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Assessment of the implementation of the citizen centric strategies for social grant service delivery :Chris Hani District

  • Authors: Danster, Siyabulela
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: South African Social Security Agency -- South Africa -- Chris Hani District
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46692 , vital:39609
  • Description: This study aimed to assess the implementation of citizen centric strategies for social grant service delivery in the Chris Hani District and if SASSA is still living up to its promise. SASSA claims it will always pay the right social grant, to the right person, at the right time and place. This study aimed to understand and assess the different strategies of SASSA towards enhancing citizen experience in delivering social grants. The study’s objective was to assess citizen experience regarding the SASSA social grant payment systems, the social grant application processes, and SASSA communication and advocacy programmes. To conduct this study, a qualitative research methodology was employed. The population sample comprised of SASSA officials in the Chris Hani District. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with SASSA officials. The findings of this study reveal that SASSA did well to improve application turnaround time from 90 days to one day. Even so, payment methods must be improved. The recommendations suggest that SASSA should consider insourcing the function of paying social grants and consider opening the closed pay-points, as beneficiaries are struggling to travel to the remaining opened pay-points. The findings also proposed aligning the SocPen and MIS.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

Challenges in the implementation of a community police forum constitution: a case study of the beacon bay community police forum in the Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Twani, Sydney Vuyisile
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Community policing -- South Africa Crime prevention Police-community relations Police -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11031 , vital:36687
  • Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which the Beacon Bay Community Police Forum in the East London area has implemented the Community Police Forum (CPF) uniform constitution. The main research question of this study was: To what extent has the Beacon Bay Community Police Forum in the East London area implemented the uniform Community Police Forum (CPF) constitution? The theoretical framework that guided this study was the broken windows theory. The literature review looked into the following: existing knowledge based on the assessment of the implementation of the uniform CPF constitution by the Beacon Bay Community Police Forum, the regulatory framework and an overview of the role and functions of the community police forum (CPF) in South Africa, lack of awareness and representativeness as challenges to community police forums effectiveness, inadequate resources in the implementation of an effective community policing forum, lack of trust between the police and the community and the issue of corruption as challenges in the implementation of CPF. The qualitative research method was used in this study. The case study design was also used. The researcher used the purposive sampling technique to select six community members and four community executives of the Beacon Bay CPF in the East London area. Face-to-face in-depth individual interviews were used to gather in-depth data. The manual method of analysis was used. The researcher analysed the data by capturing the patterns and direct words of the participants who were interviewed through note taking. Themes were drawn from the responses of the participants and analysed. Some of the findings were that: Community members did not know exactly when the CPF was implemented, the CPF was not effective, community members did not attend CPF meetings and had negative attitudes towards CPF, the police worked better with the rich people rather than the poor ones and there were some influences of politics in the CPF. In addition, the resources lacking at the CPF were: SAPS staff, shortage of police stations and insufficient vehicles at the police stations. Furthermore, some police worked hand-iniv hand with the criminals and the repercussions of poor trust between the community and the police included: community members taking the law into their own hands, poor handling of criminal cases, and escalation of crime in the community. Some community members noted the positive effect that the implementation of the community police forum had as they could now engage the police directly on matters relating to crime and how they think such challenges can be addressed. The researcher made some recommendations towards an effective implementation of the Community Police Forum in Beacon Bay in East London.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Effect of dietary Mucuna pruriens seed meal on the serum lipid profile and bone quality traits of broiler chickens

  • Authors: Hempe, Chumani
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Legumes Lipoproteins
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17213 , vital:40866
  • Description: This study aimed at evaluating the effects of heated Mucuna pruriens seed meal on the blood serum lipid profile and bone quality parameters of broiler chickens. A total of 120 day-old unsexed Cobb 500 broiler chicks were randomly allocated for the 4 treatment diets (T1, T2, T3 and T4) containing 0, 10, 15, and 20% heated Mucuna pruriens seed meal. The birds were reared on wood shaving floor pens for 35 days. Birds were humanely slaughtered by severing the jugular vein using a sharp knife. Blood was collected into a tube, centrifuge and analyzed for a lipid profile analysis (total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoproteins (HDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL), triglycerides (TCD) as well as aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT)) by enzymatic diagnostic kits (Diasys diagnostic kits). Both drumsticks severed using a sharp knife. After boiling in the water at 100°C for 10 mins the tibia bones were taken, air-dried for 96 hrs at room temperature and measured for weights. Bone length, strength, moisture and ash content as well as morphology were measured. The blood lipid profile of birds fed T1 was high (P < 0.05) for all the parameters measured, while T3 had the lowest (P < 0.05) profile. T2 and T4 had the same profile. ALT was found to be highest (P < 0.05) for T4 (5.27 ± 0.207/L) and lowest (P < 0.05) for T2 (4.67 ± 0.333/L) while AST was highest (P < 0.05) for T2 (320.13 ± 28.851/L) and lowest (P < 0.05) for T3 (208.47 ± 10.059/L). Treatment diet 3 (T3) was observed decreased bone quality among all diets; with the lowest (P < 0.05) bone strength (188.55 ± 12.039N), bone length (8.59 ± 0.131cm) and morphology (1.69 ± 0.058). Mucuna pruriens seed meal inclusion in broiler diets reduces blood serum lipids and 20% inclusion levels have no adverse effects on the bone quality attributes
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Isolation and characterization of extracts of Rosmarinus officinalis l. And comparative evaluation of its antimicrobial activity and selected types of antibiotics against some bacteria species

  • Authors: Gbede,Remi
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Rosmarinus Essences and essential oils Lamiaceae Medicinal plants
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19142 , vital:39875
  • Description: Rosmarinus officinalis L. is known extensively for its multifunctional purposes. The essential oil has been widely used in cosmeceuticals and several ethnopharmacological values. In vitro studies have demonstrated the antibacterial activity of essential oils (EOs) of Rosmarinus officinalis L. against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Vibrio cholerae DSM 19283, Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Bacillus cereus. These different bacteria were screened against antibiotics such as Tetracycline, Ampicillin Sodium salt, Erythromycin and Amoxicillin, and some standards namely rosmarinic acid, carnosic acid and carnosol, and also against the methanol, acetone, chloroform and dichloromethane extracts of rosemary. The essential oils of Rosmarinus officinalis L. showed significant inhibitory properties compared to antibiotics with various degrees of growth inhibition. The standards exhibited some activities against the organisms. The GC/MS analysis of the essential oil revealed 34 compounds present with most components acting in synergy to bring about antibacterial activities. The antiplasmodial and cytotoxic activities of two leaf extracts of Rosmarinus officinalis (with hexane and dichloromethane as solvents) using standard procedure were studied. The findings justify the claims on the efficacy of plants for therapeutic uses for antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Antiplasmodial activity of Rosmarinus officinalis recorded IC50 values of 9.99 µg/ml and 9.76 µg/ml in hexane and dichloromethane respectively.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

The role of gardening in improving community resilience in rural areas: a case study of Raymond Mhlaba, Port St Johns and Ingquza Hill Local Municipalities, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

  • Authors: Hendrick, Namhla Andiphile
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Community gardens
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17224 , vital:40867
  • Description: The increase of challenges in rural areas especially in developing countries has widened the vulnerability of rural people in the rural communities. This study has found that gardening has become the weapon to defend rural people and communities in developing countries against poverty and other hardships, since gardening in rural communities has the possibility to act as sustainable livelihood strategy. Semi structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data from smallholder farmers in the three local municipalities (Raymond Mhlaba, Port St Johns and Ingquza Hill local municipalities). The research investigated both home and community gardening. Multistage sampling was employed to select the sample. In stage one, the three Local Municipalities (LM’s) were purposively selected. In stage two, farmers were grouped into wards and communities and samples drawn in such a way that each group was well represented. This was followed by using quota sampling through the census statistics to determine farmers who are practising gardening whether it is community gardening or household gardening in these three local municipalities. Finally, random sampling was used to select a sample of 203 households that are undertaking some form of gardening (home or community) and are willingness to participate in the study. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 24) was used to analyse the data by means of descriptive statistics and logistic regression model. The results confirm the strong links between home or community gardening and community resilience and that the influence is conditioned by a range of socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, including, age, occupation, access to extension officer and farming experience. In the light of the foregoing, it is recommended that households and communities be encouraged establish and operate home and/or community gardens as a strategy for coping with adversities that rural areas confront from time to time. In line with that, social interactions must be encouraged in communities because such interactions increase resilience in the sense that they build confidence in community members and a strong sense of belonging and trust. The role of education in enhancing access to information and knowledge that promote community resilience to disasters and shocks needs to be recognized and incorporated in community planning
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  • Date Issued: 2019

Evaluation of the socio-economic performance of smallholder irrigation schemes in Idutywa Village of the Eastern Cape Province

  • Authors: Jiba, Phiwe
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Irrigation farming -- Economic aspects Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4705 , vital:28497
  • Description: South Africa and other African countries are faced with high levels of food insecurity and poverty levels as a result of slow growth of the macro economy and weak or sluggish rural development. Irrigation scheme development is seen as an important strategy to address the challenges faced by households in rural areas and restores growth and enhanced livelihoods. While the international experience shows that Irrigation schemes are potentially transformative of poor communities and have been operational for many years now, there is no marked improvement in living conditions of rural households in terms of livelihoods and income. This raises the question as to whether or not the schemes are viable from a socio-economic perspective and whether or not there are reasons for concern and revision of the policy framework for smallholder irrigation schemes. As a result of that, the broad objective of the study was to evaluate the contribution of smallholder irrigation schemes to household income and food security of rural households in Idutywa village of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. Specifically, this research investigated the major factors that influence their performance, impact of irrigation farming on rural livelihood and household food security as well as identifying the possible opportunities of production that would improve their performance. The study was carried out in Idutywa villages of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa and employed survey data obtained from 107 households. The study employed a cross-sectional research design and the study employed stratified random sampling. The study made use of descriptive and inferential statistics to estimate the central tendency and dispersion as well as testing the hypothesis that there is a difference in the contribution between irrigators and non-irrigators using STATA and SPSS. Probit regression model was used to estimate factors that influenced the performance of smallholder irrigation schemes. The descriptive statistics employed included means, percentages and frequencies on the socio-economic characteristics of households in the study areas. The results show that females were dominant with a representation of 66.7 percent. The majority of households were aged and the mean age was 65 years. High level of illiteracy in the project area was revealed by the data. The average number of years, households spent in school was between 6 years to 10 years in school. Farming was found to be the major agricultural economic activity. Sixty-three (63 percent) were full time farmers. The results further show that household size ranges between 1 to 5 persons. The households were shown to be mostly dependent on social grant with household income hovering around R 1 000. The results from propensity score matching revealed that irrigation exerts a positive impact on household income. This provides sufficient evidence that irrigation schemes do make a contribution to rural livelihoods through their effect on household income and food security. This implies that government should continue investing in irrigation schemes as part of a strategy to grow the rural economy and improve rural livelihoods. This is in line with the Agricultural Policy Action Plan (APAP) and National Development Plan (NDP) of South Africa. Probit analysis suggests that age of the households, household size and market were some of the key determinants that positively influenced households’ decision to participate in smallholder irrigation schemes while access to credit had significant but negative effect on households’ decision to participate in smallholder irrigation schemes. Based on the findings highlighted above, it is recommended that addressing such barriers may create enabling conditions that would encourage households to access and participate more effectively in smallholder irrigation schemes.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Job satisfaction, organisational justice in determining employee turnover among administrative staff at a university in South Africa

  • Authors: Landu, Mzimkulu Christopher
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Universities and colleges -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Employees
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4784 , vital:28520
  • Description: The aim of this study explore the role of job satisfaction , organizational justice in determining employee turnover among administrative staff at Walter Sisulu University at Ibika campus in Butterworth , in the Eastern Cape Province. A sample of 70 administrative staff was drawn for the population of 170. Results of the study indicated that the study variables are significantly and positively correlated with one another. Job satisfaction was found to be significantly and positively correlated with employee turnover. Organizational justice was also found to be significantly positively correlated with employee turnover. Likewise, a positive and significant relationship between job satisfaction and organizational justice was found. The findings of this study will assist Ibika campus management in reducing employee turnover and increase the retention of administrative staff at Ibika campus and the entire Walter Sisulu administrative staff at large.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

The investigation of the role and the efficacy of learning technologies towards community skill development

  • Authors: Masikisiki, Baphumelele
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Web-based instruction Computer-assisted instruction
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5972 , vital:29460
  • Description: Research has revealed that during systems design and development of e-learning technologies there is a tendency of neglecting the needs of end users and focus on the design process and the technology factors, and this has traditionally been the reason for poor usability of otherwise well conceptualized systems, as a result a number of IT-based learning tools ended up not being usable and not being utilized effectively. This study aims to investigate the impact of e-learning technologies, how people perceive the usage of e-learning technologies towards community skill development. An evaluation of four different e-learning technologies was conducted to investigate the role and efficacy of e-learning technologies within the surrounding communities. Data was analyzed as nominal data using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software 24. Descriptive analysis, frequency, reliability and correctional analysis and also measures of central tendency were computed. Reliability was evaluated for assessing the internal consistency of the items using Cronbach’s alpha. To analyze the relationship between variables matrices of Pearson’s correlation was used. Pearson’s correlation can only be accepted when the significant effect (P>.05), this indicates that there is a positive or a negative relationship between two variables, if these conditions are not met then the proposed correlation or hypothesis can be rejected. Results indicate a poor perception and poor acceptance of e-learning technologies due to a number of factors, these factors include lack of computer-self efficacy which leads to computer anxiety, affordability of internet connectivity which leads to inaccessible of e-learning technologies. The findings also indicated that LAMS was found to be less useable and less useful by a number of students. However, students who enjoy working in groups found LAMS to be useable because it was supporting their preferred learning style, whereas individualistic students preferred Moodle and Dokeos because it was supporting their personal preferences and assessment styles. Having understood all the characteristics of learning tools, relevant learning technologies that are suitable for students can then be recommended.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

The perceived meaning and benefits of people analytics in selected organisations in South Africa

  • Authors: Marazanye, Joram
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Personnel management Business -- Data processing Employees -- Recruiting
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4480 , vital:28341
  • Description: Regardless of the widespread application of analytics to a variety of business measurements, it is noteworthy that the use of people analytics is still no place close where it could be. The main aim of this study is to examine the perceived meaning and benefits of people analytics in selected South African organisations. People analytics is a burning-fresh topic in HR field aiming at using data to make organisational decisions and little has been done in this area especially in the South African context. The study employed qualitative-exploratory design which comprised of 10 senior HR officers from selected organisations in South Africa. From the findings, it shows that the employment of people analytics in South African context is in its early stage and its conception and repercussions are little understood. In addition, there is an accord on its usefulness, however the workforce analytic skills have found to be the major difficulty to foster its successful implementation and adoption by organisations. Because of its qualitative nature, this study had a limitation that it lack representativeness hence the findings cannot be generalised. Research opportunities for future can be quantitative and longitudinal research to objectively ascertain the extent future employability of people analytics.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Yield responses, mineral levels of forages and soil in old arable land planted to four legume pasture species in Lushington communal area, South Africa

  • Authors: Gulwa, Unathi
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Forage plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Minerals in animal nutrition Communal rangelands -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2799 , vital:28091
  • Description: This study was conducted in the old arable land located in Lushington communal area in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The objectives of the study were to assess the effect of legume introduction on biomass yield, forage and soil mineral levels of the arable lands planted to four leguminous pastures in four seasons. Planting was done in March and October 2008 in Lushington. All legumes were subjected to grow under rain fed conditions. Trifolium vesiculosum (arrowleaf clover), Lespedeza cuneata (sericea lespedeza), Trifolium repens (white clover) and Lotus corniculatus (birdsfoot trefoil) are the four forage legume species that were sampled for the purposes of this study. The four legume species persisted out of the fourteen species that were initially tested for adaptability and persistence in the environmental conditions of Lushington communal area. The legumes, grasses and soils from these legume plots were sampled to determine the effect of legume introduction on the forage yield, mineral contents of the companion grasses and soils over four seasons. Plant and soil samples were collected once in spring (November) 2013, summer (February), autumn (March) and winter (May) 2014 for biomass production, macro and micronutrients determination. Results indicated that legume inclusion and season affected (P < 0.05) the total dry matter (TDM) yield production. Plots with Lespedeza cuneata had the highest TDM (1843 kg/ha) and control plots had the least dry matter production (1091 kg/ha). Summer season provided the highest (P < 0.05) TDM compared to the other seasons. Both legume and grass quality was also affected (P < 0.05) by legume inclusion in different seasons. Accordingly, grasses harvested from Trifolium repens plot showed higher CP level (10.90 percent) than those harvested from other plots whereas the lowest grass CP content (6.90 percent) was measured in the control treatment. L. cuneate had the highest (P < 0.05) CP level (11.00 percent) and T. repens had the least CP (6.63 percent) level. Grasses harvested in autumn had the highest (P < 0.05) CP level (12.50 percent) and those harvested in winter had the least CP level (4.60 percent). Similarly, all legume pastures harvested in spring had superior (P < 0.05) CP (10.80 percent) levels and those harvested in winter had the least CP (3.50 percent) level. Legume inclusion had an effect (P < 0.05) on both grass and legume macro nutrient contents. Trifolium repens plot had the highest grass K (1.07 percent), Ca (1.50 percent) and Mg (1.83 percent), whereas there were lower K (0.12 percent), Ca (1.25 percent) and Mg (1.08 percent) contents in grasses harvested from the control and T. vesiculosum plots, respectively. In legumes, macro nutrient concentrations: K (0.68 percent), Ca (1.75 percent) were superior in the T. vesiculosum plot in comparison to other plots. Season also affected (P < 0.05) both grass and legume macro nutrient content. There was higher K (0.90 percent), Ca (1.30 percent) and Mg (0.94 percent) content in grasses harvested in autumn whereas there were lower levels in winter harvests. In legumes, superior K (0.74 percent) and Mg (1.87 percent) content were attained during spring while the least were measured in winter (0.07 percent) and autumn (0.75 percent), respectively. Likewise, both legume inclusion and season had an significant effect (P < 0.05) on the forages micronutrient levels. During spring, there was superior soil P content (36.28 mg/kg) while during autumn; there was less P (22.58 mg/kg) content. The highest SOC level (1.49 percent) was measured in the T. repens plot whereas the lowest SOC (1.15 percent) was attained in the control plot. The results of this study showed that grass legume mixtures produced forages with high nutrient content and herbage yield. Legume planting in the old arable lands has a potential to improve soil quality parameters such as soil P and SOC content.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Complexities of accessing finance from government institutions and its agencies

  • Authors: Mbundwini, Gracious Nomfuneko
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Finance Small business -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11772 , vital:26967
  • Description: Purpose: with the recent establishment of Small Business Development department, the ministry is tasked and will be responsible for ensuring that the business environment is enabling for new Small to Medium businesses. The real issue and the point of interest in researching this particular dissertation is the available literature around the issue of the SME sector which indicates that new SMEs in South Africa do not move from the first stage (existence) to other stages such as survival, success, take off and resource maturity. The study seeks to inaugurate two specific challenges (difficulties in accessing finance and to examine if there is sufficient non-financial SME incubators and mentorship programs post funding allocation). The area of study focused on SMEs that are concentrated in highly populated areas of Gauteng. Methodology: The study was conducted using qualitative research and a questionnaire was used as a data collection tool. The researcher was able to get valuable information on stakeholders in the SMME sector. This was done through the use of questionnaires to businesses, government funders and incubators. Results: when posed with a question of the start-up capital, a mere 17% responded to having obtained financial assistance from government institutions, 20% from friends and family while a massive 60% indicated they have used own capital to start businesses. When the researcher posed the question of the reasons that often leads to failure, approximately 23% of businesses mentioned lack of working equipment as the core reasons for the business failure while 17% indicated that lack of business opportunities or rather contracts of supply from government departments as the main impeding factor which resulted to failure. In terms of the availability of incubators, approximately 67% of respondents indicated that there were no business incubators available in their areas of business. Approximately 57% of businesses mentioned the inability to obtain loans from government funding institutions was the major business constraint that often leads to failure. The researcher posed a question to business incubators personnel that participated in the study to gain perspective as to why do they think SMEs fail within the first year of operation. Approximately 40% of respondents alluded that, barriers to entry by big corporates in South Africa force Small and Medium Enterprises out of businesses. Other participants added that the South African government procurement system does not provide opportunities to small businesses due to lack of experience. All government funding institutions participants mentioned that in most cases SMEs finance applications are rejected due to the fact that businesses fail to present viable business proposals that show the ability for business to remain operating for a long time Implications: The above analysed study findings indicate that there is a huge gap between small businesses and government funding institutions in terms of the awareness of the available financial support to SMEs. From the government perspective, it was indicated that businesses submit business plans that are not viable. There needs to be the middle ground where business plans compilation support currently provided by SEDA awareness should be spread across SMEs operating in the highly populated areas of Gauteng. Recommendations: Access to finance is a major constraint hindering the growth and success of small enterprises. The South African government has established a number of financial support programmes aimed to assist SMEs. With these financial support programmes, most of the SMEs are unsuccessful due to the fact that they cannot easily access those funds and as a result they remain stagnant for a very long time or end up shutting down. Conclusion: The effect of credit rationing is the potential loss of opportunity and or reduction in the scale of a business, neither of which is a desirable outcome. At the most fundamental level, there are lost opportunities for the borrower and the lender. There are implications for the wider economy also. SMEs are a key source of innovation, competition and choice.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

Composing affect: reflection on configurations of body, sound and technology in contemporary South African performance

  • Authors: Cilliers, Ilana
  • Date: 2016
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3377 , vital:20478
  • Description: This thesis engages with experiential performance modes through the lenses of phenomenology and affect theory. Because experiential performance relies per definition on personal, subjective ‘experience’, specific responses cannot be anticipated. However, by attempting to compose ‘affect’, a performance has the potential to ‘move’ an attendant towards response. Deleuze and Guattari define ‘affect’ as “an ability to affect and be affected….a prepersonal intensity corresponding to the passage from one experiential state of the body to another and implying an augmentation or diminution in that body’s capacity to act” (1987: xvi). One current strategy for manifesting affect in performance seems to be the ways in which different configurations of body, sound and technology are employed. The body is the means through which sound is received or ‘experienced’ in the phenomenological sense, but it can also act as a source for sonic material. The body is furthermore the means by which sonic technology is manipulated. It is the complex, reverberating relationships between body, sound and technology, and their potential for eliciting affective transformation, which is the focus of my enquiry. In the first chapter I unpack the roles of the natural phenomena, body and sound, and their complex relationships to affect. The chapter serves as philosophical basis for the rest of the investigation, and draws largely on works by philosophers Susan Kozel, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Brian Massumi, Gille Deleuze and Félix Guatarri and sound theorists Don Ihde, Marshall McLuhan, Brandon LaBelle and Frances Dyson.In the remaining three chapters I discuss current South African theatre works that employ the strategy of placing emphasis on sound, sonic technology, and its relationship to the human body. These works are my own piece herTz (2014), Jaco Bouwer’s pieces Samsa-masjien (2014) and Na-aap (2013), and First Physical Theatre Company’s Everyday Falling (2010). While they range from being plays to physical theatre performances to performative experiments, they all place specific emphasis on sonic devices, drawing attention to sound by revealing microphones, speakers, midi boards, etc. to the attendants, and including the generation and manipulation of sound in the action of the performance.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

Synthesis, spectroscopic and nonlinear optical properties of metal-free and nickel β substituted binuclear phthalocyanines

  • Authors: Kabwe, Kapambwe Peter
  • Date: 2016
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3013 , vital:20352
  • Description: In this project, nickel and metal-free 4β-(4-tert-butylphenoxy) phthalocyanine, biphenyl bridged binuclear 4-tert-butylphenoxy phthalocyanine and naphthalene bridged binuclear 4-tert-butylphenoxy phthalocyanine have been synthesised. The Z-scan technique has been employed to comparatively study their second order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties. This work, shows that the presence of H-aggregation in binuclear Pcs of metal-free and nickel 4β-(4-tertbutylphenoxy) phthalocyanines do not have an effect on the magnitude of second order nonlinear absorption coefficient (β) as compared to monomeric Pcs. Density functional (DFT) calculations of dipolar/octupolar contributions were performed, in order to explain experimentally determined β values. Spectroscopic and photophysical properties of the synthesised compounds have been determined using a range of different spectroscopic techniques, including magnetic circular dichroism (MCD), time correlated single photon counting spectroscopy (TCSPC), UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy and IR Spectroscopy.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The meaning of expenditure actually incurred in the context of share-based payments for trading stock or services rendered

  • Authors: Nguta, Mbulelo
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: South African Revenue Service , Labat Africa , Stocks -- Taxation -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Income tax deductions for expenses , Income tax -- Accounting -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Actions and defenses
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: vital:920 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018661
  • Description: Section 11(a) of the Income Tax Act 58 of 1962 entitles taxpayers to a deduction in respect of expenditure actually incurred, provided that all the other requirements of section 11 and section 23 of the Act have been met. A company may issue its own shares, credited as fully paid up, as a payment for trading stock or services rendered, as was the case in C:SARS v Labat Africa (2011) 74 SATC 1. The question that was raised by this decision is whether the issue of shares constitutes “expenditure” as contemplated in section 11(a) of the Act. It is trite that a share in a company is a bundle of rights which entitle the holder to dividends when declared and to a vote in shareholders’ meetings and that a share does not come into the hands of a shareholder by way of transfer from the company, but is rather created as a bundle of rights for him in the company. In C: SARS v Labat Africa, the Supreme Court of Appeal decided that to issue shares as a payment for goods is not expenditure as contemplated in section 11(a) of the Act. The Act does not define “expenditure”. It has been interpreted in certain cases as a payment of money or disbursement, while it has been interpreted as the undertaking of a legal obligation in other cases. The Labat Africa case has been criticised for its interpretation of expenditure on the grounds that it is contrary to the principle that “actually incurred” does not mean “actually paid”. This research has argued that, in the context of the Labat Africa case, which related to an issue of shares in payment for goods, Harms AP’s judgment was concerned with showing why a share issue is not expenditure. He could not have intended to deny a deduction to transactions such as credit purchases.
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  • Date Issued: 2015

A critical history of the rise and fall of the first ever independently owned Matabeleland publication in Zimbabwe : the case of The Southern Star

  • Authors: Moyo, Chelesani
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Southern Star (Zimbabwe) , Matabeleland (Zimbabwe) -- History -- Autonomy and independence movements , Mass media and nationalism -- Zimbabwe , Mass media -- Political aspects -- Zimbabwe , Press and politics -- Zimbabwe , Newspaper publishing -- Management , Newspapers -- Marketing
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:3530 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013273
  • Description: This research is premised on the understanding that alternative forms of media emerge to deal with specific ideological projects and, as such, must be seen as satisfying a specific need at a specific point in time. Using the case of a weekly newspaper, The Southern Star which was in circulation from January 2012 to June 2012, this study sought to understand the factors that led to the establishment of the newspaper, what it sought to achieve, how it went about putting that into practice, its message in relation to debates emanating from the ‘Matabeleland Question’ and also the factors that led to the its collapse. In order to address my research questions, I adopted a two stage research design qualitative content analysis and semi structured in depth interviews. In locating the study within the qualitative epistemic understanding of research, it was clear from the qualitative content analysis of 13 editions of the publication and in depth interviews held with 15 respondents that the newspaper was set up with the aim of serving a marginalised section of the population (in this instance the Ndebele) by providing them with a platform to articulate issues affecting them. It also sought to ‘speak’ the ‘unspoken’ within the mainstream media by focusing on Matabeleland identity politics. It achieved this by creating content around the Gukurahundi genocide, Matabeleland development, Matabeleland history and Matabeleland heroes. The newspaper also sought to emancipate the people from the South by advocated for social, cultural, economic and political justice as a resolution to the ‘Matabeleland Question’. However, the newspaper failed to sustain operations due to lack of advertising revenue. As a result of the constraining political environment in which the newspaper operated, potential advertisers were afraid of placing advertisements in the newspaper because of the nature of the content produced, which in view of Zimbabwe’s rival ethnic history, could easily be labelled ethnically divisive. Also, being a new player in the market worked to their disadvantage as prospective advertisers opted to place their adverts in “tried and tested” publications (Zimpapers and Alpha Media Holdings). Additionally, because of poor management, roles were not clearly defined and hence the newspaper failed to operate as a business enterprise. As noted during interviews with junior reporters, there was little or no experience at management level. The paper lacked a coordinated circulation strategy and from inception, was never officially launched, which resulted in the failure to reach significant audiences.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

‘Student life’ discourse and the perception of risk for HIV infection among undergraduate nursing students, at a university, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

  • Authors: Mnwana, Sindiswa Millicent
  • Date: 2014
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Nursing Science)
  • Identifier: vital:11922 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1019830
  • Description: There is evidence that the HIV prevalence rates among South African university students remains low at 3.4 %. However, the vulnerability of young people to HIV/AIDS continues to be a serious concern as the prevalence of sexual risk behaviour among students in South African universities is reported to reach 68% in heterosexual relationships. Some analysts argue that so far little is known about the influence of the university culture (the so called “student life”) in this behaviour. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of the risk for HIV infection amongst undergraduate nursing students at an institution of higher learning (university) in East London, Eastern Cape. More specifically, the study examined the ways in which the ‘student life’ discourse functions to influence students’ perceptions of the risk to HIV infection at the selected institution of higher learning. An explorative and descriptive qualitative design was used. The purposive sampling technique was used to select participants. In total, 12 one to one interviews and four focus group discussions (n=35) were conducted. An interview guide was used and a voice recorder to record interviews. Through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, the research sought to provide insight into the perceptions of risk for HIV infection. The data were analysed using thematic analysis and the themes identified formed the basis for discussion in this study. Among the key findings, that emerged from this study was that knowledge about potential risks to HIV/AIDS did not seem to influence the general sexual behaviour of students. A majority of the participants, 90% that were interviewed individually perceived themselves to be at “little or no” risk of contracting HIV/AIDS despite the high prevalence of HIV risk indicators among them. One of the main findings was that the students’ values that they bring from home were seriously challenged by the student life when they arrived at the university. Therefore in this regard undergraduate nursing students should be equipped by the university with aspects of sexual behaviour such as sexual negotiation and sexual decision making. This would equip them with the necessary skills to resist peer pressure.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

An evaluation of the performance management and development system of the Eastern Cape Department of Health

  • Authors: Javu, Mncedi Gladman
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Eastern Cape (South Africa) -- Department of Health -- Management Performance -- Management Personnel management -- South Africa , Eastern Cape Health Department
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:717 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001871
  • Description: This study used a quantitative approach to evaluate the application of the performance management and development system in the Eastern Cape Department of Health, from the perspective of employees. The evaluation report has three sections that are designed as interrelated but stand-alone documents. Section One is written as a report directed to the Eastern Cape Department of Health. Section Two is a review of the relevant literature that was conducted to review the existing literature related to the application of performance management and development systems, and underpinned the construction of the questionnaire. Section Three provides a description and justification of the design of the research, as well as describing the research procedure followed. Pertinent components of Sections Two and Three are extracted from these sections and included in the report in Section One. The literature review focused on the following areas: the purpose of performance management, components of the performance management process, challenges/ criticism of performance management systems, integration of performance management with other systems and the effectiveness of performance management system. The results revealed that about 74% of employees disagree that management is committed towards the successful application of the performance management system. This finding concurs with the literature. For example, De Waal and Counet (2009:367) argue that one of the problems in the application of performance management system is that the management lacks commitment to the implementation of a performance management system. Systematic sampling (Leedy and Ormrod, 2010) was used to select 120 participants in three Departmental programmes or clusters from grade levels six to 15. The researcher distributed the questionnaires to every fifth person of the population electronically using SurveyBob, which is an on line survey tool. The collected data was then analyzed using Excel software. The findings indicated that although overall employees are not satisfied with the application of the PMDS system in the Eastern Cape Department of Health, there were some successes. Nevertheless, the challenges outweighed successes of the system. The challenges that resulted in the failure of the system include poor communication, a lack of understanding of the system by the employees and a lack of knowledge with regards to the integration of PMDS with other initiatives and plans already in place. Page 4 There were positive views with enabling factors and these were work plans that are mutually agreed upon between the employee and their supervisors and are aligned to departmental strategic priorities. Constraining factors included the low levels of commitment of the management to the application of the PMDS processes, review meetings not being undertaken on a quarterly basis, and a lack of written outcome reviews. The majority of the study participants believe that the PMDS lacks fairness in its implementation. Recommendations were made on the basis of the gaps that were identified so as to improve the application of the performance management system in the Eastern Cape Department of Health. It is therefore recommended that the Department should ensure that training and development of employees on the PMDS takes place to enhance manager’s understanding of the policy. This will enable managers to understand the important role played by performance management in their day to day activities. A performance management and development system needs to be integrated with all other processes to be effective. On-going communication of the PMDS policy should be considered. Accountability of managers to the Accounting Officer and submission of quarterly reports are imperative to ensure their compliance. In conclusion, dissatisfaction outweighs satisfaction of the employees with regards to the implementation of the PMDS system.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

Microsatellite and morphometric analysis of chokka squid (Loligo reynaudi) from different spawning aggregations around the South African coast

  • Authors: Stonier, Terence Anthony
  • Date: 2013
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:5344 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006779
  • Description: Accurate information on stock structure is very important to the effective management of any commercially exploited species (Angel et al. 1994), particularly in annual species like Loligo reynaudi. Previous molecular work on a number of fish and cephalopod species has shown that stock structuring may be more complex than originally believed and while much scientific work has been conducted on Loligo reynaudi to date, molecular work has been lacking and this species’ fishery is currently managed as a single stock. The primary aim of this project was to examine the population genetics of Loligo reynaudi on a molecular level, by looking at the levels of genetic variation between different spawning aggregations along the inshore distribution of the chokka squid, with particular attention being paid to any variation between Eastern Cape and Agulhas Bank groups. The secondary aim was to conduct a morphological analysis on samples from the same major areas in order to see if any genetic variation observed would be complemented by phenotypic variation. Two separate sample sets were collected; Genetic samples were collected from 6 different spawning sites along the South African Coast between April and July, 2006 and whole individuals for morphometric analysis were collected from 4 spawning sites between April and July 2007. Samples were screened for genetic variation between different spawning aggregations along the inshore distribution of chokka squid, from Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape, to the western Agulhas Bank. After this a morphometric analysis on samples from the same major areas, Eastern Cape, Agulhas Bank and Angola, was carried out. Genetic results showed significant variation between some of the sample groups. As expected, the Angolan outgroup consistently showed significant variation from other samples, while there was evidence of differentiation between the South African samples themselves. These results could have implications for the previously documented life cycle model of Loligo reynaudi and provide a basis for further study at a finer resolution into where exactly the boundaries of these different groupings can be found. This stock structuring has implications for the management of the species and warrants further genetic research with microsatellites proving to be a powerful tool in the explanation of stock structuring. Unfortunately, due to possible errors in taking measurements, morphometric analysis did not yield useful results which can be described and interpreted in this study. It is felt that further genetic study conducted on a finer scale, should be accompanied by a repeat of the morphometric analysis.
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  • Date Issued: 2013

The relationship between leadership and employee work performance in a Nigerian courier company

  • Authors: Yobe, Kingsley
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Leadership -- Nigeria Transformational leadership -- Nigeria Industrial management -- Nigeria Business planning -- Research -- Nigeria Employees -- Rating of -- Nigeria Organizational change
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:805 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006858
  • Description: A number of authors have portrayed leadership as a vital factor in the success or failure of an organization. Hence Bass (1994; 1997) believes that excellent organizations begin with excellent leadership and organisations reflect their leadership (Maritz, 1995). Therefore, successful organisations reflect their leadership (Maritz, 1995). In an attempt to investigate the aim of this research, various performance and leadership concepts and theories were investigated: the trait concept, behavioural approaches and situational/contingency approaches. Every one of these theories gave a different explanation to leadership. Furthermore, transactional, and transformational leadership were also discussed. The difference between these two models according to Bass and Avolio (1994) is that the work performance of the followers of transformational leadership is usually beyond expectations, while transactional leadership, at best, leads to expected performance. In terms of performance, it is argued that employee work performance can lead to a successful organisational performance. This is because several organisations attribute their business success to the work performance of their employees. According to Collis and Montgomery (1995) employee work performance has a major positive influence on organisational performance. Nevertheless, the accomplishment of an organisation is dependent on the leader’s ability to enhance human resources; hence “effective organisations require effective leadership” (Maritz, 1995). Transformational leadership was identified as the effective leadership style that can motivate workers to improve on their performance by instilling trust and confidence in them. Transformational leadership is superior to both transactional and non-transactional leadership because it makes workers loyal to the mission and vision of their organizations. Bass (1990) states “that the leadership research over the years has proved that loyalty is more powerful than tangible inducements.” Furthermore, non- transactional leaders avoid decision making, allowing their subordinates to take charge of the work process (Bass 1990). This research focuses on the relationship between leadership and employee work performance in a Nigerian Courier Company. In addressing this aim, a Nigerian Courier company was selected as the research context because of its success in the Nigerian turbulent business environment that is plagued by the country’s economic, social, and political troubles (McKern, Meza, Osayande and Denend, 2010). The research hypothesis of this research was generated to investigate leadership and employee performance. Leadership and performance were also identified as the research independent and dependent variables. Thus the research hypotheses were as follows: Hypothesis 1. Null Hypothesis: There is no significant positive linear relationship between employee performance and transformational leadership Alternative Hypothesis: There is significant positive linear relationship between employee performance and transformational leadership Hypothesis 2. Null Hypothesis: There is no significant positive linear relationship between employee performance and transactional leadership Alternative Hypothesis: There is significant positive linear relationship between employee performance and transactional leadership Hypothesis 3. Null Hypothesis: There is no significant positive linear relationship between employee performance and non-transactional leadership. Alternative Hypothesis: There is significant positive linear relationship between employee performance and non-transactional leadership. The general methodology included the use of a valid and reliable instrument known as the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) and the company’s performance appraisal process. These instruments were used to collect information about employee work performance. The validity and reliability of the MLQ is not in doubt because it was formulated from the full range leadership development theory of Bass and Avolio (1997) and has been used extensively worldwide (Bass and Avolio, 1997). The research data was analysed using Statistica (StatSoft, 2011). Once the data was imported the necessary leadership factors were calculated as per the MLQ scoring key. From the eight factors a further three factors were generated namely transformational, transactional and nontransactional leadership. The data was checked and described using frequency tables and descriptive statistics, followed by correlation matrices coupled with their corresponding scatter plots. The research data was tested for consistency and reliability. Sekaran (2000) states that in order to determine the reliability of a measure one needs to test for both consistency and stability. For this research, linear correlation and regression analysis was used. The outcome of the first investigated hypothesis confirmed that there is a strong significant, positive linear relationship between employee performance and transformational leadership (ρ<0.0001). However, the findings on the null hypothesis, states that transformational leadership has no significant positive linear relationship with employee performance. The null hypothesis is REJECTED, because the model is significant at ρ<.0001. Thus, the alternative hypothesis is ACCEPTED because it concludes that there is sufficient evidence, at the 5% level of significance, that there is significant positive linear relationship between employee performance and transformational leadership. The second hypotheses found that with 5% level of significance there is no significant positive linear relationship between transactional leadership and employee performance (ρ =0.317). It must be noted that since the correlation is not significant the null hypothesis which states that there is no significant positive linear relationship between employee performance and transactional leadership was NOT REJECTED. The outcome of the third hypotheses support the null hypothesis, because the negative linear relationship between employee performance and non-transactional leadership is not significant (ρ = 0.6718). This informed the conclusion that at the 5% level of significance, there is no positive linear relationship between non-transactional leadership and employee performance. The findings of this research favour the conclusion drawn by Brand, Heyl and Maritz (2000) that suggested a more significant relationship between transformational leadership and employee performance, than any other leadership style. Evidence put together in the retail and manufacturing sector of South Africa, and the armed forces of the United States of America, Germany and Canada, point in the direction of the strong, positive effects of transformational leaders (Brand, et al., 2000). Again the effectiveness of transformational leadership can be reinforced by the research directed by Ristow, Amos and Staude (1999), which resolved that the effectiveness of transformational leadership was greater in a South African cricketing environment. Hayward, Davidson, Pascoe, Tasker, Amos and Pearse (2003) conducted research in a pharmaceutical organisation and found a positive linear relationship between transformational leadership and employee work performance. These research outcomes clarify the investigation by Pruijn and Boucher (1994) which established “that transformational leadership is an extension of transactional leadership” (Bass, 1997). The difference between these two models according to Bass and Avolio (1994) is that the work performance of supporters of transformational leadership is usually beyond expectation, while the behaviour of the supporters of transactional leadership, at best, leads to anticipated work performance. This research will be used to improve the relationship between the leaders and employees of the courier company under investigation. It will be useful for the placement of individuals to leadership positions in the company. It will also impact on how future leadership training will be conducted by the company, and of course add to the body of knowledge. This is supported by research conducted in the service sector which states that “transformational leadership affects performance over and above transactional leadership” (Geyery and Steyrer, 1998).
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  • Date Issued: 2013

An evaluation of the sustainability of poverty alleviation projects in the Amatole District Municipality

  • Authors: Quma, Nosintu
  • Date: 2011
  • Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa , Economic development projects -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:9153 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019727
  • Description: There are escalating levels of poverty and unemployment in the Eastern Cape, despite the poverty alleviation programmes that have been established since 1994. The overall aim of the research was to investigate the sustainability of poverty alleviation projects in Amatole District Municipality in the Eastern Cape at Ngqushwa Local Municipality. The study focused on the following aspects: project management, capacity building, monitoring and mentoring, the market and the views community members have on poverty alleviation projects. The research sought to find out what challenges have been encountered by Sipheleke Food Security Project that might lead to the project not being sustainable. The study concluded that poverty alleviation projects are not sustainable because of lack of commitment from project members, market, capacity, management skills and scarcity of water.
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  • Date Issued: 2011
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