A critical analysis of decentralisation as a means of enhancing rural development in Malawi : a case study of Salima District Council
- Authors: Nhlane, Lusizi Franlin
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Decentralization in government -- Malawi , Rural development -- Malawi -- Planning , Democracy -- Malawi , Malawi -- Rural conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9186 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020199
- Description: This study sought to find out the extent to which decentralisation has brought about development in the rural areas in Malawi, specifically focusing on Salima District Council. It sought the views from the local communities themselves and government officials at district level on decentralisation in relation to rural development. Although the study used both qualitative and quantitative approaches, it was predominantly qualitative. As such, it used mixed methods of data collection, which included in-depth interviews, direct observations, questionnaires, focus group discussions (FGDs) and documentary search. Qualitative data was developed into themes and concepts and was subsequently interpreted in a trustworthy manner so as to reflect the true meaning of the data. In other words, explanations were attached to each theme or concept in an attempt to give the meaning of the data. The study found out that decentralisation is effective in terms of rural development such that local people are able to demand for services of their choice from local governments but the main challenge or constraint is availability of financial resources to cater for all the demanded public services. Other major barriers to rural development include capacity deficiencies at district and grassroots level and tensions among key stakeholders competing to maximize their role in local governments. Basing on these findings, and financial resources being the major barrier to rural development, the study recommends that Government should make sure that enough financial resources are released and channelled to district councils to cater for the needs of the communities. The study also recommends that councils should strive to generate more local revenues to cope up with the demand from the communities. And finally, the study recommends that Government should recognize local governments as entities on which is bestowed a huge responsibility of improving socio-economic conditions of the rural areas where 87 percent of the population lives, therefore provision of resources and enabling legislation to enhance rural development should be the primary focus. Of course, these recommendations should be understood within the context of the studied district. Otherwise there is potential for different and expanded recommendations if one replicated the study to cover the entire country.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Nhlane, Lusizi Franlin
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Decentralization in government -- Malawi , Rural development -- Malawi -- Planning , Democracy -- Malawi , Malawi -- Rural conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9186 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020199
- Description: This study sought to find out the extent to which decentralisation has brought about development in the rural areas in Malawi, specifically focusing on Salima District Council. It sought the views from the local communities themselves and government officials at district level on decentralisation in relation to rural development. Although the study used both qualitative and quantitative approaches, it was predominantly qualitative. As such, it used mixed methods of data collection, which included in-depth interviews, direct observations, questionnaires, focus group discussions (FGDs) and documentary search. Qualitative data was developed into themes and concepts and was subsequently interpreted in a trustworthy manner so as to reflect the true meaning of the data. In other words, explanations were attached to each theme or concept in an attempt to give the meaning of the data. The study found out that decentralisation is effective in terms of rural development such that local people are able to demand for services of their choice from local governments but the main challenge or constraint is availability of financial resources to cater for all the demanded public services. Other major barriers to rural development include capacity deficiencies at district and grassroots level and tensions among key stakeholders competing to maximize their role in local governments. Basing on these findings, and financial resources being the major barrier to rural development, the study recommends that Government should make sure that enough financial resources are released and channelled to district councils to cater for the needs of the communities. The study also recommends that councils should strive to generate more local revenues to cope up with the demand from the communities. And finally, the study recommends that Government should recognize local governments as entities on which is bestowed a huge responsibility of improving socio-economic conditions of the rural areas where 87 percent of the population lives, therefore provision of resources and enabling legislation to enhance rural development should be the primary focus. Of course, these recommendations should be understood within the context of the studied district. Otherwise there is potential for different and expanded recommendations if one replicated the study to cover the entire country.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A critical analysis of online Sesotho ICT terminology
- Authors: Nteso, Thato Natasha
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Information technology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa Sotho language -- Terms and phrases Sotho language -- Orthography and spelling
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3556 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001654
- Description: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has taken over every aspect of our daily lives, from commerce to leisure and even culture. Today, mobile phones, desktop computers, hand-held devices, emails and the use of the internet have become a central part of our culture and society. ICT has made us a global society, where people can interact and communicate efficiently. In order for South Africa to be competitive in the global economy, it will need to develop a workforce with appropriate Information Technology skills. Of necessity, these skills will extend to using a computers and developing appropriate software and technical support skills (DOE, 2008). This thesis represents a critical analytical study in that it explores the online Sesotho Information and Communication Technology (ICT). It aims at analysing terminology development in this area. The study aims to determine how Sesotho and ICT correlate and how the linguistic aspect plays a role in online ICT terminology. The focus is not on creating new terms but to analyze the already existing ICT terms available, with regards to linguistic rules and principles and to critique if they are of quality. Furthermore, the thesis explores whether there are other strategies that can be used in the development of this terminology. It also seeks to determine if the terms are easily accessible to students and if they are used at all. Terms will be sourced from the Department of Arts and Culture ICT term list, and the focus will be on extracting only terms that have to do with computer literacy. Other online sources that list Sesotho equivalents will also be considered. The study also assesses the quality of the terms created by the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) together with the Department of Communications (DOC) for a multilingual ICT terminology list. Furthermore, the thesis explores whether the Sesotho equivalents adhere to the linguistic rules and principles of the language. The other question asked is whether the terms are used by the intended users and if they are easily accessible to the speakers of the language. This entire aspect of the thesis speaks to the notion of the intellectualization of African languages and in this case Sesotho in particular. Not only does the thesis engage with computer literacy terminology, it also presents a detailed literature review of studies and work that has been done in this field. The thesis engagement is also done by linking the backdrop of the history of Sesotho and the Basotho peoples.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Nteso, Thato Natasha
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Information technology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa Sotho language -- Terms and phrases Sotho language -- Orthography and spelling
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3556 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001654
- Description: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has taken over every aspect of our daily lives, from commerce to leisure and even culture. Today, mobile phones, desktop computers, hand-held devices, emails and the use of the internet have become a central part of our culture and society. ICT has made us a global society, where people can interact and communicate efficiently. In order for South Africa to be competitive in the global economy, it will need to develop a workforce with appropriate Information Technology skills. Of necessity, these skills will extend to using a computers and developing appropriate software and technical support skills (DOE, 2008). This thesis represents a critical analytical study in that it explores the online Sesotho Information and Communication Technology (ICT). It aims at analysing terminology development in this area. The study aims to determine how Sesotho and ICT correlate and how the linguistic aspect plays a role in online ICT terminology. The focus is not on creating new terms but to analyze the already existing ICT terms available, with regards to linguistic rules and principles and to critique if they are of quality. Furthermore, the thesis explores whether there are other strategies that can be used in the development of this terminology. It also seeks to determine if the terms are easily accessible to students and if they are used at all. Terms will be sourced from the Department of Arts and Culture ICT term list, and the focus will be on extracting only terms that have to do with computer literacy. Other online sources that list Sesotho equivalents will also be considered. The study also assesses the quality of the terms created by the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) together with the Department of Communications (DOC) for a multilingual ICT terminology list. Furthermore, the thesis explores whether the Sesotho equivalents adhere to the linguistic rules and principles of the language. The other question asked is whether the terms are used by the intended users and if they are easily accessible to the speakers of the language. This entire aspect of the thesis speaks to the notion of the intellectualization of African languages and in this case Sesotho in particular. Not only does the thesis engage with computer literacy terminology, it also presents a detailed literature review of studies and work that has been done in this field. The thesis engagement is also done by linking the backdrop of the history of Sesotho and the Basotho peoples.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A critical analysis of public participation in the Integrated Development Plan of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape (2013)
- Authors: Langa, V G
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11695 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015064
- Description: This mini-dissertation critically analyses Public Participation relationship to Integrated Development Planning of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. It analyses major theoretical trends in both fields’ history that have had a profound impact on the development of such relation. These include: politics-administration dichotomy, bureaucracy and democracy, theory and practice, and behavioralism. The literature on the models of public participation was extensively consulted in order to substantiate the thought and the practical views of the community members regarding the public participation on the integrated Development planning. Further consultation also took place on the Intergovernmental relations Framework in order to understand the expectations of the different spheres of government and the method in which they are to fulfill their constitutional obligation to support Municipalities as a service delivery of government. Respondents were identified by mean of sample selection. 10% of the total City Councillors were identified as respondents. Data was collected through the use of questionnaires, which were distributed to the respondents. All respondents were given three days to complete the questionnaires, where after they were collected by the researcher. Inclusive with the respondents was the Ward Committee members and community members; this made the total respondents to the total of 30. Permission was sought from the Council speaker prior to the questionnaires being distributed. The method of research of this study is mainly empirical research observation. However, a content analysis is conducted. The data collected include primary sources, such as scholarly publications in both fields, and other related material such the questionnaires that were distributed to sampled respondents. What has certainly become clear through this study is that change is necessary in the way local government currently does things for the benefit of the communities at large. The discipline of political science might not achieve the prestigious position it deserves inside the government and will not offer the appropriate programmes that communities need to serve in this government, until it can establish a better relationship with community. This research provides recommendations for extreme change from legislation compliant to service delivery driven. Once accomplished, these tasks might help in resolving the never end service delivery protest by the communities. It further outlines the need to capacitate the ward committees as well as ward councillors at large to make sure they are able to undertake the task at hand.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Langa, V G
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11695 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015064
- Description: This mini-dissertation critically analyses Public Participation relationship to Integrated Development Planning of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. It analyses major theoretical trends in both fields’ history that have had a profound impact on the development of such relation. These include: politics-administration dichotomy, bureaucracy and democracy, theory and practice, and behavioralism. The literature on the models of public participation was extensively consulted in order to substantiate the thought and the practical views of the community members regarding the public participation on the integrated Development planning. Further consultation also took place on the Intergovernmental relations Framework in order to understand the expectations of the different spheres of government and the method in which they are to fulfill their constitutional obligation to support Municipalities as a service delivery of government. Respondents were identified by mean of sample selection. 10% of the total City Councillors were identified as respondents. Data was collected through the use of questionnaires, which were distributed to the respondents. All respondents were given three days to complete the questionnaires, where after they were collected by the researcher. Inclusive with the respondents was the Ward Committee members and community members; this made the total respondents to the total of 30. Permission was sought from the Council speaker prior to the questionnaires being distributed. The method of research of this study is mainly empirical research observation. However, a content analysis is conducted. The data collected include primary sources, such as scholarly publications in both fields, and other related material such the questionnaires that were distributed to sampled respondents. What has certainly become clear through this study is that change is necessary in the way local government currently does things for the benefit of the communities at large. The discipline of political science might not achieve the prestigious position it deserves inside the government and will not offer the appropriate programmes that communities need to serve in this government, until it can establish a better relationship with community. This research provides recommendations for extreme change from legislation compliant to service delivery driven. Once accomplished, these tasks might help in resolving the never end service delivery protest by the communities. It further outlines the need to capacitate the ward committees as well as ward councillors at large to make sure they are able to undertake the task at hand.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A critical analysis of sustainable human settlement in housing: the case of Hlalani, South Africa
- Authors: Nkambule, Sipho Jonathan
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Human settlements -- South Africa , Black people -- Housing -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3334 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003740 , Human settlements -- South Africa , Black people -- Housing -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Description: As a result of apartheid’s history, the current South African government was initially faced with two major challenges in the development of sustainable human settlement in urban areas: delivering the quantity of houses needed to reduce the massive housing backlog (notably in black townships) and overcoming the problem of racially-based spatial separation inherited from the apartheid era. To rectify the legacies of apartheid, the state has sought to pursue a massive housing programme in urban areas for poor urban blacks. In doing so, though, it has worked within the confines of the racially-segregated South African city and has adopted a macro-economic policy with a pronounced neo-liberal thrust. This thesis examines the South African state’s housing programme with reference to questions about social sustainability and specifically sustainable human settlements. It does so by highlighting social capital and the different forms it takes, notably bonding, binding and linking capitals. This is pursued through a case study of a small area of a black township in Grahamstown called Hlalani. The case focuses on the lived experiences of Hlalani residents and their intra-household and inter-household relations as well as their linkages with local state structures. It is concluded that social capital is weak and incipient in Hlalani and that Hlalani could not, by any definition or measurement of the term, be labeled as a sustainable human settlement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Nkambule, Sipho Jonathan
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Human settlements -- South Africa , Black people -- Housing -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:3334 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003740 , Human settlements -- South Africa , Black people -- Housing -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
- Description: As a result of apartheid’s history, the current South African government was initially faced with two major challenges in the development of sustainable human settlement in urban areas: delivering the quantity of houses needed to reduce the massive housing backlog (notably in black townships) and overcoming the problem of racially-based spatial separation inherited from the apartheid era. To rectify the legacies of apartheid, the state has sought to pursue a massive housing programme in urban areas for poor urban blacks. In doing so, though, it has worked within the confines of the racially-segregated South African city and has adopted a macro-economic policy with a pronounced neo-liberal thrust. This thesis examines the South African state’s housing programme with reference to questions about social sustainability and specifically sustainable human settlements. It does so by highlighting social capital and the different forms it takes, notably bonding, binding and linking capitals. This is pursued through a case study of a small area of a black township in Grahamstown called Hlalani. The case focuses on the lived experiences of Hlalani residents and their intra-household and inter-household relations as well as their linkages with local state structures. It is concluded that social capital is weak and incipient in Hlalani and that Hlalani could not, by any definition or measurement of the term, be labeled as a sustainable human settlement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A critical analysis of the deductibility of audit fees
- Authors: Hattingh, Leon
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Auditing -- Fees , Tax deductions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10292 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020376
- Description: The strict and narrow scope of the general deduction formula may result in taxpayers being denied deductions for business expenditure, which are clearly and legitimately incurred in the course of operating their businesses, which in turn will result in an increase in tax costs, an important component of business costs. Although audit fees often fail the deductibility test, in general they are regarded by taxpayers as automatically deductible despite the fact that such fees were not incurred in the production of income. The deductibility of audit fees reached the High Court recently for the first time in the MTN case. It was argued by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) in this case that audit fees should never been allowed as a deduction because the role of an auditor does not relate to the production of income and that an auditor’s duty is restricted to verification of financial information ex post facto for the benefit of investors, creditors and other users of the financial information. The Court held that statutory audit fees should be deductible relying on the basis of the time spent during the audit in verifying deductible and non-deductible income. It is concluded by the author that law which creates uncertainty needs to be updated in keeping with the Government’s intention of creating a business environment in order to promote commerce and entrepreneurship. It is therefore proposed that all audit fees relating to statutory audits should be declared as a specific statutory deduction to ensure legal certainty.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Hattingh, Leon
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Auditing -- Fees , Tax deductions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10292 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020376
- Description: The strict and narrow scope of the general deduction formula may result in taxpayers being denied deductions for business expenditure, which are clearly and legitimately incurred in the course of operating their businesses, which in turn will result in an increase in tax costs, an important component of business costs. Although audit fees often fail the deductibility test, in general they are regarded by taxpayers as automatically deductible despite the fact that such fees were not incurred in the production of income. The deductibility of audit fees reached the High Court recently for the first time in the MTN case. It was argued by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) in this case that audit fees should never been allowed as a deduction because the role of an auditor does not relate to the production of income and that an auditor’s duty is restricted to verification of financial information ex post facto for the benefit of investors, creditors and other users of the financial information. The Court held that statutory audit fees should be deductible relying on the basis of the time spent during the audit in verifying deductible and non-deductible income. It is concluded by the author that law which creates uncertainty needs to be updated in keeping with the Government’s intention of creating a business environment in order to promote commerce and entrepreneurship. It is therefore proposed that all audit fees relating to statutory audits should be declared as a specific statutory deduction to ensure legal certainty.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A critical analysis of the grammar of isiXhosa as used in the Revised Union version of the Bible
- Oosthuysen, Jacobus Christiaan
- Authors: Oosthuysen, Jacobus Christiaan
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Bible -- Xhosa -- Revised Union -- 1942 Xhosa language -- Grammar -- Research Xhosa language -- Texts
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3555 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001625
- Description: This study provides a description and critical analysis of the grammatical structure of isiXhosa as used in the Revised Union Version of the Bible, published in 1942 and republished in 1975. This translation records what was regarded as proper isiXhosa at the beginning of the 20th century, reflecting the consensus inter alia of prominent isiXhosa writers, such as W.B. Rubusana, J.H. Soga, C. Koti, Y. Mbali and D. D. T. Jabavu, who served on the committee that produced the revision. In this study isiXhosa is described in its own right, without approaching it with preconceived ideas derived from other languages. That is to say this is a phenomenological analysis describing the grammatical structures of isiXhosa as they present themselves to the analyst. It is comprehensive, with no structure being overlooked or being described in such a manner that it complicates an understanding of other structures. In the first chapter the context of the research and a brief outline of the historical growth in understanding the structure of isiXhosa are set out and the goals and the method followed in this study are described. In the following chapters the findings of this study are presented. The initial focus is on isiXhosa phonology and the orthography used to put it to writing. Then isiXhosa morphology and syntax is set out. Initially the substantives, i.e. the nouns and pronouns in their distinctive classes and forms, and how they are qualified, receive attention. Then the predicates are explored, i.e. the verbs and copulatives, as linked to the substantives with concords, and reflecting various moods, tenses, actualities and aspects. Finally attention is given to ideophones and interjections and words that can be grouped together as adverbs, conjunctions, avoidance words and numerals. In the concluding chapter consideration is given to the question of whether this study has in fact achieved the aim of setting out a description of the structure of isiXhosa based solely on the language itself, free of preconceived ideas, and attention is drawn to insights gained in respect of the true nature of the isiXhosa grammatical structures, such as, for example, the variable prefix qualificative nouns, traditionally referred to as adjectives. This study is therefore a revisionist study in the sense that it reinvents isiXhosa as a language in its own right, free from Western influenced perspectives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Oosthuysen, Jacobus Christiaan
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Bible -- Xhosa -- Revised Union -- 1942 Xhosa language -- Grammar -- Research Xhosa language -- Texts
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3555 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001625
- Description: This study provides a description and critical analysis of the grammatical structure of isiXhosa as used in the Revised Union Version of the Bible, published in 1942 and republished in 1975. This translation records what was regarded as proper isiXhosa at the beginning of the 20th century, reflecting the consensus inter alia of prominent isiXhosa writers, such as W.B. Rubusana, J.H. Soga, C. Koti, Y. Mbali and D. D. T. Jabavu, who served on the committee that produced the revision. In this study isiXhosa is described in its own right, without approaching it with preconceived ideas derived from other languages. That is to say this is a phenomenological analysis describing the grammatical structures of isiXhosa as they present themselves to the analyst. It is comprehensive, with no structure being overlooked or being described in such a manner that it complicates an understanding of other structures. In the first chapter the context of the research and a brief outline of the historical growth in understanding the structure of isiXhosa are set out and the goals and the method followed in this study are described. In the following chapters the findings of this study are presented. The initial focus is on isiXhosa phonology and the orthography used to put it to writing. Then isiXhosa morphology and syntax is set out. Initially the substantives, i.e. the nouns and pronouns in their distinctive classes and forms, and how they are qualified, receive attention. Then the predicates are explored, i.e. the verbs and copulatives, as linked to the substantives with concords, and reflecting various moods, tenses, actualities and aspects. Finally attention is given to ideophones and interjections and words that can be grouped together as adverbs, conjunctions, avoidance words and numerals. In the concluding chapter consideration is given to the question of whether this study has in fact achieved the aim of setting out a description of the structure of isiXhosa based solely on the language itself, free of preconceived ideas, and attention is drawn to insights gained in respect of the true nature of the isiXhosa grammatical structures, such as, for example, the variable prefix qualificative nouns, traditionally referred to as adjectives. This study is therefore a revisionist study in the sense that it reinvents isiXhosa as a language in its own right, free from Western influenced perspectives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A critical and intercultural analysis of selected isiXhosa operas in the East Cape Opera Company's repertory
- Authors: Kunju, Hleze Welsh
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: East Cape Opera Company Operas -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Performing arts -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Multiculturalism -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Apartheid -- Research -- South Africa Apartheid and art -- Research -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3557 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001861
- Description: The East Cape Opera Company was founded by Gwyneth Lloyd in 1995 and has performed in various Eastern Cape venues and festivals as well as conducting a tour of the Netherlands. The Company has performed well known operas and operettas such as Mozart's The Magic Flute, Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado as well as their own original isiXhosa operas such as Temba and Seliba, The Moon Prince - Inkosana Yenyanga and The Clay Flute. This thesis is situated within the context of apartheid and post-apartheid, and an emerging post-1994 South African’s operatic culture that embraces multiculturalism. The aim of this research is to explore and raise awareness regarding intercultural communication in relation to isiXhosa operas and examine the linguistic and dramatic characteristics of the construction of these operas. This involves an analysis of the integration of African cultural practices (dramatic and musical) within an essentially western art form. The thesis makes use of intercultural and literary theory as a point of departure to analyse not only the literary qualities of the isiXhosa operas performed by the East Cape Opera Company, but it also seeks to show how these operas reflect an emerging intercultural reality within the South African context. The thesis explores the mixing of genres, including African genres such as the folktale and oral poetry as part of Opera, which has previously been seen as a Western domain. It is argued that this mixing of genres and languages allows for the success of African Opera
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Kunju, Hleze Welsh
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: East Cape Opera Company Operas -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Performing arts -- Research -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Multiculturalism -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Apartheid -- Research -- South Africa Apartheid and art -- Research -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3557 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001861
- Description: The East Cape Opera Company was founded by Gwyneth Lloyd in 1995 and has performed in various Eastern Cape venues and festivals as well as conducting a tour of the Netherlands. The Company has performed well known operas and operettas such as Mozart's The Magic Flute, Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado as well as their own original isiXhosa operas such as Temba and Seliba, The Moon Prince - Inkosana Yenyanga and The Clay Flute. This thesis is situated within the context of apartheid and post-apartheid, and an emerging post-1994 South African’s operatic culture that embraces multiculturalism. The aim of this research is to explore and raise awareness regarding intercultural communication in relation to isiXhosa operas and examine the linguistic and dramatic characteristics of the construction of these operas. This involves an analysis of the integration of African cultural practices (dramatic and musical) within an essentially western art form. The thesis makes use of intercultural and literary theory as a point of departure to analyse not only the literary qualities of the isiXhosa operas performed by the East Cape Opera Company, but it also seeks to show how these operas reflect an emerging intercultural reality within the South African context. The thesis explores the mixing of genres, including African genres such as the folktale and oral poetry as part of Opera, which has previously been seen as a Western domain. It is argued that this mixing of genres and languages allows for the success of African Opera
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A critical assessment of the role of Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury in enforcing compliance with Public Finance Management Act for Public Entities, (South Africa)
- Authors: Libala, Pozisa
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11708 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015229
- Description: The term Public Administration meant the study of the public service. The purpose of the public service is to provide services to society. However, before any services are provided, certain functions should be undertaken within the public service. The public service is required to execute the policies of the government. In this system, public administration enables and supports the activity of public management. The public management functions are related to public administration and gives direction to the administrative conduct of public servants to ensure the effective execution of policies by the public service (Dye 1987:324). The purpose of Eastern Cape administration is to provide a legislative, political and administrative direction to the province and is also responsible for providing strategic financial direction, monitoring and oversight to the departments and the province in terms of the Public Finance Management Act, (PFMA) (Act No. 1 of 1999). The Eastern Cape administration renders strategic planning services, providing transversal policy opinions and advice and protocol development, it also provides technical and managerial support to the provincial government. Among other things it develops and implements a Human Resource strategy that gives effect to a sustainable Human Resource function and Human Resource plan in support of the organizational structure and provides financial processes to ensure efficient, effective, economical and transparent use of resources.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Libala, Pozisa
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11708 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015229
- Description: The term Public Administration meant the study of the public service. The purpose of the public service is to provide services to society. However, before any services are provided, certain functions should be undertaken within the public service. The public service is required to execute the policies of the government. In this system, public administration enables and supports the activity of public management. The public management functions are related to public administration and gives direction to the administrative conduct of public servants to ensure the effective execution of policies by the public service (Dye 1987:324). The purpose of Eastern Cape administration is to provide a legislative, political and administrative direction to the province and is also responsible for providing strategic financial direction, monitoring and oversight to the departments and the province in terms of the Public Finance Management Act, (PFMA) (Act No. 1 of 1999). The Eastern Cape administration renders strategic planning services, providing transversal policy opinions and advice and protocol development, it also provides technical and managerial support to the provincial government. Among other things it develops and implements a Human Resource strategy that gives effect to a sustainable Human Resource function and Human Resource plan in support of the organizational structure and provides financial processes to ensure efficient, effective, economical and transparent use of resources.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A critical discourse analysis of representations of the Niger Delta conflict in four prominent Western anglophone newspapers
- Authors: Mushwana, Tinyiko
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Newspapers -- Political aspects -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Newspapers -- Economic aspects -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Newspapers -- Social aspects -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Mass media -- Political aspects -- Nigeria , Mass media -- Economic aspects -- Nigeria , Mass media -- Social aspects -- Nigeria , Insurgency -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Petroleum industry and trade -- Political aspects -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Public opinion -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:2872 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007745 , Newspapers -- Political aspects -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Newspapers -- Economic aspects -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Newspapers -- Social aspects -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Mass media -- Political aspects -- Nigeria , Mass media -- Economic aspects -- Nigeria , Mass media -- Social aspects -- Nigeria , Insurgency -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Petroleum industry and trade -- Political aspects -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Public opinion -- Africa
- Description: This thesis explores the manner in which the conflict in the oil-rich Niger Delta in Nigeria is represented in western Anglophone media. Large oil reserves in the Niger Delta have contributed millions of dollars towards the growth of Nigeria's export economy. Despite this, the Niger Delta is the least developed region in the country and is characterised by high rates of inequality. Residents of the Niger Delta have been outraged by the lack of action on the part of the Nigerian government and multinational oil corporations. Their discontent over the inequalities in the region has resulted in the proliferation of armed groups and militants who often use violent and criminal tactics to communicate their disgruntlement. This thesis closely examines the representations of the violent insurgency in the Niger Delta by conducting a Critical Discourse Analysis of 145 news texts selected from four western Anglophone newspapers from 2007 to 2011. The depiction of the conflict as it appears in the four newspapers is discussed in relation to an overview of scholarly literature which explores the portrayal of Africa not only in western media, but also in other forms of western scholarship and writing. The research undertaken in this study reveals that to a significant extent representations of the Niger Delta conflict echo and reflect some of the stereotypical and age-old negative imagery that informs meanings constructed about the African continent. However, the analysis of the news texts also shows that there are certainly efforts amongst some newspapers to move beyond simplistic representations of the conflict. The disadvantage however, is that these notable attempts tend to be marred by the use of pejorative language which typically invokes negative images associated with Africa. This study argues that the implications of these representations are highly significant as these representations not only affect the way in which the conflict is understood, but also the manner in which the international community responds to it.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mushwana, Tinyiko
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Newspapers -- Political aspects -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Newspapers -- Economic aspects -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Newspapers -- Social aspects -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Mass media -- Political aspects -- Nigeria , Mass media -- Economic aspects -- Nigeria , Mass media -- Social aspects -- Nigeria , Insurgency -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Petroleum industry and trade -- Political aspects -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Public opinion -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:2872 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007745 , Newspapers -- Political aspects -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Newspapers -- Economic aspects -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Newspapers -- Social aspects -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Mass media -- Political aspects -- Nigeria , Mass media -- Economic aspects -- Nigeria , Mass media -- Social aspects -- Nigeria , Insurgency -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Petroleum industry and trade -- Political aspects -- Nigeria -- Niger River Delta , Public opinion -- Africa
- Description: This thesis explores the manner in which the conflict in the oil-rich Niger Delta in Nigeria is represented in western Anglophone media. Large oil reserves in the Niger Delta have contributed millions of dollars towards the growth of Nigeria's export economy. Despite this, the Niger Delta is the least developed region in the country and is characterised by high rates of inequality. Residents of the Niger Delta have been outraged by the lack of action on the part of the Nigerian government and multinational oil corporations. Their discontent over the inequalities in the region has resulted in the proliferation of armed groups and militants who often use violent and criminal tactics to communicate their disgruntlement. This thesis closely examines the representations of the violent insurgency in the Niger Delta by conducting a Critical Discourse Analysis of 145 news texts selected from four western Anglophone newspapers from 2007 to 2011. The depiction of the conflict as it appears in the four newspapers is discussed in relation to an overview of scholarly literature which explores the portrayal of Africa not only in western media, but also in other forms of western scholarship and writing. The research undertaken in this study reveals that to a significant extent representations of the Niger Delta conflict echo and reflect some of the stereotypical and age-old negative imagery that informs meanings constructed about the African continent. However, the analysis of the news texts also shows that there are certainly efforts amongst some newspapers to move beyond simplistic representations of the conflict. The disadvantage however, is that these notable attempts tend to be marred by the use of pejorative language which typically invokes negative images associated with Africa. This study argues that the implications of these representations are highly significant as these representations not only affect the way in which the conflict is understood, but also the manner in which the international community responds to it.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A critical evaluation of the quality of social development interventions with specific reference to social assistance
- Authors: Draai, Enaleen Enchella
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: South African Social Security Agency , Social security -- South Africa , Social service -- South Africa , Public welfare -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:8277 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1016210
- Description: Citizens interact with government departments and agencies for public services and goods which lead to a service encounter between a public official and client. Various initiatives and policies have been developed and are being implemented in the public service to adopt a client-centred approach to service delivery. The White Paper on the Transformation of the Public Service of 1997, identifies the eight Batho Pele principles which sets the framework for implementation of service quality within the South African public service. Government departments are expected to implement measurable service standards to determine levels of service quality to be met that will define levels of client satisfaction with service provision. The assessment of the service encounter by the client informs perceived levels of satisfaction held. This assessment of service quality by clients is therefore value-laden, subjective and periodic. The study focused on the implementation of measures to create and maintain a clientcentric public service in South Africa that would lead to levels of client satisfaction with service quality. The study assessed the implementation and maintenance of service quality at the Social Security Agency of South African the Eastern Cape. The SASSA is responsible for the disbursement of various social grants to facilitate a quality of life as enshrined by the Bill of Rights in the Constitution of South Africa, 1996. The focus of the study was linked to beneficiary maintenance and customer care at SASSA. The study included three different sample groups namely the clients, officials engaged in grant administration and different levels of management which included senior management, district and area managers. The findings revealed that the SASSA has implemented numerous new programmes aimed at a client-centric approach to service delivery. Analysis of the findings revealed expectation as well performance gaps which indicated that officials do not comply with the protocols of the agency and the Batho Pele principles. The promised service standards specified within the SASSA Customer Care Charter is not being realised which fundamentally indicate inefficient and ineffective monitoring of compliance with norms and standards. A conclusion drawn therefore is that the human dignity of clients in search of socials assistance who chiefly constitute vulnerable groups is being infringed. Three key service quality dimensions are identified that needs intervention for improved service quality. These dimensions include tangibility, assurance and responsiveness of functional components identified in respect of nine themes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Draai, Enaleen Enchella
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: South African Social Security Agency , Social security -- South Africa , Social service -- South Africa , Public welfare -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:8277 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1016210
- Description: Citizens interact with government departments and agencies for public services and goods which lead to a service encounter between a public official and client. Various initiatives and policies have been developed and are being implemented in the public service to adopt a client-centred approach to service delivery. The White Paper on the Transformation of the Public Service of 1997, identifies the eight Batho Pele principles which sets the framework for implementation of service quality within the South African public service. Government departments are expected to implement measurable service standards to determine levels of service quality to be met that will define levels of client satisfaction with service provision. The assessment of the service encounter by the client informs perceived levels of satisfaction held. This assessment of service quality by clients is therefore value-laden, subjective and periodic. The study focused on the implementation of measures to create and maintain a clientcentric public service in South Africa that would lead to levels of client satisfaction with service quality. The study assessed the implementation and maintenance of service quality at the Social Security Agency of South African the Eastern Cape. The SASSA is responsible for the disbursement of various social grants to facilitate a quality of life as enshrined by the Bill of Rights in the Constitution of South Africa, 1996. The focus of the study was linked to beneficiary maintenance and customer care at SASSA. The study included three different sample groups namely the clients, officials engaged in grant administration and different levels of management which included senior management, district and area managers. The findings revealed that the SASSA has implemented numerous new programmes aimed at a client-centric approach to service delivery. Analysis of the findings revealed expectation as well performance gaps which indicated that officials do not comply with the protocols of the agency and the Batho Pele principles. The promised service standards specified within the SASSA Customer Care Charter is not being realised which fundamentally indicate inefficient and ineffective monitoring of compliance with norms and standards. A conclusion drawn therefore is that the human dignity of clients in search of socials assistance who chiefly constitute vulnerable groups is being infringed. Three key service quality dimensions are identified that needs intervention for improved service quality. These dimensions include tangibility, assurance and responsiveness of functional components identified in respect of nine themes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A critical realist exploration of the emergence, development, management and sustainability of a Christian private institution of higher education in Malawi
- Kadyakapita, Mozecie Spector John
- Authors: Kadyakapita, Mozecie Spector John
- Date: 2013 , 2013-03-24
- Subjects: Christian universities and colleges -- Administration -- Research -- Malawi Private universities and colleges -- Administration -- Research -- Malawi Education, Higher -- Administration -- Research -- Malawi Higher education and state -- Research -- Malawi Universities and colleges -- Malawi -- History Educational planning -- Malawi
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1400 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001818
- Description: This study was prompted by an interest in exploring ways in which the development of private higher education in Malawi could be more sustainable. It examines the challenges that private institutions of higher education face in different contexts and the underlying causes of these challenges. The aim of the study was to explore the emergence of private higher education (PHE) in Malawi, its management, development, the challenges it faces and the generative mechanisms of these challenges. The research is a case study of one of the earliest private institutions of higher education in Malawi. The institution is owned and operated by a Christian church organisation that has been operating a network of private primary and secondary schools and health centres since its establishment in Malawi in the early 1890s. Critical realism is used as an underlabourer for its stance on ontological, epistemological and ethical assumptions of reality and its views on agency and structure. Two theoretical frameworks - complexity theory and transformational leadership theories - are used as lenses to help make sense of the nature of social organisations and also as heuristic devices for organising and making sense of data. Data were collected using qualitative interviews, archival document content analysis and observation. Twenty participants were purposefully selected for interviews. The participants comprised a senior officer at the MoEST headquarters, proprietors, members of the top management team of the institution, administrative assistants, heads of academic and nonacademic departments, teachers and non-teaching staff and students. Abstracted data were analysed using inductive, abductive and retroductive modes of inference. The study established that the emergence of private higher education in Malawi was generated by a number of mechanisms. These include the need to survive the threat to socioeconomic development posed by global trends in scientific and technological issues that heavily rely on access to the knowledge economy; the need to respond to demand for equity and access to higher education; the need to carry out the mission of the Christian church; government’s failure to expand and widen access to higher education; and the agential need to survive economic demands. The research findings indicate that a critical challenge that the emergence of private higher education faced was the lack of adequate and efficient structures and systems in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to expeditiously process applications to establish and accredit, monitor and control the development of private higher education institutions. It was also found that the challenges that the private higher education faces include high level of authoritarian governance and management practices, weak institutional management and control systems and structure, secularisation, lack of adequate funds to meet operation and capital development costs, facilities and resources to support teaching – learning functions, learner support facilities and services and a critical shortage of appropriately qualified administrative and academic personnel. The underlying causes of the challenges include the perceived threat to personal power and survival; fear of apostasy and secularisation; cultural values, adverse socioeconomic conditions; lack of diverse sources of funding, ineffective communication skills; weak governance systems and structures; low level of self-control; unfavourable attitudes towards educational institutions and the need to restore equity. To make private institutions of higher learning more sustainable, the study recommends that governance practices be guided by clear structures, policies and guidelines in the interest of transparency and accountability. It also recommends that government works in close partnership with private providers, reviews unfair policies concerning government scholarships, subsidizes the cost of materials for instruction and infrastructure development, and provides technical assistance to prospective and active providers. Lastly, the study recommends that private providers form an association so as to share experiences and to collectively deal with issues of common interest and concern. , Adobe Acrobat 9.53 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Kadyakapita, Mozecie Spector John
- Date: 2013 , 2013-03-24
- Subjects: Christian universities and colleges -- Administration -- Research -- Malawi Private universities and colleges -- Administration -- Research -- Malawi Education, Higher -- Administration -- Research -- Malawi Higher education and state -- Research -- Malawi Universities and colleges -- Malawi -- History Educational planning -- Malawi
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1400 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001818
- Description: This study was prompted by an interest in exploring ways in which the development of private higher education in Malawi could be more sustainable. It examines the challenges that private institutions of higher education face in different contexts and the underlying causes of these challenges. The aim of the study was to explore the emergence of private higher education (PHE) in Malawi, its management, development, the challenges it faces and the generative mechanisms of these challenges. The research is a case study of one of the earliest private institutions of higher education in Malawi. The institution is owned and operated by a Christian church organisation that has been operating a network of private primary and secondary schools and health centres since its establishment in Malawi in the early 1890s. Critical realism is used as an underlabourer for its stance on ontological, epistemological and ethical assumptions of reality and its views on agency and structure. Two theoretical frameworks - complexity theory and transformational leadership theories - are used as lenses to help make sense of the nature of social organisations and also as heuristic devices for organising and making sense of data. Data were collected using qualitative interviews, archival document content analysis and observation. Twenty participants were purposefully selected for interviews. The participants comprised a senior officer at the MoEST headquarters, proprietors, members of the top management team of the institution, administrative assistants, heads of academic and nonacademic departments, teachers and non-teaching staff and students. Abstracted data were analysed using inductive, abductive and retroductive modes of inference. The study established that the emergence of private higher education in Malawi was generated by a number of mechanisms. These include the need to survive the threat to socioeconomic development posed by global trends in scientific and technological issues that heavily rely on access to the knowledge economy; the need to respond to demand for equity and access to higher education; the need to carry out the mission of the Christian church; government’s failure to expand and widen access to higher education; and the agential need to survive economic demands. The research findings indicate that a critical challenge that the emergence of private higher education faced was the lack of adequate and efficient structures and systems in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to expeditiously process applications to establish and accredit, monitor and control the development of private higher education institutions. It was also found that the challenges that the private higher education faces include high level of authoritarian governance and management practices, weak institutional management and control systems and structure, secularisation, lack of adequate funds to meet operation and capital development costs, facilities and resources to support teaching – learning functions, learner support facilities and services and a critical shortage of appropriately qualified administrative and academic personnel. The underlying causes of the challenges include the perceived threat to personal power and survival; fear of apostasy and secularisation; cultural values, adverse socioeconomic conditions; lack of diverse sources of funding, ineffective communication skills; weak governance systems and structures; low level of self-control; unfavourable attitudes towards educational institutions and the need to restore equity. To make private institutions of higher learning more sustainable, the study recommends that governance practices be guided by clear structures, policies and guidelines in the interest of transparency and accountability. It also recommends that government works in close partnership with private providers, reviews unfair policies concerning government scholarships, subsidizes the cost of materials for instruction and infrastructure development, and provides technical assistance to prospective and active providers. Lastly, the study recommends that private providers form an association so as to share experiences and to collectively deal with issues of common interest and concern. , Adobe Acrobat 9.53 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A Crown on the Move: stylistic integration of the Luba-Lunda complex in Lunda-Kazembe performance
- Authors: Simbao, Ruth K
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147524 , vital:38646 , https://doi.org/10.1162/afar.2006.39.3.26
- Description: Carried on a scarlet and zebra-hide litter above the heads of a throbbing crowd, Mwata Kazembe XIX gloriously stretches out his arms as if to embrace a world that is his own (Fig. 1). As he parts the sea of well-wishers, splashes of red burst into view and the talking drum beats out its decree. Basking in a charged clamor where the senses blur in clouds of dust, Mwata gracefully sways from side to side, jangling the beads and cowries on the back of his akatasa crown. It is on this day that the Lunda-Kazembe Crown moves.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Simbao, Ruth K
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147524 , vital:38646 , https://doi.org/10.1162/afar.2006.39.3.26
- Description: Carried on a scarlet and zebra-hide litter above the heads of a throbbing crowd, Mwata Kazembe XIX gloriously stretches out his arms as if to embrace a world that is his own (Fig. 1). As he parts the sea of well-wishers, splashes of red burst into view and the talking drum beats out its decree. Basking in a charged clamor where the senses blur in clouds of dust, Mwata gracefully sways from side to side, jangling the beads and cowries on the back of his akatasa crown. It is on this day that the Lunda-Kazembe Crown moves.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A cyber security awareness and education framework for South Africa
- Authors: Kortjan, Noloxolo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Computer networks -- Security measures , Computer crimes -- Prevention , Computer security
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9811 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1014829
- Description: The Internet is becoming increasingly interwoven in the daily life of many individuals, organisations and nations. It has, to a large extent, had a positive effect on the way people communicate. It has also introduced new avenues for business and has offered nations an opportunity to govern online. Nevertheless, although cyberspace offers an endless list of services and opportunities, it is also accompanied by many risks. One of these risks is cybercrime. The Internet has given criminals a platform on which to grow and proliferate. As a result of the abstract nature of the Internet, it is easy for these criminals to go unpunished. Moreover, many who use the Internet are not aware of such threats; therefore they may themselves be at risk, together with businesses and governmental assets and infrastructure. In view of this, there is a need for cyber security awareness and education initiatives that will promote users who are well versed in the risks associated with the Internet. In this context, it is the role of the government to empower all levels of society by providing the necessary knowledge and expertise to act securely online. However, there is currently a definite lack in South Africa (SA) in this regard, as there are currently no government-led cyber security awareness and education initiatives. The primary research objective of this study, therefore, is to propose a cyber security awareness and education framework for SA that will assist in creating a cyber secure culture in SA among all of its users of the Internet.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Kortjan, Noloxolo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Computer networks -- Security measures , Computer crimes -- Prevention , Computer security
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9811 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1014829
- Description: The Internet is becoming increasingly interwoven in the daily life of many individuals, organisations and nations. It has, to a large extent, had a positive effect on the way people communicate. It has also introduced new avenues for business and has offered nations an opportunity to govern online. Nevertheless, although cyberspace offers an endless list of services and opportunities, it is also accompanied by many risks. One of these risks is cybercrime. The Internet has given criminals a platform on which to grow and proliferate. As a result of the abstract nature of the Internet, it is easy for these criminals to go unpunished. Moreover, many who use the Internet are not aware of such threats; therefore they may themselves be at risk, together with businesses and governmental assets and infrastructure. In view of this, there is a need for cyber security awareness and education initiatives that will promote users who are well versed in the risks associated with the Internet. In this context, it is the role of the government to empower all levels of society by providing the necessary knowledge and expertise to act securely online. However, there is currently a definite lack in South Africa (SA) in this regard, as there are currently no government-led cyber security awareness and education initiatives. The primary research objective of this study, therefore, is to propose a cyber security awareness and education framework for SA that will assist in creating a cyber secure culture in SA among all of its users of the Internet.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A descriptive analysis of statements taken by police officers from child complainants in sexual offence cases that examines the degree to which the form and content of the statements accord with best practice across a range of variables
- Authors: Johns, Alex
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Child sexual abuse -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Police -- South Africa Child witnesses -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:3664 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002611
- Description: With over twenty thousand complaints reported annually to police of child sexual abuse in South Africa, specialist police nvestigators are practised at taking statements from child complainants. This thesis analyses the fit between actualpolice practice and that recommended by international best practice. Children are a special class of witness because of their inherent social, emotional, and cognitive immaturity, and they are universally acknowledged to be very difficult witnesses to interview without the interviewer lending a bias to the process and thereby contaminating the outcome. The first half of the thesis therefore provides a detailed account of the research basis of current international best practice and of the hallmarks of that best practice which result in reliable interview outcomes. The second half of the thesis presents a descriptive analysis of 100 police statements taken from children in the Eastern Cape who had been raped in the period between 2010 and 2012. The findings of the analysis are presented in detail and then compared to the best practice summarised from the international research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Johns, Alex
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Child sexual abuse -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Police -- South Africa Child witnesses -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:3664 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002611
- Description: With over twenty thousand complaints reported annually to police of child sexual abuse in South Africa, specialist police nvestigators are practised at taking statements from child complainants. This thesis analyses the fit between actualpolice practice and that recommended by international best practice. Children are a special class of witness because of their inherent social, emotional, and cognitive immaturity, and they are universally acknowledged to be very difficult witnesses to interview without the interviewer lending a bias to the process and thereby contaminating the outcome. The first half of the thesis therefore provides a detailed account of the research basis of current international best practice and of the hallmarks of that best practice which result in reliable interview outcomes. The second half of the thesis presents a descriptive analysis of 100 police statements taken from children in the Eastern Cape who had been raped in the period between 2010 and 2012. The findings of the analysis are presented in detail and then compared to the best practice summarised from the international research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A discourse analysis of print media constructions of 'Muslim' people in British newspapers
- Authors: Nanabawa, Sumaiya
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Muslims -- Great Britain -- Public opinion Islam -- Great Britain -- Public opinion Racism in mass media Mass media -- Political aspects -- Great Britain Mass media -- Social aspects -- Great Britain Journalism -- Social aspects Journalism, Commercial -- Great Britain
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3132 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006767
- Description: This research study aimed to examine how the identity of ' Muslim' people is constructed in British print media today, and whether or not these constructions promote or undermine a xeno-racist project. The research draws on the idea that identity is partly constructed through representation, with an emphasis on how language can be used to construct and position people in different ways. Using a social constructionist paradigm, the study further considers the role that print media has in providing a discursive field within which the construction and reproduction of racist attitudes and ideologies in contemporary global society can take place. Sixty-five newspaper articles were selected from the online archives of British newspapers, The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph using systematic random sampling. These were analysed using the six stages of Foucauldian discourse analysis outlined by Carla Willig. To provide a more fruitful account, the analysis also incorporated the methods of Potter and Wetherell whose focus is on the function of discourse, as well as van Langenhove and Harre's focus on subject positioning, and Parker's use of Foucauldian analysis which looks at power distributions. The analysis revealed that Muslims are discursively constructed as a direct politicised or terror threat, often drawing on discourses of sharia law, and Muslim-Christian relationships. They are also constructed as a cultural threat, drawing on discourses of isolation, oppressed women, the veil/headscarf, identity, visibility and integration. The analysis also showed some variation in constructions, and these extended from the racialization of Muslims to showing the compatibility between Islamic and western values. This study discusses the form these different constructions take and the possible implications these constructions might have in contributing toward a prejudiced and largely negative image of Islam and Muslims.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Nanabawa, Sumaiya
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Muslims -- Great Britain -- Public opinion Islam -- Great Britain -- Public opinion Racism in mass media Mass media -- Political aspects -- Great Britain Mass media -- Social aspects -- Great Britain Journalism -- Social aspects Journalism, Commercial -- Great Britain
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3132 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006767
- Description: This research study aimed to examine how the identity of ' Muslim' people is constructed in British print media today, and whether or not these constructions promote or undermine a xeno-racist project. The research draws on the idea that identity is partly constructed through representation, with an emphasis on how language can be used to construct and position people in different ways. Using a social constructionist paradigm, the study further considers the role that print media has in providing a discursive field within which the construction and reproduction of racist attitudes and ideologies in contemporary global society can take place. Sixty-five newspaper articles were selected from the online archives of British newspapers, The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph using systematic random sampling. These were analysed using the six stages of Foucauldian discourse analysis outlined by Carla Willig. To provide a more fruitful account, the analysis also incorporated the methods of Potter and Wetherell whose focus is on the function of discourse, as well as van Langenhove and Harre's focus on subject positioning, and Parker's use of Foucauldian analysis which looks at power distributions. The analysis revealed that Muslims are discursively constructed as a direct politicised or terror threat, often drawing on discourses of sharia law, and Muslim-Christian relationships. They are also constructed as a cultural threat, drawing on discourses of isolation, oppressed women, the veil/headscarf, identity, visibility and integration. The analysis also showed some variation in constructions, and these extended from the racialization of Muslims to showing the compatibility between Islamic and western values. This study discusses the form these different constructions take and the possible implications these constructions might have in contributing toward a prejudiced and largely negative image of Islam and Muslims.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A feasibility study of wireless network technologies for rural broadband connectivity
- Authors: Twele, Nombulelo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Wireless communication systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local area networks (Computer networks) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Broadband communication systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Computer Science)
- Identifier: vital:11396 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016167 , Wireless communication systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local area networks (Computer networks) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Broadband communication systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The adoption of wireless broadband technologies to provide network and Internet connectivity in rural communities has conveyed the possibility to overcome the challenges caused by marginalization and many other characteristics possessed by these rural communities. With their different capabilities, these technologies enable communication for rural communities internally within the community and externally on a global scale. Deployment of these technologies in rural areas requires consideration of different factors - these are in contrast, to those considered when deploying these technologies in non-rural, urban areas. Numerous research show consideration of facts for deployment of broadband technologies in urban/ non-rural environments and a little has been done in considering facts for deployment in rural environments. Hence this research aims to define guidelines for selection of broadband technologies and make recommendations on which technologies are suitable for deployment in rural communities, thereby considering facts that are true only within these rural communities. To achieve this, the research determines the metrics that are relevant and important to consider when deploying wireless broadband technology in rural communities of South Africa. It further undertakes a survey of wireless broadband technologies that are suitable for deployment in such areas. The study first profiles a list of wireless communication technologies, determines and documents characteristics of rural communities in Africa, determines metrics used to declare technologies feasible in rural areas. The metrics and rural characteristics are then used to identify technologies that are better suited than others. Informed by this initial profiling, one technology: mobile WiMAX is then selected for deployment and further evaluation. A technical review of mobile WiMAX is then carried out by deploying it at our research site in the rural, marginalized community of Dwesa (Eastern Cape, South Africa). The final section of this research provides recommendations that mobile WiMAX, LTE and Wi-Fi are the best suitable technologies for deployment in rural marginalized environments. This has been supported by extensive research and real life deployment of both Wi-Fi and mobile WiMAX. This research also recommends consideration of the following facts when seeking deployment of these technologies in rural communities: the geographical setting of the target terrain, the distances between sources and target customers and distances between target communities, weather conditions of the area, applications to be deployed over the network, social well-being of the community and their financial freedom as well.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Twele, Nombulelo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Wireless communication systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local area networks (Computer networks) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Broadband communication systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Computer Science)
- Identifier: vital:11396 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016167 , Wireless communication systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local area networks (Computer networks) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Broadband communication systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The adoption of wireless broadband technologies to provide network and Internet connectivity in rural communities has conveyed the possibility to overcome the challenges caused by marginalization and many other characteristics possessed by these rural communities. With their different capabilities, these technologies enable communication for rural communities internally within the community and externally on a global scale. Deployment of these technologies in rural areas requires consideration of different factors - these are in contrast, to those considered when deploying these technologies in non-rural, urban areas. Numerous research show consideration of facts for deployment of broadband technologies in urban/ non-rural environments and a little has been done in considering facts for deployment in rural environments. Hence this research aims to define guidelines for selection of broadband technologies and make recommendations on which technologies are suitable for deployment in rural communities, thereby considering facts that are true only within these rural communities. To achieve this, the research determines the metrics that are relevant and important to consider when deploying wireless broadband technology in rural communities of South Africa. It further undertakes a survey of wireless broadband technologies that are suitable for deployment in such areas. The study first profiles a list of wireless communication technologies, determines and documents characteristics of rural communities in Africa, determines metrics used to declare technologies feasible in rural areas. The metrics and rural characteristics are then used to identify technologies that are better suited than others. Informed by this initial profiling, one technology: mobile WiMAX is then selected for deployment and further evaluation. A technical review of mobile WiMAX is then carried out by deploying it at our research site in the rural, marginalized community of Dwesa (Eastern Cape, South Africa). The final section of this research provides recommendations that mobile WiMAX, LTE and Wi-Fi are the best suitable technologies for deployment in rural marginalized environments. This has been supported by extensive research and real life deployment of both Wi-Fi and mobile WiMAX. This research also recommends consideration of the following facts when seeking deployment of these technologies in rural communities: the geographical setting of the target terrain, the distances between sources and target customers and distances between target communities, weather conditions of the area, applications to be deployed over the network, social well-being of the community and their financial freedom as well.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A feminist analysis of Lyman Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables and Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden
- Authors: Becker, Bonnie
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1290 , vital:26543
- Description: The primary aim of this project is to provide a close contextual and textual analysis of the selected children’s classics: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Anne of Green Gables and The Secret Garden using the feminist literary theory. From this perspective I have shown how the selected works of Lyman Frank Baum, Lucy Maud Montgomery and Frances Hodgson Burnett’s writing have contributed to women’s stereotypical roles within society and perpetuated their subjugated position. I have also conducted an examination of the extent to which the female protagonists attempt to emancipate themselves from gender oppression. A comparative study of the selected children’s texts has not yet been conducted and therefore this project serves as a significant contribution to this field of study. An exploration of the historical background of the authors and children’s literature is conducted to provide an overview into the inner workings of the writers’ lives and the historical significance of children’s literature as a genre. The theoretical framework of feminist literary theory is used in the analysis of the selected texts. The connection between feminist literary theory and children’s literature is highlighted and provides further understanding of the purpose of this study. The history of feminism as both a movement and a contemporary literary criticism is explored. Simone de Beauvoir’s The Second Sex is used when analysing the texts’ characters and how they are based on society’s stereotypical gender roles. Luce Irigaray’s Speculum of the Other Woman and This Sex Which is Not One is examined to aid in an exploration of psychological female oppression through feminine and masculine discourse evident in the creation of the novels’ female and male characters. Hélène Cixous’ “The Laugh of the Medusa” and The Newly Born Woman is interrogated according to the stereotypical ideology surrounding the terms masculinity and femininity and how these terms are interpreted in the selected works. Judith Butler’s Gender Trouble and Undoing Gender are additionally explored to assist in the understanding of the concept of gender performativity and through the lens of Butler’s interpolation of gender the move towards the emancipation of women is seen in the selected children’s texts. The close textual feminist analysis focuses on the female protagonists: Dorothy, Anne and Mary as well as the secondary female characters: the wicked witches, Aunt Em, the Queen of the Field-Mice, the princess made from china, Glinda’s female soldiers from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz; Marilla Cuthbert, Rachel Lynde and Diana Barry from Anne of Green Gables and Martha, Mrs Sowerby and Mrs Craven from The Secret Garden. The portrayal of the secondary male characters are additionally explored according to feminist literary theory: The Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, the Lion and the wizard Oz from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz; Matthew Cuthbert and Gilbert Blythe from Anne of the Green Gables’ and Mr Craven, Colin Craven and Dickon Sowerby from The Secret Garden. The comparison of these children’s classics by Baum, Montgomery and Burnett provides insight into the selected works of all three writers, through the lens offered by feminist literary theory. Through the interrogation of these representative female protagonists found in early children’s literature, an understanding of not only the subordination of women, as evident in literature during this era, is illustrated but also the comprehension that women’s liberation was foreshadowed in these early children’s novels.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Becker, Bonnie
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1290 , vital:26543
- Description: The primary aim of this project is to provide a close contextual and textual analysis of the selected children’s classics: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Anne of Green Gables and The Secret Garden using the feminist literary theory. From this perspective I have shown how the selected works of Lyman Frank Baum, Lucy Maud Montgomery and Frances Hodgson Burnett’s writing have contributed to women’s stereotypical roles within society and perpetuated their subjugated position. I have also conducted an examination of the extent to which the female protagonists attempt to emancipate themselves from gender oppression. A comparative study of the selected children’s texts has not yet been conducted and therefore this project serves as a significant contribution to this field of study. An exploration of the historical background of the authors and children’s literature is conducted to provide an overview into the inner workings of the writers’ lives and the historical significance of children’s literature as a genre. The theoretical framework of feminist literary theory is used in the analysis of the selected texts. The connection between feminist literary theory and children’s literature is highlighted and provides further understanding of the purpose of this study. The history of feminism as both a movement and a contemporary literary criticism is explored. Simone de Beauvoir’s The Second Sex is used when analysing the texts’ characters and how they are based on society’s stereotypical gender roles. Luce Irigaray’s Speculum of the Other Woman and This Sex Which is Not One is examined to aid in an exploration of psychological female oppression through feminine and masculine discourse evident in the creation of the novels’ female and male characters. Hélène Cixous’ “The Laugh of the Medusa” and The Newly Born Woman is interrogated according to the stereotypical ideology surrounding the terms masculinity and femininity and how these terms are interpreted in the selected works. Judith Butler’s Gender Trouble and Undoing Gender are additionally explored to assist in the understanding of the concept of gender performativity and through the lens of Butler’s interpolation of gender the move towards the emancipation of women is seen in the selected children’s texts. The close textual feminist analysis focuses on the female protagonists: Dorothy, Anne and Mary as well as the secondary female characters: the wicked witches, Aunt Em, the Queen of the Field-Mice, the princess made from china, Glinda’s female soldiers from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz; Marilla Cuthbert, Rachel Lynde and Diana Barry from Anne of Green Gables and Martha, Mrs Sowerby and Mrs Craven from The Secret Garden. The portrayal of the secondary male characters are additionally explored according to feminist literary theory: The Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, the Lion and the wizard Oz from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz; Matthew Cuthbert and Gilbert Blythe from Anne of the Green Gables’ and Mr Craven, Colin Craven and Dickon Sowerby from The Secret Garden. The comparison of these children’s classics by Baum, Montgomery and Burnett provides insight into the selected works of all three writers, through the lens offered by feminist literary theory. Through the interrogation of these representative female protagonists found in early children’s literature, an understanding of not only the subordination of women, as evident in literature during this era, is illustrated but also the comprehension that women’s liberation was foreshadowed in these early children’s novels.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A framework for assuring conformance of cloud-based email at higher education institutions
- Authors: Willett, Melanie
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Cloud computing -- Security measures , Computer networks -- Security measures , Web services , Education, Higher -- Technological innovations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9815 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018664
- Description: Cloud computing is a relatively immature computing paradigm that could significantly benefit users. Cloud computing solutions are often associated with potential benefits such as cost reduction, less administrative hassle, flexibility and scalability. For organisations to realize such potential benefits, cloud computing solutions need to be chosen, implemented, managed and governed in a way that is secure, compliant with internal and external requirements and indicative of due diligence. This can be a challenge, given the many concerns and risks commonly associated with cloud computing solutions. One cloud computing solution that is being widely adopted around the world is cloud-based email. One of the foremost adopters of this cloud computing solution is higher education institutions. These higher education institutions stand to benefit greatly from using such services. Cloud-based email can be provisioned to staff and students at these institutions for free. Additionally, cloud service providers (CSPs) are able to provide a better email service than some higher education institutions would be able to provide if they were required to do so in-house. CSPs often provide larger inboxes and many extra services with cloud-based email. Cloud-based email is, therefore, clearly an example of a cloud computing solution that has the potential to benefit organisations. There are however, risks and challenges associated with the use of this cloud computing solution. Two of these challenges relate to ensuring conformance to internal and external (legal, regulatory and contractual obligations) requirements and to providing a mechanism of assuring that cloud-based email related activities are sound. The lack of structured guidelines for assuring the conformance of cloud-based email is putting this service at risk at higher education institutions in South Africa. This work addresses this problem by promoting a best practice based approach to assuring the conformance of cloud-based email at higher education institutions. To accomplish this, components of applicable standards and best practice guidelines for IT governance, IT assurance and IT conformance are used to construct a framework for assuring the conformance of cloud-based email. The framework is designed and verified using sound design science principles. The utility and value of the framework has been demonstrated at a higher education institution in South Africa. This framework can be used to assist higher education institutions to demonstrate due diligence in assuring that they conform to legal and best practice requirements for the management and governance of cloud-based email. This is a significant contribution in the relatively new field of cloud computing governance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Willett, Melanie
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Cloud computing -- Security measures , Computer networks -- Security measures , Web services , Education, Higher -- Technological innovations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9815 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018664
- Description: Cloud computing is a relatively immature computing paradigm that could significantly benefit users. Cloud computing solutions are often associated with potential benefits such as cost reduction, less administrative hassle, flexibility and scalability. For organisations to realize such potential benefits, cloud computing solutions need to be chosen, implemented, managed and governed in a way that is secure, compliant with internal and external requirements and indicative of due diligence. This can be a challenge, given the many concerns and risks commonly associated with cloud computing solutions. One cloud computing solution that is being widely adopted around the world is cloud-based email. One of the foremost adopters of this cloud computing solution is higher education institutions. These higher education institutions stand to benefit greatly from using such services. Cloud-based email can be provisioned to staff and students at these institutions for free. Additionally, cloud service providers (CSPs) are able to provide a better email service than some higher education institutions would be able to provide if they were required to do so in-house. CSPs often provide larger inboxes and many extra services with cloud-based email. Cloud-based email is, therefore, clearly an example of a cloud computing solution that has the potential to benefit organisations. There are however, risks and challenges associated with the use of this cloud computing solution. Two of these challenges relate to ensuring conformance to internal and external (legal, regulatory and contractual obligations) requirements and to providing a mechanism of assuring that cloud-based email related activities are sound. The lack of structured guidelines for assuring the conformance of cloud-based email is putting this service at risk at higher education institutions in South Africa. This work addresses this problem by promoting a best practice based approach to assuring the conformance of cloud-based email at higher education institutions. To accomplish this, components of applicable standards and best practice guidelines for IT governance, IT assurance and IT conformance are used to construct a framework for assuring the conformance of cloud-based email. The framework is designed and verified using sound design science principles. The utility and value of the framework has been demonstrated at a higher education institution in South Africa. This framework can be used to assist higher education institutions to demonstrate due diligence in assuring that they conform to legal and best practice requirements for the management and governance of cloud-based email. This is a significant contribution in the relatively new field of cloud computing governance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A framework for biometrics for social grants in South Africa
- Authors: Van de Haar, Helen Augusta
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Biometric identification -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Biometric identification cards -- South Africa , Public welfare -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9829 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021018
- Description: In the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) Annual Report of 2011/2012 it is stated that there were more than 15 million social grants paid out to needy beneficiaries of which 10 927 731 were Child Support Grants. A major challenge that is continually being addressed is the management and administration of these grants. In particular, the focus is on service delivery and zero tolerance to fraud and corruption. SASSA has made various attempts to address these issues, such as the rollout of biometric smart cards in 2012. This research endeavour attempts to discover whether a framework can be designed where necessary factors are taken into consideration to provide for an efficient social grant application and delivery process that uses biometrics. The framework aims to suggest improvements in the use of biometrics for the social grants. Seeing that biometrics in this case is used as a technology to improve a system involving humans, this study followed a Design Science approach and made use of a case study to collect the data required for the study. Literature studies reviewed the fields of social grants and biometrics. The challenges and lessons learnt from current implementations of social grants and biometrics within the South African context and further abroad were also relevant for the study. The framework that resulted from the above was evaluated for validity and applicability after which a modified framework is presented. The research concludes with specific implementation guidelines as well as areas for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Van de Haar, Helen Augusta
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Biometric identification -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Biometric identification cards -- South Africa , Public welfare -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9829 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021018
- Description: In the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) Annual Report of 2011/2012 it is stated that there were more than 15 million social grants paid out to needy beneficiaries of which 10 927 731 were Child Support Grants. A major challenge that is continually being addressed is the management and administration of these grants. In particular, the focus is on service delivery and zero tolerance to fraud and corruption. SASSA has made various attempts to address these issues, such as the rollout of biometric smart cards in 2012. This research endeavour attempts to discover whether a framework can be designed where necessary factors are taken into consideration to provide for an efficient social grant application and delivery process that uses biometrics. The framework aims to suggest improvements in the use of biometrics for the social grants. Seeing that biometrics in this case is used as a technology to improve a system involving humans, this study followed a Design Science approach and made use of a case study to collect the data required for the study. Literature studies reviewed the fields of social grants and biometrics. The challenges and lessons learnt from current implementations of social grants and biometrics within the South African context and further abroad were also relevant for the study. The framework that resulted from the above was evaluated for validity and applicability after which a modified framework is presented. The research concludes with specific implementation guidelines as well as areas for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A framework for co-located collaborative business process modelling using touch technologies
- Authors: Snyman, Irene
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Reengineering (Management) , Information technology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:10498 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021015
- Description: In recent years the field of Business Process Modelling (BPM) has gained increasing attention from both the business and research communities. One of the primary drivers for BPM is the improved understanding of Business Processes (BPs) and the competitive advantage gained over competitors. In addition, BPM can improve communication in an organisation and facilitate increased support for change management. BPM is a collaborative activity that needs to be carried out in a team environment, and Collaborative Business Process Modelling (CBPM) promotes improved readability, accuracy and quality of process models as well as a reduced workload for modellers. In spite of the increased popularity of CBPM, there is limited research related to the collaborative nature of the modelling tasks performed by modellers and specifically to the synchronisation of shared process models. In addition, tools and techniques to support CBPM do not support this synchronisation effectively or efficiently. This study proposes a conceptual framework for CBPM using touch technologies in a colocated collaborative environment. The main research problem addressed by this study is that modellers experience difficulties conducting BPM activities in a co-located collaborative environment. In order to address the research problem and clarify and elaborate on the problems of CBPM, a two-fold approach was undertaken. Firstly, after an in-depth literature review, a BPM survey was designed and then sent to modellers in South African Information Technology (IT) consulting companies in order to provide a more in-depth understanding of the status and challenges of CBPM in IT consulting organisations. The results revealed that available BPM software do not adequately cater for CBPM and software tools do not enforce versioning and synchronisation. In addition, hardware constraints were reported as well as problems with integrating different parts of the process model that the modellers were working on. The results of the survey also showed that the positive aspects of CBPM are that ideas could be shared and overall there is a better understanding of the BPs being modelled. The second part of the problem elaboration consisted of usability field studies with participants from both education and industry using a traditional popular BPM software tool, Enterprise Architect (EA). Whilst several benefits of CBPM were confirmed, several challenges were encountered, particularly with regard to the integration and synchronisation of models. To overcome the problems of CBPM, a framework was developed that allows for co-located CBPM using tablet PCs. The framework includes a developed prototype of the BPMTouch software which runs on tablet PCs, as well as some theoretical aspects of CBPM. The BPMTouch software supports effective and efficient CBPM and the synchronisation of process models since it allows multiple modellers to work together on one BP model, with each modeller using his/her own tablet. If one modeller makes changes to the model, the changes are immediately reflected on the tablets of the other modellers since the changes to the model are updated in real time. Modellers cannot draw on the same model simultaneously, however, everyone can see what the active modeller (active participant with the green flag) is doing. Other participants can then become the active modeller and make changes to the model once the flag has been released and re-allocated. The results from the field studies, industry surveys and usability evaluations were all incorporated into the BPMTouch software tool design and into the aspects of CBPM in order to assist with the process of co-located CBPM using touch technologies. Usability evaluations were carried out in which industry and student participants used BPMTouch to create an integrated model and simultaneously and synchronously create a process model. The evaluations of the BPMTouch prototype revealed that participants prefer this system over traditional BPM software since the BPMTouch removes the need for post modelling integration. The theoretical contribution of the framework consists of aspects proposing that organisations should take the potential benefits and challenges of CBPM into consideration and address the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) before embarking on a CBPM project. These aspects can help with decisions relating to CBPM. The use of this framework can improve the quality of process models, reduce the workload of modellers and in this way increase the success rate of CBPM projects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Snyman, Irene
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Reengineering (Management) , Information technology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:10498 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021015
- Description: In recent years the field of Business Process Modelling (BPM) has gained increasing attention from both the business and research communities. One of the primary drivers for BPM is the improved understanding of Business Processes (BPs) and the competitive advantage gained over competitors. In addition, BPM can improve communication in an organisation and facilitate increased support for change management. BPM is a collaborative activity that needs to be carried out in a team environment, and Collaborative Business Process Modelling (CBPM) promotes improved readability, accuracy and quality of process models as well as a reduced workload for modellers. In spite of the increased popularity of CBPM, there is limited research related to the collaborative nature of the modelling tasks performed by modellers and specifically to the synchronisation of shared process models. In addition, tools and techniques to support CBPM do not support this synchronisation effectively or efficiently. This study proposes a conceptual framework for CBPM using touch technologies in a colocated collaborative environment. The main research problem addressed by this study is that modellers experience difficulties conducting BPM activities in a co-located collaborative environment. In order to address the research problem and clarify and elaborate on the problems of CBPM, a two-fold approach was undertaken. Firstly, after an in-depth literature review, a BPM survey was designed and then sent to modellers in South African Information Technology (IT) consulting companies in order to provide a more in-depth understanding of the status and challenges of CBPM in IT consulting organisations. The results revealed that available BPM software do not adequately cater for CBPM and software tools do not enforce versioning and synchronisation. In addition, hardware constraints were reported as well as problems with integrating different parts of the process model that the modellers were working on. The results of the survey also showed that the positive aspects of CBPM are that ideas could be shared and overall there is a better understanding of the BPs being modelled. The second part of the problem elaboration consisted of usability field studies with participants from both education and industry using a traditional popular BPM software tool, Enterprise Architect (EA). Whilst several benefits of CBPM were confirmed, several challenges were encountered, particularly with regard to the integration and synchronisation of models. To overcome the problems of CBPM, a framework was developed that allows for co-located CBPM using tablet PCs. The framework includes a developed prototype of the BPMTouch software which runs on tablet PCs, as well as some theoretical aspects of CBPM. The BPMTouch software supports effective and efficient CBPM and the synchronisation of process models since it allows multiple modellers to work together on one BP model, with each modeller using his/her own tablet. If one modeller makes changes to the model, the changes are immediately reflected on the tablets of the other modellers since the changes to the model are updated in real time. Modellers cannot draw on the same model simultaneously, however, everyone can see what the active modeller (active participant with the green flag) is doing. Other participants can then become the active modeller and make changes to the model once the flag has been released and re-allocated. The results from the field studies, industry surveys and usability evaluations were all incorporated into the BPMTouch software tool design and into the aspects of CBPM in order to assist with the process of co-located CBPM using touch technologies. Usability evaluations were carried out in which industry and student participants used BPMTouch to create an integrated model and simultaneously and synchronously create a process model. The evaluations of the BPMTouch prototype revealed that participants prefer this system over traditional BPM software since the BPMTouch removes the need for post modelling integration. The theoretical contribution of the framework consists of aspects proposing that organisations should take the potential benefits and challenges of CBPM into consideration and address the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) before embarking on a CBPM project. These aspects can help with decisions relating to CBPM. The use of this framework can improve the quality of process models, reduce the workload of modellers and in this way increase the success rate of CBPM projects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013