The impact of redeployment of teachers in Port Elizabeth schools
- Zokufa, Feziwe Angela Nomvuyo Nozipho
- Authors: Zokufa, Feziwe Angela Nomvuyo Nozipho
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Teachers -- Supply and demand -- South Africa , Teachers -- Recruiting -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9491 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/677 , Teachers -- Supply and demand -- South Africa , Teachers -- Recruiting -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: The aim of this study was to establish new strategies on how redeployment of teachers should be conducted and enable teachers to adapt to the redeployment process, especially in Port Elizabeth schools. This investigation was set within both qualitative a quantitative framework. Five schools where some of teachers were affected by redeployment in Port Elizabeth were investigated. Purposive sampling was used for selecting the respondents for this study and also for selecting these five schools. Questionnaires and interviews were used for the collection of data. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of redeployment of teachers in Port Elizabeth schools. The findings revealed that there is needs to upgrade the qualification of the teachers, that effective human resource planning should result in the involvement of teachers when decision making takes place, especially issues that affect them directly such as iv redeployment and that provincial Department of Education and teachers organizations like South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU), National Professional Teachers Organization of South Africa (NAPTOSA), South African Teachers Union (SATU) should work closely in the area of redeployment. This topic is useful for all who are in the teaching profession, whether as redeployed teachers or as practicing professionals. A number of conclusions and recommendations, in line with the findings of the study were made. Recommendations on how redeployment of teachers could be conducted in Port Elizabeth schools were presented. An attempt has also been made to include items that are of special interest to South African teachers in general and Port Elizabeth teachers in particular.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Zokufa, Feziwe Angela Nomvuyo Nozipho
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Teachers -- Supply and demand -- South Africa , Teachers -- Recruiting -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9491 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/677 , Teachers -- Supply and demand -- South Africa , Teachers -- Recruiting -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: The aim of this study was to establish new strategies on how redeployment of teachers should be conducted and enable teachers to adapt to the redeployment process, especially in Port Elizabeth schools. This investigation was set within both qualitative a quantitative framework. Five schools where some of teachers were affected by redeployment in Port Elizabeth were investigated. Purposive sampling was used for selecting the respondents for this study and also for selecting these five schools. Questionnaires and interviews were used for the collection of data. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of redeployment of teachers in Port Elizabeth schools. The findings revealed that there is needs to upgrade the qualification of the teachers, that effective human resource planning should result in the involvement of teachers when decision making takes place, especially issues that affect them directly such as iv redeployment and that provincial Department of Education and teachers organizations like South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU), National Professional Teachers Organization of South Africa (NAPTOSA), South African Teachers Union (SATU) should work closely in the area of redeployment. This topic is useful for all who are in the teaching profession, whether as redeployed teachers or as practicing professionals. A number of conclusions and recommendations, in line with the findings of the study were made. Recommendations on how redeployment of teachers could be conducted in Port Elizabeth schools were presented. An attempt has also been made to include items that are of special interest to South African teachers in general and Port Elizabeth teachers in particular.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
The impact of the Blue Crane development agency on tourism development: a comparative analysis
- Authors: Zokoza, Makhaya
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Tourism -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Travel agents -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9129 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018602
- Description: This research investigates the impact of the Blue Crane Development Agency (BCDA) on tourism development by comparing the implementation of the Responsible Tourism Sector Plan of the Blue Crane Route Municipality (BCRM) with the Responsible Tourism Sector Plan of the Sundays River Valley Municipality (SRVM). In the latter instance, there is no development agency involved. A qualitative approach to research is applied with a specific focus on in-depth interviews. The literature review focuses on responsible tourism, local economic development (LED) and development agencies. The research is grounded in the Endogenous Growth Theory. The research notes the phenomenal success of the development agency model for delivery of LED projects. There is a notable growth in the tourism sector within the BCRM. With 45 permanent jobs created, the BCRM is a better place as compared to what it was in the era prior to the establishment of the BCDA. This surpasses by far the number of jobs created in the SRVM where the development agency model does not exist. The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) prefers a district-wide development agency as opposed to a local development agency. The establishment of Cacadu Development Agency (CDA) follows this suggestion. The findings of this research are thus very significant for the SALGA in their pursuit for best practices in LED. Both the BCRM and the SRVM are under-marketed, a negative factor on their tourism growth and development. Placing of billboards at the Ncanara interchange to advertise them would ideally enhance their tourism marketing campaigns. The research also finds that both local municipalities have inadequate monitoring and evaluation systems for projects. In this respect, the research suggests that the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) should consider conducting a provincial research covering all the districts, on the contribution of tourism to the local economies. As a provincial entity, the ECPTA would be better placed to undertake that task. They would have less legal restrictions imposed by jurisdictional issues than would a local municipality. The research recommends the relocation of the CDA and the CDM from the metropolitan city of Port Elizabeth to one of the local municipalities. That would most likely increase business tourism, thereby boosting the local economy in the relevant small municipality. In conclusion, this research proposes that the presence of a development agency enhances tourism growth and development in the BCRM.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Zokoza, Makhaya
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Tourism -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Travel agents -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9129 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018602
- Description: This research investigates the impact of the Blue Crane Development Agency (BCDA) on tourism development by comparing the implementation of the Responsible Tourism Sector Plan of the Blue Crane Route Municipality (BCRM) with the Responsible Tourism Sector Plan of the Sundays River Valley Municipality (SRVM). In the latter instance, there is no development agency involved. A qualitative approach to research is applied with a specific focus on in-depth interviews. The literature review focuses on responsible tourism, local economic development (LED) and development agencies. The research is grounded in the Endogenous Growth Theory. The research notes the phenomenal success of the development agency model for delivery of LED projects. There is a notable growth in the tourism sector within the BCRM. With 45 permanent jobs created, the BCRM is a better place as compared to what it was in the era prior to the establishment of the BCDA. This surpasses by far the number of jobs created in the SRVM where the development agency model does not exist. The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) prefers a district-wide development agency as opposed to a local development agency. The establishment of Cacadu Development Agency (CDA) follows this suggestion. The findings of this research are thus very significant for the SALGA in their pursuit for best practices in LED. Both the BCRM and the SRVM are under-marketed, a negative factor on their tourism growth and development. Placing of billboards at the Ncanara interchange to advertise them would ideally enhance their tourism marketing campaigns. The research also finds that both local municipalities have inadequate monitoring and evaluation systems for projects. In this respect, the research suggests that the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) should consider conducting a provincial research covering all the districts, on the contribution of tourism to the local economies. As a provincial entity, the ECPTA would be better placed to undertake that task. They would have less legal restrictions imposed by jurisdictional issues than would a local municipality. The research recommends the relocation of the CDA and the CDM from the metropolitan city of Port Elizabeth to one of the local municipalities. That would most likely increase business tourism, thereby boosting the local economy in the relevant small municipality. In conclusion, this research proposes that the presence of a development agency enhances tourism growth and development in the BCRM.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
An exploration of teacher leadership : a case study in a Namibian urban primary school
- Authors: Zokka, Thomas Kayele
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Educational leadership -- Namibia -- Kavango -- Case studies Teacher participation in administration -- Namibia -- Kavango -- Case studies School management and organization -- Namibia -- Kavango -- Case studies Education, Elementary -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1399 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001809
- Description: After independence in 1990, Namibian schools were required by the new government to shift from a hierarchical organisational structure with authoritarian leadership to a more democratic type of leadership that offers teachers the opportunity to participate in school leadership and in decision-making processes. This shift is suggested in a number of national policies in Namibia that highlight the sharing of leadership within the organization and, in particular, the sharing of leadership with teachers. As such, teacher leadership is a manifestation of distributed leadership which emphasizes that leadership can be located in the position of the principal but can spread over many people who work in a school at various levels. While teacher leadership is well researched in developed countries, it is under researched in Namibia. Against this backdrop, the purpose of my study was to explore the concept and practice of teacher leadership as an organizational phenomenon in a case study school in the Ncuncuni circuit of the Kavango region in Namibia. It also examined the factors that enabled and inhibited the practice of teacher leadership. My study was conducted within a qualitative interpretive paradigm and it adopted a case study approach in one school. The study used the following instruments to collect data: a closed questionnaire, document analysis, observations and individual interviews. The primary participants were the principal and three teachers, while the entire school teaching staff constituted my secondary participants. Quantitative data was analysed manually using descriptive statistics while qualitative data was analysed thematically using a model of teacher leadership (Grant, 2008). The findings of my study indicated that while the concept of teacher leadership was new to all participants, they had a common sense understanding of it. Although teachers in the study understood teacher leadership in a range of different ways, the overarching idea of the whole school was that teachers lead both in and outside the classroom. My study also found that teachers in the school practiced teacher leadership across the entire four zones. These included how teacher leadership was practiced inside the classroom and how teachers worked as leaders with colleagues and learners beyond their classroom in curricular and extra-curricular activities. It also included how teachers led outside their classroom in whole school development as well as how teachers led beyond their schools in the community. Teacher leadership was strong in the first three zones and weaker in the fourth zone, which constituted an example of 'successful teacher leadership' (Harris and Muijs, 2005). There were factors that promoted teacher leadership in the case study school such as a supportive culture and ongoing professional development. Factors that constrained the practice of teacher leadership were also evident like the SMT who used its power at times to control teachers' decisions and a lack of time also emerged as a barrier that impeded teachers from taking leadership roles because they already had full teaching programmes. Even though there were some barriers to teacher leadership, a dispersed distributed leadership context prevailed at the case study school.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Zokka, Thomas Kayele
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Educational leadership -- Namibia -- Kavango -- Case studies Teacher participation in administration -- Namibia -- Kavango -- Case studies School management and organization -- Namibia -- Kavango -- Case studies Education, Elementary -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1399 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001809
- Description: After independence in 1990, Namibian schools were required by the new government to shift from a hierarchical organisational structure with authoritarian leadership to a more democratic type of leadership that offers teachers the opportunity to participate in school leadership and in decision-making processes. This shift is suggested in a number of national policies in Namibia that highlight the sharing of leadership within the organization and, in particular, the sharing of leadership with teachers. As such, teacher leadership is a manifestation of distributed leadership which emphasizes that leadership can be located in the position of the principal but can spread over many people who work in a school at various levels. While teacher leadership is well researched in developed countries, it is under researched in Namibia. Against this backdrop, the purpose of my study was to explore the concept and practice of teacher leadership as an organizational phenomenon in a case study school in the Ncuncuni circuit of the Kavango region in Namibia. It also examined the factors that enabled and inhibited the practice of teacher leadership. My study was conducted within a qualitative interpretive paradigm and it adopted a case study approach in one school. The study used the following instruments to collect data: a closed questionnaire, document analysis, observations and individual interviews. The primary participants were the principal and three teachers, while the entire school teaching staff constituted my secondary participants. Quantitative data was analysed manually using descriptive statistics while qualitative data was analysed thematically using a model of teacher leadership (Grant, 2008). The findings of my study indicated that while the concept of teacher leadership was new to all participants, they had a common sense understanding of it. Although teachers in the study understood teacher leadership in a range of different ways, the overarching idea of the whole school was that teachers lead both in and outside the classroom. My study also found that teachers in the school practiced teacher leadership across the entire four zones. These included how teacher leadership was practiced inside the classroom and how teachers worked as leaders with colleagues and learners beyond their classroom in curricular and extra-curricular activities. It also included how teachers led outside their classroom in whole school development as well as how teachers led beyond their schools in the community. Teacher leadership was strong in the first three zones and weaker in the fourth zone, which constituted an example of 'successful teacher leadership' (Harris and Muijs, 2005). There were factors that promoted teacher leadership in the case study school such as a supportive culture and ongoing professional development. Factors that constrained the practice of teacher leadership were also evident like the SMT who used its power at times to control teachers' decisions and a lack of time also emerged as a barrier that impeded teachers from taking leadership roles because they already had full teaching programmes. Even though there were some barriers to teacher leadership, a dispersed distributed leadership context prevailed at the case study school.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Presentation and representation of environmental problems and problem-solving methods and processes in the Grade 10 Geography syllabus: a Namibian case study
- Authors: Zokka, Herman Kankara
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2074 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1021253
- Description: Environmental issues in Namibia are considered to be one of the major threats to the lives of the Namibian people (Namibia. Ministry of National Planning Commission [MNPC], 2004). This study explored problem solving as one of the teaching methods used in Grade 10 Geography syllabuses as a response to such environmental issues/risks. Geography provides learners with an understanding of the issues and risks in their world that need to be addressed in order to improve the quality of their lives and health of their environment. This study focused on how environmental problems and problem-solving methods are presented in the Namibian Grade 10 Geography syllabus and how these are represented and implemented through teacher intentionality and practice. The theoretical framework for this study was informed by two theories namely risk society and social constructivism. This study was conducted at three schools in the Rundu circuit in the Kavango region and one teacher was involved in the study at each school. This study was conducted within an interpretive research tradition and was qualitative in nature. The study used document analysis, focus group discussion and classroom observation as data generation methods. The findings of the study reveal that the complexity of environmental issues is highlighted in the syllabus and in teachers’ intentionality and practice. The findings also show that a limited variety of teaching methods were used in problem solving strategies. The study also found that problem solving was influenced by different constructivist learning principles. The study further found that limited numbers of problem-solving steps were used in the process of problem solving. The study concludes by calling for further research into problem solving strategies. This can be done to empower Geography teachers to use more complex problem solving strategies to deepen problem solving and to engage problems in more depth.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Zokka, Herman Kankara
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:2074 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1021253
- Description: Environmental issues in Namibia are considered to be one of the major threats to the lives of the Namibian people (Namibia. Ministry of National Planning Commission [MNPC], 2004). This study explored problem solving as one of the teaching methods used in Grade 10 Geography syllabuses as a response to such environmental issues/risks. Geography provides learners with an understanding of the issues and risks in their world that need to be addressed in order to improve the quality of their lives and health of their environment. This study focused on how environmental problems and problem-solving methods are presented in the Namibian Grade 10 Geography syllabus and how these are represented and implemented through teacher intentionality and practice. The theoretical framework for this study was informed by two theories namely risk society and social constructivism. This study was conducted at three schools in the Rundu circuit in the Kavango region and one teacher was involved in the study at each school. This study was conducted within an interpretive research tradition and was qualitative in nature. The study used document analysis, focus group discussion and classroom observation as data generation methods. The findings of the study reveal that the complexity of environmental issues is highlighted in the syllabus and in teachers’ intentionality and practice. The findings also show that a limited variety of teaching methods were used in problem solving strategies. The study also found that problem solving was influenced by different constructivist learning principles. The study further found that limited numbers of problem-solving steps were used in the process of problem solving. The study concludes by calling for further research into problem solving strategies. This can be done to empower Geography teachers to use more complex problem solving strategies to deepen problem solving and to engage problems in more depth.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Neurocognitive effects of head and body collisions on club level rugby union players
- Authors: Zoccola, Diana
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Neuropsychological tests , Head -- Wounds and injuries , Sports injuries -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3257 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016397
- Description: The objective of the study was to investigate the cumulative neurocognitive effects of repetitive concussive and subconcussive events in club level Rugby Union (hereafter rugby) during the course of one rugby season, in a combined group and individualized case-based approach. Amateur adult club level rugby players (n = 20) were compared with a non-contact control group (n = 22) of equivalent age, years of education and estimated IQ (p = > .05, in all instances), although the two groups were clearly differentiated on the basis of a history of reported concussions (p = < .05). Video analyses documented the tackling maneuvers observed amongst the players during all matches across the rugby season revealing a sobering average of more than a thousand tackles per player, excluding any contact practice sessions. Five rugby players (n = 5) who were observed to have a head jarring event were also isolated for individualized postconcussive follow-up analysis of their neurocognitive profiles. Measures included the ImPACT Verbal and Visual Memory, Visual Motor Speed and Reaction Time composites and the Purdue Pegboard. Independent and dependent statistical analyses were employed to compare the rugby versus control group neurocognitive test profiles at and between the three test intervals. Correlational analyses explored the association between concussion, tackling and neurocognitive test outcomes. Descriptive comparisons of individual neurocognitive test scores with normative data were employed for the case analyses. Taken together, the results implicated vulnerability amongst club rugby players on the motor and speeded tasks, with less robust indications on the memory tasks. While limited in terms of its small sample size, it is considered that the outcome of the study was rendered more robust by virtue of being methodologically multifaceted with heuristic implications for future research studies in the area. The novel inclusion of tackling data as well as fine-tuned case analyses, were of particular relevance in that regard. The results add to a growing body of literature that implicates deleterious neurocognitive effects in participants of a sport such as rugby due to repetitive head jarring incidents that are intrinsic to the game.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Zoccola, Diana
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Neuropsychological tests , Head -- Wounds and injuries , Sports injuries -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3257 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016397
- Description: The objective of the study was to investigate the cumulative neurocognitive effects of repetitive concussive and subconcussive events in club level Rugby Union (hereafter rugby) during the course of one rugby season, in a combined group and individualized case-based approach. Amateur adult club level rugby players (n = 20) were compared with a non-contact control group (n = 22) of equivalent age, years of education and estimated IQ (p = > .05, in all instances), although the two groups were clearly differentiated on the basis of a history of reported concussions (p = < .05). Video analyses documented the tackling maneuvers observed amongst the players during all matches across the rugby season revealing a sobering average of more than a thousand tackles per player, excluding any contact practice sessions. Five rugby players (n = 5) who were observed to have a head jarring event were also isolated for individualized postconcussive follow-up analysis of their neurocognitive profiles. Measures included the ImPACT Verbal and Visual Memory, Visual Motor Speed and Reaction Time composites and the Purdue Pegboard. Independent and dependent statistical analyses were employed to compare the rugby versus control group neurocognitive test profiles at and between the three test intervals. Correlational analyses explored the association between concussion, tackling and neurocognitive test outcomes. Descriptive comparisons of individual neurocognitive test scores with normative data were employed for the case analyses. Taken together, the results implicated vulnerability amongst club rugby players on the motor and speeded tasks, with less robust indications on the memory tasks. While limited in terms of its small sample size, it is considered that the outcome of the study was rendered more robust by virtue of being methodologically multifaceted with heuristic implications for future research studies in the area. The novel inclusion of tackling data as well as fine-tuned case analyses, were of particular relevance in that regard. The results add to a growing body of literature that implicates deleterious neurocognitive effects in participants of a sport such as rugby due to repetitive head jarring incidents that are intrinsic to the game.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The spatial planning of racial residential segregation in King William's Town : 1826-1991
- Authors: Zituta, Heyman Mandlakayise
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: Apartheid -- South Africa -- King William's Town , City planning -- South Africa -- King William's Town , King William's Town (South Africa) -- History
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:4855 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005531 , Apartheid -- South Africa -- King William's Town , City planning -- South Africa -- King William's Town , King William's Town (South Africa) -- History
- Description: This study investigates the spatial planning of racial residential segregation in King William's Town, induding its former homeland township of Zwelitsha, from 1826 to 1991. The first settlement in the 'white' King William's Town, Brownlee Mission Station, was established in 1826.The town of King William's Town was developed from this settlement. The racial laws which were applied to segregate blacks nationally and locally came to an end in 1991. Primary sources of information were used to determine whether King William's Town was planned along racial lines and to determine the major role players who formulated and implemented the policy. Key sources were archival material, newspapers, maps, interviews, Deeds Office files and the work of other scholars. The establishment of the towm from its genesis as a mission station and a military base is traced and the effects of this legacy on racial separation is detailed. It was found that racial planning of residential areas in King William's Town had been practised in this small town for a long time (prior to the Group Areas Act). The implementation of this policy was marked by forced removal of blacks from areas which were regarded as being for whites. These predominently African concentrations on the east bank of the Buffalo River were relocated to the west bank which was regarded as a black area.An anomalous incident was discovered in this study namely that these racial removals took place before the central state introduced national policy which compelled all local states to plan their residential areas along ethnic considerations. In parallel with the practice of segregation in King William's Town, the township of Zwelitsha was developed adjacent to the town by the government. As this thesis reveals, the development of Zwelitsha was intimately related to that of King William's Town. The major role players in planning residential areas on racial basis were identified as the municipal Council of King William's Town. They were involved in planning racially segregated areas before and after the Group Areas Act. They (the Council) succeeded in closing all freehold locations in the town (1940) and forced the residents to become their tenants who rented dwellings in the west bank municipal location. There were attempts to incorporate this municipal location into the neighbouring homeland township of Zwelitsha. This move was eventually accomplished when all townships in the vicinity of King William's Town were amalgamated to form King William's Town Transitional Local Council in terms of the Local Government Transition Act of 1994 (Government Gazette No. 15468 of 2nd February 1994).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1997
- Authors: Zituta, Heyman Mandlakayise
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: Apartheid -- South Africa -- King William's Town , City planning -- South Africa -- King William's Town , King William's Town (South Africa) -- History
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:4855 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005531 , Apartheid -- South Africa -- King William's Town , City planning -- South Africa -- King William's Town , King William's Town (South Africa) -- History
- Description: This study investigates the spatial planning of racial residential segregation in King William's Town, induding its former homeland township of Zwelitsha, from 1826 to 1991. The first settlement in the 'white' King William's Town, Brownlee Mission Station, was established in 1826.The town of King William's Town was developed from this settlement. The racial laws which were applied to segregate blacks nationally and locally came to an end in 1991. Primary sources of information were used to determine whether King William's Town was planned along racial lines and to determine the major role players who formulated and implemented the policy. Key sources were archival material, newspapers, maps, interviews, Deeds Office files and the work of other scholars. The establishment of the towm from its genesis as a mission station and a military base is traced and the effects of this legacy on racial separation is detailed. It was found that racial planning of residential areas in King William's Town had been practised in this small town for a long time (prior to the Group Areas Act). The implementation of this policy was marked by forced removal of blacks from areas which were regarded as being for whites. These predominently African concentrations on the east bank of the Buffalo River were relocated to the west bank which was regarded as a black area.An anomalous incident was discovered in this study namely that these racial removals took place before the central state introduced national policy which compelled all local states to plan their residential areas along ethnic considerations. In parallel with the practice of segregation in King William's Town, the township of Zwelitsha was developed adjacent to the town by the government. As this thesis reveals, the development of Zwelitsha was intimately related to that of King William's Town. The major role players in planning residential areas on racial basis were identified as the municipal Council of King William's Town. They were involved in planning racially segregated areas before and after the Group Areas Act. They (the Council) succeeded in closing all freehold locations in the town (1940) and forced the residents to become their tenants who rented dwellings in the west bank municipal location. There were attempts to incorporate this municipal location into the neighbouring homeland township of Zwelitsha. This move was eventually accomplished when all townships in the vicinity of King William's Town were amalgamated to form King William's Town Transitional Local Council in terms of the Local Government Transition Act of 1994 (Government Gazette No. 15468 of 2nd February 1994).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1997
An exploration of health professional's perceptions of the role of clinical psychologists
- Authors: Zitianellis, Marina Sophia
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Community health services -- South Africa , Community mental health services -- South Africa , Medical personnel -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Primary health care -- South Africa , Clinical psychologists
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3091 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002601 , Community health services -- South Africa , Community mental health services -- South Africa , Medical personnel -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Primary health care -- South Africa , Clinical psychologists
- Description: The South African government has initiated the transformation of health services in the country towards primary health care (PHC) in order to provide comprehensive care to individuals and families. The move to PHC involves an increased need for collaboration between health professionals. It is proposed that for effective team-work to take place, an understanding of the roles and functions of team members is imperative in providing quality mental health care. This study explored health professionals’ perceptions of the role and function of clinical psychologists working as part of a health care team in a community context. Three focus groups and three individual interviews were conducted with social workers, nurses and doctors. The data was then processed and analysed using a grounded theory method. The research highlighted the importance of knowledge, and how this affects referrals, perceptions, inter-professional relations and the perceived usefulness of clinical psychology and clinical psychologists. What is of significance is the potential power that the health professionals have as gatekeepers between the general public and clinical psychologists.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Zitianellis, Marina Sophia
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Community health services -- South Africa , Community mental health services -- South Africa , Medical personnel -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Primary health care -- South Africa , Clinical psychologists
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3091 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002601 , Community health services -- South Africa , Community mental health services -- South Africa , Medical personnel -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Primary health care -- South Africa , Clinical psychologists
- Description: The South African government has initiated the transformation of health services in the country towards primary health care (PHC) in order to provide comprehensive care to individuals and families. The move to PHC involves an increased need for collaboration between health professionals. It is proposed that for effective team-work to take place, an understanding of the roles and functions of team members is imperative in providing quality mental health care. This study explored health professionals’ perceptions of the role and function of clinical psychologists working as part of a health care team in a community context. Three focus groups and three individual interviews were conducted with social workers, nurses and doctors. The data was then processed and analysed using a grounded theory method. The research highlighted the importance of knowledge, and how this affects referrals, perceptions, inter-professional relations and the perceived usefulness of clinical psychology and clinical psychologists. What is of significance is the potential power that the health professionals have as gatekeepers between the general public and clinical psychologists.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
A poverty alleviation strategy of Vukuzenzele gardening project in Motherwell township
- Authors: Zitho, Andiswa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Economic development -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Community development -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Poor -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13724 , vital:27302
- Description: Poverty is one of the issues that affects the development in our country. the strategies that are used differ from one to person to another. development is said to be measured through a lot of things but mostly through economic growth which influenced by poverty. the purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the strategies being used to alleviate poverty in the Motherwell township, in Port Elizabeth. The study focused mainly on Vukuzenzele gardening project, where a sample of 15 participants were purposovely selected to be part of the study. Furthermore, the aim of the study was to contribute towards community development by investigating the social issues that directly influence poverty eradication.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Zitho, Andiswa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Economic development -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Community development -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Poor -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13724 , vital:27302
- Description: Poverty is one of the issues that affects the development in our country. the strategies that are used differ from one to person to another. development is said to be measured through a lot of things but mostly through economic growth which influenced by poverty. the purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the strategies being used to alleviate poverty in the Motherwell township, in Port Elizabeth. The study focused mainly on Vukuzenzele gardening project, where a sample of 15 participants were purposovely selected to be part of the study. Furthermore, the aim of the study was to contribute towards community development by investigating the social issues that directly influence poverty eradication.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Machine learning methods for calibrating radio interferometric data
- Authors: Zitha, Simphiwe Nhlanhla
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Calibration , Radio astronomy -- Data processing , Radio astronomy -- South Africa , Karoo Array Telescope (South Africa) , Radio telescopes -- South Africa , Common Astronomy Software Application (Computer software)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/97096 , vital:31398
- Description: The applications of machine learning have created an opportunity to deal with complex problems currently encountered in radio astronomy data processing. Calibration is one of the most important data processing steps required to produce high dynamic range images. This process involves the determination of calibration parameters, both instrumental and astronomical, to correct the collected data. Typically, astronomers use a package such as Common Astronomy Software Applications (CASA) to compute the gain solutions based on regular observations of a known calibrator source. In this work we present applications of machine learning to first generation calibration (1GC), using the KAT-7 telescope environmental and pointing sensor data recorded during observations. Applying machine learning to 1GC, as opposed to calculating the gain solutions in CASA, has shown evidence of reducing computation, as well as accurately predict the 1GC gain solutions representing the behaviour of the antenna during an observation. These methods are computationally less expensive, however they have not fully learned to generalise in predicting accurate 1GC solutions by looking at environmental and pointing sensors. We call this multi-output regression model ZCal, which is based on random forest, decision trees, extremely randomized trees and K-nearest neighbor algorithms. The prediction error obtained during the testing of our model on testing data is ≈ 0.01 < rmse < 0.09 for gain amplitude per antenna, and 0.2 rad < rmse <0.5 rad for gain phase. This shows that the instrumental parameters used to train our model more strongly correlate with gain amplitude effects than phase.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Zitha, Simphiwe Nhlanhla
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Calibration , Radio astronomy -- Data processing , Radio astronomy -- South Africa , Karoo Array Telescope (South Africa) , Radio telescopes -- South Africa , Common Astronomy Software Application (Computer software)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/97096 , vital:31398
- Description: The applications of machine learning have created an opportunity to deal with complex problems currently encountered in radio astronomy data processing. Calibration is one of the most important data processing steps required to produce high dynamic range images. This process involves the determination of calibration parameters, both instrumental and astronomical, to correct the collected data. Typically, astronomers use a package such as Common Astronomy Software Applications (CASA) to compute the gain solutions based on regular observations of a known calibrator source. In this work we present applications of machine learning to first generation calibration (1GC), using the KAT-7 telescope environmental and pointing sensor data recorded during observations. Applying machine learning to 1GC, as opposed to calculating the gain solutions in CASA, has shown evidence of reducing computation, as well as accurately predict the 1GC gain solutions representing the behaviour of the antenna during an observation. These methods are computationally less expensive, however they have not fully learned to generalise in predicting accurate 1GC solutions by looking at environmental and pointing sensors. We call this multi-output regression model ZCal, which is based on random forest, decision trees, extremely randomized trees and K-nearest neighbor algorithms. The prediction error obtained during the testing of our model on testing data is ≈ 0.01 < rmse < 0.09 for gain amplitude per antenna, and 0.2 rad < rmse <0.5 rad for gain phase. This shows that the instrumental parameters used to train our model more strongly correlate with gain amplitude effects than phase.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Attempts to improve the teaching of English by Black teachers in selected areas of the Eastern Cape and the Transkei, through educational workshops and resource materials
- Authors: Ziskovsky, Lorraine
- Date: 1986
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Foreign speakers Education -- South Africa Teaching -- Aids and devices
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1410 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003060
- Description: This action research study covers the period November 1983 to August 1985, and is an ethnographic account of what started as a small-scale attempt to assist black teachers of English at the Standard 6, 7 and 8 level, in Grahamstown. During this period, the writer was employed by the South African Council for Higher Education's Grahamstown branch as a part- time English tutor of black and coloured teachers engaged in private study for the Joint Matriculation Board and UNISA. It was under Sached's aegis that the project started, with the writer holding the belief that poor matriculation examination results obtained by blacks were at least partially caused by poor English language communication skills. It was hoped that assistance to black teachers of English as a second language (ESL) at the chosen level (Standards 6, 7 and 8) would be of some help in freeing black students from the necessity of having to achieve academically and linguistically at the same time, in Standards 9 and 10.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1986
- Authors: Ziskovsky, Lorraine
- Date: 1986
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Foreign speakers Education -- South Africa Teaching -- Aids and devices
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1410 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003060
- Description: This action research study covers the period November 1983 to August 1985, and is an ethnographic account of what started as a small-scale attempt to assist black teachers of English at the Standard 6, 7 and 8 level, in Grahamstown. During this period, the writer was employed by the South African Council for Higher Education's Grahamstown branch as a part- time English tutor of black and coloured teachers engaged in private study for the Joint Matriculation Board and UNISA. It was under Sached's aegis that the project started, with the writer holding the belief that poor matriculation examination results obtained by blacks were at least partially caused by poor English language communication skills. It was hoped that assistance to black teachers of English as a second language (ESL) at the chosen level (Standards 6, 7 and 8) would be of some help in freeing black students from the necessity of having to achieve academically and linguistically at the same time, in Standards 9 and 10.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1986
Land reform and rural livelihoods of evicted farm workers: a case study of Radway Green Farm Project
- Authors: Zishiri, Kudzanai
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/44377 , vital:25402
- Description: The land issue has remained a contentious one more than two decades into a democratic South Africa. With the dispossession of the indigenous people from their land stretching back as far as 1913, eviction of farm workers and farm dwellers has increased tremendously even in the post-Apartheid era. Thus, the main goal of this study is to analyse the impact of the eviction on the Radway Green farm workers’ community and to examine the factors affecting the generation of livelihood activities in their new settlement. In doing so, I used the Sustainable Rural Livelihoods Approach (SRLA) as my theoretical framework as it conceptually grounds my area of study. It was employed to analyse data gathered from the field through in-depth interviews, focus groups, key informant interviews and descriptive observation of the case study. The centrality of the SRLA concept is on rural development, poverty eradication and the ability or sustainability of the vulnerable and poor to cope with stresses and shocks as they make a living (Scoones, 1998: 5). In that regard, the theoretical framework became an important cornerstone in analysing the impact of eviction of the Radway Green farm workers’ community and examining the factors affecting the generation of livelihoods activities in their new settlement. To analyse the research findings, various themes were utilised Forced Evictions and Resettlement; Eviction or Displacement; The Struggles of Recreating Livelihoods; The Need for Security of Land Tenure and Access to Infrastructure. Under these themes, the study revealed how the eviction was detrimental to the livelihoods of the farm workers and farm dwellers as they lost the land that was a primary source for the construction of their livelihoods. They lost employment, homes, agricultural land for food security and natural resources, social and family structures and most importantly cultural disruption. It is well documented that the rural poor who constitute the farm workers and the farm dwellers are some of the vulnerable people who need constant governmental support through the promulgation of laws that protect them and assist in livelihood construction. Thus, this study also served to examine how the evicted workers and their families have settled into their new homes and how they, in conjunction with the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform and any other government agencies are faring in terms of the establishment of income generating projects for their livelihoods at the new settlement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Land reform and rural livelihoods of evicted farm workers: a case study of Radway Green Farm Project
- Authors: Zishiri, Kudzanai
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/44377 , vital:25402
- Description: The land issue has remained a contentious one more than two decades into a democratic South Africa. With the dispossession of the indigenous people from their land stretching back as far as 1913, eviction of farm workers and farm dwellers has increased tremendously even in the post-Apartheid era. Thus, the main goal of this study is to analyse the impact of the eviction on the Radway Green farm workers’ community and to examine the factors affecting the generation of livelihood activities in their new settlement. In doing so, I used the Sustainable Rural Livelihoods Approach (SRLA) as my theoretical framework as it conceptually grounds my area of study. It was employed to analyse data gathered from the field through in-depth interviews, focus groups, key informant interviews and descriptive observation of the case study. The centrality of the SRLA concept is on rural development, poverty eradication and the ability or sustainability of the vulnerable and poor to cope with stresses and shocks as they make a living (Scoones, 1998: 5). In that regard, the theoretical framework became an important cornerstone in analysing the impact of eviction of the Radway Green farm workers’ community and examining the factors affecting the generation of livelihoods activities in their new settlement. To analyse the research findings, various themes were utilised Forced Evictions and Resettlement; Eviction or Displacement; The Struggles of Recreating Livelihoods; The Need for Security of Land Tenure and Access to Infrastructure. Under these themes, the study revealed how the eviction was detrimental to the livelihoods of the farm workers and farm dwellers as they lost the land that was a primary source for the construction of their livelihoods. They lost employment, homes, agricultural land for food security and natural resources, social and family structures and most importantly cultural disruption. It is well documented that the rural poor who constitute the farm workers and the farm dwellers are some of the vulnerable people who need constant governmental support through the promulgation of laws that protect them and assist in livelihood construction. Thus, this study also served to examine how the evicted workers and their families have settled into their new homes and how they, in conjunction with the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform and any other government agencies are faring in terms of the establishment of income generating projects for their livelihoods at the new settlement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
A history of the German settlers in the Eastern Cape, 1857-1919
- Authors: Zipp, Gisela Lesley
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Colonists -- Eastern Cape -- 19th Century Immigrants -- Germany -- History Immigrants -- Germany -- Social life and customs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3609 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004215
- Description: This thesis came into being as the result of a question innocently posed to me three years ago: Why do some towns in the Eastern Cape have German names? This thesis is not so much an answer to that question (which is answered in the following paragraphs) as an attempt to answer the questions that followed: Were the Germans really as benevolent and hard-working as much of the most readily available literature implies? Why did the military settlers leave and the peasant farmer settlers remain? What was the nature of relationships between the German settlers and other groups in the area? How did the German settlers see themselves? The existing literature provides the historic details, more or less, but not the context and explanations I sought. As such, I set out to find them and document them myself, addressing three main questions: 1. What was the (changing) nature of the German settlers' day-to-day lives between 1857 and 1919? 2. How was a German identity maintained/constructed within the German communities of the Eastern Cape between 1857 and 1919? 3. How did the Germans interact with other groups in the area? In answering these questions, I have also provided the necessary background as to why these settlers chose to come to South Africa, and why some of them left. I have limited this study to the period between 1857 and 1919 so as to include the First World War and its immediate aftermath, a time when enmity between Great Britain and Germany would have made life difficult for German descendants in the Union of South Africa. Introduction, p. 7.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Zipp, Gisela Lesley
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Colonists -- Eastern Cape -- 19th Century Immigrants -- Germany -- History Immigrants -- Germany -- Social life and customs
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3609 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004215
- Description: This thesis came into being as the result of a question innocently posed to me three years ago: Why do some towns in the Eastern Cape have German names? This thesis is not so much an answer to that question (which is answered in the following paragraphs) as an attempt to answer the questions that followed: Were the Germans really as benevolent and hard-working as much of the most readily available literature implies? Why did the military settlers leave and the peasant farmer settlers remain? What was the nature of relationships between the German settlers and other groups in the area? How did the German settlers see themselves? The existing literature provides the historic details, more or less, but not the context and explanations I sought. As such, I set out to find them and document them myself, addressing three main questions: 1. What was the (changing) nature of the German settlers' day-to-day lives between 1857 and 1919? 2. How was a German identity maintained/constructed within the German communities of the Eastern Cape between 1857 and 1919? 3. How did the Germans interact with other groups in the area? In answering these questions, I have also provided the necessary background as to why these settlers chose to come to South Africa, and why some of them left. I have limited this study to the period between 1857 and 1919 so as to include the First World War and its immediate aftermath, a time when enmity between Great Britain and Germany would have made life difficult for German descendants in the Union of South Africa. Introduction, p. 7.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Mhlontlo Municipality local economic development strategy as a driver of economic development
- Authors: Zipete, Zwelixolile
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13316 , vital:27174
- Description: The main aim of the research study was to review the Mhlontlo Municipality Local Economic Development Strategy as a driver of economic development. The Mhlontlo LED Strategy was developed in 2007 to guide economic development of Mhlontlo Local Municipality. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa(Act 108 of 1996), the White Paper on Local Government (1998), Section B, the National Framework for LED in South Africa (2006), and other pieces of legislation gave direction in the development of LED Strategies in South# Africa, including the Mhlontlo LED Strategy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Zipete, Zwelixolile
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13316 , vital:27174
- Description: The main aim of the research study was to review the Mhlontlo Municipality Local Economic Development Strategy as a driver of economic development. The Mhlontlo LED Strategy was developed in 2007 to guide economic development of Mhlontlo Local Municipality. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa(Act 108 of 1996), the White Paper on Local Government (1998), Section B, the National Framework for LED in South Africa (2006), and other pieces of legislation gave direction in the development of LED Strategies in South# Africa, including the Mhlontlo LED Strategy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Mhlontlo Municipality local economic development strategy as a driver of economic development
- Authors: Zipete, Zwelixolile
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21165 , vital:29453
- Description: The main aim of the research study was to review the Mhlontlo Municipality Local Economic Development Strategy as a driver of economic development. The Mhlontlo LED Strategy was developed in 2007 to guide economic development of Mhlontlo Local Municipality. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act 108 of 1996), the White Paper on Local Government (1998), Section B, the National Framework for LED in South Africa (2006), and other pieces of legislation gave direction in the development of LED Strategies in South Africa, including the Mhlontlo LED Strategy. An in depth study was undertaken to review the Mhlontlo LED strategy using document analysis to look at the relevance of the strategy to the current economic activities, its alignment to the current national and provincial development plans. The LED Strategy is no longer aligned to the current development plan, the National Development Plan. It was clear during the study that the Mhlontlo LED Strategy was never understood by both councilors and officials, not working in the LED department and that led to the neglect of the LED strategy in the development plans of the various departments in the municipality. This had adversely compromised the development corridors identified in the LED strategy. The recommendation is that the LED Strategy be holistically reviewed, so that it can be aligned with the National Development Plan, the Mhlontlo Local Municipality Integrated Development Plan 2017-2021 and other municipal documents. Both Mhlontlo municipality councilors and officials should be trained on the role of the LED strategy in development taking place in the municipality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Zipete, Zwelixolile
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21165 , vital:29453
- Description: The main aim of the research study was to review the Mhlontlo Municipality Local Economic Development Strategy as a driver of economic development. The Mhlontlo LED Strategy was developed in 2007 to guide economic development of Mhlontlo Local Municipality. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act 108 of 1996), the White Paper on Local Government (1998), Section B, the National Framework for LED in South Africa (2006), and other pieces of legislation gave direction in the development of LED Strategies in South Africa, including the Mhlontlo LED Strategy. An in depth study was undertaken to review the Mhlontlo LED strategy using document analysis to look at the relevance of the strategy to the current economic activities, its alignment to the current national and provincial development plans. The LED Strategy is no longer aligned to the current development plan, the National Development Plan. It was clear during the study that the Mhlontlo LED Strategy was never understood by both councilors and officials, not working in the LED department and that led to the neglect of the LED strategy in the development plans of the various departments in the municipality. This had adversely compromised the development corridors identified in the LED strategy. The recommendation is that the LED Strategy be holistically reviewed, so that it can be aligned with the National Development Plan, the Mhlontlo Local Municipality Integrated Development Plan 2017-2021 and other municipal documents. Both Mhlontlo municipality councilors and officials should be trained on the role of the LED strategy in development taking place in the municipality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Effects of management and leadership styles of school managers on teaching and learning in Fort Beaufort basic education district Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Zinto, Sinekhaya Homeboy
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11717 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016106
- Description: The aim of the study was to investigate the management and leadership styles of school managers and how it affects quality teaching and learning in Debe Nek schools at Fort Beaufort District. It was a mixed study that used both the qualitative and quantitative research methods. It adopted a correlation survey research design that helped in establishing the relationship of management and leadership styles and quality teaching and learning. In this regard, data for this study was collected on the independent variables, which was management and leadership styles, and that of the dependent variables, which was quality teaching and learning. The relationship between the two variables was investigated in order to determine the strength of the relationship that exists between them. The literature reviewed identify many factors affecting quality teaching and learning in schools. To achieve the aim of the study, the researcher administrated a number of questionnaires, conducted interviews and observed what is happening in schools during school visits. The findings of the assessment showed that there is relationship between management and leadership styles and quality teaching and learning. The researcher analysed democratic and autocratic management and leadership styles in relation to quality teaching and learning. The study established a positive relationship from the use of democratic management and leadership style and quality teaching and learning. The study also established that autocratic management and leadership style has a negative effect in quality teaching and learning in schools. The key recommendation of the study was the need for the programmes that must focus at development of management and leadership skills among school managers with the help from Districts in partnership with the Universities so as to help in the overall improvement of the schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Zinto, Sinekhaya Homeboy
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11717 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016106
- Description: The aim of the study was to investigate the management and leadership styles of school managers and how it affects quality teaching and learning in Debe Nek schools at Fort Beaufort District. It was a mixed study that used both the qualitative and quantitative research methods. It adopted a correlation survey research design that helped in establishing the relationship of management and leadership styles and quality teaching and learning. In this regard, data for this study was collected on the independent variables, which was management and leadership styles, and that of the dependent variables, which was quality teaching and learning. The relationship between the two variables was investigated in order to determine the strength of the relationship that exists between them. The literature reviewed identify many factors affecting quality teaching and learning in schools. To achieve the aim of the study, the researcher administrated a number of questionnaires, conducted interviews and observed what is happening in schools during school visits. The findings of the assessment showed that there is relationship between management and leadership styles and quality teaching and learning. The researcher analysed democratic and autocratic management and leadership styles in relation to quality teaching and learning. The study established a positive relationship from the use of democratic management and leadership style and quality teaching and learning. The study also established that autocratic management and leadership style has a negative effect in quality teaching and learning in schools. The key recommendation of the study was the need for the programmes that must focus at development of management and leadership skills among school managers with the help from Districts in partnership with the Universities so as to help in the overall improvement of the schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Rehabilitation services in a district health system: managers’ perceptions
- Authors: Zinn, Richard Thebu
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Medical rehabilitation , Primary health care -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Primary health care -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44280 , vital:37145
- Description: The growth of rehabilitation services in a specific district in the Eastern Cape has been of concern to the majority of the therapists working in that setting between 2012 and 2015. With the importance of primary health care as the driver of South Africa’s National Health Insurance scheme, and the need for rehabilitation services increasing, the investigation of the perceptions of managers who oversee rehabilitation services is pertinent. The objectives of the study were to explore and describe the perceptions of managers regarding rehabilitation services in a district health system and to make recommendations to the Provincial Department of Health regarding the management of rehabilitation services at a district level based on the managers’ perceptions. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, contextual research design was used as minimal information relating to the topic was found. The complexity of perceptions, their influence on behaviour and the environment, are wellexplored using these design approaches. Purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews were used to elicit meaningful responses from managers familiar, and tasked, with the oversight of the rehabilitation service. Data analysis was performed utilising Tesch’s model of thematic synthesis. To ensure rigour within the research Lincoln and Guba’s model of trustworthiness was followed. The ethical principles of respect for persons, beneficence and justice were upheld in the study. A thick description was utilised when reporting the findings and a literature control was done to place the findings in the present literature on the topic. The study has provided insights and perceptions of an important layer within the district health system. These perceptions are meaningful, as they influence the manner in which policy and plans are interpreted and implemented, and decisions are made within the environment of rehabilitation services. Three major themes arose from the data analysis process, namely: The managers’ reported positive factors regarding rehabilitation services, they identified challenges affecting the implementation of rehabilitation services in the District Health System, and they provided suggestions for the improvement of rehabilitation services in the District Health System. The positive views held by those in management positions indicate that there are strong foundations on which to build the rehabilitation service, and features of the system that need to be acknowledged, continued and strengthened. The challenges experienced by this layer of management point to aspects that need to be addressed in order to improve and optimise the impact of the inclusion of rehabilitation services in Primary Health Care. The findings in this study clarify these challenges, and if these are not addressed, the goals of the progressive health care system which South Africa is trying to implement cannot be fully achieved. Furthermore, the discrepancies and gaps that exist between urban and rural, and better and poorer resourced districts are likely to widen. The limitations of the study were identified and recommendations were made for practice (management), education and research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Zinn, Richard Thebu
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Medical rehabilitation , Primary health care -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Primary health care -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44280 , vital:37145
- Description: The growth of rehabilitation services in a specific district in the Eastern Cape has been of concern to the majority of the therapists working in that setting between 2012 and 2015. With the importance of primary health care as the driver of South Africa’s National Health Insurance scheme, and the need for rehabilitation services increasing, the investigation of the perceptions of managers who oversee rehabilitation services is pertinent. The objectives of the study were to explore and describe the perceptions of managers regarding rehabilitation services in a district health system and to make recommendations to the Provincial Department of Health regarding the management of rehabilitation services at a district level based on the managers’ perceptions. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, contextual research design was used as minimal information relating to the topic was found. The complexity of perceptions, their influence on behaviour and the environment, are wellexplored using these design approaches. Purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews were used to elicit meaningful responses from managers familiar, and tasked, with the oversight of the rehabilitation service. Data analysis was performed utilising Tesch’s model of thematic synthesis. To ensure rigour within the research Lincoln and Guba’s model of trustworthiness was followed. The ethical principles of respect for persons, beneficence and justice were upheld in the study. A thick description was utilised when reporting the findings and a literature control was done to place the findings in the present literature on the topic. The study has provided insights and perceptions of an important layer within the district health system. These perceptions are meaningful, as they influence the manner in which policy and plans are interpreted and implemented, and decisions are made within the environment of rehabilitation services. Three major themes arose from the data analysis process, namely: The managers’ reported positive factors regarding rehabilitation services, they identified challenges affecting the implementation of rehabilitation services in the District Health System, and they provided suggestions for the improvement of rehabilitation services in the District Health System. The positive views held by those in management positions indicate that there are strong foundations on which to build the rehabilitation service, and features of the system that need to be acknowledged, continued and strengthened. The challenges experienced by this layer of management point to aspects that need to be addressed in order to improve and optimise the impact of the inclusion of rehabilitation services in Primary Health Care. The findings in this study clarify these challenges, and if these are not addressed, the goals of the progressive health care system which South Africa is trying to implement cannot be fully achieved. Furthermore, the discrepancies and gaps that exist between urban and rural, and better and poorer resourced districts are likely to widen. The limitations of the study were identified and recommendations were made for practice (management), education and research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Travelling shoppers' perceptions on the comprehensive servicescape within the South African retail environment
- Authors: Zinhumwe, Cephas
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Retail trade -- Customer services -- South Africa , Consumer satisfaction -- South Africa , Consumption (Economics) -- Social aspects , Consumer behavior
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DCom
- Identifier: vital:9296 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013610
- Description: The study is on the influence of comprehensive servicescape on shopping behaviour of road and rail travelling shoppers. The comprehensive servicescape is referred to as synchronization of the multidimensional servicescape dimensions, which are the physical environment, social environment, socially symbolic and the natural dimensions into one entity that the travellers encounter during the shopping exercise. The servicescape cues that include shoppers and the physical set-up of the service firm are important in influencing service quality evaluation and consumer satisfaction. The aim of this study was to establish the impact of servicescape on travelling shoppers’ buying behaviour and shopping motivations amongst different shoppers that were identified within the South African bus and railway stations. The bus and railway station environment induces an interesting type of shopping behaviour amongst the travelers. The purpose of the study was also to explore the travelling shoppers’ expectations and perceptions on the comprehensive servicescape within the bus station’s retail environment. Additionally the study attempted to address important gaps in the South African literature in respect of the influence of socialservicescape on the buyer behaviour and hedonic motivation of travelling shopper. The questionnaires used in the study were constructed along five dimensions of service quality containing statements linked to a five-point Likert-type interval scale anchored by “strongly agree” and “strongly disagree. Self administered questionnaires were used for data collection from the travelling shoppers through “mall intercept technique” and 300 questionnaires were collected from respondents. The academia benefits from this study from the comprehensive servicescape model of the South African bus and railway stations that was developed. The study built on literature by nvestigating the influence of the comprehensive servicescapes as perceived by travelling shoppers within the South African retail environment. Additionally it was shown both theoretically and empirically, that, that service quality in high contact service environment like the bus and railway station can best be explained by an analysis of the comprehensive servicescape or the multidimensional and hierarchical model. As a result of this study retailers will have a full picture on the specific needs, perception and expectations of road and rail travellers in relation to the quality of the stations’ servicescape, which retailers have to improve in order to increase customer patronage. It is assumed that retailers will be aware that store image and the store ambience should meet the challenges of the perceptions, motivations and consumer behaviour of travellers within the comprehensive servicescape of the station. This study provides a trigger effect to spatial planners to design high quality servicescape that will attract travellers for both hedonic and utilitarian shopping. Hirschman and Holbrook (1982) believed that shoppers derive pleasure from the experience of shopping itself, regardless of the joy from acquiring goods, this more so with travelling shoppers. A bus station can be both a growth node and a tourist attraction, if its features are attractive, therefore planners can benefit from this study. In this study theory that forms the bases of the influence of social servicescape on the behaviour of travelling shoppers that frequently visit and participate in shopping at various South African bus station retail outlets is provided. Additionally, this study provided empirical information on the relationships that exist amongst the characteristics of the South African Park Stations’ physical retail environments, user perceptions and interpersonal encounters. The behaviour of shopping travellers was extensively discussed to provide the background of theories and various models concerning shopping behaviour of travellers. Through this work, clarity on consumer behavioural trends of travelling shoppers in the South African retail sector is provided, which assist in differentiating retail products, services and segmentation of markets in a way that could enhance marketing effectiveness amongst the travelling shopping segment. Special attention was paid to factors that motivate road travellers’ choice of stores; the type of products they purchase and their decision making processes. Effort were made to identify, categorize and segment shopper typologies and their shopping behaviours. Effort was also made to discuss extensively the social and physical influences of environments in a retail environment such as that of the bus and railway station. The discussions in this study focussed on describing the comprehensive servicescape model dimensions which shoppers encountered during their shopping activity. The study also indicated the significance of the interaction of service staff with the customers in determining the service quality, customer satisfaction and the future intention of travelers. Additionally this study emphasised the importance of social encounters and perceptiveness to cues within the station, which determine whether they actively or passively are involved in the shopping encounter. The research findings reveal that, travellers perceive the servicescape within the bus station as unattractive and lack appropriate facilities. Furthermore travelers considered the two dimensions (store image and store ambience) of the store’s servicescape as one composite unit of the servicescape. This position is supported in literature, where it is argued that people respond to their environment holistically, rather than to individual stimuli. The travelling shoppers reveal that although they always find the shops from the bus station clean and neat, consumers expect a certain level of ambient environmental conditions to be present. The empirical findings in this study indicate that travelling shoppers are not interested in visiting the stores at the bus and railway station for shopping because merchandise from the bus station stores is poor in quality and unreliable; the surroundings at the station as unpleasant and the bus and railway station stores are congested. Thus, hasty shopping and spending more time or stay longer than planned for shopping at the bus and railway station is not useful to travelling shoppers. Therefore, travellers feel strongly that the shopping environment of the station is not conducive to shopping. These facilities (stations) are only used for travelling purposes; therefore there is a need for improvement in the retail and station facilities in order to increase shopping activities within this servicescape. The research findings reveal that shopping at the bus station seems to be driven by traditional needs such as functional and experiential motivations as well as travelrelated needs such as busstation-atmosphere-related and bus station-infrastructurerelated motivations. It was difficult to deduce a particular typology of shoppers in this environment, but due to the stress related to travelling. Passive shopping was observed amongst travellers, which is not a positive shopping behaviour for retailers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Zinhumwe, Cephas
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Retail trade -- Customer services -- South Africa , Consumer satisfaction -- South Africa , Consumption (Economics) -- Social aspects , Consumer behavior
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DCom
- Identifier: vital:9296 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013610
- Description: The study is on the influence of comprehensive servicescape on shopping behaviour of road and rail travelling shoppers. The comprehensive servicescape is referred to as synchronization of the multidimensional servicescape dimensions, which are the physical environment, social environment, socially symbolic and the natural dimensions into one entity that the travellers encounter during the shopping exercise. The servicescape cues that include shoppers and the physical set-up of the service firm are important in influencing service quality evaluation and consumer satisfaction. The aim of this study was to establish the impact of servicescape on travelling shoppers’ buying behaviour and shopping motivations amongst different shoppers that were identified within the South African bus and railway stations. The bus and railway station environment induces an interesting type of shopping behaviour amongst the travelers. The purpose of the study was also to explore the travelling shoppers’ expectations and perceptions on the comprehensive servicescape within the bus station’s retail environment. Additionally the study attempted to address important gaps in the South African literature in respect of the influence of socialservicescape on the buyer behaviour and hedonic motivation of travelling shopper. The questionnaires used in the study were constructed along five dimensions of service quality containing statements linked to a five-point Likert-type interval scale anchored by “strongly agree” and “strongly disagree. Self administered questionnaires were used for data collection from the travelling shoppers through “mall intercept technique” and 300 questionnaires were collected from respondents. The academia benefits from this study from the comprehensive servicescape model of the South African bus and railway stations that was developed. The study built on literature by nvestigating the influence of the comprehensive servicescapes as perceived by travelling shoppers within the South African retail environment. Additionally it was shown both theoretically and empirically, that, that service quality in high contact service environment like the bus and railway station can best be explained by an analysis of the comprehensive servicescape or the multidimensional and hierarchical model. As a result of this study retailers will have a full picture on the specific needs, perception and expectations of road and rail travellers in relation to the quality of the stations’ servicescape, which retailers have to improve in order to increase customer patronage. It is assumed that retailers will be aware that store image and the store ambience should meet the challenges of the perceptions, motivations and consumer behaviour of travellers within the comprehensive servicescape of the station. This study provides a trigger effect to spatial planners to design high quality servicescape that will attract travellers for both hedonic and utilitarian shopping. Hirschman and Holbrook (1982) believed that shoppers derive pleasure from the experience of shopping itself, regardless of the joy from acquiring goods, this more so with travelling shoppers. A bus station can be both a growth node and a tourist attraction, if its features are attractive, therefore planners can benefit from this study. In this study theory that forms the bases of the influence of social servicescape on the behaviour of travelling shoppers that frequently visit and participate in shopping at various South African bus station retail outlets is provided. Additionally, this study provided empirical information on the relationships that exist amongst the characteristics of the South African Park Stations’ physical retail environments, user perceptions and interpersonal encounters. The behaviour of shopping travellers was extensively discussed to provide the background of theories and various models concerning shopping behaviour of travellers. Through this work, clarity on consumer behavioural trends of travelling shoppers in the South African retail sector is provided, which assist in differentiating retail products, services and segmentation of markets in a way that could enhance marketing effectiveness amongst the travelling shopping segment. Special attention was paid to factors that motivate road travellers’ choice of stores; the type of products they purchase and their decision making processes. Effort were made to identify, categorize and segment shopper typologies and their shopping behaviours. Effort was also made to discuss extensively the social and physical influences of environments in a retail environment such as that of the bus and railway station. The discussions in this study focussed on describing the comprehensive servicescape model dimensions which shoppers encountered during their shopping activity. The study also indicated the significance of the interaction of service staff with the customers in determining the service quality, customer satisfaction and the future intention of travelers. Additionally this study emphasised the importance of social encounters and perceptiveness to cues within the station, which determine whether they actively or passively are involved in the shopping encounter. The research findings reveal that, travellers perceive the servicescape within the bus station as unattractive and lack appropriate facilities. Furthermore travelers considered the two dimensions (store image and store ambience) of the store’s servicescape as one composite unit of the servicescape. This position is supported in literature, where it is argued that people respond to their environment holistically, rather than to individual stimuli. The travelling shoppers reveal that although they always find the shops from the bus station clean and neat, consumers expect a certain level of ambient environmental conditions to be present. The empirical findings in this study indicate that travelling shoppers are not interested in visiting the stores at the bus and railway station for shopping because merchandise from the bus station stores is poor in quality and unreliable; the surroundings at the station as unpleasant and the bus and railway station stores are congested. Thus, hasty shopping and spending more time or stay longer than planned for shopping at the bus and railway station is not useful to travelling shoppers. Therefore, travellers feel strongly that the shopping environment of the station is not conducive to shopping. These facilities (stations) are only used for travelling purposes; therefore there is a need for improvement in the retail and station facilities in order to increase shopping activities within this servicescape. The research findings reveal that shopping at the bus station seems to be driven by traditional needs such as functional and experiential motivations as well as travelrelated needs such as busstation-atmosphere-related and bus station-infrastructurerelated motivations. It was difficult to deduce a particular typology of shoppers in this environment, but due to the stress related to travelling. Passive shopping was observed amongst travellers, which is not a positive shopping behaviour for retailers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
The relationship between emotional stability, stress and work family conflict, among Standard Bank female employees in the Border region
- Authors: Zingwe, Tawanda
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Standard Bank Limited , Bank employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Role conflict , Women employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Job stress -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work and family -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sexual division of labor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Neuroses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work-family conflict , Stress , Emotional stability , Neuroticism , Banks , Females
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Industrial Psychology)
- Identifier: vital:11558 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007133 , Standard Bank Limited , Bank employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Role conflict , Women employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Job stress -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work and family -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sexual division of labor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Neuroses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work-family conflict , Stress , Emotional stability , Neuroticism , Banks , Females
- Description: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship that exists between emotional stability, stress and work-family conflict among Standard Bank female employees. For this purpose data was collected from the female employees of Standard Banks in Alice, Fort Beaufort, King Williams and East London Town’s in the Eastern Cape. A sample of 72 female bank employees was drawn from the population. Neuroticism is the opposite of emotional stability and it was mostly often used in place of emotional stability in the study. Results of the study indicated that all study variables are significantly positively correlated with one another. The findings of this study is helpful in the banking industry in order to design human resources policies which will reduce the work-family conflict and decrease stress for female bank employees and for future research in respective topics. The implications of this study are discussed along with recommendations for future research and professional managerial practice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Zingwe, Tawanda
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Standard Bank Limited , Bank employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Role conflict , Women employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Job stress -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work and family -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sexual division of labor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Neuroses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work-family conflict , Stress , Emotional stability , Neuroticism , Banks , Females
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Industrial Psychology)
- Identifier: vital:11558 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007133 , Standard Bank Limited , Bank employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Role conflict , Women employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Job stress -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work and family -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sexual division of labor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Neuroses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Work-family conflict , Stress , Emotional stability , Neuroticism , Banks , Females
- Description: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship that exists between emotional stability, stress and work-family conflict among Standard Bank female employees. For this purpose data was collected from the female employees of Standard Banks in Alice, Fort Beaufort, King Williams and East London Town’s in the Eastern Cape. A sample of 72 female bank employees was drawn from the population. Neuroticism is the opposite of emotional stability and it was mostly often used in place of emotional stability in the study. Results of the study indicated that all study variables are significantly positively correlated with one another. The findings of this study is helpful in the banking industry in order to design human resources policies which will reduce the work-family conflict and decrease stress for female bank employees and for future research in respective topics. The implications of this study are discussed along with recommendations for future research and professional managerial practice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Synthesis and characterization of binary and ternary palladium alloys for use as alternative counter electrode catalysts in dye sensitized solar cells
- Authors: Zingwe, Nyengerai Hillary
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Electrocatalysis Chemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Chemistry)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18513 , vital:42580
- Description: The dye sensitized solar cell counter electrode facilitates the regeneration of the dye molecules thereby ensuring the provision of higher sunlight to electricity conversion efficiency. The standard platinum electrode suffers from low efficiency due to corrosion by the redox mediator as well as being extremely expensive due to high demand. As an alternative this research study illustrates the efforts undertaken to replace the standard platinum counter electrode with palladium alloy counter electrodes. Application of palladium alloys ensures sustenance of high catalytic activity by palladium which is as effective as platinum. Although palladium is equally as expensive as platinum, its application in the form of alloys minimizes the amount required to produce an effective counter electrode to 0.001-0.004 moles thereby ensuring the provision of high efficiency at a lower cost. Furthermore, charge transfer from the other alloyed elements to the palladium atom increases active sites leading to higher catalytic activity than platinum. Additionally, changes in crystal structure due to alloying enhances resistance to corrosion thus enabling the longevity of the alloy counter electrode in the electrolyte ___________________________________________________________________________ Electrochemical analysis was conducted to determine the catalytic functionality of the developed alloys in cobalt, ferrocene and iodine redox mediators. The binary (PdNi-reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and PdCo-rGO) and ternary (PdNiCo-rGO) palladium alloys were fabricated via a hydrothermal method. In order to determine the composition which could provide the maximum activity, optimization was conducted through variation of the molar ratios of the precursor solutions. The properties of the synthesized palladium alloys were determined using various techniques including x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The developed alloys were observed to comprise of palladium, nickel, cobalt, and carbon atoms. The particles were spherical in nature for all the unsupported alloys with the carbon supported alloys exhibiting spherical particle wholly surrounded by graphene sheets. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis showed that the carbon supported alloys PdNi-rGO, PdCo-rGO and PdNiCo-rGO produced the highest catalytic activities due to the synergy between their respective alloys and the incorporated reduced graphene oxide. The high catalytic effectiveness of these alloys yielded power conversion efficiency in the order PdNiCo-rGO (9.01) > PdNi-rGO (8.4.%) > PdCo-rGO (6.56%) > Pt (5.7%) which were better than the platinum efficiency in the cobalt redox mediator. The higher efficiency in the cobalt redox mediator relative to the iodine electrolyte illustrates that they are viable alternatives to the, corrosive and volatile iodine. Obtained results show that, the high recombination rates between the photogenerated electrons and the oxidized dye molecule which have been reported to reduce power conversion efficiency in one electron redox mediators did not affect the performance of the cell. However, these higher recombination rates affected the ferrocene electrolyte leading to extremely poor efficiency metrics. The obtained results indicated that reduced graphene oxide supported PdNi-rGO, PdNiCo-rGO as well as the unsupported PdNi3 alloys could successfully be implemented as substitutes to the platinum counter electrode in dye sensitized solar cells. The application of the palladium alloys is vital for improving stability and power conversion efficiency, as well as reducing cost.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Zingwe, Nyengerai Hillary
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Electrocatalysis Chemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Chemistry)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18513 , vital:42580
- Description: The dye sensitized solar cell counter electrode facilitates the regeneration of the dye molecules thereby ensuring the provision of higher sunlight to electricity conversion efficiency. The standard platinum electrode suffers from low efficiency due to corrosion by the redox mediator as well as being extremely expensive due to high demand. As an alternative this research study illustrates the efforts undertaken to replace the standard platinum counter electrode with palladium alloy counter electrodes. Application of palladium alloys ensures sustenance of high catalytic activity by palladium which is as effective as platinum. Although palladium is equally as expensive as platinum, its application in the form of alloys minimizes the amount required to produce an effective counter electrode to 0.001-0.004 moles thereby ensuring the provision of high efficiency at a lower cost. Furthermore, charge transfer from the other alloyed elements to the palladium atom increases active sites leading to higher catalytic activity than platinum. Additionally, changes in crystal structure due to alloying enhances resistance to corrosion thus enabling the longevity of the alloy counter electrode in the electrolyte ___________________________________________________________________________ Electrochemical analysis was conducted to determine the catalytic functionality of the developed alloys in cobalt, ferrocene and iodine redox mediators. The binary (PdNi-reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and PdCo-rGO) and ternary (PdNiCo-rGO) palladium alloys were fabricated via a hydrothermal method. In order to determine the composition which could provide the maximum activity, optimization was conducted through variation of the molar ratios of the precursor solutions. The properties of the synthesized palladium alloys were determined using various techniques including x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The developed alloys were observed to comprise of palladium, nickel, cobalt, and carbon atoms. The particles were spherical in nature for all the unsupported alloys with the carbon supported alloys exhibiting spherical particle wholly surrounded by graphene sheets. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis showed that the carbon supported alloys PdNi-rGO, PdCo-rGO and PdNiCo-rGO produced the highest catalytic activities due to the synergy between their respective alloys and the incorporated reduced graphene oxide. The high catalytic effectiveness of these alloys yielded power conversion efficiency in the order PdNiCo-rGO (9.01) > PdNi-rGO (8.4.%) > PdCo-rGO (6.56%) > Pt (5.7%) which were better than the platinum efficiency in the cobalt redox mediator. The higher efficiency in the cobalt redox mediator relative to the iodine electrolyte illustrates that they are viable alternatives to the, corrosive and volatile iodine. Obtained results show that, the high recombination rates between the photogenerated electrons and the oxidized dye molecule which have been reported to reduce power conversion efficiency in one electron redox mediators did not affect the performance of the cell. However, these higher recombination rates affected the ferrocene electrolyte leading to extremely poor efficiency metrics. The obtained results indicated that reduced graphene oxide supported PdNi-rGO, PdNiCo-rGO as well as the unsupported PdNi3 alloys could successfully be implemented as substitutes to the platinum counter electrode in dye sensitized solar cells. The application of the palladium alloys is vital for improving stability and power conversion efficiency, as well as reducing cost.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An assessment of the implementation of performance management and development system: Department of Sport and Recreation South Africa
- Authors: Zinganto, Nobulali
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Performance -- Management Local officials and employees -- South Africa , Employees -- Rating of -- South Africa Public administration --South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45826 , vital:39220
- Description: Performance management and development in the South African Public Service is a critical aspect that engenders officials and management to be committed to the provision of efficient and effective service delivery. The Public Service Regulations (2001) as amended requires all spheres of government to develop and implement policy parameters that address measurable service delivery aligned to their strategic functions. The imperatives of these policy parameters allow employees’ performance with notch increments. The National Department of Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) developed a performance management system that links Employee Performance Management and Development System (EPMDS) at salary levels 5 – 12 to notch increments and Human Resource Development programmes. This system aims to achieve consideration of the desired outputs; meaning the delivery of work required, which is emphasised in the setting of objectives and looking at the necessary inputs; meaning the knowledge, skills, training and resources needed, which are considered in the appraisal and reviewing of the progress that was made. The performance of Sport and Recreation South Africa has not been commensurate with the aims and objectives of the EPMDS system, as the results are not yielding the best outcome on this system. This study sought to investigate whether the EPMDS contributes to improve performance of the employees and that of the entire organisation in SRSA. It would examine whether the employees do get feedback on their performance after the performance assessment period. The study would establish whether those employees who under-performed do get remedial interventions like training, coaching, mentoring and development on the competencies they lack; so that their performance is improved. The study also sought to determined the perception of the employees regarding the effectiveness of the Performance Management and Development System in SRSA Knowledge of employees' perceptions of the performance management system will assist management to implement such a system more effectively. The findings of this study indicate that managers use performance management as a tool to control and discipline subordinates, whilst subordinates use performance management as a means of getting extra money through performance bonuses. This could be the reason that performance assessment period is viewed as a period of high tension between supervisors and subordinates. The main recommendation on the basis of this finding is that there should be a regular and thorough training of officials at all levels within SRSA about the EPMDS and how it influences productivity. Other additional recommendations include, inter alia, that the identification of gaps on unsatisfactory performance should be made immediately after each performance period. Remedial interventions to address those gaps like training, retraining, coaching and counselling should be formulated, agreed upon and implemented.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Zinganto, Nobulali
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Performance -- Management Local officials and employees -- South Africa , Employees -- Rating of -- South Africa Public administration --South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45826 , vital:39220
- Description: Performance management and development in the South African Public Service is a critical aspect that engenders officials and management to be committed to the provision of efficient and effective service delivery. The Public Service Regulations (2001) as amended requires all spheres of government to develop and implement policy parameters that address measurable service delivery aligned to their strategic functions. The imperatives of these policy parameters allow employees’ performance with notch increments. The National Department of Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) developed a performance management system that links Employee Performance Management and Development System (EPMDS) at salary levels 5 – 12 to notch increments and Human Resource Development programmes. This system aims to achieve consideration of the desired outputs; meaning the delivery of work required, which is emphasised in the setting of objectives and looking at the necessary inputs; meaning the knowledge, skills, training and resources needed, which are considered in the appraisal and reviewing of the progress that was made. The performance of Sport and Recreation South Africa has not been commensurate with the aims and objectives of the EPMDS system, as the results are not yielding the best outcome on this system. This study sought to investigate whether the EPMDS contributes to improve performance of the employees and that of the entire organisation in SRSA. It would examine whether the employees do get feedback on their performance after the performance assessment period. The study would establish whether those employees who under-performed do get remedial interventions like training, coaching, mentoring and development on the competencies they lack; so that their performance is improved. The study also sought to determined the perception of the employees regarding the effectiveness of the Performance Management and Development System in SRSA Knowledge of employees' perceptions of the performance management system will assist management to implement such a system more effectively. The findings of this study indicate that managers use performance management as a tool to control and discipline subordinates, whilst subordinates use performance management as a means of getting extra money through performance bonuses. This could be the reason that performance assessment period is viewed as a period of high tension between supervisors and subordinates. The main recommendation on the basis of this finding is that there should be a regular and thorough training of officials at all levels within SRSA about the EPMDS and how it influences productivity. Other additional recommendations include, inter alia, that the identification of gaps on unsatisfactory performance should be made immediately after each performance period. Remedial interventions to address those gaps like training, retraining, coaching and counselling should be formulated, agreed upon and implemented.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017