The effect of shade on the biological control of Salvinia molesta D.S. Mitchell [Salviniaceae] by the weevil, Cyrtobagous salviniae Calder and Sands [Curculionidae]
- Authors: Maseko, Zolile
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Salvinia molesta , Aquatic weeds -- Biological control , Beetles , Insects as biological pest control agents
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4808 , vital:20726
- Description: Salvinia molesta, a floating aquatic weed, is a global menace in many water bodies and waterways. The weed disrupts the ecological balance wherever it invades and also has wide ranging economic and health impacts. Its impact has resulted in the need to control it, and while chemical and mechanical control are often ineffective, biological control by the weevil Cyrtobagous salviniae is largely successful. However, in many parts of the world, including South Africa, biological control of S. molesta has been less effective where the weed grows as an understory species. Shallow and shaded waters characteristically found at the margins of water bodies provide a refuge for S. molesta. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the effect of shade on the efficacy of biological control of S. molesta. Investigations into the problems associated with control in the shade were carried out in a greenhouse and in the field. In controlled greenhouse experiments, plants were grown at high and low nutrient levels in individual mesocosms, at three varying levels of shade, where half the mesocosms were inoculated with C. salviniae. Plants in high nutrient conditions were significantly more productive in terms of biomass accumulation, compared to those grown at low nutrient levels, in both the absence and presence of herbivory at all levels of shade tested. Plants grown in the shade and in high nutrient conditions had significantly higher quality compared to the ones exposed to full sun. Higher plant quality in the shade consequently resulted in accelerated fecundity for C. salviniae resulting in significantly higher weevil populations. Furthermore, less damage was recorded on plants in the shade, possibly due to the high nitrogen concentrations which may have deterred grazing by C. salviniae. However, in the absence of shading, plants were of lower quality and consequently sustained more damage from herbivores despite lower weevil populations. In contrast to the greenhouse, there were no differences in biomass recorded in the field at two nutrient levels and in the presence of herbivory for both shade and open sites. Nutrients added to high nutrient treatment quadrats diffused evenly across the water body resulting in uniform nutrient distribution, hence uniform plant biomass and carbon-nitrogen ratio. Despite the lack of statistical differences, more weevils were found in the full sun plots, while modest populations were recorded in the shade. Higher weevil populations consequently led to more damage in the sun, a situation that has been observed in most field sites in South Africa. The results therefore suggest that nutrients were pivotal in plant growth compared to light regimes (amount of PAR). Plant quality significantly influenced weevil populations and plant damage in both studies, demonstrating that plant nitrogen plays a crucial role in the plant- herbivore system. Furthermore, in both the greenhouse and field, despite lack of statistical differences, plants exposed to full sunlight suffered more damage than shade plants, pointing towards better control in the sun compared to the shade, suggesting that there is greater preference of sun-exposed plants for grazing by the weevils. The results from this study add to the growing body of literature that plant quality is a major factor in determining the success of aquatic weed biological control programmes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Maseko, Zolile
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Salvinia molesta , Aquatic weeds -- Biological control , Beetles , Insects as biological pest control agents
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4808 , vital:20726
- Description: Salvinia molesta, a floating aquatic weed, is a global menace in many water bodies and waterways. The weed disrupts the ecological balance wherever it invades and also has wide ranging economic and health impacts. Its impact has resulted in the need to control it, and while chemical and mechanical control are often ineffective, biological control by the weevil Cyrtobagous salviniae is largely successful. However, in many parts of the world, including South Africa, biological control of S. molesta has been less effective where the weed grows as an understory species. Shallow and shaded waters characteristically found at the margins of water bodies provide a refuge for S. molesta. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the effect of shade on the efficacy of biological control of S. molesta. Investigations into the problems associated with control in the shade were carried out in a greenhouse and in the field. In controlled greenhouse experiments, plants were grown at high and low nutrient levels in individual mesocosms, at three varying levels of shade, where half the mesocosms were inoculated with C. salviniae. Plants in high nutrient conditions were significantly more productive in terms of biomass accumulation, compared to those grown at low nutrient levels, in both the absence and presence of herbivory at all levels of shade tested. Plants grown in the shade and in high nutrient conditions had significantly higher quality compared to the ones exposed to full sun. Higher plant quality in the shade consequently resulted in accelerated fecundity for C. salviniae resulting in significantly higher weevil populations. Furthermore, less damage was recorded on plants in the shade, possibly due to the high nitrogen concentrations which may have deterred grazing by C. salviniae. However, in the absence of shading, plants were of lower quality and consequently sustained more damage from herbivores despite lower weevil populations. In contrast to the greenhouse, there were no differences in biomass recorded in the field at two nutrient levels and in the presence of herbivory for both shade and open sites. Nutrients added to high nutrient treatment quadrats diffused evenly across the water body resulting in uniform nutrient distribution, hence uniform plant biomass and carbon-nitrogen ratio. Despite the lack of statistical differences, more weevils were found in the full sun plots, while modest populations were recorded in the shade. Higher weevil populations consequently led to more damage in the sun, a situation that has been observed in most field sites in South Africa. The results therefore suggest that nutrients were pivotal in plant growth compared to light regimes (amount of PAR). Plant quality significantly influenced weevil populations and plant damage in both studies, demonstrating that plant nitrogen plays a crucial role in the plant- herbivore system. Furthermore, in both the greenhouse and field, despite lack of statistical differences, plants exposed to full sunlight suffered more damage than shade plants, pointing towards better control in the sun compared to the shade, suggesting that there is greater preference of sun-exposed plants for grazing by the weevils. The results from this study add to the growing body of literature that plant quality is a major factor in determining the success of aquatic weed biological control programmes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The effect of strategic leadership on competitive advantage & innovation performance : a case of small business in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Authors: Maziti, Lindah
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Small business -- Technological innovations Small business -- Management Competition
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8619 , vital:33200
- Description: Orientation: The manner in which Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) perform is important for the sustainability of the enterprise. The role of strategic leadership on competitive advantage and innovation performance are investigated within this. Research purpose: To determine whether strategic leadership has an effect on competitive advantage and innovation performance in SMMEs. Secondly, to determine if innovation performance has an effect on competitive advantage. Motivation for the study: Contradictory views still exist on the concept of strategic leadership and its effect on competitive advantage and innovation performance and the effect of innovation performance on competitive advantage in SMMEs. This study contributes to these views within the South African SMME context. Research design, approach and method: A cross-sectional survey design was used and a questionnaire self-administered to a sample of 275 SMMEs in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality drawn through simple random sampling from a population 950 SMMEs available from the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) database. Main findings: The result showed that strategic leadership have a positive effect on competitive advantage and innovation performance in SMMEs. Furthermore, the results showed that there is a positive effect of innovation performance on competitive advantage in SMMEs. Practical implications: More is needed to develop strategic leadership. This can be done through leadership training and development, support from government of leaders of SMMEs and finally, a leader can take personal efforts to acquire competencies that allow them to make better decisions in managing the small business. Contribution: The study advances theory on leadership by showing its role on competitive advantage and innovation performance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Maziti, Lindah
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Small business -- Technological innovations Small business -- Management Competition
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8619 , vital:33200
- Description: Orientation: The manner in which Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) perform is important for the sustainability of the enterprise. The role of strategic leadership on competitive advantage and innovation performance are investigated within this. Research purpose: To determine whether strategic leadership has an effect on competitive advantage and innovation performance in SMMEs. Secondly, to determine if innovation performance has an effect on competitive advantage. Motivation for the study: Contradictory views still exist on the concept of strategic leadership and its effect on competitive advantage and innovation performance and the effect of innovation performance on competitive advantage in SMMEs. This study contributes to these views within the South African SMME context. Research design, approach and method: A cross-sectional survey design was used and a questionnaire self-administered to a sample of 275 SMMEs in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality drawn through simple random sampling from a population 950 SMMEs available from the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) database. Main findings: The result showed that strategic leadership have a positive effect on competitive advantage and innovation performance in SMMEs. Furthermore, the results showed that there is a positive effect of innovation performance on competitive advantage in SMMEs. Practical implications: More is needed to develop strategic leadership. This can be done through leadership training and development, support from government of leaders of SMMEs and finally, a leader can take personal efforts to acquire competencies that allow them to make better decisions in managing the small business. Contribution: The study advances theory on leadership by showing its role on competitive advantage and innovation performance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The effect of submersion in water and breathing modality (assisted breathing and apnea) on different stages of the information processing chain
- Authors: Goodenough, Luke Brian
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Deep diving -- Physiological aspects , Scuba diving -- Physiological aspects , Apnea , Cognition -- Testing , Neurophysiology , Underwater breathing apparatus
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7448 , vital:21261
- Description: Limited research has explored the impact of working underwater on the cognitive functioning of divers and even less has focused on the effect of breathing modality (assisted breathing and apnea) underwater. Research on the effect of submersion in water and apnea on cognitive performance is also very limited. As a result, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of submersion in water and breathing modality on different stages of the information processing chain. This was achieved by testing participants in a laboratory setting under three conditions; on land, underwater with assisted breathing and underwater in apnea. Five different tests were used to determine which aspects of cognitive functioning were impaired in which condition. The recognition task result in the assisted breathing condition was significantly faster (p=0.04) but less accurate (p=0.01) than on land. The memory task was significantly (p=0.042) worse in terms of speed in the apnea condition compared to land, however accuracy was not affected. Performance in the visual detection task was impacted on in both underwater conditions compared to land with speed and accuracy being significantly worse (p<0.01) in the underwater conditions. These results indicate that simple tasks, (reaction time and tracking task) are not affected by condition whereas more complex tasks are. For tasks where an effect was found for only one condition, the effect was attributed to a specific aspect of that condition; either the breath hold or assisted breathing component of the condition. For tasks that were found to be affected in both underwater conditions, the effect was attributed to the actual submersion in water. The effect of the different conditions and the nature of the task they impact on should be considered for underwater work places as the general equipment used may impact on the quality of observations that are made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Goodenough, Luke Brian
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Deep diving -- Physiological aspects , Scuba diving -- Physiological aspects , Apnea , Cognition -- Testing , Neurophysiology , Underwater breathing apparatus
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7448 , vital:21261
- Description: Limited research has explored the impact of working underwater on the cognitive functioning of divers and even less has focused on the effect of breathing modality (assisted breathing and apnea) underwater. Research on the effect of submersion in water and apnea on cognitive performance is also very limited. As a result, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of submersion in water and breathing modality on different stages of the information processing chain. This was achieved by testing participants in a laboratory setting under three conditions; on land, underwater with assisted breathing and underwater in apnea. Five different tests were used to determine which aspects of cognitive functioning were impaired in which condition. The recognition task result in the assisted breathing condition was significantly faster (p=0.04) but less accurate (p=0.01) than on land. The memory task was significantly (p=0.042) worse in terms of speed in the apnea condition compared to land, however accuracy was not affected. Performance in the visual detection task was impacted on in both underwater conditions compared to land with speed and accuracy being significantly worse (p<0.01) in the underwater conditions. These results indicate that simple tasks, (reaction time and tracking task) are not affected by condition whereas more complex tasks are. For tasks where an effect was found for only one condition, the effect was attributed to a specific aspect of that condition; either the breath hold or assisted breathing component of the condition. For tasks that were found to be affected in both underwater conditions, the effect was attributed to the actual submersion in water. The effect of the different conditions and the nature of the task they impact on should be considered for underwater work places as the general equipment used may impact on the quality of observations that are made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The effect of the Marikana events on the collective bargaining process in South Africa
- Authors: Butjie, Boitumelo Cordelia
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Collective bargaining -- Mining industry , Strikes and lockouts -- Miners -- South Africa -- Marikana
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/9239 , vital:26482
- Description: The basic structures of collective bargaining in South Africa have evolved since industrialisation, through the Wiehahn-Commission era until the Farlam one and beyond, resulting in a number of legislative changes from 1924 to 2014. While dealing with collective bargaining, it is not possible to divorce the powerful history of mining from the South African story, from the diamond fields in Kimberley to the discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand in 1886, where the mine employees’ focused on cheap, unskilled labour and migrant system in the 1900s to the tragic events at Marikana in 2012. In the advent of the industry revolution, employment relationships changed as competitive demands placed a great need for advancing economic developments which are often expressed through collective-bargaining. The objective of collective bargaining is to arrive at an agreement between the employer and employees to determine mutually beneficial terms and conditions of employment such agreement may prohibit unions to embark on an industrial action for as long as it is in place. Strikes became important during the Industrial Revolution, when many worked in factories and mines. Often when employees’ demands are not met, they resort to strike action. Strike action is when a number of employees stop rendering their service in protest to express their grievances. These strikes are usually led by labour unions to get better pay, working hours or working conditions during collective bargaining as a last resort. While trade union leadership fails to advance employees’ cause, employees resort to informal alternative structures to negotiate on their behalf. South Africans have a tradition of taking to the streets in protest when unhappy about issues and this tradition did not spring up during the apartheid era but has been around from as early as 1922 to date. Protests in South Africa today draw from past repertoires and at the same time push for new political practices and directions. Strikes are often used to: Pressure governments to change its policies like in the Rand Revolt; Strikes can destabilise the rule of a particular political party like a series of strikes by blacks in the 1970s and 1980s including the 1973 Durban dockworkers and the 1987 miners’ strikes; Strikes are often part of a broader social movement taking the form of a campaign of civil resistance like Treatment Action Campaign and community struggles such Abahlali Base Mjondolo. On the strike issues in South Africa, the researcher draws from the terrible incident that transpired in August 2012 at Lonmin Mine-Marikana and how it has affected the collective bargaining landscape in South Africa. The first real and significant labour unrest, the Witwatersrand miner strike rocked South Africa to the core in 1922 and in 2012, ninety years later the violent strike by the Rock Operational Drillers at Lonmin following the Marikana massacre and as such did not enjoy statutory protection under the LRA because was classified as wildcat strike. Normally, a wildcat strike constitutes a violation of a collective bargaining agreement in place and as such is not protected unless a union joins it and ratifies the protest. The union may, however, discipline its members for participating in a wildcat strike and impose fines. Among other things miners mainly demanded a wage increment of R12500 per month. The fight between AMCU and NUM for organisational rights also found its way into the equation. A strike wave, not only linked to the mining sector, made 2012 the most protest filled year since the end of apartheid, rolled out across South Africa, closing some industrial operations and crippling others. Commentators argue that the strike wave emerged from a landscape of extreme inequality and poverty, made intolerable by the additional financial burdens arising from the migrant labour system. These factors influenced the industrial action and institutions of collective bargaining comprising of both company and union structures and processes, were found wanting in their ability to address the root causes of the crisis. The post-Marikana strike wave made a mark in the workers struggle movement as it drew in thousands of workers to join AMCU and at the same time weakening NUM, the then majority union. The strike led to the rise and growth of AMCU which was seen by miners as the driver for change. The 2012 strike wave and the Marikana massacre not only changed the balance of forces on the ground against the NUM, but also generated divisions within COSATU. The divisions were between those who decided to remain deaf to the workers’ call for transformation and those who had already realised that a decisive turn in economic policy was needed to avoid a social, economic and political crisis. In the aftermath of the strike, a number community struggles increased as 2012 began and on the other side, a number of splinter groups from COSATU mushroomed which was hobbled by in fights. NUM’s collapse is indeed part of a series of recent failures for COSATU.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Butjie, Boitumelo Cordelia
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Collective bargaining -- Mining industry , Strikes and lockouts -- Miners -- South Africa -- Marikana
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/9239 , vital:26482
- Description: The basic structures of collective bargaining in South Africa have evolved since industrialisation, through the Wiehahn-Commission era until the Farlam one and beyond, resulting in a number of legislative changes from 1924 to 2014. While dealing with collective bargaining, it is not possible to divorce the powerful history of mining from the South African story, from the diamond fields in Kimberley to the discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand in 1886, where the mine employees’ focused on cheap, unskilled labour and migrant system in the 1900s to the tragic events at Marikana in 2012. In the advent of the industry revolution, employment relationships changed as competitive demands placed a great need for advancing economic developments which are often expressed through collective-bargaining. The objective of collective bargaining is to arrive at an agreement between the employer and employees to determine mutually beneficial terms and conditions of employment such agreement may prohibit unions to embark on an industrial action for as long as it is in place. Strikes became important during the Industrial Revolution, when many worked in factories and mines. Often when employees’ demands are not met, they resort to strike action. Strike action is when a number of employees stop rendering their service in protest to express their grievances. These strikes are usually led by labour unions to get better pay, working hours or working conditions during collective bargaining as a last resort. While trade union leadership fails to advance employees’ cause, employees resort to informal alternative structures to negotiate on their behalf. South Africans have a tradition of taking to the streets in protest when unhappy about issues and this tradition did not spring up during the apartheid era but has been around from as early as 1922 to date. Protests in South Africa today draw from past repertoires and at the same time push for new political practices and directions. Strikes are often used to: Pressure governments to change its policies like in the Rand Revolt; Strikes can destabilise the rule of a particular political party like a series of strikes by blacks in the 1970s and 1980s including the 1973 Durban dockworkers and the 1987 miners’ strikes; Strikes are often part of a broader social movement taking the form of a campaign of civil resistance like Treatment Action Campaign and community struggles such Abahlali Base Mjondolo. On the strike issues in South Africa, the researcher draws from the terrible incident that transpired in August 2012 at Lonmin Mine-Marikana and how it has affected the collective bargaining landscape in South Africa. The first real and significant labour unrest, the Witwatersrand miner strike rocked South Africa to the core in 1922 and in 2012, ninety years later the violent strike by the Rock Operational Drillers at Lonmin following the Marikana massacre and as such did not enjoy statutory protection under the LRA because was classified as wildcat strike. Normally, a wildcat strike constitutes a violation of a collective bargaining agreement in place and as such is not protected unless a union joins it and ratifies the protest. The union may, however, discipline its members for participating in a wildcat strike and impose fines. Among other things miners mainly demanded a wage increment of R12500 per month. The fight between AMCU and NUM for organisational rights also found its way into the equation. A strike wave, not only linked to the mining sector, made 2012 the most protest filled year since the end of apartheid, rolled out across South Africa, closing some industrial operations and crippling others. Commentators argue that the strike wave emerged from a landscape of extreme inequality and poverty, made intolerable by the additional financial burdens arising from the migrant labour system. These factors influenced the industrial action and institutions of collective bargaining comprising of both company and union structures and processes, were found wanting in their ability to address the root causes of the crisis. The post-Marikana strike wave made a mark in the workers struggle movement as it drew in thousands of workers to join AMCU and at the same time weakening NUM, the then majority union. The strike led to the rise and growth of AMCU which was seen by miners as the driver for change. The 2012 strike wave and the Marikana massacre not only changed the balance of forces on the ground against the NUM, but also generated divisions within COSATU. The divisions were between those who decided to remain deaf to the workers’ call for transformation and those who had already realised that a decisive turn in economic policy was needed to avoid a social, economic and political crisis. In the aftermath of the strike, a number community struggles increased as 2012 began and on the other side, a number of splinter groups from COSATU mushroomed which was hobbled by in fights. NUM’s collapse is indeed part of a series of recent failures for COSATU.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The effect of total standing duration during sit-stand regimes on cognitive performance, rating of perceived exertion and heart rate frequency
- Authors: Berndt, Ethan
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Standing position , Sedentary behavior , Work environment , Employee health promotion , Office furniture -- Design , Industrial hygiene , Employees -- Health risk assessment , Human engineering
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7433 , vital:21260
- Description: Although there may be numerous health benefits of sit-stand workstations, the effects of sedentary or non-sedentary work configurations on cognitive performance and executive function remain unclear (Bantoft et al., 2016). It is essential to determine any performance effects of these different work configurations; as improvements in the workplace, working posture and discomfort need to be justified in terms of improvements (or no deterioration) in work performance (Liao and Drury, 2000). The aim of the current research was to investigate the effect of two sit-stand regimes differing in total standing duration, on cognitive task performance, physiological responses and subjective ratings of perceived exertion. This laboratory based investigation incorporated a repeated measures design, where a test battery was utilized. Three experimental conditions were tested during three separate testing sessions by 30 participants. Condition 2 (15 minutes standing, followed by 45 minutes seated) and Condition 3 (15 minutes seated, followed by 15 minutes standing, followed by 15 minutes seated, followed by 15 minutes standing) were compared to each other and Condition 1 (60 minutes seated). The findings of this study show that even though the two different sit-stand regimes did not result in a significant impact on cognitive task performance, an immediate postural effect for psychomotor response time and a delayed postural effect for working memory were found. The participants perceived Condition 3 as the most physically exerting condition. Heart rate frequency was not significantly different between the conditions, but the immediate seated posture had a significantly lower heart rate frequency compared to the standing posture; indicating that being seated elicited lower energy expenditure compared to standing. Heart rate frequency while standing had a greater degree of variation compared to being seated. Taking the findings of this study into account, it is recommended that: one should be seated while performing this type of working memory task; that one should be standing while performing this type of psychomotor task; that the recommendation that implementing standing at work can be used as a blanket strategy to increase energy expenditure in all individuals needs to be explored further and that individual differences may impact energy expenditure.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Berndt, Ethan
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Standing position , Sedentary behavior , Work environment , Employee health promotion , Office furniture -- Design , Industrial hygiene , Employees -- Health risk assessment , Human engineering
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7433 , vital:21260
- Description: Although there may be numerous health benefits of sit-stand workstations, the effects of sedentary or non-sedentary work configurations on cognitive performance and executive function remain unclear (Bantoft et al., 2016). It is essential to determine any performance effects of these different work configurations; as improvements in the workplace, working posture and discomfort need to be justified in terms of improvements (or no deterioration) in work performance (Liao and Drury, 2000). The aim of the current research was to investigate the effect of two sit-stand regimes differing in total standing duration, on cognitive task performance, physiological responses and subjective ratings of perceived exertion. This laboratory based investigation incorporated a repeated measures design, where a test battery was utilized. Three experimental conditions were tested during three separate testing sessions by 30 participants. Condition 2 (15 minutes standing, followed by 45 minutes seated) and Condition 3 (15 minutes seated, followed by 15 minutes standing, followed by 15 minutes seated, followed by 15 minutes standing) were compared to each other and Condition 1 (60 minutes seated). The findings of this study show that even though the two different sit-stand regimes did not result in a significant impact on cognitive task performance, an immediate postural effect for psychomotor response time and a delayed postural effect for working memory were found. The participants perceived Condition 3 as the most physically exerting condition. Heart rate frequency was not significantly different between the conditions, but the immediate seated posture had a significantly lower heart rate frequency compared to the standing posture; indicating that being seated elicited lower energy expenditure compared to standing. Heart rate frequency while standing had a greater degree of variation compared to being seated. Taking the findings of this study into account, it is recommended that: one should be seated while performing this type of working memory task; that one should be standing while performing this type of psychomotor task; that the recommendation that implementing standing at work can be used as a blanket strategy to increase energy expenditure in all individuals needs to be explored further and that individual differences may impact energy expenditure.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The effect of using a six brick Duplo block guided play approach on pre-school learners’ visual perceptual abilities
- Authors: Jemutai, Sarah
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Teaching -- Aids and devices , Early childhood education -- South Africa Early childhood education -- Kenya Education, Preschool -- South Africa Education, Preschool -- Kenya
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17724 , vital:28442
- Description: This study investigated the possible effects that the use of guided play using the 6 Brick Duplo Block approach might have in terms of the development of aspects of visual perception in pre-literate 5-7year old children. An explanatory sequential mixed-method design was employed. Seventy-seven Grade R learners in two schools, one in the Republic of South Africa and the other in the Republic of Kenya, comprised the purposive convenience sample. Quantitative pre- and post-intervention data were generated using the Visual Perception Aspects Test (VPAT) and analysed using Excel functions to generate descriptive and inferential statistics. The pre-test mean score in the Kenyan school was statistically and practically significantly lower than the South African pre-test mean score. This difference was attributed to the amount and type of play that took place in the natural settings of these schools prior to the intervention and the nature and amount of play material available in each. The largest improvements from the pre- to post-tests occurred in the South African and Kenyan experimental groups and the difference between them dropped from the 99% level of confidence in the pre-test to the 95% level of confidence in the post-test. These findings suggest that using the 6 Brick Duplo Block approach may accelerate the development of aspects of visual discrimination in pre-literate 5-7-year-old children and that the approach may be most effective when used with children who have had little previous exposure to guided play at school. Qualitative data were obtained through open-ended classroom observations and semi-structured teacher interviews with the experimental group class teachers. Classroom observation revealed that the learners were enthusiastic about the guided play and the semi-structured interviews revealed that they realise the importance of using guided play for developing the visual skills necessary for reading, writing and numeracy. The overall findings of this study suggest that the development of aspects of visual perception were accelerated in the study sample of pre-literate Grade R learners when their teachers facilitated guided play using the 6 Brick Duplo Block approach. Recommendations are made that curriculum developers, early childhood advisors and teachers should be made aware of the potential of using guided play and reconsider the Piaget‟s stages of cognitive development to design appropriate instructional materials that promote learners‟ visual perceptual growth and development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Jemutai, Sarah
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Teaching -- Aids and devices , Early childhood education -- South Africa Early childhood education -- Kenya Education, Preschool -- South Africa Education, Preschool -- Kenya
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17724 , vital:28442
- Description: This study investigated the possible effects that the use of guided play using the 6 Brick Duplo Block approach might have in terms of the development of aspects of visual perception in pre-literate 5-7year old children. An explanatory sequential mixed-method design was employed. Seventy-seven Grade R learners in two schools, one in the Republic of South Africa and the other in the Republic of Kenya, comprised the purposive convenience sample. Quantitative pre- and post-intervention data were generated using the Visual Perception Aspects Test (VPAT) and analysed using Excel functions to generate descriptive and inferential statistics. The pre-test mean score in the Kenyan school was statistically and practically significantly lower than the South African pre-test mean score. This difference was attributed to the amount and type of play that took place in the natural settings of these schools prior to the intervention and the nature and amount of play material available in each. The largest improvements from the pre- to post-tests occurred in the South African and Kenyan experimental groups and the difference between them dropped from the 99% level of confidence in the pre-test to the 95% level of confidence in the post-test. These findings suggest that using the 6 Brick Duplo Block approach may accelerate the development of aspects of visual discrimination in pre-literate 5-7-year-old children and that the approach may be most effective when used with children who have had little previous exposure to guided play at school. Qualitative data were obtained through open-ended classroom observations and semi-structured teacher interviews with the experimental group class teachers. Classroom observation revealed that the learners were enthusiastic about the guided play and the semi-structured interviews revealed that they realise the importance of using guided play for developing the visual skills necessary for reading, writing and numeracy. The overall findings of this study suggest that the development of aspects of visual perception were accelerated in the study sample of pre-literate Grade R learners when their teachers facilitated guided play using the 6 Brick Duplo Block approach. Recommendations are made that curriculum developers, early childhood advisors and teachers should be made aware of the potential of using guided play and reconsider the Piaget‟s stages of cognitive development to design appropriate instructional materials that promote learners‟ visual perceptual growth and development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The effectiveness of health and safety service providers' relative to construction
- Authors: Ayesu-Koranteng, Emma
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Health aspects -- South Africa Industrial safety -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15149 , vital:28151
- Description: The construction industry (CI) is well known to be one of the most dangerous industries in South Africa (SA) due to the complex nature of construction activities, advancement in technologies and an aging workforce, emphasising the need for training. Over the past two decades, the industry has come under the spotlight regarding Health and Safety (H&S). The Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Act 85 of 1993 and Construction Regulations (CR) 2014 as amended are the statutes that govern the H&S in the construction workplace. These statutes aim to provide minimum guidelines by which all operating in the industry should abide by in order to ensure the safety of all persons at work. A fundamental aspect of the OH&S Act and CR is for construction employers to assess occupational hazards and conduct risk assessments with remedies to mitigate or prevent such risks. Furthermore, employers are compelled by law to ensure that employees are made aware of the risks at the induction stage, in addition to preventative measures associated with their work activities. Therefore, training forms the structure by which H&S in the workplace can be improved. Training in itself is not enough if it is not based on the employees’ needs as assessed. Training needs to be relevant and effective if it is to have a significant effect in the prevention and possible reduction in the number of occupational injuries and fatalities in the CI. A question that led to the basis of this research was why there were such poor H&S practices in the CI when the statutes clearly require the importance of training. This research is aimed at establishing the effectiveness of service providers relative to construction. Service providers offer services such as training, auditing, SHEQ management, and other H&S related matters. Of fundamental importance is that training has a direct or indirect influence on the health and safety (H&S) of employees in the workplace. Thus, this research aims to determine the effectiveness of training offered by these service providers relative to construction. The researcher utilised the quantitative data collection method to collect primary data from a sample surveyed through a questionnaire, whilst collecting secondary data from books, the Internet, professional journals, and articles. The sampled population consisted of service providers, health and safety practitioners, construction managers, supervisors, and workers, all from the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal Area. The data was analysed quantitatively using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), ANOVA and the one-sample t-test. The literature reviewed and findings of this quantitative research amongst construction personal such as top, senior, middle management (TSMM), and general workers and labourers (GWL) in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal area formed the basis of this study. The study reveals that training offered by service providers was indirectly unrelated to construction. Furthermore, the study also showed that management concurred that there was a strong belief that language did not influence their ability to understand the contents of the training, which is mainly provided in English. The group believed that training from service providers were at the correct level. Alternatively, GWL were of the belief that language influenced their ability to understand the training received. The study also indicated that procurement of these service providers were not based on their skills, knowledge and background in construction. This may be attributed to the fact that management are more advanced in terms of education than GWL. Lastly, the study revealed that a significant number of Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) officers are in the process of registering with the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP), the professional body responsible for the registration of Construction Health and Safety (CH&S) professions. This study will conclude with findings, conclusions, and recommendations that will be valuable to construction companies relative to the services of service providers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Ayesu-Koranteng, Emma
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Health aspects -- South Africa Industrial safety -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15149 , vital:28151
- Description: The construction industry (CI) is well known to be one of the most dangerous industries in South Africa (SA) due to the complex nature of construction activities, advancement in technologies and an aging workforce, emphasising the need for training. Over the past two decades, the industry has come under the spotlight regarding Health and Safety (H&S). The Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Act 85 of 1993 and Construction Regulations (CR) 2014 as amended are the statutes that govern the H&S in the construction workplace. These statutes aim to provide minimum guidelines by which all operating in the industry should abide by in order to ensure the safety of all persons at work. A fundamental aspect of the OH&S Act and CR is for construction employers to assess occupational hazards and conduct risk assessments with remedies to mitigate or prevent such risks. Furthermore, employers are compelled by law to ensure that employees are made aware of the risks at the induction stage, in addition to preventative measures associated with their work activities. Therefore, training forms the structure by which H&S in the workplace can be improved. Training in itself is not enough if it is not based on the employees’ needs as assessed. Training needs to be relevant and effective if it is to have a significant effect in the prevention and possible reduction in the number of occupational injuries and fatalities in the CI. A question that led to the basis of this research was why there were such poor H&S practices in the CI when the statutes clearly require the importance of training. This research is aimed at establishing the effectiveness of service providers relative to construction. Service providers offer services such as training, auditing, SHEQ management, and other H&S related matters. Of fundamental importance is that training has a direct or indirect influence on the health and safety (H&S) of employees in the workplace. Thus, this research aims to determine the effectiveness of training offered by these service providers relative to construction. The researcher utilised the quantitative data collection method to collect primary data from a sample surveyed through a questionnaire, whilst collecting secondary data from books, the Internet, professional journals, and articles. The sampled population consisted of service providers, health and safety practitioners, construction managers, supervisors, and workers, all from the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal Area. The data was analysed quantitatively using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), ANOVA and the one-sample t-test. The literature reviewed and findings of this quantitative research amongst construction personal such as top, senior, middle management (TSMM), and general workers and labourers (GWL) in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal area formed the basis of this study. The study reveals that training offered by service providers was indirectly unrelated to construction. Furthermore, the study also showed that management concurred that there was a strong belief that language did not influence their ability to understand the contents of the training, which is mainly provided in English. The group believed that training from service providers were at the correct level. Alternatively, GWL were of the belief that language influenced their ability to understand the training received. The study also indicated that procurement of these service providers were not based on their skills, knowledge and background in construction. This may be attributed to the fact that management are more advanced in terms of education than GWL. Lastly, the study revealed that a significant number of Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) officers are in the process of registering with the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP), the professional body responsible for the registration of Construction Health and Safety (CH&S) professions. This study will conclude with findings, conclusions, and recommendations that will be valuable to construction companies relative to the services of service providers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The effectiveness of Lesotho's industrial policy in poverty reduction
- Authors: Tlhatlosi, Lekupa Paul
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Poverty -- Lesotho Industrial policy -- Lesotho -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45475 , vital:38620
- Description: This study investigated and evaluated whether the Lesotho’s Industrial Policy had been effective in poverty reduction. The study focuses on the manufacturing sector in Lesotho to establish the effectiveness of the policy on workers in this sector. These people are often characterized by low education, lack of skills and poverty among other things. The study revealed that the current Industrial policy in Lesotho is no longer appropriate, relevant or responsive to the needs of Lesotho and Basotho people. It is not reducing or addressing the poverty situation but rather, it promotes and paves the way for activities that increase poverty in Lesotho. Poverty has remained the subject of intense debate to the extent that it has inhibited consistency in policies, resulting in less substantial success. Where there is a shared vision, views on the causes of poverty and conflicting goals and priorities often result in compromises and inconsistencies. Therefore, the link between policy and poverty reduction becomes important and influential since whichever strategy is applied and followed will have direct results and bearing on the policies. Lesotho is faced with serious challenges of unemployment, poverty, HIV/AIDS and other development deficiencies due to the increasing closure of mines in the Republic of South Africa, high retrenchment rates, declining prices of both gold and other commodities on the world market and the changing faces and demands of the world.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Tlhatlosi, Lekupa Paul
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Poverty -- Lesotho Industrial policy -- Lesotho -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45475 , vital:38620
- Description: This study investigated and evaluated whether the Lesotho’s Industrial Policy had been effective in poverty reduction. The study focuses on the manufacturing sector in Lesotho to establish the effectiveness of the policy on workers in this sector. These people are often characterized by low education, lack of skills and poverty among other things. The study revealed that the current Industrial policy in Lesotho is no longer appropriate, relevant or responsive to the needs of Lesotho and Basotho people. It is not reducing or addressing the poverty situation but rather, it promotes and paves the way for activities that increase poverty in Lesotho. Poverty has remained the subject of intense debate to the extent that it has inhibited consistency in policies, resulting in less substantial success. Where there is a shared vision, views on the causes of poverty and conflicting goals and priorities often result in compromises and inconsistencies. Therefore, the link between policy and poverty reduction becomes important and influential since whichever strategy is applied and followed will have direct results and bearing on the policies. Lesotho is faced with serious challenges of unemployment, poverty, HIV/AIDS and other development deficiencies due to the increasing closure of mines in the Republic of South Africa, high retrenchment rates, declining prices of both gold and other commodities on the world market and the changing faces and demands of the world.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The effectiveness of medium-fidelity simulation on the clinical readiness of student midwives
- Authors: Ntlokonkulu, Zukiswa Brenda
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Obstetrics Midwifery Emergency medical services , Simulated patients
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4503 , vital:28345
- Description: Simulation affords the student a safe and supportive environment in which to practise skills repeatedly without causing any harm to a real patient. The Department of Nursing Sciences at the University of Fort Hare has a laboratory that offers lowto medium-fidelity simulation in the form of task trainers and mannequins. These task trainers and mannequins are used in general nursing, and in community and midwifery nursing sciences, for the demonstration of skills, the practising of skills by students and for formative assessments. In midwifery, task trainers are used for vaginal examinations, abdominal palpation breech and vaginal deliveries and the management of post-partum haemorrhage (PPH). Given that in a real-life clinical environment limited opportunities exist for students to practise during an obstetrical emergency, medium-fidelity simulation (MFS) in midwifery ideally positions the student in a practical environment without risking the patient’s safety. Despite the availability of MFS at UFH, its benefit on the clinical readiness of student midwives is not known. The present study was designed to assess the effectiveness of MFS in enhancing the clinical readiness of student midwives at the University of Fort Hare. The main research objective of the study was to explore, describe and analyse the effect of medium-fidelity simulation on student midwives’ confidence, critical thinking ability, communication, satisfaction and team work in an obstetrical clinical emergency environment. This was a qualitative, interpretive, phenomenological analysis designed to explore the student midwives’ lived experiences regarding the effectiveness of mediumfidelity simulation and the effect of these experiences on clinical readiness. The target population was fourth-year Bachelor of nursing student midwives at the University of Fort Hare. Purposive sampling was used to select five student midwives who were team leaders during the management of PPH using MFS. Ethical approval was granted by the University of Fort Hare Ethics Committee. Informed consent was obtained from the participants prior to data collection. Trustworthiness was ensured by observing the principles of transferability, credibility, confirmability and dependability. Data was collected through individual face-to-face interviews and a semi-structured interview guide. All fourth-year student midwives had viewed an on-line video entitled Essential Steps in Management of Obstetrical Emergency(ESMOE) Postpartum Haemorrhage, in which the procedure was demonstrated. The video, sent via Backboard, was presented in such a way that student midwives had the opportunity to watch it repeatedly in order to thoroughly comprehend the demonstrated skill. A semi-structured interview guide was used for data collection. Interviews were conducted in the simulation laboratory. A Samsung smartphone was used to record interviews and a notepad was used to make notes of gestures, such as smiles or other facial expressions. Data was analysed using thematic content analysis applicable to interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) studies using the six steps: reading and re-reading; initial noting taking; developing emergent themes; searching for connections across the emergent themes; moving to the next case and lastly, looking for patterns across cases. The major findings indicated that the participants had differing views regarding the concept of clinical readiness; some held that clinical readiness meant being ready or prepared to handle any eventuality in the course of work, others opined that it was a state of being conversant with the policies and procedures in the clinical ward. Participants believed that clinical readiness was parallel to being competent and that midwives should always be ready to anticipate complications that might arise with the patient, endeavouring to analyse and interpret such conditions clinically. Participants expressed the need to see the simulation skill demonstrated repeatedly for thorough understanding of the technique, so that they could work independently in an obstetrical emergency situation. During simulation, participants were confident in delegating duties to team members, affirming that in order to ensure that tasks were carried out, team leaders should receive regular updates from team members.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Ntlokonkulu, Zukiswa Brenda
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Obstetrics Midwifery Emergency medical services , Simulated patients
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4503 , vital:28345
- Description: Simulation affords the student a safe and supportive environment in which to practise skills repeatedly without causing any harm to a real patient. The Department of Nursing Sciences at the University of Fort Hare has a laboratory that offers lowto medium-fidelity simulation in the form of task trainers and mannequins. These task trainers and mannequins are used in general nursing, and in community and midwifery nursing sciences, for the demonstration of skills, the practising of skills by students and for formative assessments. In midwifery, task trainers are used for vaginal examinations, abdominal palpation breech and vaginal deliveries and the management of post-partum haemorrhage (PPH). Given that in a real-life clinical environment limited opportunities exist for students to practise during an obstetrical emergency, medium-fidelity simulation (MFS) in midwifery ideally positions the student in a practical environment without risking the patient’s safety. Despite the availability of MFS at UFH, its benefit on the clinical readiness of student midwives is not known. The present study was designed to assess the effectiveness of MFS in enhancing the clinical readiness of student midwives at the University of Fort Hare. The main research objective of the study was to explore, describe and analyse the effect of medium-fidelity simulation on student midwives’ confidence, critical thinking ability, communication, satisfaction and team work in an obstetrical clinical emergency environment. This was a qualitative, interpretive, phenomenological analysis designed to explore the student midwives’ lived experiences regarding the effectiveness of mediumfidelity simulation and the effect of these experiences on clinical readiness. The target population was fourth-year Bachelor of nursing student midwives at the University of Fort Hare. Purposive sampling was used to select five student midwives who were team leaders during the management of PPH using MFS. Ethical approval was granted by the University of Fort Hare Ethics Committee. Informed consent was obtained from the participants prior to data collection. Trustworthiness was ensured by observing the principles of transferability, credibility, confirmability and dependability. Data was collected through individual face-to-face interviews and a semi-structured interview guide. All fourth-year student midwives had viewed an on-line video entitled Essential Steps in Management of Obstetrical Emergency(ESMOE) Postpartum Haemorrhage, in which the procedure was demonstrated. The video, sent via Backboard, was presented in such a way that student midwives had the opportunity to watch it repeatedly in order to thoroughly comprehend the demonstrated skill. A semi-structured interview guide was used for data collection. Interviews were conducted in the simulation laboratory. A Samsung smartphone was used to record interviews and a notepad was used to make notes of gestures, such as smiles or other facial expressions. Data was analysed using thematic content analysis applicable to interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) studies using the six steps: reading and re-reading; initial noting taking; developing emergent themes; searching for connections across the emergent themes; moving to the next case and lastly, looking for patterns across cases. The major findings indicated that the participants had differing views regarding the concept of clinical readiness; some held that clinical readiness meant being ready or prepared to handle any eventuality in the course of work, others opined that it was a state of being conversant with the policies and procedures in the clinical ward. Participants believed that clinical readiness was parallel to being competent and that midwives should always be ready to anticipate complications that might arise with the patient, endeavouring to analyse and interpret such conditions clinically. Participants expressed the need to see the simulation skill demonstrated repeatedly for thorough understanding of the technique, so that they could work independently in an obstetrical emergency situation. During simulation, participants were confident in delegating duties to team members, affirming that in order to ensure that tasks were carried out, team leaders should receive regular updates from team members.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The effectiveness of the strategic decision-making process in an automotive multinational company
- Authors: Naidoo, Kushen
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Strategic planning Decision making , Automobile industry and trade
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50055 , vital:41997
- Description: Strategic decision-making has become a crucial part of running an organisation as a result of globalisation. When large multinational companies grow over time there will need to be an emphasis on making effective strategic decisions in order to operate the multinational successfully. Currently most of the strategic decisions are made at the parent company within ABC Automotive. The aim of this study was to determine what decisions could be made by the local subsidiary instead of decisions being made at the parent company. The objective of this paper was compiled in order to investigate the effectiveness of the strategic decision-making process within an automotive multinational company by gathering relevant information through specified communication channels. This study follows a case study format of ABC Automotive based in South Africa. The study focuses on describing the decision-making process in an automotive multinational company with an emphasis on centralised and decentralised strategic decision-making processes. This is supported by defining the steering department of the automotive multinational company under the study called ABC Automotive. From the literature reviewed this study focusses on main strategic key decisions which are; financial; production; marketing; operational; employment; personnel; and research and development. The study is then concluded with recommendations made by the researcher based on the literature review and the empirical study. The recommendations include the description of which decisions ABC Automotive is able to make at the local subsidiary as opposed to decisions being made at the parent company.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Naidoo, Kushen
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Strategic planning Decision making , Automobile industry and trade
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50055 , vital:41997
- Description: Strategic decision-making has become a crucial part of running an organisation as a result of globalisation. When large multinational companies grow over time there will need to be an emphasis on making effective strategic decisions in order to operate the multinational successfully. Currently most of the strategic decisions are made at the parent company within ABC Automotive. The aim of this study was to determine what decisions could be made by the local subsidiary instead of decisions being made at the parent company. The objective of this paper was compiled in order to investigate the effectiveness of the strategic decision-making process within an automotive multinational company by gathering relevant information through specified communication channels. This study follows a case study format of ABC Automotive based in South Africa. The study focuses on describing the decision-making process in an automotive multinational company with an emphasis on centralised and decentralised strategic decision-making processes. This is supported by defining the steering department of the automotive multinational company under the study called ABC Automotive. From the literature reviewed this study focusses on main strategic key decisions which are; financial; production; marketing; operational; employment; personnel; and research and development. The study is then concluded with recommendations made by the researcher based on the literature review and the empirical study. The recommendations include the description of which decisions ABC Automotive is able to make at the local subsidiary as opposed to decisions being made at the parent company.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The effects of a lion (Panthera Leo) re-introduction on a resident cheetah (Acinonyx Jubatus) population In Mountain Zebra National Park, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Van de Vyver, Daniel
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7420 , vital:21259
- Description: The global decline of large (> 10 kg) carnivores has resulted in a variety of conservation measures being put into practice to prevent extinctions. The establishment of predator-proof fences around protected areas has been a successful tool for reducing human-predator conflict. Furthermore, the re-introduction of large carnivores into small (< 1 000 km²), enclosed reserves has aided in the conservation of many species. Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) and lions (Panthera leo) have benefitted from such re-introductions. The re-introduction of cheetahs before lions into the Mountain Zebra National Park (MZNP) in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa provided a unique opportunity to study the effects of lions on an already established cheetah population. Spatial data were downloaded remotely from GPS collared individuals (n=4) and cheetah kill data were collected using the GPS cluster method before (2012-2013) and after (2013-2014) the lion (n=3) re-introduction. The same methods were used for lion kill data collection once they had been re-introduced. In general, cheetah home range size did not change after the lion re-introduction. Cheetahs selected areas with a combination of open and closed vegetation covers, while lions selected either open or closed areas of vegetation covers. In addition, as vegetation cover became thicker, the presence of cheetahs decreased. The cheetahs preyed upon seven species before and 11 species after the lion re-introduction. Medium sized prey comprised the bulk of the cheetah diet with kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) and springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) being the preferred species both before and after the lion re-introduction. The lion diets consisted of medium to large sized prey, with the male lions selecting eland (Tragelaphus oryx) and buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and the lioness selecting red hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus). The cheetahs had no significant dietary overlap with the lions and there was only one record of kleptoparasitism. The results of my study indicate that cheetahs are able to co-exist with lions when lions are at low densities in an enclosed reserve. The cheetahs did not experience landscape-level displacement because they made fine-scale adjustments to avoid lions within their environment. This adaptability may have important management implications for future re-introductions of cheetahs into enclosed game reserves.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Van de Vyver, Daniel
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7420 , vital:21259
- Description: The global decline of large (> 10 kg) carnivores has resulted in a variety of conservation measures being put into practice to prevent extinctions. The establishment of predator-proof fences around protected areas has been a successful tool for reducing human-predator conflict. Furthermore, the re-introduction of large carnivores into small (< 1 000 km²), enclosed reserves has aided in the conservation of many species. Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) and lions (Panthera leo) have benefitted from such re-introductions. The re-introduction of cheetahs before lions into the Mountain Zebra National Park (MZNP) in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa provided a unique opportunity to study the effects of lions on an already established cheetah population. Spatial data were downloaded remotely from GPS collared individuals (n=4) and cheetah kill data were collected using the GPS cluster method before (2012-2013) and after (2013-2014) the lion (n=3) re-introduction. The same methods were used for lion kill data collection once they had been re-introduced. In general, cheetah home range size did not change after the lion re-introduction. Cheetahs selected areas with a combination of open and closed vegetation covers, while lions selected either open or closed areas of vegetation covers. In addition, as vegetation cover became thicker, the presence of cheetahs decreased. The cheetahs preyed upon seven species before and 11 species after the lion re-introduction. Medium sized prey comprised the bulk of the cheetah diet with kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) and springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) being the preferred species both before and after the lion re-introduction. The lion diets consisted of medium to large sized prey, with the male lions selecting eland (Tragelaphus oryx) and buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and the lioness selecting red hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus). The cheetahs had no significant dietary overlap with the lions and there was only one record of kleptoparasitism. The results of my study indicate that cheetahs are able to co-exist with lions when lions are at low densities in an enclosed reserve. The cheetahs did not experience landscape-level displacement because they made fine-scale adjustments to avoid lions within their environment. This adaptability may have important management implications for future re-introductions of cheetahs into enclosed game reserves.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The effects of changing western worldviews on morals and ethics in economics: a protestant perspective
- Authors: Appalraju, Nerusha
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Economics -- Moral and ethical aspects , Neoclassical school of economics , Capitalism -- Religious aspects -- Protestant churches , Feminist economics , Economics -- Religious aspects , Environmental economics -- Moral and ethical aspects , Smith, Adam, 1723-1790 , Weber, Max, 1864-1920
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/32480 , vital:24050
- Description: The World Economics Association held an online conference in 2012 where they published many papers on ethics in economics. The topic of ethics in economics became more serious and popular following the 2008 financial crisis. However the case for a professional code of ethics in economics is difficult to introduce and implement due to the multidisciplinary approach of the discipline. Therefore authors such as Dow (2012), De Martino (2012), Freeman (2012) and Earl (2012) urged economists to start thinking about ethics in economics from a pluralistic view. This thesis studied the effects of changing Western worldviews on morals and ethics in economics from a Protestant perspective. Numerous authoritative sources were considered and used to create a discussion and analysis of how diverse Western worldviews impact on the type of economics which is prescribed and practiced. It was found that different Western worldviews create various standards of understanding and evaluation, which result in varying opinions on what constitutes as morally or ethically acceptable within the discipline of economics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Appalraju, Nerusha
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Economics -- Moral and ethical aspects , Neoclassical school of economics , Capitalism -- Religious aspects -- Protestant churches , Feminist economics , Economics -- Religious aspects , Environmental economics -- Moral and ethical aspects , Smith, Adam, 1723-1790 , Weber, Max, 1864-1920
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/32480 , vital:24050
- Description: The World Economics Association held an online conference in 2012 where they published many papers on ethics in economics. The topic of ethics in economics became more serious and popular following the 2008 financial crisis. However the case for a professional code of ethics in economics is difficult to introduce and implement due to the multidisciplinary approach of the discipline. Therefore authors such as Dow (2012), De Martino (2012), Freeman (2012) and Earl (2012) urged economists to start thinking about ethics in economics from a pluralistic view. This thesis studied the effects of changing Western worldviews on morals and ethics in economics from a Protestant perspective. Numerous authoritative sources were considered and used to create a discussion and analysis of how diverse Western worldviews impact on the type of economics which is prescribed and practiced. It was found that different Western worldviews create various standards of understanding and evaluation, which result in varying opinions on what constitutes as morally or ethically acceptable within the discipline of economics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The effects of industrial labour disputes on development in South Africa
- Authors: Mgubo, Xolelwa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Labor disputes -- South Africa , Strikes and lockouts -- South Africa Industrial relations -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14014 , vital:27388
- Description: On 16 August 2012, the South African Police Service fired upon striking miners in Marikana, South Africa, resulting in the death of 34 mineworkers. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of protracted violent industrial labour disputes on socio-economic development in South Africa. The study explores the root causes of labour disputes in Marikana and considers strategies that can be employed to avoid similar violent and destabilising strikes in the mining and other industries. This research confirms that presumably the pursuit of wage increase is still the primary cause of violent strikes in the country. Furthermore, the research shows clearly that working hours, work conditions, sympathy, and demands from employees and trade unions are major causes of labour disputes. The findings also show that amongst other things participation of employees in work related issues like policy formulation can reduce prevalence of labour disputes. The study also reveals that communication between workers and employees in work places can help both parties to discuss issues before extreme measures are taken.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mgubo, Xolelwa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Labor disputes -- South Africa , Strikes and lockouts -- South Africa Industrial relations -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14014 , vital:27388
- Description: On 16 August 2012, the South African Police Service fired upon striking miners in Marikana, South Africa, resulting in the death of 34 mineworkers. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of protracted violent industrial labour disputes on socio-economic development in South Africa. The study explores the root causes of labour disputes in Marikana and considers strategies that can be employed to avoid similar violent and destabilising strikes in the mining and other industries. This research confirms that presumably the pursuit of wage increase is still the primary cause of violent strikes in the country. Furthermore, the research shows clearly that working hours, work conditions, sympathy, and demands from employees and trade unions are major causes of labour disputes. The findings also show that amongst other things participation of employees in work related issues like policy formulation can reduce prevalence of labour disputes. The study also reveals that communication between workers and employees in work places can help both parties to discuss issues before extreme measures are taken.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The effects of municipal demarcation board decisions on health care services in the Eastern Cape: a case of Alfed Nzo District Municipality
- Authors: Makali, Andile Ernest
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Health-care services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13546 , vital:39678
- Description: The study sought to assess the effects of municipal demarcation board decisions on health care services. Since the democratic elections, the South African government was faced with the task of eliminating the racially based municipal system that segregated certain groups of people in service delivery. To deal with the determination and re-determination of municipal boundaries the Municipal Demarcation Board (MBD) was established in 1998. The study used secondary data to achieve its objectives. A number of official documents and sources that were used for this study. These included government documents, municipal documents, NGO documents, private sector documents. Results showed that municipal revenue is negatively affected by demarcations. Alfred Nzo District Municipality is no exception to this. Furthermore, demarcation processes have implications for health human resources and other municipal health processes. Human resources such as nurses and doctors are sometimes shifted from one municipality to another. Other negative consequences (especially in the transition period) may result from issues related to the supply chain, long-term contracts, municipal plans and policies, financial and other systems, information and databases, asset registers and asset maintenance, and repairs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Makali, Andile Ernest
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Health-care services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13546 , vital:39678
- Description: The study sought to assess the effects of municipal demarcation board decisions on health care services. Since the democratic elections, the South African government was faced with the task of eliminating the racially based municipal system that segregated certain groups of people in service delivery. To deal with the determination and re-determination of municipal boundaries the Municipal Demarcation Board (MBD) was established in 1998. The study used secondary data to achieve its objectives. A number of official documents and sources that were used for this study. These included government documents, municipal documents, NGO documents, private sector documents. Results showed that municipal revenue is negatively affected by demarcations. Alfred Nzo District Municipality is no exception to this. Furthermore, demarcation processes have implications for health human resources and other municipal health processes. Human resources such as nurses and doctors are sometimes shifted from one municipality to another. Other negative consequences (especially in the transition period) may result from issues related to the supply chain, long-term contracts, municipal plans and policies, financial and other systems, information and databases, asset registers and asset maintenance, and repairs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The effects of the high rate of learner absenteeism in primary schools in Govan Mbeki area
- Authors: Sigwanda, Pakama Sylvia
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: School children -- South Africa -- Mpumalanga -- Social conditions Right to education -- South Africa -- Mpumalanga , Children's rights -- South Africa -- Mpumalanga
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20394 , vital:29274
- Description: Since the advent of the democratic dispensation in 1994, the government of South Africa has made significant steps in addressing issues of national concern. One of the major highlights is a Bill of Rights, as stipulated in the South African Constitution, Act 106 of 1996, which states that every child has a right to basic education. However, in spite of compulsory education, an extremely high rate of absenteeism has been noticed in many primary schools of the Eastern Cape Province in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan region. The purpose of this study was to develop a deeper understanding of the major factors that contribute to absenteeism in the Govan Mbeki area of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Region, with the ultimate aim of promoting school attendance among learners. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used to collect the data in two schools. Using purposive sampling, two schools in the Govan Mbeki area were identified. These two schools were known to have a high rate of learner absenteeism. In each of the schools – which, in this research, are referred to as school A and school B, 20 parents, 6 teachers and 20 learners (10 per school) were identified as participants. The major findings of this study show that the factors affecting school attendance are interlinked; and, they include – although they are not limited to – bullying, poverty in households, poor teacher-student relationships, a poor learning environment, and the underperformance of the learners, which, in turn, result in disinterested learners. The study recommends a joint engagement of school, homes and the Department of Education to develop mechanisms, which might help both parents and teachers to navigate potential solutions to curb the trend. Furthermore, there needs to be a concerted effort to reduce household poverty and to sensitize teachers of their responsibilities towards their learners.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Sigwanda, Pakama Sylvia
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: School children -- South Africa -- Mpumalanga -- Social conditions Right to education -- South Africa -- Mpumalanga , Children's rights -- South Africa -- Mpumalanga
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20394 , vital:29274
- Description: Since the advent of the democratic dispensation in 1994, the government of South Africa has made significant steps in addressing issues of national concern. One of the major highlights is a Bill of Rights, as stipulated in the South African Constitution, Act 106 of 1996, which states that every child has a right to basic education. However, in spite of compulsory education, an extremely high rate of absenteeism has been noticed in many primary schools of the Eastern Cape Province in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan region. The purpose of this study was to develop a deeper understanding of the major factors that contribute to absenteeism in the Govan Mbeki area of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Region, with the ultimate aim of promoting school attendance among learners. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used to collect the data in two schools. Using purposive sampling, two schools in the Govan Mbeki area were identified. These two schools were known to have a high rate of learner absenteeism. In each of the schools – which, in this research, are referred to as school A and school B, 20 parents, 6 teachers and 20 learners (10 per school) were identified as participants. The major findings of this study show that the factors affecting school attendance are interlinked; and, they include – although they are not limited to – bullying, poverty in households, poor teacher-student relationships, a poor learning environment, and the underperformance of the learners, which, in turn, result in disinterested learners. The study recommends a joint engagement of school, homes and the Department of Education to develop mechanisms, which might help both parents and teachers to navigate potential solutions to curb the trend. Furthermore, there needs to be a concerted effort to reduce household poverty and to sensitize teachers of their responsibilities towards their learners.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The effects of the type of rest breaks on return-to-task performance in semi-automated tasks with varying complexities
- Authors: Hoyi, Zandile
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Rest periods , Rest periods -- Physiological effect , Human-robot interaction , Aeronautics -- Human factors , Human engineering , Drowsiness
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/44490 , vital:25412
- Description: Automation in the aviation industry is acknowledged as a useful tool in reducing pilot workload (Hoh, Smith & Hinton, 1987; Beringer & Harris Jr., 1999). Typically, the role of the pilot (operator) shifts from active participation in a process to a task of monitoring the system with the resumption of control should the automation ‘fail’ (Byrne & Parasuraman, 1996). Unfortunately, the skills necessary to do so would likely degrade from non-use, during this process (Landry, 2012). This project investigates the “attentional demands” for the human operator during interaction with semi-automated operations of the flight. According to Dr Abbott (1996), FAA human factors specialist, one of the problems causing disharmony between crews and their automated systems is the incorrect upset recovery, owing to the human being out-of-the-loop (OOTL) from the system. Recovery, or rather return to task, is the ability of the pilot to loop back into control, once situational awareness has been decreased due to lack of alertness and a decrease in arousal. Different types of rest tasks are commonly prescribed fatigue countermeasures in the industrial setting and have been showed to elicit beneficial effects on prolonged human performance. Understanding the effects of different rest break activity and time out-of-the-loop during semi-automated flying on return to task performance has been adequately studied, thus highlighting its importance in the context of flight safety. The present study requested participants to perform a tracking task in a laboratory where they changed from activity (30 minutes) to a break (2 vs. 30 minutes) and back to the activity (20 minutes). The task varied in the complexity of the activity (pure tracking vs. tracking plus memory plus rule-based decision making), the type of break (passive rest vs. actively supervising) and the duration of the break (2 minutes vs. 30 minutes). Performance was measured as effective response time in the tracking task and number of correct responses to secondary cognitive tasks. Physiological measures included heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV- time and frequency-domain), eye blink frequency and duration. The Karolinska Sleepiness Scale was used as a subjective measure. With regards to the most appropriate rest break tasks, the study concluded that active, administrative tasks, which allowed the operator to maintain some form of situational awareness by monitoring the automated system, achieved favourable effects of being more alert than the passive rest break of being disengaged from the system. In terms of the most appropriate rest break durations, the shorter duration of being out-of-the-loop from controlling the system proved to be more advantageous than the longer out-of-the-loop duration. In looking at the workload levels of arousal, the results suggest that the higher workload level is better at maintaining the alertness of operators. This study functions as a foundational framework for future investigations around the topic of human-automation interaction, looking specifically at return-to-task performance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Hoyi, Zandile
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Rest periods , Rest periods -- Physiological effect , Human-robot interaction , Aeronautics -- Human factors , Human engineering , Drowsiness
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/44490 , vital:25412
- Description: Automation in the aviation industry is acknowledged as a useful tool in reducing pilot workload (Hoh, Smith & Hinton, 1987; Beringer & Harris Jr., 1999). Typically, the role of the pilot (operator) shifts from active participation in a process to a task of monitoring the system with the resumption of control should the automation ‘fail’ (Byrne & Parasuraman, 1996). Unfortunately, the skills necessary to do so would likely degrade from non-use, during this process (Landry, 2012). This project investigates the “attentional demands” for the human operator during interaction with semi-automated operations of the flight. According to Dr Abbott (1996), FAA human factors specialist, one of the problems causing disharmony between crews and their automated systems is the incorrect upset recovery, owing to the human being out-of-the-loop (OOTL) from the system. Recovery, or rather return to task, is the ability of the pilot to loop back into control, once situational awareness has been decreased due to lack of alertness and a decrease in arousal. Different types of rest tasks are commonly prescribed fatigue countermeasures in the industrial setting and have been showed to elicit beneficial effects on prolonged human performance. Understanding the effects of different rest break activity and time out-of-the-loop during semi-automated flying on return to task performance has been adequately studied, thus highlighting its importance in the context of flight safety. The present study requested participants to perform a tracking task in a laboratory where they changed from activity (30 minutes) to a break (2 vs. 30 minutes) and back to the activity (20 minutes). The task varied in the complexity of the activity (pure tracking vs. tracking plus memory plus rule-based decision making), the type of break (passive rest vs. actively supervising) and the duration of the break (2 minutes vs. 30 minutes). Performance was measured as effective response time in the tracking task and number of correct responses to secondary cognitive tasks. Physiological measures included heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV- time and frequency-domain), eye blink frequency and duration. The Karolinska Sleepiness Scale was used as a subjective measure. With regards to the most appropriate rest break tasks, the study concluded that active, administrative tasks, which allowed the operator to maintain some form of situational awareness by monitoring the automated system, achieved favourable effects of being more alert than the passive rest break of being disengaged from the system. In terms of the most appropriate rest break durations, the shorter duration of being out-of-the-loop from controlling the system proved to be more advantageous than the longer out-of-the-loop duration. In looking at the workload levels of arousal, the results suggest that the higher workload level is better at maintaining the alertness of operators. This study functions as a foundational framework for future investigations around the topic of human-automation interaction, looking specifically at return-to-task performance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The efficiency of budgeting for procurement of movable non-current assets in the absence of sound asset management
- Authors: Mtayisi, Nobuntu Rebecca
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Assets (Accounting) -- Management , Asset management accounts , Budget
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19651 , vital:28923
- Description: Movable non-current assets are physical and mobile assets that a municipality uses to provide services to the community directly or indirectly. Therefore, effective movable non-current asset management is necessary to ensure that these assets provide value to both the municipality and the community. This study seeks to determine whether poor asset management negatively affects capital budgeting for procurement of movable non-current assets. Mbhashe Local Municipality, a Category B municipality in the Eastern Cape Province was selected for the study. A desktop research method was utilised for this study. The analysis of secondary data includes policy documents (such as National Treasury asset management guidelines and Mbhashe budgeting policy), books, journals, internet data, newspapers and research documents in order to determine asset management guidelines and budgeting theories by noteworthy scholars. Auditor General South Africa (AGSA) and State of Local Government Finance reports were also analysed to establish the current practice and impact of the role of the municipal management in its finances as well as budget spending patterns at Mbhashe Local Municipality. The results of the study revealed that Mbhashe Local Municipality’s non-compliance with asset management and budgeting policies and procedures throughout the period of the study negatively affected their capital budgeting decisions. The consequences of instability in leadership and lack of approved movable non-current asset management policy resulted in partial asset information, incorrect recording and accounting systems for assets and unauthorised disposal of strategic movable non-current assets. Although, an approved budget policy existed at Mbhashe Local Municipality, the budgetary information was unrealistic because of negligence such as: lack of public participation, consultation and alignment of the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) with the municipality’s objectives. This resulted in habitual under-spending of capital assets compared to the capital budget throughout the period of the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mtayisi, Nobuntu Rebecca
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Assets (Accounting) -- Management , Asset management accounts , Budget
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19651 , vital:28923
- Description: Movable non-current assets are physical and mobile assets that a municipality uses to provide services to the community directly or indirectly. Therefore, effective movable non-current asset management is necessary to ensure that these assets provide value to both the municipality and the community. This study seeks to determine whether poor asset management negatively affects capital budgeting for procurement of movable non-current assets. Mbhashe Local Municipality, a Category B municipality in the Eastern Cape Province was selected for the study. A desktop research method was utilised for this study. The analysis of secondary data includes policy documents (such as National Treasury asset management guidelines and Mbhashe budgeting policy), books, journals, internet data, newspapers and research documents in order to determine asset management guidelines and budgeting theories by noteworthy scholars. Auditor General South Africa (AGSA) and State of Local Government Finance reports were also analysed to establish the current practice and impact of the role of the municipal management in its finances as well as budget spending patterns at Mbhashe Local Municipality. The results of the study revealed that Mbhashe Local Municipality’s non-compliance with asset management and budgeting policies and procedures throughout the period of the study negatively affected their capital budgeting decisions. The consequences of instability in leadership and lack of approved movable non-current asset management policy resulted in partial asset information, incorrect recording and accounting systems for assets and unauthorised disposal of strategic movable non-current assets. Although, an approved budget policy existed at Mbhashe Local Municipality, the budgetary information was unrealistic because of negligence such as: lack of public participation, consultation and alignment of the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) with the municipality’s objectives. This resulted in habitual under-spending of capital assets compared to the capital budget throughout the period of the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The efficiency of service delivery in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, wards 22 and 36
- Xotyeni, Nompumelelo Caroline
- Authors: Xotyeni, Nompumelelo Caroline
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Municipal services -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Comparative government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13425 , vital:27184
- Description: The aim of this research is to evaluate the efficiency of service delivery in specific communities, namely Wards 22 and 36, in order to assess whether residents of those communities understand the service delivery process and whether there is enough communication and relationship within the councillors and residents. It is aimed at looking at the relationship between ward councillors and the residents of the community that they are given to represent. Service delivery is something that South Africa has been battling with for years. As much as there is progress within our country, a lot still needs to be done in order to satisfy the citizens of this country. That is where the purpose of this research thus come in, it looks at what the municipality has done to assist its people in matters that are urgent, such as housing, running water and electricity, to name a few. As stated above, this research looks at the implementation, or lack thereof of the municipality, on things that they had said they would attend to in the two wards, ward 22 and ward 36.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Xotyeni, Nompumelelo Caroline
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Municipal services -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Comparative government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13425 , vital:27184
- Description: The aim of this research is to evaluate the efficiency of service delivery in specific communities, namely Wards 22 and 36, in order to assess whether residents of those communities understand the service delivery process and whether there is enough communication and relationship within the councillors and residents. It is aimed at looking at the relationship between ward councillors and the residents of the community that they are given to represent. Service delivery is something that South Africa has been battling with for years. As much as there is progress within our country, a lot still needs to be done in order to satisfy the citizens of this country. That is where the purpose of this research thus come in, it looks at what the municipality has done to assist its people in matters that are urgent, such as housing, running water and electricity, to name a few. As stated above, this research looks at the implementation, or lack thereof of the municipality, on things that they had said they would attend to in the two wards, ward 22 and ward 36.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The emergence of youth protest music and arts as alternative media in Zimbabwe: a Gramscian analysis
- Authors: Kabwato, Chris
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Protest songs -- Zimbabwe , Protest poetry -- Zimbabwe , Hip-hop -- Political aspects -- Zimbabwe , Radical theater -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/51228 , vital:26072
- Description: The primary goal of the research is to examine the reasons for the emergence of - hip-hop-based youth protest music and satirical video comedy in Zimbabwe in a context where democratic and media practice has been restricted. The study examines the strategies and platforms that the young urban-based, musicians and cultural activists employ as they contest the meta-narrative of political nationalists who control the public mass media. The study recognises culture as a site of struggle and seeks to tease out the meaning of specific art forms (‘conscious’ hip-hop music and faux-news satire) in this very specific period of Zimbabwe’s history. The study proposes that the rise of these new forms of hip-hop based protest music, poetry and satirical comedy indicate how through the production and circulation of popular culture, ordinary Africans are able to debate pertinent issues that are marginalised by the official media channels. The study thus sees these artists as organic intellectuals who use alternative media to engage with different publics as they seek to counter hegemonic discourses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The emergence of youth protest music and arts as alternative media in Zimbabwe: a Gramscian analysis
- Authors: Kabwato, Chris
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Protest songs -- Zimbabwe , Protest poetry -- Zimbabwe , Hip-hop -- Political aspects -- Zimbabwe , Radical theater -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/51228 , vital:26072
- Description: The primary goal of the research is to examine the reasons for the emergence of - hip-hop-based youth protest music and satirical video comedy in Zimbabwe in a context where democratic and media practice has been restricted. The study examines the strategies and platforms that the young urban-based, musicians and cultural activists employ as they contest the meta-narrative of political nationalists who control the public mass media. The study recognises culture as a site of struggle and seeks to tease out the meaning of specific art forms (‘conscious’ hip-hop music and faux-news satire) in this very specific period of Zimbabwe’s history. The study proposes that the rise of these new forms of hip-hop based protest music, poetry and satirical comedy indicate how through the production and circulation of popular culture, ordinary Africans are able to debate pertinent issues that are marginalised by the official media channels. The study thus sees these artists as organic intellectuals who use alternative media to engage with different publics as they seek to counter hegemonic discourses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The employment of ex-offenders in local enterprise development in Mthatha
- Authors: Mpongoma, Fumanekile
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Ex-convicts -- Employment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social responsibility of business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Small business -- South Africa -- Management Criminals -- Rehabilitation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13900 , vital:27355
- Description: Crime in South Africa is one of the serious challenges facing post- apartheid democracy. As a result, many people find themselves jailed for different crimes which impact their ability to obtain formal employment upon release from jail. Therefore, employment is considered to be a significant contributor to an ex-offender not returning to offending behaviour. It is thus proposed that society has an essential and active role to play in attempts to lower recidivism rates. The hypothesis of this research was that lack of job opportunities for ex-offenders contributes to them breaking parole conditions. Also, communities where ex-offenders come from are not well prepared to welcome them back as transformed people. This treatment of ex-offenders contributes to them reoffending. Furthermore, the brick making industry plays a crucial role in the lives of ex-offenders by giving them an opportunity to be employed after serving their sentences. Finally, employment in the brick making business brings dignity back to the lives of ex-offenders. This study used qualitative research methods to address the research questions and gather relevant data. The use of a qualitative approach was adopted as it allows a deeper exploration of the different research objectives and questions of the study. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings of this study have revealed that the brick making business in the Mthatha region, in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa, is making a big difference in the lives of ex-offenders by offering them the opportunity to gain paid employment, thus contributing to their proper reintegration in their communities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mpongoma, Fumanekile
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Ex-convicts -- Employment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Social responsibility of business -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Small business -- South Africa -- Management Criminals -- Rehabilitation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13900 , vital:27355
- Description: Crime in South Africa is one of the serious challenges facing post- apartheid democracy. As a result, many people find themselves jailed for different crimes which impact their ability to obtain formal employment upon release from jail. Therefore, employment is considered to be a significant contributor to an ex-offender not returning to offending behaviour. It is thus proposed that society has an essential and active role to play in attempts to lower recidivism rates. The hypothesis of this research was that lack of job opportunities for ex-offenders contributes to them breaking parole conditions. Also, communities where ex-offenders come from are not well prepared to welcome them back as transformed people. This treatment of ex-offenders contributes to them reoffending. Furthermore, the brick making industry plays a crucial role in the lives of ex-offenders by giving them an opportunity to be employed after serving their sentences. Finally, employment in the brick making business brings dignity back to the lives of ex-offenders. This study used qualitative research methods to address the research questions and gather relevant data. The use of a qualitative approach was adopted as it allows a deeper exploration of the different research objectives and questions of the study. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings of this study have revealed that the brick making business in the Mthatha region, in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa, is making a big difference in the lives of ex-offenders by offering them the opportunity to gain paid employment, thus contributing to their proper reintegration in their communities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017