as follows: to identify the wellness needs of employees, to identify employee preferences in terms of the type of interventions to be included in a wellness programme, to identify the preferred mode of delivery of the wellness programme and to make recommendations to management on the design of a wellness programme. Questionnaires with closed ended questions were used to collect data for this survey. The questionnaire used is attached as Appendix A. By means of a needs analysis survey, this research was designed to assess the FSRA employees’ needs in terms of an employee wellness programme, as well as the preferred EWP delivery methods. About 70 percent of FSRA employees participated in the survey. The respondents completed the questionnaire and submitted it online over a period of 10 working days (2 weeks). This report is structured into three sections, namely; section one, which is the evaluation report that gives details of the importance of the study, highlights research methods and then present the results, discussions and recommendations. Section two deals with the literature review while section three reports on the research methodology, research design and procedures and the limitation of the study. In light of the findings on the wellness needs of employees, 72 percent of the respondents felt the current wellness programme was very inadequate and a further 10 percent added that it was inadequate in addressing their wellness needs largely because the needs were not known. The most important wellness needs identified included: exercise, nutrition, personal hygiene, disease awareness and treatment of illness, coping with stress, coping with workload, ventilation, safety, bereavement, personal debt, and retirement planning. The most preferred wellness interventions that respondents proposed include Flexible Work Schedule, Safe Workplace, Improved Ventilation, Retirement Planning Advice and Gymnasium. Further analysis done using correlation analysis indicated that there was a significant positive relationship between the wellness needs and the wellness interventions. Concerning the delivery of the wellness programme, most of the employees indicated that outsourcing certain services was better than having them in house. The highest ranking of the services for out sourcing were nutrition education and medical checkups that ranked between 82 percent and 75 percent respectively. The respondents indicated that they want almost all the chosen interventions to be outsourced. Time slots should also be taken into consideration to ensure employee participation in the wellness programme services. The respondent FSRA employees seem to prefer interventions of an educational nature to be during the lunch hour. These include Nutrition Education, Health Education, Hygiene Education and Medical Check ups and Treatment, whereas Gymnasium was preferred to be after working hours.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Madlopha, Sboniso Charles
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Financial Services Regulatory Authority (Swaziland) , Employee health promotion -- Swaziland , Needs assessment -- Swaziland , Absenteeism (Labor) -- Swaziland , Employee morale -- Swaziland , Contracting out -- Swaziland
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:857 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018912
- Description: In 2010, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Swaziland noticed a significant increase in employee absenteeism which they discovered was related mainly to: poor health (sick leave), personal and financial stress (garnishee orders were increasing), and low staff morale, the consequence of which was low productivity and missed deadlines (FSRA, 2010:7). High levels of absenteeism meant that a sizeable number of employees were unable to complete their daily tasks (FSRA, 2010:7). Consequently, in 2011, the FSRA Human Resource Department started a wellness programme for all employees in the organization in an attempt to respond to the human resource challenges reported in 2009/10 financial year. By the end of 2012, FSRA management reported that the introduction of the EWP had not yielded the expected results. This therefore prompted management to request an evaluation of the FSRA employee wellness programme. The aim of this research was to identify and prioritize the needs of employees in terms of requirements of a wellness programme and how it should be delivered. The specific objectives of the study are as follows: to identify the wellness needs of employees, to identify employee preferences in terms of the type of interventions to be included in a wellness programme, to identify the preferred mode of delivery of the wellness programme and to make recommendations to management on the design of a wellness programme. Questionnaires with closed ended questions were used to collect data for this survey. The questionnaire used is attached as Appendix A. By means of a needs analysis survey, this research was designed to assess the FSRA employees’ needs in terms of an employee wellness programme, as well as the preferred EWP delivery methods. About 70 percent of FSRA employees participated in the survey. The respondents completed the questionnaire and submitted it online over a period of 10 working days (2 weeks). This report is structured into three sections, namely; section one, which is the evaluation report that gives details of the importance of the study, highlights research methods and then present the results, discussions and recommendations. Section two deals with the literature review while section three reports on the research methodology, research design and procedures and the limitation of the study. In light of the findings on the wellness needs of employees, 72 percent of the respondents felt the current wellness programme was very inadequate and a further 10 percent added that it was inadequate in addressing their wellness needs largely because the needs were not known. The most important wellness needs identified included: exercise, nutrition, personal hygiene, disease awareness and treatment of illness, coping with stress, coping with workload, ventilation, safety, bereavement, personal debt, and retirement planning. The most preferred wellness interventions that respondents proposed include Flexible Work Schedule, Safe Workplace, Improved Ventilation, Retirement Planning Advice and Gymnasium. Further analysis done using correlation analysis indicated that there was a significant positive relationship between the wellness needs and the wellness interventions. Concerning the delivery of the wellness programme, most of the employees indicated that outsourcing certain services was better than having them in house. The highest ranking of the services for out sourcing were nutrition education and medical checkups that ranked between 82 percent and 75 percent respectively. The respondents indicated that they want almost all the chosen interventions to be outsourced. Time slots should also be taken into consideration to ensure employee participation in the wellness programme services. The respondent FSRA employees seem to prefer interventions of an educational nature to be during the lunch hour. These include Nutrition Education, Health Education, Hygiene Education and Medical Check ups and Treatment, whereas Gymnasium was preferred to be after working hours.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An analysis of barriers which affect women in leadership positions in Eastern Cape Municipalities : case study of Amathole District Municipality
- Authors: Nyangiwe-Ndika, Welekazi
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Leadership in women -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Sex discrimination against women -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Women executives -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2049 , vital:27601
- Description: The primary concern of the study is to examine leadership challenges confronted by women leaders in Eastern Cape municipalities. International organisations has made a number commitments encouraging gender parity and eliminating imbalance against women in the past three decades, through international platforms. In the World Summit held in 2005, it was recommended that a Platform for Action (1995) and the resolutions of the Twenty Third special session of the General Assembly as a crucial baseline in attaining then internationally agreed development goals, as well as those contained in the Millennium Declaration. (www.ilo.org) In the above forums national decision makers worldwide were urged to apply strategies and programmes which would improve gender fairness, in leadership positions, giving women complete and comparable share in economic, social, cultural and political decision-making as men. South Africa as a role player in the international space also joined the world in endorsing various programmes and strategies which seek to address gender parities and strive to eliminate women oppression especially in public sector.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Nyangiwe-Ndika, Welekazi
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Leadership in women -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Sex discrimination against women -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Women executives -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2049 , vital:27601
- Description: The primary concern of the study is to examine leadership challenges confronted by women leaders in Eastern Cape municipalities. International organisations has made a number commitments encouraging gender parity and eliminating imbalance against women in the past three decades, through international platforms. In the World Summit held in 2005, it was recommended that a Platform for Action (1995) and the resolutions of the Twenty Third special session of the General Assembly as a crucial baseline in attaining then internationally agreed development goals, as well as those contained in the Millennium Declaration. (www.ilo.org) In the above forums national decision makers worldwide were urged to apply strategies and programmes which would improve gender fairness, in leadership positions, giving women complete and comparable share in economic, social, cultural and political decision-making as men. South Africa as a role player in the international space also joined the world in endorsing various programmes and strategies which seek to address gender parities and strive to eliminate women oppression especially in public sector.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An empirical study on staff turnover and retention within Eskom : Eastern Cape Operating Unit
- Authors: Chibba, Rajesh Chagan
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Eskom (Firm) , Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee retention -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Career development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:847 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017514
- Description: This research paper is broken up into three sections, namely an evaluation report, a literature review and a description of the research methodology. The evaluation report section is an assessment of the factors that could contribute to staff leaving the organisation and why staff would choose to remain with the organisation. The Distribution Division of Eskom is divided into nine separate Operating Units (OU's), in line with the nine Provinces. According to an Eskom Human Resource Manager (Mjali, 2013), as at March 2012 there were 2231 employees in the Easter Cape Operating Unit, while the staff turnover for the same period was 4.53%. Of the 101 staff that had resigned for the period 01 April 2011 to 31 March 2012, there were 27 transfers, 26 resignations and 30 retirements. The balance of 18 staff that left was due to dismissals and deaths. While the statistics suggest a healthy level of staff turnover at present, given the current pressures that Eskom employees are under, it is important to investigate their future intentions and to see what Eskom can do to continue to retain their services. The literature relating to staff turnover and retention was examined to determine the meaning of the terms retention and turnover and to review the relevant turnover topics that were emerging from the exit interview data. The research conducted was quantitative in nature, and a questionnaire was distributed to all managerial staff within the Eastern Cape Operating Unit of Eskom. The questionnaire was sent electronically to the participants via email with the link to the questionnaire. Participants were requested to respond on questions relating to factors on turnover and retention, and the responses were used to assess employee's intention to either remain with the organisation or to leave. The feedback received was analysed with the use of data analysis in Microsoft Excel (2010). The results of the research showed that there were two distinct themes related to employees' intention to remain with the organisation, namely job satisfaction and career development. On the other end of the scale, themes which would cause staff to want to leave the organisation were the performance management system of the organisation, not being listened to (i.e. to the ideas and views of staff) and leadership (i.e. the way the organisation was being led). Recommendations are made to management. The study also recommends future research that can be done to get greater insight into factors relating to staff turnover and retention. A detailed review of the literature is included in Section two of the report. Only essential components of the literature are included in Section one of report. Section three of the report provided a detailed description of the research design and the research procedure that was followed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Chibba, Rajesh Chagan
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Eskom (Firm) , Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee retention -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Career development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:847 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017514
- Description: This research paper is broken up into three sections, namely an evaluation report, a literature review and a description of the research methodology. The evaluation report section is an assessment of the factors that could contribute to staff leaving the organisation and why staff would choose to remain with the organisation. The Distribution Division of Eskom is divided into nine separate Operating Units (OU's), in line with the nine Provinces. According to an Eskom Human Resource Manager (Mjali, 2013), as at March 2012 there were 2231 employees in the Easter Cape Operating Unit, while the staff turnover for the same period was 4.53%. Of the 101 staff that had resigned for the period 01 April 2011 to 31 March 2012, there were 27 transfers, 26 resignations and 30 retirements. The balance of 18 staff that left was due to dismissals and deaths. While the statistics suggest a healthy level of staff turnover at present, given the current pressures that Eskom employees are under, it is important to investigate their future intentions and to see what Eskom can do to continue to retain their services. The literature relating to staff turnover and retention was examined to determine the meaning of the terms retention and turnover and to review the relevant turnover topics that were emerging from the exit interview data. The research conducted was quantitative in nature, and a questionnaire was distributed to all managerial staff within the Eastern Cape Operating Unit of Eskom. The questionnaire was sent electronically to the participants via email with the link to the questionnaire. Participants were requested to respond on questions relating to factors on turnover and retention, and the responses were used to assess employee's intention to either remain with the organisation or to leave. The feedback received was analysed with the use of data analysis in Microsoft Excel (2010). The results of the research showed that there were two distinct themes related to employees' intention to remain with the organisation, namely job satisfaction and career development. On the other end of the scale, themes which would cause staff to want to leave the organisation were the performance management system of the organisation, not being listened to (i.e. to the ideas and views of staff) and leadership (i.e. the way the organisation was being led). Recommendations are made to management. The study also recommends future research that can be done to get greater insight into factors relating to staff turnover and retention. A detailed review of the literature is included in Section two of the report. Only essential components of the literature are included in Section one of report. Section three of the report provided a detailed description of the research design and the research procedure that was followed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Investigating how a peer teaching programme could shape the mathematical experience of the participating tutors
- Authors: Lubasi, Justin Mwandamena
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) , Peer teaching , Mathematical ability
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2039 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017350
- Description: This case study, involving six Grade 10 learners, investigates how a peer tutoring programme could shape the mathematical experience and disposition of the participating tutors. The study is grounded in an interpretive paradigm and data was collected in four sequential phases. The Mathematics Dispositional Functions Inventory (MDFI) instrument was completed by the tutors prior to commencement of the tutoring programme. The tutoring sessions then took place over a three week period during which time each tutor kept a reflective journal. Semi-structured interviews were then conducted, after which each tutor completed the MDFI instrument again in order to track any potential changes in their mathematical disposition. The study found that the participating tutors showed an improved mathematics disposition after the peer tutoring experience. Not only was the peer tutoring programme an empowering experience for the tutors, it also had a positive influence on both the tutors’ self-confidence as well as their perceived mathematical ability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Lubasi, Justin Mwandamena
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) , Peer teaching , Mathematical ability
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2039 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017350
- Description: This case study, involving six Grade 10 learners, investigates how a peer tutoring programme could shape the mathematical experience and disposition of the participating tutors. The study is grounded in an interpretive paradigm and data was collected in four sequential phases. The Mathematics Dispositional Functions Inventory (MDFI) instrument was completed by the tutors prior to commencement of the tutoring programme. The tutoring sessions then took place over a three week period during which time each tutor kept a reflective journal. Semi-structured interviews were then conducted, after which each tutor completed the MDFI instrument again in order to track any potential changes in their mathematical disposition. The study found that the participating tutors showed an improved mathematics disposition after the peer tutoring experience. Not only was the peer tutoring programme an empowering experience for the tutors, it also had a positive influence on both the tutors’ self-confidence as well as their perceived mathematical ability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Perceptions of indigenous people regarding mental illness at Cacadu District in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Tilolo, Lwazi Romeo
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Indigenous peoples -- Mental health -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Cultural psychiatry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Healers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ethnopsychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2677 , vital:27983
- Description: Indigenous people tend to consult traditional healers when a family member manifests change in behaviour, whilst conventional treatment disregards spirituality when preserving mental health. The aim of the study was to explore the perceptions of indigenous people and the role of traditional healers in the management of mentally ill persons within the Cacadu District in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study has adopted a qualitative approach which was exploratory and descriptive in nature. The sample consisted of nine relatives of mental health care users (MHCUs) and six traditional healers. Ethical principles were also taken into consideration by the researcher during the process of conducting the study. Data were collected from two strata, namely, relatives of the MHCUs and the traditional healers and an interview guide was used to conduct in-depth face-to-face interviews. Data were analysed using Tesch’s method of data analysis. Four themes emerged from the data categories and sub categories were identified. According to the themes participants indicated the negative impact of mental illness; as a result they portrayed great desperation regarding the means of accessing a cure for mental illness. Some participants showed insufficient knowledge regarding mental illness and had different perceptions and beliefs regarding the origin of mental illness. Available literature was used to emphasise and support the views that were expressed by both traditional healers and relatives of MHCUs. It has been highlighted from this study that indigenous people of Cacadu District view mental illness as spiritual in origin but they include Western medication for the benefit of the mentally ill. In addition, the relatives of the MHCUs highlighted the economic burden as the major problem that results from mental illness.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Tilolo, Lwazi Romeo
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Indigenous peoples -- Mental health -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Cultural psychiatry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Healers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Ethnopsychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2677 , vital:27983
- Description: Indigenous people tend to consult traditional healers when a family member manifests change in behaviour, whilst conventional treatment disregards spirituality when preserving mental health. The aim of the study was to explore the perceptions of indigenous people and the role of traditional healers in the management of mentally ill persons within the Cacadu District in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study has adopted a qualitative approach which was exploratory and descriptive in nature. The sample consisted of nine relatives of mental health care users (MHCUs) and six traditional healers. Ethical principles were also taken into consideration by the researcher during the process of conducting the study. Data were collected from two strata, namely, relatives of the MHCUs and the traditional healers and an interview guide was used to conduct in-depth face-to-face interviews. Data were analysed using Tesch’s method of data analysis. Four themes emerged from the data categories and sub categories were identified. According to the themes participants indicated the negative impact of mental illness; as a result they portrayed great desperation regarding the means of accessing a cure for mental illness. Some participants showed insufficient knowledge regarding mental illness and had different perceptions and beliefs regarding the origin of mental illness. Available literature was used to emphasise and support the views that were expressed by both traditional healers and relatives of MHCUs. It has been highlighted from this study that indigenous people of Cacadu District view mental illness as spiritual in origin but they include Western medication for the benefit of the mentally ill. In addition, the relatives of the MHCUs highlighted the economic burden as the major problem that results from mental illness.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Statistical analysis of the ionospheric response during storm conditions over South Africa using ionosonde and GPS data
- Matamba, Tshimangadzo Merline
- Authors: Matamba, Tshimangadzo Merline
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Ionospheric storms -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Ionospheric storms -- South Africa -- Madimbo , Magnetic storms -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Magnetic storms -- South Africa -- Madimbo , Ionosondes , Global Positioning System
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5555 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017899
- Description: Ionospheric storms are an extreme form of space weather phenomena which affect space- and ground-based technological systems. Extreme solar activity may give rise to Coronal Mass Ejections (CME) and solar flares that may result in ionospheric storms. This thesis reports on a statistical analysis of the ionospheric response over the ionosonde stations Grahamstown (33.3◦S, 26.5◦E) and Madimbo (22.4◦S,30.9◦E), South Africa, during geomagnetic storm conditions which occurred during the period 1996 - 2011. Total Electron Content (TEC) derived from Global Positioning System (GPS) data by a dual Frequency receiver and an ionosonde at Grahamstown, was analysed for the storms that occurred during the period 2006 - 2011. A comprehensive analysis of the critical frequency of the F2 layer (foF2) and TEC was done. To identify the geomagnetically disturbed conditions the Disturbance storm time (Dst) index with a storm criteria of Dst ≤ −50 nT was used. The ionospheric disturbances were categorized into three responses, namely single disturbance, double disturbance and not significant (NS) ionospheric storms. Single disturbance ionospheric storms refer to positive (P) and negative (N) ionospheric storms observed separately, while double disturbance storms refer to negative and positive ionospheric storms observed during the same storm period. The statistics show the impact of geomagnetic storms on the ionosphere and indicate that negative ionospheric effects follow the solar cycle. In general, only a few ionospheric storms (0.11%) were observed during solar minimum. Positive ionospheric storms occurred most frequently (47.54%) during the declining phase of solar cycle 23. Seasonally, negative ionospheric storms occurred mostly during the summer (63.24%), while positive ionospheric storms occurred frequently during the winter (53.62%). An important finding is that only negative ionospheric storms were observed during great geomagnetic storm activity (Dst ≤ −350 nT). For periods when both ionosonde and GPS was available, the two data sets indicated similar ionospheric responses. Hence, GPS data can be used to effectively identify the ionospheric response in the absence of ionosonde data.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Matamba, Tshimangadzo Merline
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Ionospheric storms -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Ionospheric storms -- South Africa -- Madimbo , Magnetic storms -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Magnetic storms -- South Africa -- Madimbo , Ionosondes , Global Positioning System
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5555 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017899
- Description: Ionospheric storms are an extreme form of space weather phenomena which affect space- and ground-based technological systems. Extreme solar activity may give rise to Coronal Mass Ejections (CME) and solar flares that may result in ionospheric storms. This thesis reports on a statistical analysis of the ionospheric response over the ionosonde stations Grahamstown (33.3◦S, 26.5◦E) and Madimbo (22.4◦S,30.9◦E), South Africa, during geomagnetic storm conditions which occurred during the period 1996 - 2011. Total Electron Content (TEC) derived from Global Positioning System (GPS) data by a dual Frequency receiver and an ionosonde at Grahamstown, was analysed for the storms that occurred during the period 2006 - 2011. A comprehensive analysis of the critical frequency of the F2 layer (foF2) and TEC was done. To identify the geomagnetically disturbed conditions the Disturbance storm time (Dst) index with a storm criteria of Dst ≤ −50 nT was used. The ionospheric disturbances were categorized into three responses, namely single disturbance, double disturbance and not significant (NS) ionospheric storms. Single disturbance ionospheric storms refer to positive (P) and negative (N) ionospheric storms observed separately, while double disturbance storms refer to negative and positive ionospheric storms observed during the same storm period. The statistics show the impact of geomagnetic storms on the ionosphere and indicate that negative ionospheric effects follow the solar cycle. In general, only a few ionospheric storms (0.11%) were observed during solar minimum. Positive ionospheric storms occurred most frequently (47.54%) during the declining phase of solar cycle 23. Seasonally, negative ionospheric storms occurred mostly during the summer (63.24%), while positive ionospheric storms occurred frequently during the winter (53.62%). An important finding is that only negative ionospheric storms were observed during great geomagnetic storm activity (Dst ≤ −350 nT). For periods when both ionosonde and GPS was available, the two data sets indicated similar ionospheric responses. Hence, GPS data can be used to effectively identify the ionospheric response in the absence of ionosonde data.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Sunrays in a chilly winter
- Authors: Nolutshungu, Simphiwe
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Creative writing (Higher education) -- South Africa , South African poetry (English) -- Study and teaching (Higher) , South African poetry (English) -- 21st century , South Africa -- Poetry
- Language: English , Xhosa
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:5993 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017777
- Description: In both my English and IsiXhosa poetry, my themes are love, politics, and the social issues of rural communities, and include my own life experiences, both good and bad. My poems are mainly short narrative accounts of township life. Although they do have a broad educational purpose, they do not preach to the reader. In IsiXhosa, my poetic forms are influenced by the works of J J R Jolobe, W N Mbovane, P T Mtuze, and my English poems by Pablo Neruda, Mafika Pascal Gwala, Garcia Lorca and others. , Intliziyo yona izimele gxebe ifihlakele Iyimfihlo, kumagumbi omphefumlo. Iyafunxa, ifukame kulo magumbi amxinwa. Iingcango, mba! Zivaliwe! Maxa wambi zide zixel’ isisila senkukhu, sona sibonwa mhla ligquthayo. Vul’ amehlo ubaz’ iindlebe uchul’ ukunyathela. Yiza ndikubambe ngesandla, sivul’ iingcango! Masivul’ iingcango zentliziyo yam, sikrobe ngaphakathi! Masithi ntla‐ntla kumagumb’ amathathu kuphela! Masithi ntla‐ntla, kwelepolitiki yakwaXhosa, Kaloku nam ndingumXhosa! Masithi ntla‐ntla kwelifukame, i.z.i.x.i.n.g.a.x.i n.o.b.u.n.c.w.a.n.e. b.o.t.h.a.n.d.o, kaloku nam ndinemithamb’ ebalek’ igaz’ eliqhumayo! Ucango lokugqibela lukungenisa kwigumbi elinezidl’ umzi, Kaloku nam ndizalwa kulo mzi wakwaXhoooooosa! , This thesis is presented in two parts: English and isiXhosa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Nolutshungu, Simphiwe
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Creative writing (Higher education) -- South Africa , South African poetry (English) -- Study and teaching (Higher) , South African poetry (English) -- 21st century , South Africa -- Poetry
- Language: English , Xhosa
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:5993 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017777
- Description: In both my English and IsiXhosa poetry, my themes are love, politics, and the social issues of rural communities, and include my own life experiences, both good and bad. My poems are mainly short narrative accounts of township life. Although they do have a broad educational purpose, they do not preach to the reader. In IsiXhosa, my poetic forms are influenced by the works of J J R Jolobe, W N Mbovane, P T Mtuze, and my English poems by Pablo Neruda, Mafika Pascal Gwala, Garcia Lorca and others. , Intliziyo yona izimele gxebe ifihlakele Iyimfihlo, kumagumbi omphefumlo. Iyafunxa, ifukame kulo magumbi amxinwa. Iingcango, mba! Zivaliwe! Maxa wambi zide zixel’ isisila senkukhu, sona sibonwa mhla ligquthayo. Vul’ amehlo ubaz’ iindlebe uchul’ ukunyathela. Yiza ndikubambe ngesandla, sivul’ iingcango! Masivul’ iingcango zentliziyo yam, sikrobe ngaphakathi! Masithi ntla‐ntla kumagumb’ amathathu kuphela! Masithi ntla‐ntla, kwelepolitiki yakwaXhosa, Kaloku nam ndingumXhosa! Masithi ntla‐ntla kwelifukame, i.z.i.x.i.n.g.a.x.i n.o.b.u.n.c.w.a.n.e. b.o.t.h.a.n.d.o, kaloku nam ndinemithamb’ ebalek’ igaz’ eliqhumayo! Ucango lokugqibela lukungenisa kwigumbi elinezidl’ umzi, Kaloku nam ndizalwa kulo mzi wakwaXhoooooosa! , This thesis is presented in two parts: English and isiXhosa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
A survey of youth development projects in the Department of Social Development in the province of the Eastern Cape: a management perspective
- Dliwayo, Mziwodumo Archibald
- Authors: Dliwayo, Mziwodumo Archibald
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Youth in development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects , Youth -- Services for
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4429 , vital:20600
- Description: The objective of this research is to establish how non-adherence of Amathole District development projects to the Department of Social Development’s Community Development Systems and Operational Manual has contributed to failure of these projects. The background to this research lies in the deliberate policy efforts of the post 1994 democratic dispensation in South Africa to drive development through community-based development approaches. Explicitly pro-poor public policies, development plans and fiscal frameworks were anchored on the concept of community empowerment. The Reconstruction and Development Programme was the first such policy and strategy framework that sought to enshrine the principles of community empowerment and participation. As such, Provincial and Local government are often seen as key strategic drivers of community empowerment initiatives and interventions. South Africa’s governance model is still evolving, but it is clearly committed to local development and service delivery through a decentralised system of government that espouses community involvement. Government strategy has been heavily focused on speed and delivery in order to deal with the historical socio-economic backlogs it inherited. In the focus area of youth development projects, one recognises that poor management has dramatically reduced the effectiveness of many interventions. This research explores how non-adherence of these projects to policy guidelines set out in the Community Development Systems and Operations Manual has contributed to their failure. The research does this by looking at the various management procedures that are supposed to be undertaken during both the initial planning phases and during the subsequent implementation phases of youth development projects. Actual methodologies are compared against this standard. The research is undoubtedly a contribution to the field of strategic management of youth development initiatives which have as their primary intention the reduction of youth unemployment. Research surveys on this topic are limited, and the objective is to enrich the discourse on effective youth projects management practices.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Dliwayo, Mziwodumo Archibald
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Youth in development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects , Youth -- Services for
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4429 , vital:20600
- Description: The objective of this research is to establish how non-adherence of Amathole District development projects to the Department of Social Development’s Community Development Systems and Operational Manual has contributed to failure of these projects. The background to this research lies in the deliberate policy efforts of the post 1994 democratic dispensation in South Africa to drive development through community-based development approaches. Explicitly pro-poor public policies, development plans and fiscal frameworks were anchored on the concept of community empowerment. The Reconstruction and Development Programme was the first such policy and strategy framework that sought to enshrine the principles of community empowerment and participation. As such, Provincial and Local government are often seen as key strategic drivers of community empowerment initiatives and interventions. South Africa’s governance model is still evolving, but it is clearly committed to local development and service delivery through a decentralised system of government that espouses community involvement. Government strategy has been heavily focused on speed and delivery in order to deal with the historical socio-economic backlogs it inherited. In the focus area of youth development projects, one recognises that poor management has dramatically reduced the effectiveness of many interventions. This research explores how non-adherence of these projects to policy guidelines set out in the Community Development Systems and Operations Manual has contributed to their failure. The research does this by looking at the various management procedures that are supposed to be undertaken during both the initial planning phases and during the subsequent implementation phases of youth development projects. Actual methodologies are compared against this standard. The research is undoubtedly a contribution to the field of strategic management of youth development initiatives which have as their primary intention the reduction of youth unemployment. Research surveys on this topic are limited, and the objective is to enrich the discourse on effective youth projects management practices.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014