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Spatio-temporal variation of the land surface parameters in Temperature, in King Williams Town, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

  • Authors: Willie, Yanga Adrian
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Environmental sciences
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12106 , vital:39152
  • Description: The world is currently experiencing unprecedented urban growth. The influx of people into urban areas from rural areas is motivated by both economic and social factors such as increased employment opportunities. The latter is a result of, in part, industrialization, and the perceived higher standard of living that is often associated with access to better infrastructure. Surface Heat Island (SHI) is a phenomenon whereby urban areas experience higher surface temperatures than the surrounding rural areas. The presence of the SHI in urban areas has a negative impact not only on city dwellers, but also on the environment and the economy. The development of SHI is often associated with patterns of land use and land cover in urban areas. Numerous methods exist that can be used to study SHI’s. Literature suggests that Land Surface Temperature (LST), derived from satellite imagery, is a proven method that produces reliable results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the SHI in King Williams Town by studying the relationship between land surface temperatures, land cover and land cover indices. The derived indices are the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Normalized Difference Built up Index (NDBI). These indices were selected because they are representative of the land cover scheme used in the research study. This study was conducted in the King Williams town area between the years 1995 and 2018 the land surface temperature was derived from Landsat ETM + high thermal band data. The findings from this study provide an idea on the correlation between satellite derived land surface temperature and the land modification which occurred during the urbanization of King Williams Town during a 23 year period between1995 and 2018. The built up land category was the most influential in the development of high land surface temperature levels , vegetation had an opposite effect as a series of data sets illustrated that vegetated areas had a iv cooling effect on the surface. Water bodies in the study area had an insignificant effect on the Surface temperature levels while the grass lands weren’t as cooling as the vegetation but provided a cooling environment in the study area .The spatial distribution of areas of high surface temperature (hot spots) was discovered to be concentrated in the urban areas of the study area which is in the northwest region of the study area and correlates to the land cover and land cover indices associated with built up and artificial surfaces. The cooler areas or patches of land with lower values of land surface temperature were distributed on the outskirts of the study area away from the CBD and residential areas. This was the case because of the high concentration of vegetation and thicker grass lands in those regions.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

An exploratory case study of accelerator programmes in the Republic of South Africa

  • Authors: Mametse, Mmankitseng Lerato
  • Date: 2019
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/92639 , vital:30737
  • Description: South Africa is facing a challenge of poverty, unemployment and low growth. Government has identified the small and medium-sized business (SME) sector as one of the ways through which to combat these challenges. Government has also set up programmes and agencies to support SMEs in their search for funding and other kinds of support. South Africa, however, has one of the highest rates of SME failures in the world, with the majority not surviving beyond three years. Alternative interventions are therefore required to support South Africa’s SMEs to become sustainable companies beyond three years and to contribute positively to economic growth, poverty alleviation and job creation. This paper explores one kind of intervention that has been used internationally and that is increasingly being adopted in South Africa. Accelerator programmes, aimed at supporting start-ups to get to the next level of their development, have been growing in numbers around the world, trying to replicate the success of the original accelerator programme – the Y Combinator – which was responsible for the success of household names such as Airbnb and Dropbox. Accelerator programmes help start-up companies define and build their initial products, identify promising customer segments, and secure resources, including capital and employees. By making these necessary resources available to start-ups, it may be possible to ensure that fewer start-ups fail and more SMEs remain sustainable into the future. Several accelerator programmes have been founded in South Africa, all with a similar aim: to accelerate the development of start-ups that have the potential to grow exponentially given access to the right resources. This paper examines how South African accelerator programmes work in terms of the key resources made available to the start-ups that participate in their programmes. An increasing number of academic papers have been written on accelerator programmes internationally, but little information is available for the South African context. This research study investigated the phenomenon of accelerator programmes in South Africa through the lens of Resource-based Theory. The theory posits that, in order to gain a sustained competitive advantage, companies need to utilise their resources (including physical, human and organisational) in a manner that is effective and efficient, both internally and externally. The research answers the following questions: How do accelerator programmes work in South Africa? What value (in terms of resources offered) do they claim to bring to start-ups that go through their accelerator programmes? An exploratory case study method was selected to understand the phenomenon of accelerator programmes in South Africa. Purposeful sampling was used in the selection of accelerator programmes, as it allows for the selection of information-rich cases. The research findings indicate that accelerator programmes in South Africa follow the structure of providing start-ups, over a period between three months and one year, with resources that will assist them to be successful into the future. The investigation finds that human and financial resources are some of the most valuable resources that accelerator programmes provide to start-ups to help progress these start-ups to their next level of development. The most important resource is mentorship from knowledgeable industry players who are themselves entrepreneurs. Access to networks to gain access to the market, as well as funding, is also made available by accelerator programmes. This investigation provides a glimpse of the accelerator programme phenomenon in South Africa and highlights the important role that mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs, and access to markets and funding, play in the development of start-ups.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Legal position of TES employees

  • Authors: Sidloyi, Sicelo
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Temporary employment -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Temporary help services -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Employees -- South Africa Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43478 , vital:36896
  • Description: This paper focuses on the legal position of employees of a Temporary Employment Services (hereinafter referred to as “TES”), also referred to as a labour broker defined as a person or entity that provides workers to others, (their clients) to perform duties for the benefit of the client for compensation. This tripartite relationship is established by an employment contract between the employee and the TES (this forms the basis of the employment relationship) and a commercial contract between the TES and the client. This relationship is regulated by S198 of the Labour Relations Act1 (hereinafter referred to as “LRA”). This section provides protection to employees of a labour broker, where before it, such protection did not exist. This section along with its subsections will be discussed in length in this paper and this section will be criticized and its shortcomings will be highlighted. Due to S198’s shortcomings, The South African Government introduced proposed amendments to the LRA (hereinafter referred to as “LRAA”).2 These proposed amendments and the effect thereof on TES are studied to determine whether it will better the current issues experienced with TES. The amendments provide difficulty in its interpretation, particularly S198A (3) (b), also referred to as the deeming provision. This paper will study the amendments and its subsections. S198A(3)(b) is problematic in its interpretation because due to the manner in which it is drafted, strong arguments can be made for either a sole employment interpretation or a dual employer interpretation. The main focus of the paper will be to study provisions of S198 (A) (3) (b) and look at who the employer is, of employees in a TES relationship, between the TES and the client. This question will also ultimately indicate what the legal position is of employees in TES relationship. This paper will also look at how courts have interpreted the deeming provision and their findings will be highlighted and criticised.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

The aggressive behaviour among student athletes in collision, contact and noncontact sport

  • Authors: Nkqoli , Likhona
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Sports -- Psychological aspects Aggressiveness
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , M Health.Sci.(Human Movement Science)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16758 , vital:40771
  • Description: Aggressive behaviour among student athletes is often expressed dramatically in both males and females participating in sports. This expression of aggression may have a negative effect on their game during play as well as their psychological well-being. Being either verbally aggressive or physically aggressive during sports has social, economic and psychological consequences, which include changes in character. However, very few international studies and no South African study could be found during a literature search that addressed group differences in the life- and sport aggression among student athletes in contact, non-contact, and collision sports, and gender groups, particularly among varsity sport athletes. Consequently, the aim of this study was to investigate the differences between life- and sport aggression among student athletes in five different sports codes, categorised as collision sport (rugby), contact sport (soccer), and non-contact sports (cricket, netball, basketball), as well as gender differences at a rural university in the Eastern Cape Province, South Afric
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  • Date Issued: 2019

An evaluation of the impact of the biogas digesters project at Melani village, Eastern Cape, South Africa

  • Authors: Mthimunye , Thabiso Vincent
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Biogas
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/14561 , vital:40014
  • Description: A study was conducted in Melani rural community of Raymond Mhlaba district in Eastern Cape, with the aim of identifying types of energy sources and households energy utilization. Melani village (32°43’29” S, 27°07’35” E) is 13 km away from Alice, the closest town and its household population is about 350. The survey was conducted with 50% of the randomly chosen households using semi-structured questionnaires and some onset CTA-A hobo current transducers were installed in three households to measure electricity used for either cooking, heating or lighting. The survey shows that electricity (supplied by Eskom) is the main source of energy for cooking, lighting and heating, while paraffin and candles are also used for lighting. The data collected using the data acquisition system has also shown that each household consumes an average of 140 kWh of electricity per month. Assuming this amount of energy being used throughout the year, on average the households consume 1680 kWh of electricity per year. The research concludes that there is a need to promote sustainable energy resources and technologies such as the use of biogas digesters as an alternative source of energy since the households has on average 20 of cattle, 10 of goats, 10 sheep and 4 donkeys. The research has also shown that the economic analysis of the biogas project is financially feasible. The Net present value was high and positive showing the feasibility of the investment on the project. The payback period was implying that the project pays itself off within the service life or within a set payback limit, which must be shorter than the technical service period of 5 years. The research has further shown that the emission factor for carbon dioxide for every 1MWh of electrical energy saved is 1.07 kg and consequently a corresponding volume of avoidance water is 1.40 KL. This can be mentioned that this monthly cost saving in the electrical energy consumption can go a long way in improving the social and economic welfare of the people. More so, it also vi plays a key role in the reduction of the global warming potential and the amount of air pollutant in the atmosphere. The avoidance water also contributed greatly in reducing the total volume of water used in the cooling towers of the coal power generation plant.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Image processing and data analysis tools of a remote sensing-based euthrophication monitoring system

  • Authors: Chamunorwa, Brighton
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Eutrophication Image processing
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10210 , vital:35376
  • Description: Numerous surface water bodies in South Africa face serious challenges of eutrophication despite several initiatives from government to solve the problem. Government efforts have not been successful particularly because of three issues: 1) insufficient and inconsistent water quality data and 2) the costly nature of collecting this data. Third, the limited uptake of remote sensing based technologies in water quality management due to lack of skills, as well as the lengthy and complex procedures involved in retrieving water quality parameters. This thesis aims to explore the possibilities of using satellite data and simple software for mapping and collecting water quality data. The broad goal was to determine the function of software dedicated to meet the requirements of a remote sensing-based eutrophication-monitoring system. Two specific goal were set in this study: 1. To extract software requirements from available eutrophication management documentation. This was necessary to determine the functions of the dedicated software that matches the legislative requirements and 2. To determine a design capable of handling spatial and temporal requirement of a remote sensing based eutrophication-monitoring system. The study applied Goal Based Requirement Analysis Model [GBRAM] model to extract goals from the National Eutrophication Monitoring Programme [NEMP] implementation plan document and recent publication on remote sensing of water quality monitoring conducted in South Africa. Afterwards, the study used object-oriented concepts to model suitable data objects and processes to implement spatial-temporal requirements of a remote sensing-based eutrophication-monitoring system. Based on the study findings the following are essential functions of a remote sensing based eutrophication-monitoring system. A graphical user interface that allows the user to set up a monitoring programming. Automated image processing procedures. Data assessment methods used to generate eutrophication status information. Numerous display options for viewing data in several perfectives.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Sustainability challenges and community broadcasting media in Eastern Cape : a comparative study of Forte FM and Vukani FM

  • Authors: Mbombo, Nothemba
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Community radio -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Radio stations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Radio in community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , Communication
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9330 , vital:34325
  • Description: This study is a qualitative study focusing on the sustainability challenges affecting the performance of community radio stations in Eastern Cape using Forte FM and Vukani FM as case studies. For the purpose of this study, in-depth interviews and focus group interviews were used to collect data and the researcher had in-depth interviews with the station managers of both radio stations. Another interview was conducted with the programme manager of the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA). In addition, this study conducted one focus group interview with purposively selected participants for each community radio station to get their views on the functioning and sustainability challenges facing each of the radio station and how they see them helping their communities. The findings of the study revealed that the major sustainability challenges faced by the stations are finances and lack of resources. The lack of resources is a major problem as it reflects a lack of political will and policies that have failed to recognize the importance of communication as a social process that can help to bring change and development (Fraser & Estrada, 2003:3). As revealed by the findings of this study, the most serious challenge that both stations face is financial sustainability as they had said they struggle to function because they do not have money to pay their staff, and to pay the National Community Radio Forum (NCRF) in order to be kept on air and to deliver their content to the targeted audiences. This study also found out that the stations are not able to train their reporters while they are not getting a regular assistance from the Minister of Communications. The radio stations noted that the Department of Communications used to assist them some years ago but now support only comes from the MDDA. On the other hand, the study also revealed that the MDDA do assist the community radio stations by providing them with necessary broadcasting and transmission equipment and facilities to make sure that they stay on air. This study therefore, concludes that despite the several sustainability challenges faced by these community radio stations, they are still able to contribute to the development of their communities
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  • Date Issued: 2018

Qualitative assessment of the performance and challenges of the recapitalization and development programme : the case of Buffalo City metropolitan municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa

  • Authors: Maka, Loquitur
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Mentoring--South Africa--Eastern Cape Land reform--South Africa--Eastern Cape Agricultural assistance--South Africa--Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , Agricultural Extention
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11619 , vital:39090
  • Description: The Recapitalization and Development Programme (RADP) is a tool which seeks to provide black emerging farmers with the social and economic infrastructure and basic resources that are required to run a successful agricultural business. The RADP’s objectives include: to increase production, to guarantee food security, to graduate emerging farmers to commercial farmers and to create jobs opportunities within the agricultural sector. But above all, the unstated objective of the RADP is to revive failing land reform projects. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of the RADP, specifically looking at land reform beneficiaries in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Qualitative research was conducted in the form of seven in-depth case studies of RADP-supported land reform projects, together with interviews with four RADP mentors and three government officials. Some of the challenges in the farms before RADP funding was received included: little or no income, high mortality rate of livestock, and lack of skills. The study revealed that the RADP funds contribute to making a difference to the beneficiaries’ activities and provide the necessary infrastructure and equipment for sustainable commercial production. Even though there were mostly positive responses from the beneficiaries, some were dissatisfied with their mentors because the feel that some mentors do not understand their role and responsibilities. Most beneficiaries who appreciated the mentorship programme seem to be older people. However, the impact as mentioned by the mentors is not sustainable due to the short duration of support by the government both in terms of the mentorship and financial support to the projects.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

The experience of psychologists and psychiatrists providing services to adults living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

  • Authors: Gowar, Rozanne Petal
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Psychoanalysts , Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder , Attention-deficit disorder in adults
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15879 , vital:28281
  • Description: There is widespread international interest in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD was considered to be a childhood onset neurodevelopmental disorder with few presenting symptoms in adulthood. Current research disputes this belief and there are a significant number of adults that meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD in adulthood. This study explored the experience of selected Psychiatrists and Psychologists providing mental health services to adults living with ADHD. The awareness and presenting patterns of ADHD among adults as well as the intervention strategies used by these practitioners was explored. Furthermore, an exploration of the differential diagnoses associated with ADHD was undertaken, as well as whether the disorder was considered to be the primary or a co-morbid diagnosis in the treatment process. An explorative, descriptive- research design, utilizing a semi-structured interview format and a short survey of participants to provide descriptive statistics was used. Non-probability purposive snowballing sampling was used to gain access to psychiatrists and psychologists in both public or hospital service and independent private practice who met the inclusion criteria and who were willing to participate in the study. Interviews were conducted in English by the researcher. The major findings of the present study were categorized in three over-arching themes namely (1) views regarding the diagnosis of adults with ADHD, (2) experiences regarding the effects of impairment related to ADHD in adults, and (3) treatment and current care options for Adult ADHD. Sub-Themes were used to further explore the results. This study provides for a more in-depth understanding of Adult ADHD.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

The tectonic evolution of the Cape Fold Belt: constraints from fluid inclusion characteristics in syntectonic quartz veins

  • Authors: Proctor, Briony
  • Date: 2017
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/8019 , vital:21335
  • Description: Syn-tectonic quartz veins formed along faults, folds and tension gashes in rocks of the Cape Supergroup (CSG) of the central Cape Fold Belt (CFB) comprise mainly hydrous saline fluids. These veins may also contain CO₂ Syn-tectonic quartz veins formed along faults, folds and tension gashes in rocks of the Cape Supergroup CO₂ , or CH4 and CO₂, or neither CO₂ nor CH4. The majority of inclusions are two-phase and fluid rich, and the most common fluid composition is H2O-NaCl. The final melting temperature, and therefore salinity, differs very little across different structures (fluids in all structures show maximum salinities between 2.5 and 6 wt% NaCl equivalent). Thrusts, reverse faults, strike- and oblique-slip faults, and folds all have similar homogenization temperatures (Th). Primary H2O-NaCl inclusions show Th between ~130 and 200 °C, and H2O-NaCl-CO₂ inclusions have slightly higher Th, between ~140 and 240 °C. Secondary inclusions in all structures have a similar Th range to primary inclusions, but have a lower maximum Th (~130-180 °C). Inclusions containing CH4 have the highest Th (~210 - 300 °C). Microthermobarometry indicates that fluids associated with contractional structures, such as thrust faults or folds, from the Ordovician lower Table Mountain Group (TMG) show lower greenschist facies trapping conditions (~170-175 MPa and ~240-300 °C). These veins also show a plastic deformation overprint (recrystallization of quartz and foam textures), at temperatures higher than the trapping conditions (~ ≥300 °C), indicating that temperatures increased subsequent to hydraulic fracturing, quartz precipitation and thrust slip. These structures formed on a prograde path, at approximately 335 Ma, at a time when the overlying CSG rock column was approximately 6800 m thick. This event pre-dated the thermal peak of the Cape Orogeny at ~276-261 Ma by ~60 million years. Further up in the stratigraphy of the CFB, in the Devonian upper Bokkeveld Group, fluid inclusions in quartz veins associated with a thrust fault show similar trapping pressure (~200 MPa) to the structures in the lower CFB. At 335 Ma, the stratigraphic overburden on this sample locality would not have been sufficiently thick to exert the calculated pressure. This fault may have formed at a later time. The observed pressure of ~200 MPa may have been created either by the higher Bokkeveld Group, the entire Witteberg Group, and further CSG rocks that were eroded prior to the deposition of the Permo-Triassic Karoo Supergroup, or by tectonic thickening of the CSG by prograde thrusting. Still further up in the CSG, fluids from a fold sample from the Witteberg Group record quartz precipitation at lower greenschist facies conditions and subsequent plastic deformation during folding. The formation of this fold postdates the thrusting in the lower TMG, and may correlate in time with deformation during the thermal peak in Middle Permian time (~276-261 Ma).
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Classical and quantum picture of the interior of two-dimensional black holes

  • Authors: Shawa, Mark
  • Date: 2016
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3629 , vital:20531
  • Description: A quantum-mechanical description of black holes would represent the final step in our understanding of the nature of space-time. However, any progress towards that end is usually foiled by persistent space-time singularities that exist at the center of black holes. From the four-dimensional point of view, black holes seem to resist quantization. Under highly symmetric conditions, all higher-dimensional black holes are two-dimensional. Unlike their higher-dimensional counterparts, two dimensional black holes may not resist quantization. A non-trivial description of gravity in two dimensions is not possible using Einstein’s theory of gravity alone. However, we may still arrive at a consistent description of gravity by introducing a scalar field known as the dilaton. In this thesis, we study both the classical and quantum aspects of the interior of two-dimensional black holes using a generalized dilaton-gravity theory. Classically, we will find that the interior of most two-dimensional black holes is not much different from that of four-dimensional black holes. But by introducing quantized matter into the theory, the fluctuations in space-time will give a different picture of the structure of interior of black holes. Using a low-energy effective field theory, we will show that it is indeed possible to identify quantum modes in the interior of black holes and perform quantum-mechanical calculations near the singularity.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

Creation and detection of Vector Bessel Beams

  • Authors: Omoefe, Idisi David , Forbes, Andrew
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Vector analysis Quantum theory
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1785 , vital:27558
  • Description: Bessel beams are optical fields which falls into the category of non-diffracting beams. Vector Bessel beams are vector beams possessing cylindrical symmetry. Cylindrically symmetric beams tend to have a tight focal point during propagation. The tight focal beam nature of vector Bessel beams makes them a good potential in various facets of science such as biological optical trapping, wireless communications, remote sensing, microscopy etc. In this research work, vector Bessel beams were generated using the phase of an Axicon that was encoded into a spatial light modulator. Firstly, scalar Bessel beams which possess linear polarization were generated and converted to circularly polarized vector beams by the use of a q-plate. The orbital angular momentum (OAM) modes that are embedded in the vortex beams were detected using modal decomposition technique. This was implemented for both the scalar and vector case using a quarter wave plate. The measure of the degree of non-separability of the vector Bessel beams using tomographic quantum tools was also implemented where the density matrix was reconstructed. The concurrence and fidelity which explore the measure of vectorness of both scalar and vector Bessel beams were calculated from the density matrix. The obtained results show that the spatial modes and polarization are coupled in the vector case as expected.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

Implementing the green city policy in municipal spatial planning : the case of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality

  • Authors: Dlani, Abongile
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Climatic changes--South Africa--Eastern Cape City planning--Environmental aspects--South Africa--Eastern Cape Sustainable buildings--South Africa--Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , Administration
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15583 , vital:40476
  • Description: The term “eco-city,” and similar concepts such as “green” and “sustainable” cities, has evolved over time concurrent to the development of the understanding of social change and mankind’s impact on environmental and economic health. With the advent of climate change impacts, modern economies developed the green city policy to create sustainable urban development, low emission, and environmentally friendly cities. In South Africa municipalities, including Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) have been tasked to develop and implement the green city policy. However, BCMM is yet to develop the green city policy that clearly articulate how the municipality will combat climate change and reduce its GHG omissions in its spatial planning designs.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

Local versus landscape effects of bush encroachment on plant available light, soil moisture, frost occurrence and herbaceous productivity and composition

  • Authors: Klopper, Chrisna
  • Date: 2016
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3137 , vital:20376
  • Description: Bush encroachment is a global phenomenon and a pressing concern for South Africa rangelands. The expansion and increase in density of Vachellia karroo (hereafter referred to aAcacia karroo) has been documented in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu Natal in South Africa. This increase in woody species in savannas is often at the expense of grass cover and thus is causing concern about how this will impact agriculture due to possible loss of grazing capacity. To understand the impacts of bush encroachment the effect of trees on their micro-climate and abiotic factors and in turn on the herbaceous layer needs to be examined. The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of Acacia karroo encroachment on the light environment, soil moisture and frost occurrence in the sub-canopy and inter-canopy micro-habitats, and how these changes affected herbaceous player productivity and composition. Another question that is being addressed here is whether, and how, the local tree effects scale up in the landscape and whether prediction can be made based on the effects of individual trees. The study was undertaken on a farm, Endwell, in the Smaldeel, Eastern Cape. At the study site, a semi-arid savanna, Acacia karroo has been encroaching since the 1980’s. The study was conducted at three scales: landscape, stand-wide and local scale. The landscape scale was represented by four areas with 0, 21, 45 and 72% tree canopy cover, the stand-wide scale consisted of transects with varying percentages of tree canopy cover within each of the four levels of encroachment. The local scale was represented by the sub-canopy and inter-canopy environment to test the effect of trees. At the local scale plant available light and soil moisture were lower in the sub-canopy than intercanopy regions, with leaf area index being higher in the sub-canopy. This local negative effect of the tree canopy on light and soil moisture in the sub-canopy did not scale up predictably in the landscape. At the stand-wide scale light in the inter-canopy was reduced as shading increased. Frost was excluded from under the canopies and frost incidence decreased at higher tree cover. Grass productivity was reduced in the sub-canopy, possibly due to lower light and soil moisture. Overall biomass increased from the low to medium level of encroachment but lowest at the high level of encroachment. Grass composition and cover was only slightly affected by tree canopies cover and C4 grass species were still present in the sub-canopy and at lower light environments. At the levels of Acacia karroo encroachment encountered at this study site, it seems unlikely that palatable or desirable C4 would be excluded from the system and that a shift from C4 to shade-tolerant species would occur. This is due to tree canopies at the site not reducing light to such anextent that they would outcompete grasses, and likely the very low grazing pressure at thesesites. Herbaceous biomass at these sites were still sufficient to carry a fire in the inter-canopyregion and sufficient grazing for herbivores. In the sub-canopy region fires will be excluded thus with higher the portion of sub-canopy areas increasing at the high levels of encroachment they may interrupt fire spread. Thus it was concluded that Acacia karroo encroachment up to 45% tree cover is currently not creating negative feedback on herbivory, but low stocking rates appear to be key to maintain this.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The lived experience of the post-termination period of long-term psychotherapy

  • Authors: Steenkamp, Jeanette Gwendoline
  • Date: 2016
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:3276 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1021272
  • Description: This study aimed to gain insight and understanding into adult clients’ personal lived experiences of the post-termination period of long-term psychotherapy. International research which examines the post-termination phase of psychotherapy has found that this particular lived experience can have both positive and negative consequences for clients’ psychosocial wellbeing. Few recent studies focusing on adult clients’ personal experiences of the post-termination phase could be located and none of these studies were conducted in a non-Western context. The study’s aim was to address this gap in the existing literature by using interpretative-phenomenological analysis (IPA) to explore the lived experience of the post-termination period of long-term psychotherapy for two South African adult clients. Data were collected via individual in-depth semi-structured interviews. Analysis of the data yielded the following themes: Therapy remembered as amazing, but hard work, Vivid memories of therapy retained post-termination, Seeing the therapist differently, Keeping the therapist alive, Being different after therapy, “I started losing all my ground I had gained”, and Resuming the external journey. These findings corroborated and expanded upon existing research in the area.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

A Framework for using Open Source intelligence as a Digital Forensic Investigative tool

  • Authors: Rule, Samantha Elizabeth
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Open source intelligence , Criminal investigation , Electronic evidence
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:4715 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017937
  • Description: The proliferation of the Internet has amplified the use of social networking sites by creating a platform that encourages individuals to share information. As a result there is a wealth of information that is publically and easily accessible. This research explores whether open source intelligence (OSINT), which is freely available, could be used as a digital forensic investigative tool. A survey was created and sent to digital forensic investigators to establish whether they currently use OSINT when performing investigations. The survey results confirm that OSINT is being used by digital forensic investigators when performing investigations but there are currently no guidelines or frameworks available to support the use thereof. Additionally, the survey results showed a belief amongst those surveyed that evidence gleaned from OSINT sources is considered supplementary rather than evidentiary. The findings of this research led to the development of a framework that identifies and recommends key processes to follow when conducting OSINT investigations. The framework can assist digital forensic investigators to follow a structured and rigorous process, which may lead to the unanimous acceptance of information obtained via OSINT sources as evidentiary rather than supplementary in the near future.
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  • Date Issued: 2015

An analysis of the income tax consequences resulting from implementing the Income Tax Bill (2012) in Zimbabwe

  • Authors: Kanyenze, Rumbidzai
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Income tax deductions -- Zimbabwe , Income tax -- Law and legislation -- Zimbabwe
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: vital:914 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017536
  • Description: The Income Tax Bill (2012) proposes certain changes to the existing Income Tax Act that will impact on the method used to determine the taxable income of a taxpayer in Zimbabwe. Therefore, it is important to understand the tax consequences the Income Tax Bill creates for the taxpayer. The research aimed to elaborate on and explain the tax consequences that will arise as a result of applying the Income Tax Bill in Zimbabwe. The research was based on a qualitative method which involved the analysis and the interpretation of extracts from legislation and articles written on the proposed changes. The current “gross income” of a taxpayer consists of amounts earned from a source within or deemed to be from within Zimbabwe The proposed changes to the Act will change the tax system to a residence-based system, where resident taxpayers are taxed on amounts earned from all sources. Therefore, the driving factor which determines the taxability of an amount will become the taxpayer’s residency. Clause 2 of the proposed Act provides that income earned by a taxpayer should be separated into employment income, business income, property income and other specified income. This will make it unnecessary to determine the nature of an amount because capital amounts will be subject to income tax. The current Act provides for the deduction of expenditure incurred for the purpose of trade or in the production of income. Section 31(1)(a) of the proposed Act will restrict permissible deductions to expenditure incurred in the production of income. Consequently, expenditure not incurred for the purpose of earning income will no longer be deductible when the Income Tax Bill is implemented. The proposed Income Tax Act will increase the taxable income of a taxpayer as it makes amounts that are not currently subject to tax taxable, whilst restricting the deductions claimable.
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  • Date Issued: 2015

In a town called Harmony

  • Authors: Tsibolane, Pitso
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: South African fiction (English) -- 21st century , Creative writing (Higher education) , South African fiction (English) -- Study and teaching (Higher)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:5995 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017779
  • Description: A novella of crime and suspense set in the townships surrounding the mining town of Welkom Two friends, both ex-miners, start a welding business only to see it fail because of interference by corrupt officials To make ends meet, they are drawn into the world of illegal gold-mining, working with criminals who employ ‘zama-zamas’: desperate foreign nationals who are prepared to live and work in the abandoned mine tunnels underground The friends make money, but the dark practices of illegal mining put a strain on their relationship, their values, and their family ties.
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  • Date Issued: 2015

Political communication: a case study of the Democratic Alliance and its use of digital media in the 2014 South African General Elections

  • Authors: Chong, Sandra Pow
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Communication -- Political aspects -- South Africa Mass media -- Political aspects -- South Africa Political campaigns -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11416 , vital:26923
  • Description: Political organisations are now using a two-way path of communication thanks to the development of technological platforms that work in-sync with the internet to allow this to happen. Information can now flow across new networks to allow exchanges from the many to the many. This study sets out to explore the use of social media by political organisations as a means of political communication. A case study was conducted which focussed on online communication used by the Democratic Alliance in the 2014 General Elections in South Africa. The social media strategies adopted by the Democratic Alliance was examined. Reference is made to the 2008 Obama Campaign. The study revealed that the DA primarily made use of two-way asymmetrical communication despite the party posting a lot of consistent information and content; however in response to many questions and comments posted on the social media fora by online users, the DA only selectively responded to a handful of these.
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  • Date Issued: 2015

Influence of local economic development strategic leaders on the formulation of the integrated development plan, Makana Municipality, Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Nonxuba, Mnweba McNair
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Local Economic Development (Programme) , Community development -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Strategic planning -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Grahamstown (South Africa) -- Economic conditions -- 21st century , South Africa -- Politics and government
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:832 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013176
  • Description: The influence of local economic development strategic leaders on how Integrated Development Plans (IDP) are developed is critical to gain insights into strategic planning directed towards economically developing municipalities. Concisely, the aim of this qualitative study was to gain a multiple understanding of how LED strategic leaders, namely managers of the LED directorate and sub-directorates at Makana local municipality influenced the IDP formulation. The fact that these LED strategic leaders, ‘make consequential or strategic decisions’ suggests that their decisions have an influence on the IDP formulation. Thus, the key research question in this study was: How do LED strategic leaders at Makana local municipality influence the formulation of the IDP at this municipality? This qualitative research used purposive sampling of incidents upheld by LED Strategic leaders. A total of ten in-depth and semi-structured interviews were conducted with four LED strategic leaders regarding incidents of their perceived influence on the formulation of the Integrated Development Plan at Makana. The interviews were in-depth in order to gain a rich understanding of their perspectives of reality. As the number of LED strategic leaders was already very small, all the four leaders at Makana participated in this study. Interview data was transcribed and analyzed using open coding and constant comparison. Member check was conducted to enhance confirmability of the findings of this study. Findings indicate that LED strategic leaders perceived their influence on the formulation of the IDP Makana municipality in four varied ways. Predominantly, LED strategic leaders commonly perceived that they had influence in setting evidence-driven direction, and searching for fitness of activities and issues with LED strategy. Thereafter, the other ways in which these LED strategic leaders perceived how they influenced the IDP formulation involve the facilitation of clarity and local relevance of LED mandates, and finally the integration of multiple economic voices of stakeholders. This demonstrates that LED strategic leaders at Makana emphasize proactively managing strategy process rather than content in terms of identifying key opportunities and major economic drivers in the local milieu. Instead, they perceived their influence as characterized by enhancing compliance with bringing the process of municipal strategy formulation closer to stakeholders. Implications of these findings are highlighted.
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  • Date Issued: 2014
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