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The impact of shiftwork on productivity

  • Authors: Njela, Clive Jonathan
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: Shift systems , Labor productivity , Shift systems -- Psychological aspects , Job satisfaction
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:8661 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1299 , Shift systems , Labor productivity , Shift systems -- Psychological aspects , Job satisfaction
  • Description: Shiftwork is common in the private sector but not exclusive from the public sector like nursing. In order to secure a continuous operation, and optimization of equipment, businesses introduced shiftwork. The author wanted to test certain hypotheses to better understand the impact of shiftwork. In this research the author first embarked on a theoretical study into shiftwork and its associated problems, which include the impact on productivity, the impact on the employer’s attitude towards the work, the impact on the family life, the impact on social life, the impact on physical health and the psychological effects. Thereafter, an empirical study was conducted to ascertain to what extend shiftwork affects productivity and the life of the employees. The data was then analysed to explain the impact of shiftwork and productivity. Lastly, recommendations were made based on the research.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

The impact of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act on the employment relationship

  • Authors: Van der Walt, Johann
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: Traffic violations -- South Africa , Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa , Administrative procedure -- South Africa , Employees -- Dismissal of -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
  • Identifier: vital:10224 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1038 , Traffic violations -- South Africa , Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa , Administrative procedure -- South Africa , Employees -- Dismissal of -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
  • Description: The focus of this dissertation is the impact that the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act 45 of 1998 (AARTO) will have on the employment relationship between employers and employees. AARTO was promulgated in order to, amongst other things; assist with the streamlining of the traffic offence administration and the collection of payable fines for traffic infringements. Very little has been written with regard to the implications of AARTO on the employment relationship. The purpose of this dissertation is to unpack the mechanics of AARTO, and further to provide the writer’s view on its impact, problems and possible solutions, of the employment relationship within the South African Labour law framework. The writer will attempt to reconcile the Labour Relations Act and AARTO insofar as it impacts on the employment relationship, more especially the termination thereof. Writer will set out the provisions of AARTO and the sections pertaining to the allocation of demerit points on an individual driver’s licence. Unfortunately for the sake of completeness the writer will deal with the majority of sections in AARTO to provide a better understanding of the mechanisms envisaged by the Act to bring about the demerit points. It is writer’s view that dealing with the allocation of demerit points in vacuum will not provide the reader with a clear understanding of the impact of AARTO on labour relations. With regards to the actual implications that AARTO will have on the employment relationship writer has taken it upon himself to provide a categorization of employees in the broad sense and thereafter to discuss the impact of AARTO on the different categories of employees. More over the writer will examine the different categories of dismissal specifically misconduct, incapacity and operational requirements as well as the impact and applicability of AARTO thereon. vi The writer will also attempt to deal with peripheral issues that arise as a spinoff or AARTO insofar as employment relationships are concerned.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

The impact on biodiversity, and integrated control, of water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes (Martius) Solms-Laubach (Pontederiaceae) on the Lake Nsezi - Nseleni River system

  • Authors: Jones, Roy William
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: Water hyacinth -- Control -- South Africa , Eichhornia crassipedes , Pontederiaceae , Aquatic plants -- South Africa -- Nsezi, Lake , Aquatic weeds -- South Africa -- Nsezi, Lake , Invasive plants -- South Africa -- Nsezi, Lake
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:5711 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005397 , Water hyacinth -- Control -- South Africa , Eichhornia crassipedes , Pontederiaceae , Aquatic plants -- South Africa -- Nsezi, Lake , Aquatic weeds -- South Africa -- Nsezi, Lake , Invasive plants -- South Africa -- Nsezi, Lake
  • Description: Water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes (Martius) Solms-Laubach (Pontederiaceae), a free floating aquatic plant was discovered by C. von Martius in 1823 in Brazil. It is believed to have been introduced into South Africa, as an ornamental plant, in 1908 to the Cape Province and Natal. Since its introduction, water hyacinth has spread throughout South Africa to the detriment of all aquatic systems that it has been introduced to directly or indirectly. The weed was first positively identified on the Nseleni and Mposa rivers on the Nseleni Nature Reserve which is a protected area near Richards Bay in KwaZulu- Natal in 1982 and formed a 100% cover of the river by 1983. An integrated management plan was implemented in 1995 and resulted in a reduction of the weed from a 100% cover to less than 20% cover in 5 years. The keys to success of the water hyacinth integrated management plan, presented here, were finding the source of the weed, mapping the extent of the water hyacinth infestation, identifying sources of nutrient pollution, appointing a champion to drive the programme, dividing the river into management units, consultation with interested and affected parties, judicious use of herbicides and biological control and a commitment to follow-up. This study further showed that water hyacinth on the Nseleni and Mposa river systems had a negative impact on the biodiversity of the protected area and the control of water hyacinth resulted in the recovery of the benthic invertebrate, amphibian, reptile, fish and avian fauna. The implementation of this integrated management plan was very cost-effective and serves as a model approach to the control of water hyacinth in both South Africa and the rest of the world.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

The implementation of project work by selected grade 10 life science teachers in Namibia

  • Authors: Angula, Alina Hambelela
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: Education -- Namibia Life sciences -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- Namibia Project method in teaching -- Namibia School improvement programs -- Namibia Teachers -- Training of -- Namibia Curriculum planning -- Namibia Educational change -- Namibia
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1567 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003449
  • Description: Prior to independence in Namibia in 1990 the education system of the day did not encourage the majority of Namibian learners to explore and investigate the wonder of the natural and physical world. The post independence education system has nurtured the study of the sciences and has emphasized participation, problem solving and independent studies. The inclusion of projects and other independent studies has been regarded as a key vehicle to develop scientific understanding and competencies related to this understanding. However, very few studies have hitherto investigated the teachers’ understanding and implementation of projects in the Namibian context. This study investigates how Grade 10 Life Science teachers understand and implement projects in selected schools in Namibia. The study focused on two teachers in two schools, a combined and a senior secondary school in the Oshikoto educational region of Namibia. The research was conducted through an interpretive case study aiming to gain a better understanding about the implementation of projects in schools. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, classroom observation and document analysis. The findings indicate that despite the focus on projects in the Life Science syllabus and broad curriculum, policy documents do not give detailed guidelines on how projects should be planned, organized and assessed. The results revealed that knowledge about projects and their implementation is primarily informed by practical activities rather than the critical enquiries or investigations required by the Life Science curriculum policy. The study also revealed that despite the in-service training received by the two teachers participating in this study on syllabus interpretation, it is apparent from the findings that project work in these in-service programmes was neglected. This has further hampered teachers’ understanding and implementation of projects. The findings of this study point to a need for project guidelines as well as in-service programmes in this area if the stated nature and role of projects in the context of Namibian education policy is to be achieved.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

The implementation of the new capital accord (BASEL II) : a comparative study of South Africa, Switzerland, Brazil and the United States

  • Authors: Makwiramiti, Anthony Munyaradzi
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: Basel II (2004) , Banks and banking, International , Banks and banking, International -- State supervision , Capital market -- Government policy , Bank capital , Banking law , Financial institutions
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: vital:983 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002717 , Basel II (2004) , Banks and banking, International , Banks and banking, International -- State supervision , Capital market -- Government policy , Bank capital , Banking law , Financial institutions
  • Description: The international banking environment has become potentially riskier because of the recent developments in financial services and products which have changed the way banks do their day to day business. Imposing minimum capital adequacy regulations is one way of fostering stability in the global banking system. A number of countries have started to implement the new capital adequacy rules (Basel II) following the worldwide consensus among central bankers that bank‟s capital levels should be regulated to enhance global financial stability. In this study, through the comparative analysis of the general implementation issues it was established that emerging countries apply all Basel II rules uniformly across all the banking institutions that operate in their territories. Developed countries apply these rules only to large and internationally active banks and because of the diversity of their banking industries, they also apply domestically modified rules to the domestically based banks. For the successful implementation of Basel II, properly planning, devoting bank resources and making necessary legislative amendments are prerequisites for incorporating Basel II into the regulatory framework for any country. The study concludes that the current global financial turmoil continues to pose a threat to the effectiveness of the Basel II rules which are aimed at achieving global financial stability.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

The influence of cellular phone "speak" on isiXhosa rules of communication

  • Authors: Kaschula, Russell H , Mostert, André M
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: Cell phones -- South Africa , Communication and culture -- Technological innovations , Language and culture -- South Africa , Xhosa (African people) -- Social life and customs
  • Language: English
  • Type: article , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59401 , vital:27594 , doi: 10.5842/37-0-43
  • Description: Cellular telephones have revolutionised the art of communication across all societies, and South Africa is no exception. Access to this form of communication has made personal contact easier, in both rural and urban contexts. Globally this form of communication has been readily embraced. However, cultural rules that pertain to face-to-face communication are often flouted by cellular phone users. This flouting holds true no doubt across many cultures, languages and contexts. Bloomer (2005:97-100) assesses this flouting of cultural maxims in relation to Grice's cooperative principle. This article attempts to assess how general rules of politeness in isiXhosa have been and are being transformed by what could be termed the "economics of speaking".
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  • Date Issued: 2009

The influence of feminist communication in creating social transformation : an analysis of the films Moolaadé (Ousmane Sembène) and Water (Deepa Mehta)

  • Authors: Rubaba, Protas Pius
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: Feminism and motion pictures , Motion pictures and women
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:8397 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/888 , Feminism and motion pictures , Motion pictures and women
  • Description: In many societies in developing countries, women are not given a chance to communicate their issues. The organisation within these societies places men at the top, giving them the opportunity to make all the important decisions. This situation is reflected in the two films which fall under this study, namely, Water and Moolaadé both of which are fictional representations of the oppression of women. In this study, an attempt is made to explain communication struggles in the two films: Water, reflecting Indian society and Moolaadé, reflecting African society. To understand the outcome of these struggles against patriarchy, the study looks at two types of feminism: Indian feminism and African feminism and attempts to find the sense that characters in the film can be understood. The analysis also looks at what the women, who act as feminists in the films have achieved out of their struggles to break the silence and how their voices have influenced or sensitised the silenced majority of women in their societies. Feminist communication theories have been used to analyse the female voice in the films. In the conclusion, I have argued that in both films women have managed to transform their respective societies. However more potential to social transformation are revealed by women depicted in Moolaadé than in Water, where there is very slow pace of change.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

The influence of selected elements of service quality provided by Chinese fine-dining restaurants in Port Elizabeth

  • Authors: Zhao, Feng
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: Hospitality industry -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Quality control , Restaurants -- Customer services -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
  • Identifier: vital:9339 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1088 , Hospitality industry -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Quality control , Restaurants -- Customer services -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
  • Description: A good understanding of customer expectations is very important to service providers. Since the Chinese first came to South Africa and started their restaurant businesses. Chinese fine-dining restaurants have become more and more popular. Identifying the customer expectations and Chinese fine-dining restaurant owner perceptions will help Chinese service providers to understand better the restaurant businesses. To ensure the development of the Chinese restaurant business in South Africa, it is very important to understand what South African customers want, whether there are differences between the Chinese restaurant owner perceptions of the service quality and South African customer expectations of the service quality. This would depend on the customers’ preferences, and provide a positive contribution to customer decision-making. Therefore, it is essential to understand and identify what is customer expectations are, what the management perceptions are and the differences between them. 5 In order to achieve the objectives of the research, the following approach was followed: Factors that influence the customer expectations and management perceptions are explained. Five factors used to measure the service quality of Chinese fine-dining restaurants are identified, namely reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy, tangibility. The responses to the questionnaire were collected and analysed to determine the extent to which factors are both important to customer expectations and management perceptions.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

The influence of the electricity distribution restructuring on the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality

  • Authors: Bukula, Mvuleni Joseph
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: Electric power distribution -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Electric power distribution -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Electric power distribution -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:8715 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/928 , Electric power distribution -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Electric power distribution -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Electric power distribution -- South Africa
  • Description: The objective of this research is to assess the impact to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality due to ongoing Electricity Distribution Industry Restructuring in South Africa as directed by the Electricity Distribution Industry Holdings on behalf of the Department of Minerals and Energy’s adopted Electricity Distribution Blue Print Report of 2001. Literature review of scholarly literature was conducted on privatisation of public utilities that offered an international perspective on experiences of other countries that has undergone similar experiences of restructuring of public assets, the state of Electricity Supply Industry in South Africa with the demonstration of structural financial and physical flows and historical background of the restructuring, proposed future model and strategic plans to achieve the future goals. Research methodology and design was done through combination of the four-research types classification in their order of sophistication except the predictive research, namely exploratory, descriptive, and analytical or explanatory researches with a further inclusion of deductive research. The compilation of data through questionnaires was also employed. Perceptions on internal impact to the NMBM due to electricity services restructuring were solicited from the sample of the top management of the NMBM, the intention was to ensure the economies of scale, greater transparency and competition in terms of service delivery were sustained during and beyond Regional Electricity Distributor establishment. Financial position of NMBM as a critical instrument for its progress has to be protected to ensure it fulfils its constitutional development mandate. The findings of the research were in strong support of ensuring operational financial viability; to meet the legitimate employment, economic and social interest of all employees; development and implementation of change management strategies; and NMBM assuming leading role in the process.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

The integration of GIS technology into demographic and quality of life surveying of informal settlements : Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa

  • Authors: Van Niekerk, Susan
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: Demographic surveys -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Geographic information systems -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Quality of life Statistics
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:10659 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/881 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012888 , Demographic surveys -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Geographic information systems -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Quality of life Statistics
  • Description: A number of mostly informal areas in Nelson Mandela Bay have experienced rapid expansion over the past decade or so. Census data available for these areas is outdated and does not provide enough information for local authorities to accurately plan for tasks such as service delivery management and resource allocation. In this dissertation, a GIS based demographic and Quality of Life study of informal settlements and previously disadvantaged areas within Nelson Mandela Bay is undertaken to address this issue. The study aims to integrate GIS technology into a demographic and Quality of Life survey to significantly improve the collection, analysis, interpretation, display and management of survey data and to provide the accurate and necessary updates required between census collections. Data relating to informal settlements were captured from aerial photographs and satellite imagery and demographic and Quality of Life data were collected from field surveys. The results demonstrated that the use of GIS technology provided more accurate information for demographic variables, including the number of dwellings, dwelling type, size of the population and population dynamics. A specific demographic trend observed through spatial analysis included the identification of backyard shacks predating formal structures in settlements. The analysis and representation of the Quality of Life field survey data in GIS demonstrated how residents' perceptions of problems and issues in their neighbourhoods are better interpreted, understood and managed when analyzed within a spatial context. This research concluded that GIS based demographic and QOL studies are vital for providing accurate social and spatial information for municipalities, particularly in urban environments of developing countries, and for providing the necessary updates to censuses occurring every ten years.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

The invasion of pteronia incana (blue bush) along a range of gradients in the Eastern Cape Province : it's spectral chacteristics and implications for soil moisture

  • Authors: Odindi, John Odhiambo
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: Invasive plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Alien plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil moisture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: vital:10650 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1052 , Invasive plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Alien plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil moisture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Description: Extensive areas of the Eastern Cape Province have been invaded by Pteronia incana (Blue bush), a non-palatable patchy invader shrub that is associated with soil degradation. This study sought to establish the relationship between the invasion and a range of eco-physical and land use gradients. The impact of the invader on soil moisture flux was investigated by comparing soil moisture variations under grass, bare and P. incana invaded surfaces. Field based and laboratory spectroscopy was used to validate P. incana spectral characteristics identified from multi-temporal High Resolution Imagery (HRI). A belt transect was surveyed to gain an understanding of the occurrence of the invasion across land use, isohyetic, geologic, vegetation, pedologic and altitudinal gradients. Soil moisture sensors were calibrated and installed under the respective surfaces in order to determine soil moisture trends over a period of six months. To classify the surfaces using HRI, the pixel and sub-pixel based Perpendicular Vegetation Index (PVI) and Spectral Mixture Analysis (SMA) respectively were used. There was no clear trend established between the underlying geology and P. incana invasion. Land disturbance in general was strongly associated with the invasion, as the endemic zone for the invasion mainly comprised abandoned cultivated and overgrazed land. Isohyetic gradients emerged as the major limiting factor of the invasion; a distinct zone below 619mm of mean annual rainfall was identified as the apparent boundary for the invasion. Low organic matter content identified under invaded areas was attributed to the patchy nature of the invader, leading to loss of the top soil in the bare inter-patch areas. The area covered by grass had consistently higher moisture values than P. incana and bare surfaces. The difference in post-rainfall moisture retention between grass and P. incana surfaces was significant up to about six days, after which a near parallel trend was noticed towards the ensuing rainfall episode. Whereas a higher amount of moisture was recorded on grass, the surface experienced moisture loss faster than the invaded and bare surfaces after each rainfall episode. ii There was consistency in multi-temporal Digital Number (DN) values for the surfaces investigated. The typically low P. incana reflectance in the Near Infrared band, identified from the multi-temporal HRI was validated by field and laboratory spectroscopy. The PVI showed clear spectral separability between all the land surfaces in the respective multi-temporal HRI. The consistence of the PVI with the unmixed surface image fractions from the SMA illustrates that using HRI, the effectiveness of the PVI is not impeded by the mixed pixel problem. Results of the laboratory spectroscopy that validated HRI analyses showed that P. incana’s typically low reflectance is a function of its leaf canopy, as higher proportions of leaves gave a higher reflectance. Future research directions could focus on comparisons between P. incana and typical green vegetation internal leaf structures as potential causes of spectral differences. Collection of spectra for P incana and other invader vegetation types, some of which have similar characteristics, with a view to assembling a spectral library for delineating invaded environments using imagery, is another research direction.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

The investigation of novel marine microorganisms for the production of biologically active metabolites

  • Authors: Sunkel, Vanessa Ann
  • Date: 2009 , 2013-07-15
  • Subjects: Antibiotics , Drugs -- Research , Metabolites , Marine biotechnology , Marine metabolites -- Therapeutic use , Microorganisms -- Effect of drugs on , Penicillium
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:3812 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004579 , Antibiotics , Drugs -- Research , Metabolites , Marine biotechnology , Marine metabolites -- Therapeutic use , Microorganisms -- Effect of drugs on , Penicillium
  • Description: New drugs, particularly antibiotics, are urgently required to combat the increasing problem of antibiotic resistant human pathogens. Due to the scarcity of products available today, the pharmaceutical industry is now under pressure to reassess compounds derived from plants, soil and marine organisms. Pharmaceutical companies are showing renewed interest in marine biotechnology as the oceans represent a rich source of both biological and chemical diversity of novel molecular structures with anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties. Formerly unexplored locations, such as deep ocean sediments, show great potential as a source of genetically novel microorganisms producing structurally unique secondary metabolites. In this research, a metabolite producing marine Pseudoalteromonas strain, known as AP5, was initially used to develop methods for the detection, optimisation of production and extraction of bioactive metabolites from other potentially novel marine isolates. Two hundred and seventy six (276) marine isolates from water and sediment samples from the Antarctic Ocean and Marion Island were isolated. Ten visually different isolates were screened for bioactivity against Gram-positive and -negative bacteria, fungi and yeast. Three out of the 10 isolates, WL61 , WL 114 and WL 136, appeared to be novel Streptomyces spp. showing activity against different test organisms. Many of these marine microorganisms are difficult to culture in the laboratory, particularly when they are cultivated continuously in shake flasks as they can stop producing bioactive compounds. The cultivation of marine isolates in bioreactors may be a more beneficial process for the optimisation of metabolite production compared to conventional liquid fermentation techniques whereby the solid-liquid-air interface of membrane bioreactors can imitate the natural environment of microbes. The membrane bioreactor system is a stable growth environment with low shear that supports steady-state biofilm growth consisting of a high cell density due to a high mass transfer of nutrients and oxygen to the cells. This approach was employed and isolates WL61, WL114 and WL136 were immobilised onto ceramic membranes using Quorus single fibre bioreactors (SFR). The SFRs were used to establish the most suitable growth medium for continuous secondary metabolite production. The best growth conditions were applied to the Quorus multifibre bioreactor (MFR) for scale up of biologically active metabolites, highlighting the potential of bioreactor technology for use in bioprospecting for isolating and screening novel and known organisms for new and interesting natural products. Furthermore, the Quorus MFR was shown to be suitable for the production of high yields of antimicrobial metabolites and is an efficient new fermentation production system. Purification by HPLC fractionation was used to characterise four major compounds from isolate WL 114 extracts. NMR structure elucidation identified one of the two primary compounds as Bisphenol A. The complete chemical structure for the second potent bioactive compound could not be determined due to the low concentration and volume of material. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
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  • Date Issued: 2009

The ISO/IEC 27002 and ISO/IEC 27799 information security management standards : a comparative analysis from a healthcare perspective

  • Authors: Ngqondi, Tembisa Grace
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: Computer security , Computer networks -- Security measures -- Standards , Data protection -- Management -- Standards
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
  • Identifier: vital:9765 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1066 , Computer security , Computer networks -- Security measures -- Standards , Data protection -- Management -- Standards
  • Description: Technological shift has become significant and an area of concern in the health sector with regard to securing health information assets. Health information systems hosting personal health information expose these information assets to ever-evolving threats. This information includes aspects of an extremely sensitive nature, for example, a particular patient may have a history of drug abuse, which would be reflected in the patient’s medical record. The private nature of patient information places a higher demand on the need to ensure privacy. Ensuring that the security and privacy of health information remain intact is therefore vital in the healthcare environment. In order to protect information appropriately and effectively, good information security management practices should be followed. To this end, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) published a code of practice for information security management, namely the ISO 27002 (2005). This standard is widely used in industry but is a generic standard aimed at all industries. Therefore it does not consider the unique security needs of a particular environment. Because of the unique nature of personal health information and its security and privacy requirements, the need to introduce a healthcare sector-specific standard for information security management was identified. The ISO 27799 was therefore published as an industry-specific variant of the ISO 27002 which is geared towards addressing security requirements in health informatics. It serves as an implementation guide for the ISO 27002 when implemented in the health sector. The publication of the ISO 27799 is considered as a positive development in the quest to improve health information security. However, the question arises whether the ISO 27799 addresses the security needs of the healthcare domain sufficiently. The extensive use of the ISO 27002 implies that many proponents of this standard (in healthcare), now have to ensure that they meet the (assumed) increased requirements of the ISO 27799. The purpose of this research is therefore to conduct a comprehensive comparison of the ISO 27002 and ISO 27799 standards to determine whether the ISO 27799 serves the specific needs of the health sector from an information security management point of view.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

The kinetics and associated reactions of ruthenium(VIII)

  • Authors: Van Aswegen, Werner
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: Ruthenium , Ruthenium compounds , Alcohols
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:10392 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1130 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008611 , Ruthenium , Ruthenium compounds , Alcohols
  • Description: This study investigated the reduction reaction of ruthenium tetroxide by various aliphatic alcohols in acidic medium. UV-Vis spectroscopy still plays an essential role in the analysis and study of volatile ruthenium tetroxide and was used in this study to collect kinetic data. This data was analyzed using graphical and computational methods, such as Mauser diagrams and kinetic simulation software. From the results obtained it is proposed that the reaction occurs by the following two-step reaction model: Ru(VIII) k1 Ru(VI) Ru(VI) k2 k-2 Ru(III) Molar extinction coefficients and conditional rate constants were calculated using kinetic simulating software and a hydride transfer mechanism was proposed. The temperature dependence of this reduction reaction was also investigated and thermodynamic parameters calculated. Ruthenium concentrations were determined using a method employing UV-Vis spectroscopy. The method proved to be a reliable, sensitive and simple technique.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

The KwaZulu-Natal Slums Act: bloody legislation against the expropriated

  • Authors: Pithouse, Richard, 1970-
  • Date: 2009
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: vital:6201 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008568
  • Description: [From introduction]: On 14 May 2009 the Constitutional Court will hear the attempt by the shack dweller’s movement Abahlali baseMjondolo to have the KwaZulu-Natal Slums Act declared unlawful. Other provinces have been mandated to develop similar legislation and the decision of the court may have a significant impact on the future of our cities.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

The link between economic development programmes (RDP & GEAR) and poverty reduction : (Airport Valley as an illustrative case)

  • Authors: Bayti, Thelma Thokozile
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: Economic assistance, Domestic -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Poverty -- Social aspects -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
  • Identifier: vital:8225 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/921 , Economic assistance, Domestic -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Poverty -- Social aspects -- South Africa
  • Description: The key debates after apartheid have been on the successes and shortcomings of the social and economic policies that were adopted after apartheid. The ANC government decided to approach poverty reduction by closing the inequality gap between racial groups in the country. It planned to provide services that would improve the poor people’s lives and also create employment to sustain development. To provide the necessary services, the government formulated two broad, but linked macroeconomic policies namely: the RDP and GEAR which focused on the demand and supply side respectively (Venter and Landsberg (2006). This indicated the importance with which the people’s welfare and growth were regarded by the South African government. It indicated that the government believed in pro-poor growth. The purpose of this study was to gain better and deeper understanding about poverty reduction since the 1994 political transition, from the poor people of Airport Valley (in the Nelson Mandela Metropolital Municipality), who experience poverty from the real world. The study attempted to find out from these people if there was improvement in their lives since democratisation. This qualitative and quantitative study used three methods of collecting data namely: a questionnaire, interviews and observation. The results of the study suggest that there has been lack of commitment by RDP and GEAR, as the conditions under which the people live and therefore their standard of living have not improved. The study recommends that the government should speed up the process of service delivery at Airport Valley and also include the people in decision making about the future of Airport Valley.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

The management of physical resources by principals in the rural secondary schools of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

  • Authors: Gumbi, Daphne
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: School facilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School buildings -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural schools -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DEd
  • Identifier: vital:9447 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/911 , School facilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School buildings -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural schools -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Description: This research study examined whether the physical resources in rural secondary schools are adequate and are managed properly by the school principals, for quality education to be achieved in the Eastern Cape Province. The dramatic changes in South Africa recognized that the future depends on an education system which develops the full potential of all learners. Although the Constitution of South Africa is advocating for equal education for all, there are disparities which are evident in the quality of the infrastructure, especially in remote rural areas where the fundamental requirements for effective education are lacking such as, water, electricity, sanitation and basic educational equipment. This shows that, although policy and legislative frameworks for transforming the education system have been put in place, managing the change is still a key challenge especially that of physical resources. Management of physical resources illustrates the problems facing principals by pointing to the lack of basic facilities in many rural secondary schools. In terms of the provision and management, many challenges remain, like most schools do not have adequate physical facilities. School buildings such as classrooms are inadequate or unsafe with no toilets, libraries, laboratories and many learners and teachers do not have learner teaching support materials (LTSMs). On the other hand, in terms of the Constitution, the Department of Education is responsible for bringing redress, equality and to upholding the Constitutional values such as shared decision-making, transparency, shared accountability and empowerment for equal partnership with other stakeholders. The physical resource management is one of the major responsibilities of principals. Their leadership is largely about ensuring that a clear and shared sense of direction is developed for both leadership and management. The school viii system meant that schools have moved nearer to the communities they serve and this has led to schools being more accountable to their communities. This study further investigated whether there is a significant correlation between the management of physical resources and quality education as well as the eradication of poverty in the rural secondary schools of the ECP. The proper execution of the management tasks of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling (POLC) by the principals have contributed extensively to the success of the schools. Therefore, this will mean that the act of managing physical resources through POLC and the process of working with or through SGBs, teachers, parents, learners, EDOs and the community at large to achieve set goals of education of relevance, excellence and quality education by effectively and efficiently using the physical resources in a school climate and environment that is collegial. The study showed that there is a link between management tasks (POLC) and collegial style of leadership in the school. The literature reviewed supported the view that the invitational style of leadership and collegiality increase the potential of a school to manage its physical resources economically, efficiently and effectively, particularly in a climate where the resource handlers take ownership of the school especially in remote rural settings. The 255 out of 300 subjects (85%) chosen to participate in this study were selected on the basis of their accessibility. Convenience sampling was used to conduct the study as this ensured that the population represented stakeholders that manage physical resources at schools, such as deputy principals, head of departments and teachers. Questionnaires were distributed, completed and collected personally. The questionnaires were analyzed and gaps such as the effects of lack of physical resources and how the learners’ profile were affected were reinforced by individual and group interviews that were semi-structured as ix well as participant observations from principals at O.R Tambo, Chris Hani and Amathole District Municipalities were conducted. It was deduced from the statistical data presented that there is a significant correlation between the principals’ management tasks and the quality of education. This shows that the more the principals blend properly planning, organizing, leading and control management tasks the more the physical resources will be managed better, that is, effectively, efficiently, economically and transparently and the less the bringing together of management tasks the less the meaningful management of physical resources will be. The study supported the hypothesis that a combination of management tasks performed by the principals positively influences the proper management of physical resources in rural secondary schools of ECP. The study rejects both null hypotheses that there is no significant correlation between planning, organising, leading and controlling as leadership functions of PRs and the quality of education in rural secondary schools of ECP as well as, that principals of rural secondary schools are not expected to possess adequate leadership knowledge and skills to effectively manage available PRs in their rural secondary schools. This study affirms the view that adequate physical resources are crucial as well as the appropriate management skills of principals for high quality education to be achieved in rural secondary schools. Without adequate physical resources, proper handling of the limited physical resources and the possession of management skills by principals, rural schools are less likely to succeed in their efforts to improve education.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

The novel as cultural and historical archive: an examination of Marlene van Niekerk's Agaat (2006)

  • Authors: Carvalho, Alyssa May
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: Van Niekerk, Marlene , South Africa Fiction , Afrikaans fiction -- 21st century
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:8454 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1224 , Van Niekerk, Marlene , South Africa Fiction , Afrikaans fiction -- 21st century
  • Description: This research engages with a contemporary theoretical debate in the literary field, namely the ability of fictional texts to contribute to archival records. Contemporary research in archival discourse suggests that there are many intersections between fiction and the archive. Using Hamilton and others’ seminal text Refiguring the Archive (2002) and Pasco’s “Literature as Historical Archive” (2004) as point of departure, this dissertation offers an analysis of the South African English translation of Marlene van Niekerk’s Agaat (2004, translated 2006). In both form and function, the novel is viewed as a simulation of an archive. In Agaat, Van Niekerk has compiled a fictional archive of two indigenous South African cultures through her portrayal of the two main characters: Afrikaner culture during apartheid as embedded in the focalization of Milla de Wet and remnants of Khoi and/or San culture as emerge from the fictionalised subjectivity of her coloured housekeeper-nurse, Agaat. Through a conceptual and theoretical exploration of archival discourse, I argue that literary texts, such as Van Niekerk’s novel, have the potential to refigure (or creatively redefine) the archive and to enhance its scope and relevance, especially as South Africa undergoes transformation.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

The occupational stressors perceived by nurses working in wellness clinics in Nelson Mandela Bay

  • Authors: Saleni, Nosicelo Betty
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: Nurses-- Job stress -- South Africa , AIDS (Disease) -- Nursing -- Psychological aspects , Nurses -- Mental health
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:10049 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1016156
  • Description: The literature has indicated that nurses perceive more occupational stressors than do other professional groups. HIV is a new stressor which has impacted on society, in particular on people caring for HIV/AIDS patients. The availability of antiretroviral treatment (ART) which is accessible at wellness clinics has improved the quality of life of people with HIV and greatly prolonged the lives of many infected people. Wellness clinics are out-patient clinics where HIV positive patients receive their ART. This study has explored and described the occupational stressors perceived by nurses working in wellness clinics in Nelson Mandela Bay. The study was conducted using a qualitative research approach. Convenience sampling was used consisting of voluntary registered female nurses. The data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed using Tech’s method. The nurses who participated in this study reported their perceptions of occupational stressors in wellness clinics where they worked. The occupational stressors perceived by the nurses included the working environment, interpersonal relationships and the organizational structure. However, they also reported that they experienced satisfaction from their jobs despite the perceived stressors.
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  • Date Issued: 2009

The performance profile of children from a low socio-economic status on the Griffiths Mental Development Scales-Extended Revised

  • Authors: Kheswa, Thembi Lucia
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: Psychological tests for children -- South Africa , Child development -- Testing
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:9900 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1072 , Psychological tests for children -- South Africa , Child development -- Testing
  • Description: This study, focused on child mental development, has aimed to contribute and provide valuable information to a larger research project that is currently under way to create a set of norms for a South African population on the GMDS-ER. The primary aim of the study was to explore and describe the developmental profile of children from a low socio-economic status, aged between 3 and 8 years 4 months old, on the Griffiths Mental Development Scales- Extended Revised (GMDS-ER). The purpose of the study was to generate information on low socio-economic status and child mental development. A quantitative, exploratory-descriptive research design was employed. The participants were selected through a non-probability, purposive sampling procedure. Information was collated using clinical observations, biographical data, as well as the results of an assessment on the Griffiths Mental Development Scales Extended-Revised. The data were analysed using descriptive statistical tables[PJS1].
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  • Date Issued: 2009
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