Analysis of community-based coping and adaptation strategies to climate variability and change for sustainable rural livelihoods : a case study of Kaunda Village in T/A Simlemba, Kasungu District, Malawi
- Authors: Paul, John Mussa
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Climatic changes -- Economic aspects -- Malawi , Community-based conservation -- Malawi , Sustainable agriculture -- Malawi
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9104 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012322 , Climatic changes -- Economic aspects -- Malawi , Community-based conservation -- Malawi , Sustainable agriculture -- Malawi
- Description: Rural communities in Malawi are experiencing adverse climatic hazards which are attributed to climate variability and change. The frequent events being experienced include floods, dry spells and seasonal droughts. Rural livelihoods are severely affected because of their sensitivity to these phenomena. The research has analyzed community-based coping and adaptation strategies for sustainable livelihoods among the rural poor in Kaunda village, T/A Simlemba in Kasungu district, Malawi. The research data was collected from groups of male and female participants which also included a group of traditional leaders living in the area. The study used Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) methods such as Focus Group Discussions using the associated tools of resource mapping, transect walks, timelines and livelihood ranking to collect the data. The research findings have revealed that the major climate events experienced in Kaunda village are seasonal droughts and dry spells which have significantly impacted agriculture as a major livelihood activity in Malawi. The study has also revealed the community-based coping and adaptation strategies employed by the people. Recommendations made in this study have highlighted the need to support vulnerable rural communities with resilient and secure livelihoods.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Paul, John Mussa
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Climatic changes -- Economic aspects -- Malawi , Community-based conservation -- Malawi , Sustainable agriculture -- Malawi
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9104 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012322 , Climatic changes -- Economic aspects -- Malawi , Community-based conservation -- Malawi , Sustainable agriculture -- Malawi
- Description: Rural communities in Malawi are experiencing adverse climatic hazards which are attributed to climate variability and change. The frequent events being experienced include floods, dry spells and seasonal droughts. Rural livelihoods are severely affected because of their sensitivity to these phenomena. The research has analyzed community-based coping and adaptation strategies for sustainable livelihoods among the rural poor in Kaunda village, T/A Simlemba in Kasungu district, Malawi. The research data was collected from groups of male and female participants which also included a group of traditional leaders living in the area. The study used Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) methods such as Focus Group Discussions using the associated tools of resource mapping, transect walks, timelines and livelihood ranking to collect the data. The research findings have revealed that the major climate events experienced in Kaunda village are seasonal droughts and dry spells which have significantly impacted agriculture as a major livelihood activity in Malawi. The study has also revealed the community-based coping and adaptation strategies employed by the people. Recommendations made in this study have highlighted the need to support vulnerable rural communities with resilient and secure livelihoods.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Analysis of food value chains in smallholder crop and livestock enterprises in Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Muchara, Binganidzo
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Agricultural industries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Stochastic processes , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Livestock -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11158 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1000983 , Agricultural industries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Stochastic processes , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Livestock -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The study was conducted in Mbozi and Ciko villages in Mbhashe Local Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Two irrigation projects in the area were studied. Consumers and agricultural commodity traders in Willowvale Town, Dutywa, Butterworth and East London were also interviewed. The major objective of the study is to profile and map cabbage, maize and cattle food value chains broadly, and to understand their nature, constraints and opportunities in smallholder agriculture. A multi-stage random sampling procedure was used in which the first stage involved selecting the local government areas. This was followed by the selection of the district and then the respondents. A total of 168 participants were sampled in the proportion of 82 smallholder farmers, 41 consumers, 26 hawkers and 20 agricultural commodity traders. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were also used during the data collection process. Value Chain mapping was done using the commodity based approach. All value chains under study indicated that they are short and commodities were transacted in unprocessed form. As cabbages and maize move from the farm to retail outlets, value addition start to take place through transportation to the market and processing in supermarkets. The cattle value chain however does not have a forward linkage beyond the two administrative boundaries of the two communities. Less than 3% of the farmers traded livestock, and this was mostly through private sales to neighbours. The farmers‘ major goal in agricultural production is assumed to be an important aspect in lengthening the value chain. As such, results of a Pearson‘s correlation exercise indicated that there is a significant relationship at 0.05% level between goals of the farmers and the village of origin. Some factors that showed significance (p=0.05) in influencing farmers‘ goals are membership of an irrigation project and household sources of income. An analysis of determinants of technical efficiency at farm level was performed using the stochastic frontier model for cabbage, maize and cattle enterprises. The results showed that rainfall adequacy, input costs, market channels and quantity sold are important determinants of cabbage production efficiency. On the other hand, maize production efficiency is positively determined by market price, area under production and rainfall adequacy. Market related variables are major drivers of the cattle value chain efficiency and these include cattle prices, market satisfaction, market channel and farm labour.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Muchara, Binganidzo
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Agricultural industries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Stochastic processes , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Livestock -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11158 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1000983 , Agricultural industries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Stochastic processes , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Livestock -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Crops -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The study was conducted in Mbozi and Ciko villages in Mbhashe Local Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Two irrigation projects in the area were studied. Consumers and agricultural commodity traders in Willowvale Town, Dutywa, Butterworth and East London were also interviewed. The major objective of the study is to profile and map cabbage, maize and cattle food value chains broadly, and to understand their nature, constraints and opportunities in smallholder agriculture. A multi-stage random sampling procedure was used in which the first stage involved selecting the local government areas. This was followed by the selection of the district and then the respondents. A total of 168 participants were sampled in the proportion of 82 smallholder farmers, 41 consumers, 26 hawkers and 20 agricultural commodity traders. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were also used during the data collection process. Value Chain mapping was done using the commodity based approach. All value chains under study indicated that they are short and commodities were transacted in unprocessed form. As cabbages and maize move from the farm to retail outlets, value addition start to take place through transportation to the market and processing in supermarkets. The cattle value chain however does not have a forward linkage beyond the two administrative boundaries of the two communities. Less than 3% of the farmers traded livestock, and this was mostly through private sales to neighbours. The farmers‘ major goal in agricultural production is assumed to be an important aspect in lengthening the value chain. As such, results of a Pearson‘s correlation exercise indicated that there is a significant relationship at 0.05% level between goals of the farmers and the village of origin. Some factors that showed significance (p=0.05) in influencing farmers‘ goals are membership of an irrigation project and household sources of income. An analysis of determinants of technical efficiency at farm level was performed using the stochastic frontier model for cabbage, maize and cattle enterprises. The results showed that rainfall adequacy, input costs, market channels and quantity sold are important determinants of cabbage production efficiency. On the other hand, maize production efficiency is positively determined by market price, area under production and rainfall adequacy. Market related variables are major drivers of the cattle value chain efficiency and these include cattle prices, market satisfaction, market channel and farm labour.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Analysis of the factors influencing job performance in the ICT sector in South Africa
- Authors: Lascot, Paul Michael John
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Job satisfaction , Career development , Employees -- Training of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8703 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1009530 , Job satisfaction , Career development , Employees -- Training of
- Description: To achieve efficacy in the work place, employees need to perform at optimal levels. Researching and implementing strategies to improve job performance are fundamentally important to the development of the information and communication technology (ICT) sector in South Africa. However, scant research had been performed in this area. This study sought to present exploratory research in this emergent, rapidly expanding sector of the South African economy. Its primary aim was to investigate which affective factors exhibited an influence on job performance of workers in this sector. Mixed methods research was employed to analyse factors contributing to the five independent variables of demographics, skills and education, job satisfaction, motivation and experience, by investigating their influence on the dependent variable of job performance. The five independent variables were presented within a proposed conceptual framework of related and grouped affective factors. An online survey was constructed to collect data and perceptions from individuals currently employed in any capacity, in the ICT sector in South Africa. Ninety-nine suitable responses were received. The simple statistical technique of chi-square testing for independence was used to test the hypothesised relationships between the above-mentioned independent variables and the dependent variable of job performance. The empirical results revealed that many of the affective factors influencing the job performance of employees in the ICT sector in South Africa, are those that contribute to job satisfaction and motivation. These include aspects such as fair remuneration; transparent and clear organisational communication; managerial support and guidance; access to educational and career opportunities; and pleasant workplaces. In view of these findings, the study concluded that organisations that wish to improve their employees’ job performance, or attract and retain high-performing individuals, should formulate and implement policies and strategies that take into account these significant factors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Lascot, Paul Michael John
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Job satisfaction , Career development , Employees -- Training of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8703 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1009530 , Job satisfaction , Career development , Employees -- Training of
- Description: To achieve efficacy in the work place, employees need to perform at optimal levels. Researching and implementing strategies to improve job performance are fundamentally important to the development of the information and communication technology (ICT) sector in South Africa. However, scant research had been performed in this area. This study sought to present exploratory research in this emergent, rapidly expanding sector of the South African economy. Its primary aim was to investigate which affective factors exhibited an influence on job performance of workers in this sector. Mixed methods research was employed to analyse factors contributing to the five independent variables of demographics, skills and education, job satisfaction, motivation and experience, by investigating their influence on the dependent variable of job performance. The five independent variables were presented within a proposed conceptual framework of related and grouped affective factors. An online survey was constructed to collect data and perceptions from individuals currently employed in any capacity, in the ICT sector in South Africa. Ninety-nine suitable responses were received. The simple statistical technique of chi-square testing for independence was used to test the hypothesised relationships between the above-mentioned independent variables and the dependent variable of job performance. The empirical results revealed that many of the affective factors influencing the job performance of employees in the ICT sector in South Africa, are those that contribute to job satisfaction and motivation. These include aspects such as fair remuneration; transparent and clear organisational communication; managerial support and guidance; access to educational and career opportunities; and pleasant workplaces. In view of these findings, the study concluded that organisations that wish to improve their employees’ job performance, or attract and retain high-performing individuals, should formulate and implement policies and strategies that take into account these significant factors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Analysis of the management of conflict and transformation in the public service focussing on the central district, North West Province during 2000 to 2005
- Authors: Matlou, Molefe
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8168 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1310
- Description: The dawn of democracy in South Africa in 1994 placed an imperative on the government to make provision for transformation of the public service from the one that was base on race and gender to the one based on respect and dignity of people irrespective of race, gender or religion. The point of departure was to initiate change in legislation in order to create conducive environment for the public service to establish forums and commissions that would inform the approach that transformation had to take. One of the major challenges was to deal with the reality of a public service that was dominated by white males in order to implement the Constitutional imperative of equal opportunities to all and to enable black people in general and women in particular to occupy positions where their full potential and capabilities would be recognised. Affirmative Action became a tool that the new government adopted to inform the employment equity targets that every government department had to set for itself and annual reports had to be submitted to parliament for oversight to ensure that no government entity deviated from the realisation of the objective to fully transform the public service. The fact that there were some quarters within the broader society that perceived this is a threat and that within the targeted groups such as blacks and women there were people who felt that the concept „‟affirmative action‟‟ was degrading as it suggested that, despite their potential and education, black people and women still had to be affirmed was indicative of the conflict that resulted from the good intention by government to diversify the public service. To date, there are still institutions of government where males still dominate senior positions in the public service and women are still confined to lower level occupational bands which do not afford them an opportunity to rise to senior levels. The only recognisable change, one may argue, is that black males benefitted a lot more from transformation in the public service than females and people with disabilities. For all people to benefit from transformation in the public service there must be a vigilant approach to the implementation of policy and severe penalties for non compliance. Oversight bodies must be empowered to do a lot more than pep talk on transformation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Matlou, Molefe
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: vital:8168 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1310
- Description: The dawn of democracy in South Africa in 1994 placed an imperative on the government to make provision for transformation of the public service from the one that was base on race and gender to the one based on respect and dignity of people irrespective of race, gender or religion. The point of departure was to initiate change in legislation in order to create conducive environment for the public service to establish forums and commissions that would inform the approach that transformation had to take. One of the major challenges was to deal with the reality of a public service that was dominated by white males in order to implement the Constitutional imperative of equal opportunities to all and to enable black people in general and women in particular to occupy positions where their full potential and capabilities would be recognised. Affirmative Action became a tool that the new government adopted to inform the employment equity targets that every government department had to set for itself and annual reports had to be submitted to parliament for oversight to ensure that no government entity deviated from the realisation of the objective to fully transform the public service. The fact that there were some quarters within the broader society that perceived this is a threat and that within the targeted groups such as blacks and women there were people who felt that the concept „‟affirmative action‟‟ was degrading as it suggested that, despite their potential and education, black people and women still had to be affirmed was indicative of the conflict that resulted from the good intention by government to diversify the public service. To date, there are still institutions of government where males still dominate senior positions in the public service and women are still confined to lower level occupational bands which do not afford them an opportunity to rise to senior levels. The only recognisable change, one may argue, is that black males benefitted a lot more from transformation in the public service than females and people with disabilities. For all people to benefit from transformation in the public service there must be a vigilant approach to the implementation of policy and severe penalties for non compliance. Oversight bodies must be empowered to do a lot more than pep talk on transformation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Analysis of the understanding of flexible manufacturing in the automotive component industry and selection of best implementation strategy
- Authors: Mostert, Clive
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Motor industry , Mass production
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8592 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1395 , Motor industry , Mass production
- Description: In a competitive manufacturing environment a firm must be able to simultaneously produce multiple and diverse products, upgrade and redesign its products in short life cycles, and execute efficient production changeovers. This implies that the firm's manufacturing facilities should be capable of efficiently responding to the changes associated with the above abilities. These capabilities are a key requirement for building an agile manufacturing enterprise. To successfully attain these capabilities a firm must evaluate and build flexibility in its manufacturing operations. Success in manufacturing requires the adoption of methods in customer acquisition and order fulfilment processes that can manage anticipated change with precision while providing a fast and flexible response to unanticipated changes. A review of the related literature reveals that though there has been considerable research on the subject of flexible manufacturing, insufficient attention has been devoted to the development of a comprehensive method for designing and building flexible manufacturing (FM) solutions. A significant portion of the FM research and the ensuing industrial applications have focused on highly automated metal working facilities, commonly referred to as flexible manufacturing system or FMS. The objective of this research was to understand what the general understanding of FMS is in the automotive component supplying industry as well as to develop a strategy based on world class principles on how to implement such a strategy. The established strategy will then be used to implement a FMS at Shatterprufe a division of the PFG group. A comprehensive literature study was conducted on Flexible Manufacturing to get a good idea on what it is all about. A questionnaire was designed based on the guidelines in the literature study in order to establish the understanding of FMS within companies in the automotive component supplying industries. Twenty five companies were selected, based on their employee numbers and potential high complexity in the parts that they manufacture. Participating companies must also be part of National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) and supplying directly to all of the local Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s). Eighteen out of the twenty five companies selected did participate and return the questionnaires. Three companies replied stating that they do not have a FMS in place and thus do not want to participate in the research. The completed questionnaires were processed and analysed using Microsoft Office Excel 2003, running on the Windows XP suite of computer packages. The opinions of the various respondents were compared with the guidelines provided in the literature survey, in order to identify how to answer the main questions the author wanted to use as part of selecting an appropriate implementation approach for FMS at Shatterprufe. The following were the main recommendations and conclusions: • It is essential that the executive team at Shatterprufe realises the need of a FM programme. Based on the analysis from the theoretical research as well as from the questionnaire it should not be difficult for them to realise this; • It is recommended that the knowledge gained from the research theory and that of the research questionnaire be used as a guideline for introduction and implementation; • It is recommended that the employees that will be required to implement the FMS are properly trained in the basics of WCM and FMS and that they receive the necessary tools to perform their tasks; • It is essential that everyone throughout the entire organisation is involved from the start in the development, improvement and maintenance of the system; • It is critical that the barriers to implementation be taken seriously at the start of the whole implementation process and plans be put in place to overcome them. Make sure that there is: • proper understanding of the total effort required; • complete management support; • union buy-in; • enough training carried out; • change of priorities; • full commitment and persistence; • development of a good installation strategy; and • insurance of choosing the right approach.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Mostert, Clive
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Motor industry , Mass production
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8592 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1395 , Motor industry , Mass production
- Description: In a competitive manufacturing environment a firm must be able to simultaneously produce multiple and diverse products, upgrade and redesign its products in short life cycles, and execute efficient production changeovers. This implies that the firm's manufacturing facilities should be capable of efficiently responding to the changes associated with the above abilities. These capabilities are a key requirement for building an agile manufacturing enterprise. To successfully attain these capabilities a firm must evaluate and build flexibility in its manufacturing operations. Success in manufacturing requires the adoption of methods in customer acquisition and order fulfilment processes that can manage anticipated change with precision while providing a fast and flexible response to unanticipated changes. A review of the related literature reveals that though there has been considerable research on the subject of flexible manufacturing, insufficient attention has been devoted to the development of a comprehensive method for designing and building flexible manufacturing (FM) solutions. A significant portion of the FM research and the ensuing industrial applications have focused on highly automated metal working facilities, commonly referred to as flexible manufacturing system or FMS. The objective of this research was to understand what the general understanding of FMS is in the automotive component supplying industry as well as to develop a strategy based on world class principles on how to implement such a strategy. The established strategy will then be used to implement a FMS at Shatterprufe a division of the PFG group. A comprehensive literature study was conducted on Flexible Manufacturing to get a good idea on what it is all about. A questionnaire was designed based on the guidelines in the literature study in order to establish the understanding of FMS within companies in the automotive component supplying industries. Twenty five companies were selected, based on their employee numbers and potential high complexity in the parts that they manufacture. Participating companies must also be part of National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) and supplying directly to all of the local Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s). Eighteen out of the twenty five companies selected did participate and return the questionnaires. Three companies replied stating that they do not have a FMS in place and thus do not want to participate in the research. The completed questionnaires were processed and analysed using Microsoft Office Excel 2003, running on the Windows XP suite of computer packages. The opinions of the various respondents were compared with the guidelines provided in the literature survey, in order to identify how to answer the main questions the author wanted to use as part of selecting an appropriate implementation approach for FMS at Shatterprufe. The following were the main recommendations and conclusions: • It is essential that the executive team at Shatterprufe realises the need of a FM programme. Based on the analysis from the theoretical research as well as from the questionnaire it should not be difficult for them to realise this; • It is recommended that the knowledge gained from the research theory and that of the research questionnaire be used as a guideline for introduction and implementation; • It is recommended that the employees that will be required to implement the FMS are properly trained in the basics of WCM and FMS and that they receive the necessary tools to perform their tasks; • It is essential that everyone throughout the entire organisation is involved from the start in the development, improvement and maintenance of the system; • It is critical that the barriers to implementation be taken seriously at the start of the whole implementation process and plans be put in place to overcome them. Make sure that there is: • proper understanding of the total effort required; • complete management support; • union buy-in; • enough training carried out; • change of priorities; • full commitment and persistence; • development of a good installation strategy; and • insurance of choosing the right approach.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Analysis of volatility spillover effects between the South African, regional and world equity markets
- Authors: Mumba, Mabvuto
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Financial crises International finance Stocks -- Prices -- Africa Stocks -- Prices -- South Africa Capital market -- Africa Capital market -- South Africa Foreign exchange rates Africa -- Economic conditions South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:957 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002691
- Description: The current study examines the extent and magnitude by which global and regional shocks are transmitted to the volatility of returns in the stock markets of South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Botswana, Mauritius and Egypt. This is done so as to make inferences on the level of the domestic market‟s integration into the regional and world capital markets. By applying multivariate and univariate GARCH models, using weekly data from June 1995 to May 2010, the main empirical findings are threefold. Firstly, the volatility analytical framework finds statistically significant and time-varying volatility spillover effects from the regional and global markets to the South African market. Global shocks are generally stronger and account for up to 23.9 percent of the volatility of South Africa‟s equity market compared to weaker regional factors which account for less than 1 percent of domestic variance. Only in countries with strong bilateral trade and economic links with South Africa, such as Botswana and Namibia, is it found that regional factors are more dominant than global factors for domestic volatility. Compared to the other African markets, the joint influence of foreign shocks on domestic volatility is highest in South Africa and Egypt, two of Africa‟s largest and most developed markets. The results further demonstrate that for all the African markets the explanatory power of both regional and global factors for domestic volatility is not constant over time and tends to increase during turbulent market periods. Secondly, the analysis of the determinants of South frica‟s second moment linkages with the global market suggests that the volatility of the exchange rate plays a cardinal role in influencing the magnitude by which global shocks affect domestic volatility. The increased global integration in the second moments cannot be attributed to either increased trade integration, convergence in inflation rates or to convergence in interest rates between South Africa and the global markets. Lastly, tests were conducted to examine whether there have been contagion effects from the regional and global markets to South Africa from the 1997 Asian crisis and the 2007/8 global financial crisis. The results show no evidence of contagion during either the East Asian currency crisis or the recent global financial crisis to South Africa, while some African markets, such as Egypt, Mauritius and Botswana, exhibit contagion effects from either crisis. Overall, the empirical findings generally support the view that African markets are segmented both at the regional and global levels as domestic volatility is more influenced by local idiosyncratic shocks (the proportion not attributable to either global and regional factors). However, the volatility of South Africa, and to a lesser extent Egypt, remains relatively more open to global influence. This implies that the potential for gains from international portfolio diversification and the scope for success of policies aimed at the stabilisation of equity markets in these markets exist.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Mumba, Mabvuto
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Financial crises International finance Stocks -- Prices -- Africa Stocks -- Prices -- South Africa Capital market -- Africa Capital market -- South Africa Foreign exchange rates Africa -- Economic conditions South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:957 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002691
- Description: The current study examines the extent and magnitude by which global and regional shocks are transmitted to the volatility of returns in the stock markets of South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Botswana, Mauritius and Egypt. This is done so as to make inferences on the level of the domestic market‟s integration into the regional and world capital markets. By applying multivariate and univariate GARCH models, using weekly data from June 1995 to May 2010, the main empirical findings are threefold. Firstly, the volatility analytical framework finds statistically significant and time-varying volatility spillover effects from the regional and global markets to the South African market. Global shocks are generally stronger and account for up to 23.9 percent of the volatility of South Africa‟s equity market compared to weaker regional factors which account for less than 1 percent of domestic variance. Only in countries with strong bilateral trade and economic links with South Africa, such as Botswana and Namibia, is it found that regional factors are more dominant than global factors for domestic volatility. Compared to the other African markets, the joint influence of foreign shocks on domestic volatility is highest in South Africa and Egypt, two of Africa‟s largest and most developed markets. The results further demonstrate that for all the African markets the explanatory power of both regional and global factors for domestic volatility is not constant over time and tends to increase during turbulent market periods. Secondly, the analysis of the determinants of South frica‟s second moment linkages with the global market suggests that the volatility of the exchange rate plays a cardinal role in influencing the magnitude by which global shocks affect domestic volatility. The increased global integration in the second moments cannot be attributed to either increased trade integration, convergence in inflation rates or to convergence in interest rates between South Africa and the global markets. Lastly, tests were conducted to examine whether there have been contagion effects from the regional and global markets to South Africa from the 1997 Asian crisis and the 2007/8 global financial crisis. The results show no evidence of contagion during either the East Asian currency crisis or the recent global financial crisis to South Africa, while some African markets, such as Egypt, Mauritius and Botswana, exhibit contagion effects from either crisis. Overall, the empirical findings generally support the view that African markets are segmented both at the regional and global levels as domestic volatility is more influenced by local idiosyncratic shocks (the proportion not attributable to either global and regional factors). However, the volatility of South Africa, and to a lesser extent Egypt, remains relatively more open to global influence. This implies that the potential for gains from international portfolio diversification and the scope for success of policies aimed at the stabilisation of equity markets in these markets exist.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Angel networks as a business start-up financing option in South Africa
- Authors: Sibanda, Zenzo
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Angels (Investors) -- South Africa Small business -- Finance -- South Africa New business enterprises -- Finance -- South Africa Venture capital -- South Africa Microfinance -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1164 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002780
- Description: The following study is about business angels financing small business start-ups. It explores the aspect of starting up an entrepreneurial venture in which the entrepreneur seeks to secure start-up finance from lenders, raising the various issues that are known to characterise this engagement between the entrepreneur and the lender. Using the phenomenological paradigm, the study seeks to determine the awareness of small scale financing by entrepreneurs in South Africa, to determine the most commonly used source of start-up business funding in South Africa, to assess the extent to which business angel financing could be used to finance businesses in South Africa and to determine the factors impacting the use of business angel financing in South Africa. From these objectives, the study will also seek to determine the extent to which business angel networks could facilitate the financing of business start-ups. Small businesses invariably come up in different policy spheres as the main avenues to social and economic construction across national and regional lines. The importance of a successful business start up to a growing economy should not be underestimated. In line with this is the particular factor of gaining access to start up capital, which continues to emerge as a leading contributor to the success or failure of business start ups. Studies continue to verify that the most common challenge faced by most emerging entrepreneurs is start-up capital, either in the lack of this capital, the unfavourable conditions surrounding its availability, the lack of assets to serve as collateral for its use or the ambiguous flow of crucial information between lenders and providers of finance in the funding relationship (Abor and Biekpe, 2006: 69;Hernandez-Trillo, Pagan and Paxton, 2005: 435, ISPESE, 2005: 7, CDE, 2004: 5; Musengi 2003: 11). Roger Sorheim (2005: 179) refers to business angels as private individuals who offer risk capital to unlisted companies that are struggling to obtain start up capital to finance their business ideas. Business angels are further defined as high net-worth bearers of substantial private capital who predominantly invest in the early stage of high risk high potential return business ventures with a positive further growth potential. Business angel finance is typically a ‘once-off’ early stage form of small firm financing compared to the more frequent later stage venture capitalist funding. Studies show that business angels represent an underutilised wealth creation mechanism when it comes to small firm start-ups as most business angels contribute expertise in addition to finance to the start-ups they get involved in. This brings valuable business insight to the commercialisation of a good business idea. The business angel network exposes a range of potentially viable business prospects to willing investors by facilitating the flow of information about entrepreneurs and their businesses, thereby eliminating ambiguity, information asymmetry and transaction costs (Aernoudt and Erikson, 2002: 178; Van Osnabrugge and Robinson, 2000:374; Macht, 2006:1; Ehlrich, De Noble, Moore and Weaver, 1994:70; Sorheim, 2005:179). To achieve a holistic approach to a phenomenon which appears to be relatively new in South African business circles, the study will follow a qualitative approach in which two categories of populations will be used, one of small business operators and the other of business angels in South Africa. In the study, 20 small business operators and five business angels in Grahamstown will be approached using the convenience and snowballing sampling methods respectively. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews will be used as a data collection method and content analysis will be used as a data analysis tool (Collis and Hussey, 2003:156, Driver, Wood, Segal and Herrington, 2001:32, National Small Business Act ). There has been very limited research on business angels in the South African context, therefore the study would significantly contribute in entrepreneurship, government and small business development circles as it brings about attention to what the researcher predicts is an underutilised business start-up financing option.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Sibanda, Zenzo
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Angels (Investors) -- South Africa Small business -- Finance -- South Africa New business enterprises -- Finance -- South Africa Venture capital -- South Africa Microfinance -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1164 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002780
- Description: The following study is about business angels financing small business start-ups. It explores the aspect of starting up an entrepreneurial venture in which the entrepreneur seeks to secure start-up finance from lenders, raising the various issues that are known to characterise this engagement between the entrepreneur and the lender. Using the phenomenological paradigm, the study seeks to determine the awareness of small scale financing by entrepreneurs in South Africa, to determine the most commonly used source of start-up business funding in South Africa, to assess the extent to which business angel financing could be used to finance businesses in South Africa and to determine the factors impacting the use of business angel financing in South Africa. From these objectives, the study will also seek to determine the extent to which business angel networks could facilitate the financing of business start-ups. Small businesses invariably come up in different policy spheres as the main avenues to social and economic construction across national and regional lines. The importance of a successful business start up to a growing economy should not be underestimated. In line with this is the particular factor of gaining access to start up capital, which continues to emerge as a leading contributor to the success or failure of business start ups. Studies continue to verify that the most common challenge faced by most emerging entrepreneurs is start-up capital, either in the lack of this capital, the unfavourable conditions surrounding its availability, the lack of assets to serve as collateral for its use or the ambiguous flow of crucial information between lenders and providers of finance in the funding relationship (Abor and Biekpe, 2006: 69;Hernandez-Trillo, Pagan and Paxton, 2005: 435, ISPESE, 2005: 7, CDE, 2004: 5; Musengi 2003: 11). Roger Sorheim (2005: 179) refers to business angels as private individuals who offer risk capital to unlisted companies that are struggling to obtain start up capital to finance their business ideas. Business angels are further defined as high net-worth bearers of substantial private capital who predominantly invest in the early stage of high risk high potential return business ventures with a positive further growth potential. Business angel finance is typically a ‘once-off’ early stage form of small firm financing compared to the more frequent later stage venture capitalist funding. Studies show that business angels represent an underutilised wealth creation mechanism when it comes to small firm start-ups as most business angels contribute expertise in addition to finance to the start-ups they get involved in. This brings valuable business insight to the commercialisation of a good business idea. The business angel network exposes a range of potentially viable business prospects to willing investors by facilitating the flow of information about entrepreneurs and their businesses, thereby eliminating ambiguity, information asymmetry and transaction costs (Aernoudt and Erikson, 2002: 178; Van Osnabrugge and Robinson, 2000:374; Macht, 2006:1; Ehlrich, De Noble, Moore and Weaver, 1994:70; Sorheim, 2005:179). To achieve a holistic approach to a phenomenon which appears to be relatively new in South African business circles, the study will follow a qualitative approach in which two categories of populations will be used, one of small business operators and the other of business angels in South Africa. In the study, 20 small business operators and five business angels in Grahamstown will be approached using the convenience and snowballing sampling methods respectively. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews will be used as a data collection method and content analysis will be used as a data analysis tool (Collis and Hussey, 2003:156, Driver, Wood, Segal and Herrington, 2001:32, National Small Business Act ). There has been very limited research on business angels in the South African context, therefore the study would significantly contribute in entrepreneurship, government and small business development circles as it brings about attention to what the researcher predicts is an underutilised business start-up financing option.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Antibacterial activity of liposome encapsulated cyclo(TYR-PRO)
- Authors: Tshanga, Siphokazi Sisanda
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Peptide antibiotics , Antibacterial agents -- Therapeutic use -- Testing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10132 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1450 , Peptide antibiotics , Antibacterial agents -- Therapeutic use -- Testing
- Description: Cyclic dipeptides (CDPs) are amino acid-based compounds, some of which possess antibacterial activity. The encapsulation of certain drugs into liposomes has been found to improve their activity in terms of bioavailability and duration of action. Liposomes are small vesicles that are under investigation as drug carriers for the delivery of therapeutic agents. A number of liposome formulations are currently under clinical trial review, whilst some have already been approved for clinical use. The aim of this study was to optimize a liposomal cyclo(Tyr-Pro) formulation and to assess its antibacterial activity against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Response surface methodology (RSM) using the central composite design (CCD) model was used to optimize liposomal formulations of cyclo(Tyr-Pro) for each of the four bacteria, namely Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Percent drug encapsulated and bacterial inhibition were investigated with respect to two independent variables, i.e. lipid composition and cholesterol content. Design Expert 8 was used for the purpose of finding the combination of independent variables that would yield an optimal formulation for each bacterium. The model selected by the software failed to adequately correlate the predicted models to the experimental data. The in vitro experiments showed that the antibacterial activity of liposome-encapsulated cyclo(Tyr-Pro) was superior to that of its free counterpart. Binding maximum or Bmax for the encapsulated compound at concentrations as low as 0.412 mg/ml, was significantly higher than that obtained for free cyclo(Tyr-Pro) which was tested at a concentration of 20 mg/ml. Furthermore, encapsulation of cyclo(Tyr-Pro) into a liposome formulation enhanced its potency. This was evident in the lower IC50 values for the liposomal compound when compared to free cyclo(Tyr-Pro).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Tshanga, Siphokazi Sisanda
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Peptide antibiotics , Antibacterial agents -- Therapeutic use -- Testing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10132 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1450 , Peptide antibiotics , Antibacterial agents -- Therapeutic use -- Testing
- Description: Cyclic dipeptides (CDPs) are amino acid-based compounds, some of which possess antibacterial activity. The encapsulation of certain drugs into liposomes has been found to improve their activity in terms of bioavailability and duration of action. Liposomes are small vesicles that are under investigation as drug carriers for the delivery of therapeutic agents. A number of liposome formulations are currently under clinical trial review, whilst some have already been approved for clinical use. The aim of this study was to optimize a liposomal cyclo(Tyr-Pro) formulation and to assess its antibacterial activity against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Response surface methodology (RSM) using the central composite design (CCD) model was used to optimize liposomal formulations of cyclo(Tyr-Pro) for each of the four bacteria, namely Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Percent drug encapsulated and bacterial inhibition were investigated with respect to two independent variables, i.e. lipid composition and cholesterol content. Design Expert 8 was used for the purpose of finding the combination of independent variables that would yield an optimal formulation for each bacterium. The model selected by the software failed to adequately correlate the predicted models to the experimental data. The in vitro experiments showed that the antibacterial activity of liposome-encapsulated cyclo(Tyr-Pro) was superior to that of its free counterpart. Binding maximum or Bmax for the encapsulated compound at concentrations as low as 0.412 mg/ml, was significantly higher than that obtained for free cyclo(Tyr-Pro) which was tested at a concentration of 20 mg/ml. Furthermore, encapsulation of cyclo(Tyr-Pro) into a liposome formulation enhanced its potency. This was evident in the lower IC50 values for the liposomal compound when compared to free cyclo(Tyr-Pro).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Antioxidant activity and the quality of meat from goats and broilers supplemented with Moringa (Moringa Oleifera) leaves
- Authors: Qwele, Kumnandi
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Goats -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Chickens -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Meat -- Quality , Moringa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11803 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/469 , Goats -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Chickens -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Meat -- Quality , Moringa
- Description: The objective of the study was to determine the antioxidant activity (AA) and the quality of meat from goats and chickens supplemented with Moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaves. For the first experimental chapter, eighteen 9 months old Xhosa lop-eared, castrated goats with an average body weight of 14 kg were used. There were three supplements namely, Moringa oleifera leaves, sunflower cake and grass hay. There were six goats per supplement. The goats were slaughtered after 60 days of supplementation and the Muscularis longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) of the right side of each goat was used to determine fatty acid composition, total phenolic content (TPC), diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, 2, 2 azino-bis (3- ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic diammonium salt (ABTS) assay and reducing power assay of meat. Glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS) were taken as parameters to evaluate in vivo AA of the meat. For the second experiment, twelve male broilers were used in four groups of dietary supplementation. Three broilers were allocated per group. After slaughter, the breast muscle was sampled for total phenols, flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, TPC, ABTS, GSH, CAT, SOD, lipid peroxidation, ultimate pH (pH24), colour (L* (lightness), a* (redness), b* (yellowness)), WB-shear force and cooking loss. In both chapters Moringa leaves exhibited the highest AA. Meat from goats supplement with Moringa exhibited the highest AA. Meat from broilers supplemented with a mixture of Moringa leaves, broiler finisher and crushed maize, had the highest (P < 0.05) pH24 and L* values. Moringa can therefore be used to preserve meat without changing the quality of meat.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Qwele, Kumnandi
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Goats -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Chickens -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Meat -- Quality , Moringa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11803 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/469 , Goats -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Chickens -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Meat -- Quality , Moringa
- Description: The objective of the study was to determine the antioxidant activity (AA) and the quality of meat from goats and chickens supplemented with Moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaves. For the first experimental chapter, eighteen 9 months old Xhosa lop-eared, castrated goats with an average body weight of 14 kg were used. There were three supplements namely, Moringa oleifera leaves, sunflower cake and grass hay. There were six goats per supplement. The goats were slaughtered after 60 days of supplementation and the Muscularis longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) of the right side of each goat was used to determine fatty acid composition, total phenolic content (TPC), diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, 2, 2 azino-bis (3- ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic diammonium salt (ABTS) assay and reducing power assay of meat. Glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS) were taken as parameters to evaluate in vivo AA of the meat. For the second experiment, twelve male broilers were used in four groups of dietary supplementation. Three broilers were allocated per group. After slaughter, the breast muscle was sampled for total phenols, flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, TPC, ABTS, GSH, CAT, SOD, lipid peroxidation, ultimate pH (pH24), colour (L* (lightness), a* (redness), b* (yellowness)), WB-shear force and cooking loss. In both chapters Moringa leaves exhibited the highest AA. Meat from goats supplement with Moringa exhibited the highest AA. Meat from broilers supplemented with a mixture of Moringa leaves, broiler finisher and crushed maize, had the highest (P < 0.05) pH24 and L* values. Moringa can therefore be used to preserve meat without changing the quality of meat.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Applicability of public-private partnership in provision of water infrastructure to central coastal Namibia mines
- Kavela, Lukas Tangeni Taukondjo
- Authors: Kavela, Lukas Tangeni Taukondjo
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Water-supply -- Namibia , Public-private sector cooperation -- Namibia -- Water-supply
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:9701 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015641
- Description: This study investigated the potential application of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in water supply, taking cognisance of the water demand and supply in the Central Coastal Namibian (CCN) mines. NamWater does not meet demand for the existing and planned mines in the CCN. Primary objective was to investigate and analyse water demand and supply as well as the effectiveness of PPP as a solution by exploring its potential, successes and challenges. In order to obtain relevant information, literature review was used to collect evidence on water demand and supply in the north-central Namibia as well as the application of PPP in provision of water supply. Multi-case studies were carried out on three operational mines, namely; Rio Tinto Rössing Uranium Mine, Langer Heinrich Uranium Mine and Areva Trekkopje Uranium Mine to attain empirical data on water supply requirements. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data supplemented by interviews with NamWater, operational mines within the study area, government institutions, and knowledgeable consultants on water and the mining environment. The key findings included: institutional weaknesses and lack of legislation frameworks to support PPP projects; skills shortage; and financing problems were identified as major challenges. Results further show that these problems could be resolved by effectively implementing a PPP approach, whereby the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) enters into a contract with the public authority. The study concludes that there is a need to increase water output to meet current and future supply requirements to these mines. This situation should be addressed by all stakeholders, from government to private sectors. The study recommends that a sea water desalination plant should be developed to increase water capacity supply to the existing operational and prospective mines in the area. The PPP approach is proposed as a possible solution to water supply infrastructure service delivery problem to ensure long-term water security in the CCN mines.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Kavela, Lukas Tangeni Taukondjo
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Water-supply -- Namibia , Public-private sector cooperation -- Namibia -- Water-supply
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:9701 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015641
- Description: This study investigated the potential application of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in water supply, taking cognisance of the water demand and supply in the Central Coastal Namibian (CCN) mines. NamWater does not meet demand for the existing and planned mines in the CCN. Primary objective was to investigate and analyse water demand and supply as well as the effectiveness of PPP as a solution by exploring its potential, successes and challenges. In order to obtain relevant information, literature review was used to collect evidence on water demand and supply in the north-central Namibia as well as the application of PPP in provision of water supply. Multi-case studies were carried out on three operational mines, namely; Rio Tinto Rössing Uranium Mine, Langer Heinrich Uranium Mine and Areva Trekkopje Uranium Mine to attain empirical data on water supply requirements. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data supplemented by interviews with NamWater, operational mines within the study area, government institutions, and knowledgeable consultants on water and the mining environment. The key findings included: institutional weaknesses and lack of legislation frameworks to support PPP projects; skills shortage; and financing problems were identified as major challenges. Results further show that these problems could be resolved by effectively implementing a PPP approach, whereby the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) enters into a contract with the public authority. The study concludes that there is a need to increase water output to meet current and future supply requirements to these mines. This situation should be addressed by all stakeholders, from government to private sectors. The study recommends that a sea water desalination plant should be developed to increase water capacity supply to the existing operational and prospective mines in the area. The PPP approach is proposed as a possible solution to water supply infrastructure service delivery problem to ensure long-term water security in the CCN mines.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Application of catalysts and nanomaterials in the design of an electrochemical sensor for ochratoxin A
- Authors: Flanagan, Shane Patrick
- Date: 2011 , 2010-12-06
- Subjects: Ochratoxins , Filamentous fungi , Electrochemical sensors , Nanostructured materials , Catalysts , Food contamination
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4121 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013328
- Description: Ochratoxin A is the most potent chlorinated derivative of the ochratoxin group, consisting of a 5'-chlorinated dihydroisocoumarin moiety linked by an amide bond to l-phenylalanine. Produced as a secondary fungal metabolite by several species of Aspergillus and Penicillium, ochratoxin A has been shown to readily contaminate a large variety of commodities including cereals, groundnuts, dried fruit, spices and coffee. This has led to widespread contamination of ochratoxin in wine, beer, milk and meat products. As ochratoxin A is a potent nephrotoxin exhibiting teratogenic and carcinogenic properties, the development of a rapid screening platform for the cost effective control of ochratoxin A content in foodstuffs is therefore required. The evaluation of metallophthalocyanine and carbon nanotube electrode modification toward the development of a nanostructured biosensor capable of enhancing the electrochemical detection of ochratoxin A in complex media is presented. Cyclic voltammetry at a glassy carbon electrode allowed for the optimization of detection parameters including pH and type of supporting electrolyte. Britton-Robinson buffer was found to be the most suitable supporting electrolyte in terms of sensitivity and reproducibility obtaining a LOD of 0.28 μM as determined by differential pulse voltammetry. Subsequent analysis determined the dependence of OTA oxidation on pH in acidic media which proceeds with the transfer of two electrons to form a quinone/hydroquinone couple shown to adsorb to the electrode surface. Passivation of the electrode through adsorption of oxidation products was shown to severely limit the detection of OTA upon successive detection cycles. Comparison of various metallophthalocyanine modifiers showed an increase in sensitivity toward the detection of OTA at phthalocyanine complexes with metal based redox processes. However with the exception of NiPc and CoTCPc complexes, phthalocyanine modification was limited by the increase in deviation of current response and extent of fouling. NiPc modification showed an increase in sensitivity by two fold with fouling characteristics comparable to an unmodified electrode while low improvements in fouling was observed at CoTCPc modified electrodes with sensitivity in detection comparable to an unmodified electrode.Modification of the electrode with multi- and single walled carbon nanotubes produced a significant increase in sensitivity toward the detection of ochratoxin A. The electrocatalytic activity of nanotube modifiers was attributed to the increase in surface area and to the addition of oxygenated functional groups upon acid treatment as confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. Acid functionalization of the carbon nanotubes for a period of two hours produced the greatest increase in sensitivity obtaining a respective LOD of 0.09 μM and 0.03 μM for analysis of ochratoxin A at multi- and single walled carbon nanotube modified electrodes. Centrifugal purification of carbon nanotubes was deemed necessary to improve the electrocatalytic activity of the nanotube modifiers through the removal of carbonaceous impurities as visualized by atomic force microscopy. Furthermore, a crude lipase preparation, lipase A, was investigated as a potential biological recognition element for selective detection of ochratoxin A in complex media. Lipase A enabled the hydrolysis of ochratoxin A to the electroactive species ochratoxin α as confirmed by thin layer chromatography and voltammetric analysis. Additional isolation of a pure hydrolase from the lipase A preparation is required prior to utilization within a nanostructured biosensor platform capable of detecting ochratoxin A in complex media.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Flanagan, Shane Patrick
- Date: 2011 , 2010-12-06
- Subjects: Ochratoxins , Filamentous fungi , Electrochemical sensors , Nanostructured materials , Catalysts , Food contamination
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4121 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013328
- Description: Ochratoxin A is the most potent chlorinated derivative of the ochratoxin group, consisting of a 5'-chlorinated dihydroisocoumarin moiety linked by an amide bond to l-phenylalanine. Produced as a secondary fungal metabolite by several species of Aspergillus and Penicillium, ochratoxin A has been shown to readily contaminate a large variety of commodities including cereals, groundnuts, dried fruit, spices and coffee. This has led to widespread contamination of ochratoxin in wine, beer, milk and meat products. As ochratoxin A is a potent nephrotoxin exhibiting teratogenic and carcinogenic properties, the development of a rapid screening platform for the cost effective control of ochratoxin A content in foodstuffs is therefore required. The evaluation of metallophthalocyanine and carbon nanotube electrode modification toward the development of a nanostructured biosensor capable of enhancing the electrochemical detection of ochratoxin A in complex media is presented. Cyclic voltammetry at a glassy carbon electrode allowed for the optimization of detection parameters including pH and type of supporting electrolyte. Britton-Robinson buffer was found to be the most suitable supporting electrolyte in terms of sensitivity and reproducibility obtaining a LOD of 0.28 μM as determined by differential pulse voltammetry. Subsequent analysis determined the dependence of OTA oxidation on pH in acidic media which proceeds with the transfer of two electrons to form a quinone/hydroquinone couple shown to adsorb to the electrode surface. Passivation of the electrode through adsorption of oxidation products was shown to severely limit the detection of OTA upon successive detection cycles. Comparison of various metallophthalocyanine modifiers showed an increase in sensitivity toward the detection of OTA at phthalocyanine complexes with metal based redox processes. However with the exception of NiPc and CoTCPc complexes, phthalocyanine modification was limited by the increase in deviation of current response and extent of fouling. NiPc modification showed an increase in sensitivity by two fold with fouling characteristics comparable to an unmodified electrode while low improvements in fouling was observed at CoTCPc modified electrodes with sensitivity in detection comparable to an unmodified electrode.Modification of the electrode with multi- and single walled carbon nanotubes produced a significant increase in sensitivity toward the detection of ochratoxin A. The electrocatalytic activity of nanotube modifiers was attributed to the increase in surface area and to the addition of oxygenated functional groups upon acid treatment as confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. Acid functionalization of the carbon nanotubes for a period of two hours produced the greatest increase in sensitivity obtaining a respective LOD of 0.09 μM and 0.03 μM for analysis of ochratoxin A at multi- and single walled carbon nanotube modified electrodes. Centrifugal purification of carbon nanotubes was deemed necessary to improve the electrocatalytic activity of the nanotube modifiers through the removal of carbonaceous impurities as visualized by atomic force microscopy. Furthermore, a crude lipase preparation, lipase A, was investigated as a potential biological recognition element for selective detection of ochratoxin A in complex media. Lipase A enabled the hydrolysis of ochratoxin A to the electroactive species ochratoxin α as confirmed by thin layer chromatography and voltammetric analysis. Additional isolation of a pure hydrolase from the lipase A preparation is required prior to utilization within a nanostructured biosensor platform capable of detecting ochratoxin A in complex media.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Application of lean manufacturing tools in cash centres to improve operational efficiency
- Authors: Smith, Ryan Erich
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Lean manufacturing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8647 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1391 , Lean manufacturing
- Description: Financial institutes, typically banks, that derive funding from the collection of cash deposits, could derive benefit from the research. In addition, companies who act as outsourced suppliers to such institutes, and therefore process cash deposits on behalf of the banks should derive a similar benefit. Notably, some financial institutes outsource their cash management services. The advantages of outsourcing, such as freeing up staff, and getting the organisation to focus on its core activities, has to be weighed against the challenges that it provides. Hines et al. (2000: 17) note that outsourcing often means a heavy reliance on third party for service, the reliance on third parties 7 for the managing of funds, as well as the risk of securing customer confidentiality. Referring to a survey done by Ernst and Young in 1999, Hines et al. (2000: 15) revealed that revenue from cash management had grown from $7 billion in 1993, to $10 billion in 1999. It would thus be hard to overstate the significance of this industry, or the importance of gaining a competitive advantage. This research aims to provide some guideline on how the banks could become more competitive through pricing and service without cross-subsidising their bulk cash processing divisions. Competitiveness, in turn, would be derived by improving productivity through the application and transfer of lean tools from manufacturing and the service industry. Although the lean approach is well established in the manufacturing sector and certain product-service sectors, evidence of lean in pure service environments is very limited (Piercy & Rich, 2009: 59). Cash centres have a unique combination of service and product environments in the sense that: (1) cash is the commodity and (2) the commodity received from customers is in a sense used as raw material to create products like floats, payrolls, and cash for ATMs. This research could therefore contribute to the way management views the suitability of lean production methodologies in the context of a part product and part service environment such as the cash centre.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Smith, Ryan Erich
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Lean manufacturing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8647 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1391 , Lean manufacturing
- Description: Financial institutes, typically banks, that derive funding from the collection of cash deposits, could derive benefit from the research. In addition, companies who act as outsourced suppliers to such institutes, and therefore process cash deposits on behalf of the banks should derive a similar benefit. Notably, some financial institutes outsource their cash management services. The advantages of outsourcing, such as freeing up staff, and getting the organisation to focus on its core activities, has to be weighed against the challenges that it provides. Hines et al. (2000: 17) note that outsourcing often means a heavy reliance on third party for service, the reliance on third parties 7 for the managing of funds, as well as the risk of securing customer confidentiality. Referring to a survey done by Ernst and Young in 1999, Hines et al. (2000: 15) revealed that revenue from cash management had grown from $7 billion in 1993, to $10 billion in 1999. It would thus be hard to overstate the significance of this industry, or the importance of gaining a competitive advantage. This research aims to provide some guideline on how the banks could become more competitive through pricing and service without cross-subsidising their bulk cash processing divisions. Competitiveness, in turn, would be derived by improving productivity through the application and transfer of lean tools from manufacturing and the service industry. Although the lean approach is well established in the manufacturing sector and certain product-service sectors, evidence of lean in pure service environments is very limited (Piercy & Rich, 2009: 59). Cash centres have a unique combination of service and product environments in the sense that: (1) cash is the commodity and (2) the commodity received from customers is in a sense used as raw material to create products like floats, payrolls, and cash for ATMs. This research could therefore contribute to the way management views the suitability of lean production methodologies in the context of a part product and part service environment such as the cash centre.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Application of macroinvertebrate based biomonitoring approaches to assess anthropogenic impacts in the Swartkops River, South Africa
- Authors: Odume, Oghenekaro Nelson
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Water -- Pollution -- South Africa -- Swartkops River Water quality biological assessment -- South Africa -- Swartkops River Environmental monitoring -- South Africa -- Swartkops River Aquatic invertebrates -- Effect of water pollution on -- South Africa -- Swartkops River
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:6040 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006199
- Description: A growing human population accompanied by urbanisation and industrialisation have led to over exploitation and pollution of freshwater resources and have consequently impacted on aquatic ecosystem health. The Swartkops River in the Eastern Cape of South Africa is no exception. It drains a heavily industrialised catchment which has led to deterioration of its water quality due to pollution. Integrated water resources management (IWRM) requires the concurrent sustainable use of water resources and the protection of aquatic ecosystem health. Macroinvertebrates are well known for their ability to reflect the health of the environment in which they live, thus they were used to assess anthropogenic impacts in the Swartkops River for this study. Macroinvertebrate based biomonitoring approaches, including the South African Scoring System version 5 (SASS5); a multimetric approach involving 19 metrics; Chironomidae community assessments and screening of morphological deformities in Chironomidae larvae, were applied at four selected sampling sites to assess environmental water quality in the Swartkops River. Macroinvertebrates were sampled us ing the SASS5 protocols. Chironomidae were mounted and identified as far as practically possible using available keys. Mentum, ligula, mandible, paraligula and antenna in Chironomidae larvae were screened for deformities. Physical and chemical water quality variables were measured at each of the selected sampling sites. All data were subjected to relevant statistical analyses. Of the four sites sampled during the study period, results revealed that water quality at site 1 was the least impacted with highest SASS5 scores, average score per taxa (ASPT) values, richness, diversity, equitability and Ephemeroptera –Plecoptera-Trichoptera (EPT) richness, as well as least incidences of chironomid deformities. Water quality at site 2 was considered the next least impacted with higher SASS5 scores, A SPT values, richness, diversity and equitability, and lower incidences of deformities compared to sites 3 and 4. SASS5 scores and ASPT values revealed that both sites 3 and 4 were critically modified but the multimetric analysis, Chironomidae community assessment and incidences of deformities in Chironomidae larvae indicated that site 3 is the most impacted of the four sampling sites, with least species diversity, richness, equitability and highest incidences of deformities. The study revealed the importance of multicriteria approach to environmental biomonitoring as an integrated water resources management tool, and based on the results, site 3, as the most impacted, could be prioritised for restoration intervention.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Odume, Oghenekaro Nelson
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Water -- Pollution -- South Africa -- Swartkops River Water quality biological assessment -- South Africa -- Swartkops River Environmental monitoring -- South Africa -- Swartkops River Aquatic invertebrates -- Effect of water pollution on -- South Africa -- Swartkops River
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:6040 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006199
- Description: A growing human population accompanied by urbanisation and industrialisation have led to over exploitation and pollution of freshwater resources and have consequently impacted on aquatic ecosystem health. The Swartkops River in the Eastern Cape of South Africa is no exception. It drains a heavily industrialised catchment which has led to deterioration of its water quality due to pollution. Integrated water resources management (IWRM) requires the concurrent sustainable use of water resources and the protection of aquatic ecosystem health. Macroinvertebrates are well known for their ability to reflect the health of the environment in which they live, thus they were used to assess anthropogenic impacts in the Swartkops River for this study. Macroinvertebrate based biomonitoring approaches, including the South African Scoring System version 5 (SASS5); a multimetric approach involving 19 metrics; Chironomidae community assessments and screening of morphological deformities in Chironomidae larvae, were applied at four selected sampling sites to assess environmental water quality in the Swartkops River. Macroinvertebrates were sampled us ing the SASS5 protocols. Chironomidae were mounted and identified as far as practically possible using available keys. Mentum, ligula, mandible, paraligula and antenna in Chironomidae larvae were screened for deformities. Physical and chemical water quality variables were measured at each of the selected sampling sites. All data were subjected to relevant statistical analyses. Of the four sites sampled during the study period, results revealed that water quality at site 1 was the least impacted with highest SASS5 scores, average score per taxa (ASPT) values, richness, diversity, equitability and Ephemeroptera –Plecoptera-Trichoptera (EPT) richness, as well as least incidences of chironomid deformities. Water quality at site 2 was considered the next least impacted with higher SASS5 scores, A SPT values, richness, diversity and equitability, and lower incidences of deformities compared to sites 3 and 4. SASS5 scores and ASPT values revealed that both sites 3 and 4 were critically modified but the multimetric analysis, Chironomidae community assessment and incidences of deformities in Chironomidae larvae indicated that site 3 is the most impacted of the four sampling sites, with least species diversity, richness, equitability and highest incidences of deformities. The study revealed the importance of multicriteria approach to environmental biomonitoring as an integrated water resources management tool, and based on the results, site 3, as the most impacted, could be prioritised for restoration intervention.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Assessing BEE policy's viability in advancing establishment and survival of SMMes in South Africa
- Authors: Waithaka, Stephen Kiumi
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Small business -- South Africa , Economic development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4376 , vital:20591
- Description: Black Economic Empowerment is an ideology and policy that was effected so as to streamline the inequalities that were and have been left to stand after the apartheid era in South Africa. Despite the mixed reactions that would surface as a result of the underpinnings of the policy, the main focus of the policy was and still is to provide for equality and build better business among the economic minority who in this case are the “black” people of South Africa. This report focuses on the policy and the different guidelines that have been set in place to counter the inequalities in businesses and economy with focus being on SMMEs and looking at ways in which various sections, especially the score card, with regard to exemptions to small businesses, how this aids them in achieving BEE compliance. The research accomplished this by looking at the requirements of the score card, focusing mainly on the stipulations placed on SMMEs and by the use of literary reports gathered information that would show whether the exemptions give the said enterprises added competitive advantage. The research produced a couple of findings; that although theoretically the necessity of boosting economic growth and business of one of the most productive enterprise sectors in an economy and the fact that the score card has focused infinitely on the need for SMMEs not to be fully focused on a specific cluster of criterion in the score card but more on which criterion would work best for them and which ones are easy to maneuver around to ensure maximum growth and contribution, there is the loop hole that is experienced of how this criterion is met and passed with disregard to actualization of the need to adhere to the strictness of the rules of how compliance is attained. There was also the main issue of fronting which is the falsification of ownership of a company by providing misleading information about the directors and owners of the business. The main conclusions drawn from this research are that it is important not to lose the foresight that the policy is meant to enhance and grow the economic ability of a sector and build business through which the policy makes very heavy recommendations but there are shortfalls experienced with regard to how compliance is approached putting into consideration that SMMEs have been given exemptions in the number of pillars of the score card they can apply to their business. It is also important to note that the influence and bulldozing that is expected when it comes to dealing with policies of this nature is not to be sidelined. This research aims to look at the discrepancies that are set out within the structures that hold the policy together so as to attain maximum results.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Waithaka, Stephen Kiumi
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Small business -- South Africa , Economic development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4376 , vital:20591
- Description: Black Economic Empowerment is an ideology and policy that was effected so as to streamline the inequalities that were and have been left to stand after the apartheid era in South Africa. Despite the mixed reactions that would surface as a result of the underpinnings of the policy, the main focus of the policy was and still is to provide for equality and build better business among the economic minority who in this case are the “black” people of South Africa. This report focuses on the policy and the different guidelines that have been set in place to counter the inequalities in businesses and economy with focus being on SMMEs and looking at ways in which various sections, especially the score card, with regard to exemptions to small businesses, how this aids them in achieving BEE compliance. The research accomplished this by looking at the requirements of the score card, focusing mainly on the stipulations placed on SMMEs and by the use of literary reports gathered information that would show whether the exemptions give the said enterprises added competitive advantage. The research produced a couple of findings; that although theoretically the necessity of boosting economic growth and business of one of the most productive enterprise sectors in an economy and the fact that the score card has focused infinitely on the need for SMMEs not to be fully focused on a specific cluster of criterion in the score card but more on which criterion would work best for them and which ones are easy to maneuver around to ensure maximum growth and contribution, there is the loop hole that is experienced of how this criterion is met and passed with disregard to actualization of the need to adhere to the strictness of the rules of how compliance is attained. There was also the main issue of fronting which is the falsification of ownership of a company by providing misleading information about the directors and owners of the business. The main conclusions drawn from this research are that it is important not to lose the foresight that the policy is meant to enhance and grow the economic ability of a sector and build business through which the policy makes very heavy recommendations but there are shortfalls experienced with regard to how compliance is approached putting into consideration that SMMEs have been given exemptions in the number of pillars of the score card they can apply to their business. It is also important to note that the influence and bulldozing that is expected when it comes to dealing with policies of this nature is not to be sidelined. This research aims to look at the discrepancies that are set out within the structures that hold the policy together so as to attain maximum results.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Assessing challenges in public appointments and recruitment processes in Chris Hani District Municipality: a case study of human resource department in Lukhanji Local Municipality
- Authors: Gijana, Andile Patrick
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Civil service -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies , Human capital -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11617 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/325 , Civil service -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies , Human capital -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies
- Description: The aim of this study was to assess challenges in Public Appointments and Recruitment Processes in Chris Hani District Municipality: A case study of Human Resource Department in Lukhanji Local Municipality (2008-2010) of the Eastern Cape Province. There has never been a detailed research study conducted in the Chris Hani Human Resource Department, regarding the subject in question. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa in Section 195(i) directs that Public Administration must be broadly representative of the South African people, with employment and personnel management practices based on ability, objectivity, fairness and the need to redress the imbalances of the past to achieve broad representation. The literature review explored extensively the models used in implementing recruitment and appointment processes globally. From those tested models elsewhere, it was evident that South Africa has a great Constitution and good policies regarding Local Government Human Resource Department recruitment and appointment processes not withstanding some challenges cited in the study. This assessment of challenges in the public appointments and recruitment processes in Chris Hani District Municipality assisted in the establishment of the real facts about effective and fair recruitment and appointment processes in the Local Government Human Resource Management Department to deserving communities. It became clear from the study that providing efficient and fair recruitment and appointments processes to the Local Government Human Resource Department in South Africa requires a broader advocacy agenda encompassing the development of Human Resource systems and the generation of numerous skills and expertise to deliver services to the poor people of our country.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Gijana, Andile Patrick
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Civil service -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies , Human capital -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11617 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/325 , Civil service -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies , Human capital -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies
- Description: The aim of this study was to assess challenges in Public Appointments and Recruitment Processes in Chris Hani District Municipality: A case study of Human Resource Department in Lukhanji Local Municipality (2008-2010) of the Eastern Cape Province. There has never been a detailed research study conducted in the Chris Hani Human Resource Department, regarding the subject in question. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa in Section 195(i) directs that Public Administration must be broadly representative of the South African people, with employment and personnel management practices based on ability, objectivity, fairness and the need to redress the imbalances of the past to achieve broad representation. The literature review explored extensively the models used in implementing recruitment and appointment processes globally. From those tested models elsewhere, it was evident that South Africa has a great Constitution and good policies regarding Local Government Human Resource Department recruitment and appointment processes not withstanding some challenges cited in the study. This assessment of challenges in the public appointments and recruitment processes in Chris Hani District Municipality assisted in the establishment of the real facts about effective and fair recruitment and appointment processes in the Local Government Human Resource Management Department to deserving communities. It became clear from the study that providing efficient and fair recruitment and appointments processes to the Local Government Human Resource Department in South Africa requires a broader advocacy agenda encompassing the development of Human Resource systems and the generation of numerous skills and expertise to deliver services to the poor people of our country.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Assessing challenges in public appointments and recruitment processes in Chris Hani District Municipality: a case study of human resource department in Lukhanji Local Municipality
- Authors: Gijana, Andile Patrick
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Civil service Human capital -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape South Africa -- Officials and employees -- Selection and appointment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5752 , vital:29379
- Description: The aim of this study was to assess challenges in Public Appointments and Recruitment Processes in Chris Hani District Municipality: A case study of Human Resource Department in Lukhanji Local Municipality (2008-2010) of the Eastern Cape Province. There has never been a detailed research study conducted in the Chris Hani Human Resource Department, regarding the subject in question. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa in Section 195(i) directs that Public Administration must be broadly representative of the South African people, with employment and personnel management practices based on ability, objectivity, fairness and the need to redress the imbalances of the past to achieve broad representation. The literature review explored extensively the models used in implementing recruitment and appointment processes globally. From those tested models elsewhere, it was evident that South Africa has a great Constitution and good policies regarding Local Government Human Resource Department recruitment and appointment processes not withstanding some challenges cited in the study. This assessment of challenges in the public appointments and recruitment processes in Chris Hani District Municipality assisted in the establishment of the real facts about effective and fair recruitment and appointment processes in the Local Government Human Resource Management Department to deserving communities. It became clear from the study that providing efficient and fair recruitment and appointments processes to the Local Government Human Resource Department in South Africa requires a broader advocacy agenda encompassing the development of Human Resource systems and the generation of numerous skills and expertise to deliver services to the poor people of our country.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Gijana, Andile Patrick
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Civil service Human capital -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape South Africa -- Officials and employees -- Selection and appointment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5752 , vital:29379
- Description: The aim of this study was to assess challenges in Public Appointments and Recruitment Processes in Chris Hani District Municipality: A case study of Human Resource Department in Lukhanji Local Municipality (2008-2010) of the Eastern Cape Province. There has never been a detailed research study conducted in the Chris Hani Human Resource Department, regarding the subject in question. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa in Section 195(i) directs that Public Administration must be broadly representative of the South African people, with employment and personnel management practices based on ability, objectivity, fairness and the need to redress the imbalances of the past to achieve broad representation. The literature review explored extensively the models used in implementing recruitment and appointment processes globally. From those tested models elsewhere, it was evident that South Africa has a great Constitution and good policies regarding Local Government Human Resource Department recruitment and appointment processes not withstanding some challenges cited in the study. This assessment of challenges in the public appointments and recruitment processes in Chris Hani District Municipality assisted in the establishment of the real facts about effective and fair recruitment and appointment processes in the Local Government Human Resource Management Department to deserving communities. It became clear from the study that providing efficient and fair recruitment and appointments processes to the Local Government Human Resource Department in South Africa requires a broader advocacy agenda encompassing the development of Human Resource systems and the generation of numerous skills and expertise to deliver services to the poor people of our country.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Assessing communication challenges between clerks and deaf patients at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha
- Authors: Stemela, Unati
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Clerks and deaf patients -- Communication -- Hospital
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPH
- Identifier: vital:18417 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1006597
- Description: A study on assessing communication challenges between clerks and deaf patients at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital was conducted in 2010. The aim was to assess the existence of communication challenges, possible reasons and solutions to these. The literature reviewed identified a gap in the knowledge of communication between staff and deaf patients. A health systems’ study was conducted using a descriptive, cross sectional survey. The study population was made up of 33 clerks who worked at the registration and records area and deaf patients who stayed at Efata and received health services from the hospital. All clerks were interviewed and a random sample of 106 deaf patients was estimated using Epidat statistical software. Self administered questionnaires were used for data collection. Results confirmed the existence of communication challenges between the two groups. A majority of clerks were not trained in Sign Language. They used a combination of methods to communicate with deaf patients, and few clerks could use Sign Language. The patients also used a combination of methods due to the frustration of not having a common method of communication with clerks. The findings clearly showed that there are communication challenges between the two groups and Sign Language needed to be introduced to clerks in order to accommodate deaf patients. Further research may be done on all healthcare providers and to all deaf patients in the region served by Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, and this could have a positive impact on the quality of service offered by the hospital to the deaf community.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Stemela, Unati
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Clerks and deaf patients -- Communication -- Hospital
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPH
- Identifier: vital:18417 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1006597
- Description: A study on assessing communication challenges between clerks and deaf patients at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital was conducted in 2010. The aim was to assess the existence of communication challenges, possible reasons and solutions to these. The literature reviewed identified a gap in the knowledge of communication between staff and deaf patients. A health systems’ study was conducted using a descriptive, cross sectional survey. The study population was made up of 33 clerks who worked at the registration and records area and deaf patients who stayed at Efata and received health services from the hospital. All clerks were interviewed and a random sample of 106 deaf patients was estimated using Epidat statistical software. Self administered questionnaires were used for data collection. Results confirmed the existence of communication challenges between the two groups. A majority of clerks were not trained in Sign Language. They used a combination of methods to communicate with deaf patients, and few clerks could use Sign Language. The patients also used a combination of methods due to the frustration of not having a common method of communication with clerks. The findings clearly showed that there are communication challenges between the two groups and Sign Language needed to be introduced to clerks in order to accommodate deaf patients. Further research may be done on all healthcare providers and to all deaf patients in the region served by Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, and this could have a positive impact on the quality of service offered by the hospital to the deaf community.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Assessing conflict and management interventions
- Authors: Plaatjes, Carlton Henry
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Conflict management -- South Africa , Cognitive styles
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8818 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018930
- Description: Human resource management, or people management, is concerned with the philosophies, policies, programmes, practices and decisions that affect the people who work for an organisation. The various people management functions are aimed at helping the organisation achieve its strategic goals and as such are an integral part of the management process. People management consists of several aspects and sub-divisions of which pro-active conflict handling and management is one and which is also the subject of this study. The objective of this study was to assess causes of conflict and interventions and styles of conflict management in the workplace. Workplace politics, change management, diversity, cultures and religious views are but a few major sources for the emergence of conflict. We are currently in the era of fast change or more aptly put “hyperchange” and conflict is inevitable and management styles can also create and/or escalate conflict situations including, the composition of diversity in the workplace. This adds to the new challenges of management. Organisations in this decade need to acknowledge that their management styles of days gone by are not relevant anymore and one must understand to recognise conflict and resolve it in an appropriate manner. This study assessed the major causes of conflict in the workplace and whether the managerial style of managers and management interventions impacts on the overall conflict situations experienced by staff members in organisations in Cape Town and Windhoek. It also gave an indication if interventions and conflict management training/programmes are in place or used, if at all. Sometimes conflict is resolved successfully or unsuccessfully and what impact it has on the managers, his/her staff and colleagues and the organisation as a whole. This can have a detriment impact on the business and the culture within the organisation and which could result in or give rise to high labour turnover, underlying unhappy staff and disempowerment of managers and staff and poor production and service levels.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Plaatjes, Carlton Henry
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Conflict management -- South Africa , Cognitive styles
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8818 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018930
- Description: Human resource management, or people management, is concerned with the philosophies, policies, programmes, practices and decisions that affect the people who work for an organisation. The various people management functions are aimed at helping the organisation achieve its strategic goals and as such are an integral part of the management process. People management consists of several aspects and sub-divisions of which pro-active conflict handling and management is one and which is also the subject of this study. The objective of this study was to assess causes of conflict and interventions and styles of conflict management in the workplace. Workplace politics, change management, diversity, cultures and religious views are but a few major sources for the emergence of conflict. We are currently in the era of fast change or more aptly put “hyperchange” and conflict is inevitable and management styles can also create and/or escalate conflict situations including, the composition of diversity in the workplace. This adds to the new challenges of management. Organisations in this decade need to acknowledge that their management styles of days gone by are not relevant anymore and one must understand to recognise conflict and resolve it in an appropriate manner. This study assessed the major causes of conflict in the workplace and whether the managerial style of managers and management interventions impacts on the overall conflict situations experienced by staff members in organisations in Cape Town and Windhoek. It also gave an indication if interventions and conflict management training/programmes are in place or used, if at all. Sometimes conflict is resolved successfully or unsuccessfully and what impact it has on the managers, his/her staff and colleagues and the organisation as a whole. This can have a detriment impact on the business and the culture within the organisation and which could result in or give rise to high labour turnover, underlying unhappy staff and disempowerment of managers and staff and poor production and service levels.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Assessing education's relevance to industry needs and the impact on graduate employability: a case study of UFH communication graduates
- Authors: Siwela, Ntandokazulu
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Graduate students -- South Africa , Curriculum-based assessment -- South Africa , Educational evaluation , Employability -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11425 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/571 , Graduate students -- South Africa , Curriculum-based assessment -- South Africa , Educational evaluation , Employability -- South Africa
- Description: The 21st century has seen nations becoming more competitive yet ironically more interdependent as their future becomes even more dependent on the knowledge, skills, and resourcefulness of its people, creating new opportunities and difficulties for education, (Power, 2000). The education-work-society interdependency has therefore become more important now than ever. It is also because of this triad-interdependency that tertiary education‟s relevance to industry needs has become a crucial issue in societal development. The ever changing needs of South Africa, the unemployment rate, introduction of new technologies and many other ripple effects of globalization have seen more and more pressure mounting on the South African education system as more and more people try to ensure that the education system answers the crucial challenges of the country today and tomorrow.The discussion below provides a detailed account of the context, in which this discourse on curriculum relevance takes place, highlighting some relevant cornerstones of the Reconstruction and Development Programme, (RDP, 1994). Furthermore, this chapter exposes the key research questions and significance of the study. The subsequent chapter 2 gives an account of what other scholars have said on issues of curriculum relevance, development and the South African Higher Education system. Chapter 3 explains the research methodology as a research process used to investigate the problem in question. In this research study the researcher uses both quantitative and qualitative design (online surveys of three groups, these are the graduates, prospective employers and the lecturers). The analysis is based on quantitative data and further substantiated through qualitative data analysis. The subsequent chapter tabulates and lays out the results according to the surveys. The final chapter discusses the findings and makes future recommendations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Siwela, Ntandokazulu
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Graduate students -- South Africa , Curriculum-based assessment -- South Africa , Educational evaluation , Employability -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11425 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/571 , Graduate students -- South Africa , Curriculum-based assessment -- South Africa , Educational evaluation , Employability -- South Africa
- Description: The 21st century has seen nations becoming more competitive yet ironically more interdependent as their future becomes even more dependent on the knowledge, skills, and resourcefulness of its people, creating new opportunities and difficulties for education, (Power, 2000). The education-work-society interdependency has therefore become more important now than ever. It is also because of this triad-interdependency that tertiary education‟s relevance to industry needs has become a crucial issue in societal development. The ever changing needs of South Africa, the unemployment rate, introduction of new technologies and many other ripple effects of globalization have seen more and more pressure mounting on the South African education system as more and more people try to ensure that the education system answers the crucial challenges of the country today and tomorrow.The discussion below provides a detailed account of the context, in which this discourse on curriculum relevance takes place, highlighting some relevant cornerstones of the Reconstruction and Development Programme, (RDP, 1994). Furthermore, this chapter exposes the key research questions and significance of the study. The subsequent chapter 2 gives an account of what other scholars have said on issues of curriculum relevance, development and the South African Higher Education system. Chapter 3 explains the research methodology as a research process used to investigate the problem in question. In this research study the researcher uses both quantitative and qualitative design (online surveys of three groups, these are the graduates, prospective employers and the lecturers). The analysis is based on quantitative data and further substantiated through qualitative data analysis. The subsequent chapter tabulates and lays out the results according to the surveys. The final chapter discusses the findings and makes future recommendations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Assessing the 'breaking new ground in housing' policy of South Africa in meeting the objectives of community participation
- Authors: April, Tandeka
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Housing policy -- Citizen participation , Political participation -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9070 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008400 , Housing policy -- Citizen participation , Political participation -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality -- Evaluation
- Description: Community participation is an important aspect of South African government policies that deal with integrated development planning and sustainable development. This report presents aspects of community participation in infrastructure delivery and in particular housing in Reeston which is part of the Duncan Village Redevelopment Initiative in East London area of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. The importance of community participation is acknowledged as it enhances the ability of the community members to demonstrate and use their own views to deal with specific issues and to address the needs and problems that emerge and prevail in their societies. The two emerging paradigms of community participation suggest that the participating communities should be involved in the ‘selection, design, planning and implementation’ of projects that will have an effect on them and from which they are going to benefit ; and that continuous feedback to communities forms a fundamental part of any development activity. This report explores how the “Breaking New Ground in Housing” (BNG) policy of the South African Government meets its objectives in the context of community participation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: April, Tandeka
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Housing policy -- Citizen participation , Political participation -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9070 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008400 , Housing policy -- Citizen participation , Political participation -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality -- Evaluation
- Description: Community participation is an important aspect of South African government policies that deal with integrated development planning and sustainable development. This report presents aspects of community participation in infrastructure delivery and in particular housing in Reeston which is part of the Duncan Village Redevelopment Initiative in East London area of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. The importance of community participation is acknowledged as it enhances the ability of the community members to demonstrate and use their own views to deal with specific issues and to address the needs and problems that emerge and prevail in their societies. The two emerging paradigms of community participation suggest that the participating communities should be involved in the ‘selection, design, planning and implementation’ of projects that will have an effect on them and from which they are going to benefit ; and that continuous feedback to communities forms a fundamental part of any development activity. This report explores how the “Breaking New Ground in Housing” (BNG) policy of the South African Government meets its objectives in the context of community participation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011