Extensibility in ORDBMS databases : an exploration of the data cartridge mechanism in Oracle9i
- Ndakunda, Tulimevava Kaunapawa
- Authors: Ndakunda, Tulimevava Kaunapawa
- Date: 2013-06-18
- Subjects: Database management , Oracle (Computer file)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4686 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008098 , Database management , Oracle (Computer file)
- Description: To support current and emerging database applications, Object-Relational Database Management Systems (ORDBMS) provide mechanisms to extend the data storage capabilities and the functionality of the database with application-specific types and methods. Using these mechanisms, the database may contain user-defined data types, large objects (LOBs), external procedures, extensible indexing, query optimisation techniques and other features that are treated in the same way as built-in database features . The many extensibility options provided by the ORDBMS, however, raise several implementation challenges that are not always obvious. This thesis examines a few of the key challenges that arise when extending Oracle database with new functionality. To realise the potential of extensibility in Oracle, the thesis used the problem area of image retrieval as the main test domain. Current research efforts in image retrieval are lagging behind the required retrieval, but are continuously improving. As better retrieval techniques become available, it is important that they are integrated into the available database systems to facilitate improved retrieval. The thesis also reports on the practical experiences gained from integrating an extensible indexing scenario. Sample scenarios are integrated in Oracle9i database using the data cartridge mechanism, which allows Oracle database functionality to be extended with new functional components. The integration demonstrates how additional functionality may be effectively applied to both general and specialised domains in the database. It also reveals alternative design options that allow data cartridge developers, most of who are not database server experts, to extend the database. The thesis is concluded with some of the key observations and options that designers must consider when extending the database with new functionality. The main challenges for developers are the learning curve required to understand the data cartridge framework and the ability to adapt already developed code within the constraints of the data cartridge using the provided extensibility APls. Maximum reusability relies on making good choices for the basic functions, out of which specialised functions can be built. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
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- Authors: Ndakunda, Tulimevava Kaunapawa
- Date: 2013-06-18
- Subjects: Database management , Oracle (Computer file)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4686 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008098 , Database management , Oracle (Computer file)
- Description: To support current and emerging database applications, Object-Relational Database Management Systems (ORDBMS) provide mechanisms to extend the data storage capabilities and the functionality of the database with application-specific types and methods. Using these mechanisms, the database may contain user-defined data types, large objects (LOBs), external procedures, extensible indexing, query optimisation techniques and other features that are treated in the same way as built-in database features . The many extensibility options provided by the ORDBMS, however, raise several implementation challenges that are not always obvious. This thesis examines a few of the key challenges that arise when extending Oracle database with new functionality. To realise the potential of extensibility in Oracle, the thesis used the problem area of image retrieval as the main test domain. Current research efforts in image retrieval are lagging behind the required retrieval, but are continuously improving. As better retrieval techniques become available, it is important that they are integrated into the available database systems to facilitate improved retrieval. The thesis also reports on the practical experiences gained from integrating an extensible indexing scenario. Sample scenarios are integrated in Oracle9i database using the data cartridge mechanism, which allows Oracle database functionality to be extended with new functional components. The integration demonstrates how additional functionality may be effectively applied to both general and specialised domains in the database. It also reveals alternative design options that allow data cartridge developers, most of who are not database server experts, to extend the database. The thesis is concluded with some of the key observations and options that designers must consider when extending the database with new functionality. The main challenges for developers are the learning curve required to understand the data cartridge framework and the ability to adapt already developed code within the constraints of the data cartridge using the provided extensibility APls. Maximum reusability relies on making good choices for the basic functions, out of which specialised functions can be built. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
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Service provisioning in two open-source SIP implementation, cinema and vocal
- Authors: Hsieh, Ming Chih
- Date: 2013-06-18
- Subjects: Real-time data processing , Computer network protocols , Internet telephony , Digital telephone systems , Communication -- Technological innovations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4687 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008195 , Real-time data processing , Computer network protocols , Internet telephony , Digital telephone systems , Communication -- Technological innovations
- Description: The distribution of real-time multimedia streams is seen nowadays as the next step forward for the Internet. One of the most obvious uses of such streams is to support telephony over the Internet, replacing and improving traditional telephony. This thesis investigates the development and deployment of services in two Internet telephony environments, namely CINEMA (Columbia InterNet Extensible Multimedia Architecture) and VOCAL (Vovida Open Communication Application Library), both based on the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and open-sourced. A classification of services is proposed, which divides services into two large groups: basic and advanced services. Basic services are services such as making point-to-point calls, registering with the server and making calls via the server. Any other service is considered an advanced service. Advanced services are defined by four categories: Call Related, Interactive, Internetworking and Hybrid. New services were implemented for the Call Related, Interactive and Internetworking categories. First, features involving call blocking, call screening and missed calls were implemented in the two environments in order to investigate Call-related services. Next, a notification feature was implemented in both environments in order to investigate Interactive services. Finally, a translator between MGCP and SIP was developed to investigate an Internetworking service in the VOCAL environment. The practical implementation of the new features just described was used to answer questions about the location of the services, as well as the level of required expertise and the ease or difficulty experienced in creating services in each of the two environments. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
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- Authors: Hsieh, Ming Chih
- Date: 2013-06-18
- Subjects: Real-time data processing , Computer network protocols , Internet telephony , Digital telephone systems , Communication -- Technological innovations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4687 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008195 , Real-time data processing , Computer network protocols , Internet telephony , Digital telephone systems , Communication -- Technological innovations
- Description: The distribution of real-time multimedia streams is seen nowadays as the next step forward for the Internet. One of the most obvious uses of such streams is to support telephony over the Internet, replacing and improving traditional telephony. This thesis investigates the development and deployment of services in two Internet telephony environments, namely CINEMA (Columbia InterNet Extensible Multimedia Architecture) and VOCAL (Vovida Open Communication Application Library), both based on the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and open-sourced. A classification of services is proposed, which divides services into two large groups: basic and advanced services. Basic services are services such as making point-to-point calls, registering with the server and making calls via the server. Any other service is considered an advanced service. Advanced services are defined by four categories: Call Related, Interactive, Internetworking and Hybrid. New services were implemented for the Call Related, Interactive and Internetworking categories. First, features involving call blocking, call screening and missed calls were implemented in the two environments in order to investigate Call-related services. Next, a notification feature was implemented in both environments in order to investigate Interactive services. Finally, a translator between MGCP and SIP was developed to investigate an Internetworking service in the VOCAL environment. The practical implementation of the new features just described was used to answer questions about the location of the services, as well as the level of required expertise and the ease or difficulty experienced in creating services in each of the two environments. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
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The functioning of the interbank market and its significance in the transmission of monetary policy
- Authors: De Angelis, Catherine
- Date: 2013-06-11
- Subjects: South African Reserve Bank , Monetary policy -- South Africa , Foreign exchange rates -- South Africa , Money market -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa , Repurchase agreements -- South Africa , South Africa -- Economic policy , South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1075 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008054 , South African Reserve Bank , Monetary policy -- South Africa , Foreign exchange rates -- South Africa , Money market -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa , Repurchase agreements -- South Africa , South Africa -- Economic policy , South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Description: Monetary policy in South African is the primary means by which the authorities can influence activity in the overall economy. The South African Reserve Bank accommodates banks through repo transactions for which they charge the repo rate. The most important market in the transmission of the repo rate to the rest of the economy is the interbank market. As such, a detailed discussion of this market is given. In September 200 I the monetary authorities made certain adjustments to the repo system of accommodation, which included changing the repo rate from a floating rate to a fixed rate that would be administratively determined by the MPC. This was done to address certain weaknesses in the floating rate system. This thesis examines and compares the period before and after the adjustments to the repo system, with the aim of determining whether or not the monetary authorities achieved the goals intended from making this change. The repo rate, prime interbank rate, 3-month NCO rate and the prime lending rate are analysed using the Engle-Granger two variable approach and an ECM model to test for causality. It was found that the monetary authorities did not achieve their intended goals as the relationship between the repo rate and the interbank rate was more significant in the first period. Furthermore, the direction of causality the authorities hoped to achieve by implementing the changes were in fact already in place. As such the adjustments to the system changed the transmission mechanism from the one desired by the authorities to one that was not intended. The conclusions reached by this study show that, in terms of the objectives of the monetary authorities, the previous repo system functioned better. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
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- Authors: De Angelis, Catherine
- Date: 2013-06-11
- Subjects: South African Reserve Bank , Monetary policy -- South Africa , Foreign exchange rates -- South Africa , Money market -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa , Repurchase agreements -- South Africa , South Africa -- Economic policy , South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1075 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008054 , South African Reserve Bank , Monetary policy -- South Africa , Foreign exchange rates -- South Africa , Money market -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa , Repurchase agreements -- South Africa , South Africa -- Economic policy , South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Description: Monetary policy in South African is the primary means by which the authorities can influence activity in the overall economy. The South African Reserve Bank accommodates banks through repo transactions for which they charge the repo rate. The most important market in the transmission of the repo rate to the rest of the economy is the interbank market. As such, a detailed discussion of this market is given. In September 200 I the monetary authorities made certain adjustments to the repo system of accommodation, which included changing the repo rate from a floating rate to a fixed rate that would be administratively determined by the MPC. This was done to address certain weaknesses in the floating rate system. This thesis examines and compares the period before and after the adjustments to the repo system, with the aim of determining whether or not the monetary authorities achieved the goals intended from making this change. The repo rate, prime interbank rate, 3-month NCO rate and the prime lending rate are analysed using the Engle-Granger two variable approach and an ECM model to test for causality. It was found that the monetary authorities did not achieve their intended goals as the relationship between the repo rate and the interbank rate was more significant in the first period. Furthermore, the direction of causality the authorities hoped to achieve by implementing the changes were in fact already in place. As such the adjustments to the system changed the transmission mechanism from the one desired by the authorities to one that was not intended. The conclusions reached by this study show that, in terms of the objectives of the monetary authorities, the previous repo system functioned better. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
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Use of the internet in newsgathering : a case study of The Post newspaper in Zambia
- Authors: Hamachila, Alphonsius
- Date: 2013-06-10
- Subjects: Post (Lusaka, Zambia) Electronic news gathering -- Zambia -- Case studies Journalism -- Data processing -- Zambia -- Case studies Reporters and reporting -- Zambia -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3518 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008075
- Description: The Internet and World Wide Web have become dominant newsgathering tools in a sholi period of time. While the body of research, particularly in the First World, has developed quickly along with the Web, many unanswered questions remain on how journalists in developing countries make use of the Internet for newsgathering purposes. This study combined social constructivist theory with the socio-organisational and cultural approaches to news production in order to critically investigate how journalists at The Post newspaper in Zambia relate to, and make use of, the Internet as a newsgathering resource, in the context of Third World conditions. The study critiqued technological detelminism perspectives on journalists' use of the new information technology. The technological determinism theory, which has largely been advanced by some scholars from the developed world, takes a celebratory approach to journalists' use of the Internet in the newsroom. Using qualitative semi-structured interviews and observations, the study established that while journalists at The Post acknowledged the lnternet's potential in news gathering, factors such as unreliable telecommunications infrastructure, poor Internet skills, lack of local content on the World Wide Web, and organisational and occupational demands inhibited the use of the Internet as a journalistic newsgathering resource. The study established further that online reporting is only a tool within the broader news gathering and production process; and in the case of The Post, it does not replace the traditional news gathering techniques used by journalists, particularly direct contacts with human sources. The respondents cited face-to-face interviews, a traditional means of newsgathering, as the main driving force in news gathering routines at the newspaper. However, although the respondents saw some mixed blessings in the Internet as a reporting tool, they also believed that the benefits outweighed the problems. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
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- Authors: Hamachila, Alphonsius
- Date: 2013-06-10
- Subjects: Post (Lusaka, Zambia) Electronic news gathering -- Zambia -- Case studies Journalism -- Data processing -- Zambia -- Case studies Reporters and reporting -- Zambia -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3518 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008075
- Description: The Internet and World Wide Web have become dominant newsgathering tools in a sholi period of time. While the body of research, particularly in the First World, has developed quickly along with the Web, many unanswered questions remain on how journalists in developing countries make use of the Internet for newsgathering purposes. This study combined social constructivist theory with the socio-organisational and cultural approaches to news production in order to critically investigate how journalists at The Post newspaper in Zambia relate to, and make use of, the Internet as a newsgathering resource, in the context of Third World conditions. The study critiqued technological detelminism perspectives on journalists' use of the new information technology. The technological determinism theory, which has largely been advanced by some scholars from the developed world, takes a celebratory approach to journalists' use of the Internet in the newsroom. Using qualitative semi-structured interviews and observations, the study established that while journalists at The Post acknowledged the lnternet's potential in news gathering, factors such as unreliable telecommunications infrastructure, poor Internet skills, lack of local content on the World Wide Web, and organisational and occupational demands inhibited the use of the Internet as a journalistic newsgathering resource. The study established further that online reporting is only a tool within the broader news gathering and production process; and in the case of The Post, it does not replace the traditional news gathering techniques used by journalists, particularly direct contacts with human sources. The respondents cited face-to-face interviews, a traditional means of newsgathering, as the main driving force in news gathering routines at the newspaper. However, although the respondents saw some mixed blessings in the Internet as a reporting tool, they also believed that the benefits outweighed the problems. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
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"Feeling foggy?": an investigation into the self-reported post-concussive symptoms in rugby union players at university level
- Authors: Boulind, Melissa
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Brain damage , Brain -- Wounds and injuries -- Complications , Brain -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Sports injuries -- Psychological aspects , Rugby football injuries , Rugby Union football players
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2938 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002447 , Brain damage , Brain -- Wounds and injuries -- Complications , Brain -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Sports injuries -- Psychological aspects , Rugby football injuries , Rugby Union football players
- Description: A study was conducted on the self-reported symptoms of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury sustained in Rugby Union at the pre- and post-season stages. A full sample of 30 rugby players at Rhodes University was compared to 27 non-contact sport controls. A reduced sample of 20 rugby players and 9 control participants provided improved control for education and IQ and was compared. Measures included the WAIS-III Vocabulary and Picture Completion Sub-tests to estimate IQ level, the symptom checklist on a widely used computer-based program (ImPACT), and a paper and pencil self-report 31-Item Post-Concussion Symptom Questionnaire. Independent and Dependent T-Test comparisons were conducted on the full and reduced samples. The symptoms reported by the rugby group appeared to be more pronounced on both the ImPACT Symptom Scale and the 31-Item Post-Concussion Symptom Questionnaire when compared to the control group at both the pre-and post-season stages. It was concluded that the rugby players demonstrated evidence to support the hypothesis of having sustained more previous concussions and reporting more symptoms at the pre-season stage when compared to comtrol participants. No prevalent changes for either the rugby or control groups were seen in dependent comparisons from pre-to post-season.
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- Authors: Boulind, Melissa
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Brain damage , Brain -- Wounds and injuries -- Complications , Brain -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Sports injuries -- Psychological aspects , Rugby football injuries , Rugby Union football players
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2938 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002447 , Brain damage , Brain -- Wounds and injuries -- Complications , Brain -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Sports injuries -- Psychological aspects , Rugby football injuries , Rugby Union football players
- Description: A study was conducted on the self-reported symptoms of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury sustained in Rugby Union at the pre- and post-season stages. A full sample of 30 rugby players at Rhodes University was compared to 27 non-contact sport controls. A reduced sample of 20 rugby players and 9 control participants provided improved control for education and IQ and was compared. Measures included the WAIS-III Vocabulary and Picture Completion Sub-tests to estimate IQ level, the symptom checklist on a widely used computer-based program (ImPACT), and a paper and pencil self-report 31-Item Post-Concussion Symptom Questionnaire. Independent and Dependent T-Test comparisons were conducted on the full and reduced samples. The symptoms reported by the rugby group appeared to be more pronounced on both the ImPACT Symptom Scale and the 31-Item Post-Concussion Symptom Questionnaire when compared to the control group at both the pre-and post-season stages. It was concluded that the rugby players demonstrated evidence to support the hypothesis of having sustained more previous concussions and reporting more symptoms at the pre-season stage when compared to comtrol participants. No prevalent changes for either the rugby or control groups were seen in dependent comparisons from pre-to post-season.
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"Symbiosis or death" an ecocritical examination of Douglas Livingstone's poetry
- Authors: Stevens, Mariss Patricia
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Livingstone, Douglas Criticism and interpretation Poets, South African -- 20th century -- Criticism and interpretation Ecology in literature Ecocriticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2211 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002254
- Description: As the quotation in the title of this thesis indicates, Douglas Livingstone states that unless humankind can learn to live in mutuality with the rest of the natural world, the human race faces extinction. Using the relatively new critical approach of ecological literary criticism (ecocriticism) this thesis explores Livingstone's preoccupation with "symbiosis or death" and shows that the predominant theme in his ecologically-orientated poetry is one of ecological despair. Countering this is a tentative thread of hope. Possible resolution lies in the human capacity to attain compassion and wisdom through the judicious use of science, creativity, the power of art and the power of love. Livingstone's ecological preoccupation is thus informed by the universal themes which have pervaded literature since its recorded beginnings. The first chapter examines the concepts of ecology and literary ecocriticism, followed by a chapter on the life and work of Douglas Livingstone, and a review of the critical response to the five collections of poetry which predate A Littoral Zone, his final work. The remaining four chapters offer an analysis of his ecologically-orientated poetry, with the majority of the space given to an examination of A Littoral Zone. The following ecological themes are used in the analysis of the poems: evolutionary theory, humankind's relationship to nature, ecological equilibrium, and ecological destruction. The latter two themes are shown to represent Livingstone's view of the ideal and the real, or the opposites of hope and despair. The analysis interweaves an argument with the existing critical response to this collection. This thesis demonstrates that Livingstone's crucial message – the need for humankind to attain ecological sensibility or “the knowledge of right living” (Ellen Swallow) and so obviate its certain extinction – has largely been ignored in previous critical works.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Stevens, Mariss Patricia
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Livingstone, Douglas Criticism and interpretation Poets, South African -- 20th century -- Criticism and interpretation Ecology in literature Ecocriticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2211 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002254
- Description: As the quotation in the title of this thesis indicates, Douglas Livingstone states that unless humankind can learn to live in mutuality with the rest of the natural world, the human race faces extinction. Using the relatively new critical approach of ecological literary criticism (ecocriticism) this thesis explores Livingstone's preoccupation with "symbiosis or death" and shows that the predominant theme in his ecologically-orientated poetry is one of ecological despair. Countering this is a tentative thread of hope. Possible resolution lies in the human capacity to attain compassion and wisdom through the judicious use of science, creativity, the power of art and the power of love. Livingstone's ecological preoccupation is thus informed by the universal themes which have pervaded literature since its recorded beginnings. The first chapter examines the concepts of ecology and literary ecocriticism, followed by a chapter on the life and work of Douglas Livingstone, and a review of the critical response to the five collections of poetry which predate A Littoral Zone, his final work. The remaining four chapters offer an analysis of his ecologically-orientated poetry, with the majority of the space given to an examination of A Littoral Zone. The following ecological themes are used in the analysis of the poems: evolutionary theory, humankind's relationship to nature, ecological equilibrium, and ecological destruction. The latter two themes are shown to represent Livingstone's view of the ideal and the real, or the opposites of hope and despair. The analysis interweaves an argument with the existing critical response to this collection. This thesis demonstrates that Livingstone's crucial message – the need for humankind to attain ecological sensibility or “the knowledge of right living” (Ellen Swallow) and so obviate its certain extinction – has largely been ignored in previous critical works.
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A case study investigation into the utility of baseline data versus normative data using a computer-based concussion management programme
- Authors: Mitchell, Julia
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Brain -- Concussion , Neuropsychological tests , Sports injuries -- Psychological aspects , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Complications
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3021 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002530 , Brain -- Concussion , Neuropsychological tests , Sports injuries -- Psychological aspects , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Complications
- Description: Neuropsychological testing is recognised as one of the cornerstones of concussion evaluation, contributing significantly to both an understanding of the injury as well as management of the recovery process. Despite the high incidence of concussion at school level, traditional paper-and-pencil neuropsychological testing has generally been absent from school concussion management programmes, largely due to time and cost constraints. Now, the recent development of computerised neuropsychological testing is providing the opportunity for including neurocognitive assessment in this process. The Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) is a valid and reliable instrument of this type and normed on 13 - 18 year old North American high school athletes, as well as adult groups. The current recommendation is that athletes are baselined preseason in order to provide an individualised comparative level against which to monitor recovery and provide return-to-play recommendations. This in itself is quite a cumbersome process, thus the present study set out to ascertain whether baseline testing of all athletes is necessary, or whether the use of US or SA normative data alone would provide an appropriate standard against which to interpret the postinjury scores. From a leading South African rugby playing school, the 1st and 2nd rugby teams, (16 - 18 years) were baselined using ImPACT. Three athletes, who were subsequently referred with concussion during the rugby season, were followed up with serial testing on ImPACT. An analysis of the follow up scores was conducted to chart the athletes' recovery process, in relation to the athletes own baseline scores (using US and SA reliable change indices) and age appropriate US and SA normative ranges. The relative utility of individual baselines scores versus these normative ranges was then critically evaluated. It was concluded that a combination of both baseline and normative data provided optimal management of the athlete, with the methods complementing each other in the interpretation of post-injury results. Overall, the SA normative ranges seemed to provide slightly better management guidelines than the US normative ranges when used with this sample of South African high school athletes.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mitchell, Julia
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Brain -- Concussion , Neuropsychological tests , Sports injuries -- Psychological aspects , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Complications
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3021 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002530 , Brain -- Concussion , Neuropsychological tests , Sports injuries -- Psychological aspects , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Complications
- Description: Neuropsychological testing is recognised as one of the cornerstones of concussion evaluation, contributing significantly to both an understanding of the injury as well as management of the recovery process. Despite the high incidence of concussion at school level, traditional paper-and-pencil neuropsychological testing has generally been absent from school concussion management programmes, largely due to time and cost constraints. Now, the recent development of computerised neuropsychological testing is providing the opportunity for including neurocognitive assessment in this process. The Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) is a valid and reliable instrument of this type and normed on 13 - 18 year old North American high school athletes, as well as adult groups. The current recommendation is that athletes are baselined preseason in order to provide an individualised comparative level against which to monitor recovery and provide return-to-play recommendations. This in itself is quite a cumbersome process, thus the present study set out to ascertain whether baseline testing of all athletes is necessary, or whether the use of US or SA normative data alone would provide an appropriate standard against which to interpret the postinjury scores. From a leading South African rugby playing school, the 1st and 2nd rugby teams, (16 - 18 years) were baselined using ImPACT. Three athletes, who were subsequently referred with concussion during the rugby season, were followed up with serial testing on ImPACT. An analysis of the follow up scores was conducted to chart the athletes' recovery process, in relation to the athletes own baseline scores (using US and SA reliable change indices) and age appropriate US and SA normative ranges. The relative utility of individual baselines scores versus these normative ranges was then critically evaluated. It was concluded that a combination of both baseline and normative data provided optimal management of the athlete, with the methods complementing each other in the interpretation of post-injury results. Overall, the SA normative ranges seemed to provide slightly better management guidelines than the US normative ranges when used with this sample of South African high school athletes.
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A case study of stakeholders' perceptions of the management implications of the discipline provisions of the 1996 Schools Act in a rural Eastern Cape high school
- Authors: Luggya, Daniel
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: High school students -- Discipline -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Discipline of children -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape School discipline -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Corporal punishment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape School discipline -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1897 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006156
- Description: South Africa's education management system has undergone a long history of transformation from the promulgation of the Bantu Education Act of 1953 to the realisation of democracy, and in this context, the South Mrican Schools Act (SASA) of l996. Apartheid legislation and the new democratic legislation have had a profound impact on the education leadership and management of schools, in which authoritarian management practices have been replaced by democratic management practices. However, democratic management practices have not yet had a significant effect in the leadership and management of schools, especially in the schools of previously disadvantaged areas. This thesis seeks to examine perceptions held by education stakeholders in the light of the rights of students as stipulated in the discipline provisions of the Schools Act of 1996, in one of the rural high schools in the Northern Region of the Eastern Cape Province. One of the most important discipline provisions is the ban on corporal punishment in schools. My intention in carrying out this research was not to generalise my findings but to understand the experiences and perceptions of the stakeholders in this school regarding the discipline provisions of the SASA. The data suggest that authoritarian education practices, especially corporal punishment, are still a factor in the maintenance of student discipline in this rural school. Stakeholders still believe in the use of corporal punishment as the only way of maintaining discipline and an orderly environment for teaching and learning. Such beliefs, assumptions and values concerning the use of corporal punishment are held by the principal, teachers, students and parents and have not changed since 1996. Beliefs, assumptions and values on the exclusive use of power by the principal on issues of suspension and expulsion are still being held by the above stakeholders in the school. The vision of the SASA that schools become autonomous institutions with democratic leadership and management practices does not seem to be practical because of the centralisation of power in the hands of the Provincial Head of the Education Department. This centralisation of power denies the principal and other stakeholders of the school the power to decide on crucial matters like the expulsion of misbehaving students, because it is the provincial Head who decides on the seriousness of offences committed by misbehaving students and subsequent expulsions. Apart from the location of power in the Provincial Head of the Education Department, the stakeholders of this school are also powerless on expulsion of students, or any other form of punishment because of the implication of the "right" to education in the Bill of Rights in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. The education department has to devise programmes that change the beliefs and assumptions of stakeholders on corporal punishment and decision-making on expulsions and suspensions. Unfortunately corporal punishment persists because parents use it in the home and support its use in school. Programmes on alternatives to corporal punishment are required for the smooth implementation of the SASA.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Luggya, Daniel
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: High school students -- Discipline -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Discipline of children -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape School discipline -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Corporal punishment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape School discipline -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1897 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006156
- Description: South Africa's education management system has undergone a long history of transformation from the promulgation of the Bantu Education Act of 1953 to the realisation of democracy, and in this context, the South Mrican Schools Act (SASA) of l996. Apartheid legislation and the new democratic legislation have had a profound impact on the education leadership and management of schools, in which authoritarian management practices have been replaced by democratic management practices. However, democratic management practices have not yet had a significant effect in the leadership and management of schools, especially in the schools of previously disadvantaged areas. This thesis seeks to examine perceptions held by education stakeholders in the light of the rights of students as stipulated in the discipline provisions of the Schools Act of 1996, in one of the rural high schools in the Northern Region of the Eastern Cape Province. One of the most important discipline provisions is the ban on corporal punishment in schools. My intention in carrying out this research was not to generalise my findings but to understand the experiences and perceptions of the stakeholders in this school regarding the discipline provisions of the SASA. The data suggest that authoritarian education practices, especially corporal punishment, are still a factor in the maintenance of student discipline in this rural school. Stakeholders still believe in the use of corporal punishment as the only way of maintaining discipline and an orderly environment for teaching and learning. Such beliefs, assumptions and values concerning the use of corporal punishment are held by the principal, teachers, students and parents and have not changed since 1996. Beliefs, assumptions and values on the exclusive use of power by the principal on issues of suspension and expulsion are still being held by the above stakeholders in the school. The vision of the SASA that schools become autonomous institutions with democratic leadership and management practices does not seem to be practical because of the centralisation of power in the hands of the Provincial Head of the Education Department. This centralisation of power denies the principal and other stakeholders of the school the power to decide on crucial matters like the expulsion of misbehaving students, because it is the provincial Head who decides on the seriousness of offences committed by misbehaving students and subsequent expulsions. Apart from the location of power in the Provincial Head of the Education Department, the stakeholders of this school are also powerless on expulsion of students, or any other form of punishment because of the implication of the "right" to education in the Bill of Rights in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. The education department has to devise programmes that change the beliefs and assumptions of stakeholders on corporal punishment and decision-making on expulsions and suspensions. Unfortunately corporal punishment persists because parents use it in the home and support its use in school. Programmes on alternatives to corporal punishment are required for the smooth implementation of the SASA.
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A comparative bioinformatic analysis of zinc binuclear cluster proteins
- Authors: Mthombeni, Jabulani S
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Bioinformatics , Zinc proteins , GABA
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4004 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004064 , Bioinformatics , Zinc proteins , GABA
- Description: Members of the zinc binuclear cluster family are important fungal transcriptional regulators sharing a common DNA binding domain. Da181p is a pleotropic zinc binuclear cluster protein involved in the induction of the UGA genes required for the γ-aminobutyrate nitrogen catabolic pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The zinc binuclear cluster domain is indispensable for function in Da181p and little is known about other domains in this protein. The aim of the study was to explore the zinc binuclear cluster protein family using comparative bioinformatics as a complement to biochemical and structural approaches. A database of all zinc binuclear cluster proteins was composed. A total of 118 zinc binuclear proteins are reported in this work. Thirty nine previously unidentified zinc binuclear cluster proteins were found. Four homologues of Da181p were identified by homology searching. Important sequence motifs were identified in the aligned sequences of Da181p and its homologues. The coiled coil motif found in the Ga14p zinc binuclear cluster protein could not be identified in Da181p and its homologues. This suggested that Da181p did not dimerise through this structural motif as other zinc binuclear cluster proteins. Solvent accessible site that could be phosphorylated by protein kinase C or casein kinase II and the role of such sites in the possible regulation of Da181p function were discussed.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mthombeni, Jabulani S
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Bioinformatics , Zinc proteins , GABA
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4004 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004064 , Bioinformatics , Zinc proteins , GABA
- Description: Members of the zinc binuclear cluster family are important fungal transcriptional regulators sharing a common DNA binding domain. Da181p is a pleotropic zinc binuclear cluster protein involved in the induction of the UGA genes required for the γ-aminobutyrate nitrogen catabolic pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The zinc binuclear cluster domain is indispensable for function in Da181p and little is known about other domains in this protein. The aim of the study was to explore the zinc binuclear cluster protein family using comparative bioinformatics as a complement to biochemical and structural approaches. A database of all zinc binuclear cluster proteins was composed. A total of 118 zinc binuclear proteins are reported in this work. Thirty nine previously unidentified zinc binuclear cluster proteins were found. Four homologues of Da181p were identified by homology searching. Important sequence motifs were identified in the aligned sequences of Da181p and its homologues. The coiled coil motif found in the Ga14p zinc binuclear cluster protein could not be identified in Da181p and its homologues. This suggested that Da181p did not dimerise through this structural motif as other zinc binuclear cluster proteins. Solvent accessible site that could be phosphorylated by protein kinase C or casein kinase II and the role of such sites in the possible regulation of Da181p function were discussed.
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A critical evaluation of the preferential procurement strategy and enterprise development strategy of a major motor manufacturer in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Makapela, Nobuntu Unathi B
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: DaimlerChrysler Employee empowerment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Black people -- South Africa -- Economic conditions Business enterprises, Black -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:808 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007274
- Description: This research is born out of recognition of the challenges Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) in the private sector faces in South Africa, with preferential procurement being one of the components of South Africa's Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Strategy. Over the past years, South Africa has witnessed the birth of a new economy, one that allows for investment in its people, makes provision for sustainable growth through skills transfer and development, and ensures economic empowerment. The focus of this research is the Preferential Procurement strategy implemented at DaimlerChrysler South Africa (DCSA) as part of its overall Black Economic Empowerment strategy, the perceptions and expectations of how the current BEE preferential procurement strategy should work versus the perceived performance of how it is working. An official definition of Black Economic Empowerment is presented in the study, followed by barriers to growth of BEE suppliers. The aim of defining Black Economic Empowerment is to provide a good reference point against which an organization like DaimlerChrysler can assess the implementation of its preferential procurement programmes. Having discussed the above, there will be a reflection on government scorecard and a brief discussion of the two charters namely, mining and financial services charter. The study also presents the following requirements for a successful BEE corporate strategy: Strategic intent; External Balanced Scorecard; Financial Assistance; Skills development; Communication. A research methodology for conducting this study and data analysis is presented, followed by limitations of the study and recommendations for further research. It is expected that the knowledge gained from this study will help to I. Demonstrate the need to change perceptions and behaviour regarding Black Economic Empowerment. 2. Assist procurement officials to include BEE objectives into their procurement strategy. 3. Identify policy implications and assist in improving DCSA's Black Economic Empowerment Procurement strategy.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Makapela, Nobuntu Unathi B
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: DaimlerChrysler Employee empowerment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Black people -- South Africa -- Economic conditions Business enterprises, Black -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:808 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007274
- Description: This research is born out of recognition of the challenges Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) in the private sector faces in South Africa, with preferential procurement being one of the components of South Africa's Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Strategy. Over the past years, South Africa has witnessed the birth of a new economy, one that allows for investment in its people, makes provision for sustainable growth through skills transfer and development, and ensures economic empowerment. The focus of this research is the Preferential Procurement strategy implemented at DaimlerChrysler South Africa (DCSA) as part of its overall Black Economic Empowerment strategy, the perceptions and expectations of how the current BEE preferential procurement strategy should work versus the perceived performance of how it is working. An official definition of Black Economic Empowerment is presented in the study, followed by barriers to growth of BEE suppliers. The aim of defining Black Economic Empowerment is to provide a good reference point against which an organization like DaimlerChrysler can assess the implementation of its preferential procurement programmes. Having discussed the above, there will be a reflection on government scorecard and a brief discussion of the two charters namely, mining and financial services charter. The study also presents the following requirements for a successful BEE corporate strategy: Strategic intent; External Balanced Scorecard; Financial Assistance; Skills development; Communication. A research methodology for conducting this study and data analysis is presented, followed by limitations of the study and recommendations for further research. It is expected that the knowledge gained from this study will help to I. Demonstrate the need to change perceptions and behaviour regarding Black Economic Empowerment. 2. Assist procurement officials to include BEE objectives into their procurement strategy. 3. Identify policy implications and assist in improving DCSA's Black Economic Empowerment Procurement strategy.
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A critical investigation into the process of negotiating a mathematics education curriculum with pre-service teachers
- Authors: Westaway, Lise
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Teacher participation in curriculum planning -- South Africa Curriculum planning -- South Africa Curriculum change -- South Africa Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- South Africa Teachers -- Training of -- South Africa Mathematics teachers -- Training of -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1826 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003712
- Description: It's almost like a dinner party and a buffet. A dinner party you get dished up stuff and you eat it and a buffet you can choose what you want out of a range of stuff. I mean think about it when you go to a dinner party- they always dish up something you don't like and you don't want to eat it anyway. It's the same if you have a lecturer in the front that just dishes out what you're going to learn, ... you have to learn it. But in terms of the curriculum negotiation process, I've got to choose what I wanted to leam. (Melissa II 27/11/01: 3) This thesis focuses on the process of negotiating the curriculum with twelve pre-service teachers registered for the Bachelor of Education (Primary) Degree during their Mathematics Education Course in their third year of study. The research is presented methodologically as an action research located within two paradigmatic positions, interpretive and critical. The research attempted to understand, interpret and critique the process of curriculum negotiation within the context of teacher education in South Africa In order to understand the negotiated curriculum process, experiences of the participants are presented through the use of their voices within the thesis. The interpretation is based on the construction and reconstruction of meaning during the enactment of the negotiated curriculum process and during the writing and reviewing of this thesis. The critique is rooted in the historical, cultural and social contexts of both the students and the author. The main contention of this thesis is that curriculum negotiation is not necessarily a suitable vehicle for developing a critical pedagogy in pre-service teacher education when all the participants form a homogenous group in this case, white middle-class women. The democratic values promoted within the context of our curriculum negotiation were fraught with dilemmas and entrenched the values of western liberalism. At most, the curriculum negotiation process and the development of a democratic learning environment, promoted a conscientisation at an individual level, namely a ' transformation of consciousness' . The democratic values promoted in our pedagogy were not sufficient in bringing about social change, a 'transformation for social action'.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Westaway, Lise
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Teacher participation in curriculum planning -- South Africa Curriculum planning -- South Africa Curriculum change -- South Africa Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- South Africa Teachers -- Training of -- South Africa Mathematics teachers -- Training of -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1826 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003712
- Description: It's almost like a dinner party and a buffet. A dinner party you get dished up stuff and you eat it and a buffet you can choose what you want out of a range of stuff. I mean think about it when you go to a dinner party- they always dish up something you don't like and you don't want to eat it anyway. It's the same if you have a lecturer in the front that just dishes out what you're going to learn, ... you have to learn it. But in terms of the curriculum negotiation process, I've got to choose what I wanted to leam. (Melissa II 27/11/01: 3) This thesis focuses on the process of negotiating the curriculum with twelve pre-service teachers registered for the Bachelor of Education (Primary) Degree during their Mathematics Education Course in their third year of study. The research is presented methodologically as an action research located within two paradigmatic positions, interpretive and critical. The research attempted to understand, interpret and critique the process of curriculum negotiation within the context of teacher education in South Africa In order to understand the negotiated curriculum process, experiences of the participants are presented through the use of their voices within the thesis. The interpretation is based on the construction and reconstruction of meaning during the enactment of the negotiated curriculum process and during the writing and reviewing of this thesis. The critique is rooted in the historical, cultural and social contexts of both the students and the author. The main contention of this thesis is that curriculum negotiation is not necessarily a suitable vehicle for developing a critical pedagogy in pre-service teacher education when all the participants form a homogenous group in this case, white middle-class women. The democratic values promoted within the context of our curriculum negotiation were fraught with dilemmas and entrenched the values of western liberalism. At most, the curriculum negotiation process and the development of a democratic learning environment, promoted a conscientisation at an individual level, namely a ' transformation of consciousness' . The democratic values promoted in our pedagogy were not sufficient in bringing about social change, a 'transformation for social action'.
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A critical investigation of plant optimization, to improve the production process of Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles in South Africa. (Jan 2004 - Sept 2004)
- Authors: Naidoo, Desalin Rajoo
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Management Motor vehicle industry -- Production control -- South Africa Production management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:737 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003857
- Description: The research thesis reflects a positive improvement to the plant efficiency through strategic optimisation planning and controlling systems. It’s important to note that the set goals of the research were achieved, with total employee buy-in contributing to the success and sustainability of these improvements. Purposive sample methods allowed for the twenty employees from a total of 172, to be interviewed for both the pre and post testing. The paradigm of the research contributed to integrative communication between brainstorming and action. The efforts of the total workforce must be commended, for strategically aligning the organizational goals and objectives to realization. The content of the thesis, show a direct relationship between the plant optimisation and the increase in the production volumes. The understanding of the downtime reports for the period specified is a direct reflection to the improvement in quality, and the reduction of the overall poor workmanship graphs indicates positively to the reduction in cost. The last value driver, on-time delivery shows a vast improvement in maintaining the customer satisfaction, when considering the increase to the production volume capacity. These improvements have made further volume increases probable, and the understanding of Ikhwezi Trucktech management to negotiate with realized information for future capacity planning.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Naidoo, Desalin Rajoo
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Management Motor vehicle industry -- Production control -- South Africa Production management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:737 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003857
- Description: The research thesis reflects a positive improvement to the plant efficiency through strategic optimisation planning and controlling systems. It’s important to note that the set goals of the research were achieved, with total employee buy-in contributing to the success and sustainability of these improvements. Purposive sample methods allowed for the twenty employees from a total of 172, to be interviewed for both the pre and post testing. The paradigm of the research contributed to integrative communication between brainstorming and action. The efforts of the total workforce must be commended, for strategically aligning the organizational goals and objectives to realization. The content of the thesis, show a direct relationship between the plant optimisation and the increase in the production volumes. The understanding of the downtime reports for the period specified is a direct reflection to the improvement in quality, and the reduction of the overall poor workmanship graphs indicates positively to the reduction in cost. The last value driver, on-time delivery shows a vast improvement in maintaining the customer satisfaction, when considering the increase to the production volume capacity. These improvements have made further volume increases probable, and the understanding of Ikhwezi Trucktech management to negotiate with realized information for future capacity planning.
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A critical investigation of the relevance of theories of feminist jurisprudence to African women in South Africa
- Authors: Mangwiro, Heather K
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Feminist theory Feminist jurisprudence Women -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- South Africa Women's rights -- South Africa Sex discrimination against women -- South Africa Sex role -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:3712 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007328
- Description: Feminist theories emerged out of the revolutionary enthusiasm that swept the Western world during the late eighteenth and nineteenth century Europe. Based on the assumption that all persons have "inalienable or natural" rights upon which governments may not intrude, feminists in Europe and America advocated that equal rights should be extended to women who up to this point were not considered legal beings separate and deserving of these rights. Most African writers and feminists have argued that since most of the theories of feminist jurisprudence have their roots in this Euro-centric context, they cannot be applicable to African women and should therefore be discarded. The thesis acknowledges that to a certain extent their assertions are true. For years feminist jurisprudence has been restricted to an academic engagement with the law failing to take into account the practices and customs of different communities. It has largely been the realm of the middle class bourgeois white female and therefore has been inaccessible to the African woman. The thesis aims, however, to prove that these theories of feminist jurisprudence although Euro-centric have a place in the understanding and advancement of African women's rights in South Africa. In Chapter One the writer traces the history of South African women's rights and the laws that affect African women. Chapter Two presents the emergence of feminist theories and categories of feminism. The writer then seeks to identify the misunderstandings and tensions that exist between the two. The narrow conception of Euro-centric feminism has been that its sole purpose has been the eradication of gender discrimination, however, for African women in South Africa they have had to deal with a multiplicity of oppressions that include but are not restricted to gender, race, economic and social disempowerment. This is dealt with in Chapter Three. It is the opinion of the writer that despite these differences feminism does play a critical role in the advancement of women's rights in South Africa. Taking the South African governments commitment to the advancement of universal rights, the writer is of the opinion that African women can look to the example set by Western feminists, and broaden these theories to suit and be adaptable to the South African context. The answer is not to totally discard feminist theories but to extract commonalities that exist between African and European women, by so doing acknowledging that women's oppression is a global phenomenon. This is the focus of Chapter Four. To avoid making this work a mere academic endeavour, the writer in Chapter Five also aims, through interviews, to include the voices of African women and to indicate areas that still need attention from both the lawmakers and women's rights movements (Feminists). Finally, the writer aims to present a way forward, one that is not merely formal but also substantively attainable.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mangwiro, Heather K
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Feminist theory Feminist jurisprudence Women -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- South Africa Women's rights -- South Africa Sex discrimination against women -- South Africa Sex role -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:3712 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007328
- Description: Feminist theories emerged out of the revolutionary enthusiasm that swept the Western world during the late eighteenth and nineteenth century Europe. Based on the assumption that all persons have "inalienable or natural" rights upon which governments may not intrude, feminists in Europe and America advocated that equal rights should be extended to women who up to this point were not considered legal beings separate and deserving of these rights. Most African writers and feminists have argued that since most of the theories of feminist jurisprudence have their roots in this Euro-centric context, they cannot be applicable to African women and should therefore be discarded. The thesis acknowledges that to a certain extent their assertions are true. For years feminist jurisprudence has been restricted to an academic engagement with the law failing to take into account the practices and customs of different communities. It has largely been the realm of the middle class bourgeois white female and therefore has been inaccessible to the African woman. The thesis aims, however, to prove that these theories of feminist jurisprudence although Euro-centric have a place in the understanding and advancement of African women's rights in South Africa. In Chapter One the writer traces the history of South African women's rights and the laws that affect African women. Chapter Two presents the emergence of feminist theories and categories of feminism. The writer then seeks to identify the misunderstandings and tensions that exist between the two. The narrow conception of Euro-centric feminism has been that its sole purpose has been the eradication of gender discrimination, however, for African women in South Africa they have had to deal with a multiplicity of oppressions that include but are not restricted to gender, race, economic and social disempowerment. This is dealt with in Chapter Three. It is the opinion of the writer that despite these differences feminism does play a critical role in the advancement of women's rights in South Africa. Taking the South African governments commitment to the advancement of universal rights, the writer is of the opinion that African women can look to the example set by Western feminists, and broaden these theories to suit and be adaptable to the South African context. The answer is not to totally discard feminist theories but to extract commonalities that exist between African and European women, by so doing acknowledging that women's oppression is a global phenomenon. This is the focus of Chapter Four. To avoid making this work a mere academic endeavour, the writer in Chapter Five also aims, through interviews, to include the voices of African women and to indicate areas that still need attention from both the lawmakers and women's rights movements (Feminists). Finally, the writer aims to present a way forward, one that is not merely formal but also substantively attainable.
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A decade of changes Eastern Cape white commercial farmers' discourses of democracy
- Authors: Böhmke, Werner
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Farmers -- Psychology , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Democracy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political culture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social psychology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2934 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002443 , Farmers -- Psychology , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Democracy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political culture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social psychology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This paper deals with an analysis of the discursive accounts of Eastern Cape white commercial farmers on the subject of Democracy. Drawing on the theoretical perspectives of Social Constructionism and Discourse Analysis – which view individuals’ accounts of their realities as produced and informed by their particular social and historical context – the paper seeks to provide an analysis of the content of, and rhetorical strategies within the participants’ accounts and explanations. Such accounts of the social, historical and political circumstances in which Eastern Cape commercial farmers find themselves are thought to provide valuable insights into the manner in which the process of democratisation has been received by members of the agricultural sector. Data collection was conducted via brief, audio taped, semi-structured interviews. The participants were all white men and women, living in a commercial farming region of the Eastern Cape Province. Responses to the interviews were subjected to the Discourse Analytical procedure advanced by Ian Parker. Analyses reveal that participants are critical of the notion of democracy; utilize specific rhetorical and argumentation strategies; make use of notions and techniques of ‘Othering’; and subscribe to a colonial / patriarchal ideology which attempts to idealize pre-democratic South Africa. These findings illustrate what is in many ways still an ongoing political and ideological struggle in the rural regions of the country.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Böhmke, Werner
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Farmers -- Psychology , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Democracy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political culture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social psychology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2934 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002443 , Farmers -- Psychology , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Democracy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political culture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social psychology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This paper deals with an analysis of the discursive accounts of Eastern Cape white commercial farmers on the subject of Democracy. Drawing on the theoretical perspectives of Social Constructionism and Discourse Analysis – which view individuals’ accounts of their realities as produced and informed by their particular social and historical context – the paper seeks to provide an analysis of the content of, and rhetorical strategies within the participants’ accounts and explanations. Such accounts of the social, historical and political circumstances in which Eastern Cape commercial farmers find themselves are thought to provide valuable insights into the manner in which the process of democratisation has been received by members of the agricultural sector. Data collection was conducted via brief, audio taped, semi-structured interviews. The participants were all white men and women, living in a commercial farming region of the Eastern Cape Province. Responses to the interviews were subjected to the Discourse Analytical procedure advanced by Ian Parker. Analyses reveal that participants are critical of the notion of democracy; utilize specific rhetorical and argumentation strategies; make use of notions and techniques of ‘Othering’; and subscribe to a colonial / patriarchal ideology which attempts to idealize pre-democratic South Africa. These findings illustrate what is in many ways still an ongoing political and ideological struggle in the rural regions of the country.
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A floristic study of a portion of the Pondoland Centre of Endeminism, Port St Johns, South Africa
- Authors: Cloete, Elizabeth Carinus
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Endemic plants -- South Africa -- Port St Johns , Phytogeography -- South Africa -- Port St Johns , Plants -- South Africa -- Port St Johns , Alien plants -- South Africa -- Port St Johns
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4188 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003757 , Endemic plants -- South Africa -- Port St Johns , Phytogeography -- South Africa -- Port St Johns , Plants -- South Africa -- Port St Johns , Alien plants -- South Africa -- Port St Johns
- Description: Analysis of the flora of the Pondoland Centre of Endemism (PCE) recorded 2253 species in the combined checklist of four sites (Port St. Johns, Mkambati, Umtamvuna and Oribi Gorge). Of these 1 % species are endemic to Pondoland, representing 8.7% of the Species, 15% of the genera and 26% of the families of the combined flora. Forty-four percent ofthe combined flora was only recorded from one locality (between 17% and 26% of each flora) and only 12% of the flora was present in all four localities. Of the endemics only sixteen (8%) occurred in all four sites thus each site had its own complement of unique endemics and 21 % endemics were not recorded from any of the four sites. At species level the floras of Mkambati and Umtamvuna were the most similar, followed by that of Umtamvuna and Oribi Gorge. Port St Johns had the least in common with any of the othersites, but more in common with non-neighbours Umtamvuna and Oribi Gorge than with its nearest neighbour Mkambati. Mkambati and Umtamvuna had the largest proportion of PCE endemics and Port St Johns had the lowest. The four sites are quite similar at family level, sharing thirteen families in the top ten family list between them, but much less similar at generic level.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Cloete, Elizabeth Carinus
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Endemic plants -- South Africa -- Port St Johns , Phytogeography -- South Africa -- Port St Johns , Plants -- South Africa -- Port St Johns , Alien plants -- South Africa -- Port St Johns
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4188 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003757 , Endemic plants -- South Africa -- Port St Johns , Phytogeography -- South Africa -- Port St Johns , Plants -- South Africa -- Port St Johns , Alien plants -- South Africa -- Port St Johns
- Description: Analysis of the flora of the Pondoland Centre of Endemism (PCE) recorded 2253 species in the combined checklist of four sites (Port St. Johns, Mkambati, Umtamvuna and Oribi Gorge). Of these 1 % species are endemic to Pondoland, representing 8.7% of the Species, 15% of the genera and 26% of the families of the combined flora. Forty-four percent ofthe combined flora was only recorded from one locality (between 17% and 26% of each flora) and only 12% of the flora was present in all four localities. Of the endemics only sixteen (8%) occurred in all four sites thus each site had its own complement of unique endemics and 21 % endemics were not recorded from any of the four sites. At species level the floras of Mkambati and Umtamvuna were the most similar, followed by that of Umtamvuna and Oribi Gorge. Port St Johns had the least in common with any of the othersites, but more in common with non-neighbours Umtamvuna and Oribi Gorge than with its nearest neighbour Mkambati. Mkambati and Umtamvuna had the largest proportion of PCE endemics and Port St Johns had the lowest. The four sites are quite similar at family level, sharing thirteen families in the top ten family list between them, but much less similar at generic level.
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A framework for evaluating instructional design models resulting in a model for designing and developing computer based learning tools with GIS technologies
- Authors: Stott, Deborah Ann
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Computer-assisted instruction Geographic information systems Education, Secondary -- Computer network resources Educational innovations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1548 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003430
- Description: With the increasing pressures and concerns in education regarding capability, lifelong learning, higher order cognitive skills, transdisciplinary education and so on, educators are seeking fresh ways to teach and new tools to support that teaching. In South Africa, Outcomes Based Education (OBE) has identified critical outcomes (skills) across all subject areas such as problem solving, teamwork, fostering critical thinking etc. as a way of responding to these pressures and concerns. But OBE has been criticised for lacking the necessary tools to develop these critical skills and to promote cross-discipline learning. One innovative way of offering transformative teaching, instruction and learning that may foster the development of these critical skills, particularly those concerned with critical thinking, is by using geographic information systems (GIS) technologies. The scope for using these technologies in secondary education is now being realised for teaching the more generic, cross-discipline skills described whereby students are learning not only about GIS but also with GIS. This realisation provides the opportunity to create flexible, computer-based learning materials that are rooted in authentic, real-world contexts, which aim to enhance the cognitive skills of the students. If these technologies can be used in an innovative way to develop critical outcomes and skills, a model needs to be defined to aid the design and development of learning materials using these technologies for use in schools. The primary aim of this study has been to develop such a model; a model which emphasises the development of real-world learning materials that develop higher-order thinking skills in learners. Another key product of this study is the submission of a comprehensive yet flexible framework for evaluating instructional design models found in the educational literature in order to determine if these design models can be used to develop learning materials forparticular contexts.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Stott, Deborah Ann
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Computer-assisted instruction Geographic information systems Education, Secondary -- Computer network resources Educational innovations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1548 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003430
- Description: With the increasing pressures and concerns in education regarding capability, lifelong learning, higher order cognitive skills, transdisciplinary education and so on, educators are seeking fresh ways to teach and new tools to support that teaching. In South Africa, Outcomes Based Education (OBE) has identified critical outcomes (skills) across all subject areas such as problem solving, teamwork, fostering critical thinking etc. as a way of responding to these pressures and concerns. But OBE has been criticised for lacking the necessary tools to develop these critical skills and to promote cross-discipline learning. One innovative way of offering transformative teaching, instruction and learning that may foster the development of these critical skills, particularly those concerned with critical thinking, is by using geographic information systems (GIS) technologies. The scope for using these technologies in secondary education is now being realised for teaching the more generic, cross-discipline skills described whereby students are learning not only about GIS but also with GIS. This realisation provides the opportunity to create flexible, computer-based learning materials that are rooted in authentic, real-world contexts, which aim to enhance the cognitive skills of the students. If these technologies can be used in an innovative way to develop critical outcomes and skills, a model needs to be defined to aid the design and development of learning materials using these technologies for use in schools. The primary aim of this study has been to develop such a model; a model which emphasises the development of real-world learning materials that develop higher-order thinking skills in learners. Another key product of this study is the submission of a comprehensive yet flexible framework for evaluating instructional design models found in the educational literature in order to determine if these design models can be used to develop learning materials forparticular contexts.
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A hermeneutic description of a therapeutic interview using reader response concepts from literary theory
- Odendaal, Dirk Hermanus, 1954-
- Authors: Odendaal, Dirk Hermanus, 1954-
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Psychotherapy , Hermeneutics , Narrative therapy , Reading, Psychology of , Reader-response criticism , Psychology and literature
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3168 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007749
- Description: Certain approaches in the discipline Psychology, use the term narrative to describe how they work. Upon investigation one finds that the term narrative is seldom informed from Literary Theory, the background from which it originated. Instead, other disciplines that were also influenced by Literary Theory are invariably used as a means of cross fertilisation, e.g. the work of Geertz from an anthropologist background. Therapists make use of techniques described in the theories in an attempt to come to an understanding of the interactions in the therapy session. Some of the later theories emanating from Literary Theory appear to very useful for opening new ways of research in psychology, especially because some of them already come from an interdisciplinary background. This research attempts to identify useful theories and then apply them within a hermeneutical background in a therapeutical session. Theoretical work on ambiguity, recent research on foregrounding and defamiliarization and also the research in psychonarratology appear to be eminently useful for coming to a deeper understanding of the processes that take place in a therapeutic environment. It is thought that these theories could be of use because they have been 'tested' against the experiences of real readers reading texts. As novels differ from reports and washing lists, therapeutic settings differ from discussions. A novel is a cultivated variant of a report, and a therapeutic conversation is a cultivated version of a chat. These theories then, were applied to a real therapeutic session. The therapists who participated were interviewed on the session and on their reactions to certain 'readings' made by them during the session. The purpose of the interview was to obtain an understanding of their interpretation of what had happened during that session. The questions, reactions, observations and reflections of the session constitute the text of this research. The generated text was then reread from the perspective of each of the theories. The data was collected and interpreted. The interpretation focusses on the therapists 'reading' or understanding of the session and in the process, leads the therapists and researcher to further levels of understanding. In conclusion, it was found that the theories were indeed useful as they were able to point out how certain stylistics of language and situation in the therapeutic session had led to hermeneutic or interpretive processes and also how these processes were perceived or experienced on reflection by the therapists.
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- Authors: Odendaal, Dirk Hermanus, 1954-
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Psychotherapy , Hermeneutics , Narrative therapy , Reading, Psychology of , Reader-response criticism , Psychology and literature
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3168 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007749
- Description: Certain approaches in the discipline Psychology, use the term narrative to describe how they work. Upon investigation one finds that the term narrative is seldom informed from Literary Theory, the background from which it originated. Instead, other disciplines that were also influenced by Literary Theory are invariably used as a means of cross fertilisation, e.g. the work of Geertz from an anthropologist background. Therapists make use of techniques described in the theories in an attempt to come to an understanding of the interactions in the therapy session. Some of the later theories emanating from Literary Theory appear to very useful for opening new ways of research in psychology, especially because some of them already come from an interdisciplinary background. This research attempts to identify useful theories and then apply them within a hermeneutical background in a therapeutical session. Theoretical work on ambiguity, recent research on foregrounding and defamiliarization and also the research in psychonarratology appear to be eminently useful for coming to a deeper understanding of the processes that take place in a therapeutic environment. It is thought that these theories could be of use because they have been 'tested' against the experiences of real readers reading texts. As novels differ from reports and washing lists, therapeutic settings differ from discussions. A novel is a cultivated variant of a report, and a therapeutic conversation is a cultivated version of a chat. These theories then, were applied to a real therapeutic session. The therapists who participated were interviewed on the session and on their reactions to certain 'readings' made by them during the session. The purpose of the interview was to obtain an understanding of their interpretation of what had happened during that session. The questions, reactions, observations and reflections of the session constitute the text of this research. The generated text was then reread from the perspective of each of the theories. The data was collected and interpreted. The interpretation focusses on the therapists 'reading' or understanding of the session and in the process, leads the therapists and researcher to further levels of understanding. In conclusion, it was found that the theories were indeed useful as they were able to point out how certain stylistics of language and situation in the therapeutic session had led to hermeneutic or interpretive processes and also how these processes were perceived or experienced on reflection by the therapists.
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A just culture : restoring justice towards a culture of human rights
- Authors: McConnell, Jesse
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: South Africa. Truth and Reconciliation Commission , Reconciliation , Restorative justice , Justice , Human rights , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 20th century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2860 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007594 , South Africa. Truth and Reconciliation Commission , Reconciliation , Restorative justice , Justice , Human rights , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 20th century
- Description: This thesis seeks to investigate the possibility that the binary opposition between retributive and restorative forms of justice that structures the discourse on justice is unhelpful and unnecessary, particularly for societies seeking to extricate themselves from violent conflict and towards building peace and democracy. I shall argue for the importance of considering restorative justice as conceptually and historically prior to the possibility of retributive justice rather than the negation of one or the other, as well as advocate the potentially greater transformative power of the values of restorative justice which may provide a constructive alternative to retributive justice in the context of post-conflict peacebuilding.
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- Authors: McConnell, Jesse
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: South Africa. Truth and Reconciliation Commission , Reconciliation , Restorative justice , Justice , Human rights , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 20th century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2860 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007594 , South Africa. Truth and Reconciliation Commission , Reconciliation , Restorative justice , Justice , Human rights , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 20th century
- Description: This thesis seeks to investigate the possibility that the binary opposition between retributive and restorative forms of justice that structures the discourse on justice is unhelpful and unnecessary, particularly for societies seeking to extricate themselves from violent conflict and towards building peace and democracy. I shall argue for the importance of considering restorative justice as conceptually and historically prior to the possibility of retributive justice rather than the negation of one or the other, as well as advocate the potentially greater transformative power of the values of restorative justice which may provide a constructive alternative to retributive justice in the context of post-conflict peacebuilding.
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A remote interactive music keyboard tuition system
- Authors: Newton, Mark Brian
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Computer-assisted instruction , Keyboard instrument music -- Instruction and study , Music -- Computer assisted instruction , Music in education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4603 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004860 , Computer-assisted instruction , Keyboard instrument music -- Instruction and study , Music -- Computer assisted instruction , Music in education
- Description: A networked multimedia system to assist teaching music keyboard skills to a class is described. Teaching practical music lessons requires a large amount of interaction between the teacher and student and is thus teacher intensive. Although there is a range of computer software available for learning how to play the keyboard, these programs cannot replace the guidance of a music teacher. The possibility of combining the music applications with video conferencing technology for use in a keyboard class is discussed. An ideal system is described that incorporates the benefits of video conferencing and music applications for use in a classroom. A design of the ideal system is described and implemented. Certain design and implementation decisions are explained and the performance of the implementation examined. The system would enable a music teacher to effectively teach a music class keyboard skills.
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- Authors: Newton, Mark Brian
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Computer-assisted instruction , Keyboard instrument music -- Instruction and study , Music -- Computer assisted instruction , Music in education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4603 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004860 , Computer-assisted instruction , Keyboard instrument music -- Instruction and study , Music -- Computer assisted instruction , Music in education
- Description: A networked multimedia system to assist teaching music keyboard skills to a class is described. Teaching practical music lessons requires a large amount of interaction between the teacher and student and is thus teacher intensive. Although there is a range of computer software available for learning how to play the keyboard, these programs cannot replace the guidance of a music teacher. The possibility of combining the music applications with video conferencing technology for use in a keyboard class is discussed. An ideal system is described that incorporates the benefits of video conferencing and music applications for use in a classroom. A design of the ideal system is described and implemented. Certain design and implementation decisions are explained and the performance of the implementation examined. The system would enable a music teacher to effectively teach a music class keyboard skills.
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A study of current and potential future commuter transportation requirements in Kagiso township
- Authors: Lefutso, David
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Commuters -- South Africa -- Gauteng Urban transportation -- South Africa -- Gauteng Urban transportation -- South Africa -- Gauteng -- Planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:765 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003886
- Description: This study is intended to unpack the current and potential future commuter transport requirements in Kagiso Township within the context of transport planning and the ongoing transformation of the transport sector in South Africa. In order to meet the above challenges, it was felt that an investigation of the socio-economic profile of transport users in Kagiso Township was required, which would be indicative of potential needs and requirements in terms of current and future travel infrastructure. This study is significant, as it considers the impact of socio-economic factors and transport interactions by fully examining the impact of accessibility, urban development patterns, local mobility and planning. Mogale City’s Kagiso Township was selected for in-depth study because it has seen one of the highest urbanization rates in Gauteng Province, with people from all over Gauteng relocating to this suburb, either buying relatively moderately priced housing via mortgaging or, alternatively, trying to gain access to government low-cost housing. The study investigates the connection between socio-economic characteristics of a local population (inter alia, age, gender, household size, and vehicles per household, employment status and income) and their transport requirements (travel demand forecasting), within an urban transport context. Socio-economic characteristics of a population are important in transport demand forecasting because there is a general belief in transport planning that the predisposition to travel and trip generation vary with the characteristics of the traveller. A travel demand forecasting model by Bussière and Rice (1999) is used for the purposes of simulating existing and future travel patterns. The forecasted household mobility and needs of commuters in Kagiso Township are compared with current municipal plans to see whether such plans are realistic and can address existing needs. The evaluation of the current municipal plans is included to test the responsiveness of public policy and practice towards the needs of the affected local community. This evaluation extracted information on whether the relevant municipality has identified the problems and issues affecting the local community of Kagiso Township. In addition, it assessed whether the municipality has identified possible solutions to these problems and issues and whether it has prioritised any projects to improve transportation in Kagiso Township.
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- Authors: Lefutso, David
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Commuters -- South Africa -- Gauteng Urban transportation -- South Africa -- Gauteng Urban transportation -- South Africa -- Gauteng -- Planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:765 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003886
- Description: This study is intended to unpack the current and potential future commuter transport requirements in Kagiso Township within the context of transport planning and the ongoing transformation of the transport sector in South Africa. In order to meet the above challenges, it was felt that an investigation of the socio-economic profile of transport users in Kagiso Township was required, which would be indicative of potential needs and requirements in terms of current and future travel infrastructure. This study is significant, as it considers the impact of socio-economic factors and transport interactions by fully examining the impact of accessibility, urban development patterns, local mobility and planning. Mogale City’s Kagiso Township was selected for in-depth study because it has seen one of the highest urbanization rates in Gauteng Province, with people from all over Gauteng relocating to this suburb, either buying relatively moderately priced housing via mortgaging or, alternatively, trying to gain access to government low-cost housing. The study investigates the connection between socio-economic characteristics of a local population (inter alia, age, gender, household size, and vehicles per household, employment status and income) and their transport requirements (travel demand forecasting), within an urban transport context. Socio-economic characteristics of a population are important in transport demand forecasting because there is a general belief in transport planning that the predisposition to travel and trip generation vary with the characteristics of the traveller. A travel demand forecasting model by Bussière and Rice (1999) is used for the purposes of simulating existing and future travel patterns. The forecasted household mobility and needs of commuters in Kagiso Township are compared with current municipal plans to see whether such plans are realistic and can address existing needs. The evaluation of the current municipal plans is included to test the responsiveness of public policy and practice towards the needs of the affected local community. This evaluation extracted information on whether the relevant municipality has identified the problems and issues affecting the local community of Kagiso Township. In addition, it assessed whether the municipality has identified possible solutions to these problems and issues and whether it has prioritised any projects to improve transportation in Kagiso Township.
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