The impact of macroeconomic and financial factors on the performance of the housing property market in South Africa
- Authors: Kwangware, Debra
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Microeconomics , Housing -- South Africa , Housing -- Prices -- South Africa , Real property -- South Africa , Interest rates -- South Africa , Foreign exchange rates -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1042 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005641 , Microeconomics , Housing -- South Africa , Housing -- Prices -- South Africa , Real property -- South Africa , Interest rates -- South Africa , Foreign exchange rates -- South Africa
- Description: This study exammes the impact of macroeconomic and financial variables on the performance of the housing property market in South Africa using monthly data for the period January 1996 to June 2008. Orthogonalised and non-orthogonalised house price returns and real estate returns are utilised as proxies for the housing property market in separate models. Three main issues were empirically analysed in relation to the linkage between selected variables and the housing property market. The first aspect examined the relationship between selected macroeconomic and financial factors and property returns. Secondly, the study examined the influence that a unit shock to each variable has on property returns over a period of time. The third aspect focused on determining the proportion of property returns variation that results from changes in the macroeconomic and financial variables. VAR modelling was thus adopted to empirically analyse these three aspects. The results reveal that house price returns are influenced by most of the macroeconomic and financial variables used in this study. Specifically, the real effective exchange rate, interest rate spread and manufacturing production positively impact on house price returns while the domestic interest rate, the dividend yield and expected inflation have a negative effect. Furthermore, manufacturing production has a lagged effect on house price returns while the real effective exchange rate and domestic interest rate have a contemporaneous effect. Real estate returns are not influenced by most of the variables except for the domestic interest rate and dividend yield which have a negative effect.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kwangware, Debra
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Microeconomics , Housing -- South Africa , Housing -- Prices -- South Africa , Real property -- South Africa , Interest rates -- South Africa , Foreign exchange rates -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1042 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005641 , Microeconomics , Housing -- South Africa , Housing -- Prices -- South Africa , Real property -- South Africa , Interest rates -- South Africa , Foreign exchange rates -- South Africa
- Description: This study exammes the impact of macroeconomic and financial variables on the performance of the housing property market in South Africa using monthly data for the period January 1996 to June 2008. Orthogonalised and non-orthogonalised house price returns and real estate returns are utilised as proxies for the housing property market in separate models. Three main issues were empirically analysed in relation to the linkage between selected variables and the housing property market. The first aspect examined the relationship between selected macroeconomic and financial factors and property returns. Secondly, the study examined the influence that a unit shock to each variable has on property returns over a period of time. The third aspect focused on determining the proportion of property returns variation that results from changes in the macroeconomic and financial variables. VAR modelling was thus adopted to empirically analyse these three aspects. The results reveal that house price returns are influenced by most of the macroeconomic and financial variables used in this study. Specifically, the real effective exchange rate, interest rate spread and manufacturing production positively impact on house price returns while the domestic interest rate, the dividend yield and expected inflation have a negative effect. Furthermore, manufacturing production has a lagged effect on house price returns while the real effective exchange rate and domestic interest rate have a contemporaneous effect. Real estate returns are not influenced by most of the variables except for the domestic interest rate and dividend yield which have a negative effect.
- Full Text:
The impact on biodiversity, and integrated control, of water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes (Martius) Solms-Laubach (Pontederiaceae) on the Lake Nsezi - Nseleni River system
- Authors: Jones, Roy William
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Water hyacinth -- Control -- South Africa , Eichhornia crassipedes , Pontederiaceae , Aquatic plants -- South Africa -- Nsezi, Lake , Aquatic weeds -- South Africa -- Nsezi, Lake , Invasive plants -- South Africa -- Nsezi, Lake
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5711 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005397 , Water hyacinth -- Control -- South Africa , Eichhornia crassipedes , Pontederiaceae , Aquatic plants -- South Africa -- Nsezi, Lake , Aquatic weeds -- South Africa -- Nsezi, Lake , Invasive plants -- South Africa -- Nsezi, Lake
- Description: Water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes (Martius) Solms-Laubach (Pontederiaceae), a free floating aquatic plant was discovered by C. von Martius in 1823 in Brazil. It is believed to have been introduced into South Africa, as an ornamental plant, in 1908 to the Cape Province and Natal. Since its introduction, water hyacinth has spread throughout South Africa to the detriment of all aquatic systems that it has been introduced to directly or indirectly. The weed was first positively identified on the Nseleni and Mposa rivers on the Nseleni Nature Reserve which is a protected area near Richards Bay in KwaZulu- Natal in 1982 and formed a 100% cover of the river by 1983. An integrated management plan was implemented in 1995 and resulted in a reduction of the weed from a 100% cover to less than 20% cover in 5 years. The keys to success of the water hyacinth integrated management plan, presented here, were finding the source of the weed, mapping the extent of the water hyacinth infestation, identifying sources of nutrient pollution, appointing a champion to drive the programme, dividing the river into management units, consultation with interested and affected parties, judicious use of herbicides and biological control and a commitment to follow-up. This study further showed that water hyacinth on the Nseleni and Mposa river systems had a negative impact on the biodiversity of the protected area and the control of water hyacinth resulted in the recovery of the benthic invertebrate, amphibian, reptile, fish and avian fauna. The implementation of this integrated management plan was very cost-effective and serves as a model approach to the control of water hyacinth in both South Africa and the rest of the world.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Jones, Roy William
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Water hyacinth -- Control -- South Africa , Eichhornia crassipedes , Pontederiaceae , Aquatic plants -- South Africa -- Nsezi, Lake , Aquatic weeds -- South Africa -- Nsezi, Lake , Invasive plants -- South Africa -- Nsezi, Lake
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5711 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005397 , Water hyacinth -- Control -- South Africa , Eichhornia crassipedes , Pontederiaceae , Aquatic plants -- South Africa -- Nsezi, Lake , Aquatic weeds -- South Africa -- Nsezi, Lake , Invasive plants -- South Africa -- Nsezi, Lake
- Description: Water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes (Martius) Solms-Laubach (Pontederiaceae), a free floating aquatic plant was discovered by C. von Martius in 1823 in Brazil. It is believed to have been introduced into South Africa, as an ornamental plant, in 1908 to the Cape Province and Natal. Since its introduction, water hyacinth has spread throughout South Africa to the detriment of all aquatic systems that it has been introduced to directly or indirectly. The weed was first positively identified on the Nseleni and Mposa rivers on the Nseleni Nature Reserve which is a protected area near Richards Bay in KwaZulu- Natal in 1982 and formed a 100% cover of the river by 1983. An integrated management plan was implemented in 1995 and resulted in a reduction of the weed from a 100% cover to less than 20% cover in 5 years. The keys to success of the water hyacinth integrated management plan, presented here, were finding the source of the weed, mapping the extent of the water hyacinth infestation, identifying sources of nutrient pollution, appointing a champion to drive the programme, dividing the river into management units, consultation with interested and affected parties, judicious use of herbicides and biological control and a commitment to follow-up. This study further showed that water hyacinth on the Nseleni and Mposa river systems had a negative impact on the biodiversity of the protected area and the control of water hyacinth resulted in the recovery of the benthic invertebrate, amphibian, reptile, fish and avian fauna. The implementation of this integrated management plan was very cost-effective and serves as a model approach to the control of water hyacinth in both South Africa and the rest of the world.
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The implementation of project work by selected grade 10 life science teachers in Namibia
- Authors: Angula, Alina Hambelela
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Education -- Namibia Life sciences -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia Project method in teaching -- Namibia School improvement programs -- Namibia Teachers -- Training of -- Namibia Curriculum planning -- Namibia Educational change -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1567 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003449
- Description: Prior to independence in Namibia in 1990 the education system of the day did not encourage the majority of Namibian learners to explore and investigate the wonder of the natural and physical world. The post independence education system has nurtured the study of the sciences and has emphasized participation, problem solving and independent studies. The inclusion of projects and other independent studies has been regarded as a key vehicle to develop scientific understanding and competencies related to this understanding. However, very few studies have hitherto investigated the teachers’ understanding and implementation of projects in the Namibian context. This study investigates how Grade 10 Life Science teachers understand and implement projects in selected schools in Namibia. The study focused on two teachers in two schools, a combined and a senior secondary school in the Oshikoto educational region of Namibia. The research was conducted through an interpretive case study aiming to gain a better understanding about the implementation of projects in schools. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, classroom observation and document analysis. The findings indicate that despite the focus on projects in the Life Science syllabus and broad curriculum, policy documents do not give detailed guidelines on how projects should be planned, organized and assessed. The results revealed that knowledge about projects and their implementation is primarily informed by practical activities rather than the critical enquiries or investigations required by the Life Science curriculum policy. The study also revealed that despite the in-service training received by the two teachers participating in this study on syllabus interpretation, it is apparent from the findings that project work in these in-service programmes was neglected. This has further hampered teachers’ understanding and implementation of projects. The findings of this study point to a need for project guidelines as well as in-service programmes in this area if the stated nature and role of projects in the context of Namibian education policy is to be achieved.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Angula, Alina Hambelela
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Education -- Namibia Life sciences -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia Project method in teaching -- Namibia School improvement programs -- Namibia Teachers -- Training of -- Namibia Curriculum planning -- Namibia Educational change -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1567 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003449
- Description: Prior to independence in Namibia in 1990 the education system of the day did not encourage the majority of Namibian learners to explore and investigate the wonder of the natural and physical world. The post independence education system has nurtured the study of the sciences and has emphasized participation, problem solving and independent studies. The inclusion of projects and other independent studies has been regarded as a key vehicle to develop scientific understanding and competencies related to this understanding. However, very few studies have hitherto investigated the teachers’ understanding and implementation of projects in the Namibian context. This study investigates how Grade 10 Life Science teachers understand and implement projects in selected schools in Namibia. The study focused on two teachers in two schools, a combined and a senior secondary school in the Oshikoto educational region of Namibia. The research was conducted through an interpretive case study aiming to gain a better understanding about the implementation of projects in schools. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, classroom observation and document analysis. The findings indicate that despite the focus on projects in the Life Science syllabus and broad curriculum, policy documents do not give detailed guidelines on how projects should be planned, organized and assessed. The results revealed that knowledge about projects and their implementation is primarily informed by practical activities rather than the critical enquiries or investigations required by the Life Science curriculum policy. The study also revealed that despite the in-service training received by the two teachers participating in this study on syllabus interpretation, it is apparent from the findings that project work in these in-service programmes was neglected. This has further hampered teachers’ understanding and implementation of projects. The findings of this study point to a need for project guidelines as well as in-service programmes in this area if the stated nature and role of projects in the context of Namibian education policy is to be achieved.
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The implementation of the new capital accord (BASEL II) : a comparative study of South Africa, Switzerland, Brazil and the United States
- Makwiramiti, Anthony Munyaradzi
- Authors: Makwiramiti, Anthony Munyaradzi
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Basel II (2004) , Banks and banking, International , Banks and banking, International -- State supervision , Capital market -- Government policy , Bank capital , Banking law , Financial institutions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:983 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002717 , Basel II (2004) , Banks and banking, International , Banks and banking, International -- State supervision , Capital market -- Government policy , Bank capital , Banking law , Financial institutions
- Description: The international banking environment has become potentially riskier because of the recent developments in financial services and products which have changed the way banks do their day to day business. Imposing minimum capital adequacy regulations is one way of fostering stability in the global banking system. A number of countries have started to implement the new capital adequacy rules (Basel II) following the worldwide consensus among central bankers that bank‟s capital levels should be regulated to enhance global financial stability. In this study, through the comparative analysis of the general implementation issues it was established that emerging countries apply all Basel II rules uniformly across all the banking institutions that operate in their territories. Developed countries apply these rules only to large and internationally active banks and because of the diversity of their banking industries, they also apply domestically modified rules to the domestically based banks. For the successful implementation of Basel II, properly planning, devoting bank resources and making necessary legislative amendments are prerequisites for incorporating Basel II into the regulatory framework for any country. The study concludes that the current global financial turmoil continues to pose a threat to the effectiveness of the Basel II rules which are aimed at achieving global financial stability.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Makwiramiti, Anthony Munyaradzi
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Basel II (2004) , Banks and banking, International , Banks and banking, International -- State supervision , Capital market -- Government policy , Bank capital , Banking law , Financial institutions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:983 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002717 , Basel II (2004) , Banks and banking, International , Banks and banking, International -- State supervision , Capital market -- Government policy , Bank capital , Banking law , Financial institutions
- Description: The international banking environment has become potentially riskier because of the recent developments in financial services and products which have changed the way banks do their day to day business. Imposing minimum capital adequacy regulations is one way of fostering stability in the global banking system. A number of countries have started to implement the new capital adequacy rules (Basel II) following the worldwide consensus among central bankers that bank‟s capital levels should be regulated to enhance global financial stability. In this study, through the comparative analysis of the general implementation issues it was established that emerging countries apply all Basel II rules uniformly across all the banking institutions that operate in their territories. Developed countries apply these rules only to large and internationally active banks and because of the diversity of their banking industries, they also apply domestically modified rules to the domestically based banks. For the successful implementation of Basel II, properly planning, devoting bank resources and making necessary legislative amendments are prerequisites for incorporating Basel II into the regulatory framework for any country. The study concludes that the current global financial turmoil continues to pose a threat to the effectiveness of the Basel II rules which are aimed at achieving global financial stability.
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The investigation of novel marine microorganisms for the production of biologically active metabolites
- Authors: Sunkel, Vanessa Ann
- Date: 2009 , 2013-07-15
- Subjects: Antibiotics , Drugs -- Research , Metabolites , Marine biotechnology , Marine metabolites -- Therapeutic use , Microorganisms -- Effect of drugs on , Penicillium
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3812 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004579 , Antibiotics , Drugs -- Research , Metabolites , Marine biotechnology , Marine metabolites -- Therapeutic use , Microorganisms -- Effect of drugs on , Penicillium
- Description: New drugs, particularly antibiotics, are urgently required to combat the increasing problem of antibiotic resistant human pathogens. Due to the scarcity of products available today, the pharmaceutical industry is now under pressure to reassess compounds derived from plants, soil and marine organisms. Pharmaceutical companies are showing renewed interest in marine biotechnology as the oceans represent a rich source of both biological and chemical diversity of novel molecular structures with anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties. Formerly unexplored locations, such as deep ocean sediments, show great potential as a source of genetically novel microorganisms producing structurally unique secondary metabolites. In this research, a metabolite producing marine Pseudoalteromonas strain, known as AP5, was initially used to develop methods for the detection, optimisation of production and extraction of bioactive metabolites from other potentially novel marine isolates. Two hundred and seventy six (276) marine isolates from water and sediment samples from the Antarctic Ocean and Marion Island were isolated. Ten visually different isolates were screened for bioactivity against Gram-positive and -negative bacteria, fungi and yeast. Three out of the 10 isolates, WL61 , WL 114 and WL 136, appeared to be novel Streptomyces spp. showing activity against different test organisms. Many of these marine microorganisms are difficult to culture in the laboratory, particularly when they are cultivated continuously in shake flasks as they can stop producing bioactive compounds. The cultivation of marine isolates in bioreactors may be a more beneficial process for the optimisation of metabolite production compared to conventional liquid fermentation techniques whereby the solid-liquid-air interface of membrane bioreactors can imitate the natural environment of microbes. The membrane bioreactor system is a stable growth environment with low shear that supports steady-state biofilm growth consisting of a high cell density due to a high mass transfer of nutrients and oxygen to the cells. This approach was employed and isolates WL61, WL114 and WL136 were immobilised onto ceramic membranes using Quorus single fibre bioreactors (SFR). The SFRs were used to establish the most suitable growth medium for continuous secondary metabolite production. The best growth conditions were applied to the Quorus multifibre bioreactor (MFR) for scale up of biologically active metabolites, highlighting the potential of bioreactor technology for use in bioprospecting for isolating and screening novel and known organisms for new and interesting natural products. Furthermore, the Quorus MFR was shown to be suitable for the production of high yields of antimicrobial metabolites and is an efficient new fermentation production system. Purification by HPLC fractionation was used to characterise four major compounds from isolate WL 114 extracts. NMR structure elucidation identified one of the two primary compounds as Bisphenol A. The complete chemical structure for the second potent bioactive compound could not be determined due to the low concentration and volume of material. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Authors: Sunkel, Vanessa Ann
- Date: 2009 , 2013-07-15
- Subjects: Antibiotics , Drugs -- Research , Metabolites , Marine biotechnology , Marine metabolites -- Therapeutic use , Microorganisms -- Effect of drugs on , Penicillium
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3812 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004579 , Antibiotics , Drugs -- Research , Metabolites , Marine biotechnology , Marine metabolites -- Therapeutic use , Microorganisms -- Effect of drugs on , Penicillium
- Description: New drugs, particularly antibiotics, are urgently required to combat the increasing problem of antibiotic resistant human pathogens. Due to the scarcity of products available today, the pharmaceutical industry is now under pressure to reassess compounds derived from plants, soil and marine organisms. Pharmaceutical companies are showing renewed interest in marine biotechnology as the oceans represent a rich source of both biological and chemical diversity of novel molecular structures with anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties. Formerly unexplored locations, such as deep ocean sediments, show great potential as a source of genetically novel microorganisms producing structurally unique secondary metabolites. In this research, a metabolite producing marine Pseudoalteromonas strain, known as AP5, was initially used to develop methods for the detection, optimisation of production and extraction of bioactive metabolites from other potentially novel marine isolates. Two hundred and seventy six (276) marine isolates from water and sediment samples from the Antarctic Ocean and Marion Island were isolated. Ten visually different isolates were screened for bioactivity against Gram-positive and -negative bacteria, fungi and yeast. Three out of the 10 isolates, WL61 , WL 114 and WL 136, appeared to be novel Streptomyces spp. showing activity against different test organisms. Many of these marine microorganisms are difficult to culture in the laboratory, particularly when they are cultivated continuously in shake flasks as they can stop producing bioactive compounds. The cultivation of marine isolates in bioreactors may be a more beneficial process for the optimisation of metabolite production compared to conventional liquid fermentation techniques whereby the solid-liquid-air interface of membrane bioreactors can imitate the natural environment of microbes. The membrane bioreactor system is a stable growth environment with low shear that supports steady-state biofilm growth consisting of a high cell density due to a high mass transfer of nutrients and oxygen to the cells. This approach was employed and isolates WL61, WL114 and WL136 were immobilised onto ceramic membranes using Quorus single fibre bioreactors (SFR). The SFRs were used to establish the most suitable growth medium for continuous secondary metabolite production. The best growth conditions were applied to the Quorus multifibre bioreactor (MFR) for scale up of biologically active metabolites, highlighting the potential of bioreactor technology for use in bioprospecting for isolating and screening novel and known organisms for new and interesting natural products. Furthermore, the Quorus MFR was shown to be suitable for the production of high yields of antimicrobial metabolites and is an efficient new fermentation production system. Purification by HPLC fractionation was used to characterise four major compounds from isolate WL 114 extracts. NMR structure elucidation identified one of the two primary compounds as Bisphenol A. The complete chemical structure for the second potent bioactive compound could not be determined due to the low concentration and volume of material. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
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The phenomenolgoical experience of posttraumatic growth in the context of a traumatic bereavement
- Authors: Acheson, Kerry
- Date: 2009 , 2013-07-15
- Subjects: Post-traumatic stress disorder -- Case studies Bereavement -- Psychological aspects Death -- Psychological aspects Phenomenological psychology Grief
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3102 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004456
- Description: The present study involves an exploration of the phenomenological expenence of posttraumatic growth in the context of a traumatic bereavement. An idiographic case study of a student who had witnessed her mother's death twelve years previously was conducted. Semi-structured interviews elicited data which was analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IP A). Posttraumatic growth was found to have developed with regards to self-perception, relationships, and also in a broader spiritual and existential domain. The findings of this study shed light on the extant posttraumatic growth literature. In particular, findings were discussed in relation to the posttraumatic growth model as proposed by Calhoun and Tedeschi (2006). As posttraumatic growth is a relatively young concept, further research is needed in order to understand the meaning of reported growth more fully. While posttraumatic growth has been investigated in the context of bereavement, future research should distinguish more clearly between growth following traumatic and non-traumatic bereavement. Posttraumatic growth has received minimal empirical attention in South Africa, and therefore exploration of this area is suggested in the future. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Authors: Acheson, Kerry
- Date: 2009 , 2013-07-15
- Subjects: Post-traumatic stress disorder -- Case studies Bereavement -- Psychological aspects Death -- Psychological aspects Phenomenological psychology Grief
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3102 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004456
- Description: The present study involves an exploration of the phenomenological expenence of posttraumatic growth in the context of a traumatic bereavement. An idiographic case study of a student who had witnessed her mother's death twelve years previously was conducted. Semi-structured interviews elicited data which was analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IP A). Posttraumatic growth was found to have developed with regards to self-perception, relationships, and also in a broader spiritual and existential domain. The findings of this study shed light on the extant posttraumatic growth literature. In particular, findings were discussed in relation to the posttraumatic growth model as proposed by Calhoun and Tedeschi (2006). As posttraumatic growth is a relatively young concept, further research is needed in order to understand the meaning of reported growth more fully. While posttraumatic growth has been investigated in the context of bereavement, future research should distinguish more clearly between growth following traumatic and non-traumatic bereavement. Posttraumatic growth has received minimal empirical attention in South Africa, and therefore exploration of this area is suggested in the future. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
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The popularity of tabloids: a reception analysis of the Daily Sun amongst Grahamstown readers
- Authors: Mapudzi, Hatikanganwi
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Daily Sun Tabloid newspapers -- South Africa Tabloid newspapers -- South Africa -- Circulation Local mass media -- Research -- South Africa Readership surveys -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3457 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002911
- Description: Tabloid journalism has and continues to spark controversy. Scholarly considerations of tabloid journalism often question its contribution to democratic causes. However, little academic attention has been given to the question of how tabloids are understood and evaluated by their audiences. This study considered a range of audience responses to the Daily Sun by analysing the way some of its readers understand and evaluate it. The study examined the appeal of this popular tabloid to some Grahamstown readers. Reception analysis was employed to determine why these people read the Daily Sun. In particular, the active audience theory was used as a framework to conduct the research. To achieve the objectives of the study, qualitative research methods such as focus group interviews and individual in-depth interviews were employed. Looking at the findings, many of the respondents acknowledged they read the tabloid for interpersonal communication, diversion and entertainment. The results also revealed that their lived context plays a major role in their reading of stories. In a wider context, the research contributes to an understanding of the popularity of tabloid newspapers.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mapudzi, Hatikanganwi
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Daily Sun Tabloid newspapers -- South Africa Tabloid newspapers -- South Africa -- Circulation Local mass media -- Research -- South Africa Readership surveys -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3457 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002911
- Description: Tabloid journalism has and continues to spark controversy. Scholarly considerations of tabloid journalism often question its contribution to democratic causes. However, little academic attention has been given to the question of how tabloids are understood and evaluated by their audiences. This study considered a range of audience responses to the Daily Sun by analysing the way some of its readers understand and evaluate it. The study examined the appeal of this popular tabloid to some Grahamstown readers. Reception analysis was employed to determine why these people read the Daily Sun. In particular, the active audience theory was used as a framework to conduct the research. To achieve the objectives of the study, qualitative research methods such as focus group interviews and individual in-depth interviews were employed. Looking at the findings, many of the respondents acknowledged they read the tabloid for interpersonal communication, diversion and entertainment. The results also revealed that their lived context plays a major role in their reading of stories. In a wider context, the research contributes to an understanding of the popularity of tabloid newspapers.
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The possibility of psychotherapeutic privilege in South Africa
- Authors: Gewald, Rieka Susan
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Psychology -- Moral and ethical aspects -- South Africa Psychologists -- Professional ethics -- South Africa Psychotherapists -- Professional ethics -- South Africa Confidential communications -- South Africa Privileges and immunities -- South Africa Evidence (Law) -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:3717 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008208
- Description: Privilege is an evidential principle which, on the grounds of public policy, excludes evidence relevant and otherwise admissible. This thesis aims to discover whether privilege should be applied to the psychotherapeutic profession in South Africa. At present, the only profession in South Africa afforded privilege is the legal profession. There are two main theoretical justifications for privilege: the utilitarian and the individual/human rights approach. This thesis considers whether the psychotherapeutic profession warrants privilege under either theory, and recommends that the law of privilege integrate both theories rather than adopt one or the other. The impact of the Constitution and the right to privacy receive particular attention. Very little literature or case law on the question of psychotherapeutic privilege was found in South Africa. Consequently, extensive comparative research into the common-law systems of England, Canada and United States of America was done. This research yielded some interesting findings. The first is that case-by-case development of the law of privilege is uncel1ain and fragmented. The next is that psychotherapeutic privilege exists in almost absolute form in the United States of America, but is littered with lacunae causing as much uncertainty as the case-by-case approach to privilege law. The most helpful method of dealing with the problem was found in Canada, where a two-stage approach to protecting personal information, including psychotherapeutic records, has been developed. In light of this research, this thesis reassesses the original viability of psychotherapeutic privilege in South Africa. Privilege, it was found, is not the best solution to protecting psychotherapeutic communications. This thesis recommends legislative adoption of an amended two-stage approach based on the Canadian model for sexual offence trials as the best method of protecting psychotherapeutic communications in both civil and criminal proceedings. The thesis ends by suggesting draft legislative provisions.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Gewald, Rieka Susan
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Psychology -- Moral and ethical aspects -- South Africa Psychologists -- Professional ethics -- South Africa Psychotherapists -- Professional ethics -- South Africa Confidential communications -- South Africa Privileges and immunities -- South Africa Evidence (Law) -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:3717 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008208
- Description: Privilege is an evidential principle which, on the grounds of public policy, excludes evidence relevant and otherwise admissible. This thesis aims to discover whether privilege should be applied to the psychotherapeutic profession in South Africa. At present, the only profession in South Africa afforded privilege is the legal profession. There are two main theoretical justifications for privilege: the utilitarian and the individual/human rights approach. This thesis considers whether the psychotherapeutic profession warrants privilege under either theory, and recommends that the law of privilege integrate both theories rather than adopt one or the other. The impact of the Constitution and the right to privacy receive particular attention. Very little literature or case law on the question of psychotherapeutic privilege was found in South Africa. Consequently, extensive comparative research into the common-law systems of England, Canada and United States of America was done. This research yielded some interesting findings. The first is that case-by-case development of the law of privilege is uncel1ain and fragmented. The next is that psychotherapeutic privilege exists in almost absolute form in the United States of America, but is littered with lacunae causing as much uncertainty as the case-by-case approach to privilege law. The most helpful method of dealing with the problem was found in Canada, where a two-stage approach to protecting personal information, including psychotherapeutic records, has been developed. In light of this research, this thesis reassesses the original viability of psychotherapeutic privilege in South Africa. Privilege, it was found, is not the best solution to protecting psychotherapeutic communications. This thesis recommends legislative adoption of an amended two-stage approach based on the Canadian model for sexual offence trials as the best method of protecting psychotherapeutic communications in both civil and criminal proceedings. The thesis ends by suggesting draft legislative provisions.
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The potential of a stratified ontology for developing materials in community-based coastal marine environmental education processes
- Authors: Davies, Siân May
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Ontology Critical realism Environmental education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Community-based conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Marine resources development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Marine ecology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Teaching -- Aids and devices -- South Africa Poor -- Education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1708 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003591
- Description: This study set out to explore the possibilities that the Critical Realist concept of a stratified ontology might have for environmental learning and materials development processes. This involved processes of ongoing contextual profiling; the use of picture-based resources and storytelling to support the engagement with the marine harvesting contexts of the villages of Hamburg and Ngqinisa, in the former Ciskei. At the heart of the study was the process of uncovering the empirical, the actual and the real in the context of a community of coastal marine harvesters whose lives and livelihoods are affected by poverty and a history of inequality, and more recently by issues such as HIV/AIDS. Their stories of existing practice changed as we engaged with picture-based narratives, gaining depth and focus in relation to sustainability issues. The learning processes associated with and emerging out of the research processes were enhanced through abductive use of metaphors and graphic illustrations, and through intra- and inter community exchanges, again using picture based narratives. As the study unfolded, the development of environmental education materials receded. Focus turned to how conceptual abstraction processes (of abduction (metaphor) and retroduction) and the stratified ontological framework allowed for learning across epistemological divides.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Davies, Siân May
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Ontology Critical realism Environmental education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Community-based conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Marine resources development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Marine ecology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Teaching -- Aids and devices -- South Africa Poor -- Education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1708 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003591
- Description: This study set out to explore the possibilities that the Critical Realist concept of a stratified ontology might have for environmental learning and materials development processes. This involved processes of ongoing contextual profiling; the use of picture-based resources and storytelling to support the engagement with the marine harvesting contexts of the villages of Hamburg and Ngqinisa, in the former Ciskei. At the heart of the study was the process of uncovering the empirical, the actual and the real in the context of a community of coastal marine harvesters whose lives and livelihoods are affected by poverty and a history of inequality, and more recently by issues such as HIV/AIDS. Their stories of existing practice changed as we engaged with picture-based narratives, gaining depth and focus in relation to sustainability issues. The learning processes associated with and emerging out of the research processes were enhanced through abductive use of metaphors and graphic illustrations, and through intra- and inter community exchanges, again using picture based narratives. As the study unfolded, the development of environmental education materials receded. Focus turned to how conceptual abstraction processes (of abduction (metaphor) and retroduction) and the stratified ontological framework allowed for learning across epistemological divides.
- Full Text:
The principle of inclusion-exclusion and möbius function as counting techniques in finite fuzzy subsets
- Authors: Talwanga, Matiki
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Fuzzy logic , Fuzzy sets , Fuzzy systems , Möbius function
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5413 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005227 , Fuzzy logic , Fuzzy sets , Fuzzy systems , Möbius function
- Description: The broad goal in this thesis is to enumerate elements and fuzzy subsets of a finite set enjoying some useful properties through the well-known counting technique of the principle of inclusion-exclusion. We consider the set of membership values to be finite and uniformly spaced in the real unit interval. Further we define an equivalence relation with regards to the cardinalities of fuzzy subsets providing the Möbius function and Möbius inversion in that context.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Talwanga, Matiki
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Fuzzy logic , Fuzzy sets , Fuzzy systems , Möbius function
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5413 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005227 , Fuzzy logic , Fuzzy sets , Fuzzy systems , Möbius function
- Description: The broad goal in this thesis is to enumerate elements and fuzzy subsets of a finite set enjoying some useful properties through the well-known counting technique of the principle of inclusion-exclusion. We consider the set of membership values to be finite and uniformly spaced in the real unit interval. Further we define an equivalence relation with regards to the cardinalities of fuzzy subsets providing the Möbius function and Möbius inversion in that context.
- Full Text:
The protein and energy requirements of the South African abalone, Haliotis midae
- Authors: Green, Alistair John
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Haliotis midae -- South Africa Abalone culture -- South Africa Abalones -- Nutrition Abalones -- Physiology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5352 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008261
- Description: The abalone (Haliotis midae) culture industry in South Africa is becoming increasingly dependent on the use of formulated feeds, due to limitations in the supply of kelp. The bulk of the feeds that are currently available were developed based on the requirements of juvenile abalone cultured within the optimal temperature range for growth (18 - 20 °C). However, most abalone farming facilities are land-based pump ashore operations and are thus mostly exposed to temperatures outside of this range. In addition, these feeds have been found to be unsuitable for abalone cultured at elevated water temperatures (> 20°C). The aim of the study was to develop size and temperature specific diets for H midoe through optimisation of dietary protein, energy and lipid levels. Abalone were cultured under farm-like conditions in three partially recirculating temperature controlled systems at either 18, 22 or 24°C and fed formulated diets containing graded levels of protein (18,22 and 26 %) and energy (11.6, 13.5 and 16.2 MJ.kg·I ). Abalone were stocked into baskets at 5 % of available of surface area (n=36) and each diet (n=9) was fed to four baskets of abalone at each of the three temperature regimes for ten weeks. Abalone growth was temperature dependent, with growth declining from 4.33 g.month-I for abalone cultured at 18°C to 0.77 g.month-I at 24°C. Dietary protein could be reduced from 26 to 18 % provided dietary energy levels were maintained at 13.5 MJ.kg- l • A dietary energy level of 11.6 MJ.kg-1 was insufficient to meet the energetic requirements of H midae regardless of the protein content of the diet. The effects of water temperature and body size on the protein requirements of H midae were investigated by culturing abalone at temperatures within the optimal range for abalone farming (i.e. 14, 16 and 18°C). Three size classes of abalone (15, 50 and 80 mm) were fed formulated feed containing graded levels of dietary protein (20, 26, 32, 38 and 44 %) under controlled laboratory conditions for 12 weeks, and, in a separate experiment, under commercial farm conditions for 24 weeks. It was not possible to convincingly define the optimal protein levels for abalone of different sizes in this experiment because growth rates fell below average commercial growth rates obtained on farms. Growth was temperature dependent in the laboratory trial, with the rate of weight gain of the 15 mm (ANOV A: p=0.002) and 50 mm abalone (ANOV A: p=0.02) increasing significantly with an increase in temperature from 14 to 18°C. In the farm trial, dietary protein content did not affect the growth rate of the 10-15 or 80 mm abalone (ANOVA: p>0.05), however, the 50 mm abalone displayed significantly higher weight gain on the 32 % (4.72±0.20 g.month-I ) and 38 % (5.01±0.34 g.month-I ) protein diets compared to those fed the 20 % protein diet (3.75±0.13 g.month-I ) (ANOVA: p=O.OI). Although definition of optimal dietary protein levels were not possible, the effects of dietary protein content and water temperature on the growth of H midae were independent signifying that the protein requirements of abalone are temperature independent. In addition, there was no evidence to indicate that abalone of the different sizes tested here had different dietary protein requirements. The size specific dietary lipid and protein requirements of H midae were investigated by feeding two size classes of abalone (30 and 60 mm initial shell length) diets containing graded levels of dietary lipid (4, 7, 10, 13 and 16 %) and protein (34 - 39 %) for 12 weeks. The 30 and 60 mm abalone were stocked at 7 (n=200) and 9 % (n=36) of the available basket surface area respectively and each diet was fed to four baskets of abalone of each size class. The protein requirements of H. midae are influenced by the amount of available dietary energy and thus it is possible that the ability of abalone to utilise lipids as a source of energy differs in the presence of varying levels of dietary protein. High levels of dietary lipid negatively affected the growth, condition factor and soft tissue glycogen content of both size classes of abalone. This negative effect was greater in the 30 mm size class compared to the 60 mm abalone. The corresponding increase in feed consumption and feed conversion ratio in response to increasing levels of dietary protein also provides evidence that abalone are unable to utilise dietary lipids as an energy source and high levels of dietary lipid probably inhibit the uptake of carbohydrates and protein. High dietary lipid levels did however appear to promote gonad maturation. It was possible to reduce dietary protein from 34 to 20 % without negatively affecting growth through the maintenance of dietary energy levels and thus it is recommended that future experiments on the energy content of formulated feeds should focus on the improved use of carbohydrates. Reductions in the protein portion of formulated feeds for H. midae are possible provided the diet contains sufficient levels of energy supplied from carbohydrates. As the ability of abalone to utilise dietary lipid is limited, lipids are unlikely to play a significant role as an energy source in abalone feeds. Further investigations should focus on the utilisation of various carbohydrate sources in abalone feeds.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Green, Alistair John
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Haliotis midae -- South Africa Abalone culture -- South Africa Abalones -- Nutrition Abalones -- Physiology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5352 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008261
- Description: The abalone (Haliotis midae) culture industry in South Africa is becoming increasingly dependent on the use of formulated feeds, due to limitations in the supply of kelp. The bulk of the feeds that are currently available were developed based on the requirements of juvenile abalone cultured within the optimal temperature range for growth (18 - 20 °C). However, most abalone farming facilities are land-based pump ashore operations and are thus mostly exposed to temperatures outside of this range. In addition, these feeds have been found to be unsuitable for abalone cultured at elevated water temperatures (> 20°C). The aim of the study was to develop size and temperature specific diets for H midoe through optimisation of dietary protein, energy and lipid levels. Abalone were cultured under farm-like conditions in three partially recirculating temperature controlled systems at either 18, 22 or 24°C and fed formulated diets containing graded levels of protein (18,22 and 26 %) and energy (11.6, 13.5 and 16.2 MJ.kg·I ). Abalone were stocked into baskets at 5 % of available of surface area (n=36) and each diet (n=9) was fed to four baskets of abalone at each of the three temperature regimes for ten weeks. Abalone growth was temperature dependent, with growth declining from 4.33 g.month-I for abalone cultured at 18°C to 0.77 g.month-I at 24°C. Dietary protein could be reduced from 26 to 18 % provided dietary energy levels were maintained at 13.5 MJ.kg- l • A dietary energy level of 11.6 MJ.kg-1 was insufficient to meet the energetic requirements of H midae regardless of the protein content of the diet. The effects of water temperature and body size on the protein requirements of H midae were investigated by culturing abalone at temperatures within the optimal range for abalone farming (i.e. 14, 16 and 18°C). Three size classes of abalone (15, 50 and 80 mm) were fed formulated feed containing graded levels of dietary protein (20, 26, 32, 38 and 44 %) under controlled laboratory conditions for 12 weeks, and, in a separate experiment, under commercial farm conditions for 24 weeks. It was not possible to convincingly define the optimal protein levels for abalone of different sizes in this experiment because growth rates fell below average commercial growth rates obtained on farms. Growth was temperature dependent in the laboratory trial, with the rate of weight gain of the 15 mm (ANOV A: p=0.002) and 50 mm abalone (ANOV A: p=0.02) increasing significantly with an increase in temperature from 14 to 18°C. In the farm trial, dietary protein content did not affect the growth rate of the 10-15 or 80 mm abalone (ANOVA: p>0.05), however, the 50 mm abalone displayed significantly higher weight gain on the 32 % (4.72±0.20 g.month-I ) and 38 % (5.01±0.34 g.month-I ) protein diets compared to those fed the 20 % protein diet (3.75±0.13 g.month-I ) (ANOVA: p=O.OI). Although definition of optimal dietary protein levels were not possible, the effects of dietary protein content and water temperature on the growth of H midae were independent signifying that the protein requirements of abalone are temperature independent. In addition, there was no evidence to indicate that abalone of the different sizes tested here had different dietary protein requirements. The size specific dietary lipid and protein requirements of H midae were investigated by feeding two size classes of abalone (30 and 60 mm initial shell length) diets containing graded levels of dietary lipid (4, 7, 10, 13 and 16 %) and protein (34 - 39 %) for 12 weeks. The 30 and 60 mm abalone were stocked at 7 (n=200) and 9 % (n=36) of the available basket surface area respectively and each diet was fed to four baskets of abalone of each size class. The protein requirements of H. midae are influenced by the amount of available dietary energy and thus it is possible that the ability of abalone to utilise lipids as a source of energy differs in the presence of varying levels of dietary protein. High levels of dietary lipid negatively affected the growth, condition factor and soft tissue glycogen content of both size classes of abalone. This negative effect was greater in the 30 mm size class compared to the 60 mm abalone. The corresponding increase in feed consumption and feed conversion ratio in response to increasing levels of dietary protein also provides evidence that abalone are unable to utilise dietary lipids as an energy source and high levels of dietary lipid probably inhibit the uptake of carbohydrates and protein. High dietary lipid levels did however appear to promote gonad maturation. It was possible to reduce dietary protein from 34 to 20 % without negatively affecting growth through the maintenance of dietary energy levels and thus it is recommended that future experiments on the energy content of formulated feeds should focus on the improved use of carbohydrates. Reductions in the protein portion of formulated feeds for H. midae are possible provided the diet contains sufficient levels of energy supplied from carbohydrates. As the ability of abalone to utilise dietary lipid is limited, lipids are unlikely to play a significant role as an energy source in abalone feeds. Further investigations should focus on the utilisation of various carbohydrate sources in abalone feeds.
- Full Text:
The relationship between accounting choices and share prices : a study of South African listed companies
- Authors: Bunting, Mark Bevan
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Financial statements -- South Africa , Accounting -- South Africa , Managerial accounting -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:989 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002724 , Financial statements -- South Africa , Accounting -- South Africa , Managerial accounting -- South Africa
- Description: It is widely assumed that the managers of companies behave in a self-interested and opportunistic manner when making the discretionary accounting choices that are applied in the preparation of published financial reports. Empirical research has found evidence for this in the United States, Britain, Spain, France and Australia, amongst other countries. There has, however, been no prior work of a similar nature in a South African context. The purpose of this study is to extend this body of work by examining the relationship between a number of potentially opportunistic (profit-increasing, income-smoothing and solvencyimproving) accounting choices made by the managers of South African listed companies, and growth rates in the share prices of those companies. Data in respect of thirty-nine medium-sized South African listed companies are analysed for evidence of the expected positive relationship between opportunistic accounting choices and share price growth. No evidence is found for this relationship. This may be due to limitations in the research design, inadequacies in the interpretation of the agency theory from which the hypotheses are developed, or a combination of both. Refinements in the research design or a re-interpretation of the theory may be successful in addressing these matters as part of future research efforts.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bunting, Mark Bevan
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Financial statements -- South Africa , Accounting -- South Africa , Managerial accounting -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:989 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002724 , Financial statements -- South Africa , Accounting -- South Africa , Managerial accounting -- South Africa
- Description: It is widely assumed that the managers of companies behave in a self-interested and opportunistic manner when making the discretionary accounting choices that are applied in the preparation of published financial reports. Empirical research has found evidence for this in the United States, Britain, Spain, France and Australia, amongst other countries. There has, however, been no prior work of a similar nature in a South African context. The purpose of this study is to extend this body of work by examining the relationship between a number of potentially opportunistic (profit-increasing, income-smoothing and solvencyimproving) accounting choices made by the managers of South African listed companies, and growth rates in the share prices of those companies. Data in respect of thirty-nine medium-sized South African listed companies are analysed for evidence of the expected positive relationship between opportunistic accounting choices and share price growth. No evidence is found for this relationship. This may be due to limitations in the research design, inadequacies in the interpretation of the agency theory from which the hypotheses are developed, or a combination of both. Refinements in the research design or a re-interpretation of the theory may be successful in addressing these matters as part of future research efforts.
- Full Text:
The relationship between culture, commitment and performance in a South African electricity utility
- Authors: Pittorino, Leonardo Andres
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Eskom (Firm) -- Employees South Africa. Electricity Supply Commission Corporate culture -- South Africa -- Research Management -- South Africa -- Research Organization -- South Africa -- Research Employees -- South Africa -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:757 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003878
- Description: The Electricity Distribution Industry (EDI) in South Africa is in the process of restructuring into six Regional Electricity Distributors (REDs). This would entail the merging of the national electricity utility, Eskom Distribution with municipalities to consolidate skills and to improve on efficiencies. This integration would involve the assimilation of not only physical assets but also various organisational cultures into a separate organisation responsible for supplying electricity services within its designated geographical area. A separate challenge facing Eskom is an intensive capital expansion program to increase generation capacity which will require a committed workforce to execute. Organisational culture has been regarded as leading to greater productivity and generating commitment to the values and philosophies of the organisation. The purpose of the research was to determine whether there was a significant relationship between the organisational culture, organisational commitment and employee performance in Eskom Southern Region. In order to achieve this purpose a survey was undertaken (N=83) which measured perceptions regarding the existing organisational culture, preferred organisational culture as well as organisational commitment. Performance rating scores were linked to each respondent and were obtained from the performance management process of Eskom Southern Region. The main findings of this research can be summarised as follows: • The dominant existing organisational culture in Eskom Southern Region is the power culture, while the dominant preferred organisational culture is the achievement culture. • There is a significant organisational culture gap between the existing and the preferred organisational culture in Eskom Southern Region. • The dominant organisational commitment within Eskom Southern Region is affective commitment together with normative commitment. • The findings related to the employee performance include: o A slight but significant negative relationship was measured between the existing achievement culture and employee performance. o No significant relationships were measured between the preferred cultures and employee performance. o No significant relationships were measured between the organisational commitment scales and employee performance. • The findings pertaining to the relationship between organisational culture and organisational commitment can be stated as follows: o A significant positive linear relationship between the existing achievement culture and affective commitment was measured. A strong, significant negative linear relationship between the existing power culture and the affective commitment was also measured. o No significant relationships were measured between the preferred organisational cultures and organisational commitment. o The organisational culture gap has a significant effect on the organisational commitment of employees. • The findings pertaining to the relationship between the biographical variables and the organisational culture, organisational commitment and employee performance can be stated as follows: o There exists a strong significant relationship between the years of service and the existing organisational culture scales. o No significant relationships exist between the preferred organisational culture scales and any of the biographical variables. There was a common agreement across all respondents on the preferred organisational culture. o A significant relationship was found between organisational commitment and the number of people supervised. o A slight but significant positive linear relationship between the age of respondents and employee performance ratings was measured. It can therefore be concluded that the type of organisational culture has a significant impact on the level of affective commitment of the employees within Eskom Southern Region. No significant positive relationship was found between organisational commitment and organisational performance in Eskom Southern Region.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Pittorino, Leonardo Andres
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Eskom (Firm) -- Employees South Africa. Electricity Supply Commission Corporate culture -- South Africa -- Research Management -- South Africa -- Research Organization -- South Africa -- Research Employees -- South Africa -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:757 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003878
- Description: The Electricity Distribution Industry (EDI) in South Africa is in the process of restructuring into six Regional Electricity Distributors (REDs). This would entail the merging of the national electricity utility, Eskom Distribution with municipalities to consolidate skills and to improve on efficiencies. This integration would involve the assimilation of not only physical assets but also various organisational cultures into a separate organisation responsible for supplying electricity services within its designated geographical area. A separate challenge facing Eskom is an intensive capital expansion program to increase generation capacity which will require a committed workforce to execute. Organisational culture has been regarded as leading to greater productivity and generating commitment to the values and philosophies of the organisation. The purpose of the research was to determine whether there was a significant relationship between the organisational culture, organisational commitment and employee performance in Eskom Southern Region. In order to achieve this purpose a survey was undertaken (N=83) which measured perceptions regarding the existing organisational culture, preferred organisational culture as well as organisational commitment. Performance rating scores were linked to each respondent and were obtained from the performance management process of Eskom Southern Region. The main findings of this research can be summarised as follows: • The dominant existing organisational culture in Eskom Southern Region is the power culture, while the dominant preferred organisational culture is the achievement culture. • There is a significant organisational culture gap between the existing and the preferred organisational culture in Eskom Southern Region. • The dominant organisational commitment within Eskom Southern Region is affective commitment together with normative commitment. • The findings related to the employee performance include: o A slight but significant negative relationship was measured between the existing achievement culture and employee performance. o No significant relationships were measured between the preferred cultures and employee performance. o No significant relationships were measured between the organisational commitment scales and employee performance. • The findings pertaining to the relationship between organisational culture and organisational commitment can be stated as follows: o A significant positive linear relationship between the existing achievement culture and affective commitment was measured. A strong, significant negative linear relationship between the existing power culture and the affective commitment was also measured. o No significant relationships were measured between the preferred organisational cultures and organisational commitment. o The organisational culture gap has a significant effect on the organisational commitment of employees. • The findings pertaining to the relationship between the biographical variables and the organisational culture, organisational commitment and employee performance can be stated as follows: o There exists a strong significant relationship between the years of service and the existing organisational culture scales. o No significant relationships exist between the preferred organisational culture scales and any of the biographical variables. There was a common agreement across all respondents on the preferred organisational culture. o A significant relationship was found between organisational commitment and the number of people supervised. o A slight but significant positive linear relationship between the age of respondents and employee performance ratings was measured. It can therefore be concluded that the type of organisational culture has a significant impact on the level of affective commitment of the employees within Eskom Southern Region. No significant positive relationship was found between organisational commitment and organisational performance in Eskom Southern Region.
- Full Text:
The relationship between innovation and leadership in First National Bank of South Africa
- Authors: Ward, Philip Henry
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: First National Bank of Southern Africa Banks and banking -- South Africa Bank management -- South Africa Leadership -- South Africa Organizational change -- South Africa Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa Chief executive officers -- South Africa Technological innovations -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:795 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004306
- Description: This research investigates the relationship between innovation and leadership in First National Bank in South Africa. In an information age paradigm, innovation is a key driver of organisational success. Innovation allows an information age company to create a sustainable competitive advantage over its competitors. First National Bank (FNB) has recognised the need for innovation and measures the amount of innovation generated in each business unit on an annual basis. Leadership is a key factor influencing innovation in large, multi-segment organisations, particularly transformational leadership. Large multi-segment organisations often have multi-functional teams and transformational leadership of these teams more effectively promotes innovation. Large multi-segment organisations also often have complex decision making processes. Transformational leadership ensures optimal innovative decisions rather than adequate decisions are reached. FNB is a multi-segment organisation comprising ten business units each headed by a Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The relationship between the level of innovation being generated annually by each business unit and the leadership style of the business unit CEO formed the focus of this research. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire was used to gather information on the leadership style of each CEO's. Data on the level of innovation within each of these business units was supplied by First National Bank. Data was statistically analysed against the innovation generated by each business unit using correlation analysis. Most of the results testing the relationship between transformational and transactional leadership and innovation were found not to be significant. This contradicts the theory which suggests a positive relationship between transformational leadership and innovation.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ward, Philip Henry
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: First National Bank of Southern Africa Banks and banking -- South Africa Bank management -- South Africa Leadership -- South Africa Organizational change -- South Africa Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa Chief executive officers -- South Africa Technological innovations -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:795 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004306
- Description: This research investigates the relationship between innovation and leadership in First National Bank in South Africa. In an information age paradigm, innovation is a key driver of organisational success. Innovation allows an information age company to create a sustainable competitive advantage over its competitors. First National Bank (FNB) has recognised the need for innovation and measures the amount of innovation generated in each business unit on an annual basis. Leadership is a key factor influencing innovation in large, multi-segment organisations, particularly transformational leadership. Large multi-segment organisations often have multi-functional teams and transformational leadership of these teams more effectively promotes innovation. Large multi-segment organisations also often have complex decision making processes. Transformational leadership ensures optimal innovative decisions rather than adequate decisions are reached. FNB is a multi-segment organisation comprising ten business units each headed by a Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The relationship between the level of innovation being generated annually by each business unit and the leadership style of the business unit CEO formed the focus of this research. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire was used to gather information on the leadership style of each CEO's. Data on the level of innovation within each of these business units was supplied by First National Bank. Data was statistically analysed against the innovation generated by each business unit using correlation analysis. Most of the results testing the relationship between transformational and transactional leadership and innovation were found not to be significant. This contradicts the theory which suggests a positive relationship between transformational leadership and innovation.
- Full Text:
The role of leadership in a successful rural secondary school in Namibia: a case study
- Authors: Sinvula, Leonard Masene
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Education and Training Sector Improvement Programme (Namibia) Educational leadership -- Namibia -- Case studies School management and organization -- Namibia -- Case studies Education, Secondary -- Namibia -- Case studies Rural schools -- Namibia -- Case studies Education and state -- Namibia -- Case studies Education -- Parent participation -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1872 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004925
- Description: The primary purpose of this qualitative case study research was to examine the role of leadership in a successful rural secondary school in Namibia. In Namibia, the Education and Training Sector Improvement Programme (ESTIP) was initiated to provide, amongst other things, effective leadership in education. In addition, the Ministry developed a policy on the National Standards and Performance Indicators for Schools in Namibia to complement the objectives of ETSIP. The policy emphasizes leadership practices in schools such as professional competence, commitment, ability to direct, inspire and motivate interpersonal relationships and teams. The study drew on leadership theories and findings from related studies to make sense of the role played by leadership in this particular rural school in Namibia. The study uses the interpretive orientation as the methodology for investigating the leadership's role. This is in line with my attempt to determine stakeholder's experiences and perceptions of the leadership in the school. I collected data from three sources: semi-structured interviews, observation and document analysis. The findings of this study suggest that the leadership had a significant influence on the school's success. In particular it emerged that the school leadership played an instructional role to ensure there was effective teaching and learning and that they encouraged teamwork extensively in leading the school. The leadership provided internal support structures as well as external networking to garner support for the school from the wider community. The study has also revealed that there are challenges facing this rural school's leadership in terms of poor parental involvement. Challenges such as lack of parental commitment to the school, illiteracy among adults and a communication breakdown between the school and its parents are still rife. The school leadership addresses this challenge by participating in village meetings and utilizing them as a platform to discuss school matters with parents. Further research on this topic would be useful, including such institutions as rural primary schools, private schools and colleges in the Caprivi Region, as very little research has been done on leadership roles in schools in the rural areas of Namibia.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Sinvula, Leonard Masene
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Education and Training Sector Improvement Programme (Namibia) Educational leadership -- Namibia -- Case studies School management and organization -- Namibia -- Case studies Education, Secondary -- Namibia -- Case studies Rural schools -- Namibia -- Case studies Education and state -- Namibia -- Case studies Education -- Parent participation -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1872 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004925
- Description: The primary purpose of this qualitative case study research was to examine the role of leadership in a successful rural secondary school in Namibia. In Namibia, the Education and Training Sector Improvement Programme (ESTIP) was initiated to provide, amongst other things, effective leadership in education. In addition, the Ministry developed a policy on the National Standards and Performance Indicators for Schools in Namibia to complement the objectives of ETSIP. The policy emphasizes leadership practices in schools such as professional competence, commitment, ability to direct, inspire and motivate interpersonal relationships and teams. The study drew on leadership theories and findings from related studies to make sense of the role played by leadership in this particular rural school in Namibia. The study uses the interpretive orientation as the methodology for investigating the leadership's role. This is in line with my attempt to determine stakeholder's experiences and perceptions of the leadership in the school. I collected data from three sources: semi-structured interviews, observation and document analysis. The findings of this study suggest that the leadership had a significant influence on the school's success. In particular it emerged that the school leadership played an instructional role to ensure there was effective teaching and learning and that they encouraged teamwork extensively in leading the school. The leadership provided internal support structures as well as external networking to garner support for the school from the wider community. The study has also revealed that there are challenges facing this rural school's leadership in terms of poor parental involvement. Challenges such as lack of parental commitment to the school, illiteracy among adults and a communication breakdown between the school and its parents are still rife. The school leadership addresses this challenge by participating in village meetings and utilizing them as a platform to discuss school matters with parents. Further research on this topic would be useful, including such institutions as rural primary schools, private schools and colleges in the Caprivi Region, as very little research has been done on leadership roles in schools in the rural areas of Namibia.
- Full Text:
The role of the instrumental principle in economic explanations
- Authors: Hoffmann, Nimi
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Consumer behaviour Utility theory -- Economic aspects Economics -- Sociological aspects Marginal utility
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2712 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002842
- Description: Economic explanations tend to view individuals as acting to satisfy their preferences, so that when given a choice between goods, individuals choose those goods which have greater utility for them – they choose those goods which they believe can best satisfy their preferences in the circumstances at hand. In this thesis, I investigate how utility theory works when it is used to explain behaviour. In theory, utility is a positive concept. It is intended to describe and explain an individual’s behaviour without judging or justifying it. It also seems to be regarded as non-hypothetical, for it explains an individual’s behaviour in terms of preferences which need not be shared by others, but may be wholly particular to her. This implies a distinctive way of approaching people’s behaviour as isolated from and immune to the judgements of a community, for utility cannot be used as a common standard by which we judge an individual’s behaviour as better or worse, appropriate or inappropriate. I argue that this theoretical treatment of utility is substantially different from the practice of using utility to explain behaviour. In the first place, when utility is used to explain behaviour as preference-guided, it treats this behaviour as rational action. An explanation of rational action is, however, necessarily governed by the instrumental principle. This principle is normative – it stipulates the correct relation between a person’s means and her ends, rather than simply describing an existing relation. The principle is also non-hypothetical – our commitment to the principle does not rely on the possession of particular ends, but on having ends in general. The instrumental principle therefore acts as a common standard for reasoning about how to act, so that when we explain an agent’s behaviour as rational action, we expect that her action will conform to standards that we all share in virtue of having ends. Thus, I contend, in order to explain the rational actions of an individual, marginal utility necessarily appeals to the judgements of a community.
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- Authors: Hoffmann, Nimi
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Consumer behaviour Utility theory -- Economic aspects Economics -- Sociological aspects Marginal utility
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2712 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002842
- Description: Economic explanations tend to view individuals as acting to satisfy their preferences, so that when given a choice between goods, individuals choose those goods which have greater utility for them – they choose those goods which they believe can best satisfy their preferences in the circumstances at hand. In this thesis, I investigate how utility theory works when it is used to explain behaviour. In theory, utility is a positive concept. It is intended to describe and explain an individual’s behaviour without judging or justifying it. It also seems to be regarded as non-hypothetical, for it explains an individual’s behaviour in terms of preferences which need not be shared by others, but may be wholly particular to her. This implies a distinctive way of approaching people’s behaviour as isolated from and immune to the judgements of a community, for utility cannot be used as a common standard by which we judge an individual’s behaviour as better or worse, appropriate or inappropriate. I argue that this theoretical treatment of utility is substantially different from the practice of using utility to explain behaviour. In the first place, when utility is used to explain behaviour as preference-guided, it treats this behaviour as rational action. An explanation of rational action is, however, necessarily governed by the instrumental principle. This principle is normative – it stipulates the correct relation between a person’s means and her ends, rather than simply describing an existing relation. The principle is also non-hypothetical – our commitment to the principle does not rely on the possession of particular ends, but on having ends in general. The instrumental principle therefore acts as a common standard for reasoning about how to act, so that when we explain an agent’s behaviour as rational action, we expect that her action will conform to standards that we all share in virtue of having ends. Thus, I contend, in order to explain the rational actions of an individual, marginal utility necessarily appeals to the judgements of a community.
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The role of the ward committees as an interface between local government and community: a case study of Makana Municipality
- Authors: Stuurman, Sonwabo Happyboy
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Makana Municipality Local government -- South Africa -- Case studies Local government -- South Africa -- Citizen participation Community development -- South Africa -- Case studies Political participation -- South Africa -- Case studies Democracy -- South Africa South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994- South Africa -- Politics and government -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3292 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003080
- Description: The Ward Committee System was introduced in South Africa in 2001 as a tool to bring government closer to the people and to enhance participatory democracy. The Makana Municipality adopted the system in 2002. Previous research on local government indicates that these structures have not been effective due to the lack of resources to sustain them. This study was interested in furthering such research, using the Makana Municipality as a case study during which unstructured, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with Ward Councillors, Ward Committee Members and Grade 12 learners. The aim of the research was to investigate whether the ward committees did indeed promote the notion of participatory democracy and to what extent grass roots development has been enhanced by this structure of local government. The findings from both the respondents and the observations indicate that, in addition to the lack of resources, the underutilization of the Ward Committee System is a result of the effect of opposing political affiliations within the ward committee system, affiliations that undermine the goal of collaborative decision-making. Whereas the ward committee system is a positive idea, the findings suggest that the government is not supporting these structures by failing to equip the ward committee members with necessary capacities and skills. Therefore, if municipalities are committed to bridging the gap between local government and the community, and are keen to enhance participatory democracy, then capacity building of the ward committees and respect for their role during the decision-making process need to be taken seriously. At present, ward committee members are not influential and active in the decision-making process. In addition, the youth as prospective future ward committee members seemed disillusioned with the notion of participatory democracy, and instead have adopted the mentality that nepotism and corruption, as displayed by those in power, is the only way of governance. This research suggests that the ward committee system, intended to bring government closer to the people, may in fact not only alienate government from the people, but also the people from each other.
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- Authors: Stuurman, Sonwabo Happyboy
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Makana Municipality Local government -- South Africa -- Case studies Local government -- South Africa -- Citizen participation Community development -- South Africa -- Case studies Political participation -- South Africa -- Case studies Democracy -- South Africa South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994- South Africa -- Politics and government -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3292 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003080
- Description: The Ward Committee System was introduced in South Africa in 2001 as a tool to bring government closer to the people and to enhance participatory democracy. The Makana Municipality adopted the system in 2002. Previous research on local government indicates that these structures have not been effective due to the lack of resources to sustain them. This study was interested in furthering such research, using the Makana Municipality as a case study during which unstructured, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with Ward Councillors, Ward Committee Members and Grade 12 learners. The aim of the research was to investigate whether the ward committees did indeed promote the notion of participatory democracy and to what extent grass roots development has been enhanced by this structure of local government. The findings from both the respondents and the observations indicate that, in addition to the lack of resources, the underutilization of the Ward Committee System is a result of the effect of opposing political affiliations within the ward committee system, affiliations that undermine the goal of collaborative decision-making. Whereas the ward committee system is a positive idea, the findings suggest that the government is not supporting these structures by failing to equip the ward committee members with necessary capacities and skills. Therefore, if municipalities are committed to bridging the gap between local government and the community, and are keen to enhance participatory democracy, then capacity building of the ward committees and respect for their role during the decision-making process need to be taken seriously. At present, ward committee members are not influential and active in the decision-making process. In addition, the youth as prospective future ward committee members seemed disillusioned with the notion of participatory democracy, and instead have adopted the mentality that nepotism and corruption, as displayed by those in power, is the only way of governance. This research suggests that the ward committee system, intended to bring government closer to the people, may in fact not only alienate government from the people, but also the people from each other.
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The rule of Brigadier Oupa Gqozo in Ciskei: 4 March 1990 to 22 March 1994
- Authors: White, Colin Stewart
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Gqozo, Oupa , Sebe, L L W (Lennox L W) , Massacres -- Bisho (South Africa) , Ciskei (South Africa) -- History -- 20th century , Ciskei (South Africa) -- Politics and government -- 20th century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2616 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013360
- Description: Although the history of the Eastern Cape has been recorded from the eighteenth century, virtually nothing has been written about the political entity known as the independent Republic of Ciskei (1981 – 1994). This hiatus in our history, coupled with the fact that many of the official records of that period have been destroyed, make it imperative that the role-players of the period be contacted and their evidence be recorded before it is lost to prosperity. This need has motivated the writing of the thesis. The thesis commences with a brief description of the early history and constitutional development of Ciskei. It then has a substantial chapter on Lennox Sebe, the ruler of Ciskei from 1973 to 1990, who is described as the catalyst of Gqozo’s coup d’état. This is followed by a short personal biography of Oupa Gqozo, and his rise to the position of Brigadier in the Ciskei army. On 4 March 1990 Gqozo led the coup by the Ciskei Defence Force that dethroned Sebe. At the outset he ruled in an exemplary manner, but after being misled by South African agents he turned against the African National Congress and his own people. When he established his own party, the African Democratic Movement, and re-instated the hated headman system, civil war followed in Ciskei. Separate chapters in the thesis relate the various traumatic events that occurred during Gqozo’s reign: the killing of Anton Guzana and Charles Sebe; the dismissal of the senior officers of the CDF; the strife during 1991/2; the Bhisho Massacre; its aftermath; the mutiny by the security forces and Gqozo’s resignation on 22 March 1994. The thesis concludes that although Brigadier Gqozo respected the rule of law, and was free of corruption, he was devoid of the necessary academic qualifications, experience and ability, including the necessary insight and foresight, to rule a country. He became paranoid about his own safety and the possible overthrow of his government, and he was too easily swayed by others. In short, Gqozo was inept, rather than evil.
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- Authors: White, Colin Stewart
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Gqozo, Oupa , Sebe, L L W (Lennox L W) , Massacres -- Bisho (South Africa) , Ciskei (South Africa) -- History -- 20th century , Ciskei (South Africa) -- Politics and government -- 20th century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2616 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013360
- Description: Although the history of the Eastern Cape has been recorded from the eighteenth century, virtually nothing has been written about the political entity known as the independent Republic of Ciskei (1981 – 1994). This hiatus in our history, coupled with the fact that many of the official records of that period have been destroyed, make it imperative that the role-players of the period be contacted and their evidence be recorded before it is lost to prosperity. This need has motivated the writing of the thesis. The thesis commences with a brief description of the early history and constitutional development of Ciskei. It then has a substantial chapter on Lennox Sebe, the ruler of Ciskei from 1973 to 1990, who is described as the catalyst of Gqozo’s coup d’état. This is followed by a short personal biography of Oupa Gqozo, and his rise to the position of Brigadier in the Ciskei army. On 4 March 1990 Gqozo led the coup by the Ciskei Defence Force that dethroned Sebe. At the outset he ruled in an exemplary manner, but after being misled by South African agents he turned against the African National Congress and his own people. When he established his own party, the African Democratic Movement, and re-instated the hated headman system, civil war followed in Ciskei. Separate chapters in the thesis relate the various traumatic events that occurred during Gqozo’s reign: the killing of Anton Guzana and Charles Sebe; the dismissal of the senior officers of the CDF; the strife during 1991/2; the Bhisho Massacre; its aftermath; the mutiny by the security forces and Gqozo’s resignation on 22 March 1994. The thesis concludes that although Brigadier Gqozo respected the rule of law, and was free of corruption, he was devoid of the necessary academic qualifications, experience and ability, including the necessary insight and foresight, to rule a country. He became paranoid about his own safety and the possible overthrow of his government, and he was too easily swayed by others. In short, Gqozo was inept, rather than evil.
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The silencing of race at Rhodes: ritual and anti-politics on a post-apartheid campus
- Authors: Goga, Safiyya
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Democracy -- South Africa Racism -- South Africa Post-apartheid era -- South Africa College students -- South Africa -- Political activity South Africa -- Politics and government -- 20th century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2778 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002988
- Description: Almost fifteen years after democracy, issues of 'race' still hold daily South African life firmly in its grip. Following calls from foremost South African theorists on 'race', such as Sarah Nuttall, this thesis moves beyond a study of crude 'racism', to the more complex consideration of 'race' as an embedded ideological social formation within the spatial context of Rhodes University. Using analytical concepts such as 'silencing' and 'ritual' the thesis weaves an understanding (1) of how particular powerful representations of institutional history are produced and made dominant, and (2) how seemingly innocuous performances of institutional identity are key to reproducing 'racial' dominance within Rhodes' student life. This ultimately manifests in the production of a deeply 'racialized' commonsensical understanding of the 'most' legitimate and authentic representation and ownership of institutional space. The thesis delves into dominant representations of Rhodes University'S history, considering how these help produce and reproduce 'racial' dominance through, for instance, the production of defining apolitical narratives of 'excellence'. Central to the dominant apolitical institutional history is the production of silences about the past. History, I argue, is less compelling in any revelation of 'what happened' than in illustrating the production of silences used to enable the appropriation of a particular history as the sole relevant history. The 'inheritors of the past', those who are able to lay authoritative and representative claim to it, it is argued, ultimately claim ownership over institutional space. I argue too, that the dominant practices and performances of daily institutional life (re)produce the institutional space as a space of 'racial' dominance. Ritualized performance of the dominant institutional identity produces ownership of institutional space through making some articulations of 'Rhodes identity' more acceptable, legitimate and authentic than others. The dominance of 'drinking culture' in Rhodes student life produces a particular 'racialized' institutional identity as most legitimate. 'Racial' dominance is instituted, consecrated and reproduced through the ritualistic performance of 'drinking culture', which ultimately produces a superior claim of ownership over the institutional space through the reiteration of racial domination that these performances of institutional identity powerfully symbolize.
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- Authors: Goga, Safiyya
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Democracy -- South Africa Racism -- South Africa Post-apartheid era -- South Africa College students -- South Africa -- Political activity South Africa -- Politics and government -- 20th century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2778 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002988
- Description: Almost fifteen years after democracy, issues of 'race' still hold daily South African life firmly in its grip. Following calls from foremost South African theorists on 'race', such as Sarah Nuttall, this thesis moves beyond a study of crude 'racism', to the more complex consideration of 'race' as an embedded ideological social formation within the spatial context of Rhodes University. Using analytical concepts such as 'silencing' and 'ritual' the thesis weaves an understanding (1) of how particular powerful representations of institutional history are produced and made dominant, and (2) how seemingly innocuous performances of institutional identity are key to reproducing 'racial' dominance within Rhodes' student life. This ultimately manifests in the production of a deeply 'racialized' commonsensical understanding of the 'most' legitimate and authentic representation and ownership of institutional space. The thesis delves into dominant representations of Rhodes University'S history, considering how these help produce and reproduce 'racial' dominance through, for instance, the production of defining apolitical narratives of 'excellence'. Central to the dominant apolitical institutional history is the production of silences about the past. History, I argue, is less compelling in any revelation of 'what happened' than in illustrating the production of silences used to enable the appropriation of a particular history as the sole relevant history. The 'inheritors of the past', those who are able to lay authoritative and representative claim to it, it is argued, ultimately claim ownership over institutional space. I argue too, that the dominant practices and performances of daily institutional life (re)produce the institutional space as a space of 'racial' dominance. Ritualized performance of the dominant institutional identity produces ownership of institutional space through making some articulations of 'Rhodes identity' more acceptable, legitimate and authentic than others. The dominance of 'drinking culture' in Rhodes student life produces a particular 'racialized' institutional identity as most legitimate. 'Racial' dominance is instituted, consecrated and reproduced through the ritualistic performance of 'drinking culture', which ultimately produces a superior claim of ownership over the institutional space through the reiteration of racial domination that these performances of institutional identity powerfully symbolize.
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The spatial ecology and activity patterns of leopards (Panthera pardus) in the Baviaanskloof and Greater Addo Elephant National Park (GAENP), Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: McManus, Jeannine Stephanie
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Leopard -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Leopard -- Monitoring -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Leopard -- Conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Leopard -- Ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Spatial ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wildlife monitoring -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Animal populations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wildlife conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5823 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007601 , Leopard -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Leopard -- Monitoring -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Leopard -- Conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Leopard -- Ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Spatial ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wildlife monitoring -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Animal populations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wildlife conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The conservation of leopards in the Eastern Cape Province requires a holistic approach that considers both predator-human interactions as well as the biology of the carnivore. Numerous studies have been conducted on leopards within protected areas; however more information regarding the species is needed outside these areas to facilitate effective management of predators. The spatial ecology of the leopard (Panthera pardus) were studied in the Baviaanskloof and GAENP in the Eastern Cape. The Baviaanskloof is an extensive area of mountainous terrain (approximately 2665km²) which has a mosaic of land uses, and leopards move from conservation areas to farmland where they come into contact and conflict with farmers. This study examined the spatial ecology of leopards living on farmlands adjacent to protected land. The space utilization and activity patterns of six leopards were analysed. These animals were caught and released on farmlands in the Baviaanskloof (n=4) or translocated (n=2) when not possible to release on site. The animals were caught by means of fall-door, walk-in traps and fitted with Vectronic GPS collars that facilitated the collection of high quality GPS fixes from each animal. Data was collected using VHF and UHF telemetry to download data. An understanding of spatial requirements in areas with different land use, and the extent of overlap of space use with other leopards allow, for the first time in the region, the calculation of possible maximum population size. Analysis of range size was carried out using two methods: minimum convex polygon, and Kernel Utilization Distribution. Finally, a key predictor of space use is prey availability. I assessed the prey base using a grid of camera traps. The studied leopards revealed large range utilization with minimal overlap. The activity patterns suggest there is no preference between diurnal and nocturnal activity patterns and the population density was estimated between 0.3 - 1.3 leopards per 100km². Large home range sizes and low population densities suggest that leopards require large areas of suitable habitat, and that conservation efforts need to be extended beyond protected areas to ensure the long-term viability of leopard populations in such areas.
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- Authors: McManus, Jeannine Stephanie
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Leopard -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Leopard -- Monitoring -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Leopard -- Conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Leopard -- Ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Spatial ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wildlife monitoring -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Animal populations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wildlife conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5823 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007601 , Leopard -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Leopard -- Monitoring -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Leopard -- Conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Leopard -- Ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Spatial ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wildlife monitoring -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Animal populations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wildlife conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The conservation of leopards in the Eastern Cape Province requires a holistic approach that considers both predator-human interactions as well as the biology of the carnivore. Numerous studies have been conducted on leopards within protected areas; however more information regarding the species is needed outside these areas to facilitate effective management of predators. The spatial ecology of the leopard (Panthera pardus) were studied in the Baviaanskloof and GAENP in the Eastern Cape. The Baviaanskloof is an extensive area of mountainous terrain (approximately 2665km²) which has a mosaic of land uses, and leopards move from conservation areas to farmland where they come into contact and conflict with farmers. This study examined the spatial ecology of leopards living on farmlands adjacent to protected land. The space utilization and activity patterns of six leopards were analysed. These animals were caught and released on farmlands in the Baviaanskloof (n=4) or translocated (n=2) when not possible to release on site. The animals were caught by means of fall-door, walk-in traps and fitted with Vectronic GPS collars that facilitated the collection of high quality GPS fixes from each animal. Data was collected using VHF and UHF telemetry to download data. An understanding of spatial requirements in areas with different land use, and the extent of overlap of space use with other leopards allow, for the first time in the region, the calculation of possible maximum population size. Analysis of range size was carried out using two methods: minimum convex polygon, and Kernel Utilization Distribution. Finally, a key predictor of space use is prey availability. I assessed the prey base using a grid of camera traps. The studied leopards revealed large range utilization with minimal overlap. The activity patterns suggest there is no preference between diurnal and nocturnal activity patterns and the population density was estimated between 0.3 - 1.3 leopards per 100km². Large home range sizes and low population densities suggest that leopards require large areas of suitable habitat, and that conservation efforts need to be extended beyond protected areas to ensure the long-term viability of leopard populations in such areas.
- Full Text: