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An analysis of the availability of and access to credit from the formal financial sector and the performance of SMEs

  • Authors: Asah, Francis Tangwo
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Small business -- South Africa -- Finance , Microfinance -- South Africa , South Africa -- Economic conditions -- 1991-
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/115138 , vital:34081
  • Description: As a developing nation, South Africa faces a high rate of poverty, high levels of inequality in terms of income and a high rate of unemployment. It is officially estimated that about 27.2% of the economically active population are unemployed. SMEs are expected to be an important vehicle to address the challenges of job creation, sustainable economic growth, equitable distribution of income and the overall stimulation of economic development. SMEs in South Africa constitute 99% of all businesses, contributing to employment, income inequality and poverty alleviation (Statistic South Africa, 2018). However, despite the remarkable contribution of SMEs to the economy of South Africa, the failure rate of SMEs (at 75%) is the highest of all the efficiency-driven economies sampled by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM). The World Bank affirm that the availability of and access to credit from the formal financial sector is the primary cause of the high failure rate of SMEs. Contemporary literature advance that the future survival and performance of SMEs in South Africa is pegged onto the amount of financial capital available to address their capital needs. Thus, this study sought to analyse the availability of and access to credit from the formal financial sector and the performance of SMEs from the supply and demand-side. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, a sequential exploratory mixed method research design, located in the pragmatic research paradigm, was used in a two phased approach. The qualitative data collection and analysis in Phase 1 informed the quantitative data collection and analysis Phase 2. In Phase 1, in-depth face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with 8 credit and 8 business managers representing the sampling unit of selected formal financial institutions. The qualitative data collected was analysed using the five-steps process of content analysis as illustrated by Terre Blanche et al. (2006:322-326). The main findings with regard to factors that impact on the willingness of the formal financial sector to provide credit to SMEs were collateral, annual business turnover, audited financial records, relationship with the bank, credit profile, nature of the business, economic climate, ethics, nationality, government policy, management team, valid Identity Document/permit, equity contribution, entrepreneurship education, product quality, and business intelligence. Assessing credit applications from SMEs, risk assessment, inspection of financial records, proper documentation and background checks were the different tasks performed by credit and business managers. In addition, the main challenges faced by the formal financial sector in assessing and approving credit in favour of SMEs included the following: lack of investment capital; lack of collateral; lack of proper financial records; poor managerial knowledge; poor business plan; lack of industrial knowledge; and poor legal and credit laws. Lastly, contrary to the notion that formal financial institutions are not interested in investing in SMEs, on average, 70% of SMEs that applied for credit received such credit. In Phase 2, a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from formal sector owner/managers of SMEs in the city of Johannesburg. Of the 702 questionnaires distributed, 300 were returned and useable. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (version 24). A test for normality was performed using Shapiro–Wilks test. Reliability was tested using the Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficient. Exploratory factor analysis tested the validity of factors that prevent formal financial sector from granting credit to SMEs while Binary logistic regression was used to infer on the hypotheses. Spearman’s Rho correlation analysis was used to determine whether there was any significant relationship with factors that influence access to credit and SMEs performance. The main findings revealed that access to bank finance was the only challenge that showed a significant correlation with performance. In addition, the study revealed that the South African Identity Document and collateral were the most important factors considered when applying for credit from formal financial institutions. With regard to the reasons why formal financial institutions may refuse to grant credit to SMEs, it was revealed that there was no significant positive relationship between lack of business networking and access to credit from the formal financial sector to SMEs. Conversely, the study also revealed a significant positive relationship between collateral, business information, managerial competency, business intelligence, business ethics, entrepreneurship education, legal system and macro-economy and access to credit from the formal financial sector to SMEs. Thus, it was established that there is a significant positive relationship between access to credit from the formal financial sector and the performance of SMEs.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

An analysis of the fruit-sucking and fruit-piercing moth complex in citrus orchards in South Africa

  • Authors: Goddard, M , Hill, Martin P , Moore, Sean D
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/407000 , vital:70329 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC-15072d6de5"
  • Description: Fruit-piercing moths are a sporadic pest of citrus, especially in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, where the adults can cause significant damage in outbreak years. However, growers confuse fruit-piercing moths with fruit-sucking moths that do not cause primary damage. In this study we trapped these moths during the 2013–2015 growing seasons. A large number of diverse fruit-feeding moths were collected through weekly sampling in citrus orchards in the Eastern Cape and northern Limpopo provinces. Twenty-three species of fruit-feeding moth were trapped. However, only two were fruit-piercing species, capable of causing primary damage, namely Serrodes partita (Fabricius) (Erebidae) and Eudocima divitiosa (Walker) (Erebidae). Surprisingly S. partita, which has been reported as the main fruit-piercing moth pest of citrus in South Africa, comprised only 6.9 % of trap catches. The categorisation of moths as fruit-piercing or fruit-sucking (causing secondary damage) was confirmed by examining the morphological structures (tearing hooks and erectile barbs) of these moths’ proboscides. This study has shown that in non-outbreak seasons, S. partita comprised only a small percentage of fruit-feeding moths in citrus orchards. However, growers may misidentify the harmless fruit-sucking species as fruit-piercing species, and thus overestimate the density of fruit-piercing moths.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

An analysis of the possible success of a tax on sugarsweetened beverages in South Africa

  • Authors: Mabaso, Bandla Sazi
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Nutrition -- Government policy -- South Africa , Value-added tax -- South Africa , Obesity -- South Africa -- Prevention , Excise tax -- South Africa , Taxations of articles of consumption -- South Africa , Tobacco -- Taxation -- South Africa , Alcohol -- Taxation -- South Africa , Carbonated beverages -- Taxation -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68333 , vital:29240
  • Description: The increase in obesity is a global crisis that is prevalent in both the developed and developing economies, including South Africa. It endangers the health and threatens the life of many people. Sugar-sweetened beverages have become the key target in the fight against obesity, in preference to other foodstuffs that contain added sugar, because of the poor nutritional value they contain and harm they cause if consumed excessively. The Minister of Finance announced in the 2016 Budget Speech, that a proposed tax on sugar-sweetened beverages would be introduced in South Africa and would be implemented in April 2017, but the anticipated date is now 1 April 2018. The thesis examined the possible success of this proposed tax in South Africa, using as a benchmark the process followed prior to implementing the tax and the experience of selected foreign countries that have implemented the tax, one country subsequently abolishing it, and another country considering implementing it. Additionally, the research analysed the success of the existing excise taxes levied on tobacco and alcohol in South Africa, in attempting to predict the possible success of the proposed tax. The success of the proposed tax is, however, threatened by the emergence of illegal markets that offer the targeted products inexpensively, particularly if similar restrictions and laws do not exist in bordering countries. The research was carried out by means of the analysis of journal articles, information from the selected countries’ revenue authorities’ websites, National Treasury publications, commentaries by experts and publications by professional organisations and firms. Overall, the proposed tax has been successful in curbing obesity and high sugar intake in other countries. Similarly, the excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol have been successful in reducing the consumption of targeted products in South Africa. These successes have been realized through a collaborated effort and employing a multi-faceted approach, including advertising restrictions. Nevertheless, the proposed tax is popularly criticised for its regressive nature and the potential job losses that are associated with it.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

An analysis of the roles and functions of teachers’ gestures as visualisation tools in the teaching of mathematics at the junior primary phase (Grades 0 –3)

  • Authors: Namakalu, Dietlinde Nelao
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Gesture , Gesture in mathematics education , Visual learning , Visualization , Education, Elementary -- Namibia
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/96713 , vital:31311
  • Description: There is ample evidence in the literature that gestures are important hand and bodily actions that play vital roles during interactions between learners and teachers in the mathematics classroom. These gestures enable both the teacher and the learner to visualise mathematical concepts and ideas. The aim of this Namibian interpretive case study, located in enactivist theory, was to analyse the types of gestures that three selected teachers at the junior primary phase (Grades 0–3) used in their teaching of mathematics. The study also interrogated the roles that these gestures played in the teaching process of the three teachers. As I intended to analyse the types of gestures the selected teachers used and understand their views and perceptions of the roles and functions their gestures played as visualisation tools in the teaching of mathematics, I observed ten lessons of each teacher and video recorded them. I then interviewed them (one-on-one stimulus-recall interviews) and interpreted the gestures they used and utterances they made about using these gestures. The types of gestures that the participating teachers used are classified according to McNeill‘s (1992) framework, namely pointing (deictic) gestures, iconic (illustrators) gestures, metaphoric gestures, beat (motor) gestures and symbolic (emblems) gestures. The study found that the participating teachers incorporated a variety of gestures into their lessons and used them strategically. According to the teachers, gestures made the lessons interesting and encouraged active participation of the learners in the lessons. The teachers also revealed that gestures assist in explaining mathematical concepts and thus affected the learners‘ understanding positively. This study strongly suggests that the usefulness and efficacy of employing gestures as visualisation tools in mathematics education should be strategically harnessed.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

An analysis of the use of DNS for malicious payload distribution

  • Authors: Dube, Ishmael
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Internet domain names , Computer networks -- Security measures , Computer security , Computer network protocols , Data protection
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/97531 , vital:31447
  • Description: The Domain Name System (DNS) protocol is a fundamental part of Internet activities that can be abused by cybercriminals to conduct malicious activities. Previous research has shown that cybercriminals use different methods, including the DNS protocol, to distribute malicious content, remain hidden and avoid detection from various technologies that are put in place to detect anomalies. This allows botnets and certain malware families to establish covert communication channels that can be used to send or receive data and also distribute malicious payloads using the DNS queries and responses. Cybercriminals use the DNS to breach highly protected networks, distribute malicious content, and exfiltrate sensitive information without being detected by security controls put in place by embedding certain strings in DNS packets. This research undertaking broadens this research field and fills in the existing research gap by extending the analysis of DNS being used as a payload distribution channel to detection of domains that are used to distribute different malicious payloads. This research undertaking analysed the use of the DNS in detecting domains and channels that are used for distributing malicious payloads. Passive DNS data which replicate DNS queries on name servers to detect anomalies in DNS queries was evaluated and analysed in order to detect malicious payloads. The research characterises the malicious payload distribution channels by analysing passive DNS traffic and modelling the DNS query and response patterns. The research found that it is possible to detect malicious payload distribution channels through the analysis of DNS TXT resource records.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

An analysis of understandings of and attitudes towards transgender people on a South African university campus

  • Authors: Mantungo, Xolelwa Thandokazi
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Transgender people -- South Africa -- Public opinion , Gender identity -- South Africa -- Public opinion , Transgender college students -- South Africa , Rhodes University -- Students -- Attitudes
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/76309 , vital:30546
  • Description: There are issues that always arise when it comes to gender identities and gender expressions. These issues are a result of the gender binary that corners people into being either feminine or masculine. Our societies are shaped in ways that supports this gender binary. If you are born a female, you are expected to be feminine and if you are born a male you are expected to act in a masculine way. When a person whose gender identity does not correspond with his or her assigned sex at birth, their behaviour is problematized and sometimes even criminalized and they are considered as deviant individuals by many societies. Consequently, most people who do not conform to gender societal norms are more exposed to violence, stigmatization, discrimination, marginalization, and victimization. People have difficulty understanding that there is ‘gender variance’, in other words, that there are more than just two genders. It is apparent that, even though societies enforce the gender binary, there are individuals who wish to express their genders in different ways, thus there are people who identify as transgender. The main focus of this dissertation is on the gender identities of transgendered people. Transgender people are people whose gender identity and or gender expression is distinct from the sex to which they were assigned at birth. The transgender group is a minority group (including in African countries) and one can argue that it is either misrepresented, misunderstood, hardly visible and ignored. This is evident when one looks at the lack of research on transgender populations in Africa. The main purpose of this research is to investigate the understandings that people have about transgender people on a South African university campus. In this dissertation the intent is to explore what it means to be transgender, the Rhodes University students’ understandings of transgendered people, the issues of gender identities and gender expressions and the challenges that transgender people face. The research question that this dissertation seeks to find an answer to is “Do Rhodes University students understand the notion of transgender and how do they react towards transgendered people on campus?”
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  • Date Issued: 2019

An anthropological investigation of the perception of blood donation amongst university students: the case of students at the Nelson Mandela University

  • Authors: Boukes, Zinzan Sebastian
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Blood donors -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Blood -- Collection and preservation -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth College students -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30887 , vital:31195
  • Description: The importance of voluntary non-remunerated blood donation is emphasised by the WHO, who envision a world with a sustainable blood supply where at least one percent of the population of every country voluntarily give blood. To ensure an adequate supply, the South African National Blood Service collects around three-thousand units of blood per day – forty percent of this from high school pupils and university students, following WHO recommendations regarding this segment as a target donor population. Despite the contribution by this segment of the population, no published knowledge exists of the perception of blood donation amongst university students in the country. This is an issue as the WHO (2010) recommends that countries understand what their populations know, think, and do regarding blood donation. In response to this issue this study investigated the perception of blood donation amongst students at a South African university (the Nelson Mandela University) to develop an understanding of what students know, think and do regarding blood donation. The study was conducted between 2017 and 2018 at a campus (‘South Campus’) of the Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth. The study followed a qualitative approach, applying a thematic analysis. Data was collected through semi-structured person-to-person interviews among a sample of students (n=20) from different departments and disciplines.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

An Appraisal of South Africa’s Counter Terrorism Architecture Since 2001

  • Authors: Mato, Myalezo
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Terrorism
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc. Sci (Political Studies)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16485 , vital:40724
  • Description: The main aim of this study is to appraise South Africa’s counter-terrorism architecture since 2001. The period from 2001 is chosen because it marked the beginning of the global war on terror following the 9/11 attacks in the United States. The study employs both primary and secondary sources of data to achieve its objectives. Samuel Huntington’s Clash of Civilizations theory is used as a model in studying the possibility of the occurrence of terrorism in South Africa. The study found out that porous borders, lack of public trust in law enforcement agencies, corruption and other factors create fertile grounds for the outbreak of terrorism in South Africa. It also reveals some challenges that are faced by the South African counter-terrorism structures in their quest to combat and prevent terrorist activities in the country. The study recommends amongst others for the creation of a department of Border Management to properly manage the state of porous borders in South Africa as this is one of the main factors that may give rise to terrorism in the country.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

An artificial neural network approach to predict the effects of formulation and process variables on prednisone release from a multipartite system

  • Authors: Manda, Arthur , Walker, Roderick B , Khamanga, Sandile M
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/183237 , vital:43933 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics11030109"
  • Description: The impact of formulation and process variables on the in-vitro release of prednisone from a multiple-unit pellet system was investigated. Box-Behnken Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to generate multivariate experiments. The extrusion-spheronization method was used to produce pellets and dissolution studies were performed using United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) Apparatus 2 as described in USP XXIV. Analysis of dissolution test samples was performed using a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method. Four formulation and process variables viz., microcrystalline cellulose concentration, sodium starch glycolate concentration, spheronization time and extrusion speed were investigated and drug release, aspect ratio and yield were monitored for the trained artificial neural networks (ANN). To achieve accurate prediction, data generated from experimentation were used to train a multi-layer perceptron (MLP) using back propagation (BP) and the Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno (BFGS) 57 training algorithm until a satisfactory value of root mean square error (RMSE) was observed. The study revealed that the in-vitro release profile of prednisone was significantly impacted by microcrystalline cellulose concentration and sodium starch glycolate concentration. Increasing microcrystalline cellulose concentration retarded dissolution rate whereas increasing sodium starch glycolate concentration improved dissolution rate. Spheronization time and extrusion speed had minimal impact on prednisone release but had a significant impact on extrudate and pellet quality. This work demonstrated that RSM can be successfully used concurrently with ANN for dosage form manufacture to permit the exploration of experimental regions that are omitted when using RSM alone.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

An assessment of amount, distribution and use of urban green spaces in small towns of the Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Radebe, Denis Siphosihle
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Urban ecology (Sociology) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Small cities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , City planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Recreation areas -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Open spaces -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/76447 , vital:30563
  • Description: Most regions of the developing world are experiencing large-scale urbanisation, with urban population growth outstripping rural growth. This is most marked in small and medium-sized towns as opposed to megacities. Urbanisation is associated with numerous changes in social, economic and ecological states and dynamics. A key one, of interest in this study, is the sustainability and liveability of the growing towns and cities. The retention, provision and maintenance of multifunctional urban green infrastructure are a core strategy in this regard. This study therefore sought to assess the amount, distribution and use of urban green spaces within South Africa using small towns of the Eastern Cape. The primary research included sixteen aerial images of which eight were historical aerial photographs and another eight were the latest aerial images of the selected study towns. Historical and latest aerial images were digitised to classify the types and calculate the amount of urban green space. GIS mapping, interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with urban residents to understand how these green spaces are used. The analytical tools in this study derived from social science included household surveys of 180 randomly selected respondents in small towns. Fifteen types of green spaces were identified in the sample towns. The study further revealed that green spaces are not distributed equally in different suburbs of small towns, generally being less green spaces, especially formal parks and recreation areas, in poorer areas. The results indicated a decline of green spaces with urbanisation, and most marked in fast growing towns. The results suggested that urban residents frequently visited urban green spaces, with most respondents favouring the use of green spaces for social and cultural benefits. How use of different spaces was strongly gender related, with males favouring less developed green space types (such as commonages and woodlands) and females for formal areas such domestic and institutional gardens and churchyards. Respondents also identified various challenges associated with using and accessing urban green spaces, with pollution, crime and lack of maintenance in particular. The study shows the importance of GIS as a mapping tool that can be used to provide information for ecological planning in rapidly changing urban environment. The research process generated several lessons that need to be taken into consideration when designing urban landscapes, most importantly relating to the diversity, quantity, quality and maintenance of urban green spaces.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

An assessment of community partnerships with Amadlelo Agri in the Keiskammahoek dairy: A case of Amahlathi Local Municipality

  • Authors: Hlobongwana, Vukile
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Agricultural development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture -- Economic aspects , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40150 , vital:35821
  • Description: The study is based on partnerships between a rural agricultural community of South Africa and a private dairy company based in the Eastern Cape Province. The Department of Rural Development took an initiative to revitalise all the schemes inherited from the former homelands. Although profits earned from agriculture tend not to be immediate but rather gradual, the advancement of agriculture stimulates economic activity in other sectors. Amadlelo Agri in partnership with the communities and Government have turned this into a multi- million-rand profitable business. The challenge is how to replicate the model to operate on a large scale. The current setup has its pitfalls, and these include cutting of fences and allowing village animals to graze in the pastures belonging to the Dairy. To ensure that the study was well articulated and to assess and address those challenges, the project utilised a case study inquiry of the Amahlathi local municipality in the specific partnership of Amadlelo Agri and the Keiskammahoek community in shared milk ownership initiative. Primary data was collected using simple mixed methods research approach to 8 community members as the instrument was more aligned to the qualitative nature of the inquiry. Gathered data was organised and cleaned manually for analysis. Following the review and discussion of the findings the main findings that the study observed in the assessment of the benefits of community partnerships or sharedownerships are as follows: female and youths are not participating in such types of programmes; contradiction exists between participants regarding the objectives of the initiative; there is a lack of clarity from the developer side with regards to the type of shared ownership initiative; farmers lack the know-how of appropriately handling funds, strategic planning and marketing skills; partnerships are very influential in the creation of work culture and coordination in the community; resource endowment is a crucial factor hindering small scale farmers; and farmers’ training, development and update is lacking consistency. Recommendations put emphasis on ensuring that training is consistent and rigorous to ensure that the community will gain experience of the value of the project which can motivate and ensure that protection is improved by the same community members due to sense of ownership.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

An Assessment of Control Systems in Asset Management at the Middledrift Department of Correctional Services, Eastern Cape Province

  • Authors: Dobela,Yola Colleen
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Asset management accounts
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13337 , vital:39635
  • Description: The aim of this study is to assess control systems in asset management at the Middledrift Department of Correctional Services. It seeks to establish how control systems are used as asset management tools for financial reporting and for compliance with financial management prescripts as prescribed by the Auditor-General. The specific objectives of the study are to assess the nature of control systems used in asset management at the Middledrift Department of Correctional Services; to establish the extent to which financial reporting control systems comply with financial management regulations prescribed by the Auditor-General; and to establish the mechanisms, processes, and procedures that are in place at the Middledrift Department of Correctional Services for compliance with financial management regulations in asset management This study is motivated by the repetition of qualified audit reports on asset management the Middledrift Department of Correctional services keeps on receiving over the years. The study is therefore, significant in that it seeks to address how the Middledrift Department of Correctional Services can best address issues of complying fully with financial management regulations in asset management, so as to ensure that issues highlighted in the Auditor-General’s report do not recur. This study adopted a qualitative research methodology. Data was collected by means of interviews, focus-group discussions, observations and official documents. In-depth interviews were conducted with the head of the correctional centre, head of supply chain management and four employees within the supply chain management section. Focus group interviews were conducted in three groups. The first and second group consisted of 5 asset controllers each and the third group consisted of 5 sub-asset controllers. The researcher observed how assets are verified in the Middledrift Department of Correctional Services, and observed the process of asset reconciliation between Basic Accounting System and Logistical Information System. The sample for this study consisted of 21 respondents (n=21)comprising of the following respondents: the head of correctional centre, head of supply chain management, four employees within the supply chain management section, 10 asset controllers and five sub-asset controllers. The respondents were selected using purposive/judgemental sampling. Data obtained through transcribed in-depth interviews, focus group discussions was transcribed verbatim. The transcribed data as well as data from observations were analysed using opencoding. Emerging codes and patterns were clustered into themes the data was compared within the categories to establish connections in the meanings as well as variations. The results of the ii study suggests that control systems used in asset management at the Middledrift Department of Correctional Services are far from satisfactory. Results reveal lack of adequate training on asset management for officials. The results further indicate that there is a communication barrier between asset controllers and supply chain management officials, which is a challenge for the Middledrift Department of Correctional Services. The researcher recommends that inhouse trainings and workshops on asset management should be provided to ensure that officials in all sections of the department are capacitated on what asset management is all about and that they acquire more knowledge, skills and capacity on how to effectively manage assets of the department. The study also recommends, the need for a directorate for asset management, so that there is a unit dedicated to managing the assets of the department. The study further recommends that communication between officials in the supply chain management unit and asset controllers in the department has to be consistent and strengthened since many processes surrounding asset management rely on the cooperation of multiple officials. This study contributes public administration practise in that it adds to knowledge that can assist public officials to adopt effective and appropriate control systems and procedures in managing public sector assets, to ensure that assets are managed and utilised in the most effective and economical way. The study also identifies gaps in control systems in asset management, thereby providing a basis for further research by other researchers. The study is therefore a significant contribution to theory and practice, it provides guidelines to the public sector and specifically public officials at the Middledrift Department of Correctional Services on ways to improve control systems in asset management.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

An assessment of implementation of performance and development systems: Amathole District Municipality, Province of the Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Ganyaza, Yolanda
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Performance -- Management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Performance standards -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39785 , vital:35456
  • Description: The study focuses on the assessment of the Implementation of Performance Management System at Amathole District Municipality in the Eastern Cape. Local government is the closest sphere of government to service users, therefore it is expected to be a forefront of efficient service delivery. Local government needs to demonstrate that performance is managed, measured and improved on a continuous basis. For this purpose it must develop a comprehensive performance management system. The development of such a system is, however, not without challenges and local government should identify crucial elements which should be incorporated in such a system (van de Waldt, 2006:128). The aim of this study is to explore the challenges faced by Amathole District Municipality to see how service delivery can be improved through the effective implementation of performance management systems. The researcher has used a quantitative methodology in this study and has prepared questionnaires for the employee participants based at Amathole District Municipality. The total population of the employees is 1700 but the researcher uses a sample of between 20 and 30 employees within the Municipality. The findings of the study reveals that Amathole District Municipality does comply with performance management system policy in order to have an efficient and effective service delivery more operational policies will help the municipality to overcome its financial challenges need to be developed, so that they can be a change in terms of the municipality’s spending.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

An assessment of marine food security in the Western Indian Ocean and the likely impacts of climate change

  • Authors: Taylor, Sarah Frances Wedgwood
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Food security
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44528 , vital:38140
  • Description: The Western Indian Ocean hosts the second largest coastal population on the planet and supports 4 million tons of fish catches annually yielding $943 million in revenues and employment. However, it has been warming at a rate faster than any other region of the tropical oceans over the last century thereby placing the challenges of fluctuating fish supply and changes in ocean productivity on coastal communities. With the global food system under mounting pressure, governments need to understand the relationship between fish supply and food security to avoid overseeing the important role fish and fisheries play in ensuring food security. This study provides an alternative view and measurement of food security at a national level by assessing the impact that macroeconomic variables and climate change have on fish supply in Kenya, South Africa, and Tanzania as case study countries of the Western Indian Ocean. Vector Error Correction Models were run to analyse the impact of economic growth, fishing effort, lending interest rates, and climate change on marine food security for the period of 1980-2016. Agricultural employment was used as a proxy for fishing effort. In general, the relationship between fish supply and fishing effort is negative in the short run and positive in the long run for Kenyan marine fisheries, South African total capture and marine fisheries, and Tanzanian capture fisheries. These results therefore oppose the theoretical expectations. Sea surface temperature, as a proxy of climate change, was found to have a negative impact overall on fish supply and therefore exerts a negative impact on marine food security in all three countries. The results emphasise the need to use disaggregated fisheries statistics to better understand the complex relationship between macroeconomic variables and fish supply. By doing so, more effective food security policies can be created in attempt to mitigate the potential negative impacts of climate change on marine food security in the Western Indian Ocean.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

An assessment of performance management and development system at Department of Labour East London

  • Authors: Getyeza, Ntomboxolo Alicia
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Performance -- Management , Employees -- Rating of -- South Africa -- East London Local officials and employees -- South Africa -- East London South Africa -- Department of Labour
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39741 , vital:35353
  • Description: The performance management system was introduced in the South African public service with the intention to continuously manage performance by setting performance objectives, reviewing past performance, assessing current performance, improving poor performance, determining recognition and reward for good performance, and assisting with career planning. This study was undertaken as an attempt to investigate the assessment of the existing implementation processes of performance management systems to determine level of policy compliance and staff satisfaction in the department of Labour East London. This research adopted a descriptive research design where the 75 selected staff of the DOL participated in the research from the total staff component of 744 employees. To achieve this, self administered questionnaires were distributed to employees at different levels as well as union representatives who form part of employees and are members of Local Performance management Review Board to ensure fairness and non discriminatory practices in the process. Research has revealed that although the performance management system has been implemented in the department of Labour, it has not achieved all its expected results. The research findings indicate that although there is an understanding of performance management in the Department, implementation remains a challenge. The analysis of the responses indicated a great dissatisfaction with the current system. It has failed to link performance outcomes to rewards in a meaningful manner; there is not much emphasis placed on personal and career development; and there are no measures put in place by supervisors to address employees who do not achieve the set performance targets. The findings of the study and the conclusions by the researcher is that although certain elements of the PMS within the DOL can be perceived as being effective, however there are issues which still need to be addressed such as to communicate performance outcomes with employees and clearly defining the purpose of the PMS, commitment by supervisors and managers and addressing the staff attitudes and perceptions, as staff attitude and negative perception by employees can have detrimental consequences to the organization and positive perception can improve the organization and commitment of employees towards organizational performance. The findings from this study are consistent with the general proposition that effective performance management systems should be supported by practices and organizational contexts with certain characteristics. Indeed, as reported in this study, the institution needs to provide more performance management training, engage employees and emphasize employee recognition. In this way the performance management system will be effective, deliver more value and meet the desired outcomes. The conclusions by the researcher is that although certain elements of the PMS within the DOL can be perceived as being effective, however there are issues which still need to be addressed such as to communicate with employees on a continuous bases and clearly defining the purpose of the PMS, commitment of managers, supervisors and addressing the staff attitudes and perceptions, as staff attitude and negative perception by employees can have detrimental consequences to the department and positive perception can improve the organization and commitment of employees towards organizational performance. It is concluded that there is an urgent need for DOL to address the challenges experienced with the system, as at the moment, it is not meeting the objectives it was intended to meet.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

An assessment of records management practices in support of service delivery (in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa): the case of Engcobo local municipality

  • Authors: Mfula, Vuyelwa
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Records -- Management Filing systems
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , M LIS
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16331 , vital:40710
  • Description: The aim of this study was to assess records management practices in support of service delivery in Engcobo Local Municipality. This study sought to determine the type of records received, created and maintained by Engcobo Local Municipality, how records are processed for use in Engcobo Local Municipality, to what extend does the Records Management Practices in Engcobo Local Municipality comply with the legal and Regulatory requirements, and lastly what are the challenges faced by Engcobo Local Municipality and lastly to find out the impact of records management on service delivery The population of the study was 168 municipality workers and the sample of the study was 50 selected municipality workers who was representative of the whole population. This study employed a triangulated approach whereby the qualitative and the quantitative approaches were used. 35 survey questionnaires were distributed to the respondents and only 30 (thirty) were retained back for data analysis process and 15 indepth interviews were administered with the participants. The study employed purposive sampling in selecting the sample for the study based on the knowledge of the population. The study employed thematic analysis in analyzing the qualitative data. Thematic analysis allowed the researcher to discuss the common themes from the thick descriptions obtained from the municipality workers. Quantitative data from the semi structured questionnaires administered were analyzed using statistical methods 6 | P a g e (SPSS). The presentation of the findings was in the form of tables, graphs and piechats. The results revealed the Municipality does not have enough space for their records, due to continuous increase in technology, there is need for the municipality to upgrade its infrastructure to suit the standards of 21st century, shortages of skills within the municipality staff pose a big challenge to the development in the municipality and the system is bureaucratic in nature, long channels of communication. The study recommends that research should be extended to other Municipalities in the Eastern Cape to ensure that the management of records is harmonized to enhance service delivery, accountability and transparency in the Municipalities.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

An assessment of school food and nutrition environments for strengthening the integrated school health policy in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

  • Authors: Okeyo, Alice Phelgona
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Nutrition policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape School health services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17039 , vital:40836
  • Description: The 2012 Integrated School Health Policy (ISHP) offers a framework for adequate school food environment. It aims to contribute to the improvement of the general health of school-going children and to address health barriers to learning in order to improve education outcomes. This study assessed the school food and nutrition environment and critically appraised the position of nutrition within ISHP in order to make recommendations for best practice and promotion of healthy-eating in quintiles 1 – 3 secondary school learners of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Areas evaluated included the school food environment (National School Food Nutrition Programme, NSNP, tuck-shop, vendor, lunch box, and school vegetable garden); eating practice; nutrition knowledge; and nutrition status. A quantitative and qualitative cross-sectional design was applied in data collection. Data was collected from 1,357 learners at 18 secondary schools in three districts: Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Chris Hani and OR Tambo, using semi-structured questionnaires. Five major food items provided in the school food and nutrition environment included: beans, pap, sour-milk, rice, and samp (maize) (NSNP); chips, sandwich, pap, biscuits, and cake (tuck-shop); chips, sandwich, pap, cake, and pop-corn (vendor); and samp (maize), noodles, fat-cake, chips, and Russian/Viennas (lunch boxes). Only three of the 16 schools had school vegetable gardens which produced vegetables and no fruits. Five most frequently eaten foods for breakfast were porridge, rusks, stiff-pap, bread-with-spread, eggs, and polony. Learners from quintile 3 (60.8percent) significantly ate more cooked porridge than learners from quintiles 1 and 2 (51.9percent) (p = 0.015). Leaners from quintile 3 (59.4percent) significantly ate more brown bread-with-spread than learners from quintiles 1 and 2 (50.4) (p = 0.022). The majority of learners (72.7percent) ate breakfast; more male learners (24.4percent) than female learners (29.1percent) skipped breakfast. The majority (62.2percent) of learners had poor nutritional knowledge; significantly, more male (35percent) than female (27percent) learners had poor nutritional knowledge (p = 0.003). Nutritional knowledge increased with age; significantly more grade 8 learners had poor (42.6percent) nutritional knowledge than grade 12 learners (14.1percent) (p < 0.001). Leaners from quintile 3 had good (23.5percent) nutritional knowledge than learners from quintiles 1 and 2 (15.7percent) (p < 0.001). School lessons, books and television were the most important source for nutritional information to learners. The most significant source was lessons (72.0percent; p < 0.001); followed by television (69.4percent; p < 0.001) and books (67.8percent; p = 0.014), in that ranking order. The majority of learners (64percent) had normal body weight. The prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity was 13.0percent, 15.0percent and 8.0percent, respectively. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher in females than males (21.3percent vs 5.3percent; overweight; p < 0.001)) and (11.6percent vs 1.2percent; obesity; p < 0.001), respectively; while the prevalence in terms of underweight was significantly higher in male (21.3percent) learners than in female learners (8.1percent); p < 0.001. The study indicated that the school food environment was not supported by ISHP. The Integrated School Health Policy did not include on-site package for nutritional assessment, thus, there is need to offer nutritional interventions in schools.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

An assessment of some community development projects and their challenges as they affect rural women socio-economic empowerment: The case of Amahlathi Local Municipality, South Africa

  • Authors: Odularu, Olufunmilayo
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Women in development Community development
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Development Studies)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16996 , vital:40808
  • Description: The study aimed at ascertaining the effect of socio-economic empowerment as a poverty alleviation tool for rural women in Amahlathi Local Municipality. A further aspect of the study was to explore how (CDPs) have made lives better for the rural female beneficiaries of Amahlathi Local Municipality (ALM) to determine how the current community development projects (CDPs) are meeting the objectives of alleviating poverty; and to present appropriate framework to achieve the objectives of economic empowerment and poverty alleviation through sustainable livelihoods, community development/asset-based community development/approach towards the rural women of ALM. The study sought to examine the interaction between aspects of the involvements of women from rural areas with respect to CDPs. The study was carried out in the form of a small-scale case study. The data-collection research techniques comprised a selfadministered questionnaire with participants of selected CDPs; in-depth semi-structured interviews with the development stakeholders; and the analysis of key documents that the groups were willing to share with the researcher. The analysis involved both quantitative and qualitative. Conceptual frameworks were drawn from Sustainable Livelihood and Community Development theories. The study also examined the inter-relationship between women empowerment and economic development. Findings of the study revealed that the participation of women in CDPs led to the empowerment and advancement of women in sustainable ways. This was evident from 20 the improvements that the women gave responses to in their lives. Also, the findings showed that the family economic status of rural women beneficiaries on each of the CDPs observed in the study are better than before they join the development projects. Lastly, the findings showed that the various projects are effective and has contributed to the lives of the project beneficiaries. The officials, as well as, the managers supervising the projects also confirmed that the projects have achieved the purposes for its establishment.
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  • Date Issued: 2019

An Assessment of Teaching and Learning Strategy in Eastern Selected School, Butterworth District

  • Authors: Mantanga- Mgoduka, Ntombomzi Beauty
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: School improvement programs -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape High school teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12447 , vital:39264
  • Description: This is a study that was conducted at Nomaheya Senior Secondary School in the Butterworth in East of the Eastern Cape Province. The main purpose of this study was to assesses teaching and learning strategies in improving Grade 12 results. Teaching and Learning Strategies are defined as activities and methods used to move the learner towards achievement of the learning outcome. Crawford, Alan; 2005:16 views teaching and learning strategy, as an effective instruction, as an interactive process - students learn best when they are engaged, not only with their teacher, but also with one another. The researcher will provide the background and motivation of the study. The problem statement, research questions, research objectives, significance of the study, delimitations of the study, literature review, research methodology, and the conclusion of the study. Poor performance that is displayed by Grade 12 learners in the Eastern Cape has been a trend for the past three years. Well known contributory factor for poor performance is poverty, unemployment, high levels of illiteracy, low levels of management and leadership in schools, constant shortage of teachers with specific reference to critical subjects, learner teacher support material (LTSM) that is not delivered on time school safety, infrastructure, discipline amongst learners, absenteeism of learners, SMT with no well-defined roles, Annual Teaching plans, circulars are available but are not implemented. In other words, lack of support by the stakeholders, management and leadership in schools. This was observed by Solo, 1997: 37 who argues that, the atmosphere at home helps to foster or break school functionality, effects of parental interest in learner academic achievement. The background of the study, the problem statement, objectives, questions and also the objectives of research were fully discussed in chapter one. In chapter two, a research on recent publications in the subject was done. Keywords were: outcomebased education, educator, change, assessment and evaluation. The literature study was done to attain objectives in chapter one and also to provide the theoretical background to evaluate the findings in chapter four. vii Chapter three dealt presents the research methodology, research design, area of study, population, sampling method, purposive sampling method, research sample, data collection procedures, data collection instruments, interviews, observations, ethical considerations.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019

An assessment of teaching and learning strategy in improving grade 12 results in Eastern Cape selected school Butterworth District

  • Authors: Mantanga-Mgoduka, N B
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Educational tests and measurements Effective teaching
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18554 , vital:42608
  • Description: This is a study that was conducted at Nomaheya Senior Secondary School in the Butterworth in East of the Eastern Cape Province. The main purpose of this study was to assesses teaching and learning strategies in improving Grade 12 results. Teaching and Learning Strategies are defined as activities and methods used to move the learner towards achievement of the learning outcome. Crawford, Alan; 2005:16 views teaching and learning strategy, as an effective instruction, as an interactive process - students learn best when they are engaged, not only with their teacher, but also with one another. The researcher will provide the background and motivation of the study. The problem statement, research questions, research objectives, significance of the study, delimitations of the study, literature review, research methodology, and the conclusion of the study. Poor performance that is displayed by Grade 12 learners in the Eastern Cape has been a trend for the past three years. Well known contributory factor for poor performance is poverty, unemployment, high levels of illiteracy, low levels of management and leadership in schools, constant shortage of teachers with specific reference to critical subjects, learner teacher support material (LTSM) that is not delivered on time school safety, infrastructure, discipline amongst learners, absenteeism of learners, SMT with no well-defined roles, Annual Teaching plans, circulars are available but are not implemented. In other words, lack of support by the stakeholders, management and leadership in schools. This was observed by Solo, 1997: 37 who argues that, the atmosphere at home helps to foster or break school functionality, effects of parental interest in learner academic achievement. The background of the study, the problem statement, objectives, questions and also the objectives of research were fully discussed in chapter one. In chapter two, a research on recent publications in the subject was done. Keywords were: outcome-based education, educator, change, assessment and evaluation. The literature study was done to attain objectives in chapter one and also to provide the theoretical background to evaluate the findings in chapter four. Chapter three dealt presents the research methodology, research design, area of study, population, sampling method, purposive sampling method, research sample, data collection procedures, data collection instruments, interviews, observations, ethical considerations.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2019
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