Improving customer service through the marketing-logistic interface for automotive suppliers in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mkumatela, Yolisa
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52955 , vital:44865
- Description: The primary purpose of this study was to investigate if the marketing-log-istics interface can improve customer service for automotive suppliers in the Eastern Cape. The rationale was that the poor service delivery by automotive suppliers can negatively affect the customer service levels, which can lead to dissatisfied customers and thus decrease the firm's profits while improved customer service levels may benefit the supplier, as customers may seek the best service from the supplier in terms of the right price, good quality, on time delivery, correct order quantities, and the correct delivery location for orders. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Management Sciences, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Mkumatela, Yolisa
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52955 , vital:44865
- Description: The primary purpose of this study was to investigate if the marketing-log-istics interface can improve customer service for automotive suppliers in the Eastern Cape. The rationale was that the poor service delivery by automotive suppliers can negatively affect the customer service levels, which can lead to dissatisfied customers and thus decrease the firm's profits while improved customer service levels may benefit the supplier, as customers may seek the best service from the supplier in terms of the right price, good quality, on time delivery, correct order quantities, and the correct delivery location for orders. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Management Sciences, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Ukuba Ngabantu Abapheleleyo: Black Queer Space Making and the unfinished business of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa
- Authors: Lupindo, Esihle
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: To be added
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSocSci
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/178479 , vital:42943
- Description: Access restricted until April 2023. , Thesis (MSocSci) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Lupindo, Esihle
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: To be added
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSocSci
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/178479 , vital:42943
- Description: Access restricted until April 2023. , Thesis (MSocSci) -- Faculty of Humanities, Sociology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Psychological capital and burnout in the financial service sector
- Authors: Muller, Nadia
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52990 , vital:44872
- Description: The purpose of this research study was to determine the relationship between PsyCap and burnout in a service-related working environment that is somewhat unexplored, including the non-banking financial services sector. To achieve this purpose, a correlational research design was employed and the convenience, non-probability sampling method was utilised as the technique for sourcing participants. Data was collected by way of an online survey comprising of the PCQ-24, OLBI and a Biographical Section, which was distributed among 380 non-banking employees in the sample company, and a final sample size of N=88 was achieved. The two psychometric instruments utilised were both proven to be valid and reliable, thus increasing the credibility of the data obtained. The raw data was processed and analysed through statistical calculations, performed by a qualified Statistician, and included descriptive and inferential statistics in the form of cronbach’s alpha coefficients, pearsons correlations, t-tests, ANOVA’s, and linear regression for the data interpretation. The results revealed that there was a negative, statistically significant relationship between PsyCap and burnout, and that PsyCap explained 18% of the variance in burnout scores amongst the sample. In addition, statistically significant differences were found between burnout, disengagement, and position, as well as between PsyCap and some of its dimensions with gender, educational level, position, and department in terms of the demographic variables. The researcher has considered the ethical principles of autonomy, confidentiality, anonymity, and ownership of the data throughout the research process, and the research paper was submitted for assessment and ethical approval before commencement of this study. The primary aim of this research study was achieved in that a significant and negative correlation between PsyCap and burnout was revealed. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resources, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Muller, Nadia
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52990 , vital:44872
- Description: The purpose of this research study was to determine the relationship between PsyCap and burnout in a service-related working environment that is somewhat unexplored, including the non-banking financial services sector. To achieve this purpose, a correlational research design was employed and the convenience, non-probability sampling method was utilised as the technique for sourcing participants. Data was collected by way of an online survey comprising of the PCQ-24, OLBI and a Biographical Section, which was distributed among 380 non-banking employees in the sample company, and a final sample size of N=88 was achieved. The two psychometric instruments utilised were both proven to be valid and reliable, thus increasing the credibility of the data obtained. The raw data was processed and analysed through statistical calculations, performed by a qualified Statistician, and included descriptive and inferential statistics in the form of cronbach’s alpha coefficients, pearsons correlations, t-tests, ANOVA’s, and linear regression for the data interpretation. The results revealed that there was a negative, statistically significant relationship between PsyCap and burnout, and that PsyCap explained 18% of the variance in burnout scores amongst the sample. In addition, statistically significant differences were found between burnout, disengagement, and position, as well as between PsyCap and some of its dimensions with gender, educational level, position, and department in terms of the demographic variables. The researcher has considered the ethical principles of autonomy, confidentiality, anonymity, and ownership of the data throughout the research process, and the research paper was submitted for assessment and ethical approval before commencement of this study. The primary aim of this research study was achieved in that a significant and negative correlation between PsyCap and burnout was revealed. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resources, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Hierdie keer gaan nie maklik wees nie
- Authors: Visser, Deon Claudius
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Creative writing (Higher education) -- South Africa , Diaries -- Authorship , Short stories, Afrikaans -- 21st century , Afrikaans fiction -- 21st century , Afrikaans fiction -- History and criticism
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/178317 , vital:42929
- Description: My tesis bestaan uit twee versamelings van prosa wat verwant en in noue verband met mekaar tree. Die prosa is fragmentaries en kort maar verbind met ‟n oorkoepelende storie wat in beide Afrikaans en Engels voorgelê word. Die Afrikaanse deel van my tesis ondersoek die verlede, en die Engels die toekoms. My algemene bron van inspirasie vir die struktuur en voorlegging van die tesis word verkry vanaf die klassieke raamverteller konvensie soos gebruik in One Thousand and One Nights, hierdie konvensie maak gebruik van raamfragmente wat binne ‟n groter geheel gevind kan word. Dit is juis hierdie komplekse struktuur wat dit moontlik maak om tyd, hede en verlede asook die toekoms, te kan ondersoek en uit te beeld. Verder maak dit dit ook moontlik om gekoppelde herinneringe, gedagteneigings, en fantasieverhale te kan gebruik as die dryfkrag van die oorkoepelende storie. Met betrekking tot kontemporêre fiksie vind ek die meeste aanklank en invloed by Sandra Cisneros se boek House on Mango Street. Ek het by hierdie verhaal geleer hoe om vignette en kortverhale onafhanklik maar met ‟n motief-verbinding aan mekaar te koppel. Tematies gesproke handel my tesis oor herinneringe, nostalgie, familieverhoudings, die dood asook afsluiting en aanbeweging. In terme van hierdie temas vind ek dat Nathan Trantraal se Chokers en Survivors, en Noudat Slapende Honde deur Ronelda S. Kamfer my die meeste insae gee oor die verhouding tussen Afrikaans en Engels in die literatuur. Verder is Loftus Marais se taalgebruik en die vermenging van taal in Staan in die Algemeen Nader aan Vensters ook insiggewend. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Languages and Literatures, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Visser, Deon Claudius
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Creative writing (Higher education) -- South Africa , Diaries -- Authorship , Short stories, Afrikaans -- 21st century , Afrikaans fiction -- 21st century , Afrikaans fiction -- History and criticism
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/178317 , vital:42929
- Description: My tesis bestaan uit twee versamelings van prosa wat verwant en in noue verband met mekaar tree. Die prosa is fragmentaries en kort maar verbind met ‟n oorkoepelende storie wat in beide Afrikaans en Engels voorgelê word. Die Afrikaanse deel van my tesis ondersoek die verlede, en die Engels die toekoms. My algemene bron van inspirasie vir die struktuur en voorlegging van die tesis word verkry vanaf die klassieke raamverteller konvensie soos gebruik in One Thousand and One Nights, hierdie konvensie maak gebruik van raamfragmente wat binne ‟n groter geheel gevind kan word. Dit is juis hierdie komplekse struktuur wat dit moontlik maak om tyd, hede en verlede asook die toekoms, te kan ondersoek en uit te beeld. Verder maak dit dit ook moontlik om gekoppelde herinneringe, gedagteneigings, en fantasieverhale te kan gebruik as die dryfkrag van die oorkoepelende storie. Met betrekking tot kontemporêre fiksie vind ek die meeste aanklank en invloed by Sandra Cisneros se boek House on Mango Street. Ek het by hierdie verhaal geleer hoe om vignette en kortverhale onafhanklik maar met ‟n motief-verbinding aan mekaar te koppel. Tematies gesproke handel my tesis oor herinneringe, nostalgie, familieverhoudings, die dood asook afsluiting en aanbeweging. In terme van hierdie temas vind ek dat Nathan Trantraal se Chokers en Survivors, en Noudat Slapende Honde deur Ronelda S. Kamfer my die meeste insae gee oor die verhouding tussen Afrikaans en Engels in die literatuur. Verder is Loftus Marais se taalgebruik en die vermenging van taal in Staan in die Algemeen Nader aan Vensters ook insiggewend. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Languages and Literatures, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
The South African income tax implications of transactions entered into to earn points for a Broad- Based Black Economic Empowerment scorecard, with reference to a selection of structures
- Authors: Jaga, Praksha
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Black Economic Empowerment (Program : South Africa) , South Africa. Income Tax Act, 1962 , Income tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Spendings tax -- South Africa , Tax deductions -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177306 , vital:42808
- Description: This thesis discussed the South African income tax implications, in terms of the Income Tax Act, No. 58 of 1962, arising from complying with Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment requirements, and related principles established in case law. Various structures and transactions entered into for the purposes of earning points for the B-BBEE scorecard were identified. In the assessment of the deductibility of B-BBEE expenditure in terms of the preamble to section 11, section 11(a) and section 23(g) of the Act, it was highlighted that, in the South African economic environment, B-BBEE compliance represents a competitive advantage for entities. In addition, many South African organisations are required to comply with B-BBEE requirements for legal and regulatory purposes. The analysis of the deductibility of B-BBEE expenditure revealed that taxpayers that incur this expenditure would be carrying on a trade or commencing to do so. It was also concluded that B-BBEE expenditure is incurred in the production of income and would generally not be capital in nature, except in certain circumstances, in which case the Act provides certain allowances. Any deduction will only be allowed in the year of assessment in which the expenditure is actually incurred, or when the taxpayer incurs an unconditional legal obligation. This thesis explored several alternatives to achieve the requirements of the ownership element of B-BBEE and highlighted the income tax implications that arise because of these structures. It was also observed that there are a number of incentives in the Act that could be beneficial to taxpayers seeking to earn points for the remaining elements of the B-BBEE scorecard. A legal interpretive approach, in particular a doctrinal research methodology, was adopted in carrying out this research. This research concluded that the Act facilitates most of the B-BBEE transactions and structures, but due to the complex and sometimes uncertain nature of the tax consequences of B-BBEE transactions and structures, there is a need for further guidance in this area of tax law. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Accounting, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Jaga, Praksha
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Black Economic Empowerment (Program : South Africa) , South Africa. Income Tax Act, 1962 , Income tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Spendings tax -- South Africa , Tax deductions -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177306 , vital:42808
- Description: This thesis discussed the South African income tax implications, in terms of the Income Tax Act, No. 58 of 1962, arising from complying with Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment requirements, and related principles established in case law. Various structures and transactions entered into for the purposes of earning points for the B-BBEE scorecard were identified. In the assessment of the deductibility of B-BBEE expenditure in terms of the preamble to section 11, section 11(a) and section 23(g) of the Act, it was highlighted that, in the South African economic environment, B-BBEE compliance represents a competitive advantage for entities. In addition, many South African organisations are required to comply with B-BBEE requirements for legal and regulatory purposes. The analysis of the deductibility of B-BBEE expenditure revealed that taxpayers that incur this expenditure would be carrying on a trade or commencing to do so. It was also concluded that B-BBEE expenditure is incurred in the production of income and would generally not be capital in nature, except in certain circumstances, in which case the Act provides certain allowances. Any deduction will only be allowed in the year of assessment in which the expenditure is actually incurred, or when the taxpayer incurs an unconditional legal obligation. This thesis explored several alternatives to achieve the requirements of the ownership element of B-BBEE and highlighted the income tax implications that arise because of these structures. It was also observed that there are a number of incentives in the Act that could be beneficial to taxpayers seeking to earn points for the remaining elements of the B-BBEE scorecard. A legal interpretive approach, in particular a doctrinal research methodology, was adopted in carrying out this research. This research concluded that the Act facilitates most of the B-BBEE transactions and structures, but due to the complex and sometimes uncertain nature of the tax consequences of B-BBEE transactions and structures, there is a need for further guidance in this area of tax law. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Accounting, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
A Functional Data Analysis approach to understand patterns imbedded within various data types
- Authors: Mangisa, Siphumlile
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Data mining
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52091 , vital:43426
- Description: The thesis investigates the use of the novel Functional Data Analysis (FDA) methods in tackling various data types. Strong motivation is provided for the use of interesting opportunities offered by FDA to analyse not only economic data, but generally, data from any domain. The use of these methods is illustrated using three unique self-contained case-studies from econometrics. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Mangisa, Siphumlile
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Data mining
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52091 , vital:43426
- Description: The thesis investigates the use of the novel Functional Data Analysis (FDA) methods in tackling various data types. Strong motivation is provided for the use of interesting opportunities offered by FDA to analyse not only economic data, but generally, data from any domain. The use of these methods is illustrated using three unique self-contained case-studies from econometrics. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
An Archive of Upset : the Shift from Commissioning to Curating through South Africa’s Representations at the Bienal de São Paulo and the Interstitial Nexus of Leonard Tshehla Mohapi Matsoso
- Authors: Dantas, Nancy Isabel
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Bienal Internacional de São Paulo , Curatorship , Art -- Commissioning , Art -- Political aspects , Matsoso, Leonard Tshehla Mohapi
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/174492 , vital:42482 , https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/174492
- Description: This thesis explores the distinction between commissioning and curating, adopting the Bienal de São Paulo (or Bienal) as its conceptual propeller and point of departure. The thesis regards exhibitions as palimpsests, in other words, platforms built on previous conscious or sublimated models, beyond the Venetian model inaugurated in 1895. By looking at world expositions, particularly the Cape presence at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition of 1886, this project traces a lineage of commissioners, from Sir Henry Cole to Sydney Cowper through to the Director of the Pretoria Art Museum, Albert Werth. It distinguishes these men, their vision and allegiances from the curatorial model instantiated in South Africa by the late Okwui Enwezor as a consequence of the Second Johannesburg Biennale, held in 1997. The aim of this research has been to provide a partial but crucial account of this shift, and to remain attentive to the silences and deletions, to what happens in the interstice, at transitionary moments of ‘betweenness.’ I ask that readers consider the 1979 Bienal as an instance of an interstice where the occluded and silenced ghost of modernist artist Leonard Tshehla Mohapi Matsoso, who represented South Africa at the 1973 edition of the Bienal, garnering a substantial award for his work in drawing, resides. Matsoso was the first and only Black South African artist to receive this accolade. This thesis posits that Matsoso’s absence from the exhibition in 1979, an exhibition where he would rightly have featured, constitutes a curatorial haunting, wedged in the archive of the Bienal’s history, and an opportunity for revision and evaluation of commissioning vis-àvis curating. In reading the exhibition histories’ archive “along the grain” (Stoler 2002), the commissioner emerges as a man of letters, a privileged social category found in the archive; a colonial authority whose status was founded as much on his display of European learning as on his studied ignorance of local knowledge; an implementer of the taxonomic state and modernist art historical canon (in the case of Werth); a cultivator of the fine arts of deference, dissemblance and persuasion. At a later stage and moment of dissonance and disruption, the independent curator emerges to reconsider, question and expand the canon, distancing him/herself from the (South African) State to serve the artist or artists and a wider community. This research aims to contribute, albeit in a small way, to a reappraisal of the position of Leonard Tshehla Mohapi Matsoso in South African modernism, and the distinction between commissioning and curating. , Thesis (PhD)--Rhodes University, Faculty of Humanities, Department of Fine Art, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Dantas, Nancy Isabel
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Bienal Internacional de São Paulo , Curatorship , Art -- Commissioning , Art -- Political aspects , Matsoso, Leonard Tshehla Mohapi
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/174492 , vital:42482 , https://doi.org/10.21504/10962/174492
- Description: This thesis explores the distinction between commissioning and curating, adopting the Bienal de São Paulo (or Bienal) as its conceptual propeller and point of departure. The thesis regards exhibitions as palimpsests, in other words, platforms built on previous conscious or sublimated models, beyond the Venetian model inaugurated in 1895. By looking at world expositions, particularly the Cape presence at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition of 1886, this project traces a lineage of commissioners, from Sir Henry Cole to Sydney Cowper through to the Director of the Pretoria Art Museum, Albert Werth. It distinguishes these men, their vision and allegiances from the curatorial model instantiated in South Africa by the late Okwui Enwezor as a consequence of the Second Johannesburg Biennale, held in 1997. The aim of this research has been to provide a partial but crucial account of this shift, and to remain attentive to the silences and deletions, to what happens in the interstice, at transitionary moments of ‘betweenness.’ I ask that readers consider the 1979 Bienal as an instance of an interstice where the occluded and silenced ghost of modernist artist Leonard Tshehla Mohapi Matsoso, who represented South Africa at the 1973 edition of the Bienal, garnering a substantial award for his work in drawing, resides. Matsoso was the first and only Black South African artist to receive this accolade. This thesis posits that Matsoso’s absence from the exhibition in 1979, an exhibition where he would rightly have featured, constitutes a curatorial haunting, wedged in the archive of the Bienal’s history, and an opportunity for revision and evaluation of commissioning vis-àvis curating. In reading the exhibition histories’ archive “along the grain” (Stoler 2002), the commissioner emerges as a man of letters, a privileged social category found in the archive; a colonial authority whose status was founded as much on his display of European learning as on his studied ignorance of local knowledge; an implementer of the taxonomic state and modernist art historical canon (in the case of Werth); a cultivator of the fine arts of deference, dissemblance and persuasion. At a later stage and moment of dissonance and disruption, the independent curator emerges to reconsider, question and expand the canon, distancing him/herself from the (South African) State to serve the artist or artists and a wider community. This research aims to contribute, albeit in a small way, to a reappraisal of the position of Leonard Tshehla Mohapi Matsoso in South African modernism, and the distinction between commissioning and curating. , Thesis (PhD)--Rhodes University, Faculty of Humanities, Department of Fine Art, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
The relationship between psychological capital and employee wellness in the retail sector in South Africa
- Authors: Mphinyana, Masindi
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53018 , vital:44870
- Description: Psychological Capital (PsyCap) and employee wellness. Moreover, the study investigated demographic differences in relation to the variables. The study employed a cross-sectional, correlational design to achieve the objectives. Additionally, a non-probability convenience sampling method was used. Data was collected from retail employees in Gauteng, Pretoria through a composite self-administered paper-and-pencil questionnaire which incorporated a biographical questionnaire, the PCQ-24 and the PWS. To determine whether a relationship exists between the constructs, Pearson’s product-moment correlations were used. To further determine demographical differences, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) was utilised, and post-hoc Tukey HSD tests were used to determine where the differences lie. Results indicated that PsyCap was positively correlated with wellness; and significant differences in the means for both PsyCap and wellness were observed for demographic variables. The study further revealed that PsyCap is predictive of employee wellness. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resources, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Mphinyana, Masindi
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53018 , vital:44870
- Description: Psychological Capital (PsyCap) and employee wellness. Moreover, the study investigated demographic differences in relation to the variables. The study employed a cross-sectional, correlational design to achieve the objectives. Additionally, a non-probability convenience sampling method was used. Data was collected from retail employees in Gauteng, Pretoria through a composite self-administered paper-and-pencil questionnaire which incorporated a biographical questionnaire, the PCQ-24 and the PWS. To determine whether a relationship exists between the constructs, Pearson’s product-moment correlations were used. To further determine demographical differences, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) was utilised, and post-hoc Tukey HSD tests were used to determine where the differences lie. Results indicated that PsyCap was positively correlated with wellness; and significant differences in the means for both PsyCap and wellness were observed for demographic variables. The study further revealed that PsyCap is predictive of employee wellness. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resources, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Challenges faced by state owned entities and economic development in South Africa
- Willie, Ntsikelelo Mike Mncedi
- Authors: Willie, Ntsikelelo Mike Mncedi
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52976 , vital:44907
- Description: Background: State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) play a vital role in government activities and the delivery of basic services to the people. The Government is active in the key sectors, such as, services, utilities, transportation and construction. Presumably, the distribution of basic resources and infrastructure development is to some extent dependent on SOEs. South Africa is inundated with challenges in SOE’s, such as, lack of service delivery, poor financial management, less growth, massive unemployment, corruption and low business confidence. These are a threat to economic and financial sustainability of a country. Twenty years into democracy, South Africa’s SOEs environment had many scandals in both private and public sectors. SOEs such as SABC, Eskom, and Transnet had their share of malpractice, fraud and corruption in management and at board level. These incidents call for interrogation at all levels as the impact undermines political, economic stability and growth prospects. One of today’s core challenges is to justify the existence of some of the SOEs in our economy. Looking at South Africa, most of the SOEs financial performances are severely deteriorating. Due to their financial constraints, they receive a bailout from government to enable them to continue to operate. Aim: This study identified specific governance challenges faced by SOEs and economic development in South Africa, over the period of 10 years (2014 - 2018). The study made recommendations to restore good governance in SOEs. Setting: This study reviewed articles and literature on the challenges faced by SOEs and economic development in South Africa. Primary sources for the document review took the form of newspapers, various official reports and ongoing records of SOEs activities, government departments, student transcripts, mission statements, annual reports, policy, manuals, student handbooks, and strategic plans, and press releases, theses from academic institutions, trade journals, business journals, government publications and business review publications. Secondary sources used were published books and journal articles. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences , School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Willie, Ntsikelelo Mike Mncedi
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52976 , vital:44907
- Description: Background: State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) play a vital role in government activities and the delivery of basic services to the people. The Government is active in the key sectors, such as, services, utilities, transportation and construction. Presumably, the distribution of basic resources and infrastructure development is to some extent dependent on SOEs. South Africa is inundated with challenges in SOE’s, such as, lack of service delivery, poor financial management, less growth, massive unemployment, corruption and low business confidence. These are a threat to economic and financial sustainability of a country. Twenty years into democracy, South Africa’s SOEs environment had many scandals in both private and public sectors. SOEs such as SABC, Eskom, and Transnet had their share of malpractice, fraud and corruption in management and at board level. These incidents call for interrogation at all levels as the impact undermines political, economic stability and growth prospects. One of today’s core challenges is to justify the existence of some of the SOEs in our economy. Looking at South Africa, most of the SOEs financial performances are severely deteriorating. Due to their financial constraints, they receive a bailout from government to enable them to continue to operate. Aim: This study identified specific governance challenges faced by SOEs and economic development in South Africa, over the period of 10 years (2014 - 2018). The study made recommendations to restore good governance in SOEs. Setting: This study reviewed articles and literature on the challenges faced by SOEs and economic development in South Africa. Primary sources for the document review took the form of newspapers, various official reports and ongoing records of SOEs activities, government departments, student transcripts, mission statements, annual reports, policy, manuals, student handbooks, and strategic plans, and press releases, theses from academic institutions, trade journals, business journals, government publications and business review publications. Secondary sources used were published books and journal articles. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences , School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Healthcare issues in disaster management : preparedness in the pharmacy profession
- Authors: Vhiriri, Eunice Paidamoyo
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: To be added
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/178591 , vital:42953
- Description: Access restricted until April 2023. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacy, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Vhiriri, Eunice Paidamoyo
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: To be added
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/178591 , vital:42953
- Description: Access restricted until April 2023. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharmacy, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Kwelo lizwe leentsomi : iintsomi zesiXhosa
- Authors: Sigcau, Bulelwa Monica
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Creative writing (Higher education) -- South Africa , Xhosa fiction -- 21st century , Diaries -- Authorship , Short stories, Xhosa -- 21st century , African fiction -- History and criticism , English fiction -- History and criticism
- Language: Xhosa
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/178270 , vital:42926
- Description: Ukuphosa kuvimba wolwazi ngeentsomi zesiXhosa, le thisisi iqulathe iintsomi-mabali eziqanjwe zabaliswa kusetyenziswa ulwimi, umxholo nemixholo engenelelayo engeziganeko zemihla ngemihla, abalinganiswa, isakhiwo sentsomi nesimo sentlalo zala maxesha siphila kuwo. Ezi ntsomi zixhaswa kakhulu yimifanekiso ephilayo, ukusetyenziswa kwemigca emifutshane ezoba isimo sentlalo nevakala ingathi yimibongo ngenxa yokuqupha kwayo. Umsebenzi kaR.F. Mcimeli, kwincwadi ethi, Ingqaka kaMaqhudeni iqulethe iintsomi ezisondeleyo kwezi ziqanjwe kulo msebenzi, ngakumbi iintsomi ezizezi, uNomvula noNomvulazana, uDumisani nesigebenga esingabonwayo, uNomaciko noCikokazi, nezinye. Umsebenzi kaNongenile Masithathu Zenani (2006) oqokelelwe nguHarold Scheub kwincwadi ethi South African voices: A long time passed ube negaleloo elikhulu ukubonisa indima esele idlaliwe kwiintsomi zesiXhosa. UKholeka Sigenu (2002) kwincwandi ethi Ezakowethu naye ube nefuthe kwindlela ezi ntsomi eziqanjwe ngayo nokuqinisekisa ukuba ngenene zongeza ulwazi olutsha. Ezi ntsomi-mabali zibhentsise okulungileyo nokuhenxayo ngaphandle kokushumayela nokuveza abalinganiswa njengeengilosi. Ndiluthande kakhulu nohlobo lukaAmos Tutuola lokubhala, ndizame ukusondeza uhlobo lwam lokubhala kolu hlobo lukaAmos Tutuola. Ndilandele ifuthe lohlobo lokubhala olubizwa ngeflash fiction. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Languages and Literatures, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Sigcau, Bulelwa Monica
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Creative writing (Higher education) -- South Africa , Xhosa fiction -- 21st century , Diaries -- Authorship , Short stories, Xhosa -- 21st century , African fiction -- History and criticism , English fiction -- History and criticism
- Language: Xhosa
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/178270 , vital:42926
- Description: Ukuphosa kuvimba wolwazi ngeentsomi zesiXhosa, le thisisi iqulathe iintsomi-mabali eziqanjwe zabaliswa kusetyenziswa ulwimi, umxholo nemixholo engenelelayo engeziganeko zemihla ngemihla, abalinganiswa, isakhiwo sentsomi nesimo sentlalo zala maxesha siphila kuwo. Ezi ntsomi zixhaswa kakhulu yimifanekiso ephilayo, ukusetyenziswa kwemigca emifutshane ezoba isimo sentlalo nevakala ingathi yimibongo ngenxa yokuqupha kwayo. Umsebenzi kaR.F. Mcimeli, kwincwadi ethi, Ingqaka kaMaqhudeni iqulethe iintsomi ezisondeleyo kwezi ziqanjwe kulo msebenzi, ngakumbi iintsomi ezizezi, uNomvula noNomvulazana, uDumisani nesigebenga esingabonwayo, uNomaciko noCikokazi, nezinye. Umsebenzi kaNongenile Masithathu Zenani (2006) oqokelelwe nguHarold Scheub kwincwadi ethi South African voices: A long time passed ube negaleloo elikhulu ukubonisa indima esele idlaliwe kwiintsomi zesiXhosa. UKholeka Sigenu (2002) kwincwandi ethi Ezakowethu naye ube nefuthe kwindlela ezi ntsomi eziqanjwe ngayo nokuqinisekisa ukuba ngenene zongeza ulwazi olutsha. Ezi ntsomi-mabali zibhentsise okulungileyo nokuhenxayo ngaphandle kokushumayela nokuveza abalinganiswa njengeengilosi. Ndiluthande kakhulu nohlobo lukaAmos Tutuola lokubhala, ndizame ukusondeza uhlobo lwam lokubhala kolu hlobo lukaAmos Tutuola. Ndilandele ifuthe lohlobo lokubhala olubizwa ngeflash fiction. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Languages and Literatures, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
A model for smart factories in the consumer health sector
- Authors: Nherera, Bruce
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52959 , vital:44879
- Description: The manufacturing sector, globally, is facing significant challenges due to current societal, economic, environmental, and technological developments. To overcome the challenges into the future, manufacturing organisations will need new capabilities to manage their end to end supply chains to make sure that it is responsive and agile. The Smart factories, as an element of Industry 4.0, drive efficient operations while at the same time ensure that employees are safe, and operations are environmentally sustainable. The ability to be flexible, to be reconfigured and to be connected to customers allows Smart factories to mass customise their customers’ orders and maintain the same efficiencies when compared to mass production operations. Technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) in Smart factories must be employed to further drive efficiencies, agility and ease of production by giving operations the capability to respond in real time to problems with machines and customer requests. Smart factory technology allows operational sustainability through the efficient use of resources. The Smart factory revolution is significantly changing the relationship between humans and machines. Based on the literature review conducted, a theoretical model was constructed which was tested at a Consumer Health Organisation to identify the relationship between the dependent and independent factors. The independent factors, specified in the model were job security, organisation culture, training and skills, trust, costs and resources, parent company and standards. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMU Business School, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Nherera, Bruce
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52959 , vital:44879
- Description: The manufacturing sector, globally, is facing significant challenges due to current societal, economic, environmental, and technological developments. To overcome the challenges into the future, manufacturing organisations will need new capabilities to manage their end to end supply chains to make sure that it is responsive and agile. The Smart factories, as an element of Industry 4.0, drive efficient operations while at the same time ensure that employees are safe, and operations are environmentally sustainable. The ability to be flexible, to be reconfigured and to be connected to customers allows Smart factories to mass customise their customers’ orders and maintain the same efficiencies when compared to mass production operations. Technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) in Smart factories must be employed to further drive efficiencies, agility and ease of production by giving operations the capability to respond in real time to problems with machines and customer requests. Smart factory technology allows operational sustainability through the efficient use of resources. The Smart factory revolution is significantly changing the relationship between humans and machines. Based on the literature review conducted, a theoretical model was constructed which was tested at a Consumer Health Organisation to identify the relationship between the dependent and independent factors. The independent factors, specified in the model were job security, organisation culture, training and skills, trust, costs and resources, parent company and standards. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMU Business School, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
The application of Classification Trees in the Banking Sector
- Authors: Mtwa, Sithayanda
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: To be added
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/178514 , vital:42946
- Description: Access restricted until April 2026. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Statistics, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Mtwa, Sithayanda
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: To be added
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/178514 , vital:42946
- Description: Access restricted until April 2026. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Statistics, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
A comprehensive approach to scalability assessment of ICTD projects : a case study of ICT4RED
- Authors: Baduza, Gugulethu Qhawekazi
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: To be added
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/178435 , vital:42939
- Description: Access restricted until April 2023. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Commerce, Information Systems, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Baduza, Gugulethu Qhawekazi
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: To be added
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/178435 , vital:42939
- Description: Access restricted until April 2023. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Commerce, Information Systems, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Fish ecology and ecophysiology in an anthropogenically-altered temporarily open/closed estuary in the warm-temperate region of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Mpinga, Mfundo
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Fishes--Ecology--South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52122 , vital:43431
- Description: Estuaries are globally recognized for their contribution to the coastal marine environment by acting as nursery grounds for numerous marine estuarine-dependent fish species. These linking ecosystems between marine and riverine environments, are ideal for these species due to the habitat diversity, nutrient and food availability, shallower and calmer environments they provide relative to the ocean. Abrupt hydrodynamic and physico-chemical changes which frequently occur in estuaries impose physiological stress and requires superior adaptability in the fish that reside within them. This is exacerbated by anthropogenic modifications to estuaries which affects their natural ecological function. The Seekoei Estuary is one of 192 temporarily open/closed estuaries (TOCEs) in South Africa and these estuaries are characterised by their periodical connection to the sea due to the formation of a mouth berm. These estuaries are the dominant type in South Africa. A lot of research has been done in these kinds of estuaries, however, it is still limited due to their vast numbers. These estuaries are popular for human settlement and this has led to mismanagement due to the lack of ecological information. Furthermore, because of their inability to continuously flush out water, temporarily open closed estuaries are more vulnerable to pollution and anthropogenic modifications. The aim of this study was to assess the small fish community in relation to their environment in the hypersaline anthropogenically-altered Seekoei Estuary, by analysing the spatio-temporal trends of physico-chemical properties, nutrient loads, phytoplankton biomass and fish community structure. In addition, histological adaptation in gills of fish that survive hypersaline water was investigated. The study found that physico-chemical properties were influenced by anthropogenic alterations, in particular adverse water abstraction, instream water obstructions and artificial breaching. Nutrient concentration was found to be influenced by the intense agricultural practices in the upper reaches. It was evident that nutrient concentration (dissolved inorganic phosphorus) coupled with high salinity and optimum temperature (15 oC - 20 oC) affected the phytoplankton biomass. This estuary’s inability to naturally breach makes it vulnerable to phytoplankton blooms. The accumulation of cohesive silt caused by low river inflow, due to water abstraction in the upper reaches, was attributed to this estuary’s prolonged mouth closure. This was exacerbated by the presence of the causeway, which acts as a barrier between the middle and lower estuary. The abundance of marine fish species in the estuary, despite its long closure, indicates that the larvae and juveniles of these species make use of overwash events and brief artificial breaching events to recruit into the estuary. The high species richness in iii sites below the causeway is indicative of the barrier effect, which prevents the migration of some species to the upper reaches. This was evident during a massive fish kill, recorded during this study, which was more severe in sites below the causeway than above it. Chloride cell hyperplasia, mucus secretion and thickening of the epithelial layer in gills of indicator fish species from this estuary was the histological adaptation, which enables these fishes to be tolerant to high salinity. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Mpinga, Mfundo
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Fishes--Ecology--South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52122 , vital:43431
- Description: Estuaries are globally recognized for their contribution to the coastal marine environment by acting as nursery grounds for numerous marine estuarine-dependent fish species. These linking ecosystems between marine and riverine environments, are ideal for these species due to the habitat diversity, nutrient and food availability, shallower and calmer environments they provide relative to the ocean. Abrupt hydrodynamic and physico-chemical changes which frequently occur in estuaries impose physiological stress and requires superior adaptability in the fish that reside within them. This is exacerbated by anthropogenic modifications to estuaries which affects their natural ecological function. The Seekoei Estuary is one of 192 temporarily open/closed estuaries (TOCEs) in South Africa and these estuaries are characterised by their periodical connection to the sea due to the formation of a mouth berm. These estuaries are the dominant type in South Africa. A lot of research has been done in these kinds of estuaries, however, it is still limited due to their vast numbers. These estuaries are popular for human settlement and this has led to mismanagement due to the lack of ecological information. Furthermore, because of their inability to continuously flush out water, temporarily open closed estuaries are more vulnerable to pollution and anthropogenic modifications. The aim of this study was to assess the small fish community in relation to their environment in the hypersaline anthropogenically-altered Seekoei Estuary, by analysing the spatio-temporal trends of physico-chemical properties, nutrient loads, phytoplankton biomass and fish community structure. In addition, histological adaptation in gills of fish that survive hypersaline water was investigated. The study found that physico-chemical properties were influenced by anthropogenic alterations, in particular adverse water abstraction, instream water obstructions and artificial breaching. Nutrient concentration was found to be influenced by the intense agricultural practices in the upper reaches. It was evident that nutrient concentration (dissolved inorganic phosphorus) coupled with high salinity and optimum temperature (15 oC - 20 oC) affected the phytoplankton biomass. This estuary’s inability to naturally breach makes it vulnerable to phytoplankton blooms. The accumulation of cohesive silt caused by low river inflow, due to water abstraction in the upper reaches, was attributed to this estuary’s prolonged mouth closure. This was exacerbated by the presence of the causeway, which acts as a barrier between the middle and lower estuary. The abundance of marine fish species in the estuary, despite its long closure, indicates that the larvae and juveniles of these species make use of overwash events and brief artificial breaching events to recruit into the estuary. The high species richness in iii sites below the causeway is indicative of the barrier effect, which prevents the migration of some species to the upper reaches. This was evident during a massive fish kill, recorded during this study, which was more severe in sites below the causeway than above it. Chloride cell hyperplasia, mucus secretion and thickening of the epithelial layer in gills of indicator fish species from this estuary was the histological adaptation, which enables these fishes to be tolerant to high salinity. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
African wildcats on unprotected land in the Northern Cape, South Africa: potential prey and conflict status
- Authors: Stadler, Cindy
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: African wildcat South Africa Northern Cape , African wildcat Effect of human beings on South Africa Northern Cape , Predation (Biology) South Africa Northern Cape , Livestock Predators of South Africa Northern Cape , Human-animal relationships South Africa Northern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/191012 , vital:45049
- Description: The African wildcat (Felis lybica cafra) is the most common and widely distributed of all wildcats. The southern Kalahari in South Africa offers favourable conditions for African wildcats and supports high wildcat densities on protected and unprotected land. African wildcats have been reported as livestock predators on South African farms, however wildcat-livestock predation is usually reported as infrequent and to have a low financial impact on the farmer. The aim of this study was, firstly, to determine what natural prey species were available for African wildcats on unprotected land and, secondly, to determine the extent of human-wildcat conflict on unprotected land in the southern Kalahari. The frequency of occurrence of potential African wildcat prey was determined through small mammal trapping, camera trap surveys and direct observations. The results indicated that a variety of the African wildcat’s natural prey species occurred on unprotected land and that the dune and adjacent ‘street' habitats most likely supported the majority of small mammals which are preferred prey for African wildcats. The African wildcat’s human-predator conflict status was determined through interview questionnaires (n = 22) with participants who owned or managed farms in the southern Kalahari. African wildcats were perceived to occur on 100% of farms, to be common in the region, to be the top livestock predator on 68% of farms and to be responsible for 46% (n = 1542 newborn lambs) of all livestock deaths in 2020. African wildcats were, however, not viewed in the same negative light as black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas) and caracals (Caracal caracal), who received more negativity from participants and who had the highest persecution rates in my study area. This result could potentially be explained by a combination of generationally taught hatred towards certain species and due to the perceived livestock loss (e.g. livestock size and species) caused by each predator species. It is important to research and monitor wildcats outside protected areas to obtain a deeper knowledge of wildcat behaviour, abundance, population dynamics and other aspects of their ecology. By doing this, specific conservation and management questions can be addressed and through the knowledge of the natural history of a species, conservation failures can be avoided. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Zoology and Entomology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
- Authors: Stadler, Cindy
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: African wildcat South Africa Northern Cape , African wildcat Effect of human beings on South Africa Northern Cape , Predation (Biology) South Africa Northern Cape , Livestock Predators of South Africa Northern Cape , Human-animal relationships South Africa Northern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/191012 , vital:45049
- Description: The African wildcat (Felis lybica cafra) is the most common and widely distributed of all wildcats. The southern Kalahari in South Africa offers favourable conditions for African wildcats and supports high wildcat densities on protected and unprotected land. African wildcats have been reported as livestock predators on South African farms, however wildcat-livestock predation is usually reported as infrequent and to have a low financial impact on the farmer. The aim of this study was, firstly, to determine what natural prey species were available for African wildcats on unprotected land and, secondly, to determine the extent of human-wildcat conflict on unprotected land in the southern Kalahari. The frequency of occurrence of potential African wildcat prey was determined through small mammal trapping, camera trap surveys and direct observations. The results indicated that a variety of the African wildcat’s natural prey species occurred on unprotected land and that the dune and adjacent ‘street' habitats most likely supported the majority of small mammals which are preferred prey for African wildcats. The African wildcat’s human-predator conflict status was determined through interview questionnaires (n = 22) with participants who owned or managed farms in the southern Kalahari. African wildcats were perceived to occur on 100% of farms, to be common in the region, to be the top livestock predator on 68% of farms and to be responsible for 46% (n = 1542 newborn lambs) of all livestock deaths in 2020. African wildcats were, however, not viewed in the same negative light as black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas) and caracals (Caracal caracal), who received more negativity from participants and who had the highest persecution rates in my study area. This result could potentially be explained by a combination of generationally taught hatred towards certain species and due to the perceived livestock loss (e.g. livestock size and species) caused by each predator species. It is important to research and monitor wildcats outside protected areas to obtain a deeper knowledge of wildcat behaviour, abundance, population dynamics and other aspects of their ecology. By doing this, specific conservation and management questions can be addressed and through the knowledge of the natural history of a species, conservation failures can be avoided. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Zoology and Entomology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
A design of a convention centre in the kuiseb river valley, Namib desert
- Authors: Davids, Maretha
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Convention facilities-- Namibia --Kuiseb river -- Designs and plans , Kuiseb River (Namibia)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/57466 , vital:57876
- Description: At least 55 million years old, the Namib Desert is the oldest desert in the world. With many species making up the diverse ecosystem the question remains, how do they survive with less than 200 mm of rainfall per year? (Lovegrove 1993) Survival in harsh climatic conditions have been tried and conquered across the world, from desert to artic conditions. With a harsh climatic environment and barren conditions, where does one set up a place of gathering? With tourism being one of the main pillars of the economy in Namibia. On an already existing route along a perennial water source, a conference centre is set up as a midway point for meeting of tourists with a local flair (Humavindu, 2013 Through learning from this environment and environments similar to these, the final product of this treatise results in a place of meeting along this string of settlements along the river, through means of bio-inspired design and phenomenological theories of place making. The challenge of nature vs building is questioned. Forming a unique experience as a sustainable oasis within the harsh surrounds the project sits within, amplifying the context in which it sits. , Thesis (MArch) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology, School of Architecture, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Davids, Maretha
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Convention facilities-- Namibia --Kuiseb river -- Designs and plans , Kuiseb River (Namibia)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/57466 , vital:57876
- Description: At least 55 million years old, the Namib Desert is the oldest desert in the world. With many species making up the diverse ecosystem the question remains, how do they survive with less than 200 mm of rainfall per year? (Lovegrove 1993) Survival in harsh climatic conditions have been tried and conquered across the world, from desert to artic conditions. With a harsh climatic environment and barren conditions, where does one set up a place of gathering? With tourism being one of the main pillars of the economy in Namibia. On an already existing route along a perennial water source, a conference centre is set up as a midway point for meeting of tourists with a local flair (Humavindu, 2013 Through learning from this environment and environments similar to these, the final product of this treatise results in a place of meeting along this string of settlements along the river, through means of bio-inspired design and phenomenological theories of place making. The challenge of nature vs building is questioned. Forming a unique experience as a sustainable oasis within the harsh surrounds the project sits within, amplifying the context in which it sits. , Thesis (MArch) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology, School of Architecture, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Recreating a wetland at an abandoned saltworks : towards a rehabilitation plan
- Authors: Wasserman, Johan
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52146 , vital:43450
- Description: A saltworks at Swartkops Estuary was abandoned in 2018. While operational, the saltworks hosted some of the largest breeding colonies of several shorebird species in southern Africa and hosted thousands of Palearctic migrant waterbirds annually. The abandonment of the saltworks has resulted in the loss of the artificially managed hydrological regime and therefore the wetland function and habitat value of the site, and the rich and diverse avifauna that once occurred at the site have not returned. The rehabilitation of the saltworks as a wetland that functions as a waterbird sanctuary is currently being organised, and this research aimed to create a plan for implementing and monitoring the rehabilitation. In order to do so, the baseline environmental condition of the abandoned saltworks was established, the possible rehabilitation interventions necessary for rehabilitating the site were assessed, and the potential ecological implications of any interventions were investigated. The assessment of the saltworks’ baseline condition revealed that the site is now characterised by vast expanses of dry hypersaline sediment with sparse patches of monospecific vegetation and depauperate avifauna. The once rich and diverse waterbird communities have all but disappeared since the site was abandoned and are unlikely to return unless a managed hydrological regime is reinstated. Furthermore, it is improbable that salt marsh vegetation will cover the abandoned saltworks primarily due to the high sediment salinity that will persist unless the saltpans are flooded. The area will likely remain barren with little ecological value if no rehabilitation action is taken. Two potential rehabilitation options for reinstating a hydrological regime at the saltworks were identified: (1) pumping estuary water into all of the saltpans; or (2) pumping estuary water into some of the saltpans, while allowing the largest one to be filled with stormwater. Both options were deemed to be feasible; however, the second option will likely have lower running costs. The use of stormwater to fill the one saltpan is expected to result in brackish conditions initially, while the saltpans filled with estuary water would have salinity levels ranging from euhaline to slightly hypersaline. Both the stormwater and estuary water are rich in inorganic nutrients – the estuary water is rich in both dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP), while the stormwater has an exceptionally high DIN content. This raised concerns of creating eutrophic wetlands with detrimental conditions such as algal blooms and a hypoxic water column. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Wasserman, Johan
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52146 , vital:43450
- Description: A saltworks at Swartkops Estuary was abandoned in 2018. While operational, the saltworks hosted some of the largest breeding colonies of several shorebird species in southern Africa and hosted thousands of Palearctic migrant waterbirds annually. The abandonment of the saltworks has resulted in the loss of the artificially managed hydrological regime and therefore the wetland function and habitat value of the site, and the rich and diverse avifauna that once occurred at the site have not returned. The rehabilitation of the saltworks as a wetland that functions as a waterbird sanctuary is currently being organised, and this research aimed to create a plan for implementing and monitoring the rehabilitation. In order to do so, the baseline environmental condition of the abandoned saltworks was established, the possible rehabilitation interventions necessary for rehabilitating the site were assessed, and the potential ecological implications of any interventions were investigated. The assessment of the saltworks’ baseline condition revealed that the site is now characterised by vast expanses of dry hypersaline sediment with sparse patches of monospecific vegetation and depauperate avifauna. The once rich and diverse waterbird communities have all but disappeared since the site was abandoned and are unlikely to return unless a managed hydrological regime is reinstated. Furthermore, it is improbable that salt marsh vegetation will cover the abandoned saltworks primarily due to the high sediment salinity that will persist unless the saltpans are flooded. The area will likely remain barren with little ecological value if no rehabilitation action is taken. Two potential rehabilitation options for reinstating a hydrological regime at the saltworks were identified: (1) pumping estuary water into all of the saltpans; or (2) pumping estuary water into some of the saltpans, while allowing the largest one to be filled with stormwater. Both options were deemed to be feasible; however, the second option will likely have lower running costs. The use of stormwater to fill the one saltpan is expected to result in brackish conditions initially, while the saltpans filled with estuary water would have salinity levels ranging from euhaline to slightly hypersaline. Both the stormwater and estuary water are rich in inorganic nutrients – the estuary water is rich in both dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP), while the stormwater has an exceptionally high DIN content. This raised concerns of creating eutrophic wetlands with detrimental conditions such as algal blooms and a hypoxic water column. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
The reproductive performance, demography and spatial ecology of an extralimital white rhinoceros population
- Authors: Truter, Anja
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: White rhinoceros -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , White rhinoceros -- Effect of poaching on -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , White rhinoceros -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Reproduction , White rhinoceros -- Dispersal -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , White rhinoceros -- Food -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , White rhinoceros -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Spatial ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Animal populations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Endangered species -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Spatial behavior in animals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Shamwari Game Reserve (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Master , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177975 , vital:42895
- Description: The white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) (hereafter rhino) is under threat of becoming extinct due to continued poaching for its horns. In South Africa and elsewhere in Africa private landowners have, over the last few decades, contributed to the conservation of various species, including rhinos, even in areas where they have not occurred historically (i.e., where they are extralimital). Unfortunately, very few studies have investigated the conservation contribution of extralimital white rhinos on private reserves to the overall meta-population and/or their reproductive performance. The first aim of my study was therefore to determine whether or not the white rhinos introduced to a private game reserve in the Eastern Cape Province in 1992 have been successful from a reproductive perspective. I calculated inter-calving intervals, age at first calving, conception period, sex ratio, fecundity and fertility rates for white rhinos over this 28-year period. The average annual population growth rate for the rhinos was 10%, which is higher than the recommended 5% by the Rhino Management Group. Trends in density-dependent parameters such as age at first calving and inter-calving intervals also indicated that my study population is still well below carrying capacity for white rhinos and is contributing positively to white rhino conservation in South Africa. The second aim of my study was to investigate home range size and vegetation preferences of white rhinos. Home ranges were mostly larger for all age groups compared to rhinos in their native range. Previously cultivated lands (dominated by several grass species) were preferred by all rhino age groups. The rehabilitation of these previous agricultural-based pastures has likely contributed to the successful introduction of the white rhino as an extralimital megaherbivore in the Eastern Cape. I conclude that although extralimital white rhino populations in the Eastern Cape can be successful from a reproductive perspective, their potential impact on the indigenous biodiversity of the region should be a key future research priority. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Zoology and Entomology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Truter, Anja
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: White rhinoceros -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , White rhinoceros -- Effect of poaching on -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , White rhinoceros -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Reproduction , White rhinoceros -- Dispersal -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , White rhinoceros -- Food -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , White rhinoceros -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Spatial ecology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Animal populations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Endangered species -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Spatial behavior in animals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Shamwari Game Reserve (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Master , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177975 , vital:42895
- Description: The white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) (hereafter rhino) is under threat of becoming extinct due to continued poaching for its horns. In South Africa and elsewhere in Africa private landowners have, over the last few decades, contributed to the conservation of various species, including rhinos, even in areas where they have not occurred historically (i.e., where they are extralimital). Unfortunately, very few studies have investigated the conservation contribution of extralimital white rhinos on private reserves to the overall meta-population and/or their reproductive performance. The first aim of my study was therefore to determine whether or not the white rhinos introduced to a private game reserve in the Eastern Cape Province in 1992 have been successful from a reproductive perspective. I calculated inter-calving intervals, age at first calving, conception period, sex ratio, fecundity and fertility rates for white rhinos over this 28-year period. The average annual population growth rate for the rhinos was 10%, which is higher than the recommended 5% by the Rhino Management Group. Trends in density-dependent parameters such as age at first calving and inter-calving intervals also indicated that my study population is still well below carrying capacity for white rhinos and is contributing positively to white rhino conservation in South Africa. The second aim of my study was to investigate home range size and vegetation preferences of white rhinos. Home ranges were mostly larger for all age groups compared to rhinos in their native range. Previously cultivated lands (dominated by several grass species) were preferred by all rhino age groups. The rehabilitation of these previous agricultural-based pastures has likely contributed to the successful introduction of the white rhino as an extralimital megaherbivore in the Eastern Cape. I conclude that although extralimital white rhino populations in the Eastern Cape can be successful from a reproductive perspective, their potential impact on the indigenous biodiversity of the region should be a key future research priority. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Zoology and Entomology, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Constraining simulation uncertainties in a hydrological model of the Congo River Basin including a combined modelling approach for channel-wetland exchanges
- Authors: Kabuya, Pierre Mulamba
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Congo River Watershed , Watersheds -- Congo (Democratic Republic) , Hydrologic models , Rain and rainfall -- Mathematical models , Runoff -- Mathematical models , Wetland hydrology
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177997 , vital:42897 , 10.21504/10962/177997
- Description: Compared to other large river basins of the world, such as the Amazon, the Congo River Basin appears to be the most ungauged and less studied. This is partly because the basin lacks sufficient observational hydro-climatic monitoring stations and appropriate information on physiographic basin properties at a spatial scale deemed for hydrological applications, making it difficult to estimate water resources at the scale of sub-basins (Chapter 3). In the same time, the basin is facing the challenges related to rapid population growth, uncontrolled urbanisation as well as climate change. Adequate quantification of hydrological processes across different spatial and temporal scales in the basin, and the drivers of change, is essential for prediction and strategic planning to ensure sustainable management of water resources in the Congo River Basin. Hydrological models are particularly important to generate the required information. However, the shortness of the available streamflow records, lack of spatial representativeness of the available streamflow gauging stations and the lack of understanding of the processes in channel-wetland exchanges, are the main challenges that constrain the use of traditional approaches to models development. They also contribute to increased uncertainty in the estimation of water resources across the basin (Chapter 1 and 2). Given this ungauged nature of the Congo River Basin, it is important to resort to hydrological modelling approaches that can reasonably quantify and model the uncertainty associated with water resources estimation (Chapter 4) to make hydrological predictions reliable. This study explores appropriate methods for hydrological predictions and water resources assessment in ungauged catchments of the Congo River Basin. In this context, the core modelling framework combines the quantification of uncertainty in constraint indices, hydrological modelling and hydrodynamic modelling. The latter accounts for channel-wetland exchanges in sub-basins where wetlands exert considerable influence on downstream flow regimes at the monthly time scale. The constraint indices are the characteristics of a sub-basin’s long-term hydrological behaviour and may reflect the dynamics of the different components of the catchment water balance such as climate, water storage and different runoff processes. Currently, six constraint indices namely the mean monthly runoff volume (MMQ in m3 *106), mean monthly groundwater recharge depth (MMR in mm), the 10th, 50th and 90th percentiles of the flow duration curve expressed as a fraction of MMQ (Q10/MMQ, Q50/MMQ, Q90/MMQ) and the percentage of time that zero flows are expected (%Zero), are used in the modelling approach. These were judged to be the minimum number of key indices that can discriminate between different hydrological responses. The constraint indices in the framework help to determine an uncertainty range within which behavioural model parameters of the expected hydrological response can be identified. Predictive equations of the constraint indices across all climate and physiographic regions of the Congo Basin were based only on the aridity index because it was the most influential sub-basin attribute (Chapter 5) for which quantitative information was available. The degree of uncertainty in the constraint Q10/MMQ and Q50/MMQ indices is less than 41%, while it is somewhat higher for the mean monthly runoff (MMQ) and Q90/MMQ constraint indices. The established uncertainty ranges of the constraint indices were tested in some selected sub-basins of the Congo Basin, including the Lualaba (93 sub-basins), Sangha (24 sub-basins), Oubangui (19 sub-basins), Batéké plateaux (4 sub-basins), Kasai (4 sub-basins) and Inkisi (3 sub-basins). The results proved useful through the application of a 2-stage uncertainty approach of the PITMAN model. However, it comes out of this study that the application of the original constraint indices ranges (Chapter 5) generated satisfactory simulation results in some areas, while in others both small and large adjustments were required to fully capture some aspects of the observed hydrological responses (Chapter 6). Part of the reason is attributed to the availability and quality of streamflow data used to develop the constraint indices ranges (Chapter 5). The main issue identified in the modelling process was whether the changes made to the original constraints at headwater-gauged sub-basins can be applied to ungauged upstream sub-basins to match the observed flow at downstream gauging stations. Ideally, only gauged sub-basin’s constraints can be easily revised based on the observed flow. However, the refinement made to gauged sub-basins alone may fail to substantially affect the results if ungauged upstream sub-basins exert a major impact on defining downstream hydrological response. The majority of gauging stations used in this analysis are located downstream of many upstream ungauged sub-basins and therefore adjustments were required in ungauged sub-basins. These adjustments consist of shifting the full range of a constraint index either towards higher or lower values, depending on the degree to which the simulated uncertainty bounds depart from the observed flow. While this modelling approach seems effective in capturing many aspects of the hydrological responses with a reduced level of uncertainty compared to a previous study, it is recommended that the approach be extended to the remaining parts of the Congo Basin and assessed under current and future development conditions including environmental changes. A 2D hydrodynamic river-wetland model (LISFLOOD-FP) has been used to explicitly represent the inundation process exchanges between river channels and wetland systems. The hydrodynamic modelling outputs are used to calibrate the PITMAN wetland sub-model parameters. The five hydrodynamic models constructed for Ankoro, Kamalondo, Kundelungu, Mweru and Tshiangalele wetland systems have been partially validated using independent estimates of inundation extents available from Landsat imagery. Other sources of data such as remote sensing of water level altimetry, SAR images and wetland storage estimates may be used to improve the validation results. However, the important objective in this study was to make sure that flow volume exchanges between river channels and their adjacent floodplains were being simulated realistically. The wetland sub-model parameters are calibrated in a spreadsheet version of the PITMAN wetland routine to achieve visual correspondence between the LISFLOOD-FP and PITMAN wetland sub-model outputs (Storage volumes and channel outputs). The hysteretic patterns of the river-wetland processes were quantified using hysteresis indices and were associated with the spill and return flow parameters of the wetland sub-model and eventually with the wetland morphometric characteristics. One example is the scale parameter of the return flow function (AA), which shows a good relationship with the average surface slope of the wetland when the coefficient parameter (BB) of the same function is kept constant to a value of 1.25. The same parameter (AA) is a good indicator of the wetland emptying mechanism. A small AA indicates a wetland that slowly releases its flow, resulting in a highly delayed and attenuated hydrological response in downstream sub-basins. This understanding has a practical advantage for the estimation of the PITMAN wetland parameters in the many areas where it is not possible, or where the resources are not available, to run complex hydrodynamic models (Chapter 7). The inclusion of these LISFLOOD-FP informed wetland parameters in the basin-scale hydrological modelling results in acceptable simulations for the lower Lualaba drainage system. The small wetlands, like Ankoro and Tshiangalele, have a negligible impact on downstream flow regimes, whereas large wetlands, such as Kamalondo and Mweru, have very large impacts. In general, the testing of the original constraint indices in the region of wetlands and further downstream of the Lualaba drainage system has shown acceptable results. However, there remains an unresolved uncertainty issue related to the under and over-estimation of some aspects of the hydrological response at both Mulongo and Ankoro, two gauging stations in the immediate downstream of the Kamalondo wetland system. It is difficult to attribute this uncertainty to Kamalondo wetland parameters alone because many of the incremental sub-basins contributing to wetland inflows are ungauged. The issue at Mulongo is the under simulation of low flow, while the high flows at the Ankoro gauging station are over-simulated. However, the pattern of the calibrated constraint indices in this region (Chapter 8) shows that the under simulation of low flow at Mulongo cannot be attributed to incremental sub-basins (between Bukama, Kapolowe and Mulongo gauging stations), because their Q90/MMQ constraint indices are even slightly above the original constraint ranges, but maintain a spatial consistency with sub-basins of other regions. Similarly, sub-basins located between Mulongo, Luvua and Ankoro gauging stations have high flow indices slightly below the original constraint ranges and therefore they are unlikely to be responsible for the over simulation of high flow at the Ankoro gauging station. These facts highlight the need for a further understanding of the complex wetland system of Kamalondo. Short-term data collection and monitoring programme are required. Important tributaries that drain to this wetland need to be monitored by installing water level loggers and periodically collecting flow data and river bathymetry. This programme should lead to the development of rating curves of wetland input tributaries. This would partially solve the unresolved uncertainty issues at the Ankoro and Mulongo gauging stations. The integrated modelling approach offers many opportunities in the Congo Basin. The quantified and modelled uncertainty helps to identify regions with high uncertainty and allows for the identification of various data collection and management strategies that can potentially contribute to the uncertainty reduction. The quantified channel-wetland exchanges contribute to the improvement of the overall knowledge of water resources estimation within the regions where the effects of wetlands are evident even at the monthly time scale. In contrast, ignoring uncertainty in the estimates of water resources availability means that water resources planning and management decisions in the Congo Basin will continue to be based on inadequate information and unquantified uncertainty, thus increasing the risk associated with water resources decision making. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Institute for Water Research, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Kabuya, Pierre Mulamba
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Congo River Watershed , Watersheds -- Congo (Democratic Republic) , Hydrologic models , Rain and rainfall -- Mathematical models , Runoff -- Mathematical models , Wetland hydrology
- Language: English
- Type: thesis , text , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/177997 , vital:42897 , 10.21504/10962/177997
- Description: Compared to other large river basins of the world, such as the Amazon, the Congo River Basin appears to be the most ungauged and less studied. This is partly because the basin lacks sufficient observational hydro-climatic monitoring stations and appropriate information on physiographic basin properties at a spatial scale deemed for hydrological applications, making it difficult to estimate water resources at the scale of sub-basins (Chapter 3). In the same time, the basin is facing the challenges related to rapid population growth, uncontrolled urbanisation as well as climate change. Adequate quantification of hydrological processes across different spatial and temporal scales in the basin, and the drivers of change, is essential for prediction and strategic planning to ensure sustainable management of water resources in the Congo River Basin. Hydrological models are particularly important to generate the required information. However, the shortness of the available streamflow records, lack of spatial representativeness of the available streamflow gauging stations and the lack of understanding of the processes in channel-wetland exchanges, are the main challenges that constrain the use of traditional approaches to models development. They also contribute to increased uncertainty in the estimation of water resources across the basin (Chapter 1 and 2). Given this ungauged nature of the Congo River Basin, it is important to resort to hydrological modelling approaches that can reasonably quantify and model the uncertainty associated with water resources estimation (Chapter 4) to make hydrological predictions reliable. This study explores appropriate methods for hydrological predictions and water resources assessment in ungauged catchments of the Congo River Basin. In this context, the core modelling framework combines the quantification of uncertainty in constraint indices, hydrological modelling and hydrodynamic modelling. The latter accounts for channel-wetland exchanges in sub-basins where wetlands exert considerable influence on downstream flow regimes at the monthly time scale. The constraint indices are the characteristics of a sub-basin’s long-term hydrological behaviour and may reflect the dynamics of the different components of the catchment water balance such as climate, water storage and different runoff processes. Currently, six constraint indices namely the mean monthly runoff volume (MMQ in m3 *106), mean monthly groundwater recharge depth (MMR in mm), the 10th, 50th and 90th percentiles of the flow duration curve expressed as a fraction of MMQ (Q10/MMQ, Q50/MMQ, Q90/MMQ) and the percentage of time that zero flows are expected (%Zero), are used in the modelling approach. These were judged to be the minimum number of key indices that can discriminate between different hydrological responses. The constraint indices in the framework help to determine an uncertainty range within which behavioural model parameters of the expected hydrological response can be identified. Predictive equations of the constraint indices across all climate and physiographic regions of the Congo Basin were based only on the aridity index because it was the most influential sub-basin attribute (Chapter 5) for which quantitative information was available. The degree of uncertainty in the constraint Q10/MMQ and Q50/MMQ indices is less than 41%, while it is somewhat higher for the mean monthly runoff (MMQ) and Q90/MMQ constraint indices. The established uncertainty ranges of the constraint indices were tested in some selected sub-basins of the Congo Basin, including the Lualaba (93 sub-basins), Sangha (24 sub-basins), Oubangui (19 sub-basins), Batéké plateaux (4 sub-basins), Kasai (4 sub-basins) and Inkisi (3 sub-basins). The results proved useful through the application of a 2-stage uncertainty approach of the PITMAN model. However, it comes out of this study that the application of the original constraint indices ranges (Chapter 5) generated satisfactory simulation results in some areas, while in others both small and large adjustments were required to fully capture some aspects of the observed hydrological responses (Chapter 6). Part of the reason is attributed to the availability and quality of streamflow data used to develop the constraint indices ranges (Chapter 5). The main issue identified in the modelling process was whether the changes made to the original constraints at headwater-gauged sub-basins can be applied to ungauged upstream sub-basins to match the observed flow at downstream gauging stations. Ideally, only gauged sub-basin’s constraints can be easily revised based on the observed flow. However, the refinement made to gauged sub-basins alone may fail to substantially affect the results if ungauged upstream sub-basins exert a major impact on defining downstream hydrological response. The majority of gauging stations used in this analysis are located downstream of many upstream ungauged sub-basins and therefore adjustments were required in ungauged sub-basins. These adjustments consist of shifting the full range of a constraint index either towards higher or lower values, depending on the degree to which the simulated uncertainty bounds depart from the observed flow. While this modelling approach seems effective in capturing many aspects of the hydrological responses with a reduced level of uncertainty compared to a previous study, it is recommended that the approach be extended to the remaining parts of the Congo Basin and assessed under current and future development conditions including environmental changes. A 2D hydrodynamic river-wetland model (LISFLOOD-FP) has been used to explicitly represent the inundation process exchanges between river channels and wetland systems. The hydrodynamic modelling outputs are used to calibrate the PITMAN wetland sub-model parameters. The five hydrodynamic models constructed for Ankoro, Kamalondo, Kundelungu, Mweru and Tshiangalele wetland systems have been partially validated using independent estimates of inundation extents available from Landsat imagery. Other sources of data such as remote sensing of water level altimetry, SAR images and wetland storage estimates may be used to improve the validation results. However, the important objective in this study was to make sure that flow volume exchanges between river channels and their adjacent floodplains were being simulated realistically. The wetland sub-model parameters are calibrated in a spreadsheet version of the PITMAN wetland routine to achieve visual correspondence between the LISFLOOD-FP and PITMAN wetland sub-model outputs (Storage volumes and channel outputs). The hysteretic patterns of the river-wetland processes were quantified using hysteresis indices and were associated with the spill and return flow parameters of the wetland sub-model and eventually with the wetland morphometric characteristics. One example is the scale parameter of the return flow function (AA), which shows a good relationship with the average surface slope of the wetland when the coefficient parameter (BB) of the same function is kept constant to a value of 1.25. The same parameter (AA) is a good indicator of the wetland emptying mechanism. A small AA indicates a wetland that slowly releases its flow, resulting in a highly delayed and attenuated hydrological response in downstream sub-basins. This understanding has a practical advantage for the estimation of the PITMAN wetland parameters in the many areas where it is not possible, or where the resources are not available, to run complex hydrodynamic models (Chapter 7). The inclusion of these LISFLOOD-FP informed wetland parameters in the basin-scale hydrological modelling results in acceptable simulations for the lower Lualaba drainage system. The small wetlands, like Ankoro and Tshiangalele, have a negligible impact on downstream flow regimes, whereas large wetlands, such as Kamalondo and Mweru, have very large impacts. In general, the testing of the original constraint indices in the region of wetlands and further downstream of the Lualaba drainage system has shown acceptable results. However, there remains an unresolved uncertainty issue related to the under and over-estimation of some aspects of the hydrological response at both Mulongo and Ankoro, two gauging stations in the immediate downstream of the Kamalondo wetland system. It is difficult to attribute this uncertainty to Kamalondo wetland parameters alone because many of the incremental sub-basins contributing to wetland inflows are ungauged. The issue at Mulongo is the under simulation of low flow, while the high flows at the Ankoro gauging station are over-simulated. However, the pattern of the calibrated constraint indices in this region (Chapter 8) shows that the under simulation of low flow at Mulongo cannot be attributed to incremental sub-basins (between Bukama, Kapolowe and Mulongo gauging stations), because their Q90/MMQ constraint indices are even slightly above the original constraint ranges, but maintain a spatial consistency with sub-basins of other regions. Similarly, sub-basins located between Mulongo, Luvua and Ankoro gauging stations have high flow indices slightly below the original constraint ranges and therefore they are unlikely to be responsible for the over simulation of high flow at the Ankoro gauging station. These facts highlight the need for a further understanding of the complex wetland system of Kamalondo. Short-term data collection and monitoring programme are required. Important tributaries that drain to this wetland need to be monitored by installing water level loggers and periodically collecting flow data and river bathymetry. This programme should lead to the development of rating curves of wetland input tributaries. This would partially solve the unresolved uncertainty issues at the Ankoro and Mulongo gauging stations. The integrated modelling approach offers many opportunities in the Congo Basin. The quantified and modelled uncertainty helps to identify regions with high uncertainty and allows for the identification of various data collection and management strategies that can potentially contribute to the uncertainty reduction. The quantified channel-wetland exchanges contribute to the improvement of the overall knowledge of water resources estimation within the regions where the effects of wetlands are evident even at the monthly time scale. In contrast, ignoring uncertainty in the estimates of water resources availability means that water resources planning and management decisions in the Congo Basin will continue to be based on inadequate information and unquantified uncertainty, thus increasing the risk associated with water resources decision making. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Institute for Water Research, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04