An exploration of absence and presence through the mediums of bronze, glass and resin figurative sculpture, within a narrative of memory
- Authors: Walmsley, Sarah-Anne
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Dualism in art
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42439 , vital:36656
- Description: This research study was based upon three critical components. These include absence and presence, memory and the female nude. The problem statement aimed to determine how compositionally sound pairings and groupings of bronze, glass and resin figurative sculptures may be manipulated to create visual equilibrium in a work and communicate an inherent conceptual element. This necessitated the following research question which explored what the role of memory and the imago is within dualistic representations of the absent and present, as represented in the mediums of bronze, glass and resin. The creative and research processes culminate in the body of artwork, entitled Absence and Presence: in Search of Memory and the Imago, which is presented as a narrative installation and exhibition of sculptural work. This body of work was driven by the creation of a signifier and allegory for an absent presence or present absence which will always evoke the contemplation of this interplay between these two terms and the ways in which they define and become one another within the narrative of personal memory. Personal memories will always collide with the present and bring with them the memories of absence, but encourage the subject to make tangible this absence in order to confront it and in doing so, realise that it cannot be addressed separately from the presence which defines it
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Walmsley, Sarah-Anne
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Dualism in art
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/42439 , vital:36656
- Description: This research study was based upon three critical components. These include absence and presence, memory and the female nude. The problem statement aimed to determine how compositionally sound pairings and groupings of bronze, glass and resin figurative sculptures may be manipulated to create visual equilibrium in a work and communicate an inherent conceptual element. This necessitated the following research question which explored what the role of memory and the imago is within dualistic representations of the absent and present, as represented in the mediums of bronze, glass and resin. The creative and research processes culminate in the body of artwork, entitled Absence and Presence: in Search of Memory and the Imago, which is presented as a narrative installation and exhibition of sculptural work. This body of work was driven by the creation of a signifier and allegory for an absent presence or present absence which will always evoke the contemplation of this interplay between these two terms and the ways in which they define and become one another within the narrative of personal memory. Personal memories will always collide with the present and bring with them the memories of absence, but encourage the subject to make tangible this absence in order to confront it and in doing so, realise that it cannot be addressed separately from the presence which defines it
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Analysis of the reliability for the 132/66/22 KV distribution network within Eskom’s Eastern Cape operating unit
- Authors: Pantshwa, Athini
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Electric power transmission -- Reliability , Electric power distribution Electric power Electric power systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/34722 , vital:33429
- Description: A stable and reliable electrical power supply system is an inevitable pre-requisite for the technological and economic growth of any nation. Due to this, utilities must strive and ensure that the customer’s reliability requirements are met and that the regulators requirements are satisfied at the lowest possible cost. It is known fact around the world that 90% of the customer service interruptions are caused due to failure in distribution system. Therefore, it is worth considering reliability assessments as it provides an opportunity to incorporate the cost or losses incurred by the utilities customer because of power failure. This must be considered in the planning and operating practices. The system modelling and simulation study is carried out on one of the district’s distribution system which consists of 132 kV, 66 kV and 22 kV network in Aliwal North Sector ECOU. The reliability assessment is done on the 22, 66 and 132 kV system to assess the performance of the present system and predictive reliability analysis for the future system considering load growth and system expansion. The alternative which gives low SAIDI, SAIFI and minimum breakeven costs is being assessed and considered. The reliability of 132 kV system could be further improved by constructing a new 132 kV line from a different source of supply and connecting with line coming from another district (reserve) at reasonable break-even cost. The decision base could be further improved by having Aliwal North Sector context interruption cost. However, the historical data which may be used in Aliwal North Sector to acquire interruption costs from the customers are being proposed. The focus should be on improving the power quality on constrained networks first, then the reliability. Therefore, for the Aliwal North power system network it is imperative that Eskom invest on the reliability of this network. This dissertation also analysed load reflected economic benefit versus performance expectations that should be optimized through achieving a balance between network performance (SAIDI) improvement, and total life cycle cost (to Eskom as well as the economy). Reliability analysis conducted in this dissertation used Aliwal North power system network as a case study; the results proved that the system is vulnerable to faults, planned and unplanned outages. Reliability evaluation studies were conducted on the system using DigSilent software in conjunction with FME. These two models gave accurate results with acceptable variance in most indices except for the ENS where the variance was quite significant. It can be concluded that DigSilent results are the most accurate results in all three reliability evaluation scenarios for the Aliwal North Power System, best interpretation being that of DigSilent.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Pantshwa, Athini
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Electric power transmission -- Reliability , Electric power distribution Electric power Electric power systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/34722 , vital:33429
- Description: A stable and reliable electrical power supply system is an inevitable pre-requisite for the technological and economic growth of any nation. Due to this, utilities must strive and ensure that the customer’s reliability requirements are met and that the regulators requirements are satisfied at the lowest possible cost. It is known fact around the world that 90% of the customer service interruptions are caused due to failure in distribution system. Therefore, it is worth considering reliability assessments as it provides an opportunity to incorporate the cost or losses incurred by the utilities customer because of power failure. This must be considered in the planning and operating practices. The system modelling and simulation study is carried out on one of the district’s distribution system which consists of 132 kV, 66 kV and 22 kV network in Aliwal North Sector ECOU. The reliability assessment is done on the 22, 66 and 132 kV system to assess the performance of the present system and predictive reliability analysis for the future system considering load growth and system expansion. The alternative which gives low SAIDI, SAIFI and minimum breakeven costs is being assessed and considered. The reliability of 132 kV system could be further improved by constructing a new 132 kV line from a different source of supply and connecting with line coming from another district (reserve) at reasonable break-even cost. The decision base could be further improved by having Aliwal North Sector context interruption cost. However, the historical data which may be used in Aliwal North Sector to acquire interruption costs from the customers are being proposed. The focus should be on improving the power quality on constrained networks first, then the reliability. Therefore, for the Aliwal North power system network it is imperative that Eskom invest on the reliability of this network. This dissertation also analysed load reflected economic benefit versus performance expectations that should be optimized through achieving a balance between network performance (SAIDI) improvement, and total life cycle cost (to Eskom as well as the economy). Reliability analysis conducted in this dissertation used Aliwal North power system network as a case study; the results proved that the system is vulnerable to faults, planned and unplanned outages. Reliability evaluation studies were conducted on the system using DigSilent software in conjunction with FME. These two models gave accurate results with acceptable variance in most indices except for the ENS where the variance was quite significant. It can be concluded that DigSilent results are the most accurate results in all three reliability evaluation scenarios for the Aliwal North Power System, best interpretation being that of DigSilent.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Designing devotion: the visual mechanisms used to build a personality cult
- Authors: Muller, Ruehl
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Design -- Social aspects , Design -- Human factors Communication in design Graphic arts
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22968 , vital:30158
- Description: This study develops a model that aims to prove that, regardless of sociopolitical system, where a cult of personality exists, the mechanisms that are used to construct it and to maintain it, from a visual communication perspective, exhibit a methodological sameness. Drawing on Collins’ (2004) theory of emotional energy and interaction rituals, and Márquez’s (2013; 2017) application of said theory as an explanation of the personality cult phenomenon, the model seeks to identify, with regard to affectiveemotional constructions, what is required from leader-based foci to initiate this process. To achieve this, artefacts (visual representations) of Kim Jongil, Ayatollah Khomeini, King Mswati III, and Saparmurat Niyazov and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow were collated from within North Korea, Iran, Swaziland and Turkmenistan respectively. Analyses of both the design and semiotic components of the artefacts were conducted and the findings used to develop the model. The model was tested through four unique case studies of personality cults not affiliated with its construction.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Muller, Ruehl
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Design -- Social aspects , Design -- Human factors Communication in design Graphic arts
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22968 , vital:30158
- Description: This study develops a model that aims to prove that, regardless of sociopolitical system, where a cult of personality exists, the mechanisms that are used to construct it and to maintain it, from a visual communication perspective, exhibit a methodological sameness. Drawing on Collins’ (2004) theory of emotional energy and interaction rituals, and Márquez’s (2013; 2017) application of said theory as an explanation of the personality cult phenomenon, the model seeks to identify, with regard to affectiveemotional constructions, what is required from leader-based foci to initiate this process. To achieve this, artefacts (visual representations) of Kim Jongil, Ayatollah Khomeini, King Mswati III, and Saparmurat Niyazov and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow were collated from within North Korea, Iran, Swaziland and Turkmenistan respectively. Analyses of both the design and semiotic components of the artefacts were conducted and the findings used to develop the model. The model was tested through four unique case studies of personality cults not affiliated with its construction.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Environmental health community service in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Mbola, Patience
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Environmental health -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Environmental health -- Administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Environmental health -- Evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Community health services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32028 , vital:31920
- Description: In terms of the Health Professions Act (Act 56 of 1974), Environmental Health graduates are required to conduct a year of Community Service before they are allowed to register as independent Environmental Health Practitioners at the Health Professions Council of South Africa. The main purpose of Community Service by these graduates is to assist Environmental Health Practitioners in the execution of their daily tasks, thereby contributing to more effective service delivery, especially to the disadvantaged communities, within the sphere of government where they are deployed. Several studies have been conducted in an effort to identify problem areas in other health care professions during the Community Service year, but no such study could be found on Environmental Health. The aim of this study was to do the same for the Environmental Health profession in South Africa, by focusing on problems and challenges during Community Service placement, specifically the 2013 to 2016 intakes of Community Service practitioners in the Eastern Cape Province and the administrators responsible for the program at national, provincial and municipal spheres of government. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative research designs (mixed method) and was by nature explorative, descriptive and contextual. Two populations were involved; namely, twenty four Environmental Health graduates who completed their Community Service during 2013 to 2016 within the Eastern Cape Province, and ten Environmental Health Practitioners who were responsible for the administration of the Community Service program at the provincial and municipal spheres of government during the same period. A purposive sample was drawn from each population. Qualitative data was collected by means of interviews and quantitative data through questionnaires. Qualitative data was analysed using Tech’s method of data analysis and quantitative data was statistically analysed. The results of the study revealed that the Eastern Cape Department of Health needs to review the Community Service program for Environmental Health graduates and further initiate resolutions in terms of the identified problems, such as maladministration of Community Service which related to the lack of consistency of communication during the organisation of the Community Service program; declined/decreasing number of Environmental Health Community Service posts in the Eastern Cape Province which led to a shortage of human resources; Inadequate provision of material resources for Community Service; lack of induction training and inconsistent supervision of Environmental Health Community Service practitioners; and lack of evaluation of the success of the Environmental Health Community Service program. The study findings suggest important inequalities and non-compliances which should deserve urgent attention. Based on the challenges that have been identified regarding the organisation and implementation of the Community Service program, this study concludes by presenting recommendations for the improvement of the Community Service program in the Environmental Health profession.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mbola, Patience
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Environmental health -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Environmental health -- Administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Environmental health -- Evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Community health services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32028 , vital:31920
- Description: In terms of the Health Professions Act (Act 56 of 1974), Environmental Health graduates are required to conduct a year of Community Service before they are allowed to register as independent Environmental Health Practitioners at the Health Professions Council of South Africa. The main purpose of Community Service by these graduates is to assist Environmental Health Practitioners in the execution of their daily tasks, thereby contributing to more effective service delivery, especially to the disadvantaged communities, within the sphere of government where they are deployed. Several studies have been conducted in an effort to identify problem areas in other health care professions during the Community Service year, but no such study could be found on Environmental Health. The aim of this study was to do the same for the Environmental Health profession in South Africa, by focusing on problems and challenges during Community Service placement, specifically the 2013 to 2016 intakes of Community Service practitioners in the Eastern Cape Province and the administrators responsible for the program at national, provincial and municipal spheres of government. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative research designs (mixed method) and was by nature explorative, descriptive and contextual. Two populations were involved; namely, twenty four Environmental Health graduates who completed their Community Service during 2013 to 2016 within the Eastern Cape Province, and ten Environmental Health Practitioners who were responsible for the administration of the Community Service program at the provincial and municipal spheres of government during the same period. A purposive sample was drawn from each population. Qualitative data was collected by means of interviews and quantitative data through questionnaires. Qualitative data was analysed using Tech’s method of data analysis and quantitative data was statistically analysed. The results of the study revealed that the Eastern Cape Department of Health needs to review the Community Service program for Environmental Health graduates and further initiate resolutions in terms of the identified problems, such as maladministration of Community Service which related to the lack of consistency of communication during the organisation of the Community Service program; declined/decreasing number of Environmental Health Community Service posts in the Eastern Cape Province which led to a shortage of human resources; Inadequate provision of material resources for Community Service; lack of induction training and inconsistent supervision of Environmental Health Community Service practitioners; and lack of evaluation of the success of the Environmental Health Community Service program. The study findings suggest important inequalities and non-compliances which should deserve urgent attention. Based on the challenges that have been identified regarding the organisation and implementation of the Community Service program, this study concludes by presenting recommendations for the improvement of the Community Service program in the Environmental Health profession.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Extraction of diallyl sulfides and other similar compounds from tulbaghia violacea, a South African plant, for potential use as devulcanizing agents
- Authors: Sonti, Thembela Celia
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Violaceae -- South Africa , Plant extracts Plant products Traditional medicine
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23338 , vital:30533
- Description: Tulbaghia violacea is a plant that is commonly used for traditional medicine in the Eastern Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal Provinces of South Africa for treatment of ailments, such as fever, colds, asthma, tuberculosis, stomach-ache and cancer of the oesophagus. This plant has been found to be rich in sulfur-containing compounds that may display good potential as devulcanizing agents. Commonly used chemical devulcanizing agents are disulfides, such as diphenyl disulfide. These have been found to be relatively expensive compared to other methods of devulcanization. This study aimed to show that the sulfur- containing compounds extracted from the readily available Tulbaghia violacea plant can be used as devulcanizing agents. The presence of sulfur-containing compounds in the plant was positively identified by qualitative phytochemical analysis. Extraction of sulfur-containing compounds from the bulk plant material was successfully performed using the Soxhlet extraction method with a 2% 2-propanol in n-hexane solvent mixture. There was a positive identification of sulfur compounds in the crude extracts of the bulbs, roots and leaves. Diallyl disulfides (DADS) extracted from the plant were successfully quantified using normal phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that in a bulb crude extract of 9.89 mg/mL concentration, there was 7.74X10-2 mg/mL concentration of DADS. In the roots crude extract of 10.26 mg/mL concentration, there was 2.93X10-2 mg/mL concentration of DADS; and in leaves crude extract of 10.47 mg/mL concentration, there was 3.69X10-2 mg/mL concentration of DADS. The crude extracts were evaluated for their effectiveness as devulcanizing agents by reacting them with vulcanized 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene (TME), which was used as a model compound. A reverse phase HPLC method was used to identify crosslink species formed during vulcanization, and to monitor the broken crosslinks during devulcanization. It was observed that the di- and polysulfidic crosslinked vulcanized model compound species were not present in the devulcanized product. Furthermore monosulfidic crosslink species, a common end species of devulcanization, were observed to increase in concentration from the HPLC chromatograms. It was observed that the extracts from the bulbs and leaves of Tulbaghia violacea were more effective than the extract from the roots when applied to the vulcanized model compound. This study demonstrates that Tulbaghia violacea can be used as alternatives to petroleum-derived chemicals as devulcanizing agents.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Sonti, Thembela Celia
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Violaceae -- South Africa , Plant extracts Plant products Traditional medicine
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23338 , vital:30533
- Description: Tulbaghia violacea is a plant that is commonly used for traditional medicine in the Eastern Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal Provinces of South Africa for treatment of ailments, such as fever, colds, asthma, tuberculosis, stomach-ache and cancer of the oesophagus. This plant has been found to be rich in sulfur-containing compounds that may display good potential as devulcanizing agents. Commonly used chemical devulcanizing agents are disulfides, such as diphenyl disulfide. These have been found to be relatively expensive compared to other methods of devulcanization. This study aimed to show that the sulfur- containing compounds extracted from the readily available Tulbaghia violacea plant can be used as devulcanizing agents. The presence of sulfur-containing compounds in the plant was positively identified by qualitative phytochemical analysis. Extraction of sulfur-containing compounds from the bulk plant material was successfully performed using the Soxhlet extraction method with a 2% 2-propanol in n-hexane solvent mixture. There was a positive identification of sulfur compounds in the crude extracts of the bulbs, roots and leaves. Diallyl disulfides (DADS) extracted from the plant were successfully quantified using normal phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that in a bulb crude extract of 9.89 mg/mL concentration, there was 7.74X10-2 mg/mL concentration of DADS. In the roots crude extract of 10.26 mg/mL concentration, there was 2.93X10-2 mg/mL concentration of DADS; and in leaves crude extract of 10.47 mg/mL concentration, there was 3.69X10-2 mg/mL concentration of DADS. The crude extracts were evaluated for their effectiveness as devulcanizing agents by reacting them with vulcanized 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene (TME), which was used as a model compound. A reverse phase HPLC method was used to identify crosslink species formed during vulcanization, and to monitor the broken crosslinks during devulcanization. It was observed that the di- and polysulfidic crosslinked vulcanized model compound species were not present in the devulcanized product. Furthermore monosulfidic crosslink species, a common end species of devulcanization, were observed to increase in concentration from the HPLC chromatograms. It was observed that the extracts from the bulbs and leaves of Tulbaghia violacea were more effective than the extract from the roots when applied to the vulcanized model compound. This study demonstrates that Tulbaghia violacea can be used as alternatives to petroleum-derived chemicals as devulcanizing agents.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Factors that impact on the user experience of a mobile school health application
- Authors: Chetty, Avineshin
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Wireless communication systems in medical care , Medical informatics Application software Technology -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21801 , vital:29780
- Description: In South Africa, the National Department of Health through its Integrated School Health Policy, use school nurses, to visit schools and perform health screening of learners which focus mainly on nutrition, eyesight and hearing. To date, this was done manually, but with the advance of technology, there is a need to investigate the use of for example, mobile applications to assist with health screening tasks. As part of the TECH4RED project in the Chris Hani district, a mobile school health assessment application was implemented and used over a period three years. As this is a new way of conducting the health screening, there is a need to understand the user experiences of the end users who interact with both the technology and the application. The objective of this study was to investigate the perceived factors that impact on the UX of the school health assessment application. The research aimed to understand the uses, advantages and disadvantages of mobile health applications. It also aimed at determining whether there are unique characteristics of the targeted end users and if so, whether such characteristics would affect the overall UX when using the application. Determining the levels of satisfaction and investigating the apparent challenges the users faced while interacting with the application provided some insights into underlying factors. A theoretical framework was constructed using existing literature. Using a case study approach, data was collected by means of end user satisfaction and user experience questionnaires. Additional data collection was done by means of an expert review to obtain feedback on the content and workflow of the school health assessment application. The resulting findings from the research included, a descriptive list of factors that impact the school health assessment application, as well as a subsequent list of recommendations for improvements. These key-findings could lead to possible guidelines, while additionally, providing valuable insight into mobile school health applications on the whole.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Chetty, Avineshin
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Wireless communication systems in medical care , Medical informatics Application software Technology -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21801 , vital:29780
- Description: In South Africa, the National Department of Health through its Integrated School Health Policy, use school nurses, to visit schools and perform health screening of learners which focus mainly on nutrition, eyesight and hearing. To date, this was done manually, but with the advance of technology, there is a need to investigate the use of for example, mobile applications to assist with health screening tasks. As part of the TECH4RED project in the Chris Hani district, a mobile school health assessment application was implemented and used over a period three years. As this is a new way of conducting the health screening, there is a need to understand the user experiences of the end users who interact with both the technology and the application. The objective of this study was to investigate the perceived factors that impact on the UX of the school health assessment application. The research aimed to understand the uses, advantages and disadvantages of mobile health applications. It also aimed at determining whether there are unique characteristics of the targeted end users and if so, whether such characteristics would affect the overall UX when using the application. Determining the levels of satisfaction and investigating the apparent challenges the users faced while interacting with the application provided some insights into underlying factors. A theoretical framework was constructed using existing literature. Using a case study approach, data was collected by means of end user satisfaction and user experience questionnaires. Additional data collection was done by means of an expert review to obtain feedback on the content and workflow of the school health assessment application. The resulting findings from the research included, a descriptive list of factors that impact the school health assessment application, as well as a subsequent list of recommendations for improvements. These key-findings could lead to possible guidelines, while additionally, providing valuable insight into mobile school health applications on the whole.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Financial viability and sustainability of the Mzimvubu-Tsitsikamma catchment management agency upon establishment
- Authors: Madube-dube, Melikhaya
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Water-supply -- South Africa -- Management , Water resources development -- South Africa -- Management Watersheds -- South Africa -- Finance Water resources development -- South Africa -- Finance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30832 , vital:31170
- Description: The National Water Act, 36 of 1998 through chapter seven mandates the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) to establish (CMAs) throughout the Republic of South Africa. These CMAs are institutions geographically based with their boundaries coinciding, as far as is possible, with the river catchment boundaries. The purpose of establishing the CMAs is to delegate the raw water resources management function to the regional or catchment level or in water management areas. There were previously two water management areas (WMAs) in the Eastern Cape as proposed by the 2004 National Water Resources Strategy (NWRS), namely WMA twelve (WMA 12) and WMA fifteen (WMA 15). WMA twelve ran from the Mzimvubu to Kieskamahoek Rivers with WMA fifteen running from the Great Fish to the Tsitsikamma Rivers. The 2012 edition of the NWRS proposed the amalgamation of the two WMAs into one, running from the Mzimvubu to the Tsitsikamma Rivers, coinciding with the provincial boundary. The amalgamation of the two WMAs is due to the management and financial viability of the institution. When established, the institution will be called the Mzimvubu-Tsitsikamma Catchment Management Agency (CMA). The CMA determines its budget allocation by identifying and costing the functions that will be performed and dividing those by the registered volumes of allocated water which equals the tariff/charge. The tariff is recovered from the raw water users or customers (DWS, 2015b). Water users are categorised with their water use as follows: Agricultural sector, Municipal sector, Industry and mining, Hydropower, High assurance use Water has been declared a scarce resource in South Africa due to, amongst others, pollution, infrastructure development, and changes in climatic conditions such as droughts (Water Research Commission, n.d.,; Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, 2016). Poor attendance and participation by water stakeholder representatives in raw water tariff consultation sessions have been established. In addition to the above are fair and good participation by both stakeholders coupled with negative feedback from the questionnaires. These challenges have great potential to render the agency as financially unviable and unsustainable when established. However, the above issues do not preclude other challenges as identified in the research area. Proposed recommendations to turn the fortunes of the Mzimvubu-Tsitsikamma CMA around when established should be explored in detail.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Madube-dube, Melikhaya
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Water-supply -- South Africa -- Management , Water resources development -- South Africa -- Management Watersheds -- South Africa -- Finance Water resources development -- South Africa -- Finance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30832 , vital:31170
- Description: The National Water Act, 36 of 1998 through chapter seven mandates the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) to establish (CMAs) throughout the Republic of South Africa. These CMAs are institutions geographically based with their boundaries coinciding, as far as is possible, with the river catchment boundaries. The purpose of establishing the CMAs is to delegate the raw water resources management function to the regional or catchment level or in water management areas. There were previously two water management areas (WMAs) in the Eastern Cape as proposed by the 2004 National Water Resources Strategy (NWRS), namely WMA twelve (WMA 12) and WMA fifteen (WMA 15). WMA twelve ran from the Mzimvubu to Kieskamahoek Rivers with WMA fifteen running from the Great Fish to the Tsitsikamma Rivers. The 2012 edition of the NWRS proposed the amalgamation of the two WMAs into one, running from the Mzimvubu to the Tsitsikamma Rivers, coinciding with the provincial boundary. The amalgamation of the two WMAs is due to the management and financial viability of the institution. When established, the institution will be called the Mzimvubu-Tsitsikamma Catchment Management Agency (CMA). The CMA determines its budget allocation by identifying and costing the functions that will be performed and dividing those by the registered volumes of allocated water which equals the tariff/charge. The tariff is recovered from the raw water users or customers (DWS, 2015b). Water users are categorised with their water use as follows: Agricultural sector, Municipal sector, Industry and mining, Hydropower, High assurance use Water has been declared a scarce resource in South Africa due to, amongst others, pollution, infrastructure development, and changes in climatic conditions such as droughts (Water Research Commission, n.d.,; Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, 2016). Poor attendance and participation by water stakeholder representatives in raw water tariff consultation sessions have been established. In addition to the above are fair and good participation by both stakeholders coupled with negative feedback from the questionnaires. These challenges have great potential to render the agency as financially unviable and unsustainable when established. However, the above issues do not preclude other challenges as identified in the research area. Proposed recommendations to turn the fortunes of the Mzimvubu-Tsitsikamma CMA around when established should be explored in detail.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Human resources strategies for creating a green organisational culture
- Authors: Jacobs, Petro
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Personnel management , Environmental responsibility Corporate culture Social responsibility of business
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22090 , vital:29839
- Description: Organisations of the future have to focus strongly on sustainability to meet the needs of and ensure the survival of future generations. Many organisations either ignore environmental issues or address these issues superficially. To become a green organisation, requires a change in attitude, knowledge and behaviour and therefore a change in organisational culture. The purpose of this study was to explore Human Resources strategies for developing and implementing a green organisational culture in organisations. To address the main problem and the identified sub-problems, a literature study was undertaken. The concept of sustainability was explored, the rationale for going green and major stakeholders in creating a green organisational culture were identified. The literature study provided a synopsis of previous research on HR strategies for managing a culture change and more specifically, for creating and implementing a green culture in organisations. The research revealed that leadership, communication, recruitment, orientation, training, performance management, reward and recognition initiatives, as well as discipline, could be used to develop green values, attitudes and behaviours among organisational members. A web-based survey with a questionnaire as data collecting instrument was conducted among public and private organisations in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan area to determine the extent to which these organisations used the identified HR strategies to create a green organisational culture. A snowball sample technique was used. The main factors surveyed, included leadership, green technologies, green communication, HR strategies and procedures, brand communication and brand image. The results confirmed that executives or senior management were the main drivers to create a green culture; however, even though these leaders were considered passionate about the environment, they did not optimise the vision values and strategy to build a green organisational culture. The study also confirmed that although these organisations used green technologies to reduce waste, they did not encourage or reward employees for their contributions to green initiatives and did not adequately use communication in this respect. The results revealed that of the factors surveyed, leadership and HR strategies or procedures contributed the most to organisations developing a green organisational brand or image. The study confirmed the importance of using an integrated approach to develop a green organisation. Such an approach is initiated by senior management, through the formulation of a green vision, green values and a green strategy, and is supported by both technological resources and employee contributions. In addition, HR strategies should be aligned vertically and horizontally to develop an appropriate green mind-set and behaviour among all organisational members. In this respect, the HR department should also model appropriate green behaviours.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Jacobs, Petro
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Personnel management , Environmental responsibility Corporate culture Social responsibility of business
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22090 , vital:29839
- Description: Organisations of the future have to focus strongly on sustainability to meet the needs of and ensure the survival of future generations. Many organisations either ignore environmental issues or address these issues superficially. To become a green organisation, requires a change in attitude, knowledge and behaviour and therefore a change in organisational culture. The purpose of this study was to explore Human Resources strategies for developing and implementing a green organisational culture in organisations. To address the main problem and the identified sub-problems, a literature study was undertaken. The concept of sustainability was explored, the rationale for going green and major stakeholders in creating a green organisational culture were identified. The literature study provided a synopsis of previous research on HR strategies for managing a culture change and more specifically, for creating and implementing a green culture in organisations. The research revealed that leadership, communication, recruitment, orientation, training, performance management, reward and recognition initiatives, as well as discipline, could be used to develop green values, attitudes and behaviours among organisational members. A web-based survey with a questionnaire as data collecting instrument was conducted among public and private organisations in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan area to determine the extent to which these organisations used the identified HR strategies to create a green organisational culture. A snowball sample technique was used. The main factors surveyed, included leadership, green technologies, green communication, HR strategies and procedures, brand communication and brand image. The results confirmed that executives or senior management were the main drivers to create a green culture; however, even though these leaders were considered passionate about the environment, they did not optimise the vision values and strategy to build a green organisational culture. The study also confirmed that although these organisations used green technologies to reduce waste, they did not encourage or reward employees for their contributions to green initiatives and did not adequately use communication in this respect. The results revealed that of the factors surveyed, leadership and HR strategies or procedures contributed the most to organisations developing a green organisational brand or image. The study confirmed the importance of using an integrated approach to develop a green organisation. Such an approach is initiated by senior management, through the formulation of a green vision, green values and a green strategy, and is supported by both technological resources and employee contributions. In addition, HR strategies should be aligned vertically and horizontally to develop an appropriate green mind-set and behaviour among all organisational members. In this respect, the HR department should also model appropriate green behaviours.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Impact of intergrating teebus hydro power on the unbalanced distribution MV network
- Authors: Mthethwa, Lindani
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Electric power systems , Renewable energy sources Hydroelectric power plants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/33054 , vital:32512
- Description: Small hydro power sources have been identified as one of the renewable energy technologies that the South African government is focusing on in order to generate more electricity from renewable/independent resources. Due to the low carbon output of most renewable energy technologies and the carbon intensive power generation technologies that are currently being used in South Africa e.g. Hydro, coal, gas, and etc. further pressure is increasing to incorporate cleaner forms of generation. In 2002 a study focusing on the hydropower potential was compiled providing an assessment according to conventional and unconventional possibilities for all the provinces. Nowadays, the power electricity demand is growing fast and one of the main tasks for power engineers is to generate electricity from renewable energy sources to overcome this increase in the energy consumption and at the same time reduce environmental impact of power generation. Eskom Distribution Eastern Cape Operating Unit (ECOU) was requested to investigate the feasibility of connecting a small hydro power scheme located in the Teebus area in the Eastern Cape. The Eastern Cape in particular, was identified as potentially the most productive area for small hydroelectric development in South Africa for both the grid connected and off grid applications. These network conditions are in contrast to the South African electricity network where long radial feeders with low X/R ratios and high resistance, spanning large geographic areas, give rise to low voltages on the network. Practical simulation networks have been used to test the conditions set out in the South African Grid Code/NERSA standard and to test the impact of connecting small hydro generation onto the unbalanced distribution network. These networks are representative of various real case scenarios of the South African distribution network. Most of the findings from the simulations were consistent with what was expected when comparing with other literatures. From the simulation results it was seen that the performance of the variable speed generators were superior to that of the fixed speed generators during transient conditions. It was also seen that the weakness of the network had a negative effect on the stability of the system. It is also noted that the stability studies are a necessity when connecting the generators to a network and that each case should be reviewed individually. The fundamental cause of voltage instability is identified as incapability of combined distribution and generation system to meet excessive load demand in either real power or reactive power form.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mthethwa, Lindani
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Electric power systems , Renewable energy sources Hydroelectric power plants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/33054 , vital:32512
- Description: Small hydro power sources have been identified as one of the renewable energy technologies that the South African government is focusing on in order to generate more electricity from renewable/independent resources. Due to the low carbon output of most renewable energy technologies and the carbon intensive power generation technologies that are currently being used in South Africa e.g. Hydro, coal, gas, and etc. further pressure is increasing to incorporate cleaner forms of generation. In 2002 a study focusing on the hydropower potential was compiled providing an assessment according to conventional and unconventional possibilities for all the provinces. Nowadays, the power electricity demand is growing fast and one of the main tasks for power engineers is to generate electricity from renewable energy sources to overcome this increase in the energy consumption and at the same time reduce environmental impact of power generation. Eskom Distribution Eastern Cape Operating Unit (ECOU) was requested to investigate the feasibility of connecting a small hydro power scheme located in the Teebus area in the Eastern Cape. The Eastern Cape in particular, was identified as potentially the most productive area for small hydroelectric development in South Africa for both the grid connected and off grid applications. These network conditions are in contrast to the South African electricity network where long radial feeders with low X/R ratios and high resistance, spanning large geographic areas, give rise to low voltages on the network. Practical simulation networks have been used to test the conditions set out in the South African Grid Code/NERSA standard and to test the impact of connecting small hydro generation onto the unbalanced distribution network. These networks are representative of various real case scenarios of the South African distribution network. Most of the findings from the simulations were consistent with what was expected when comparing with other literatures. From the simulation results it was seen that the performance of the variable speed generators were superior to that of the fixed speed generators during transient conditions. It was also seen that the weakness of the network had a negative effect on the stability of the system. It is also noted that the stability studies are a necessity when connecting the generators to a network and that each case should be reviewed individually. The fundamental cause of voltage instability is identified as incapability of combined distribution and generation system to meet excessive load demand in either real power or reactive power form.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Motivation of construction workers in the nelson Mandela Bay Metropole, South Africa
- Jesumoroti, Christtestimony Oluwafemi
- Authors: Jesumoroti, Christtestimony Oluwafemi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Performance standards -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Construction workers -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Construction industry -- Employees -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30573 , vital:30962
- Description: The issue of construction workers’ motivation has become a subject of debate among construction project management professionals. Construction workers mostly work long hours in relatively disagreeable environments and, far from their families. Most of the activities are done under difficult conditions including harsh weather conditions, however, employees are required to be motivated towards ensuring the attractiveness of the industry to them. Moreover, there are diverse perceptions that the motivation of construction workers positively impacts construction workers performance or rather adversely affects the general performance of construction workers. Although, workers motivation has been proven to improve construction productivity globally, motivation of construction workers seems not to be effectively implemented in South African Construction Industry. As a result, it is difficult for management to identify motivational factors that affect workers productivity in a work environment. A quantitative research approach was employed to analyse the result obtained from a structured questionnaire survey. The research respondents included: bricklayers, plumbers, concrete workers, electricians, carpenters, and professionals. This study used data from primary source which focus on tradesman, labourer and professional context. A survey was conducted with tradesmen, labourers and professionals regarding motivation on construction workers which was conducted in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole, Eastern Cape. It was found that motivation is important to construction workers’ performance. Awarding bonuses to workers is important to improving workers’ efficiency and there is a need for construction workers recognition by management. Construction industry stakeholder should shift their attention and prioritise the motivation of its workers since the industry has a way of cubing poverty and uplifting the county’s economy. The findings revealed that motivational communication, rather than functional communication, would enhance worker productivity. It was found that both intrinsic and extrinsic rewards are needed to improve worker productivity. It was also found that positive reinforcement techniques, should be used to enhance worker productivity. The findings from this research study revealed that the motivational theories apply to construction workers, and management needs to apply these theories wisely to achieve improved productivity. The study therefore concludes that motivational techniques are necessary to improve construction workers productivity on a vii construction site. It is recommended that supervisors use motivational communication, extrinsic rewards, intrinsic rewards and positive reinforcement to motivate their workers to achieve higher levels of productivity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Jesumoroti, Christtestimony Oluwafemi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Performance standards -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Construction workers -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Construction industry -- Employees -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30573 , vital:30962
- Description: The issue of construction workers’ motivation has become a subject of debate among construction project management professionals. Construction workers mostly work long hours in relatively disagreeable environments and, far from their families. Most of the activities are done under difficult conditions including harsh weather conditions, however, employees are required to be motivated towards ensuring the attractiveness of the industry to them. Moreover, there are diverse perceptions that the motivation of construction workers positively impacts construction workers performance or rather adversely affects the general performance of construction workers. Although, workers motivation has been proven to improve construction productivity globally, motivation of construction workers seems not to be effectively implemented in South African Construction Industry. As a result, it is difficult for management to identify motivational factors that affect workers productivity in a work environment. A quantitative research approach was employed to analyse the result obtained from a structured questionnaire survey. The research respondents included: bricklayers, plumbers, concrete workers, electricians, carpenters, and professionals. This study used data from primary source which focus on tradesman, labourer and professional context. A survey was conducted with tradesmen, labourers and professionals regarding motivation on construction workers which was conducted in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole, Eastern Cape. It was found that motivation is important to construction workers’ performance. Awarding bonuses to workers is important to improving workers’ efficiency and there is a need for construction workers recognition by management. Construction industry stakeholder should shift their attention and prioritise the motivation of its workers since the industry has a way of cubing poverty and uplifting the county’s economy. The findings revealed that motivational communication, rather than functional communication, would enhance worker productivity. It was found that both intrinsic and extrinsic rewards are needed to improve worker productivity. It was also found that positive reinforcement techniques, should be used to enhance worker productivity. The findings from this research study revealed that the motivational theories apply to construction workers, and management needs to apply these theories wisely to achieve improved productivity. The study therefore concludes that motivational techniques are necessary to improve construction workers productivity on a vii construction site. It is recommended that supervisors use motivational communication, extrinsic rewards, intrinsic rewards and positive reinforcement to motivate their workers to achieve higher levels of productivity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Optimising x-ray referral systems to ensure patient safety during ionising radiographic examination in Nelson Mandela Bay Health District
- Authors: Munnick, Derna Camille
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: X-rays -- Diffraction -- Safety measures , Radiography, Medical , Medical personnel and patients
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22824 , vital:30105
- Description: X-ray request forms are used at hospitals and primary health care centres (PHCC) by health care professionals (HCP) to communicate with radiologists and radiographers when referring patients for ionising radiographic (x-rays) examinations. The x-ray request form and the radiological report are medico-legal documents. However, the importance of adequately completed x-ray request forms, appear to be underestimated. The HCP must write a brief clinical history on the x-ray request form that justifies the ionising radiographic (x-ray) examination referral, enabling radiographers and radiologists to have a better understanding of the patient’s clinical condition. An adequately completed x-ray request form assist the radiographer to make decisions regarding patient safety techniques and standard operating protocols that need to be applied. The radiologist will also have a better understanding of the patient’s clinical condition when reporting on the x-ray projections based on the clinical information supplied on the x-ray request form. The primary objective of this study was to explore and describe the adequacy of completion of x-ray request forms in order to optimise ionising radiographic referrals (x-ray requests) to ensure patient safety during ionising radiographic examinations at PHCC’s in NMBHD. A quantitative research design with an explorative, descriptive, and contextual approach was undertaken. The data was collected using an evaluation form checklist that the radiographer responsible for the requested x-ray examination completed. Data was gathered at all five PHCC’s, offering x-ray services, in the NMBHD by qualified radiographers evaluating the adequacy of completion of the x-ray request forms using an evaluation form checklist with an online program QuestionPro. Strategies to ensure validity and reliability in the study were undertaken. Ethical principles adhered to included informed consent, privacy, anonymity and confidentiality, gaining ethical permission to do the study and approval to enter the research site. The results of the study revealed that none of the 582 x-ray request forms evaluated were adequately completed. The fields on the x-ray request forms that were most frequently completed were the surname, clinical history, examination requested and the referring HCP details all had a total percentage correct completion of 90% and above. The fields most frequently omitted were last menstrual period (LMP) of females of child-bearing age and an indication of previous x-rays. The patient’s age and how to address the patient were also frequently incomplete. The researcher made recommendations to the NMBHD on how the x-ray referral system by means of the x-ray request form could be optimised of in order to increase patient safety during ionising radiographic (x-ray) examinations. Recommendations made to the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District (NMBHD) was based on the findings of the research study to ensure optimisation of x-ray requests concerning the completion of the x-ray request forms to ensure patient safety during x-ray examination procedures. Recommendations to the NMBHD were as follows:Education and training, Distribution of guidelines, Keeping a record of HCP’s qualifications, Consent form must be completed for all female patients of child-bearing age, Redesign the current x-ray request form. The researcher also made recommendations for possible future studies which could also increase patient safety during x-ray examinations and were as follows. The researcher suggested that this research could be applied at both public and private hospitals as well as in other health districts in the Eastern Cape to evaluate the adequacy of the completion of the x-ray request forms in the Eastern Cape. The researcher suggested a research study be done at PHCC’s in NMBHD, on the justification and the dose levels used for the frequently requested x-rays. The researcher recommended an accessible health information exchange system for radiography in Port Elizabeth and surrounding health institutions to reduce repeated x-ray requests for patients who visit different health institutions for the same clinical problem. The researcher concluded from the results of the statistical analyses of the study that generally the adequacy of completion of the x-ray request forms at the PHCC’s in NMBHD was average. Improperly or incomplete fields on the x-ray request forms were observed from the results. Indicating that referring HCP’s at the PHCC’s of NMBHD could optimise the x-ray referral system by means of correct, accurate and comprehensive completion of the x-ray request form to ensure patient safety during ionising radiographic examinations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Munnick, Derna Camille
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: X-rays -- Diffraction -- Safety measures , Radiography, Medical , Medical personnel and patients
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22824 , vital:30105
- Description: X-ray request forms are used at hospitals and primary health care centres (PHCC) by health care professionals (HCP) to communicate with radiologists and radiographers when referring patients for ionising radiographic (x-rays) examinations. The x-ray request form and the radiological report are medico-legal documents. However, the importance of adequately completed x-ray request forms, appear to be underestimated. The HCP must write a brief clinical history on the x-ray request form that justifies the ionising radiographic (x-ray) examination referral, enabling radiographers and radiologists to have a better understanding of the patient’s clinical condition. An adequately completed x-ray request form assist the radiographer to make decisions regarding patient safety techniques and standard operating protocols that need to be applied. The radiologist will also have a better understanding of the patient’s clinical condition when reporting on the x-ray projections based on the clinical information supplied on the x-ray request form. The primary objective of this study was to explore and describe the adequacy of completion of x-ray request forms in order to optimise ionising radiographic referrals (x-ray requests) to ensure patient safety during ionising radiographic examinations at PHCC’s in NMBHD. A quantitative research design with an explorative, descriptive, and contextual approach was undertaken. The data was collected using an evaluation form checklist that the radiographer responsible for the requested x-ray examination completed. Data was gathered at all five PHCC’s, offering x-ray services, in the NMBHD by qualified radiographers evaluating the adequacy of completion of the x-ray request forms using an evaluation form checklist with an online program QuestionPro. Strategies to ensure validity and reliability in the study were undertaken. Ethical principles adhered to included informed consent, privacy, anonymity and confidentiality, gaining ethical permission to do the study and approval to enter the research site. The results of the study revealed that none of the 582 x-ray request forms evaluated were adequately completed. The fields on the x-ray request forms that were most frequently completed were the surname, clinical history, examination requested and the referring HCP details all had a total percentage correct completion of 90% and above. The fields most frequently omitted were last menstrual period (LMP) of females of child-bearing age and an indication of previous x-rays. The patient’s age and how to address the patient were also frequently incomplete. The researcher made recommendations to the NMBHD on how the x-ray referral system by means of the x-ray request form could be optimised of in order to increase patient safety during ionising radiographic (x-ray) examinations. Recommendations made to the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District (NMBHD) was based on the findings of the research study to ensure optimisation of x-ray requests concerning the completion of the x-ray request forms to ensure patient safety during x-ray examination procedures. Recommendations to the NMBHD were as follows:Education and training, Distribution of guidelines, Keeping a record of HCP’s qualifications, Consent form must be completed for all female patients of child-bearing age, Redesign the current x-ray request form. The researcher also made recommendations for possible future studies which could also increase patient safety during x-ray examinations and were as follows. The researcher suggested that this research could be applied at both public and private hospitals as well as in other health districts in the Eastern Cape to evaluate the adequacy of the completion of the x-ray request forms in the Eastern Cape. The researcher suggested a research study be done at PHCC’s in NMBHD, on the justification and the dose levels used for the frequently requested x-rays. The researcher recommended an accessible health information exchange system for radiography in Port Elizabeth and surrounding health institutions to reduce repeated x-ray requests for patients who visit different health institutions for the same clinical problem. The researcher concluded from the results of the statistical analyses of the study that generally the adequacy of completion of the x-ray request forms at the PHCC’s in NMBHD was average. Improperly or incomplete fields on the x-ray request forms were observed from the results. Indicating that referring HCP’s at the PHCC’s of NMBHD could optimise the x-ray referral system by means of correct, accurate and comprehensive completion of the x-ray request form to ensure patient safety during ionising radiographic examinations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Phytochemical analysis and biological activity studies of an Eastern Cape medicinal plant, Strychnos Henningsii
- Authors: Mngoma, Mondeli
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22758 , vital:30074
- Description: This project sees the chemical investigation of an Eastern Cape medicinal plant, Strychnos henningsii. The aim of this project was to investigate the phytoconstituents and activity of organic extracts of S. henningsii as well as isolation and characterization of single compounds. S. henningsii is one of the most widely used tree bark in the Eastern Cape in treating a variety of ailments. Evaluation of the traditional herbal use of the S. henningsii bark was warranted. Both the ethyl acetate and methanol extract proved to possess non-toxic properties and showed cell growth potential at low concentrations. The anti-inflammatory response of both extracts showed appreciable results, and they did not promote inflammatory due to the alkaloidal presence. Although the extracts both showed the presence of phenols, the anti-oxidant capacity by DPPH, FRAP, and ORAC assays was considerately lower than expected. The ethyl acetate extract presented a compound thought to be a terpenoid (4.1). Three compounds were isolated from the methanol extract; two alkaloidal compounds and one acrylate. The alkaloids were isolated from the methanol extract, stryvomicine (4.2) and an isovomicine derivative (4.3). Their structures were deduced from NMR (1D and 2D experiments) and HRMS spectra. This acrylate was found to be 3-(4-methylphenyl)acrylic acid via single-crystal XRD, and this is the first report of it being isolated from the Strychnos genus. Profiling of S. henningsii was performed via Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectroscopy. Other spectroscopic techniques utilised in the interpretation of isolated compounds included Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Infrared, single-crystal X-Ray Diffraction and High Resolution Mass spectroscopy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mngoma, Mondeli
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Traditional medicine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22758 , vital:30074
- Description: This project sees the chemical investigation of an Eastern Cape medicinal plant, Strychnos henningsii. The aim of this project was to investigate the phytoconstituents and activity of organic extracts of S. henningsii as well as isolation and characterization of single compounds. S. henningsii is one of the most widely used tree bark in the Eastern Cape in treating a variety of ailments. Evaluation of the traditional herbal use of the S. henningsii bark was warranted. Both the ethyl acetate and methanol extract proved to possess non-toxic properties and showed cell growth potential at low concentrations. The anti-inflammatory response of both extracts showed appreciable results, and they did not promote inflammatory due to the alkaloidal presence. Although the extracts both showed the presence of phenols, the anti-oxidant capacity by DPPH, FRAP, and ORAC assays was considerately lower than expected. The ethyl acetate extract presented a compound thought to be a terpenoid (4.1). Three compounds were isolated from the methanol extract; two alkaloidal compounds and one acrylate. The alkaloids were isolated from the methanol extract, stryvomicine (4.2) and an isovomicine derivative (4.3). Their structures were deduced from NMR (1D and 2D experiments) and HRMS spectra. This acrylate was found to be 3-(4-methylphenyl)acrylic acid via single-crystal XRD, and this is the first report of it being isolated from the Strychnos genus. Profiling of S. henningsii was performed via Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectroscopy. Other spectroscopic techniques utilised in the interpretation of isolated compounds included Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Infrared, single-crystal X-Ray Diffraction and High Resolution Mass spectroscopy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Potable water production from atmospheric vapour using an ejector evacuated solar powered refrigeration system
- Authors: Cawood, John Henry
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Solar energy , Solar radiation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23481 , vital:30567
- Description: This research project explores the possibility of using solar radiation energy to produce safe liquid water through the condensation of atmospheric water vapour for human consumption, livestock watering and also for small scale high value crop irrigation. The research activities are comprised of a literature study, comparison of similar devices in use, a design and prototyping exercise, a measure of development work to enhance the performance of the prototype and testing in Al-Batinah province in the Sultanate of Oman, where the author is currently on a work assignment. This dissertation describes the research activities performed to answer the following question: ‘Is it possible to economically produce sufficient quantities of liquid water from atmospheric vapour using only heat energy from the sun?’ This question poses a further two questions which need to be answered in the literature study. These are: ‘What is an economical price for clean drinking water?’ and ‘What is a sufficient quantity of water?’ The purpose of producing liquid water from atmospheric water vapour is an attempt to develop the technology to harvest an alternative and almost inexhaustible water source. The reason for requiring a new source of water is due to the fact that the available fresh water resources of the world are diminishing due to pollution, extensive utilisation and salination. Several references indicate that the problem is compounding itself due the increasing demand on a diminishing resource, with deepening negative effects on agriculture1, health2, economy3, industry and lifestyle4. Many future scenarios depict clean water as a scarce and expensive commodity, unaffordable to many. The condensation of atmospheric vapour is not a new concept. The literature study explores historical attempts to achieve this, as well as detailing the shortcomings of contemporary vapour condensation units as the modern state of the art. This survey covers the spectrum from large versions deployed by military and remote area construction operations to produce water for all purposes, to small desktop electrical water producing machines. The focus of the research is on a more environmentally conscious process, attempting to use a simple ejector driven device with sunshine as the energy source and water as the refrigerant. A further environmental enhancement of the concept is that of designing the machine to last for an extremely long working life, thereby diluting the carbon footprint of manufacture over a great number of years. A portion of the research is devoted to the development of a basic model which takes into account the climatic and meteorological variables to accurately predict a water harvest. The development of the model is then used to optimise the process, narrow the variability of assumptions and assist with the design. The model also serves to predict the performance of the unit in other locations under different prevailing climatic conditions. A design specification and a prototype are produced and tested. Finally the design is scrutinised using value engineering principles to reduce cost, effort and environmental impact and also to reduce the overall cost to provide a more economically viable appliance. The prototype device used in this study will use a collector area of 1 square meter, roughly equivalent to 1000 Watts of solar power under ideal conditions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Cawood, John Henry
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Solar energy , Solar radiation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23481 , vital:30567
- Description: This research project explores the possibility of using solar radiation energy to produce safe liquid water through the condensation of atmospheric water vapour for human consumption, livestock watering and also for small scale high value crop irrigation. The research activities are comprised of a literature study, comparison of similar devices in use, a design and prototyping exercise, a measure of development work to enhance the performance of the prototype and testing in Al-Batinah province in the Sultanate of Oman, where the author is currently on a work assignment. This dissertation describes the research activities performed to answer the following question: ‘Is it possible to economically produce sufficient quantities of liquid water from atmospheric vapour using only heat energy from the sun?’ This question poses a further two questions which need to be answered in the literature study. These are: ‘What is an economical price for clean drinking water?’ and ‘What is a sufficient quantity of water?’ The purpose of producing liquid water from atmospheric water vapour is an attempt to develop the technology to harvest an alternative and almost inexhaustible water source. The reason for requiring a new source of water is due to the fact that the available fresh water resources of the world are diminishing due to pollution, extensive utilisation and salination. Several references indicate that the problem is compounding itself due the increasing demand on a diminishing resource, with deepening negative effects on agriculture1, health2, economy3, industry and lifestyle4. Many future scenarios depict clean water as a scarce and expensive commodity, unaffordable to many. The condensation of atmospheric vapour is not a new concept. The literature study explores historical attempts to achieve this, as well as detailing the shortcomings of contemporary vapour condensation units as the modern state of the art. This survey covers the spectrum from large versions deployed by military and remote area construction operations to produce water for all purposes, to small desktop electrical water producing machines. The focus of the research is on a more environmentally conscious process, attempting to use a simple ejector driven device with sunshine as the energy source and water as the refrigerant. A further environmental enhancement of the concept is that of designing the machine to last for an extremely long working life, thereby diluting the carbon footprint of manufacture over a great number of years. A portion of the research is devoted to the development of a basic model which takes into account the climatic and meteorological variables to accurately predict a water harvest. The development of the model is then used to optimise the process, narrow the variability of assumptions and assist with the design. The model also serves to predict the performance of the unit in other locations under different prevailing climatic conditions. A design specification and a prototype are produced and tested. Finally the design is scrutinised using value engineering principles to reduce cost, effort and environmental impact and also to reduce the overall cost to provide a more economically viable appliance. The prototype device used in this study will use a collector area of 1 square meter, roughly equivalent to 1000 Watts of solar power under ideal conditions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The development of armature based ceramics using South African raw materials
- Authors: Luyt, Michelle
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Pottery -- Research -- South Africa , Pottery craft -- South Africa -- Technique Ceramics in interior decoration -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22618 , vital:30028
- Description: The purpose of the research was to develop a procedure by which South African ceramicists can use locally sourced ceramic materials to create armature based art forms, without having to rely on the importation of raw materials. The study also investigated the suitability of wire armatures as well as variable temperature ranges applicable to this investigation. It was found that commercial clay slip bodies purchased from South African suppliers tended to crack when coated over wire armatures during the firing process. It was shown that by substituting South African ceramic raw materials in the John W. Conrad’s C25 casting slip and Jeremy Dubber’s Ascent casting slip formulae with the addition of paper pulp and potassium feldspar, reduced the problem of the clay cracking when applied to wire armatures. The addition of paper fibres gave the clay bodies strong adhesive qualities which allowed the clay them to adhere onto the wire armatures which prevented the dry clay coatings from chipping off prior to and after firing. The addition of potassium feldspar helped with the maturing point of both the clay bodies and helped fuse the clay particles together which strengthened the clay coatings after being fired to their respective maturing temperatures. A further application of hydrochloric acid 30% or Pro Grip Key Coat ® to the three wire armature types, being galvanized binding wire, galvanized diamond mesh and Kanthal wire prior to coating with the above two formulae improved the adhesion of the clay slips to the armatures. This prevented them from the tendency to slide off the wire during the dipping and pouring process and helped eliminate any cracks that formed during the firing process. However, the glazing of the clay slips above proved to be problematic where it was sought as a further enhancement of the clay coated wire armatures. A general-purpose earthenware glaze caused the fired clay coating to crack probably due to the increased tension between the wire, clay body and the glaze. This problem was solved by developing a low firing transparent glaze. Other decorative effects were achieved by the inclusion of 0.5% cobalt oxide into the low firing transparent glaze which produced a blemish free deep blue colour. A further effect was achieved using binding copper wire over the bisque ware and then glazing with the low firing transparent glaze. A smoke firing technique as well an application of a copper oxide wash to the bisque fired ware and then re-firing to the required maturing temperature produced pleasing results.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Luyt, Michelle
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Pottery -- Research -- South Africa , Pottery craft -- South Africa -- Technique Ceramics in interior decoration -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22618 , vital:30028
- Description: The purpose of the research was to develop a procedure by which South African ceramicists can use locally sourced ceramic materials to create armature based art forms, without having to rely on the importation of raw materials. The study also investigated the suitability of wire armatures as well as variable temperature ranges applicable to this investigation. It was found that commercial clay slip bodies purchased from South African suppliers tended to crack when coated over wire armatures during the firing process. It was shown that by substituting South African ceramic raw materials in the John W. Conrad’s C25 casting slip and Jeremy Dubber’s Ascent casting slip formulae with the addition of paper pulp and potassium feldspar, reduced the problem of the clay cracking when applied to wire armatures. The addition of paper fibres gave the clay bodies strong adhesive qualities which allowed the clay them to adhere onto the wire armatures which prevented the dry clay coatings from chipping off prior to and after firing. The addition of potassium feldspar helped with the maturing point of both the clay bodies and helped fuse the clay particles together which strengthened the clay coatings after being fired to their respective maturing temperatures. A further application of hydrochloric acid 30% or Pro Grip Key Coat ® to the three wire armature types, being galvanized binding wire, galvanized diamond mesh and Kanthal wire prior to coating with the above two formulae improved the adhesion of the clay slips to the armatures. This prevented them from the tendency to slide off the wire during the dipping and pouring process and helped eliminate any cracks that formed during the firing process. However, the glazing of the clay slips above proved to be problematic where it was sought as a further enhancement of the clay coated wire armatures. A general-purpose earthenware glaze caused the fired clay coating to crack probably due to the increased tension between the wire, clay body and the glaze. This problem was solved by developing a low firing transparent glaze. Other decorative effects were achieved by the inclusion of 0.5% cobalt oxide into the low firing transparent glaze which produced a blemish free deep blue colour. A further effect was achieved using binding copper wire over the bisque ware and then glazing with the low firing transparent glaze. A smoke firing technique as well an application of a copper oxide wash to the bisque fired ware and then re-firing to the required maturing temperature produced pleasing results.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The effect of the van Staden wind farm on the power quality of the rural distribution network
- Authors: Venter, Clement
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Electric transformers , Wind power Electric power production
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36761 , vital:34051
- Description: Connection of wind farms to weak networks with a typically low X/R and short circuit ratio could result in a larger variation of voltage for corresponding variation in wind farm generation output. This variation in voltage could negatively affect the quality of electrical power in the vicinity of the connected wind farm. The analysis was based on actual on-site measurement data at individual consumers’ point of supply and the effect of the Van Stadens Wind Farm integration as seen by the consumers can be determined. It was found through statistical and correlative analysis that the voltage quality measured at the test sites were not negatively affected by the presence of generation at the Metrowind Van Stadens Wind Farm. The voltage was found to be more negatively affected by the load current drawn by the consumer at the test site and that it is foremost when the loading current was higher. No definitive evidence of an increase in voltage harmonics due to generation output or loading current was found. At two sites it was however found that the 7th order harmonic is eliminated or reduced by an increase in the generation of the wind farm above approximately 20% of maximum output. Power Factory simulations, using the Quasi Dynamic simulation tool, was performed to validate the voltage findings of the on-site power quality measurements and two things were clear from the simulations. Firstly the voltage at the point of connection has a strong negative correlation with the consumer loading current and means that the voltage will usually decrease with an increase in the loading current and vice versa. Secondly, as with the analysis of the on-site measurement results, it can be said that when current is low, then the generation output of the wind farm will have a proportional effect on the voltage. From the findings of the on-site measurements it was concluded that the wind farm did not have a negative effect on the test site consumers in the vicinity and the Power factory simulations confirmed the conclusions on the voltage analysis. It was also concluded that the local consumer load current has a larger effect on the local measured voltage than the generation output of the wind farm.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Venter, Clement
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Electric transformers , Wind power Electric power production
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36761 , vital:34051
- Description: Connection of wind farms to weak networks with a typically low X/R and short circuit ratio could result in a larger variation of voltage for corresponding variation in wind farm generation output. This variation in voltage could negatively affect the quality of electrical power in the vicinity of the connected wind farm. The analysis was based on actual on-site measurement data at individual consumers’ point of supply and the effect of the Van Stadens Wind Farm integration as seen by the consumers can be determined. It was found through statistical and correlative analysis that the voltage quality measured at the test sites were not negatively affected by the presence of generation at the Metrowind Van Stadens Wind Farm. The voltage was found to be more negatively affected by the load current drawn by the consumer at the test site and that it is foremost when the loading current was higher. No definitive evidence of an increase in voltage harmonics due to generation output or loading current was found. At two sites it was however found that the 7th order harmonic is eliminated or reduced by an increase in the generation of the wind farm above approximately 20% of maximum output. Power Factory simulations, using the Quasi Dynamic simulation tool, was performed to validate the voltage findings of the on-site power quality measurements and two things were clear from the simulations. Firstly the voltage at the point of connection has a strong negative correlation with the consumer loading current and means that the voltage will usually decrease with an increase in the loading current and vice versa. Secondly, as with the analysis of the on-site measurement results, it can be said that when current is low, then the generation output of the wind farm will have a proportional effect on the voltage. From the findings of the on-site measurements it was concluded that the wind farm did not have a negative effect on the test site consumers in the vicinity and the Power factory simulations confirmed the conclusions on the voltage analysis. It was also concluded that the local consumer load current has a larger effect on the local measured voltage than the generation output of the wind farm.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The evolution of fashion discourse: examining vogue magazine’s role as fashion authority
- Authors: Wissink, Emma Seline
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Fashion -- Research , Fashion -- Forecasting Clothing trade -- Forecasting Advertising -- Fashion Fashion writing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36026 , vital:33883
- Description: The aim of this study was to investigate the evolution of Vogue magazine’s role as a fashion authority. The methodology of Foucauldian discourse analysis motivated the enquiry into the establishment of Vogue’s fashion authority over time. The corpus of Vogue’s September Point of View editorials between the period of 1960 and 2015 was divided into four epochs using the period of editorship held by the four editors (Jessica Daves, Diana Vreeland, Grace Mirabella and Anna Wintour). Features of Vogue’s discourse were identified in literature and applied to the corpus using a concurrent embedded mixed methods approach, employing the quantitative and qualitative methods of content and discourse analysis respectively. The analysis suggested that Vogue maintained fashion authority through changing its discourse to suit changes occurring in the field of fashion and the evolving needs and perspectives of the reader. Changes in the way Vogue presents itself; addresses the reader; attributes material, commercial, or intellectual features to fashion; addresses concepts of time and novelty; and negotiates the relationship between American fashion and European or global fashion were the focus of the analysis. The findings conceptualise Vogue’s voice as evolving through the four roles of reporting, fictionalizing, translating and connecting fashion. The shift in Vogue’s voice suggests that the conceptualization of fashion in the publication shifts towards a more abstract and general conception of fashion and reader. The results suggest that Vogue’s fashion discourse shifts from a focus on the specific material features of fashion and craft and the conception of fashion as news and Vogue as a reporter towards a focus on the more abstract, general intellectual and commercial properties of fashion and the conception of fashion as commerce promoting Vogue’s role as a facilitating platform.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Wissink, Emma Seline
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Fashion -- Research , Fashion -- Forecasting Clothing trade -- Forecasting Advertising -- Fashion Fashion writing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36026 , vital:33883
- Description: The aim of this study was to investigate the evolution of Vogue magazine’s role as a fashion authority. The methodology of Foucauldian discourse analysis motivated the enquiry into the establishment of Vogue’s fashion authority over time. The corpus of Vogue’s September Point of View editorials between the period of 1960 and 2015 was divided into four epochs using the period of editorship held by the four editors (Jessica Daves, Diana Vreeland, Grace Mirabella and Anna Wintour). Features of Vogue’s discourse were identified in literature and applied to the corpus using a concurrent embedded mixed methods approach, employing the quantitative and qualitative methods of content and discourse analysis respectively. The analysis suggested that Vogue maintained fashion authority through changing its discourse to suit changes occurring in the field of fashion and the evolving needs and perspectives of the reader. Changes in the way Vogue presents itself; addresses the reader; attributes material, commercial, or intellectual features to fashion; addresses concepts of time and novelty; and negotiates the relationship between American fashion and European or global fashion were the focus of the analysis. The findings conceptualise Vogue’s voice as evolving through the four roles of reporting, fictionalizing, translating and connecting fashion. The shift in Vogue’s voice suggests that the conceptualization of fashion in the publication shifts towards a more abstract and general conception of fashion and reader. The results suggest that Vogue’s fashion discourse shifts from a focus on the specific material features of fashion and craft and the conception of fashion as news and Vogue as a reporter towards a focus on the more abstract, general intellectual and commercial properties of fashion and the conception of fashion as commerce promoting Vogue’s role as a facilitating platform.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The financial impact on the Nelson Mandela University as a result of excluding international students from the university funding model
- Authors: Bezuidenhout, Janine Ingrid
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Universities and colleges -- South Africa -- Finance , Student aid -- South Africa Students, Foreign -- Rating of -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23613 , vital:30587
- Description: The higher education sector in South Africa (SA) is currently facing financial constraints due to the admission of an increasing number of students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. In 2015, students started protesting, demanding free higher education (OECD, 2017). In addition, the unstable political situation and declining economic conditions prevailing in the country also contributes to increased financial pressure on the higher education sector. Despite these conditions, it is important for higher education institutions (HEIs) in SA to respond decisively and efficiently without sacrificing their obligation to the neighbouring countries and their international duty as set forth in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) protocol (Mello, 2013). The South African government subsidies are an important source of income for universities. The SA government subsidises the international students at the same rate as the South African students (Cilliers, 2017). According to Cilliers (2017), no funding policy is currently available, which excludes the international students from the block grant. The research for this study was guided by the question whether the exclusion of international students’ subsidies from the SA government university funding model could have an adverse financial impact on the Nelson Mandela University. This study was conducted by means of the collection and analysis of secondary quantitative data. The SA government subsidies for the international students enrolled at the Nelson Mandela University for the period 2009 to 2015 were calculated in order to answer the research question. It was concluded that if the international students were excluded from the SA government subsidies, the financial impact on the Nelson Mandela University could be approximately R64,5 million in the 2017 academic year. The outcome of this study is to enable the policymakers, government officials and university administrators to realise the financial impact on the universities if the international students were excluded from the SA government subsidies. Although this study focused on the Nelson Mandela University, the impact of the exclusion of the international students from the SA government university funding model would be significant and negative for the universities, international offices, international students and the plans to internationalise teaching, learning and research at the South African universities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Bezuidenhout, Janine Ingrid
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Universities and colleges -- South Africa -- Finance , Student aid -- South Africa Students, Foreign -- Rating of -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23613 , vital:30587
- Description: The higher education sector in South Africa (SA) is currently facing financial constraints due to the admission of an increasing number of students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. In 2015, students started protesting, demanding free higher education (OECD, 2017). In addition, the unstable political situation and declining economic conditions prevailing in the country also contributes to increased financial pressure on the higher education sector. Despite these conditions, it is important for higher education institutions (HEIs) in SA to respond decisively and efficiently without sacrificing their obligation to the neighbouring countries and their international duty as set forth in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) protocol (Mello, 2013). The South African government subsidies are an important source of income for universities. The SA government subsidises the international students at the same rate as the South African students (Cilliers, 2017). According to Cilliers (2017), no funding policy is currently available, which excludes the international students from the block grant. The research for this study was guided by the question whether the exclusion of international students’ subsidies from the SA government university funding model could have an adverse financial impact on the Nelson Mandela University. This study was conducted by means of the collection and analysis of secondary quantitative data. The SA government subsidies for the international students enrolled at the Nelson Mandela University for the period 2009 to 2015 were calculated in order to answer the research question. It was concluded that if the international students were excluded from the SA government subsidies, the financial impact on the Nelson Mandela University could be approximately R64,5 million in the 2017 academic year. The outcome of this study is to enable the policymakers, government officials and university administrators to realise the financial impact on the universities if the international students were excluded from the SA government subsidies. Although this study focused on the Nelson Mandela University, the impact of the exclusion of the international students from the SA government university funding model would be significant and negative for the universities, international offices, international students and the plans to internationalise teaching, learning and research at the South African universities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The relationship between leadership, group identity and intention to attend: the case of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Mazantsana, Pumla
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Leadership -- South Africa -- Research , Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Absenteeism (Labor) -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32741 , vital:32340
- Description: The study investigated the relationship between leadership, group identity and intention to attend; among a sample of employees in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Since it is a common occurrence that public entities in South Africa are faced with high labour turnover and absenteeism as a result of failure to attend, strategies are required that will assist in reducing this challenging issue. The expectation is that by virtue of the leadership authorities and responsibilities, they play an important in the effective functioning of such public entities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mazantsana, Pumla
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Leadership -- South Africa -- Research , Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Absenteeism (Labor) -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32741 , vital:32340
- Description: The study investigated the relationship between leadership, group identity and intention to attend; among a sample of employees in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Since it is a common occurrence that public entities in South Africa are faced with high labour turnover and absenteeism as a result of failure to attend, strategies are required that will assist in reducing this challenging issue. The expectation is that by virtue of the leadership authorities and responsibilities, they play an important in the effective functioning of such public entities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The secret life of public sculpture: an explorative case study on what the “voting line” does in Central, Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Van der Merwe, Joy
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Public art , Public art -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Art and society Sculpture -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36750 , vital:34050
- Description: To date, there has been little contemporary academic study on public art in Port Elizabeth. There have however been major art-led urban regeneration projects in the last ten years. This raises the question of what these artworks have been ‘doing’ in their relatively new homes. This study explores the function of the Voting Line, which was commissioned by the Mandela Bay Development Agency and made by Anthony Harris and Konrad Geel. The Voting Line is discussed as a key example of public artwork produced for Route 67. Using a case study design, four different approaches have been applied in this exploratory study. These include: document analysis, observation, interviews and a South African data making process called the Mmogo Method. The findings of this study suggest that the Voting Line is broadly considered as contributing towards nation building; cultural heritage tourism, and developing city identity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Van der Merwe, Joy
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Public art , Public art -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Art and society Sculpture -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36750 , vital:34050
- Description: To date, there has been little contemporary academic study on public art in Port Elizabeth. There have however been major art-led urban regeneration projects in the last ten years. This raises the question of what these artworks have been ‘doing’ in their relatively new homes. This study explores the function of the Voting Line, which was commissioned by the Mandela Bay Development Agency and made by Anthony Harris and Konrad Geel. The Voting Line is discussed as a key example of public artwork produced for Route 67. Using a case study design, four different approaches have been applied in this exploratory study. These include: document analysis, observation, interviews and a South African data making process called the Mmogo Method. The findings of this study suggest that the Voting Line is broadly considered as contributing towards nation building; cultural heritage tourism, and developing city identity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The use of photography as a vehicle for socio-cultural commentary on the stigmatisation of albinism in sub-Saharan Africa
- Authors: Pragnell, Robyn Monica
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Photography -- Social aspects , Photography -- Digital techniques Photography -- Research Photography -- Africa Three-dimensional display systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22541 , vital:29998
- Description: This study provides an investigation into the current transition socio-culturally concerned photographers are making from traditional two-dimensional flat imagery, towards three-dimensional materiality based photographic installation artworks. According to Dr. Gillian Rose (2016), larger society is found to be in a state of oculacentrism, where vision and visuals are central to contemporary every day experience, resulting in the medium of photographic expression not being used and experienced by the average person as an art medium at all. So much so that these traditional photographic forms of visual communications have found a decline in visual engagement and subsequently visual impact. In an attempt to combat this change in the relationship between photographic imagery and audiences, select socio-cultural photographers are adopting practices incorporating three-dimensional, immersive installation techniques (Shore, 2014: 7-11), (Lister, 2007: 272). The aim is to provide a three-dimensional installation space, where the audience is encouraged to engage with socio-cultural issues. The study focuses specifically on two sociocultural photographers, Damien Schumann and Angelica Dass, who have communicated socio-cultural stories in this three-dimensional photographic installation space. In order to analyse and derive valuable techniques and approaches from their selected works The Shack (2010) and Humanae (2017) the study combines sections of Dr. Gillian Rose’s Visual Methodologies Framework (2016) as well as installation analysis tools designed by author Mark Rosenthal (2003). The same analytical criteria are then applied to the practical components socio-cultural topic communicating the Stigmatism Towards Persons With Albinism in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study concludes having created a three-dimensional photographic installation exhibition using similar techniques identified within the selected artists, moving beyond twodimensional forms to present a combination of three-dimensional techniques for enhanced socio-cultural visual communications.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Pragnell, Robyn Monica
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Photography -- Social aspects , Photography -- Digital techniques Photography -- Research Photography -- Africa Three-dimensional display systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22541 , vital:29998
- Description: This study provides an investigation into the current transition socio-culturally concerned photographers are making from traditional two-dimensional flat imagery, towards three-dimensional materiality based photographic installation artworks. According to Dr. Gillian Rose (2016), larger society is found to be in a state of oculacentrism, where vision and visuals are central to contemporary every day experience, resulting in the medium of photographic expression not being used and experienced by the average person as an art medium at all. So much so that these traditional photographic forms of visual communications have found a decline in visual engagement and subsequently visual impact. In an attempt to combat this change in the relationship between photographic imagery and audiences, select socio-cultural photographers are adopting practices incorporating three-dimensional, immersive installation techniques (Shore, 2014: 7-11), (Lister, 2007: 272). The aim is to provide a three-dimensional installation space, where the audience is encouraged to engage with socio-cultural issues. The study focuses specifically on two sociocultural photographers, Damien Schumann and Angelica Dass, who have communicated socio-cultural stories in this three-dimensional photographic installation space. In order to analyse and derive valuable techniques and approaches from their selected works The Shack (2010) and Humanae (2017) the study combines sections of Dr. Gillian Rose’s Visual Methodologies Framework (2016) as well as installation analysis tools designed by author Mark Rosenthal (2003). The same analytical criteria are then applied to the practical components socio-cultural topic communicating the Stigmatism Towards Persons With Albinism in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study concludes having created a three-dimensional photographic installation exhibition using similar techniques identified within the selected artists, moving beyond twodimensional forms to present a combination of three-dimensional techniques for enhanced socio-cultural visual communications.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018