An evaluation of the brand campus concept implemented at Mercedes-Benz South Africa: a case study
- Authors: Samkange, Tichaona
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Mercedes-Benz of South Africa DaimlerChrysler -- South Africa Consumer satisfaction Case studies -- South Africa Product management Case studies -- South Africa Brand name products -- Management Case studies Brand name products -- Valuation Case studies Marketing Case studies -- South Africa Brand choices Case studies -- South Africa Customer preferences Case studies -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:741 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003861
- Description: Primarily, this research study was concerned with the evaluation of the brand campus concept implemented at then DaimlerChrysler South Africa in 2002, as a case study. Pretoria-based Mercedes-Benz South Africa (Pty) Ltd. (MBSA) is a subsidiary of global vehicle manufacturer Germany’s Daimler-Benz AG (DBAG). They are responsible for assembling, distributing and retailing, certain Mercedes-Benz and Mitsubishi vehicle brands, and spare parts. The landmark 1998 DaimlerChrysler global ‘merger of equals’ was preceded by the 1995 joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Mitsubishi Motor Corporation. Consequently, three brands (Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler and Mitsubishi) were retailed and marketed under DaimlerChrysler South Africa (Pty) Ltd. (DCSA), positioned next to each other in the same showroom. This report identifies key challenges stemming from this approach, namely: brand strength dilution, more than 80 multi-franchised dealers and multi-branded showrooms, service capacity problems, old working environment and infrastructure, and perceived intra-brand competition. The research evidence suggests that these problems prompted then DCSA to launch the 2000 Dealer Network Strategy (DNS). In the grand scheme of things, the DNS intervention entailed partitioning the dealer network into five brand centres in five metro regions, and eighteen market centres in the rural areas. The brand campus concept was borne out of DNS and proved to be a masterstroke since, the primary focus was on streamlining the retail facilities for DCSA vehicle sales, service and spare parts for both the passenger and commercial vehicles. This study highlights key pillars of the brand campus concept, namely: profitability, brand focus, customer orientation and diversity. The challenge was to address seven major drivers of the brand campus concept, namely: after-sales vehicle support, vehicle service capacity, lead-times, spare parts availability, sales information propagation, behavior of sales personnel and the overall vehicle dealership appearance. Semi-structured interviews constituted part of the evaluation based on the perspectives of five customers, three dealer principals and two MBSA marketing executives. The research evidence, which also came from MBSA documentation and direct observation, shows that this innovative concept has been remarkably successful.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Samkange, Tichaona
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Mercedes-Benz of South Africa DaimlerChrysler -- South Africa Consumer satisfaction Case studies -- South Africa Product management Case studies -- South Africa Brand name products -- Management Case studies Brand name products -- Valuation Case studies Marketing Case studies -- South Africa Brand choices Case studies -- South Africa Customer preferences Case studies -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:741 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003861
- Description: Primarily, this research study was concerned with the evaluation of the brand campus concept implemented at then DaimlerChrysler South Africa in 2002, as a case study. Pretoria-based Mercedes-Benz South Africa (Pty) Ltd. (MBSA) is a subsidiary of global vehicle manufacturer Germany’s Daimler-Benz AG (DBAG). They are responsible for assembling, distributing and retailing, certain Mercedes-Benz and Mitsubishi vehicle brands, and spare parts. The landmark 1998 DaimlerChrysler global ‘merger of equals’ was preceded by the 1995 joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Mitsubishi Motor Corporation. Consequently, three brands (Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler and Mitsubishi) were retailed and marketed under DaimlerChrysler South Africa (Pty) Ltd. (DCSA), positioned next to each other in the same showroom. This report identifies key challenges stemming from this approach, namely: brand strength dilution, more than 80 multi-franchised dealers and multi-branded showrooms, service capacity problems, old working environment and infrastructure, and perceived intra-brand competition. The research evidence suggests that these problems prompted then DCSA to launch the 2000 Dealer Network Strategy (DNS). In the grand scheme of things, the DNS intervention entailed partitioning the dealer network into five brand centres in five metro regions, and eighteen market centres in the rural areas. The brand campus concept was borne out of DNS and proved to be a masterstroke since, the primary focus was on streamlining the retail facilities for DCSA vehicle sales, service and spare parts for both the passenger and commercial vehicles. This study highlights key pillars of the brand campus concept, namely: profitability, brand focus, customer orientation and diversity. The challenge was to address seven major drivers of the brand campus concept, namely: after-sales vehicle support, vehicle service capacity, lead-times, spare parts availability, sales information propagation, behavior of sales personnel and the overall vehicle dealership appearance. Semi-structured interviews constituted part of the evaluation based on the perspectives of five customers, three dealer principals and two MBSA marketing executives. The research evidence, which also came from MBSA documentation and direct observation, shows that this innovative concept has been remarkably successful.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The development of sustainability criteria to facilitate the selection of sanitation technologies within the Buffalo City Municipality (Eastern Cape Province, South Africa)
- Authors: Hoossein, Shafick
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Sanitation -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Water -- Purification -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Sewage disposal -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Water quality -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Environmental health -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Environmental management -- South Africa -- Buffalo City
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:32275 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004595
- Description: Two and a half billion people mostly in sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia remain without improved sanitation facilities despite the Millennium Development Goal 7's target to halve this number by 2015. While it might be tempting for developing countries such as South Africa to implement the cheapest and most rapidly constructed sanitation services simply to meet the desired target, this could have significant negative implications on human health and the environment over the long-term. As a result, there is a need to ensure that the most appropriate sustainable sanitation technologies are selected during the planning stage. The purpose of this research was therefore to document the development and pilot application of a flexible context-specific decision-support tool for sustainable sanitation technology selection within Buffalo City Municipality (BCM) in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The first step in the development process was to ascertain the current status of sanitation within the municipality, with a specific focus on the main challenges related to the provision, maintenance and performance of these technologies. Thereafter, a participatory approach was employed involving BCM stakeholders to develop a series of sustainability criteria and indicators that took into consideration economic, social, environmental and technical concerns as well as legal requirements. The development process resulted in a list of 38 BCM sustainable sanitation selection criteria that were applied in a pilot study involving rural, urban and peri-urban communities within BCM. Certain criteria related to topographical features and the availability of piped water and land were considered useful for 'coarse screening' while others were applied during 'fine screening'. In order to enhance the context specificity of criteria, each was weighted, through consultation with key BCM stakeholders. This research confirmed that the sanitation situation in BCM was poor and preliminary evidence indicated that sanitation systems were negatively impacting on the quality of water resources within BCM justifying the need for a sustainable sanitation decision support tool. Based on the pilot application of the BCM Sustainability Selection Criteria List, the urine diversion technology was considered the most sustainable technology option in each study site. There were however, certain social criteria that received relatively low sustainability scores and these would need to be addressed prior to the approval of this technology for implementation. The approach adopted in this thesis was considered highly context-specific yet flexible and appropriate for adoption not only by BCM but other municipalities on a range of spatial scales.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Hoossein, Shafick
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Sanitation -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Water -- Purification -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Sewage disposal -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Water quality -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Environmental health -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Environmental management -- South Africa -- Buffalo City
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:32275 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004595
- Description: Two and a half billion people mostly in sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia remain without improved sanitation facilities despite the Millennium Development Goal 7's target to halve this number by 2015. While it might be tempting for developing countries such as South Africa to implement the cheapest and most rapidly constructed sanitation services simply to meet the desired target, this could have significant negative implications on human health and the environment over the long-term. As a result, there is a need to ensure that the most appropriate sustainable sanitation technologies are selected during the planning stage. The purpose of this research was therefore to document the development and pilot application of a flexible context-specific decision-support tool for sustainable sanitation technology selection within Buffalo City Municipality (BCM) in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The first step in the development process was to ascertain the current status of sanitation within the municipality, with a specific focus on the main challenges related to the provision, maintenance and performance of these technologies. Thereafter, a participatory approach was employed involving BCM stakeholders to develop a series of sustainability criteria and indicators that took into consideration economic, social, environmental and technical concerns as well as legal requirements. The development process resulted in a list of 38 BCM sustainable sanitation selection criteria that were applied in a pilot study involving rural, urban and peri-urban communities within BCM. Certain criteria related to topographical features and the availability of piped water and land were considered useful for 'coarse screening' while others were applied during 'fine screening'. In order to enhance the context specificity of criteria, each was weighted, through consultation with key BCM stakeholders. This research confirmed that the sanitation situation in BCM was poor and preliminary evidence indicated that sanitation systems were negatively impacting on the quality of water resources within BCM justifying the need for a sustainable sanitation decision support tool. Based on the pilot application of the BCM Sustainability Selection Criteria List, the urine diversion technology was considered the most sustainable technology option in each study site. There were however, certain social criteria that received relatively low sustainability scores and these would need to be addressed prior to the approval of this technology for implementation. The approach adopted in this thesis was considered highly context-specific yet flexible and appropriate for adoption not only by BCM but other municipalities on a range of spatial scales.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
A social and cultural history of Grahamstown, 1812 to c1845
- Authors: Marshall, Richard Graham
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Cities and towns -- Growth -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Community development, Urban -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Eastern Cape (South Africa) -- History -- 19th Century Grahamstown (South Africa) -- History -- 19th Century Grahamstown (South Africa) -- History -- Social aspects -- 19th Century Grahamstown (South Africa) -- Social conditions -- 19th Century Grahamstown (South Africa) -- Economic conditions -- 19th Century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2549 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002401
- Description: This thesis examines the development of Grahamstown from its inception in 1812 to the mid-1840s, paying particular attention to the social and cultural life of the town. It traces the economic development of the town from a military outpost to a thriving commercial settlement, noting the essential factor of the town's proximity to the Cape frontier in this process. The economic interaction between diverse groups in the town mirrors the social and cultural interaction which occurred between British settlers, Khoekhoe and Africans. The result of these interactions was the creation of a new, distinctively South African urban society and culture, despite the desire of the white settlers to reproduce a “typical” English environment in their new home. The conflict between attempts to anglicise the urban environment and the realities of Grahamstown's situation on a colonial frontier was reflected in the architecture and layout of the town. Attempts to recreate an English social environment also failed. New classes arose in the town in response to the economic opportunities available on the frontier. Although some settlers prospered, many did not, and the presence of an impoverished white working class undermines settler historians' picture of settler success and affluence. The poorest people in the town, though, were the increasing numbers of Khoekhoe and Africans who migrated from the surrounding countryside, and who were unequally incorporated into the urban community as a colonial labouring class. In response to these unique circumstances, white settlers in Grahamstown developed a powerful political and propaganda machine, which helped lay the foundations of a distinct settler identity in the eastern Cape.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Marshall, Richard Graham
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Cities and towns -- Growth -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Community development, Urban -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Eastern Cape (South Africa) -- History -- 19th Century Grahamstown (South Africa) -- History -- 19th Century Grahamstown (South Africa) -- History -- Social aspects -- 19th Century Grahamstown (South Africa) -- Social conditions -- 19th Century Grahamstown (South Africa) -- Economic conditions -- 19th Century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2549 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002401
- Description: This thesis examines the development of Grahamstown from its inception in 1812 to the mid-1840s, paying particular attention to the social and cultural life of the town. It traces the economic development of the town from a military outpost to a thriving commercial settlement, noting the essential factor of the town's proximity to the Cape frontier in this process. The economic interaction between diverse groups in the town mirrors the social and cultural interaction which occurred between British settlers, Khoekhoe and Africans. The result of these interactions was the creation of a new, distinctively South African urban society and culture, despite the desire of the white settlers to reproduce a “typical” English environment in their new home. The conflict between attempts to anglicise the urban environment and the realities of Grahamstown's situation on a colonial frontier was reflected in the architecture and layout of the town. Attempts to recreate an English social environment also failed. New classes arose in the town in response to the economic opportunities available on the frontier. Although some settlers prospered, many did not, and the presence of an impoverished white working class undermines settler historians' picture of settler success and affluence. The poorest people in the town, though, were the increasing numbers of Khoekhoe and Africans who migrated from the surrounding countryside, and who were unequally incorporated into the urban community as a colonial labouring class. In response to these unique circumstances, white settlers in Grahamstown developed a powerful political and propaganda machine, which helped lay the foundations of a distinct settler identity in the eastern Cape.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
An investigation into the role of student participation in school governance : a Namibian perspective
- Authors: Shekupakela-Nelulu, Rauna
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Education and state -- Namibia Education, Secondary -- Namibia Student government -- Namibia Student participation in administration -- Namibia School management and organization -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1923 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007449
- Description: The issue of student participation in school governance is not a new concept in Namibian schools. Student involvement dates back to the 1970's when the country's administration was under the South African apartheid regime. Back then the involvement of students in school affairs was seen by the regime as a political act and attempts by student leaders to involve themselves in educational issues were often quashed. When the country became independent student representation continued as Student Representative Councils (SRC's), later renamed Learners Representative Councils (LRCs). This study attempted to investigate the perceptions of LRCs and other stakeholders - narnely the school principals and the school board members - of the role of students in school governance. The study was conducted in three Senior Secondary Schools in the Kavango region in Namibia. The research respondents were school principals, chairpersons of the LRCs and one chairperson of a school board. The study was conducted in the interpretive paradigm employing the following three qualitative research methods interviews, observation and document analysis to collect data. Through triangulation it was possible to formulate a rich response to the research question. The study found that, although the notion of student participation in school governance was widely accepted, a number of challenges exist that hamper the effectiveness of LRCs in the schools. It was revealed that there was no national policy docunlent that outlined the roles and function of the LRCs. As a result schools had little direction about the LRCs and subsequently they were given little or no attention by the school authorities. This resulted in misunderstandings and in some cases conflict between learners and the school management. The most significant consequence of these problems was the fact that LRCs were not regarded as true role players in school governance. The study thus recommends that a national policy document that legitimates the role of students in school governance be drafted to provide direction and that schools embark on meaningful training programmes for LRC members. The study also calls for further research to address the gap in literature on this phenomenon, particularly in Namibia.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Shekupakela-Nelulu, Rauna
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Education and state -- Namibia Education, Secondary -- Namibia Student government -- Namibia Student participation in administration -- Namibia School management and organization -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1923 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007449
- Description: The issue of student participation in school governance is not a new concept in Namibian schools. Student involvement dates back to the 1970's when the country's administration was under the South African apartheid regime. Back then the involvement of students in school affairs was seen by the regime as a political act and attempts by student leaders to involve themselves in educational issues were often quashed. When the country became independent student representation continued as Student Representative Councils (SRC's), later renamed Learners Representative Councils (LRCs). This study attempted to investigate the perceptions of LRCs and other stakeholders - narnely the school principals and the school board members - of the role of students in school governance. The study was conducted in three Senior Secondary Schools in the Kavango region in Namibia. The research respondents were school principals, chairpersons of the LRCs and one chairperson of a school board. The study was conducted in the interpretive paradigm employing the following three qualitative research methods interviews, observation and document analysis to collect data. Through triangulation it was possible to formulate a rich response to the research question. The study found that, although the notion of student participation in school governance was widely accepted, a number of challenges exist that hamper the effectiveness of LRCs in the schools. It was revealed that there was no national policy docunlent that outlined the roles and function of the LRCs. As a result schools had little direction about the LRCs and subsequently they were given little or no attention by the school authorities. This resulted in misunderstandings and in some cases conflict between learners and the school management. The most significant consequence of these problems was the fact that LRCs were not regarded as true role players in school governance. The study thus recommends that a national policy document that legitimates the role of students in school governance be drafted to provide direction and that schools embark on meaningful training programmes for LRC members. The study also calls for further research to address the gap in literature on this phenomenon, particularly in Namibia.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The phenomenolgoical experience of posttraumatic growth in the context of a traumatic bereavement
- Authors: Acheson, Kerry
- Date: 2009 , 2013-07-15
- Subjects: Post-traumatic stress disorder -- Case studies Bereavement -- Psychological aspects Death -- Psychological aspects Phenomenological psychology Grief
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3102 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004456
- Description: The present study involves an exploration of the phenomenological expenence of posttraumatic growth in the context of a traumatic bereavement. An idiographic case study of a student who had witnessed her mother's death twelve years previously was conducted. Semi-structured interviews elicited data which was analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IP A). Posttraumatic growth was found to have developed with regards to self-perception, relationships, and also in a broader spiritual and existential domain. The findings of this study shed light on the extant posttraumatic growth literature. In particular, findings were discussed in relation to the posttraumatic growth model as proposed by Calhoun and Tedeschi (2006). As posttraumatic growth is a relatively young concept, further research is needed in order to understand the meaning of reported growth more fully. While posttraumatic growth has been investigated in the context of bereavement, future research should distinguish more clearly between growth following traumatic and non-traumatic bereavement. Posttraumatic growth has received minimal empirical attention in South Africa, and therefore exploration of this area is suggested in the future. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Acheson, Kerry
- Date: 2009 , 2013-07-15
- Subjects: Post-traumatic stress disorder -- Case studies Bereavement -- Psychological aspects Death -- Psychological aspects Phenomenological psychology Grief
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3102 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004456
- Description: The present study involves an exploration of the phenomenological expenence of posttraumatic growth in the context of a traumatic bereavement. An idiographic case study of a student who had witnessed her mother's death twelve years previously was conducted. Semi-structured interviews elicited data which was analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IP A). Posttraumatic growth was found to have developed with regards to self-perception, relationships, and also in a broader spiritual and existential domain. The findings of this study shed light on the extant posttraumatic growth literature. In particular, findings were discussed in relation to the posttraumatic growth model as proposed by Calhoun and Tedeschi (2006). As posttraumatic growth is a relatively young concept, further research is needed in order to understand the meaning of reported growth more fully. While posttraumatic growth has been investigated in the context of bereavement, future research should distinguish more clearly between growth following traumatic and non-traumatic bereavement. Posttraumatic growth has received minimal empirical attention in South Africa, and therefore exploration of this area is suggested in the future. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Molecular and biochemical analysis of the diet of the black rhinoceros
- Authors: Kgopa, Ananias Hodi
- Date: 2009 , 2013-07-15
- Subjects: Black rhinoceros -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Browse (Animal food) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Analysis , Black rhinoceros -- Manure -- Analysis , Phenols , Antioxidants , Plant ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4064 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004721 , Black rhinoceros -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Browse (Animal food) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Analysis , Black rhinoceros -- Manure -- Analysis , Phenols , Antioxidants , Plant ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The black rhinoceros, Diceros bicornis, is listed as critically endangered. The black rhinoceros population in the Great Fish River Reserve (GFRR) has increased steadily to a current estimate of one hundred animals since the re-introduction of four animals in 1986. In an effort to contribute to the effective conservation and management of this species, dietary composition was studied in the medium Portulcaria thicket vegetation of the GFRR. This study used a molecular approach to determine the diet of the black rhinoceros of the GFRR by sequencing the ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase large subunit (rbcL) gene in plants and dung. Twenty-three plant species were collected from the reserve, and 802 bp of the rbcL gene were sequenced. These plant sequences were used as a reference database for the identification of plant sequences generated from black rhinoceros dung. Initial studies investigated the amplification, cloning and sequencing of DNA extracted from the dung samples which indicated the viability of the molecular approach. Thereafter, dung generated rbcL DNA was analyzed by GS FLX sequencing. Of the plant sequences identified by comparison to the GenBank database, Carissa bispinosa was the most prevalent. The study further characterized the antioxidant activities and phenolic content of plants eaten by the black rhinoceros using four different assays. Phyllanthus verrucosus, Putterlickia pyracantha, Maytenus capitata, Euclea undulata and Ozoroa mucrunata consistently had high antioxidant activities when assayed against 2,2-azinobis (3-ethyl benzothiazolium-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTSʹ⁺), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPHʹ), and ferric reducing antioxidant potentials (FRAP) and phenolic content when evaluated using the Folin-Ciocalteu assay. The majority of plants investigated showed low antioxidant potentials and low phenolic content. The extent to which antioxidants influenced the browse selection by the black rhinoceros remains inconclusive.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Kgopa, Ananias Hodi
- Date: 2009 , 2013-07-15
- Subjects: Black rhinoceros -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Browse (Animal food) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Analysis , Black rhinoceros -- Manure -- Analysis , Phenols , Antioxidants , Plant ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4064 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004721 , Black rhinoceros -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Browse (Animal food) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Analysis , Black rhinoceros -- Manure -- Analysis , Phenols , Antioxidants , Plant ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The black rhinoceros, Diceros bicornis, is listed as critically endangered. The black rhinoceros population in the Great Fish River Reserve (GFRR) has increased steadily to a current estimate of one hundred animals since the re-introduction of four animals in 1986. In an effort to contribute to the effective conservation and management of this species, dietary composition was studied in the medium Portulcaria thicket vegetation of the GFRR. This study used a molecular approach to determine the diet of the black rhinoceros of the GFRR by sequencing the ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase large subunit (rbcL) gene in plants and dung. Twenty-three plant species were collected from the reserve, and 802 bp of the rbcL gene were sequenced. These plant sequences were used as a reference database for the identification of plant sequences generated from black rhinoceros dung. Initial studies investigated the amplification, cloning and sequencing of DNA extracted from the dung samples which indicated the viability of the molecular approach. Thereafter, dung generated rbcL DNA was analyzed by GS FLX sequencing. Of the plant sequences identified by comparison to the GenBank database, Carissa bispinosa was the most prevalent. The study further characterized the antioxidant activities and phenolic content of plants eaten by the black rhinoceros using four different assays. Phyllanthus verrucosus, Putterlickia pyracantha, Maytenus capitata, Euclea undulata and Ozoroa mucrunata consistently had high antioxidant activities when assayed against 2,2-azinobis (3-ethyl benzothiazolium-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTSʹ⁺), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPHʹ), and ferric reducing antioxidant potentials (FRAP) and phenolic content when evaluated using the Folin-Ciocalteu assay. The majority of plants investigated showed low antioxidant potentials and low phenolic content. The extent to which antioxidants influenced the browse selection by the black rhinoceros remains inconclusive.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The impact of macroeconomic and financial factors on the performance of the housing property market in South Africa
- Authors: Kwangware, Debra
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Microeconomics , Housing -- South Africa , Housing -- Prices -- South Africa , Real property -- South Africa , Interest rates -- South Africa , Foreign exchange rates -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1042 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005641 , Microeconomics , Housing -- South Africa , Housing -- Prices -- South Africa , Real property -- South Africa , Interest rates -- South Africa , Foreign exchange rates -- South Africa
- Description: This study exammes the impact of macroeconomic and financial variables on the performance of the housing property market in South Africa using monthly data for the period January 1996 to June 2008. Orthogonalised and non-orthogonalised house price returns and real estate returns are utilised as proxies for the housing property market in separate models. Three main issues were empirically analysed in relation to the linkage between selected variables and the housing property market. The first aspect examined the relationship between selected macroeconomic and financial factors and property returns. Secondly, the study examined the influence that a unit shock to each variable has on property returns over a period of time. The third aspect focused on determining the proportion of property returns variation that results from changes in the macroeconomic and financial variables. VAR modelling was thus adopted to empirically analyse these three aspects. The results reveal that house price returns are influenced by most of the macroeconomic and financial variables used in this study. Specifically, the real effective exchange rate, interest rate spread and manufacturing production positively impact on house price returns while the domestic interest rate, the dividend yield and expected inflation have a negative effect. Furthermore, manufacturing production has a lagged effect on house price returns while the real effective exchange rate and domestic interest rate have a contemporaneous effect. Real estate returns are not influenced by most of the variables except for the domestic interest rate and dividend yield which have a negative effect.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Kwangware, Debra
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Microeconomics , Housing -- South Africa , Housing -- Prices -- South Africa , Real property -- South Africa , Interest rates -- South Africa , Foreign exchange rates -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1042 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005641 , Microeconomics , Housing -- South Africa , Housing -- Prices -- South Africa , Real property -- South Africa , Interest rates -- South Africa , Foreign exchange rates -- South Africa
- Description: This study exammes the impact of macroeconomic and financial variables on the performance of the housing property market in South Africa using monthly data for the period January 1996 to June 2008. Orthogonalised and non-orthogonalised house price returns and real estate returns are utilised as proxies for the housing property market in separate models. Three main issues were empirically analysed in relation to the linkage between selected variables and the housing property market. The first aspect examined the relationship between selected macroeconomic and financial factors and property returns. Secondly, the study examined the influence that a unit shock to each variable has on property returns over a period of time. The third aspect focused on determining the proportion of property returns variation that results from changes in the macroeconomic and financial variables. VAR modelling was thus adopted to empirically analyse these three aspects. The results reveal that house price returns are influenced by most of the macroeconomic and financial variables used in this study. Specifically, the real effective exchange rate, interest rate spread and manufacturing production positively impact on house price returns while the domestic interest rate, the dividend yield and expected inflation have a negative effect. Furthermore, manufacturing production has a lagged effect on house price returns while the real effective exchange rate and domestic interest rate have a contemporaneous effect. Real estate returns are not influenced by most of the variables except for the domestic interest rate and dividend yield which have a negative effect.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Gains derived from illegal activities :an analysis of the taxation consequences
- Mtshawulana, Lungiswa Bukeka
- Authors: Mtshawulana, Lungiswa Bukeka
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:886 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001640
- Description: Income Tax in South Africa is levied in terms of the Income Tax Act 58 of 1962 on taxable income, which, by definition, is arrived at by deducting from "gross income" receipts and accruals that are exempt from tax as well as deductions and allowances provided for in the Act. The Income Tax Act provides no guidance with regard to the taxation of illegal activities, except to prohibit the deduction of expenditure incurred in paying fines or in relation to corrupt activities, as defined. An analysis of the taxation of income derived from theft, fraud and prostitution and the deductibility of expenses relating to that income, is the question addressed in this thesis. In this thesis, an analysis was made of relevant case law in relation to the provisions of the Income Tax Act in an attempt to provide clarity. A brief comparison was also macie of American, United Kingdom and South African tax law. Similarities were found between the American, United Kingdom and South African tax regimes in relation to the taxation of income, but there appeared to be more certainty in America and the United Kingdom in relation to the deduction of expenses. The thesis concludes that recent case decisions have provided certainty in relation to income from illegal activities, but the tax status of the deduction of expenses remains uncertain.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Mtshawulana, Lungiswa Bukeka
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:886 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001640
- Description: Income Tax in South Africa is levied in terms of the Income Tax Act 58 of 1962 on taxable income, which, by definition, is arrived at by deducting from "gross income" receipts and accruals that are exempt from tax as well as deductions and allowances provided for in the Act. The Income Tax Act provides no guidance with regard to the taxation of illegal activities, except to prohibit the deduction of expenditure incurred in paying fines or in relation to corrupt activities, as defined. An analysis of the taxation of income derived from theft, fraud and prostitution and the deductibility of expenses relating to that income, is the question addressed in this thesis. In this thesis, an analysis was made of relevant case law in relation to the provisions of the Income Tax Act in an attempt to provide clarity. A brief comparison was also macie of American, United Kingdom and South African tax law. Similarities were found between the American, United Kingdom and South African tax regimes in relation to the taxation of income, but there appeared to be more certainty in America and the United Kingdom in relation to the deduction of expenses. The thesis concludes that recent case decisions have provided certainty in relation to income from illegal activities, but the tax status of the deduction of expenses remains uncertain.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
A knowledge-oriented, context-sensitive architectural framework for service deployment in marginalized rural communities
- Authors: Thinyane, Mamello P
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Information technology Expert systems (Computer science) Software architecture User interfaces (Computer systems) Ethnoscience Social networks Rural development Technical assistance -- Developing countries Information networks -- Developing countries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4599 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004843
- Description: The notion of a global knowledge society is somewhat of a misnomer due to the fact that large portions of the global community are not participants in this global knowledge society which is driven, shaped by and socio-technically biased towards a small fraction of the global population. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is culture-sensitive and this is a dynamic that is largely ignored in the majority of ICT for Development (ICT4D) interventions, leading to the technological determinism flaw and ultimately a failure of the undertaken projects. The deployment of ICT solutions, in particular in the context of ICT4D, must be informed by the cultural and socio-technical profile of the deployment environments and solutions themselves must be developed with a focus towards context-sensitivity and ethnocentricity. In this thesis, we investigate the viability of a software architectural framework for the development of ICT solutions that are context-sensitive and ethnocentric1, and so aligned with the cultural and social dynamics within the environment of deployment. The conceptual framework, named PIASK, defines five tiers (presentation, interaction, access, social networking, and knowledge base) which allow for: behavioural completeness of the layer components; a modular and functionally decoupled architecture; and the flexibility to situate and contextualize the developed applications along the dimensions of the User Interface (UI), interaction modalities, usage metaphors, underlying Indigenous Knowledge (IK), and access protocols. We have developed a proof-of-concept service platform, called KnowNet, based on the PIASK architecture. KnowNet is built around the knowledge base layer, which consists of domain ontologies that encapsulate the knowledge in the platform, with an intrinsic flexibility to access secondary knowledge repositories. The domain ontologies constructed (as examples) are for the provisioning of eServices to support societal activities (e.g. commerce, health, agriculture, medicine) within a rural and marginalized area of Dwesa, in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The social networking layer allows for situating the platform within the local social systems. Heterogeneity of user profiles and multiplicity of end-user devices are handled through the access and the presentation components, and the service logic is implemented by the interaction components. This services platform validates the PIASK architecture for end-to-end provisioning of multi-modal, heterogeneous, ontology-based services. The development of KnowNet was informed on one hand by the latest trends within service architectures, semantic web technologies and social applications, and on the other hand by the context consideration based on the profile (IK systems dynamics, infrastructure, usability requirements) of the Dwesa community. The realization of the service platform is based on the JADE Multi-Agent System (MAS), and this shows the applicability and adequacy of MAS’s for service deployment in a rural context, at the same time providing key advantages such as platform fault-tolerance, robustness and flexibility. While the context of conceptualization of PIASK and the implementation of KnowNet is that of rurality and of ICT4D, the applicability of the architecture extends to other similarly heterogeneous and context-sensitive domains. KnowNet has been validated for functional and technical adequacy, and we have also undertaken an initial prevalidation for social context sensitivity. We observe that the five tier PIASK architecture provides an adequate framework for developing context-sensitive and ethnocentric software: by functionally separating and making explicit the social networking and access tier components, while still maintaining the traditional separation of presentation, business logic and data components.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Thinyane, Mamello P
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Information technology Expert systems (Computer science) Software architecture User interfaces (Computer systems) Ethnoscience Social networks Rural development Technical assistance -- Developing countries Information networks -- Developing countries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4599 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004843
- Description: The notion of a global knowledge society is somewhat of a misnomer due to the fact that large portions of the global community are not participants in this global knowledge society which is driven, shaped by and socio-technically biased towards a small fraction of the global population. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is culture-sensitive and this is a dynamic that is largely ignored in the majority of ICT for Development (ICT4D) interventions, leading to the technological determinism flaw and ultimately a failure of the undertaken projects. The deployment of ICT solutions, in particular in the context of ICT4D, must be informed by the cultural and socio-technical profile of the deployment environments and solutions themselves must be developed with a focus towards context-sensitivity and ethnocentricity. In this thesis, we investigate the viability of a software architectural framework for the development of ICT solutions that are context-sensitive and ethnocentric1, and so aligned with the cultural and social dynamics within the environment of deployment. The conceptual framework, named PIASK, defines five tiers (presentation, interaction, access, social networking, and knowledge base) which allow for: behavioural completeness of the layer components; a modular and functionally decoupled architecture; and the flexibility to situate and contextualize the developed applications along the dimensions of the User Interface (UI), interaction modalities, usage metaphors, underlying Indigenous Knowledge (IK), and access protocols. We have developed a proof-of-concept service platform, called KnowNet, based on the PIASK architecture. KnowNet is built around the knowledge base layer, which consists of domain ontologies that encapsulate the knowledge in the platform, with an intrinsic flexibility to access secondary knowledge repositories. The domain ontologies constructed (as examples) are for the provisioning of eServices to support societal activities (e.g. commerce, health, agriculture, medicine) within a rural and marginalized area of Dwesa, in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The social networking layer allows for situating the platform within the local social systems. Heterogeneity of user profiles and multiplicity of end-user devices are handled through the access and the presentation components, and the service logic is implemented by the interaction components. This services platform validates the PIASK architecture for end-to-end provisioning of multi-modal, heterogeneous, ontology-based services. The development of KnowNet was informed on one hand by the latest trends within service architectures, semantic web technologies and social applications, and on the other hand by the context consideration based on the profile (IK systems dynamics, infrastructure, usability requirements) of the Dwesa community. The realization of the service platform is based on the JADE Multi-Agent System (MAS), and this shows the applicability and adequacy of MAS’s for service deployment in a rural context, at the same time providing key advantages such as platform fault-tolerance, robustness and flexibility. While the context of conceptualization of PIASK and the implementation of KnowNet is that of rurality and of ICT4D, the applicability of the architecture extends to other similarly heterogeneous and context-sensitive domains. KnowNet has been validated for functional and technical adequacy, and we have also undertaken an initial prevalidation for social context sensitivity. We observe that the five tier PIASK architecture provides an adequate framework for developing context-sensitive and ethnocentric software: by functionally separating and making explicit the social networking and access tier components, while still maintaining the traditional separation of presentation, business logic and data components.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Restoration of degraded subtropical thickets in the Baviaanskloof Megareserve, South Africa: the role of carbon stocks and Portulacaria afra survivorship
- Authors: Powell, Michael John
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Portulacaria afra -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Portulacaceae -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Plant conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Shrubs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Succulent plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Baviaanskloof (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4764 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007164 , Portulacaria afra -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Portulacaceae -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Plant conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Shrubs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Succulent plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Baviaanskloof (South Africa)
- Description: The semi-arid forms of subtropical thicket in the Eastern and Western Cape have been heavily degraded through unsustainable pastoralism over the last century or more. The degraded areas exhibit a significant loss of above-ground and belowground carbon stocks, and consequently provide an opportunity for restoration through the formal and informal carbon markets. A prerequisite for the attainment of carbon credits is to ensure sound carbon stock baselines prior to effecting restoration. I report on the carbon stocks (including sub-pools) for a number of intact subtropical thicket types, as well as the differentials between the intact and degraded states (including the sub-pools). Total carbon stocks (TCS in t C ha⁻¹) for intact vegetation (to a soil depth 0–25 cm), ranged from 87.73±6.51 to 70.64±17.24. For degraded vegetation (including old lands), TCS (t C ha⁻¹) ranged from 34.05±3.61 to 21.03±2.70. For all vegetation types, the differentials in TCS along the degradation gradient (0–25 cm) are highly significant and strengthen the possibility for carbon credit financing to catalyse the restoration of the degraded semi-arid subtropical thickets. This study has shown a mean loss of 57.23 t C ha⁻¹ in Baviaanskloof spekboom thickets, when measured to a soil depth of 25 cm. Portulacaria afra is a key species within the semi-arid subtropical thickets, being a canopy dominant and a driver of soil nutrient status, but has been largely lost from the degraded landscapes. Degraded semi-arid subtropical thicket vegetation lacks regeneration via seedling recruitment; restoration therefore requires the manual replanting of P. afra using cut truncheons. Survivorship trials were undertaken infield in 2005 to establish restoration protocols for P. afra, with survivorship being recorded in 2006 and 2008. Overall survivorship for all treatments was found to be 43.2±2.8% in 2006, dropping to 35.8±2.7% in 2008. Planting posture (flat or upright) showed the most significant results of all the factors tested in 2006 and 2008. Micro-damming also influenced survivorship in that micro-damming was associated with marginally higher survivorship (47.4 ±2.0% with damming vs. 39.1±1.5% without damming in 2006, and 39.3±1.9% vs. 32.3±1.5% in 2008). Higher planting density only showed a significant positive impact on survivorship in 2008. Neither stem diameter nor clumping significantly affected degree of survival. A key finding in the study has been the non-static nature of P. afra truncheon survivorship, even after being well established (three years since planting). The results from the study will guide the restoration protocols for the restoration of degraded subtropical thickets, where P. afra requires replanting.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Powell, Michael John
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Portulacaria afra -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Portulacaceae -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Plant conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Shrubs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Succulent plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Baviaanskloof (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4764 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007164 , Portulacaria afra -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Portulacaceae -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Biodiversity conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Plant conservation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Shrubs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Succulent plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Baviaanskloof (South Africa)
- Description: The semi-arid forms of subtropical thicket in the Eastern and Western Cape have been heavily degraded through unsustainable pastoralism over the last century or more. The degraded areas exhibit a significant loss of above-ground and belowground carbon stocks, and consequently provide an opportunity for restoration through the formal and informal carbon markets. A prerequisite for the attainment of carbon credits is to ensure sound carbon stock baselines prior to effecting restoration. I report on the carbon stocks (including sub-pools) for a number of intact subtropical thicket types, as well as the differentials between the intact and degraded states (including the sub-pools). Total carbon stocks (TCS in t C ha⁻¹) for intact vegetation (to a soil depth 0–25 cm), ranged from 87.73±6.51 to 70.64±17.24. For degraded vegetation (including old lands), TCS (t C ha⁻¹) ranged from 34.05±3.61 to 21.03±2.70. For all vegetation types, the differentials in TCS along the degradation gradient (0–25 cm) are highly significant and strengthen the possibility for carbon credit financing to catalyse the restoration of the degraded semi-arid subtropical thickets. This study has shown a mean loss of 57.23 t C ha⁻¹ in Baviaanskloof spekboom thickets, when measured to a soil depth of 25 cm. Portulacaria afra is a key species within the semi-arid subtropical thickets, being a canopy dominant and a driver of soil nutrient status, but has been largely lost from the degraded landscapes. Degraded semi-arid subtropical thicket vegetation lacks regeneration via seedling recruitment; restoration therefore requires the manual replanting of P. afra using cut truncheons. Survivorship trials were undertaken infield in 2005 to establish restoration protocols for P. afra, with survivorship being recorded in 2006 and 2008. Overall survivorship for all treatments was found to be 43.2±2.8% in 2006, dropping to 35.8±2.7% in 2008. Planting posture (flat or upright) showed the most significant results of all the factors tested in 2006 and 2008. Micro-damming also influenced survivorship in that micro-damming was associated with marginally higher survivorship (47.4 ±2.0% with damming vs. 39.1±1.5% without damming in 2006, and 39.3±1.9% vs. 32.3±1.5% in 2008). Higher planting density only showed a significant positive impact on survivorship in 2008. Neither stem diameter nor clumping significantly affected degree of survival. A key finding in the study has been the non-static nature of P. afra truncheon survivorship, even after being well established (three years since planting). The results from the study will guide the restoration protocols for the restoration of degraded subtropical thickets, where P. afra requires replanting.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Legal access to our musical history: an investigation into the copyright implications of archived musical recordings held at the International Library of African Music (ILAM) in South Africa
- Authors: McConnachie, Boudina
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Tracey, Hugh International Library of African Music South Africa. Copyright Act 1978 Copyright -- Music -- South Africa Music -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:2648 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002313
- Description: This thesis explores the South African Copyright Act No. 98 of 1978 as it pertains to the archived holdings at the International Library of African Music (ILAM) situated at Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa. The purpose of analysing this law is to advise and assist ILAM in fulfilling royalty payment obligations as stipulated in a contract signed between ILAM and the Smithsonian Global Sound (formally Global Sound Network) in 2001. In order to clearly comprehend the scope of the royalty payment clause in the Smithsonian Institution’s contract with ILAM, this research includes an examination of: the history and nature of South African copyright as a sub-structure of intellectual property; specific internationally documented copyright infringement cases; the recording and documentation practices of Hugh Tracey (ILAM’s founder and director from 1954 to 1977); the contract between Global Sound Network and ILAM; and contentious issues surrounding collective ownership and indigenous knowledge. In conclusion, this research suggests equitable solutions to ILAM’s copyright concerns and proposes the Eastern Cape Music Archiving Project (ECMAP) as a practical vehicle to assist the South African Department of Trade and Industry in implementation of the South African Intellectual Property Amendment Bill (2008) if, and when, it is passed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: McConnachie, Boudina
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Tracey, Hugh International Library of African Music South Africa. Copyright Act 1978 Copyright -- Music -- South Africa Music -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:2648 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002313
- Description: This thesis explores the South African Copyright Act No. 98 of 1978 as it pertains to the archived holdings at the International Library of African Music (ILAM) situated at Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa. The purpose of analysing this law is to advise and assist ILAM in fulfilling royalty payment obligations as stipulated in a contract signed between ILAM and the Smithsonian Global Sound (formally Global Sound Network) in 2001. In order to clearly comprehend the scope of the royalty payment clause in the Smithsonian Institution’s contract with ILAM, this research includes an examination of: the history and nature of South African copyright as a sub-structure of intellectual property; specific internationally documented copyright infringement cases; the recording and documentation practices of Hugh Tracey (ILAM’s founder and director from 1954 to 1977); the contract between Global Sound Network and ILAM; and contentious issues surrounding collective ownership and indigenous knowledge. In conclusion, this research suggests equitable solutions to ILAM’s copyright concerns and proposes the Eastern Cape Music Archiving Project (ECMAP) as a practical vehicle to assist the South African Department of Trade and Industry in implementation of the South African Intellectual Property Amendment Bill (2008) if, and when, it is passed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Environmental education policy support in Southern Africa: a case story of SADC REEP
- Gumede, Sibusisiwe Marie-Louise
- Authors: Gumede, Sibusisiwe Marie-Louise
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: SADC Regional Environmental Education Programme Environmental education -- Africa, Southern Education -- Africa, Southern Education and state -- Africa, Southern Teaching -- Aids and devices -- Africa, Southern
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1515 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003397
- Description: The study takes place in the context of the Southern African Development Community’s Regional Environmental Education Programme (SADC REEP). The SADC REEP is a programme of the Food Agriculture and Natural Resources Directorate of the SADC Secretariat. The programme is implemented through four components namely policy, networking, training and learning support materials development. The bulk of the policy budget is in the form of seed funding to support policy initiatives in the member states. The intention of this study is to illuminate factors that influence the deployment and use of seed funding to support environmental education policy processes within the SADC REEP. To sharpen the understanding of the context within which these activities take place, the study looks at the global and regional landscape of policy events and their influence on policy in the sub-region. The study also looks at the landscape of the fields within which environmental education is embedded, the power relations, and the notion of agency in environmental education policy processes. The discourse in environmental education policy processes is analyzed by drawing on Bourdieu’s constructivist structuralism to highlight some of the social and institutional complexities in dynamic fields, capital and policy context. The research takes a qualitative interpretative approach using case study methodology to explore the processes and influences that have a bearing on the SADC REEP policy sub-component, specifically the deployment and use of seed funding for policy initiatives. The findings show the complexity of the variables at play in shaping the processes of developing and reviewing environmental education policies in the sub-region. These variables include discourse that is used, economics and politics of the responsible institutions and actors, as well as relationships between the environmental field and education field. The results point towards a need to clearly understand the policy context within which the SADC REEP is operating in order to make correct assumptions, to develop realist expectations, and to put in place appropriate mechanisms that will effect the expectations. The study recommends further probing of the relationship between the actors and networks in relation to the success of policy processes. It also recommends a further exploration of the SADC REEP’s open-ended approach with respect to articulating the monitoring and consolidation of the successes in supporting environmental education policy processes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Gumede, Sibusisiwe Marie-Louise
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: SADC Regional Environmental Education Programme Environmental education -- Africa, Southern Education -- Africa, Southern Education and state -- Africa, Southern Teaching -- Aids and devices -- Africa, Southern
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1515 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003397
- Description: The study takes place in the context of the Southern African Development Community’s Regional Environmental Education Programme (SADC REEP). The SADC REEP is a programme of the Food Agriculture and Natural Resources Directorate of the SADC Secretariat. The programme is implemented through four components namely policy, networking, training and learning support materials development. The bulk of the policy budget is in the form of seed funding to support policy initiatives in the member states. The intention of this study is to illuminate factors that influence the deployment and use of seed funding to support environmental education policy processes within the SADC REEP. To sharpen the understanding of the context within which these activities take place, the study looks at the global and regional landscape of policy events and their influence on policy in the sub-region. The study also looks at the landscape of the fields within which environmental education is embedded, the power relations, and the notion of agency in environmental education policy processes. The discourse in environmental education policy processes is analyzed by drawing on Bourdieu’s constructivist structuralism to highlight some of the social and institutional complexities in dynamic fields, capital and policy context. The research takes a qualitative interpretative approach using case study methodology to explore the processes and influences that have a bearing on the SADC REEP policy sub-component, specifically the deployment and use of seed funding for policy initiatives. The findings show the complexity of the variables at play in shaping the processes of developing and reviewing environmental education policies in the sub-region. These variables include discourse that is used, economics and politics of the responsible institutions and actors, as well as relationships between the environmental field and education field. The results point towards a need to clearly understand the policy context within which the SADC REEP is operating in order to make correct assumptions, to develop realist expectations, and to put in place appropriate mechanisms that will effect the expectations. The study recommends further probing of the relationship between the actors and networks in relation to the success of policy processes. It also recommends a further exploration of the SADC REEP’s open-ended approach with respect to articulating the monitoring and consolidation of the successes in supporting environmental education policy processes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Racism and law : implementing the right to equality in selected South African equality courts
- Authors: Krüger, Rósaan
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: South Africa Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 2000 , Equality -- South Africa , Discrimination -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Racism -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Apartheid -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Constitutional law -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3677 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003192 , South Africa Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 2000 , Equality -- South Africa , Discrimination -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Racism -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Apartheid -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Constitutional law -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-
- Description: Racism has informed South African society since colonial times. Racist beliefs found expression in the laws of colonial and apartheid South Africa and shaped both state and society. The constitutional state that South Africa has become since 1994, is based on the values of ‘human dignity’, ‘the achievement of equality’ and ‘nonracialism’, among others. Law formed the basis of the racist state prior to 1994, and now law has a fundamental role to play in the transformation of the state and society in an egalitarian direction by addressing socio-economic inequalities on the one hand, and by changing patterns of behaviour based on racist beliefs forged in the past, on the other. This thesis examines one of the legal instruments that is intended to contribute to transformation in the latter sense, namely the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000 (the Equality Act), with specific reference to the issue of racism. The provisions of this Act and the framework for its operation against the background of South Africa’s racist past, and within the broader framework of international and constitutional law, are examined. These two legal frameworks are analysed for the purpose of determining the standards set by international and constitutional law regarding racial equality in order to determine whether the Equality Act measures up. This thesis also incorporates an analysis of the practical application of the provisions of the Equality Act to complaints of racism in selected equality courts. The theoretical analysis of the Act’s provisions and their application in the equality courts point to various problematic formulations and obstacles which negatively affect the application of the provisions and thus hamper social change. The thesis concludes with recommendations for refining the Act’s provisions and its application.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Krüger, Rósaan
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: South Africa Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 2000 , Equality -- South Africa , Discrimination -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Racism -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Apartheid -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Constitutional law -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3677 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003192 , South Africa Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 2000 , Equality -- South Africa , Discrimination -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Racism -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Apartheid -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Constitutional law -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-
- Description: Racism has informed South African society since colonial times. Racist beliefs found expression in the laws of colonial and apartheid South Africa and shaped both state and society. The constitutional state that South Africa has become since 1994, is based on the values of ‘human dignity’, ‘the achievement of equality’ and ‘nonracialism’, among others. Law formed the basis of the racist state prior to 1994, and now law has a fundamental role to play in the transformation of the state and society in an egalitarian direction by addressing socio-economic inequalities on the one hand, and by changing patterns of behaviour based on racist beliefs forged in the past, on the other. This thesis examines one of the legal instruments that is intended to contribute to transformation in the latter sense, namely the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000 (the Equality Act), with specific reference to the issue of racism. The provisions of this Act and the framework for its operation against the background of South Africa’s racist past, and within the broader framework of international and constitutional law, are examined. These two legal frameworks are analysed for the purpose of determining the standards set by international and constitutional law regarding racial equality in order to determine whether the Equality Act measures up. This thesis also incorporates an analysis of the practical application of the provisions of the Equality Act to complaints of racism in selected equality courts. The theoretical analysis of the Act’s provisions and their application in the equality courts point to various problematic formulations and obstacles which negatively affect the application of the provisions and thus hamper social change. The thesis concludes with recommendations for refining the Act’s provisions and its application.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Redress : debates informing exhibitions and acquisitions in selected South African public art galleries (1990-1994)
- Authors: Cook, Shashi Chailey
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: South African National Gallery Exhibitions Durban Art Gallery Exhibitions Joahnnesburg Art Gallery Exhibitions Art -- South Africa -- Exhibitions Art, South African Exhibitions South Africa History Exhibitions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2399 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002195
- Description: This thesis centres on the debates informing the progress of three public art galleries in South Africa between 1990 and 1994. This was a period of great change in the country, spanning from the unbanning of left-wing political parties and Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, to the first democratic elections which resulted in his inauguration as President of South Africa. The study focuses specifically on the Johannesburg Art Gallery, the South African National Gallery, and the Durban Art Gallery, delineating the events and exhibitions held, the programmes initiated, and the artists represented by these galleries during this post-apartheid/pre-democracy phase of the country’s history. The debates relevant to these galleries linked to those prevalent in the arts, museology, and politics at the time. Many contemporary South African artists called attention to apartheid oppression and human rights abuses during the 1980s. After 1990, with these pressures alleviating, there was a stage of uncertainty as to the role, responsibility, and focus of visual art in a post-‘struggle’ context, however there was also an unprecedented upswing in interest and investment in it. On a practical level, the administration of the arts was being re-evaluated and contested by both independent and politically-aligned arts groups. Public art museums and sponsored art competitions and exhibitions made increasing efforts to be ‘representative’ of South Africans of all races, cultures, creeds, sexes and genders. The many conferences, committees, and conventions created during this transitional era focused on the creation of policies that would assist in nation-building; historical and cultural redress and regeneration; and the education and representation of previously disadvantaged groups. This coincided with a revolution in museological discourses internationally, from the theorization of a museum as a place of commemoration and conservation, to a forum for discussion and revision between both academic and non-academic communities. With the sharing of the process of constructing history and knowledge, came the challenging dynamics involved in the representation of identity and history. In all of these groups - the arts, museology, and South African politics - the predominant issue seemed to be a negotiation between the bid to open up control to more parties, and the reluctance of some parties to relinquish control. While the emphasis is on significant changes that were implemented in the transitional period, the study locates the changes at the Johannesburg Art Gallery, the South African National Gallery and the Durban Art Gallery within their historical, geographical, and socio-political context. Various artists working in these locations during this era are also discussed, as the changes in their status, and the progressions in their subject matter, materials, and concerns are interesting to examine more nuanced definitions of the ‘political’, probing the politics of identity, sexuality, gender, race, geography, and belief systems. Some artists also focused specifically on post-apartheid preoccupations with territory, trauma, conflict, memory and freedom. This kind of artwork was assiduously acquired during the early ‘90s by public art galleries, whose exhibitions and collecting focus and policies were undergoing considerable revision and redress. This thesis examines these changes in light of their socio-political contexts, as well as in light of shifting national and international imperatives and conceptions of museums and museum practice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Cook, Shashi Chailey
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: South African National Gallery Exhibitions Durban Art Gallery Exhibitions Joahnnesburg Art Gallery Exhibitions Art -- South Africa -- Exhibitions Art, South African Exhibitions South Africa History Exhibitions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2399 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002195
- Description: This thesis centres on the debates informing the progress of three public art galleries in South Africa between 1990 and 1994. This was a period of great change in the country, spanning from the unbanning of left-wing political parties and Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, to the first democratic elections which resulted in his inauguration as President of South Africa. The study focuses specifically on the Johannesburg Art Gallery, the South African National Gallery, and the Durban Art Gallery, delineating the events and exhibitions held, the programmes initiated, and the artists represented by these galleries during this post-apartheid/pre-democracy phase of the country’s history. The debates relevant to these galleries linked to those prevalent in the arts, museology, and politics at the time. Many contemporary South African artists called attention to apartheid oppression and human rights abuses during the 1980s. After 1990, with these pressures alleviating, there was a stage of uncertainty as to the role, responsibility, and focus of visual art in a post-‘struggle’ context, however there was also an unprecedented upswing in interest and investment in it. On a practical level, the administration of the arts was being re-evaluated and contested by both independent and politically-aligned arts groups. Public art museums and sponsored art competitions and exhibitions made increasing efforts to be ‘representative’ of South Africans of all races, cultures, creeds, sexes and genders. The many conferences, committees, and conventions created during this transitional era focused on the creation of policies that would assist in nation-building; historical and cultural redress and regeneration; and the education and representation of previously disadvantaged groups. This coincided with a revolution in museological discourses internationally, from the theorization of a museum as a place of commemoration and conservation, to a forum for discussion and revision between both academic and non-academic communities. With the sharing of the process of constructing history and knowledge, came the challenging dynamics involved in the representation of identity and history. In all of these groups - the arts, museology, and South African politics - the predominant issue seemed to be a negotiation between the bid to open up control to more parties, and the reluctance of some parties to relinquish control. While the emphasis is on significant changes that were implemented in the transitional period, the study locates the changes at the Johannesburg Art Gallery, the South African National Gallery and the Durban Art Gallery within their historical, geographical, and socio-political context. Various artists working in these locations during this era are also discussed, as the changes in their status, and the progressions in their subject matter, materials, and concerns are interesting to examine more nuanced definitions of the ‘political’, probing the politics of identity, sexuality, gender, race, geography, and belief systems. Some artists also focused specifically on post-apartheid preoccupations with territory, trauma, conflict, memory and freedom. This kind of artwork was assiduously acquired during the early ‘90s by public art galleries, whose exhibitions and collecting focus and policies were undergoing considerable revision and redress. This thesis examines these changes in light of their socio-political contexts, as well as in light of shifting national and international imperatives and conceptions of museums and museum practice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Effects of marine reserves on the biology of rocky intertidal limpets along the southern coast of South Africa
- Nakin, Motebang Dominic Vincent
- Authors: Nakin, Motebang Dominic Vincent
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Limpets Marine parks and reserves -- South Africa Marine biology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5680 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005365
- Description: Limpets are harvested by people in South Africa, but are selected in terms of species and size. The effects of marine reserves on the biology of commonly exploited (Helcion concolor and Scutellastra longicosta) and rarely exploited species (Cellana capensis and Scutellastra granularis) were investigated on the southeast coast of South Africa at two reserve and two non-reserve sites. For each species, a 4-way nested ANOVA was used to test the effects of month, reserve, site (nested within reserve) and area (nested within site and reserve) on population density, size structure and recruitment of these limpets. The data were collected monthly over 20 months. The overall results indicated a gradient of exploitation among species, S. longicosta was the most heavily exploited species and S. granularis the least exploited species. However, there was also a gradient of exploitation between reserves and non-reserves. Xhora was the most heavily exploited site while Nqabara was less heavily exploited. Of the two reserve sites, Cwebe had more poachers than Dwesa. In most analyses, the month x area (reserve (site)) interaction was significant. However, this was largely an artifact due to comparisons of areas in different sites and significant differences between areas within sites occurred in relatively few months. Densities were greater inside reserves for all species except C. capensis. For S. longicosta and H. concolor this was expected but not for S. granularis and the result possibly reflects its opportunistic exploitation in the absence of the preferred species or indirect effects of reserves. Commonly exploited species and the rarely exploited C. capensis clearly showed greater mean and maximum sizes in reserves but there were month/site (reserve) interactions. Months with significant differences between reserves and nonreserves in both mean and maximum sizes generally occurred more often for commonly exploited than rarely exploited species, but C. capensis showed the strongest reserve effect on maximum size. Interview surveys showed that, although not normally exploited, C. capensis is sometimes mistaken for H. concolor and this suggests that large individuals are unintentionally harvested outside reserves. There were no significant reserve effects on recruitment for any species. Although Xhora had the lowest densities and limpet sizes, it showed the highest recruitment especially for S. longicosta, suggesting that larvae can be transported far from where they are released and settle in non-reserve sites regardless of adult densities. Reserve as a main factor was not significant for the rarely exploited species, but there was a significant month x reserve interaction, with non-reserves having greater GSI values than reserves in most months. Growth rates were examined using individual tagging and cohort analysis. The two techniques gave different results, with individual tagging giving higher growth estimates than cohort analysis. Except for the territorial species S. longicosta, growth was higher in non-reserves and inversely correlated with population density. Mortality estimates using the Cormack-Jolly-Seber model indicated that the rarely exploited species had significantly greater capture probabilities in reserves while no significant reserve effects were observed for the commonly exploited species. Reserve effects on survival probability were significant only for S. longicosta, with reserves being greater than nonreserves and no significant effects for any other species. Enhanced survival in reserves was attributed to the effects of human exploitation. In theory, marine protected areas show increases in densities, sizes and reproductive output of exploited species, but the present results revealed that the efficacy of reserves depends on the status of the species, not only whether it is exploited or non-exploited, but also whether it is territorial.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Nakin, Motebang Dominic Vincent
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Limpets Marine parks and reserves -- South Africa Marine biology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5680 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005365
- Description: Limpets are harvested by people in South Africa, but are selected in terms of species and size. The effects of marine reserves on the biology of commonly exploited (Helcion concolor and Scutellastra longicosta) and rarely exploited species (Cellana capensis and Scutellastra granularis) were investigated on the southeast coast of South Africa at two reserve and two non-reserve sites. For each species, a 4-way nested ANOVA was used to test the effects of month, reserve, site (nested within reserve) and area (nested within site and reserve) on population density, size structure and recruitment of these limpets. The data were collected monthly over 20 months. The overall results indicated a gradient of exploitation among species, S. longicosta was the most heavily exploited species and S. granularis the least exploited species. However, there was also a gradient of exploitation between reserves and non-reserves. Xhora was the most heavily exploited site while Nqabara was less heavily exploited. Of the two reserve sites, Cwebe had more poachers than Dwesa. In most analyses, the month x area (reserve (site)) interaction was significant. However, this was largely an artifact due to comparisons of areas in different sites and significant differences between areas within sites occurred in relatively few months. Densities were greater inside reserves for all species except C. capensis. For S. longicosta and H. concolor this was expected but not for S. granularis and the result possibly reflects its opportunistic exploitation in the absence of the preferred species or indirect effects of reserves. Commonly exploited species and the rarely exploited C. capensis clearly showed greater mean and maximum sizes in reserves but there were month/site (reserve) interactions. Months with significant differences between reserves and nonreserves in both mean and maximum sizes generally occurred more often for commonly exploited than rarely exploited species, but C. capensis showed the strongest reserve effect on maximum size. Interview surveys showed that, although not normally exploited, C. capensis is sometimes mistaken for H. concolor and this suggests that large individuals are unintentionally harvested outside reserves. There were no significant reserve effects on recruitment for any species. Although Xhora had the lowest densities and limpet sizes, it showed the highest recruitment especially for S. longicosta, suggesting that larvae can be transported far from where they are released and settle in non-reserve sites regardless of adult densities. Reserve as a main factor was not significant for the rarely exploited species, but there was a significant month x reserve interaction, with non-reserves having greater GSI values than reserves in most months. Growth rates were examined using individual tagging and cohort analysis. The two techniques gave different results, with individual tagging giving higher growth estimates than cohort analysis. Except for the territorial species S. longicosta, growth was higher in non-reserves and inversely correlated with population density. Mortality estimates using the Cormack-Jolly-Seber model indicated that the rarely exploited species had significantly greater capture probabilities in reserves while no significant reserve effects were observed for the commonly exploited species. Reserve effects on survival probability were significant only for S. longicosta, with reserves being greater than nonreserves and no significant effects for any other species. Enhanced survival in reserves was attributed to the effects of human exploitation. In theory, marine protected areas show increases in densities, sizes and reproductive output of exploited species, but the present results revealed that the efficacy of reserves depends on the status of the species, not only whether it is exploited or non-exploited, but also whether it is territorial.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
A critical assessment of the implementation of performance management in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Authors: Ngcelwane, Mnikeli Jackson
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality (Eastern Cape, South Africa) -- Administration Performance -- Management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Industrial Management Teams in the workplace -- Management Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:736 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003856
- Description: The transformation of all spheres of South African government to a more effective and efficient administration became a priority after the election of the country's first democratic government in April 1994. An important aspect of South Africa's democratisation was the promise by the new government to improve the lives of the people of this country, and provide a better life for all the citizens of South Africa. One of the most effective ways of achieving this goal is generally accepted to be the proper management and strengthening of the local government sphere. Local government is the sphere of government that is closest to the people, and generally the performance of National Government is assessed through the performance of municipalities. In strengthening local government, various pieces of legislation were developed since 1994 to ensure that the objectives of Section 152 of the Constitution are achieved. As a result of these imperatives, the Department of Provincial and Local Government introduced a White Paper on Local Government on 9 March 1998, with a vision of working towards a new developmental local government system. Various statutes emanated from this strategic framework, such as the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act No. 117 of 1998, the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act No. 32 of 2000 and the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act No. 56 of 2003. These legislative enactments endeavour to ensure that the local sphere of government is managed more strategically than previously, and is responsive to the needs of communities. Municipalities are expected to deliver efficient and affordable services to the local communities, and failure to do so could result in the recent spate of violent protest that has been recently experienced in various parts of the country. In order to measure the extent of service delivery to the communities, and to assess whether the objectives named in the municipality's Integrated Development Plan (IDP) document are being achieved, municipalities are compelled to implement performance management for all members of staff, political office bearers and service providers, in terms of the Municipal Systems Act No. 32 of 2000. This thesis therefore looks at challenges faced by the Senior Management (i.e. Section 57 employees, Directors and Assistant Directors) in the implementation of performance management within the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, during the first five years of their term in office (i.e. Senior Management appointed after 6 December 2000 local government elections), and recommending performance management steps as well as performance management model that can be used to cascade performance management amongst all levels of staff. This thesis begins by introducing the subject of performance management, briefly discussing the demarcation of the research, the research method utilised, the historical background of performance management, as well as the current status of performance management within the municipality. The introduction of the topic is followed by a theoretical overview of the subject of performance management. This is followed by the discussion of the research methodology followed when conducting this research study. The findings are discussed in detail after the research methodology, giving a synopsis of what the interviewees disclosed during the interview process. The last chapter provides a brief discussion of the findings, and discusses the recommended performance management steps and performance management model, that can be used by the municipality to cascade performance amongst all members of staff.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Ngcelwane, Mnikeli Jackson
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality (Eastern Cape, South Africa) -- Administration Performance -- Management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Industrial Management Teams in the workplace -- Management Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:736 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003856
- Description: The transformation of all spheres of South African government to a more effective and efficient administration became a priority after the election of the country's first democratic government in April 1994. An important aspect of South Africa's democratisation was the promise by the new government to improve the lives of the people of this country, and provide a better life for all the citizens of South Africa. One of the most effective ways of achieving this goal is generally accepted to be the proper management and strengthening of the local government sphere. Local government is the sphere of government that is closest to the people, and generally the performance of National Government is assessed through the performance of municipalities. In strengthening local government, various pieces of legislation were developed since 1994 to ensure that the objectives of Section 152 of the Constitution are achieved. As a result of these imperatives, the Department of Provincial and Local Government introduced a White Paper on Local Government on 9 March 1998, with a vision of working towards a new developmental local government system. Various statutes emanated from this strategic framework, such as the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act No. 117 of 1998, the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act No. 32 of 2000 and the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act No. 56 of 2003. These legislative enactments endeavour to ensure that the local sphere of government is managed more strategically than previously, and is responsive to the needs of communities. Municipalities are expected to deliver efficient and affordable services to the local communities, and failure to do so could result in the recent spate of violent protest that has been recently experienced in various parts of the country. In order to measure the extent of service delivery to the communities, and to assess whether the objectives named in the municipality's Integrated Development Plan (IDP) document are being achieved, municipalities are compelled to implement performance management for all members of staff, political office bearers and service providers, in terms of the Municipal Systems Act No. 32 of 2000. This thesis therefore looks at challenges faced by the Senior Management (i.e. Section 57 employees, Directors and Assistant Directors) in the implementation of performance management within the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, during the first five years of their term in office (i.e. Senior Management appointed after 6 December 2000 local government elections), and recommending performance management steps as well as performance management model that can be used to cascade performance management amongst all levels of staff. This thesis begins by introducing the subject of performance management, briefly discussing the demarcation of the research, the research method utilised, the historical background of performance management, as well as the current status of performance management within the municipality. The introduction of the topic is followed by a theoretical overview of the subject of performance management. This is followed by the discussion of the research methodology followed when conducting this research study. The findings are discussed in detail after the research methodology, giving a synopsis of what the interviewees disclosed during the interview process. The last chapter provides a brief discussion of the findings, and discusses the recommended performance management steps and performance management model, that can be used by the municipality to cascade performance amongst all members of staff.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Understanding form and technique : Andrew Tracey's contribution to knowledge of lamellophone (mbira) music of Southern Africa
- Authors: Gumboreshumba, Laina
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Tracey, Andrew T N Ethnomusicology -- Africa Mbira Mbira music
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2638 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002303
- Description: This thesis interrogates Andrew Tracey’s career as an ethnomusicologist and the significance of his research and publications on lamellophone (mbira) music of the Shona/Sena in Zimbabwe and Mozambique to subsequent scholarship of lamellophones throughout southern Africa. Through a survey of authors who have cited Tracey’s publications, this study assess how his use of the pulse notation transcription method and his theory of form and harmonic structure in mbira music, which he terms ‘the system of the mbira’ (A. Tracey, 1989) have influenced and contributed to the work of ethnomusicologists, musicologists and composers. Further this research evaluates the impact on subsequent publications by other scholars of Tracey's technical analysis of mbira music. Organizing and indexing Andrew Tracey's field collection in the ILAM archive gave direct knowledge of the scope of his work. The thesis consists of six chapters. The first chapter contains a general introduction to the thesis and outlines the goals of the research. Chapter Two presents a biographical sketch of Andrew Tracey. A general introduction to the lamellophone (mbira) family of musical instruments in Zimbabwe and elsewhere in Africa is presented in Chapter Three, which also addresses the social function of lamellophone music. Chapter Four gives a summary of Andrew Tracey’s research on the Shona mbira (his publications, recordings, films etc), and it analyzes his theory - “The system of the mbira” - in which he defines the form and structure of mbira music. Chapter Five examines the impact of Andrew Tracey’s research and publications on mbira music to subsequent scholarship and makes an analysis and evaluation of the significance of his contribution to the body of knowledge of the instrument and its music. In addition I relate my personal experiences with mbira music as a Shona person and mbira player and give my opinions on Tracey’s and subsequent scholars’ theories on mbira music. Chapter Six concludes with a summary of outcomes of this research. Basing on the analyses of presented data, it is deduced that, despite a few shortcomings, Andrew Tracey’s research on mbira music is crucial for it laid the groundwork for subsequent mbira scholarship.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Gumboreshumba, Laina
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Tracey, Andrew T N Ethnomusicology -- Africa Mbira Mbira music
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2638 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002303
- Description: This thesis interrogates Andrew Tracey’s career as an ethnomusicologist and the significance of his research and publications on lamellophone (mbira) music of the Shona/Sena in Zimbabwe and Mozambique to subsequent scholarship of lamellophones throughout southern Africa. Through a survey of authors who have cited Tracey’s publications, this study assess how his use of the pulse notation transcription method and his theory of form and harmonic structure in mbira music, which he terms ‘the system of the mbira’ (A. Tracey, 1989) have influenced and contributed to the work of ethnomusicologists, musicologists and composers. Further this research evaluates the impact on subsequent publications by other scholars of Tracey's technical analysis of mbira music. Organizing and indexing Andrew Tracey's field collection in the ILAM archive gave direct knowledge of the scope of his work. The thesis consists of six chapters. The first chapter contains a general introduction to the thesis and outlines the goals of the research. Chapter Two presents a biographical sketch of Andrew Tracey. A general introduction to the lamellophone (mbira) family of musical instruments in Zimbabwe and elsewhere in Africa is presented in Chapter Three, which also addresses the social function of lamellophone music. Chapter Four gives a summary of Andrew Tracey’s research on the Shona mbira (his publications, recordings, films etc), and it analyzes his theory - “The system of the mbira” - in which he defines the form and structure of mbira music. Chapter Five examines the impact of Andrew Tracey’s research and publications on mbira music to subsequent scholarship and makes an analysis and evaluation of the significance of his contribution to the body of knowledge of the instrument and its music. In addition I relate my personal experiences with mbira music as a Shona person and mbira player and give my opinions on Tracey’s and subsequent scholars’ theories on mbira music. Chapter Six concludes with a summary of outcomes of this research. Basing on the analyses of presented data, it is deduced that, despite a few shortcomings, Andrew Tracey’s research on mbira music is crucial for it laid the groundwork for subsequent mbira scholarship.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
A case study of strategy implementation at a major Eastern Cape component supplier company in the automotive industry
- Authors: Koyana, Gwyneth Puseletso
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Automobile industry workers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Industrial organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Strategic planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:735 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003855
- Description: A review of the literature on strategy implementation reveals that there is limited knowledge on how strategies should be implemented. This thesis focuses on a case study of strategy implementation at a major Eastern Cape component supplier company in the automotive industry, for purposes of establishing how the company implemented its strategies to become one of the best cost leaders in the manufacture of automotive pressed metal body components in South Africa. Data collated from the company is analysed and discussed with a resultant description of how the research participants understood the process of strategy implementation within the research company during the period January 2006 to December 2007. Interviews were undertaken within the levels of top management, middle management and the operational employees. Interpretations were made of the constructs made by the research participants in their understanding of how the research company implemented its strategy to become one of the best cost leaders in the manufacture of automotive pressed metal body components. It transpired from the findings of the research that the research company manufactured 70% of its products for one major client. During the manufacture of its products, the research company had to conform to the quality standards required by the main client. The main client was therefore offered the desired service at the best price. The strategy of the research company was to strive to be one of the best cost leaders in the manufacture of its products. It sought to do this by producing high quality products. Analysis is made of the strategic content, strategic context, operational processes and outcomes for the research company after the implementation of its strategy. It emerges in the case study that the strategy implementation factors cannot be considered separately in linear models but holistically, since one implementation factor may influence the others, resulting in a context and process based approach.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Koyana, Gwyneth Puseletso
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Automobile industry workers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Industrial organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Strategic planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:735 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003855
- Description: A review of the literature on strategy implementation reveals that there is limited knowledge on how strategies should be implemented. This thesis focuses on a case study of strategy implementation at a major Eastern Cape component supplier company in the automotive industry, for purposes of establishing how the company implemented its strategies to become one of the best cost leaders in the manufacture of automotive pressed metal body components in South Africa. Data collated from the company is analysed and discussed with a resultant description of how the research participants understood the process of strategy implementation within the research company during the period January 2006 to December 2007. Interviews were undertaken within the levels of top management, middle management and the operational employees. Interpretations were made of the constructs made by the research participants in their understanding of how the research company implemented its strategy to become one of the best cost leaders in the manufacture of automotive pressed metal body components. It transpired from the findings of the research that the research company manufactured 70% of its products for one major client. During the manufacture of its products, the research company had to conform to the quality standards required by the main client. The main client was therefore offered the desired service at the best price. The strategy of the research company was to strive to be one of the best cost leaders in the manufacture of its products. It sought to do this by producing high quality products. Analysis is made of the strategic content, strategic context, operational processes and outcomes for the research company after the implementation of its strategy. It emerges in the case study that the strategy implementation factors cannot be considered separately in linear models but holistically, since one implementation factor may influence the others, resulting in a context and process based approach.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Unearthed : personifications of widowhood and acts of memory : volume 1 and 2
- Authors: Arbi, Linda Margaret
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Widowhood -- Social aspects -- South Africa Widowhood -- Social aspects -- Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) Widows in art -- South Africa Widows in art -- Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) Memory in art -- South Africa Memory in art -- Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: vital:2428 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002225
- Description: By researching visual traditions of representing widows in relation to a social role, I explore how these may be related to processes of mourning and memory. My study begins with an historical reading and, along with an analysis of Renaissance widow portraiture, I trace the experiences of widows in the Cape of Good Hope. For the purposes of this thesis, I have selected images of widows to investigate memory-work particularly when speaking of loss. I re-view these memory processes through recent historical and art historical discourse with reference to contemporary South African artworks in order to understand how public memory is formed by way of visual documentation. These narratives around widowhood have informed the subject matter for my Master’s exhibition and shed light on my own experience as a widow. The interaction between objects and memory are of particular interest and manifest in my studio art practice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Arbi, Linda Margaret
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Widowhood -- Social aspects -- South Africa Widowhood -- Social aspects -- Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) Widows in art -- South Africa Widows in art -- Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) Memory in art -- South Africa Memory in art -- Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: vital:2428 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002225
- Description: By researching visual traditions of representing widows in relation to a social role, I explore how these may be related to processes of mourning and memory. My study begins with an historical reading and, along with an analysis of Renaissance widow portraiture, I trace the experiences of widows in the Cape of Good Hope. For the purposes of this thesis, I have selected images of widows to investigate memory-work particularly when speaking of loss. I re-view these memory processes through recent historical and art historical discourse with reference to contemporary South African artworks in order to understand how public memory is formed by way of visual documentation. These narratives around widowhood have informed the subject matter for my Master’s exhibition and shed light on my own experience as a widow. The interaction between objects and memory are of particular interest and manifest in my studio art practice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Organizational culture and innovation: the case of the Namibian National Institute for Educational Development
- Piepmeyer, Gernot Maximilian
- Authors: Piepmeyer, Gernot Maximilian
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: National Institute for Educational Development (Namibia) Corporate culture -- Namibia Organizational behavior -- Namibia Technological innovations -- Namibia Education -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1685 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003568
- Description: The purpose of my research is to diagnose the organizational culture of the National Institute for Educational Development [NIED] , in particular to determine whether it is conducive to innovation, as was envisaged at the time of its inception. The diagnosis of NIED's organizational culture was done by using a hybrid qualitative and quantitative case study. A questionnaire, the Cameron and Quinn's Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument [OCAI], was given to all professional members at NIED, while six members of the NIED organization were interviewed. It emerged from the data, first, that the characteristics of the dominant NIED culture, using Cameron and Quinn's six dimensions of culture that produced an "overall culture profile" of NIED, are not likely to enhance innovativeness. Nevertheless, there is a strong preference towards a culture type favourable to innovation. Second, there are cultural factors antithetical to an innovative organizational culture. These include poor information flow and a lack of communication, negligible crossfunction interaction and freedom, and constraining hierarchical and bureaucratic structures. Third, NIED has, in the form of a "green paper," a set of critical norms, values and assumptions that characterize the culture of innovative organizations. Finally, there is evidence of the presence of cultural characteristics conducive to an innovative organizational culture. These include: learning how to learn; being pro-active in initiating change and innovativeness; and sustaining momentum, consistency and perseverance. The discrepancy between the existing organizational culture and the preferred organizational culture revealed by the overall cultural profile can be explained by the fact that the norms, values and assumptions that characterize the culture of innovative organizations and the cultural characteristics conducive to an innovative organizational culture are not fully infused into the whole organization. There is a tension between NIED's bureaucratic nature and its innovative mission. Organizational culture change, where NIED's structures and processes are aligned with its espoused vision and mission, is needed in order for it to be better placed to achieve its original pioneering mandate.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Piepmeyer, Gernot Maximilian
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: National Institute for Educational Development (Namibia) Corporate culture -- Namibia Organizational behavior -- Namibia Technological innovations -- Namibia Education -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1685 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003568
- Description: The purpose of my research is to diagnose the organizational culture of the National Institute for Educational Development [NIED] , in particular to determine whether it is conducive to innovation, as was envisaged at the time of its inception. The diagnosis of NIED's organizational culture was done by using a hybrid qualitative and quantitative case study. A questionnaire, the Cameron and Quinn's Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument [OCAI], was given to all professional members at NIED, while six members of the NIED organization were interviewed. It emerged from the data, first, that the characteristics of the dominant NIED culture, using Cameron and Quinn's six dimensions of culture that produced an "overall culture profile" of NIED, are not likely to enhance innovativeness. Nevertheless, there is a strong preference towards a culture type favourable to innovation. Second, there are cultural factors antithetical to an innovative organizational culture. These include poor information flow and a lack of communication, negligible crossfunction interaction and freedom, and constraining hierarchical and bureaucratic structures. Third, NIED has, in the form of a "green paper," a set of critical norms, values and assumptions that characterize the culture of innovative organizations. Finally, there is evidence of the presence of cultural characteristics conducive to an innovative organizational culture. These include: learning how to learn; being pro-active in initiating change and innovativeness; and sustaining momentum, consistency and perseverance. The discrepancy between the existing organizational culture and the preferred organizational culture revealed by the overall cultural profile can be explained by the fact that the norms, values and assumptions that characterize the culture of innovative organizations and the cultural characteristics conducive to an innovative organizational culture are not fully infused into the whole organization. There is a tension between NIED's bureaucratic nature and its innovative mission. Organizational culture change, where NIED's structures and processes are aligned with its espoused vision and mission, is needed in order for it to be better placed to achieve its original pioneering mandate.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009