A study of current and potential future commuter transportation requirements in Kagiso township
- Authors: Lefutso, David
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Commuters -- South Africa -- Gauteng Urban transportation -- South Africa -- Gauteng Urban transportation -- South Africa -- Gauteng -- Planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:765 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003886
- Description: This study is intended to unpack the current and potential future commuter transport requirements in Kagiso Township within the context of transport planning and the ongoing transformation of the transport sector in South Africa. In order to meet the above challenges, it was felt that an investigation of the socio-economic profile of transport users in Kagiso Township was required, which would be indicative of potential needs and requirements in terms of current and future travel infrastructure. This study is significant, as it considers the impact of socio-economic factors and transport interactions by fully examining the impact of accessibility, urban development patterns, local mobility and planning. Mogale City’s Kagiso Township was selected for in-depth study because it has seen one of the highest urbanization rates in Gauteng Province, with people from all over Gauteng relocating to this suburb, either buying relatively moderately priced housing via mortgaging or, alternatively, trying to gain access to government low-cost housing. The study investigates the connection between socio-economic characteristics of a local population (inter alia, age, gender, household size, and vehicles per household, employment status and income) and their transport requirements (travel demand forecasting), within an urban transport context. Socio-economic characteristics of a population are important in transport demand forecasting because there is a general belief in transport planning that the predisposition to travel and trip generation vary with the characteristics of the traveller. A travel demand forecasting model by Bussière and Rice (1999) is used for the purposes of simulating existing and future travel patterns. The forecasted household mobility and needs of commuters in Kagiso Township are compared with current municipal plans to see whether such plans are realistic and can address existing needs. The evaluation of the current municipal plans is included to test the responsiveness of public policy and practice towards the needs of the affected local community. This evaluation extracted information on whether the relevant municipality has identified the problems and issues affecting the local community of Kagiso Township. In addition, it assessed whether the municipality has identified possible solutions to these problems and issues and whether it has prioritised any projects to improve transportation in Kagiso Township.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Lefutso, David
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Commuters -- South Africa -- Gauteng Urban transportation -- South Africa -- Gauteng Urban transportation -- South Africa -- Gauteng -- Planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:765 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003886
- Description: This study is intended to unpack the current and potential future commuter transport requirements in Kagiso Township within the context of transport planning and the ongoing transformation of the transport sector in South Africa. In order to meet the above challenges, it was felt that an investigation of the socio-economic profile of transport users in Kagiso Township was required, which would be indicative of potential needs and requirements in terms of current and future travel infrastructure. This study is significant, as it considers the impact of socio-economic factors and transport interactions by fully examining the impact of accessibility, urban development patterns, local mobility and planning. Mogale City’s Kagiso Township was selected for in-depth study because it has seen one of the highest urbanization rates in Gauteng Province, with people from all over Gauteng relocating to this suburb, either buying relatively moderately priced housing via mortgaging or, alternatively, trying to gain access to government low-cost housing. The study investigates the connection between socio-economic characteristics of a local population (inter alia, age, gender, household size, and vehicles per household, employment status and income) and their transport requirements (travel demand forecasting), within an urban transport context. Socio-economic characteristics of a population are important in transport demand forecasting because there is a general belief in transport planning that the predisposition to travel and trip generation vary with the characteristics of the traveller. A travel demand forecasting model by Bussière and Rice (1999) is used for the purposes of simulating existing and future travel patterns. The forecasted household mobility and needs of commuters in Kagiso Township are compared with current municipal plans to see whether such plans are realistic and can address existing needs. The evaluation of the current municipal plans is included to test the responsiveness of public policy and practice towards the needs of the affected local community. This evaluation extracted information on whether the relevant municipality has identified the problems and issues affecting the local community of Kagiso Township. In addition, it assessed whether the municipality has identified possible solutions to these problems and issues and whether it has prioritised any projects to improve transportation in Kagiso Township.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
A study of plocamium corallorhiza secondary metabolites and their biological activity
- Authors: Mkwananzi, Henry Bayanda
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Natural products -- Therapeutic use , Marine metabolites -- Therapeutic use , Marine pharmacology , Marine algae , Monoterpenes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3841 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007666 , Natural products -- Therapeutic use , Marine metabolites -- Therapeutic use , Marine pharmacology , Marine algae , Monoterpenes
- Description: Seaweeds of the genus Plocamium are known to produce a variety of halogenated monoterpenes. In addition to their ecological role as feeding deterrents, biological activities reported for these compounds include antibacterial, antialgal, antifungal and anticancer activities. An investigation of the non-polar extracts of the seaweed Plocamium corallorhiza resulted in the isolation of six known halogenated monoterpene compounds, 4-bromo-5-bromomethyl-1-chlorovinyl-2, 5-dichloro-methylcyclohexane (2.68), 1,4,8-tribromo-3 ,7-dichloro-3, 7-dimethyl-1,5-octadiene (2.67), 8-bromo-1 ,3,4,7-tetrachloro-3, 7-dimethyl-1,5-octadiene (2.66), 4,6-dibromo-1,1-dichloro-3,7-dimethyl-2,7-octadiene (2.64), 4,8-dibromo-1,1,7-trichloro-3,7-dimethyl-2,5-octadiene (2.65) and 3,4 ,6,7-tetrachloro-3, 7-dimethyl-1-octene (2.63) as well as eight new compounds, including five halogenated monoterpene aldehydes. The new compounds were identified by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques as: 8-Bromo-6,7-dichloro-3,7-dimethyl-octa-2,4-dienal (2.72), 8-Bromo-1,1,2,7-tetrachloro-3,7-dimethyl-octa-3,5-diene (2.70), 4,8-Dichloro-3,7-dimethyl-octa-2,4,6-trienal (2.74), 4-Bromo-8-chloro-3, 7-di methyl-octa-2, 6-dienal (2 76), 8-Bromo-4-chloro-3, 7-dimethyl-octa-2,4 ,6-trienaI (2.75), 4-Bromo-1,3,6,7-tetrachloro-3 ,7-dimethyl-octa-1,4-diene (2.71), 8-Bromo-1,3,4,7-tetrachloro-3,7-dimethyl-octa-1,5-diene (2.69), 4,6-Dibromo-3,7 -dimethyl-octa-2,7-dienal (2.73). All compounds were screened for antimicrobial activity, brine shrimp lethality and cytotoxicity towards oesophageal cancer cells. Compound 2.68 was toxic to brine shrimp larvae at a concentration of 50 μ/mL. It also showed promising activity towards oesophageal cancer cells with an IC₅₀, of 2 μg/mL.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Mkwananzi, Henry Bayanda
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Natural products -- Therapeutic use , Marine metabolites -- Therapeutic use , Marine pharmacology , Marine algae , Monoterpenes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3841 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007666 , Natural products -- Therapeutic use , Marine metabolites -- Therapeutic use , Marine pharmacology , Marine algae , Monoterpenes
- Description: Seaweeds of the genus Plocamium are known to produce a variety of halogenated monoterpenes. In addition to their ecological role as feeding deterrents, biological activities reported for these compounds include antibacterial, antialgal, antifungal and anticancer activities. An investigation of the non-polar extracts of the seaweed Plocamium corallorhiza resulted in the isolation of six known halogenated monoterpene compounds, 4-bromo-5-bromomethyl-1-chlorovinyl-2, 5-dichloro-methylcyclohexane (2.68), 1,4,8-tribromo-3 ,7-dichloro-3, 7-dimethyl-1,5-octadiene (2.67), 8-bromo-1 ,3,4,7-tetrachloro-3, 7-dimethyl-1,5-octadiene (2.66), 4,6-dibromo-1,1-dichloro-3,7-dimethyl-2,7-octadiene (2.64), 4,8-dibromo-1,1,7-trichloro-3,7-dimethyl-2,5-octadiene (2.65) and 3,4 ,6,7-tetrachloro-3, 7-dimethyl-1-octene (2.63) as well as eight new compounds, including five halogenated monoterpene aldehydes. The new compounds were identified by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques as: 8-Bromo-6,7-dichloro-3,7-dimethyl-octa-2,4-dienal (2.72), 8-Bromo-1,1,2,7-tetrachloro-3,7-dimethyl-octa-3,5-diene (2.70), 4,8-Dichloro-3,7-dimethyl-octa-2,4,6-trienal (2.74), 4-Bromo-8-chloro-3, 7-di methyl-octa-2, 6-dienal (2 76), 8-Bromo-4-chloro-3, 7-dimethyl-octa-2,4 ,6-trienaI (2.75), 4-Bromo-1,3,6,7-tetrachloro-3 ,7-dimethyl-octa-1,4-diene (2.71), 8-Bromo-1,3,4,7-tetrachloro-3,7-dimethyl-octa-1,5-diene (2.69), 4,6-Dibromo-3,7 -dimethyl-octa-2,7-dienal (2.73). All compounds were screened for antimicrobial activity, brine shrimp lethality and cytotoxicity towards oesophageal cancer cells. Compound 2.68 was toxic to brine shrimp larvae at a concentration of 50 μ/mL. It also showed promising activity towards oesophageal cancer cells with an IC₅₀, of 2 μg/mL.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
A study of the barriers to career progress of women in an organisation
- Authors: Pillay, Sadeshini Shunmugan
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Glass ceiling (Employment discrimination) -- South Africa , Sex discrimination against women -- South Africa , Sex discrimination in employment -- South Africa , Women employees -- Promotions -- South Africa , Sex role in the work environment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8731 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/822 , Glass ceiling (Employment discrimination) -- South Africa , Sex discrimination against women -- South Africa , Sex discrimination in employment -- South Africa , Women employees -- Promotions -- South Africa , Sex role in the work environment -- South Africa
- Description: Due to the continual constant battle women have to face in order to progress in the workplace, it has become necessary to assess the degree of transformational change within the workplace within South Africa to try to establish just what these barriers are and how it can be overcome. To examine the main problem, three sub-problems were identified. The first sub-problem that had been identified dealt with what the women’s rights in the new South Africa. It was investigated by evaluating the situation in the New South Africa and what has changed from the past. Is there more gender equality or not. The second sub-problem looked at the barriers that women face in the workplace. It is evident that sexual harassment, male chauvinism, trying to balance work and family as well as organisational structure and culture were among the top barriers that are a hindrance to women’s advancement in the workplace. Finally, the third sub-problem investigated what the glass ceiling effect is and the effect that this has on women in the workplace. The investigation evaluated, and emphasised the difficulties that women face in order to progress in the hierarchy of not only management but other occupations as well. Results have shown that most females and males believe that the glass ceiling is prevalent in the workplace. Most people believe that women can however break through the glass ceiling but now there is a new phenomenon, “The Glass Cliff” which allows women to break through the glass ceiling but only of organisations that are already in trouble.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Pillay, Sadeshini Shunmugan
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Glass ceiling (Employment discrimination) -- South Africa , Sex discrimination against women -- South Africa , Sex discrimination in employment -- South Africa , Women employees -- Promotions -- South Africa , Sex role in the work environment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8731 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/822 , Glass ceiling (Employment discrimination) -- South Africa , Sex discrimination against women -- South Africa , Sex discrimination in employment -- South Africa , Women employees -- Promotions -- South Africa , Sex role in the work environment -- South Africa
- Description: Due to the continual constant battle women have to face in order to progress in the workplace, it has become necessary to assess the degree of transformational change within the workplace within South Africa to try to establish just what these barriers are and how it can be overcome. To examine the main problem, three sub-problems were identified. The first sub-problem that had been identified dealt with what the women’s rights in the new South Africa. It was investigated by evaluating the situation in the New South Africa and what has changed from the past. Is there more gender equality or not. The second sub-problem looked at the barriers that women face in the workplace. It is evident that sexual harassment, male chauvinism, trying to balance work and family as well as organisational structure and culture were among the top barriers that are a hindrance to women’s advancement in the workplace. Finally, the third sub-problem investigated what the glass ceiling effect is and the effect that this has on women in the workplace. The investigation evaluated, and emphasised the difficulties that women face in order to progress in the hierarchy of not only management but other occupations as well. Results have shown that most females and males believe that the glass ceiling is prevalent in the workplace. Most people believe that women can however break through the glass ceiling but now there is a new phenomenon, “The Glass Cliff” which allows women to break through the glass ceiling but only of organisations that are already in trouble.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
A study of the factors influencing the success of internet marketing in small South African tourism businesses
- Authors: Elliott, Roger Michael
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Tourism -- South Africa -- Management , Small business -- South Africa -- Management , Internet marketing -- South Africa , Strategic planning , Marketing -- Management , Communication in management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1204 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016252
- Description: The tourism sector has been identified as an industry that has the potential to make a substantial contribution to job creation, economic growth, and redressing past imbalances in South Africa as it has been recognised as an underexploited sector with considerable potential for growth. The majority of tourism enterprises fall within the definition of small businesses, which have been identified as the most appropriate enterprises through which the economic challenges facing South Africa can be addressed. Small businesses differ from their larger counterparts not only in terms of size, but also in regard to access to resources and marketing expertise. Not surprisingly, one of the issues identified as preventing this sector from reaching its full potential is access to markets. The focus of this study is to identify the primary factors driving the success of the use of the Internet for marketing in small businesses operating in the tourism sector in South Africa. If these factors can be identified, this will allow existing and emerging small businesses to access markets and retain customers more easily leading to a proliferation of these enterprises. A theoretical model was formulated from the literature in which the factors influencing the success of Internet marketing were identified. These factors can broadly be divided into generic (marketing or management) factors and Internet specific factors. The technological aspects of the Internet were not ignored, but regarded as a resource to be managed rather than an autonomous source of competitive advantage. This model was tested by making use of a large-scale empirical study. Convenience sampling was used and the data was collected from small tourism businesses (that is businesses with fewer than 100 employees) in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces of South Africa. The factors were identified using exploratory factor analysis and the Cronbach alpha coefficients were assessed to confirm the reliability of these scales. Structural equation modelling was used as the principal mode of statistical analysis to measure the relationships amongst the variables in the model proposed in this study. A correlation analysis was used to measure the impact of marketing objectives on the success of Internet marketing. The primary determinants of the success of Internet marketing in small businesses operating in the tow-ism sector in South Africa were identified by the empirical study as: Product champion Links Alliances Owner-manager knowledge Entrepreneurial orientation Owner-manager vision Customer orientation Marketing objectives Interestingly, one factor, Strategic planning, recorded a negative influence on the success of Internet marketing. This is possibly because the owner-manager felt that this was a redundant exercise given the dominant and pervasive influence of the owner-manager in all spheres of the business. Nevertheless, if small tourism firms consider the factors identified in this thesis as essential aspects in the use of the Internet for marketing, this will allow them to overcome one of the biggest hurdles to their prosperity, namely, the access to markets.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Elliott, Roger Michael
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Tourism -- South Africa -- Management , Small business -- South Africa -- Management , Internet marketing -- South Africa , Strategic planning , Marketing -- Management , Communication in management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1204 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016252
- Description: The tourism sector has been identified as an industry that has the potential to make a substantial contribution to job creation, economic growth, and redressing past imbalances in South Africa as it has been recognised as an underexploited sector with considerable potential for growth. The majority of tourism enterprises fall within the definition of small businesses, which have been identified as the most appropriate enterprises through which the economic challenges facing South Africa can be addressed. Small businesses differ from their larger counterparts not only in terms of size, but also in regard to access to resources and marketing expertise. Not surprisingly, one of the issues identified as preventing this sector from reaching its full potential is access to markets. The focus of this study is to identify the primary factors driving the success of the use of the Internet for marketing in small businesses operating in the tourism sector in South Africa. If these factors can be identified, this will allow existing and emerging small businesses to access markets and retain customers more easily leading to a proliferation of these enterprises. A theoretical model was formulated from the literature in which the factors influencing the success of Internet marketing were identified. These factors can broadly be divided into generic (marketing or management) factors and Internet specific factors. The technological aspects of the Internet were not ignored, but regarded as a resource to be managed rather than an autonomous source of competitive advantage. This model was tested by making use of a large-scale empirical study. Convenience sampling was used and the data was collected from small tourism businesses (that is businesses with fewer than 100 employees) in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces of South Africa. The factors were identified using exploratory factor analysis and the Cronbach alpha coefficients were assessed to confirm the reliability of these scales. Structural equation modelling was used as the principal mode of statistical analysis to measure the relationships amongst the variables in the model proposed in this study. A correlation analysis was used to measure the impact of marketing objectives on the success of Internet marketing. The primary determinants of the success of Internet marketing in small businesses operating in the tow-ism sector in South Africa were identified by the empirical study as: Product champion Links Alliances Owner-manager knowledge Entrepreneurial orientation Owner-manager vision Customer orientation Marketing objectives Interestingly, one factor, Strategic planning, recorded a negative influence on the success of Internet marketing. This is possibly because the owner-manager felt that this was a redundant exercise given the dominant and pervasive influence of the owner-manager in all spheres of the business. Nevertheless, if small tourism firms consider the factors identified in this thesis as essential aspects in the use of the Internet for marketing, this will allow them to overcome one of the biggest hurdles to their prosperity, namely, the access to markets.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
A study of the performance of school governing bodies of public schools in the disadvantaged communities of George
- Authors: Cerfonteyn, Moegamat G
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: School boards -- South Africa -- George , School management and organization -- South Africa -- George , Public schools -- South Africa -- George -- Business management , Children with social disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- George
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9487 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/182 , School boards -- South Africa -- George , School management and organization -- South Africa -- George , Public schools -- South Africa -- George -- Business management , Children with social disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- George
- Description: After the first democratic elections in 1994, the Department of Education, through amendment of existing legislation and the adoption of new Acts, developed a new legal framework for the administration of education in the country. The effect of the change in education was not limited to the areas of the curriculum and staffing, but included a different approach to how schools will be governed and managed. In its efforts to democratise the country it was the intention of the government, through legislation, to devolve the powers of decisionmaking to the people. This study explored the phenomena that impact on the effective functioning of SGBs. The central phenomena identified were narrowed down to the role of the various stakeholders, their understanding of the functions of an SGB and the factors that hamper effective functioning. Furthermore, an exploration was made into the involvement of members of the SGB in the daily activities of the school. Research into the success of the second round of elections was conducted in 1999 by the Centre for Education Policy Development iv (CEPD). The Ministerial Review Committee on School Governance undertook research into the effectiveness of SGBs and issued a report of the study undertaken in 2004. Both these efforts were initiatives by the state. A phenomenological research approach was adopted for the purpose of the study. The rationale being that the researcher wanted to extract from the respondents their experiences as related during conversations. To lay the foundation for these interviews (conversations), a two-part questionnaire was developed. The first part of the questionnaire prompted the respondents to relate their experiences as members of the SGB. The second part elicited demographic and personal details from the respondents. The results of the study would be advantageous to various role players striving to improve the effectiveness of SGBs. The role players include all those involved at school level, the officials from the Education Management and Development Centre (EMDC), members of community-based and non-governmental organizations. The report would serve as a guideline for those individuals who are charged with the training and empowerment of SGBs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Cerfonteyn, Moegamat G
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: School boards -- South Africa -- George , School management and organization -- South Africa -- George , Public schools -- South Africa -- George -- Business management , Children with social disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- George
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9487 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/182 , School boards -- South Africa -- George , School management and organization -- South Africa -- George , Public schools -- South Africa -- George -- Business management , Children with social disabilities -- Education -- South Africa -- George
- Description: After the first democratic elections in 1994, the Department of Education, through amendment of existing legislation and the adoption of new Acts, developed a new legal framework for the administration of education in the country. The effect of the change in education was not limited to the areas of the curriculum and staffing, but included a different approach to how schools will be governed and managed. In its efforts to democratise the country it was the intention of the government, through legislation, to devolve the powers of decisionmaking to the people. This study explored the phenomena that impact on the effective functioning of SGBs. The central phenomena identified were narrowed down to the role of the various stakeholders, their understanding of the functions of an SGB and the factors that hamper effective functioning. Furthermore, an exploration was made into the involvement of members of the SGB in the daily activities of the school. Research into the success of the second round of elections was conducted in 1999 by the Centre for Education Policy Development iv (CEPD). The Ministerial Review Committee on School Governance undertook research into the effectiveness of SGBs and issued a report of the study undertaken in 2004. Both these efforts were initiatives by the state. A phenomenological research approach was adopted for the purpose of the study. The rationale being that the researcher wanted to extract from the respondents their experiences as related during conversations. To lay the foundation for these interviews (conversations), a two-part questionnaire was developed. The first part of the questionnaire prompted the respondents to relate their experiences as members of the SGB. The second part elicited demographic and personal details from the respondents. The results of the study would be advantageous to various role players striving to improve the effectiveness of SGBs. The role players include all those involved at school level, the officials from the Education Management and Development Centre (EMDC), members of community-based and non-governmental organizations. The report would serve as a guideline for those individuals who are charged with the training and empowerment of SGBs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
A study of the use of value based management (VBM) by multinational entities in the Eastern Cape motor industry cluster (ECMIC)
- Authors: Blouw, Mbuyiselo Edwin
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Corporations -- Valuation , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8550 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/421 , Corporations -- Valuation , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa
- Description: Management’s response to shareholders’ return on investment as a priority occurs in an increasingly dynamic environment. Accompanying these activities is the need to realign responsibilities and to allocate scarce resources effectively. This is done in order to ensure that companies achieve global competitiveness and increase shareholders’ return on investment. Against this backdrop, local industry needs to find new methods or strategies in order to achieve world-class competitiveness, and to be able to access foreign investment. One way to achieve these goals is through Value Based Management (VBM). The objective of this study is to evaluate the strategic intent of Multinational Entities in applying VBM to increase shareholders’ return on investment. Based on the study, certain factors are critical to ensure the success of VBM. A postal survey to managers in the motor manufacturing and component manufacturing companies was conducted to check the managers’ familiarity with VBM, and their scope, and usage of VBM; and, based on the finding, to evaluate the impact of VBM on companies’ results. The empirical finding was compared with a literature review, and the following findings were made: There is a strong understanding and application of the VBM principle on the part of local entities with Foreign Direct Investment (FDI); Departmental performance is critical to an entity’s overall performance; Based on the study, 23 per cent of the respondents use Economic Value Added (EVA) as an internal reporting measure, and an average of 19 per cent use other metrics; A total of 89 per cent of respondents indicated that they strongly agree with the use of incentives for motivation. The above-mentioned points were covered by means of 4-M framework ― that is: Measurement, Management, Motivation, and Mindset.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Blouw, Mbuyiselo Edwin
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Corporations -- Valuation , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8550 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/421 , Corporations -- Valuation , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa
- Description: Management’s response to shareholders’ return on investment as a priority occurs in an increasingly dynamic environment. Accompanying these activities is the need to realign responsibilities and to allocate scarce resources effectively. This is done in order to ensure that companies achieve global competitiveness and increase shareholders’ return on investment. Against this backdrop, local industry needs to find new methods or strategies in order to achieve world-class competitiveness, and to be able to access foreign investment. One way to achieve these goals is through Value Based Management (VBM). The objective of this study is to evaluate the strategic intent of Multinational Entities in applying VBM to increase shareholders’ return on investment. Based on the study, certain factors are critical to ensure the success of VBM. A postal survey to managers in the motor manufacturing and component manufacturing companies was conducted to check the managers’ familiarity with VBM, and their scope, and usage of VBM; and, based on the finding, to evaluate the impact of VBM on companies’ results. The empirical finding was compared with a literature review, and the following findings were made: There is a strong understanding and application of the VBM principle on the part of local entities with Foreign Direct Investment (FDI); Departmental performance is critical to an entity’s overall performance; Based on the study, 23 per cent of the respondents use Economic Value Added (EVA) as an internal reporting measure, and an average of 19 per cent use other metrics; A total of 89 per cent of respondents indicated that they strongly agree with the use of incentives for motivation. The above-mentioned points were covered by means of 4-M framework ― that is: Measurement, Management, Motivation, and Mindset.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
A study to analyse the organisational wellness present in a Port Elizabeth-based pharmaceutical company with the intent of developing and implementing an organisational wellness programme
- Authors: Sam, Nerine Carmel
- Date: 2005
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:10929 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/185
- Description: South African employees have found a wide range of stressors prevalent in their working experience. The impact of these stressors on the lives of the employees adversely affects the organisational effectiveness of any organisation. The 21st century business world has become more stressful and risky because of the daily workplace demands, coupled with internal competitive challenges, placed on employees. The effect of this stress on employees is seen in an increase in absenteeism, a loss in employee productivity, increased insurance premiums, reduced workforce efficiency and an increase in training and employment costs. As a result, organisations are compelled to commit their management team to ensuring their employees health and wellness. This can be achieved through the implementation of a structured wellness programme or policy. This study's intention, forming the main problem, was to determine the wellness programmes that would be required by the pharmaceutical company, Bodene (Pty) Ltd, in order to enhance, maintain and develop its organisational wellness. This resulted in the development of a wellness programme. The approach taken to resolve this problem began with an intensive literature survey to determine the critical wellness factors that literature indicated as necessary for employees to be successful and happy in their work environments and outside of them. This was followed by an empirical study undertaken within the Small Volume Parenteral department of the organisation. The study was undertaken by the administration of a structured employee questionnaire to blue collar workers and a select number of middle managers in order to determine the level of wellness present amongst the employees. In addition, a structured management questionnaire was administered to the Sister-on-site and the Industrial Relations manager in order to determine whether any wellness programmes currently existed within the organisation, the extent to which they had been implemented, the extent to which they are successful within the organisation and the role, if any, that management play in actively promoting employee wellness. Among the main findings, on the negative side, the study revealed that employees within the department are close-lipped when it comes to revealing information of a personal nature. This has resulted in a difficulty in assessing their sexual and financial wellness, in particular. With regards to management, findings revealed that the employees felt that there is not enough trust between the employee and management. It was also indicated that management is not as open as possible with the employees. In addition, employees indicated that they felt that there was a lack of communication among team members as well as various forms of discrimination existing in the organisation. On the positive side, the study has indicated that a respect for all cultures exists within the organisation. It has also indicated that a minimal amount of conflict is experienced between superiors and subordinates and that the majority of employees feel a sense of belonging within the organisation. Findings from the literature survey undertaken and the empirical study done within the organisation were integrated and a coherent organisational wellness programme was developed. The organisational wellness programme has been recommended to the management of Bodene (Pty) Ltd. If the programme is considered viable, it will be implemented within the organisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Sam, Nerine Carmel
- Date: 2005
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:10929 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/185
- Description: South African employees have found a wide range of stressors prevalent in their working experience. The impact of these stressors on the lives of the employees adversely affects the organisational effectiveness of any organisation. The 21st century business world has become more stressful and risky because of the daily workplace demands, coupled with internal competitive challenges, placed on employees. The effect of this stress on employees is seen in an increase in absenteeism, a loss in employee productivity, increased insurance premiums, reduced workforce efficiency and an increase in training and employment costs. As a result, organisations are compelled to commit their management team to ensuring their employees health and wellness. This can be achieved through the implementation of a structured wellness programme or policy. This study's intention, forming the main problem, was to determine the wellness programmes that would be required by the pharmaceutical company, Bodene (Pty) Ltd, in order to enhance, maintain and develop its organisational wellness. This resulted in the development of a wellness programme. The approach taken to resolve this problem began with an intensive literature survey to determine the critical wellness factors that literature indicated as necessary for employees to be successful and happy in their work environments and outside of them. This was followed by an empirical study undertaken within the Small Volume Parenteral department of the organisation. The study was undertaken by the administration of a structured employee questionnaire to blue collar workers and a select number of middle managers in order to determine the level of wellness present amongst the employees. In addition, a structured management questionnaire was administered to the Sister-on-site and the Industrial Relations manager in order to determine whether any wellness programmes currently existed within the organisation, the extent to which they had been implemented, the extent to which they are successful within the organisation and the role, if any, that management play in actively promoting employee wellness. Among the main findings, on the negative side, the study revealed that employees within the department are close-lipped when it comes to revealing information of a personal nature. This has resulted in a difficulty in assessing their sexual and financial wellness, in particular. With regards to management, findings revealed that the employees felt that there is not enough trust between the employee and management. It was also indicated that management is not as open as possible with the employees. In addition, employees indicated that they felt that there was a lack of communication among team members as well as various forms of discrimination existing in the organisation. On the positive side, the study has indicated that a respect for all cultures exists within the organisation. It has also indicated that a minimal amount of conflict is experienced between superiors and subordinates and that the majority of employees feel a sense of belonging within the organisation. Findings from the literature survey undertaken and the empirical study done within the organisation were integrated and a coherent organisational wellness programme was developed. The organisational wellness programme has been recommended to the management of Bodene (Pty) Ltd. If the programme is considered viable, it will be implemented within the organisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
A study towards the implementation of a fire service operational structure in the Eden District Municipality area
- Authors: Van Rooyen, Zanda
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Fire departments -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Eden District Municipality (Western Cape, South Africa) , Fire prevention -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Fire stations -- South Africa -- Western Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8597 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/408 , Fire departments -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Eden District Municipality (Western Cape, South Africa) , Fire prevention -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Fire stations -- South Africa -- Western Cape
- Description: The Eden District Municipality (EDM) is a local authority whose area of responsibility covers the Garden Route and also includes the Klein Karoo. The boundaries are from Storms River in the east, to Swellendam in the west and the Swartberg Mountains in the north. The EDM covers a very big area with seven big municipalities to consider and work with. Five of the municipalities, Langeberg, Mossel Bay, Knysna, George and Oudtshoorn have their own fire fighting services. The EDM fire fighting serves mainly the rural area. This is very costly due to the large distance required to travel to a fire, whereas the local municipalities are operating in their own towns. The new municipal boundaries include the rural areas, but the municipalities cannot service the rural areas because they do not as yet charge rates in the rural areas and therefore there is no revenue for the fire fighting service. They operate on the basis of verbal working agreements that make coordination of fire fighting very difficult. The fire fighting functions of the EDM as a category C municipality and the local municipalities as category B municipalities have been specified in the Municipal Structure Act. The allocation (division) of functions and powers relating to fire fighting service between the district municipality and local municipalities as determined by the Municipal Structure Act (Act 117 of 1998) has not been done. Due to the lack of invested capital, the resources are in a bad state. Some of the services have no capacity to attend to chemical fires or hazardous substance emergencies. Internationally, private fire fighting services can be contracted by government departments. These private fire fighting services are very large and the areas that they serve are extensive. These services have their own personnel structures functioning in an organisational structure that serves them well. These private services are very cost-effective and can therefore offer reasonable rates. Based on an investigation of various fire fighting services and different structures, the proposed structure for fire fighting in the EDM area will be a combination of structures. The diverse nature of the area will make the location of a sectoral structure and extension of its capacity difficult, and several factors that will impact on an new structure must be kept in mind. If all works well it will be relatively easy to achieve the five operations performance objectives envisaged for restructuring namely quality, speed, dependability, flexibility and cost.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Van Rooyen, Zanda
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Fire departments -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Eden District Municipality (Western Cape, South Africa) , Fire prevention -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Fire stations -- South Africa -- Western Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8597 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/408 , Fire departments -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Eden District Municipality (Western Cape, South Africa) , Fire prevention -- South Africa -- Western Cape , Fire stations -- South Africa -- Western Cape
- Description: The Eden District Municipality (EDM) is a local authority whose area of responsibility covers the Garden Route and also includes the Klein Karoo. The boundaries are from Storms River in the east, to Swellendam in the west and the Swartberg Mountains in the north. The EDM covers a very big area with seven big municipalities to consider and work with. Five of the municipalities, Langeberg, Mossel Bay, Knysna, George and Oudtshoorn have their own fire fighting services. The EDM fire fighting serves mainly the rural area. This is very costly due to the large distance required to travel to a fire, whereas the local municipalities are operating in their own towns. The new municipal boundaries include the rural areas, but the municipalities cannot service the rural areas because they do not as yet charge rates in the rural areas and therefore there is no revenue for the fire fighting service. They operate on the basis of verbal working agreements that make coordination of fire fighting very difficult. The fire fighting functions of the EDM as a category C municipality and the local municipalities as category B municipalities have been specified in the Municipal Structure Act. The allocation (division) of functions and powers relating to fire fighting service between the district municipality and local municipalities as determined by the Municipal Structure Act (Act 117 of 1998) has not been done. Due to the lack of invested capital, the resources are in a bad state. Some of the services have no capacity to attend to chemical fires or hazardous substance emergencies. Internationally, private fire fighting services can be contracted by government departments. These private fire fighting services are very large and the areas that they serve are extensive. These services have their own personnel structures functioning in an organisational structure that serves them well. These private services are very cost-effective and can therefore offer reasonable rates. Based on an investigation of various fire fighting services and different structures, the proposed structure for fire fighting in the EDM area will be a combination of structures. The diverse nature of the area will make the location of a sectoral structure and extension of its capacity difficult, and several factors that will impact on an new structure must be kept in mind. If all works well it will be relatively easy to achieve the five operations performance objectives envisaged for restructuring namely quality, speed, dependability, flexibility and cost.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
A successful cognitive-behavioural intervention that failed : a case study of adolescent conduct disorder at a school for the disadvantaged
- Mashalaba, Eugenia D, Edwards, David J A
- Authors: Mashalaba, Eugenia D , Edwards, David J A
- Date: 2005
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6273 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008273
- Description: Conduct Disorder (CD) is a widespread problem in southern Africa. The aim of the study was to design, implement and evaluate a multi-modal cognitive-behavioural intervention based on treatments developed overseas, in order to investigate whether this approach can be transported to a South African school for deprived children. The target adolescent had a history of severely disruptive behaviour and was facing expulsion from a shelter for homeless children and his school. A thorough assessment served as the basis for a case formulation and treatment plan. Intervention included 23 individual sessions focussing on bereavement and the learning of self-control skills and prosocial behaviours, as well as contingency management training for school and shelter staff. Progress was tracked with a behaviour checklist completed daily by the teacher and regular interviews with school and shelter staff. After four months, the disruptive behaviour was eliminated. However, he was involved in stealing with some other learners and expelled anyway. Nevertheless the case study provides evidence for the transportability of the cognitive-behavioural approach to this kind of setting and documents the way in which a comprehensive intervention can be tailored to the needs of a child with a severely deprived background and little social support.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Mashalaba, Eugenia D , Edwards, David J A
- Date: 2005
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6273 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008273
- Description: Conduct Disorder (CD) is a widespread problem in southern Africa. The aim of the study was to design, implement and evaluate a multi-modal cognitive-behavioural intervention based on treatments developed overseas, in order to investigate whether this approach can be transported to a South African school for deprived children. The target adolescent had a history of severely disruptive behaviour and was facing expulsion from a shelter for homeless children and his school. A thorough assessment served as the basis for a case formulation and treatment plan. Intervention included 23 individual sessions focussing on bereavement and the learning of self-control skills and prosocial behaviours, as well as contingency management training for school and shelter staff. Progress was tracked with a behaviour checklist completed daily by the teacher and regular interviews with school and shelter staff. After four months, the disruptive behaviour was eliminated. However, he was involved in stealing with some other learners and expelled anyway. Nevertheless the case study provides evidence for the transportability of the cognitive-behavioural approach to this kind of setting and documents the way in which a comprehensive intervention can be tailored to the needs of a child with a severely deprived background and little social support.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
A.k.a. Breyten Breytenbach : critical approaches to his writings and paintings, J.L. Coullie and J.U. Jacobs, eds. : book review
- Authors: Vorster, A F
- Date: 2005
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6335 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012399
- Description: a.k.a. Breyten Breytenbach brings together a collection of 14 essays by 12 scholars on the work of this remarkable South African writer, poet and painter. Designating Breytenbach as ‘South African’ is, of course, already a highly contentious act. It relates directly to the central concern of this volume (and one of the central concerns of Breytenbach’s work), namely the question of identity. The title characterises the artist’s proper name as but one in a series of constantly shifting and interchanging personas adopted in his art (and in his life, e.g. when working underground in the 1970s to contribute to the overthrow of the apartheid regime). The painting on the cover further explores the theme of the mask, with the white male figure’s face covered by a book-like object (although his eyes are partially visible through the object), and the presence of a burning hat floating in the air next to him serves as an additional link with many of his other paintings where headgear is associated with shifting identities, as pointed out by Marilet Sienaert in her essay, “The I of the Beholder: Identity and Place in the Art and Writing.” Like several of the other authors, Sienaert places great emphasis on the notion of movement or transformation as critical to Breytenbach’s thinking and creative practice. It is virtually unavoidable, given his background, that he should grapple with “the contemporary notion of ‘home’ being both everywhere and nowhere”, and that travel and nomadism should have become two of the most prominent themes in his poetry as well as his prose. Identity and creativity are both dependent upon the ability to constantly renew oneself and to “keep moving”.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Vorster, A F
- Date: 2005
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6335 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012399
- Description: a.k.a. Breyten Breytenbach brings together a collection of 14 essays by 12 scholars on the work of this remarkable South African writer, poet and painter. Designating Breytenbach as ‘South African’ is, of course, already a highly contentious act. It relates directly to the central concern of this volume (and one of the central concerns of Breytenbach’s work), namely the question of identity. The title characterises the artist’s proper name as but one in a series of constantly shifting and interchanging personas adopted in his art (and in his life, e.g. when working underground in the 1970s to contribute to the overthrow of the apartheid regime). The painting on the cover further explores the theme of the mask, with the white male figure’s face covered by a book-like object (although his eyes are partially visible through the object), and the presence of a burning hat floating in the air next to him serves as an additional link with many of his other paintings where headgear is associated with shifting identities, as pointed out by Marilet Sienaert in her essay, “The I of the Beholder: Identity and Place in the Art and Writing.” Like several of the other authors, Sienaert places great emphasis on the notion of movement or transformation as critical to Breytenbach’s thinking and creative practice. It is virtually unavoidable, given his background, that he should grapple with “the contemporary notion of ‘home’ being both everywhere and nowhere”, and that travel and nomadism should have become two of the most prominent themes in his poetry as well as his prose. Identity and creativity are both dependent upon the ability to constantly renew oneself and to “keep moving”.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Abstract painting of woman with a calabash on her head
- Authors: Dhlamini, Simon
- Date: 2005 , 2022-09-23
- Subjects: Bam, Brigalia , Painting
- Language: English
- Type: Paintings , realia
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/56585 , vital:56866
- Description: Abstract painting of a woman with a calabash on her head. A gift to Dr. Brigalia Bam from the National Student Representative Council (SRC) Colloquium in 2007 at Kopanong Conference Centre. Dr Bam was very active in making sure that SRC elections were a democratic process and that the youth were encouraged to vote. , Donated/gifted to Nelson Mandela University Archives , Forms part of: Brigalia Bam collection
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Dhlamini, Simon
- Date: 2005 , 2022-09-23
- Subjects: Bam, Brigalia , Painting
- Language: English
- Type: Paintings , realia
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/56585 , vital:56866
- Description: Abstract painting of a woman with a calabash on her head. A gift to Dr. Brigalia Bam from the National Student Representative Council (SRC) Colloquium in 2007 at Kopanong Conference Centre. Dr Bam was very active in making sure that SRC elections were a democratic process and that the youth were encouraged to vote. , Donated/gifted to Nelson Mandela University Archives , Forms part of: Brigalia Bam collection
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2005
Abundance and commercialization of Phoenix Reclinata in the King Williamstown area, South Africa
- Gyan, C A, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Gyan, C A , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2005
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6634 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006829
- Description: In the Eastern Cape of South Africa the fronds of the wild palm Phoenix reclinata are harvested by rural women and manufactured into hand brushes, which are sold in urban centres. This paper reports on the abundance of P. reclinata palms, the profile of the harvesters, and the economic returns from trading in palm brushes as a case study of locally driven non-timber forest product commercialization. The palm resource was in a reasonable state with most clumps being lightly (36%) or moderately (43%) harvested, with many others uncut due to physical or culturally defined refugia. Tall trees within a clump were uncut because the fronds were too high. The estimated production of fronds was less than 25 per cent of the local demand. Consequently, harvesters were seeking alternative areas and species. Mean gross monthly income was R475 (USD45) which was an important cash contribution. Net income was 75 per cent of this. Income earned per seller was influenced by factors such as age, education, hours in the trade, and whether any household member received an old-age pension from the State. Older and less educated sellers had been trading longer than younger or more educated vendors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Gyan, C A , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2005
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6634 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006829
- Description: In the Eastern Cape of South Africa the fronds of the wild palm Phoenix reclinata are harvested by rural women and manufactured into hand brushes, which are sold in urban centres. This paper reports on the abundance of P. reclinata palms, the profile of the harvesters, and the economic returns from trading in palm brushes as a case study of locally driven non-timber forest product commercialization. The palm resource was in a reasonable state with most clumps being lightly (36%) or moderately (43%) harvested, with many others uncut due to physical or culturally defined refugia. Tall trees within a clump were uncut because the fronds were too high. The estimated production of fronds was less than 25 per cent of the local demand. Consequently, harvesters were seeking alternative areas and species. Mean gross monthly income was R475 (USD45) which was an important cash contribution. Net income was 75 per cent of this. Income earned per seller was influenced by factors such as age, education, hours in the trade, and whether any household member received an old-age pension from the State. Older and less educated sellers had been trading longer than younger or more educated vendors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Access to land as a human right the payment of just and equitable compensation for dispossessed land in South Africa
- Authors: Yanou, Michael A
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Human rights -- South Africa , Compensation (Law) -- South Africa , Right of property -- South Africa , Land reform -- South Africa , Land tenure -- South Africa , Constitutional history -- South Africa , Restitution -- South Africa , Land tenure -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Land reform -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3699 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003214 , Human rights -- South Africa , Compensation (Law) -- South Africa , Right of property -- South Africa , Land reform -- South Africa , Land tenure -- South Africa , Constitutional history -- South Africa , Restitution -- South Africa , Land tenure -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Land reform -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Description: This thesis deals with the conceptualization of access to land by the dispossessed as a human right and commences with an account of the struggle for land between the peoples of African and European extractions in South Africa. It is observed that the latter assumed sovereignty over the ancestral lands of the former. The thesis discusses the theoretical foundation of the study and situates the topic within its conceptual parameters. The writer examines the notions of justice and equity in the context of the post apartheid constitutional mandate to redress the skewed policy of the past. It is argued that the dispossession of Africans from lands that they had possessed for thousands of years on the assumption that the land was terra nullius was profoundly iniquitous and unjust. Although the study is technically limited to dispossessions occurring on or after the 13th June 1913, it covers a fairly extensive account of dispossession predating this date. This historical analysis is imperative for two reasons. Besides supporting the writer’s contention that the limitation of restitution to land dispossessed on or after 1913 was arbitrary, it also highlights both the material and non-material cost of the devastating wars of dispossessions. The candidate comments extensively on the post apartheid constitutional property structure which was conceived as a redress to the imbalance created by dispossession. This underlying objective explains why the state’s present land policy is geared towards facilitating access to land for the landless. The thesis investigates the extent to which the present property structure which defines access to land as a human right has succeeded in achieving the stated objective. It reviews the strengths and weaknesses of the land restitution process as well as the question of the payment of just and equitable compensation for land expropriated for restitution. The latter was carefully examined because it plays a crucial role in the success or otherwise of the restitution scheme. The writer argues that the courts have, on occasions, construed just and equitable compensation generously. This approach has failed to reflect the moral component inherent in the Aristotelian corrective justice. This, in the context of South Africa, requires compensation to reflect the fact that what is being paid for is land dispossessed from the forebears of indigenous inhabitants. It seems obvious that the scales of justice are tilted heavily in favour of the propertied class whose ancestors were responsible for this dispossession. This has a ripple effect on the pace of the restitution process. It also seems to have the effect of favouring the property class at the expense of the entire restitution process. The candidate also comments on the court’s differing approaches to the interpretation of the constitutional property clause. The candidate contends that the construction of the property clause and related pieces of legislation in a manner that stresses the maintenance of a balance between private property interest and land reform is flawed. This contention is supported by the fact that these values do not have proportional worth in the present property context of South Africa. The narrow definition of “past racially discriminatory law and practices” and labour tenant as used in the relevant post apartheid land reform laws is criticized for the same reason of its uncontextual approach. A comparative appraisal of similar developments relating to property law in other societies like India and Zimbabwe has been done. The writer has treated the post reform land evictions as a form of dispossession. The candidate notes that the country should guard against allowing the disastrous developments in Zimbabwe to influence events in the country and calls for an amendment of the property clause of the constitution in response to the practical difficulties which a decade of the operation of the current constitution has revealed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Yanou, Michael A
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Human rights -- South Africa , Compensation (Law) -- South Africa , Right of property -- South Africa , Land reform -- South Africa , Land tenure -- South Africa , Constitutional history -- South Africa , Restitution -- South Africa , Land tenure -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Land reform -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3699 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003214 , Human rights -- South Africa , Compensation (Law) -- South Africa , Right of property -- South Africa , Land reform -- South Africa , Land tenure -- South Africa , Constitutional history -- South Africa , Restitution -- South Africa , Land tenure -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Land reform -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Description: This thesis deals with the conceptualization of access to land by the dispossessed as a human right and commences with an account of the struggle for land between the peoples of African and European extractions in South Africa. It is observed that the latter assumed sovereignty over the ancestral lands of the former. The thesis discusses the theoretical foundation of the study and situates the topic within its conceptual parameters. The writer examines the notions of justice and equity in the context of the post apartheid constitutional mandate to redress the skewed policy of the past. It is argued that the dispossession of Africans from lands that they had possessed for thousands of years on the assumption that the land was terra nullius was profoundly iniquitous and unjust. Although the study is technically limited to dispossessions occurring on or after the 13th June 1913, it covers a fairly extensive account of dispossession predating this date. This historical analysis is imperative for two reasons. Besides supporting the writer’s contention that the limitation of restitution to land dispossessed on or after 1913 was arbitrary, it also highlights both the material and non-material cost of the devastating wars of dispossessions. The candidate comments extensively on the post apartheid constitutional property structure which was conceived as a redress to the imbalance created by dispossession. This underlying objective explains why the state’s present land policy is geared towards facilitating access to land for the landless. The thesis investigates the extent to which the present property structure which defines access to land as a human right has succeeded in achieving the stated objective. It reviews the strengths and weaknesses of the land restitution process as well as the question of the payment of just and equitable compensation for land expropriated for restitution. The latter was carefully examined because it plays a crucial role in the success or otherwise of the restitution scheme. The writer argues that the courts have, on occasions, construed just and equitable compensation generously. This approach has failed to reflect the moral component inherent in the Aristotelian corrective justice. This, in the context of South Africa, requires compensation to reflect the fact that what is being paid for is land dispossessed from the forebears of indigenous inhabitants. It seems obvious that the scales of justice are tilted heavily in favour of the propertied class whose ancestors were responsible for this dispossession. This has a ripple effect on the pace of the restitution process. It also seems to have the effect of favouring the property class at the expense of the entire restitution process. The candidate also comments on the court’s differing approaches to the interpretation of the constitutional property clause. The candidate contends that the construction of the property clause and related pieces of legislation in a manner that stresses the maintenance of a balance between private property interest and land reform is flawed. This contention is supported by the fact that these values do not have proportional worth in the present property context of South Africa. The narrow definition of “past racially discriminatory law and practices” and labour tenant as used in the relevant post apartheid land reform laws is criticized for the same reason of its uncontextual approach. A comparative appraisal of similar developments relating to property law in other societies like India and Zimbabwe has been done. The writer has treated the post reform land evictions as a form of dispossession. The candidate notes that the country should guard against allowing the disastrous developments in Zimbabwe to influence events in the country and calls for an amendment of the property clause of the constitution in response to the practical difficulties which a decade of the operation of the current constitution has revealed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Action research on an organization development intervention in a secondary school in the Erongo education region of Namibia
- Authors: Neshila, Selma
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Education -- Namibia , Educational change -- Namibia , Education and state -- Namibia , School management and organization -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:1418 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003299
- Description: Organisations that will not, that resist, that cannot, that are incapable, that lack the confidence or that believe it’s not possible to change are likely to stagnate and die (Smith: work in progress). Since independence in March 1990, the new Namibian Government has realized that the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of Namibian schools depends on the ability of teachers and other stakeholders to be innovators and facilitators of change, especially through effective communication, effective meetings, working through conflict, solving problems and making decisions. Organization Development (OD) is an effective, planned change approach for improving organization workgroup processes. Resting on a foundation of values and assumptions about people and organizations, OD promotes collaboration, interdependence and interconnectedness, empowerment, participation and involvement in problem solving and decision-making for all members. Based primarily on a normative, re-educative strategy and secondarily on a rational-empirical strategy, OD assumes that people will change if and when they realize that change is advantageous to them. OD makes use of interventions to determine areas requiring change. The intervention used for my research included a survey-data-feedback (SDF) where data was gathered, analyzed and fed back to the participants. The data was used as a basis for problem solving and training in organizational processes of communication. The case study involved 23 teachers. Journal entries, observation, formal and non-formal interviews as well as focus interviews were used as data collection tools. Participants wanted to see immediate organizational changes thus it was important to remind them that OD is a long-term change approach and that there is no quick fix. Initially, participants were used to the norm of fault finding to determine areas requiring change. However, a year later, during problem solving sessions, I observed collaborative and positive involvement by all participants. Finally, the outcome of the intervention based on the data from the communication workshop and the problem-solving meetings revealed that participants want OD to be institutionalized in all Namibian schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Neshila, Selma
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Education -- Namibia , Educational change -- Namibia , Education and state -- Namibia , School management and organization -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:1418 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003299
- Description: Organisations that will not, that resist, that cannot, that are incapable, that lack the confidence or that believe it’s not possible to change are likely to stagnate and die (Smith: work in progress). Since independence in March 1990, the new Namibian Government has realized that the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of Namibian schools depends on the ability of teachers and other stakeholders to be innovators and facilitators of change, especially through effective communication, effective meetings, working through conflict, solving problems and making decisions. Organization Development (OD) is an effective, planned change approach for improving organization workgroup processes. Resting on a foundation of values and assumptions about people and organizations, OD promotes collaboration, interdependence and interconnectedness, empowerment, participation and involvement in problem solving and decision-making for all members. Based primarily on a normative, re-educative strategy and secondarily on a rational-empirical strategy, OD assumes that people will change if and when they realize that change is advantageous to them. OD makes use of interventions to determine areas requiring change. The intervention used for my research included a survey-data-feedback (SDF) where data was gathered, analyzed and fed back to the participants. The data was used as a basis for problem solving and training in organizational processes of communication. The case study involved 23 teachers. Journal entries, observation, formal and non-formal interviews as well as focus interviews were used as data collection tools. Participants wanted to see immediate organizational changes thus it was important to remind them that OD is a long-term change approach and that there is no quick fix. Initially, participants were used to the norm of fault finding to determine areas requiring change. However, a year later, during problem solving sessions, I observed collaborative and positive involvement by all participants. Finally, the outcome of the intervention based on the data from the communication workshop and the problem-solving meetings revealed that participants want OD to be institutionalized in all Namibian schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
African herbal medicines in the treatment of HIV: Hypoxis and Sutherlandia: an overview of evidence and pharmacology
- Mills, Edward, Cooper, Curtis, Seely, Dugald, Kanfer, Isadore
- Authors: Mills, Edward , Cooper, Curtis , Seely, Dugald , Kanfer, Isadore
- Date: 2005
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6401 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006337
- Description: In Africa, herbal medicines are often used as primary treatment for HIV/AIDS and for HIV-related problems. In general, traditional medicines are not well researched, and are poorly regulated. We review the evidence and safety concerns related to the use of two specific African herbals, which are currently recommended by the Ministry of Health in South Africa and member states for use in HIV: African Potato and Sutherlandia. We review the pharmacology, toxicology and pharmacokinetics of these herbal medicines. Despite the popularity of their use and the support of Ministries of Health and NGOs in some African countries, no clinical trials of efficacy exist, and low-level evidence of harm identifies the potential for drug interactions with antiretroviral drugs. Efforts should be made by mainstream health professionals to provide validated information to traditional healers and patients on the judicious use of herbal remedies. This may reduce harm through failed expectations, pharmacologic adverse events including possible drug/herb interactions and unnecessary added therapeutic costs. Efforts should also be directed at evaluating the possible benefits of natural products in HIV/AIDS treatment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Mills, Edward , Cooper, Curtis , Seely, Dugald , Kanfer, Isadore
- Date: 2005
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6401 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006337
- Description: In Africa, herbal medicines are often used as primary treatment for HIV/AIDS and for HIV-related problems. In general, traditional medicines are not well researched, and are poorly regulated. We review the evidence and safety concerns related to the use of two specific African herbals, which are currently recommended by the Ministry of Health in South Africa and member states for use in HIV: African Potato and Sutherlandia. We review the pharmacology, toxicology and pharmacokinetics of these herbal medicines. Despite the popularity of their use and the support of Ministries of Health and NGOs in some African countries, no clinical trials of efficacy exist, and low-level evidence of harm identifies the potential for drug interactions with antiretroviral drugs. Efforts should be made by mainstream health professionals to provide validated information to traditional healers and patients on the judicious use of herbal remedies. This may reduce harm through failed expectations, pharmacologic adverse events including possible drug/herb interactions and unnecessary added therapeutic costs. Efforts should also be directed at evaluating the possible benefits of natural products in HIV/AIDS treatment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
African mead biotechnology and indigenous knowledge systems in iQhilika process development
- Authors: Cambray, Garth Anton
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Biotechnology Indigenous peoples -- Africa Ethnoscience -- Africa Mead -- Africa Brewing -- Microbiology Honeybee Honey
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3929 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003988
- Description: While the production of mead, a fermented honey beverage, has declined in popularity around the world in recent centuries, a substantial mead industry continues to exist in Africa with an estimated annual production of 1 to 1.7 billion litres. This is largely an ‘invisible industry’, and has functioned outside the formal economy due to proscription of indigenous beverages during colonial times. The traditional African mead industry is, however, also now under pressure due to the environmental degradation of scarce natural ingredients, urbanisation and loss of indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) and, with time, the beverage will likely follow the declining trend of mead consumption observed elsewhere. An analysis of early reports of African mead production suggested that the Khoi-San, among the earliest inhabitants of the continent, are the originators of the mead making techniques which use fibrous plant materials derived from specific plant species, to facilitate mead fermentation in some way. The Eastern Cape represents a region with a large body of Khoi-San IKS preserved in their descendants among the Afrikaans and Xhosa populations. A survey to establish a baseline of mead-making technology in the Eastern Cape was undertaken, and involved interviewing traditional mead makers across an area of roughly 100 000 km2, showing that the mead, iQhilika(Xhosa) Kari (Khoi-San/Afrikaans), is produced using a very similar process throughout the region. This involves the roots of a Trichodiadema sp. plant (imoela – Xhosa, karimoer – Afrikaans/Khoi-San), honey, extract of brood and/or pollen and water. Various other fruit sugar sources were also found to be added at times producing seasonal beverages with unique organoleptic properties. A model traditional iQhilika production operation was investigated in order to describe the main features of the process. Biomass immobilised on Trichodiadema root segments was found to be distributed evenly through the profile of the bioreactor resulting in a well mixed fermentation and a productivity of 0.74 g EtOH/l/h. In the initial stages of fermentation, the ethanol yield was highest in the mid-regions of the bioreactor, but with time the regions closer to the surface, which had atmospheric contact had a higher yield. This phenomenon was attributed to aerobic fatty acid synthesis which allowed the yeast close to the surface to function more efficiently despite rising ethanol concentrations. The mead contained 44.25 g/l (7 % volume) ethanol produced in a fermentation time of 43.5 h. Yeast biomass in the traditional process was either immobilised in the form of flocs or attached to the Trichodiadema intonsum support. Electron microscopy revealed that the cells were covered in a layer of extra-cellular polymeric substance apparently assisting the immobilization, and which was populated by a consortium of yeasts and bacteria. Yeasts isolated from iQhilika brewed in two regions separated by 350 km were found to be very closely related Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains as determined by molecular genetic analysis. The traditional beverage was found to contain populations of Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which are known spoilage organisms in other beverages. Spoilage characteristics of these organisms matched descriptions of spoilage provided by the IKS survey. Other possibly beneficial LAB, which may contribute useful flavour compounds, were also found to be present in the system. The basic functional aspects of the traditional process were used to design a continuous bench-scale tower bioreactor and process development was based on the IKS survey. This consisted of a packed bed bioreactor, consisting of 2 mm3 T. intonsum root segments, immobilising a novel Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain isolated from a traditional batch of iQhilika. The bioreactor performed well with a yield of close to the theoretical maximum and an ethanol productivity of 3.45 g EtOH/l/h. The parameters of the 5.6 l/d bench-scale bioreactor were used to design a full-scale production bioreactor with a planned maximum output of 330 l/d. This bioreactor had a productivity of 0.19 g EtOH/l/h. The organoleptic properties of the product produced were considered by a taste panel to be better than those of the product of the bench-scale tower bioreactor. This research was based on the development of IKS which imposed a number of constraints and obligations on the project to ensure environmental, and social, in addition to financial viability of the scale-up operation. Makana Meadery was established in partnership with Rhodes University as an empowerment company which, in addition to undertaking the commercialisation of the iQhilika process, would also develop methods for the production of scarce ingredients traditionally unsustainably sourced from fragile ecosystems, provide beekeeping training and the manufacture of beehives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Cambray, Garth Anton
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Biotechnology Indigenous peoples -- Africa Ethnoscience -- Africa Mead -- Africa Brewing -- Microbiology Honeybee Honey
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3929 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003988
- Description: While the production of mead, a fermented honey beverage, has declined in popularity around the world in recent centuries, a substantial mead industry continues to exist in Africa with an estimated annual production of 1 to 1.7 billion litres. This is largely an ‘invisible industry’, and has functioned outside the formal economy due to proscription of indigenous beverages during colonial times. The traditional African mead industry is, however, also now under pressure due to the environmental degradation of scarce natural ingredients, urbanisation and loss of indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) and, with time, the beverage will likely follow the declining trend of mead consumption observed elsewhere. An analysis of early reports of African mead production suggested that the Khoi-San, among the earliest inhabitants of the continent, are the originators of the mead making techniques which use fibrous plant materials derived from specific plant species, to facilitate mead fermentation in some way. The Eastern Cape represents a region with a large body of Khoi-San IKS preserved in their descendants among the Afrikaans and Xhosa populations. A survey to establish a baseline of mead-making technology in the Eastern Cape was undertaken, and involved interviewing traditional mead makers across an area of roughly 100 000 km2, showing that the mead, iQhilika(Xhosa) Kari (Khoi-San/Afrikaans), is produced using a very similar process throughout the region. This involves the roots of a Trichodiadema sp. plant (imoela – Xhosa, karimoer – Afrikaans/Khoi-San), honey, extract of brood and/or pollen and water. Various other fruit sugar sources were also found to be added at times producing seasonal beverages with unique organoleptic properties. A model traditional iQhilika production operation was investigated in order to describe the main features of the process. Biomass immobilised on Trichodiadema root segments was found to be distributed evenly through the profile of the bioreactor resulting in a well mixed fermentation and a productivity of 0.74 g EtOH/l/h. In the initial stages of fermentation, the ethanol yield was highest in the mid-regions of the bioreactor, but with time the regions closer to the surface, which had atmospheric contact had a higher yield. This phenomenon was attributed to aerobic fatty acid synthesis which allowed the yeast close to the surface to function more efficiently despite rising ethanol concentrations. The mead contained 44.25 g/l (7 % volume) ethanol produced in a fermentation time of 43.5 h. Yeast biomass in the traditional process was either immobilised in the form of flocs or attached to the Trichodiadema intonsum support. Electron microscopy revealed that the cells were covered in a layer of extra-cellular polymeric substance apparently assisting the immobilization, and which was populated by a consortium of yeasts and bacteria. Yeasts isolated from iQhilika brewed in two regions separated by 350 km were found to be very closely related Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains as determined by molecular genetic analysis. The traditional beverage was found to contain populations of Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which are known spoilage organisms in other beverages. Spoilage characteristics of these organisms matched descriptions of spoilage provided by the IKS survey. Other possibly beneficial LAB, which may contribute useful flavour compounds, were also found to be present in the system. The basic functional aspects of the traditional process were used to design a continuous bench-scale tower bioreactor and process development was based on the IKS survey. This consisted of a packed bed bioreactor, consisting of 2 mm3 T. intonsum root segments, immobilising a novel Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain isolated from a traditional batch of iQhilika. The bioreactor performed well with a yield of close to the theoretical maximum and an ethanol productivity of 3.45 g EtOH/l/h. The parameters of the 5.6 l/d bench-scale bioreactor were used to design a full-scale production bioreactor with a planned maximum output of 330 l/d. This bioreactor had a productivity of 0.19 g EtOH/l/h. The organoleptic properties of the product produced were considered by a taste panel to be better than those of the product of the bench-scale tower bioreactor. This research was based on the development of IKS which imposed a number of constraints and obligations on the project to ensure environmental, and social, in addition to financial viability of the scale-up operation. Makana Meadery was established in partnership with Rhodes University as an empowerment company which, in addition to undertaking the commercialisation of the iQhilika process, would also develop methods for the production of scarce ingredients traditionally unsustainably sourced from fragile ecosystems, provide beekeeping training and the manufacture of beehives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
African universities and the challenges of a developmental state
- Authors: Pandor, Naledi
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Academic Freedom -- South Africa Universities and colleges -- South Africa Equality Liberty Education and state -- South Africa Education, Higher -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/729 , vital:19985
- Description: Universities do not exist in vacuum; they are a fundamental part of the development structures of any society in which they exist. History has shown that it is impossible for universities to seek isolation or insulation from social forces that influence progress and development. In the developing world our experience of under development, colonialism and poverty creates a complex set of challenges to which governments, universities and other institutions must find adequate responses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Pandor, Naledi
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Academic Freedom -- South Africa Universities and colleges -- South Africa Equality Liberty Education and state -- South Africa Education, Higher -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/729 , vital:19985
- Description: Universities do not exist in vacuum; they are a fundamental part of the development structures of any society in which they exist. History has shown that it is impossible for universities to seek isolation or insulation from social forces that influence progress and development. In the developing world our experience of under development, colonialism and poverty creates a complex set of challenges to which governments, universities and other institutions must find adequate responses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Agroforestry tree products (AFTPs): Targeting poverty reduction and enhanced livelihoods
- Leakey, Roger R, Tchoundjeu, Zac, Schreckenberg, Kate, Shackleton, Sheona E, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Leakey, Roger R , Tchoundjeu, Zac , Schreckenberg, Kate , Shackleton, Sheona E , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182136 , vital:43803 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/14735903.2005.9684741"
- Description: Agroforestry tree domestication emerged as a farmer-driven, market-led process in the early 1990s and became an international initiative. A participatory approach now supplements the more traditional aspects of tree improvement, and is seen as an important strategy towards the Millennium Development Goals of eradicating poverty and hunger, promoting social equity and environmental sustainability. Considerable progress has been made towards the domestication of indigenous fruits and nuts in many villages in Cameroon and Nigeria. Vegetatively-propagated cultivars based on a sound knowledge of ‘ideotypes’ derived from an understanding of the tree-to-tree variation in many commercially important traits are being developed by farmers. These are being integrated into polycultural farming systems, especially the cocoa agroforests. Markets for Agroforestry Tree Products (AFTPs) are crucial for the adoption of agroforestry on a scale to have meaningful economic, social and environmental impacts. Important lessons have been learned in southern Africa from detailed studies of the commercialization of AFTPs. These provide support for the wider acceptance of the role of domesticating indigenous trees in the promotion of enhanced livelihoods for poor farmers in the tropics. Policy guidelines have been developed in support of this sustainable rural development as an alternative strategy to those proposed in many other major development and conservation fora.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Leakey, Roger R , Tchoundjeu, Zac , Schreckenberg, Kate , Shackleton, Sheona E , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/182136 , vital:43803 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/14735903.2005.9684741"
- Description: Agroforestry tree domestication emerged as a farmer-driven, market-led process in the early 1990s and became an international initiative. A participatory approach now supplements the more traditional aspects of tree improvement, and is seen as an important strategy towards the Millennium Development Goals of eradicating poverty and hunger, promoting social equity and environmental sustainability. Considerable progress has been made towards the domestication of indigenous fruits and nuts in many villages in Cameroon and Nigeria. Vegetatively-propagated cultivars based on a sound knowledge of ‘ideotypes’ derived from an understanding of the tree-to-tree variation in many commercially important traits are being developed by farmers. These are being integrated into polycultural farming systems, especially the cocoa agroforests. Markets for Agroforestry Tree Products (AFTPs) are crucial for the adoption of agroforestry on a scale to have meaningful economic, social and environmental impacts. Important lessons have been learned in southern Africa from detailed studies of the commercialization of AFTPs. These provide support for the wider acceptance of the role of domesticating indigenous trees in the promotion of enhanced livelihoods for poor farmers in the tropics. Policy guidelines have been developed in support of this sustainable rural development as an alternative strategy to those proposed in many other major development and conservation fora.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
An analysis of factors influencing the choice of particular schools in preference to township schols, in the Port Elizabeth area
- Authors: Mapasa, Tobeka Eugié
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: School choice -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Blacks -- Education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Multicultural education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10784 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/144 , School choice -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Blacks -- Education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Multicultural education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: There has been a radical exodus of learners from the townships schools to former Model C, Coloured and Indian schools and this has had an impact on township schools. In some schools in the Port Elizabeth townships, learner enrolment has dropped tremendously. This tendency has also been a concern of the Eastern Cape Department of Education. The focus of this research was to determine the reasons that prompted the learners to prefer schools that were far from their homes while there were schools situated nearer to their homes. To accomplish this, a review of literature on why learners in other parts of the world moved from school to school and or why their parents send them to particular schools was done. The literature assisted in identifying key issues pertaining to school choice. These issues were translated into questions used in questionnaires to learners and parents to determine the reasons for preference of schools outside the townships. The data gathered via the questionnaires led to interviews with the staff from the schools in the areas where the case study participants live. Apart from gathering data for interpretation the interviews were also used to triangulate data collected via the two questionnaires. The five most important factors that were common to the parents and the learners, identified and endorsed by the educators as influencing school choice, were firstly the fact that high status parents prefer high status schools; secondly that safety, discipline and the smooth running of the school are of high importance. Thirdly it was indicated that extra-mural activities in the school curriculum play an important role. The opportunity the school provides for parental involvement was rated as the fourth most important factor. The educator’s attitudes towards work were rated as the fifth most important factor. The research report finally emphasized the need to undertake a variety of projects for further research. Suggestions were also made by way of recommendations of possible factors that had to be taken into consideration when determining strategies to attract learners to township schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Mapasa, Tobeka Eugié
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: School choice -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Blacks -- Education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Multicultural education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10784 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/144 , School choice -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Blacks -- Education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Multicultural education -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: There has been a radical exodus of learners from the townships schools to former Model C, Coloured and Indian schools and this has had an impact on township schools. In some schools in the Port Elizabeth townships, learner enrolment has dropped tremendously. This tendency has also been a concern of the Eastern Cape Department of Education. The focus of this research was to determine the reasons that prompted the learners to prefer schools that were far from their homes while there were schools situated nearer to their homes. To accomplish this, a review of literature on why learners in other parts of the world moved from school to school and or why their parents send them to particular schools was done. The literature assisted in identifying key issues pertaining to school choice. These issues were translated into questions used in questionnaires to learners and parents to determine the reasons for preference of schools outside the townships. The data gathered via the questionnaires led to interviews with the staff from the schools in the areas where the case study participants live. Apart from gathering data for interpretation the interviews were also used to triangulate data collected via the two questionnaires. The five most important factors that were common to the parents and the learners, identified and endorsed by the educators as influencing school choice, were firstly the fact that high status parents prefer high status schools; secondly that safety, discipline and the smooth running of the school are of high importance. Thirdly it was indicated that extra-mural activities in the school curriculum play an important role. The opportunity the school provides for parental involvement was rated as the fourth most important factor. The educator’s attitudes towards work were rated as the fifth most important factor. The research report finally emphasized the need to undertake a variety of projects for further research. Suggestions were also made by way of recommendations of possible factors that had to be taken into consideration when determining strategies to attract learners to township schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
An analysis of key factors responsible for and influencing the rate of employee absenteeism in the construction sector with specific reference to the Ngqura Harbour project
- Authors: Koen-Müller, Magdel
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Absenteeism (Labor) -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Construction industry -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:9263 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/152 , Absenteeism (Labor) -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Construction industry -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: Absenteeism places huge financial burdens on organisations and has a detrimental effect on productivity. Aware of the direct and indirect costs associated with absenteeism, management must determine what factors are responsible for the absenteeism and how these factors can be rectified in order to reduce the rate of employee absenteeism in the organisation. The study’s main aims were firstly to determine which key factors are responsible for employees being absent from work and secondly, how they can be rectified in order to reduce absenteeism. From the data that was obtained from the literature study stress, substance abuse, lack of job commitment and organisational factors account for some reasons given for absenteeism. Employee absenteeism may also be partly due to not enough emphasis being placed on career development, staff retention and salaries. Other causes of absenteeism include personal responsibilities, lack of motivation and low morale in the workplace. Only recently have managers become aware of the true impact which alcohol and substance abuse have on organisations. More productivity is lost through on-the-job absenteeism than due to any other single factor. On-the-job absenteeism is difficult to define and very difficult to identify. Such absenteeism includes the presence of employees at work while they are sick but incapable of performing to their true capabilities – this often occurring on Mondays or Fridays or the day after payday. With current staff retention programs, mergers and joint ventures, organisations now demand the same level of production with fewer employees. This has given rise to an increase in the level of stress employees experience, which led to stress becoming a key factor responsible for absenteeism. When managing absenteeism the implementation of a proper measurement system is essential. This will enable the company to determine the extent of their absenteeism. An evaluation and comparison of these statistics over a period of time will also shed light on the nature of the absenteeism. These will result in the proactive handling of a company’s absenteeism. This is also the first step away from the acceptance of absenteeism and subsequently the nurturing of an absence culture. Employers can take a number of steps to reduce absenteeism, such as giving responsibility for absence management to senior or human resource managers rather than line managers, introducing return to work interviews, introducing discipline procedures and others. The great majority of absence management solutions completely overlook organisational factors, instead focusing on individual, claim processing and health-related factors in the quest to reduce lost productive days. Absence management programs should focus on organisational (not individual) drivers of absence to encourage a present and committed workforce. Absenteeism will never be eradicated, but through careful management organisations can reduce the absentee rate and the effect it has on the organization.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Koen-Müller, Magdel
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Absenteeism (Labor) -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Construction industry -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:9263 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/152 , Absenteeism (Labor) -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Construction industry -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: Absenteeism places huge financial burdens on organisations and has a detrimental effect on productivity. Aware of the direct and indirect costs associated with absenteeism, management must determine what factors are responsible for the absenteeism and how these factors can be rectified in order to reduce the rate of employee absenteeism in the organisation. The study’s main aims were firstly to determine which key factors are responsible for employees being absent from work and secondly, how they can be rectified in order to reduce absenteeism. From the data that was obtained from the literature study stress, substance abuse, lack of job commitment and organisational factors account for some reasons given for absenteeism. Employee absenteeism may also be partly due to not enough emphasis being placed on career development, staff retention and salaries. Other causes of absenteeism include personal responsibilities, lack of motivation and low morale in the workplace. Only recently have managers become aware of the true impact which alcohol and substance abuse have on organisations. More productivity is lost through on-the-job absenteeism than due to any other single factor. On-the-job absenteeism is difficult to define and very difficult to identify. Such absenteeism includes the presence of employees at work while they are sick but incapable of performing to their true capabilities – this often occurring on Mondays or Fridays or the day after payday. With current staff retention programs, mergers and joint ventures, organisations now demand the same level of production with fewer employees. This has given rise to an increase in the level of stress employees experience, which led to stress becoming a key factor responsible for absenteeism. When managing absenteeism the implementation of a proper measurement system is essential. This will enable the company to determine the extent of their absenteeism. An evaluation and comparison of these statistics over a period of time will also shed light on the nature of the absenteeism. These will result in the proactive handling of a company’s absenteeism. This is also the first step away from the acceptance of absenteeism and subsequently the nurturing of an absence culture. Employers can take a number of steps to reduce absenteeism, such as giving responsibility for absence management to senior or human resource managers rather than line managers, introducing return to work interviews, introducing discipline procedures and others. The great majority of absence management solutions completely overlook organisational factors, instead focusing on individual, claim processing and health-related factors in the quest to reduce lost productive days. Absence management programs should focus on organisational (not individual) drivers of absence to encourage a present and committed workforce. Absenteeism will never be eradicated, but through careful management organisations can reduce the absentee rate and the effect it has on the organization.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005