The role of principals as instructional leaders in two underperforming senior secondary schools in the King William's Town education district
- Authors: Sijako, Bantu
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: School principals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Effective teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Educational leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Instructional systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/619 , vital:26474
- Description: School principals are expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing quality teaching and learning in their schools. As leaders of organisations called schools, where teaching and learning take place, they need to possess particular skills to enable them to effectively deliver on their responsibilities of supporting teaching and learning. This means that a school principal is at the centre of any change that must occur at school level. He/she is expected to create a positive learning space by providing a healthy climate for teaching and learning in the school. However, some secondary schools in the King William’s Town Education District are performing far below the national average when it comes to the Grade 12 results. For this reason, this study sought to explore the views of the school management team members in two such schools on the role of principals as instructional leaders. The case study was premised within the qualitative research approach and the interpretivist paradigm was used as an epistemological base to investigate the views of the school management teams on the role of principals as instructional leaders. Eight school management team members were selected from both schools and the data was collected by means of face-to-face semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis. The data showed that participants had divergent views on how principals play the instructional leadership role. It appeared that principals employed different strategies in supporting teaching and learning in their schools and the focus was on control rather than support. It also emerged from the data that there was a lack of professional support at all levels in the selected schools, and parents were not involved in their children’s academic work. The researcher concludes that there seemed to be no systemic and coherent support strategy focusing on teaching and learning, as there were divergent views on how principals perform their instructional leadership roles. The study therefore recommends that principals be trained on instructional leadership to give them a deeper insight into supporting curriculum implementation in their schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Sijako, Bantu
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: School principals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Effective teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Educational leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Instructional systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/619 , vital:26474
- Description: School principals are expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing quality teaching and learning in their schools. As leaders of organisations called schools, where teaching and learning take place, they need to possess particular skills to enable them to effectively deliver on their responsibilities of supporting teaching and learning. This means that a school principal is at the centre of any change that must occur at school level. He/she is expected to create a positive learning space by providing a healthy climate for teaching and learning in the school. However, some secondary schools in the King William’s Town Education District are performing far below the national average when it comes to the Grade 12 results. For this reason, this study sought to explore the views of the school management team members in two such schools on the role of principals as instructional leaders. The case study was premised within the qualitative research approach and the interpretivist paradigm was used as an epistemological base to investigate the views of the school management teams on the role of principals as instructional leaders. Eight school management team members were selected from both schools and the data was collected by means of face-to-face semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis. The data showed that participants had divergent views on how principals play the instructional leadership role. It appeared that principals employed different strategies in supporting teaching and learning in their schools and the focus was on control rather than support. It also emerged from the data that there was a lack of professional support at all levels in the selected schools, and parents were not involved in their children’s academic work. The researcher concludes that there seemed to be no systemic and coherent support strategy focusing on teaching and learning, as there were divergent views on how principals perform their instructional leadership roles. The study therefore recommends that principals be trained on instructional leadership to give them a deeper insight into supporting curriculum implementation in their schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The role of protected areas in the conservation and management of fisheries in the Chobe District of Botswana
- Authors: Bakane, Modiegi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Cichlids Botswana Chobe District , Protected areas Botswana Chobe District , Fishery management Botswana Chobe District
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7459 , vital:21262
- Description: This study was aimed at better understanding the function of protected areas as a management strategy for the Chobe District fishery in Botswana, by first investigating the relative abundance in fish communities in and outside protected areas and secondly, by performing an assessment of the biology of commercially important large cichlid species viz threespot tilapia Oreochromis andersonii, greenhead tilapia Oreochromis macrochir and redbreast tilapia Coptodon rendalli. In this study, data and specimens were collected during seasonal surveys between September 2014 and April 2015, using the standard graded fleets of gillnets employed in other programmes in the region, together with D-nets, angling and electro-fishing. The study demonstrated that fish communities in the floodplain ecosystems in the Chobe District of Botswana were representative of the region, containing some 70 species in 14 families. This study also demonstrated that for all the species collected, the mean Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) by weight for all the species was significantly higher in protected areas (Kruskal Wallis Test; P<0.05) namely, Zibadianja Lagoon (38 ± 31 kg/net.night"1 and Savuti River/marsh 25 ± 19 kg/net.night"1) than in the fished Chobe River floodplains CPUE (6 ± 3 kg/net.night-1). Biological contributions were estimates of longevity, growth and maturity for O. andersonii, O. macrochir and C. rendalli. Age and growth were estimated using sectioned sagittal otoliths. The Von Bertalanffy growth equation from otolith derived length at age was Lt(mm) =298 (1-e-0 59(t=- 098)) for O. andersonii and Lt(mm) = 337 (1-e-0'20(t=-235)) for C. rendalli. The results indicated that protected areas enhanced fish longevity, and fish in protected areas were larger and older than those in exploited areas. Maturity estimates for the large cichlids were consistent with other research in the region and the length-at-50% maturity was estimated as 250mm Lt for O. andersonii, 225 mm Lt for O. macrochir and 210 mm Lt for C. rendalli. Management recommendations are therefore to retain gill net mesh size regulations that ensure that these fish reach maturity and can breed before being harvested and to assess the possibility of increasing the number of protected areas in the district.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Bakane, Modiegi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Cichlids Botswana Chobe District , Protected areas Botswana Chobe District , Fishery management Botswana Chobe District
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7459 , vital:21262
- Description: This study was aimed at better understanding the function of protected areas as a management strategy for the Chobe District fishery in Botswana, by first investigating the relative abundance in fish communities in and outside protected areas and secondly, by performing an assessment of the biology of commercially important large cichlid species viz threespot tilapia Oreochromis andersonii, greenhead tilapia Oreochromis macrochir and redbreast tilapia Coptodon rendalli. In this study, data and specimens were collected during seasonal surveys between September 2014 and April 2015, using the standard graded fleets of gillnets employed in other programmes in the region, together with D-nets, angling and electro-fishing. The study demonstrated that fish communities in the floodplain ecosystems in the Chobe District of Botswana were representative of the region, containing some 70 species in 14 families. This study also demonstrated that for all the species collected, the mean Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) by weight for all the species was significantly higher in protected areas (Kruskal Wallis Test; P<0.05) namely, Zibadianja Lagoon (38 ± 31 kg/net.night"1 and Savuti River/marsh 25 ± 19 kg/net.night"1) than in the fished Chobe River floodplains CPUE (6 ± 3 kg/net.night-1). Biological contributions were estimates of longevity, growth and maturity for O. andersonii, O. macrochir and C. rendalli. Age and growth were estimated using sectioned sagittal otoliths. The Von Bertalanffy growth equation from otolith derived length at age was Lt(mm) =298 (1-e-0 59(t=- 098)) for O. andersonii and Lt(mm) = 337 (1-e-0'20(t=-235)) for C. rendalli. The results indicated that protected areas enhanced fish longevity, and fish in protected areas were larger and older than those in exploited areas. Maturity estimates for the large cichlids were consistent with other research in the region and the length-at-50% maturity was estimated as 250mm Lt for O. andersonii, 225 mm Lt for O. macrochir and 210 mm Lt for C. rendalli. Management recommendations are therefore to retain gill net mesh size regulations that ensure that these fish reach maturity and can breed before being harvested and to assess the possibility of increasing the number of protected areas in the district.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The role of psychosocial factors in academic performance of first year psychology students at a historically white university
- Authors: Dlamini, Sipho Solomon
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Rhodes University -- Students , Academic achievement , Undergraduates -- South Africa , Dropouts -- South Africa , College students -- South Africa , Psychology students -- South Africa , Minorities -- Education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5150 , vital:20781
- Description: The success rate of students in higher education has been a cause for concern in South Africa (Letseka & Maile, 2008; Department of Higher Education and Training, 2015). This has been particularly concerning for first-year students, where the rate of attrition is especially high (Letseka, Cosser, Breier, and Visser, 2010). A number of factors have been identified in past research as having an effect on academic performance, which influences attrition and graduation. These factors include age (Justice, & Dornan, 2001), gender (Buchmann, & DiPrete, 2006), socio-economic status which is confounded by race (Letseka & Breier, 2008), type of educational background (Spreen, & Vally, 2006), and whether a student is a domestic or international student (Li, Chen, Duanmu, 2009), social capital (Young & Strelitz, 2014), whether the student is a first language speaker of the language of instruction at the university (Snowball, and Boughey, 2012), student wellbeing (Quinn, & Duckworth, 2007), locus of control (Findley, & Cooper, 1983), and frequency of lecture attendance (van Wallbeek, 2004). The study was conducted at Rhodes University, a small historically white South African institution. For this study, academic performance was measured using the participant’s midyear exam results for an introductory psychology cause, a course that straddles faculties. Of the 690 students registered for the course, 361 (52%) completed an electronic survey that explored the various factors associated with academic performance. A hierarchical regression analysis indicates that pre-university factors (age, gender, race, nationality, language, type of school, and socio-economic status) were the only significant predictors of academic performance, contributing 11% of the effect. Race and nationality, when all the other factors were controlled for, were the only predictors of academic performance. The implications of these findings pose troubling questions of the institutional culture at the university.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Dlamini, Sipho Solomon
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Rhodes University -- Students , Academic achievement , Undergraduates -- South Africa , Dropouts -- South Africa , College students -- South Africa , Psychology students -- South Africa , Minorities -- Education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5150 , vital:20781
- Description: The success rate of students in higher education has been a cause for concern in South Africa (Letseka & Maile, 2008; Department of Higher Education and Training, 2015). This has been particularly concerning for first-year students, where the rate of attrition is especially high (Letseka, Cosser, Breier, and Visser, 2010). A number of factors have been identified in past research as having an effect on academic performance, which influences attrition and graduation. These factors include age (Justice, & Dornan, 2001), gender (Buchmann, & DiPrete, 2006), socio-economic status which is confounded by race (Letseka & Breier, 2008), type of educational background (Spreen, & Vally, 2006), and whether a student is a domestic or international student (Li, Chen, Duanmu, 2009), social capital (Young & Strelitz, 2014), whether the student is a first language speaker of the language of instruction at the university (Snowball, and Boughey, 2012), student wellbeing (Quinn, & Duckworth, 2007), locus of control (Findley, & Cooper, 1983), and frequency of lecture attendance (van Wallbeek, 2004). The study was conducted at Rhodes University, a small historically white South African institution. For this study, academic performance was measured using the participant’s midyear exam results for an introductory psychology cause, a course that straddles faculties. Of the 690 students registered for the course, 361 (52%) completed an electronic survey that explored the various factors associated with academic performance. A hierarchical regression analysis indicates that pre-university factors (age, gender, race, nationality, language, type of school, and socio-economic status) were the only significant predictors of academic performance, contributing 11% of the effect. Race and nationality, when all the other factors were controlled for, were the only predictors of academic performance. The implications of these findings pose troubling questions of the institutional culture at the university.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The role of public participation in the integrated development planning process: Chris Hani District Municipality
- Authors: Dywili, Siyanda
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Public administration -- Planning Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14983 , vital:28109
- Description: Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, in Chapter 7, requires all municipalities to encourage members of the public to participate in the matters of local government. Public participation is the process by which public concerns, needs, and values are integrated into governmental and corporate decision making. The Integrated Development Plan is an example of local government instruments which seek public participation in order to address community needs through service delivery. Consequently, this study was to explore the role of public participation in the Integrated Development Planning process of the Chris Hani District Municipality. The main objectives of this study were to understand the IDP making process, establish the importance of public participation, understand the role played by the municipality to encourage public participation in the IDP processes, understand the influence of IDP in service delivery and to make recommendations based on the findings presented. To conduct this study, qualitative research methodology was employed. The population sample comprised of councillors and municipal officials. Structured interviews were conducted with the councillors, while semi-structured interviews were held with municipal officials. The findings of the study revealed that the Chris Hani District Municipality views public participation as an integral part of the IDP making process. Measures and strategies are taken by the municipality to enhance public involvement in all matters of the municipality, including the IDP process. To achieve this the municipality partners with a number of stakeholders such as the local municipalities, government departments and organised groups. However, this is not enough hence recommendations are presented to improve this situation. Recommendations proposed include introducing capacity building programmes for councillors, establishment of a public participation unit, availing budget for public participation and educating members of the public about public participation and the IDP process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Dywili, Siyanda
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Public administration -- Planning Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation Political participation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14983 , vital:28109
- Description: Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, in Chapter 7, requires all municipalities to encourage members of the public to participate in the matters of local government. Public participation is the process by which public concerns, needs, and values are integrated into governmental and corporate decision making. The Integrated Development Plan is an example of local government instruments which seek public participation in order to address community needs through service delivery. Consequently, this study was to explore the role of public participation in the Integrated Development Planning process of the Chris Hani District Municipality. The main objectives of this study were to understand the IDP making process, establish the importance of public participation, understand the role played by the municipality to encourage public participation in the IDP processes, understand the influence of IDP in service delivery and to make recommendations based on the findings presented. To conduct this study, qualitative research methodology was employed. The population sample comprised of councillors and municipal officials. Structured interviews were conducted with the councillors, while semi-structured interviews were held with municipal officials. The findings of the study revealed that the Chris Hani District Municipality views public participation as an integral part of the IDP making process. Measures and strategies are taken by the municipality to enhance public involvement in all matters of the municipality, including the IDP process. To achieve this the municipality partners with a number of stakeholders such as the local municipalities, government departments and organised groups. However, this is not enough hence recommendations are presented to improve this situation. Recommendations proposed include introducing capacity building programmes for councillors, establishment of a public participation unit, availing budget for public participation and educating members of the public about public participation and the IDP process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The role of school-community partnerships in promoting learner discipline :|ba case of two primary schools in the Capricorn Education District
- Authors: Malatji, Makwalete Johanna
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Community and schoo School discipline
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8283 , vital:32170
- Description: The study investigated the role of school-community partnerships in promoting learners‟ discipline in the Capricorn District. The purpose of this study was to examine how schoolcommunity partnerships pan out to promote learner discipline in schools. This study used a qualitative research approach and was premised within the parameters of the interpretive paradigm. Through a case study design, data was collected from three primary schools in the Capricorn Education District. Participants were purposively selected from SMTs, SGBs and parents. Four SMTs, four SGBs and four parents participated in this study. The study found that there was no shared responsibility between the school and its stakeholders. Furthermore, it was found that there was no regular communication between the school and parents about disciplining of learners. Moreover, the study revealed that SMT members experienced challenges such as dealing with poor parental involvement, poor communication, poor infrastructure, lack of resources and drug abuse, and these had negative impact on learners‟ performance. The study provided insights into what role the school and community should play in promoting learner discipline. The study also found that the community‟s level of education in school activities also affected learner discipline. Community members were not aware of what was expected of them in a school since they understood a school as a building of educated people. Therefore, it became important for the school to make sure that community members receive information about how they could help with school activities and learner discipline. The study recommends that workshops should be conducted to educate communities about school-community partnerships to promote learner discipline. The study further recommends that the school should develop policies that could help both the school and the community on learner discipline. A policy could direct both the school and the community on the agreements they made to discipline learners.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Malatji, Makwalete Johanna
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Community and schoo School discipline
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8283 , vital:32170
- Description: The study investigated the role of school-community partnerships in promoting learners‟ discipline in the Capricorn District. The purpose of this study was to examine how schoolcommunity partnerships pan out to promote learner discipline in schools. This study used a qualitative research approach and was premised within the parameters of the interpretive paradigm. Through a case study design, data was collected from three primary schools in the Capricorn Education District. Participants were purposively selected from SMTs, SGBs and parents. Four SMTs, four SGBs and four parents participated in this study. The study found that there was no shared responsibility between the school and its stakeholders. Furthermore, it was found that there was no regular communication between the school and parents about disciplining of learners. Moreover, the study revealed that SMT members experienced challenges such as dealing with poor parental involvement, poor communication, poor infrastructure, lack of resources and drug abuse, and these had negative impact on learners‟ performance. The study provided insights into what role the school and community should play in promoting learner discipline. The study also found that the community‟s level of education in school activities also affected learner discipline. Community members were not aware of what was expected of them in a school since they understood a school as a building of educated people. Therefore, it became important for the school to make sure that community members receive information about how they could help with school activities and learner discipline. The study recommends that workshops should be conducted to educate communities about school-community partnerships to promote learner discipline. The study further recommends that the school should develop policies that could help both the school and the community on learner discipline. A policy could direct both the school and the community on the agreements they made to discipline learners.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The role of security sector reform in post-conflict recovery: the case of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Authors: Nibishaka, Emmanuel
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Security sector -- Congo (Democratic Republic) , Postwar reconstruction -- Congo (Democratic Republic) , Peace-building -- Congo (Democratic Republic)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7753 , vital:23824
- Description: From 1990s, Security Sector Reform (SSR) has become a key component in international interventions in many countries in the aftermath of conflict. Currently, 17 UN peacekeeping missions are deployed with an SSR mandate, making SSR, an integral part of peacekeeping. Additionally, the growing consensus amongst donors and the United Nations regarding the necessity of implementing SSR for effective stabilisation and reconstruction in the aftermath of conflict made it evident that SSR has gained traction in peacebuilding and post-conflict activities as a major transformative measure needed in post-conflict recovery to achieve more sustainable, peaceful relationships and structures of governance in order to avoid a relapse into conflict. However, despite that recognition, deeper understanding of its actual implementation and empirical results of the existing programmes have yet to be fully documented. Many SSR implementation experiences in various post-conflict states have been mainly disappointing and yet there are not enough studies identifying structural and operational challenges faced by SSR actors (both local and external). Using the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where several SSR donor supported initiatives have been ongoing since 2003, this study investigated the effectiveness and sustainability of Security Sector Reform (SSR) in post-conflict recovery processes, as one of the key mechanisms to avoid relapse into conflict. In this study, diverse arguments and actual implementation practices of SSR interventions in the DRC were assessed against guidelines and principles in existing policy documents, and opinions in secondary sources. It emerged that the SSR processes in DRC had registered little success and faced systemic deficiencies needing remediation to truly contribute to DRC’s post-conflict recovery. Such deficiencies include: SSR programmes being implemented in an environment of chronic instability; incoherence and inconsistencies in external actors’ policies and practices; lack of political will both by the GoRDC and external actors; competition and rivalry amongst donors and external actors; and selectivity and lack of a holistic approach to peacebuilding. These shortfalls undermined efforts in building local ownership; and jeopardises the entire SSR process by negatively influencing prioritisation, accountability, and proper follow-up to ensure that the agreed plans and programmes have been implemented. The study concludes that current SSR programmes in the DRC are ill-suited and ill-designed to create a truly effective, accountable and sustainable security sector in as much as actors (both local and external) have mostly disregarded basic SSR underpinning principles that would have ensured the success of their programmes. They also paid little attention to other aspects of post-conflict peacebuilding such as broader governance reform, institutional and capacity building, impact of mineral resources, poverty reduction and the proliferation of armed groups when articulating SSR policies all of which could have laid the foundations for SSR to properly launch. The study recommends that current SSR donor practices are revisited to formulate an acceptable and achievable SSR strategy consistent with the reality on the ground. In this regard, the study argues that SSR should be viewed as an essential, but currently, insufficient condition to achieve lasting peace and security. It needs to be part of a broader democratisation and reform process in any post-conflict setting. Specifically, in DRC, the study recommends that in the absence of political will, international partners should leverage their direct financial contributions to persuade or even pressurise the Government into initiating structural reforms in all sectors that would ensure sustainable entry points for SSR. The study strongly recommends an overhaul of all DRC governance institutions to broadly align with post-conflict reforms, as no institutional foundations currently exist. The study also noted a lack of proper staffing within the UN SSR system and recommends the best way to respond to this particular challenge, including the appreciation and recruitment of experts from the Global South who are familiar with the realities on the ground.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Nibishaka, Emmanuel
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Security sector -- Congo (Democratic Republic) , Postwar reconstruction -- Congo (Democratic Republic) , Peace-building -- Congo (Democratic Republic)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7753 , vital:23824
- Description: From 1990s, Security Sector Reform (SSR) has become a key component in international interventions in many countries in the aftermath of conflict. Currently, 17 UN peacekeeping missions are deployed with an SSR mandate, making SSR, an integral part of peacekeeping. Additionally, the growing consensus amongst donors and the United Nations regarding the necessity of implementing SSR for effective stabilisation and reconstruction in the aftermath of conflict made it evident that SSR has gained traction in peacebuilding and post-conflict activities as a major transformative measure needed in post-conflict recovery to achieve more sustainable, peaceful relationships and structures of governance in order to avoid a relapse into conflict. However, despite that recognition, deeper understanding of its actual implementation and empirical results of the existing programmes have yet to be fully documented. Many SSR implementation experiences in various post-conflict states have been mainly disappointing and yet there are not enough studies identifying structural and operational challenges faced by SSR actors (both local and external). Using the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where several SSR donor supported initiatives have been ongoing since 2003, this study investigated the effectiveness and sustainability of Security Sector Reform (SSR) in post-conflict recovery processes, as one of the key mechanisms to avoid relapse into conflict. In this study, diverse arguments and actual implementation practices of SSR interventions in the DRC were assessed against guidelines and principles in existing policy documents, and opinions in secondary sources. It emerged that the SSR processes in DRC had registered little success and faced systemic deficiencies needing remediation to truly contribute to DRC’s post-conflict recovery. Such deficiencies include: SSR programmes being implemented in an environment of chronic instability; incoherence and inconsistencies in external actors’ policies and practices; lack of political will both by the GoRDC and external actors; competition and rivalry amongst donors and external actors; and selectivity and lack of a holistic approach to peacebuilding. These shortfalls undermined efforts in building local ownership; and jeopardises the entire SSR process by negatively influencing prioritisation, accountability, and proper follow-up to ensure that the agreed plans and programmes have been implemented. The study concludes that current SSR programmes in the DRC are ill-suited and ill-designed to create a truly effective, accountable and sustainable security sector in as much as actors (both local and external) have mostly disregarded basic SSR underpinning principles that would have ensured the success of their programmes. They also paid little attention to other aspects of post-conflict peacebuilding such as broader governance reform, institutional and capacity building, impact of mineral resources, poverty reduction and the proliferation of armed groups when articulating SSR policies all of which could have laid the foundations for SSR to properly launch. The study recommends that current SSR donor practices are revisited to formulate an acceptable and achievable SSR strategy consistent with the reality on the ground. In this regard, the study argues that SSR should be viewed as an essential, but currently, insufficient condition to achieve lasting peace and security. It needs to be part of a broader democratisation and reform process in any post-conflict setting. Specifically, in DRC, the study recommends that in the absence of political will, international partners should leverage their direct financial contributions to persuade or even pressurise the Government into initiating structural reforms in all sectors that would ensure sustainable entry points for SSR. The study strongly recommends an overhaul of all DRC governance institutions to broadly align with post-conflict reforms, as no institutional foundations currently exist. The study also noted a lack of proper staffing within the UN SSR system and recommends the best way to respond to this particular challenge, including the appreciation and recruitment of experts from the Global South who are familiar with the realities on the ground.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The role of structural bioinformatics in drug discovery via computational SNP analysis–a proposed protocol for analyzing variation at the protein level:
- Brown, David K, Tastan Bishop, Özlem
- Authors: Brown, David K , Tastan Bishop, Özlem
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/162914 , vital:40996 , doi: 10.1016/j.gheart.2017.01.009
- Description: With the completion of the human genome project at the beginning of the 21st century, the biological sciences entered an unprecedented age of data generation, and made its first steps towards an era of personalized medicine. This abundance of sequence data has led to the proliferation of numerous sequence-based techniques for associating variation with disease, such as Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) and Candidate Gene Association Studies (CGAS). However, these statistical methods do not provide an understanding of the functional effects of variation. Structure-based drug discovery and design is increasingly incorporating structural bioinformatics techniques to model and analyze protein targets, perform large scale virtual screening to identify hit to lead compounds, and simulate molecular interactions. These techniques are fast, cost-effective, and complement existing experimental techniques such as High Throughput Sequencing (HTS).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Brown, David K , Tastan Bishop, Özlem
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/162914 , vital:40996 , doi: 10.1016/j.gheart.2017.01.009
- Description: With the completion of the human genome project at the beginning of the 21st century, the biological sciences entered an unprecedented age of data generation, and made its first steps towards an era of personalized medicine. This abundance of sequence data has led to the proliferation of numerous sequence-based techniques for associating variation with disease, such as Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) and Candidate Gene Association Studies (CGAS). However, these statistical methods do not provide an understanding of the functional effects of variation. Structure-based drug discovery and design is increasingly incorporating structural bioinformatics techniques to model and analyze protein targets, perform large scale virtual screening to identify hit to lead compounds, and simulate molecular interactions. These techniques are fast, cost-effective, and complement existing experimental techniques such as High Throughput Sequencing (HTS).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The role of the African Union in Burundi from 2015 to 2016: an examination of African led mediations in electoral conflicts
- Authors: Mutangadura, Chido Samantha
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Burundi -- Politics and governemnt -- 1993- African Union Conflict management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20714 , vital:29378
- Description: The African Union’s role in the formulation and the implementation of the Arusha Agreement in Burundi has been hailed as a hall mark of success for the organisation’s conflict management on the continent. A decade and a half later Burundi once again finds itself at the precipice of civil war due to the controversy surrounding President Pierre Nkurunziza’s election to a third term in office in 2015. At the time of writing, the mediation efforts are tethering on the brink of failure. The African Union’s response to the political crisis in Burundi has been characterised by policy incoherence, reversals and ineffectiveness as member states have not committed to a particular strategy. This study explores the underlying factors that resulted in the failure of the African Union’s mediation efforts in Burundi by analysing the contingency framework for mediation by Bercovitch Anagnoson and Wille (1991: 11) with specific reference to the eight context variables. The study seeks to understand the failure of mediation in the context of the African Union’s previous success in mediating the signing of the Arusha Agreement. The study reveals that the competing and contradictory narratives surrounding the mediation and the conflict played a significant role in influencing the outcome of the mediation. The study concludes that mediation remains a relevant conflict management strategy for the African Union. The normative framework of the regional organisation however must be shifted to reconceptualise the principle of sovereignty in responding to electoral based conflicts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mutangadura, Chido Samantha
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Burundi -- Politics and governemnt -- 1993- African Union Conflict management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20714 , vital:29378
- Description: The African Union’s role in the formulation and the implementation of the Arusha Agreement in Burundi has been hailed as a hall mark of success for the organisation’s conflict management on the continent. A decade and a half later Burundi once again finds itself at the precipice of civil war due to the controversy surrounding President Pierre Nkurunziza’s election to a third term in office in 2015. At the time of writing, the mediation efforts are tethering on the brink of failure. The African Union’s response to the political crisis in Burundi has been characterised by policy incoherence, reversals and ineffectiveness as member states have not committed to a particular strategy. This study explores the underlying factors that resulted in the failure of the African Union’s mediation efforts in Burundi by analysing the contingency framework for mediation by Bercovitch Anagnoson and Wille (1991: 11) with specific reference to the eight context variables. The study seeks to understand the failure of mediation in the context of the African Union’s previous success in mediating the signing of the Arusha Agreement. The study reveals that the competing and contradictory narratives surrounding the mediation and the conflict played a significant role in influencing the outcome of the mediation. The study concludes that mediation remains a relevant conflict management strategy for the African Union. The normative framework of the regional organisation however must be shifted to reconceptualise the principle of sovereignty in responding to electoral based conflicts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The role of the CCMA to mitigate job losses in the context of operational requirements dismissal
- Authors: Mbali, Rian Bongani
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Employees -- Dismissal of -- Law and legislation -- South Africa South Africa. Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration -- Rules and practice , Mediation and conciliation, Industria -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45536 , vital:38641
- Description: All employers at some point in time may find themselves under pressure, facing financial challenges, which may force them into contemplating some reductions in their operating costs. This could result in an exercise that may entail restructuring the wage bill. This in turn could eventually result in the dismissal of employees for operational reasons. The concept of job security is a new phenomenon in the labour market and with localisation and the economic crisis that have caused businesses to become competitive, workers face the threat of losing jobs daily. It must be stated that the International Labour Organisation (hereinafter referred to as ILO), which is an international body responsible for developing principles and guidelines which regulate labour relations in the world, had only in 1963 taken some steps to give due regard to the law that seek to promote employment security1. Until then, the common law dictated the nature of the relationship with regard to the rules that govern the termination of employment. The study will further investigate the international trends in the embedding of the Convention of Termination of Employment. Against this context, this treatise seeks to highlight the work done to further provide measures of employment security for workers facing dismissal based on operational requirements. The study will examine the role of the Commission for the Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (hereinafter referred to as CCMA), an impartial body in South Africa, whose main function is to prevent and resolve labour disputes, as well as to mitigate job losses in the context of operational requirements dismissals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mbali, Rian Bongani
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Employees -- Dismissal of -- Law and legislation -- South Africa South Africa. Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration -- Rules and practice , Mediation and conciliation, Industria -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45536 , vital:38641
- Description: All employers at some point in time may find themselves under pressure, facing financial challenges, which may force them into contemplating some reductions in their operating costs. This could result in an exercise that may entail restructuring the wage bill. This in turn could eventually result in the dismissal of employees for operational reasons. The concept of job security is a new phenomenon in the labour market and with localisation and the economic crisis that have caused businesses to become competitive, workers face the threat of losing jobs daily. It must be stated that the International Labour Organisation (hereinafter referred to as ILO), which is an international body responsible for developing principles and guidelines which regulate labour relations in the world, had only in 1963 taken some steps to give due regard to the law that seek to promote employment security1. Until then, the common law dictated the nature of the relationship with regard to the rules that govern the termination of employment. The study will further investigate the international trends in the embedding of the Convention of Termination of Employment. Against this context, this treatise seeks to highlight the work done to further provide measures of employment security for workers facing dismissal based on operational requirements. The study will examine the role of the Commission for the Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (hereinafter referred to as CCMA), an impartial body in South Africa, whose main function is to prevent and resolve labour disputes, as well as to mitigate job losses in the context of operational requirements dismissals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The role of transport infrastructure in attracting foreign direct investment in South Africa
- Authors: Mjacu, Lwando
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Transportation Investments, Foreign -- South Africa Infrastructure (Economics) -- Government policy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8609 , vital:33181
- Description: This study examined the role of transport infrastructure in attracting foreign direct investment in South Africa. The study used quarterly time series data for the period of 1994 to 2014. The Johansen cointegration and Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) were used to determine the impact of transport infrastructure on foreign direct investment in South Africa. The explanatory variables in this study were market size, transport infrastructure, labour cost, exchange rate and corporate tax. Results from this study showed that market size, transport infrastructure and corporate tax have a positive and significant impact on foreign direct investment, while exchange rate is positive but insignificant, and labour cost has a negative and insignificant impact on foreign direct investment in South Africa. The policy recommendation that comes from this study is that efforts should be made to improve the standard of transport infrastructure in order to enhance and attract more of foreign direct investment. The government should follow policies that will attract foreign direct investment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mjacu, Lwando
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Transportation Investments, Foreign -- South Africa Infrastructure (Economics) -- Government policy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8609 , vital:33181
- Description: This study examined the role of transport infrastructure in attracting foreign direct investment in South Africa. The study used quarterly time series data for the period of 1994 to 2014. The Johansen cointegration and Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) were used to determine the impact of transport infrastructure on foreign direct investment in South Africa. The explanatory variables in this study were market size, transport infrastructure, labour cost, exchange rate and corporate tax. Results from this study showed that market size, transport infrastructure and corporate tax have a positive and significant impact on foreign direct investment, while exchange rate is positive but insignificant, and labour cost has a negative and insignificant impact on foreign direct investment in South Africa. The policy recommendation that comes from this study is that efforts should be made to improve the standard of transport infrastructure in order to enhance and attract more of foreign direct investment. The government should follow policies that will attract foreign direct investment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The role of universities on human capital development in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Bandama, Carol Tambudzai
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Economic development -- Zimbabwe Human capital -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/16044 , vital:28315
- Description: Countries should encourage their workforce to foster human development as it contributes to the economic development through having a well-trained and skilled workforce. The countries that are economically developed have stood out because of human capabilities that have triggered economic development. With innovation being one of the major advantages of human capital, new ideas lead to the creation of vast employment opportunities especially for those that have studied critical skill subjects. The economic status of Zimbabwe shows that there is human capital development happening in the country, but there is a serious shortage of skills in sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics that are necessary for the industrialisation of the country. The government believes that Zimbabwe can industrialise if STEM education is integrated in the country’s educational system to make human capital development wholistic. The study aims to understand the concept of human capital development and how it can be developed at a balance. A discussion on the primary role of universities and higher learning institutions on developing human capital will be done. Universities educate and equip students with knowledge and skills, hence both STEM and non-STEM curricula is needed to develop human capital that is balanced. This is because STEM graduates that are innovative can create jobs for non-STEM graduates and help a country to industrialise and develop its economy. Universities are recommended to increase public awareness of STEM, train teachers specifically for STEM, invest in research and development and develop STEM-related policies and systems to develop more STEM graduates to strike a balance with non-STEM graduates and enhance industrialisation in Zimbabwe. Interviews were conducted and analysed and some of the recommendations made were to encourage the government to deregulate to attract investment, to increase the public’s awareness of STEM and to train STEM teachers accordingly.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Bandama, Carol Tambudzai
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Economic development -- Zimbabwe Human capital -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/16044 , vital:28315
- Description: Countries should encourage their workforce to foster human development as it contributes to the economic development through having a well-trained and skilled workforce. The countries that are economically developed have stood out because of human capabilities that have triggered economic development. With innovation being one of the major advantages of human capital, new ideas lead to the creation of vast employment opportunities especially for those that have studied critical skill subjects. The economic status of Zimbabwe shows that there is human capital development happening in the country, but there is a serious shortage of skills in sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics that are necessary for the industrialisation of the country. The government believes that Zimbabwe can industrialise if STEM education is integrated in the country’s educational system to make human capital development wholistic. The study aims to understand the concept of human capital development and how it can be developed at a balance. A discussion on the primary role of universities and higher learning institutions on developing human capital will be done. Universities educate and equip students with knowledge and skills, hence both STEM and non-STEM curricula is needed to develop human capital that is balanced. This is because STEM graduates that are innovative can create jobs for non-STEM graduates and help a country to industrialise and develop its economy. Universities are recommended to increase public awareness of STEM, train teachers specifically for STEM, invest in research and development and develop STEM-related policies and systems to develop more STEM graduates to strike a balance with non-STEM graduates and enhance industrialisation in Zimbabwe. Interviews were conducted and analysed and some of the recommendations made were to encourage the government to deregulate to attract investment, to increase the public’s awareness of STEM and to train STEM teachers accordingly.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The role of ward committees in enhancing community participation: a South African perspective
- Authors: Peter, Zola Welcome
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Citizen participation Municipal government -- South Africa , Community development -- South Africa Political participation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19938 , vital:29010
- Description: Community participation in municipal affairs is the bedrock of participatory democracy, and it has been hailed as the panacea for most public community programmes in South Africa. High-level public community participation empowers communities, increases self-reliance, self-awareness and confidence in self-examination of problems and seeking solutions for them. Community behavioural changes are promoted and utilisation and support of services is facilitated, which are of great significance to all community efforts, especially in areas where the service delivery rate from municipalities is low. The vehicle for driving community participation is the system of ward committees, legislation that is rooted in the Constitution, the Municipal Structures Act, and the Municipal Systems Act. The study sees community participation as people being involved in government decision-making that affects them directly or indirectly. It involves three types of action, namely facilitating rational deliberation, creating and communicating moral principles, and expressing personal and group affects and needs. This research investigated the role of ward committees in enhancing community participation from a South African perspective. Municipalities are organisations tasked with ensuring the equal distribution of services to local communities. Municipalities were chosen on the basis of commitment to communicate effectively with the community and in turn to encourage the community to participate fully in municipal activities. The study is conducted within the parameters of the Constitution of South Africa (1996), which mandates local government to provide a democratic and accountable local government, and to encourage the involvement of communities in the matters of local government. Section 152(1)(e) of the Constitution stipulates that the objective of local government, amongst others, is to ensure the involvement of communities and community organisations in matters of local government, and section 73 of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act (Act No. 117 of 1998), further requires municipalities to establish ward committees in a manner that seeks to enhance participatory democracy at the local sphere of government. The study therefore investigated the role of ward committees in enhancing community participation. Ward committees are advisory bodies created at ward level in terms of the Municipal Structures Act (Act No. 117 of 1998), and consist of the ward councillor (who is the chair) and not more than 10 members representing diverse groups within a particular ward. The White Paper on Local Government (1998) further indicates that municipal councils should promote the involvement of citizens and community groups in the design and delivery of municipal programmes. A literature survey was conducted to investigate and conceptualise the role of ward committees in enhancing community participation, and to determine the responsibilities of ward committees in municipalities. A desktop approach was used to track down useful existing pre-published information (also known as secondary research), with the data collection coming from secondary sources, such as municipal records. A number of recommendations regarding the improvement of ward committees were made. Recommendations are provided for enhancing community participation in different municipalities in South Africa. It is envisaged that these changes could impact positively in encouraging community participation and ultimately improve service delivery.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Peter, Zola Welcome
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Citizen participation Municipal government -- South Africa , Community development -- South Africa Political participation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19938 , vital:29010
- Description: Community participation in municipal affairs is the bedrock of participatory democracy, and it has been hailed as the panacea for most public community programmes in South Africa. High-level public community participation empowers communities, increases self-reliance, self-awareness and confidence in self-examination of problems and seeking solutions for them. Community behavioural changes are promoted and utilisation and support of services is facilitated, which are of great significance to all community efforts, especially in areas where the service delivery rate from municipalities is low. The vehicle for driving community participation is the system of ward committees, legislation that is rooted in the Constitution, the Municipal Structures Act, and the Municipal Systems Act. The study sees community participation as people being involved in government decision-making that affects them directly or indirectly. It involves three types of action, namely facilitating rational deliberation, creating and communicating moral principles, and expressing personal and group affects and needs. This research investigated the role of ward committees in enhancing community participation from a South African perspective. Municipalities are organisations tasked with ensuring the equal distribution of services to local communities. Municipalities were chosen on the basis of commitment to communicate effectively with the community and in turn to encourage the community to participate fully in municipal activities. The study is conducted within the parameters of the Constitution of South Africa (1996), which mandates local government to provide a democratic and accountable local government, and to encourage the involvement of communities in the matters of local government. Section 152(1)(e) of the Constitution stipulates that the objective of local government, amongst others, is to ensure the involvement of communities and community organisations in matters of local government, and section 73 of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act (Act No. 117 of 1998), further requires municipalities to establish ward committees in a manner that seeks to enhance participatory democracy at the local sphere of government. The study therefore investigated the role of ward committees in enhancing community participation. Ward committees are advisory bodies created at ward level in terms of the Municipal Structures Act (Act No. 117 of 1998), and consist of the ward councillor (who is the chair) and not more than 10 members representing diverse groups within a particular ward. The White Paper on Local Government (1998) further indicates that municipal councils should promote the involvement of citizens and community groups in the design and delivery of municipal programmes. A literature survey was conducted to investigate and conceptualise the role of ward committees in enhancing community participation, and to determine the responsibilities of ward committees in municipalities. A desktop approach was used to track down useful existing pre-published information (also known as secondary research), with the data collection coming from secondary sources, such as municipal records. A number of recommendations regarding the improvement of ward committees were made. Recommendations are provided for enhancing community participation in different municipalities in South Africa. It is envisaged that these changes could impact positively in encouraging community participation and ultimately improve service delivery.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The safety net function of NTFPs in different agro-ecological zones of South Africa
- Mugido, Worship, Shackleton, Charlie M
- Authors: Mugido, Worship , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/180111 , vital:43311 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s11111-017-0285-z"
- Description: Various South African studies have shown that rural households use NTFPs as safety nets in times of misfortune. However being focused on one or two sites, they do not show the prevalence of NTFP use as safety nets across multiple sites. In addition, they do not show the use of NTFPs as safety nets by rural households in different agro-ecological zones. The results of the study showed that about 79% of the total households interviewed experienced at least one shock of some magnitude in the previous 12 months. The most experienced shocks were illness, death, crop failure, and hunger. The households employed various coping strategies in response to different types of shocks, with the three widely used strategies being assistance from friends and relatives, using cash savings, and using NTFPs. Households in low agro-ecological zones used NTFPs as safety nets more than households in high agro-ecological zones.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mugido, Worship , Shackleton, Charlie M
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/180111 , vital:43311 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s11111-017-0285-z"
- Description: Various South African studies have shown that rural households use NTFPs as safety nets in times of misfortune. However being focused on one or two sites, they do not show the prevalence of NTFP use as safety nets across multiple sites. In addition, they do not show the use of NTFPs as safety nets by rural households in different agro-ecological zones. The results of the study showed that about 79% of the total households interviewed experienced at least one shock of some magnitude in the previous 12 months. The most experienced shocks were illness, death, crop failure, and hunger. The households employed various coping strategies in response to different types of shocks, with the three widely used strategies being assistance from friends and relatives, using cash savings, and using NTFPs. Households in low agro-ecological zones used NTFPs as safety nets more than households in high agro-ecological zones.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The safety of navigation and the role of port state jurisdiction: a South African perspective
- Authors: Metuge, Denning Ngomele
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Harbors -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Law of the sea -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19343 , vital:28853
- Description: This thesis set to examine whether South Africa has incorporated the provisions on vessel navigational safety standards established in the relevant international instruments developed by the IMO: the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS) as amended, the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 (STCW) as amended, and the Convention on International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGs) as amended. It also set to determine the regulatory scope for the exercise of port State jurisdiction from a South African perspective. To establish whether a vessel’s condition complies to prescribed navigational safety standards, the relevant international instruments require States that have ratified the instruments not only to ensure that vessels registered under their flag are inspected for compliance before they can navigate, but that foreign visiting vessels must be surveyed to ensure that they also comply with the safety standards. These surveys are conducted while vessels are in the port of a port State. In addition, the Third United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982 (LOSC), provides in article 218 that the port State may enforce anti-pollution regulations committed by a vessel that calls at one of its ports, after committing an illegal discharge outside the territorial waters of the State and its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). However, the provisions of article 218 LOSC have been the center of scholarly debate on the scope of port State jurisdiction (PSJ). Whilst one school of thought holds that PSJ refers only to the provisions of article 218 LOSC, another contends that in defining PSJ, its meaning must be awarded a broader scope to include the regulation of navigational safety standards. Due to the varied opinions on the scope of PSJ, this thesis examined the regulatory framework for the exercise of port State jurisdiction (PSJ) in South Africa. The discussion was relevant to determine the role of PSJ to enhance navigational safety from a South African perspective. This thesis comprised of an in-depth analysis of primary and secondary sources of data relevant to the regulation of navigational safety. The data obtained was critically discussed to establish whether the relevant international navigational safety standards are incorporated into South African law. The process included critical discussions on the principle of jurisdiction, and its exercise by States under international law. The discussions analysed the complexities associated with defining jurisdiction and determining its scope, which are relevant in respect of States’ competence to prescribe and enforce domestic laws, in conformity with the requirements of the LOSC. International law awards jurisdiction to the State to regulate laws within its national territory subject to some restrictions. However, the meaning of jurisdiction is not easily discernible even to lawyers. The discussions showed that the Republic exercises jurisdiction in conformity with generally accepted grounds for the exercise of jurisdiction, and that it is the prerogative of the State to adopt laws it deems necessary within its territory. Thus, the incorporation of international instruments on the safety of navigation is not a forgone conclusion, as it is dependent on the will of the State to ratify, and give effect to the provisions of the relevant instruments in its domestic law. Furthermore, this thesis discussed the relevant international safety instruments in contrast to the provisions of South African merchant shipping regulations, to identify any regulatory gaps in the incorporation of their provisions in South African law. Against a background of comparative analyses of the international norms and the provisions of South African merchant shipping regulations, this research found that a significant number of the relevant international safety instruments are incorporated into south African law by Merchant Shipping Act (MSA) as amended, and regulations made in terms of the Act. The provisions of South African merchant shipping regulations are administered by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA). However, whilst this research found little doubt that the provisions of the STCW and COLREGs are given full effect in South African law, it identified regulatory differences in respect of the most relevant of all international instruments with regard to the safety of navigation, SOLAS. Some SOLAS provisions in respect of navigational safety are not incorporated into domestic law, and in some instances where they are incorporated, the provisions of domestic law contrasts that of SOLAS, or are not as comprehensive. For instance, there is a contrast in the provisions of the Navigation Bridge Visibility Regulations (NVBR), that make the regulations applicable to vessels of 45m or more in length constructed before 1 July 2008. Whereas, SOLAS regulations in respect of the navigation bridge visibility standards of vessels apply to vessels 55m or more length. Furthermore, a 5 months extension may be awarded in respect of a safety certificate issued for a South African vessel that is not in the Republic on the date of its expiry. This provision goes beyond the requirement of SOLAS, which requires that no extension be granted for a period longer than 3 months. Likewise, SAMSA may grant an extension of a safety certificate other than a cargo vessel construction certificate, for a period no longer than five month to enable a foreign vessel to complete its journey to its country of registry or point of inspection. This extension again, is longer than the 3 months requirement under SOLAS. Moreover, the survey requirements applicable to all South African vessels where ever they may be, and all foreign merchant vessels that come into the Republic, do not reflect the specific provisions of SOLAS. A significant amendment was made to SOLAS by SOLAS PROT 1988. SOLAS PROT 1988 introduced the harmonised system of survey and certification (HSSC) into the provisions of SOLAS, thereby harmonising its survey standards with those of other international instruments. SOLAS PROT 1988 has come into force for all States that have ratified the Protocol since the year 2000. This thesis finds that while South Africa is a party to SOLAS as amended by SOLAS PROT 1978, the Republic has not yet ratified SOLAS PROT 1988. Hence, the Republic is not bound to any requirements of SOLAS PROT 1988. Furthermore, although States that are not party to an international instrument requiring the implementation of the HSSC are invited to implement the HSSC anyway, there is no provision in the MSA that incorporates the HSSC. Of central importance to the regulation of merchant shipping standards, States are not only required to adopt domestic laws giving effect to international standards, but they are required to implement international standards in a uniform manner. This is aimed at avoiding a merchant shipping arena plagued by conflicting unilateral domestic rules. SOLAS PROT 1988 has been ratified by States comprising of 96% of the world’s merchant fleet by tonnage. The massive acceptance of SOLAS PROT 1988 is indicative of the international trend, towards uniformity in the implementation of international norms. This thesis recommends that, for the Republic’s merchant shipping regulations to reflect the international trend, the Republic should amend its merchant shipping regulation to incorporate the HSSC. Alternatively, the Republic may ratify SOLAS PROT 1988, and give full effect to its survey and certification standards and the relevant navigational safety provisions in the ANNEX of SOLAS.In addition, whilst a debate abounds on the international scene in respect of the scope of port State jurisdiction, the analysis of the regulatory framework for the exercise of port State jurisdiction in South Africa found that the regulatory framework for the exercise of port State jurisdiction by the Republic includes the regulation of not only environment-related navigational standards prescribed by article 218 LOSC, but also, navigational safety standards, and significantly, its scope is not burdened by the international law limitations to the exercise of coastal State jurisdiction. As such, a recommendation is made to the effect that when defining PSJ, its scope should not be limited to the enforcement of standards contained in article 218 LOSC, rather, it should be awarded a broader scope to include the regulation of other navigational standards including safety.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Metuge, Denning Ngomele
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Harbors -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Law of the sea -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19343 , vital:28853
- Description: This thesis set to examine whether South Africa has incorporated the provisions on vessel navigational safety standards established in the relevant international instruments developed by the IMO: the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS) as amended, the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 (STCW) as amended, and the Convention on International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGs) as amended. It also set to determine the regulatory scope for the exercise of port State jurisdiction from a South African perspective. To establish whether a vessel’s condition complies to prescribed navigational safety standards, the relevant international instruments require States that have ratified the instruments not only to ensure that vessels registered under their flag are inspected for compliance before they can navigate, but that foreign visiting vessels must be surveyed to ensure that they also comply with the safety standards. These surveys are conducted while vessels are in the port of a port State. In addition, the Third United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982 (LOSC), provides in article 218 that the port State may enforce anti-pollution regulations committed by a vessel that calls at one of its ports, after committing an illegal discharge outside the territorial waters of the State and its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). However, the provisions of article 218 LOSC have been the center of scholarly debate on the scope of port State jurisdiction (PSJ). Whilst one school of thought holds that PSJ refers only to the provisions of article 218 LOSC, another contends that in defining PSJ, its meaning must be awarded a broader scope to include the regulation of navigational safety standards. Due to the varied opinions on the scope of PSJ, this thesis examined the regulatory framework for the exercise of port State jurisdiction (PSJ) in South Africa. The discussion was relevant to determine the role of PSJ to enhance navigational safety from a South African perspective. This thesis comprised of an in-depth analysis of primary and secondary sources of data relevant to the regulation of navigational safety. The data obtained was critically discussed to establish whether the relevant international navigational safety standards are incorporated into South African law. The process included critical discussions on the principle of jurisdiction, and its exercise by States under international law. The discussions analysed the complexities associated with defining jurisdiction and determining its scope, which are relevant in respect of States’ competence to prescribe and enforce domestic laws, in conformity with the requirements of the LOSC. International law awards jurisdiction to the State to regulate laws within its national territory subject to some restrictions. However, the meaning of jurisdiction is not easily discernible even to lawyers. The discussions showed that the Republic exercises jurisdiction in conformity with generally accepted grounds for the exercise of jurisdiction, and that it is the prerogative of the State to adopt laws it deems necessary within its territory. Thus, the incorporation of international instruments on the safety of navigation is not a forgone conclusion, as it is dependent on the will of the State to ratify, and give effect to the provisions of the relevant instruments in its domestic law. Furthermore, this thesis discussed the relevant international safety instruments in contrast to the provisions of South African merchant shipping regulations, to identify any regulatory gaps in the incorporation of their provisions in South African law. Against a background of comparative analyses of the international norms and the provisions of South African merchant shipping regulations, this research found that a significant number of the relevant international safety instruments are incorporated into south African law by Merchant Shipping Act (MSA) as amended, and regulations made in terms of the Act. The provisions of South African merchant shipping regulations are administered by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA). However, whilst this research found little doubt that the provisions of the STCW and COLREGs are given full effect in South African law, it identified regulatory differences in respect of the most relevant of all international instruments with regard to the safety of navigation, SOLAS. Some SOLAS provisions in respect of navigational safety are not incorporated into domestic law, and in some instances where they are incorporated, the provisions of domestic law contrasts that of SOLAS, or are not as comprehensive. For instance, there is a contrast in the provisions of the Navigation Bridge Visibility Regulations (NVBR), that make the regulations applicable to vessels of 45m or more in length constructed before 1 July 2008. Whereas, SOLAS regulations in respect of the navigation bridge visibility standards of vessels apply to vessels 55m or more length. Furthermore, a 5 months extension may be awarded in respect of a safety certificate issued for a South African vessel that is not in the Republic on the date of its expiry. This provision goes beyond the requirement of SOLAS, which requires that no extension be granted for a period longer than 3 months. Likewise, SAMSA may grant an extension of a safety certificate other than a cargo vessel construction certificate, for a period no longer than five month to enable a foreign vessel to complete its journey to its country of registry or point of inspection. This extension again, is longer than the 3 months requirement under SOLAS. Moreover, the survey requirements applicable to all South African vessels where ever they may be, and all foreign merchant vessels that come into the Republic, do not reflect the specific provisions of SOLAS. A significant amendment was made to SOLAS by SOLAS PROT 1988. SOLAS PROT 1988 introduced the harmonised system of survey and certification (HSSC) into the provisions of SOLAS, thereby harmonising its survey standards with those of other international instruments. SOLAS PROT 1988 has come into force for all States that have ratified the Protocol since the year 2000. This thesis finds that while South Africa is a party to SOLAS as amended by SOLAS PROT 1978, the Republic has not yet ratified SOLAS PROT 1988. Hence, the Republic is not bound to any requirements of SOLAS PROT 1988. Furthermore, although States that are not party to an international instrument requiring the implementation of the HSSC are invited to implement the HSSC anyway, there is no provision in the MSA that incorporates the HSSC. Of central importance to the regulation of merchant shipping standards, States are not only required to adopt domestic laws giving effect to international standards, but they are required to implement international standards in a uniform manner. This is aimed at avoiding a merchant shipping arena plagued by conflicting unilateral domestic rules. SOLAS PROT 1988 has been ratified by States comprising of 96% of the world’s merchant fleet by tonnage. The massive acceptance of SOLAS PROT 1988 is indicative of the international trend, towards uniformity in the implementation of international norms. This thesis recommends that, for the Republic’s merchant shipping regulations to reflect the international trend, the Republic should amend its merchant shipping regulation to incorporate the HSSC. Alternatively, the Republic may ratify SOLAS PROT 1988, and give full effect to its survey and certification standards and the relevant navigational safety provisions in the ANNEX of SOLAS.In addition, whilst a debate abounds on the international scene in respect of the scope of port State jurisdiction, the analysis of the regulatory framework for the exercise of port State jurisdiction in South Africa found that the regulatory framework for the exercise of port State jurisdiction by the Republic includes the regulation of not only environment-related navigational standards prescribed by article 218 LOSC, but also, navigational safety standards, and significantly, its scope is not burdened by the international law limitations to the exercise of coastal State jurisdiction. As such, a recommendation is made to the effect that when defining PSJ, its scope should not be limited to the enforcement of standards contained in article 218 LOSC, rather, it should be awarded a broader scope to include the regulation of other navigational standards including safety.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The sedimentology and depositional model of VS5 reef at Beatrix mine and surrounding areas of the Freestate Goldfield, South Africa
- Authors: Shivambu, Steven
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4942 , vital:20745
- Description: Historically, placers of economic importance at Sibanye Gold's Beatrix No. 3 Shaft were Beatrix Reef, Aandenk Reef and Composite of the two reefs. Recently, the VS5 placer has emerged to be a significant contributor of ore tonnages mined on the Shaft as mining advances into deeper levels towards the northern portion of the mine lease area. Gold concentration in the VS5 Reef is highly variable from uneconomic, through marginal to economic gold values. A good knowledge of the sedimentological framework of the VS5 Reef was considered necessary in order to interpret the variable distribution of the gold within the VS5 placer. The aim of this study was to determine the depositional environments that played a major role during the formation of the VS5 placer by means of investigating the macroscopic sedimentological parameters of this particular reef. These sedimentological parameters were used as the basis for the subdivision of VS5 Reef into different facies recognized in the mine and surrounding areas. It was recognized that the VS5 placer was formed in a distal, braided fluvial environment by the reworking of the pre-existing Aandenk Reef by new materials containing significant amount of nondurable materials (see definition on page xii) such as shale detritus. Where there is no evidence of reworking of the older Aandenk Reef, the VS5 Reef occurs as poorly sorted, polymictic conglomerate with abundance of non-durable detritus. This is referred to as the Immature (IV) VS5 facies and occurs in the northern portion of the study area. The degree of reworking of the gravel bars by waves and current action resulted in the formation of well sorted, oligomictic conglomerates of the Beatrix facies in the southern portion of the mine. At the boundaries between the Immature VS5 and Beatrix facies occurs the Transitional (Sub-mature) VS5 facies, characterized by reef comprising a polymictic upper portion and a basal more mature oligomictic unit. The Transitional VS5 facies extends across the current central northern mining faces of Beatrix No. 3 Shaft with a northwest-southeast trend. There is a strong correlation between the VS5 lithofacies and distribution of gold mineralization. The Immature VS5 facies is poorly mineralized, with gold values averaging 200 c.m.g/t and lower. The Transitional (Sub-mature) VS5 facies has elevated gold values, ranging from 300 c.m.g/t to 1500 cm.g/t. Mineralization in this unit tend to be bottom loaded as well as at the base of each cyclic unit. The Beatrix facies records the highest grades averaging >1500 cmg/t. The improved understanding of the VS5 lithofacies made it possible to predict gold mineralization and aid planning to mine into viable VS5 areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Shivambu, Steven
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4942 , vital:20745
- Description: Historically, placers of economic importance at Sibanye Gold's Beatrix No. 3 Shaft were Beatrix Reef, Aandenk Reef and Composite of the two reefs. Recently, the VS5 placer has emerged to be a significant contributor of ore tonnages mined on the Shaft as mining advances into deeper levels towards the northern portion of the mine lease area. Gold concentration in the VS5 Reef is highly variable from uneconomic, through marginal to economic gold values. A good knowledge of the sedimentological framework of the VS5 Reef was considered necessary in order to interpret the variable distribution of the gold within the VS5 placer. The aim of this study was to determine the depositional environments that played a major role during the formation of the VS5 placer by means of investigating the macroscopic sedimentological parameters of this particular reef. These sedimentological parameters were used as the basis for the subdivision of VS5 Reef into different facies recognized in the mine and surrounding areas. It was recognized that the VS5 placer was formed in a distal, braided fluvial environment by the reworking of the pre-existing Aandenk Reef by new materials containing significant amount of nondurable materials (see definition on page xii) such as shale detritus. Where there is no evidence of reworking of the older Aandenk Reef, the VS5 Reef occurs as poorly sorted, polymictic conglomerate with abundance of non-durable detritus. This is referred to as the Immature (IV) VS5 facies and occurs in the northern portion of the study area. The degree of reworking of the gravel bars by waves and current action resulted in the formation of well sorted, oligomictic conglomerates of the Beatrix facies in the southern portion of the mine. At the boundaries between the Immature VS5 and Beatrix facies occurs the Transitional (Sub-mature) VS5 facies, characterized by reef comprising a polymictic upper portion and a basal more mature oligomictic unit. The Transitional VS5 facies extends across the current central northern mining faces of Beatrix No. 3 Shaft with a northwest-southeast trend. There is a strong correlation between the VS5 lithofacies and distribution of gold mineralization. The Immature VS5 facies is poorly mineralized, with gold values averaging 200 c.m.g/t and lower. The Transitional (Sub-mature) VS5 facies has elevated gold values, ranging from 300 c.m.g/t to 1500 cm.g/t. Mineralization in this unit tend to be bottom loaded as well as at the base of each cyclic unit. The Beatrix facies records the highest grades averaging >1500 cmg/t. The improved understanding of the VS5 lithofacies made it possible to predict gold mineralization and aid planning to mine into viable VS5 areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The social security law position of employees involved in motor vehicle accidents
- Authors: Njamela, Marrof Zalisile
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Social security -- Law and legislation Traffic accidents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20121 , vital:29126
- Description: The primary purpose of the study is to highlight the social security law position of employees involved in MVAs. The study concludes and notes that: The current social security system provides an inadequate prevention strategy for employees involved in MVAs. A blanket program of fitness for work as an occupational accident prevention tool should be legislated and be part of the OHSA general duties of employers to their employees. A social security system that attempts to address loss of ability to earn as a result of occupational injury must incorporate an integrated approach towards prevention of risks, compensation and rehabilitation. Social security legal instruments currently providing compensation for employees involved in MVAs (RAF and COIDA) are promulgated for more benefits. A RTW plan, Vocational assessment and rehabilitation of injured employees, all processes that will aid continued employment for injured employees, will be included. This will ensure that employees continue to earn income which forms the basis of social security.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Njamela, Marrof Zalisile
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Social security -- Law and legislation Traffic accidents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20121 , vital:29126
- Description: The primary purpose of the study is to highlight the social security law position of employees involved in MVAs. The study concludes and notes that: The current social security system provides an inadequate prevention strategy for employees involved in MVAs. A blanket program of fitness for work as an occupational accident prevention tool should be legislated and be part of the OHSA general duties of employers to their employees. A social security system that attempts to address loss of ability to earn as a result of occupational injury must incorporate an integrated approach towards prevention of risks, compensation and rehabilitation. Social security legal instruments currently providing compensation for employees involved in MVAs (RAF and COIDA) are promulgated for more benefits. A RTW plan, Vocational assessment and rehabilitation of injured employees, all processes that will aid continued employment for injured employees, will be included. This will ensure that employees continue to earn income which forms the basis of social security.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The socio-economic contribution of non-timber forest product trade to households in four villages in Zomba and Machinga Districts, Malawi
- Authors: Mahonya, Sophie Manchichi
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4787 , vital:20724
- Description: The principal aim of this study was to assess the socio-economic contribution of nontimber forest product (NTFP) trade to households in Zomba and Machinga, southern Malawi. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through several methods, including a household survey using questionnaire interviews, focus group discussions, key informant interviews with individual traders, direct observations, and literature review. The quantitative data were analysed statistically using SPPS version 16.0 while the qualitative data were analysed thematically. NTFP trade was the third important source of cash income for 15% of the households, although the level of use, buying and selling of NTFPs varied across the four study villages. All households in all the study villages used firewood (100%), and most used thatch grass (94%), bamboo (96%), wood for building (92%), largely as construction materials. However, the percentage of households buying NTFPs was lower, with the maximum percentage of households being 50%. The percent of households engaged in selling at least one NTFP was lower still at 39%. Substantial cash incomes were generated from firewood and edible orchids sales which provided up to a maximum of Mk180,000, equivalent to US$456, per year. Households joined the trade mostly for an alternative source of cash income due to poverty and to meet basic needs when other options were not available or feasible. Cash income generated from NTFP trade acted as a safety net and a coping strategy when other avenues supporting livelihoods were not accessible. The socio-economic benefits derived from NTFP trade were associated with the quantities collected, sold, market forces influenced by the law of demand and supply. The small amounts of cash income generated by most households were important as they supplemented household cash needs. There was a strong association between NTFP trade as one of the important sources of cash income and the number of months a household had food from their own garden in a year. There was a significant relationship though weak between ranking of NTFP trade and livestock ownership by households. Value chain analysis was used as an analytical tool to understand the processes involved in NTFP trade. The value chains for the products under study were short, dominated by traders and some intermediaries. Most of the products were sold in local markets with little value addition. This study recommends that policy makers should integrate NTFPs into their development plans, emphasizing the establishment of management strategies that will enhance availability and sustainability of the resource. NTFPs contributed to the livelihoods of the households socially and economically through provision of food, cash income, energy for cooking, medicine and construction materials.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mahonya, Sophie Manchichi
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4787 , vital:20724
- Description: The principal aim of this study was to assess the socio-economic contribution of nontimber forest product (NTFP) trade to households in Zomba and Machinga, southern Malawi. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through several methods, including a household survey using questionnaire interviews, focus group discussions, key informant interviews with individual traders, direct observations, and literature review. The quantitative data were analysed statistically using SPPS version 16.0 while the qualitative data were analysed thematically. NTFP trade was the third important source of cash income for 15% of the households, although the level of use, buying and selling of NTFPs varied across the four study villages. All households in all the study villages used firewood (100%), and most used thatch grass (94%), bamboo (96%), wood for building (92%), largely as construction materials. However, the percentage of households buying NTFPs was lower, with the maximum percentage of households being 50%. The percent of households engaged in selling at least one NTFP was lower still at 39%. Substantial cash incomes were generated from firewood and edible orchids sales which provided up to a maximum of Mk180,000, equivalent to US$456, per year. Households joined the trade mostly for an alternative source of cash income due to poverty and to meet basic needs when other options were not available or feasible. Cash income generated from NTFP trade acted as a safety net and a coping strategy when other avenues supporting livelihoods were not accessible. The socio-economic benefits derived from NTFP trade were associated with the quantities collected, sold, market forces influenced by the law of demand and supply. The small amounts of cash income generated by most households were important as they supplemented household cash needs. There was a strong association between NTFP trade as one of the important sources of cash income and the number of months a household had food from their own garden in a year. There was a significant relationship though weak between ranking of NTFP trade and livestock ownership by households. Value chain analysis was used as an analytical tool to understand the processes involved in NTFP trade. The value chains for the products under study were short, dominated by traders and some intermediaries. Most of the products were sold in local markets with little value addition. This study recommends that policy makers should integrate NTFPs into their development plans, emphasizing the establishment of management strategies that will enhance availability and sustainability of the resource. NTFPs contributed to the livelihoods of the households socially and economically through provision of food, cash income, energy for cooking, medicine and construction materials.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The socio-economic impact of urban renewal projects in South Africa townships
- Authors: Kagande, Albert Tafadzwa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Urban renewal -- South Africa City planning -- South Africa , Economic development -- South Africa Land use -- South Africa South Africa -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17756 , vital:28451
- Description: Urban areas have become strategic locations where many throng to for a better life. However, wealth and economic opportunities are not evenly distributed in these urban spaces. South Africa is a fairly young democracy whose urban landscape has been largely shaped by the colonial apartheid system. The apartheid system segregated and relegated the black majority to the fringes of the cities into crowded communities characterised by poor living conditions, exclusion from the mainstream economy and limited urban amenities. Townships epitomise the harsh reality of the urban poor and how underdevelopment has been perpetuated. South Africa came up with different policies to redress the historical imbalances and inform urban development strategies. Urban renewal has been implemented as a development strategy in various cities across the world in an attempt to revive and improve the social, economic and environmental state of derelict urban spaces. Townships in South Africa have been the target areas for urban renewal with 8 presidential nodes having been initially identified for such in 2001. Eventually, Helenvale was added to the mix as a prime node in 2006 and the Helenvale Urban Renewal Project (HURP) was birthed - Helenvale and HURP being the identified site and project for this research respectively. An evaluative approach was adopted in assessing the socio-economic impact of urban renewal in South Africa townships and more specifically the socio-economic impact of HURP. Helenvale, like most townships in South Africa, is characterised by a high density settlement pattern, poverty, high unemployment, high rate of violence and crime, drug trade and substance abuse as well as a high rate of school dropouts. The Helenvale Urban Renewal Project (HURP) was implemented by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) and eventually the Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA) with the intention to rejuvenate the community on the social, economic and environmental front. The study findings showed that Helenvale, like all urban renewal nodes in South Africa had a number of socio-economic issues which prompted HURP. These include high unemployment (was 53.5% in 2013); alarming levels of violence and crime; drug trade and substance abuse and high rate of school dropout. Between 2007 and 2014, different projects were implemented under HURP, focusing mainly on physical development and community building. Study respondents had mixed reactions and perceptions of the impact of HURP. On one hand, the project saw the community benefit from the constructed public facilities like recreational parks and resource centre as well as capacity development and created employment opportunities. On the other hand, unemployment has persisted with only a small proportion of the population benefiting from the created jobs; crime remains unabated; drug trade has persisted leaving parents fearing for their young and gang violence has rendered the provided safe public physical features ineffective and the housing challenge has also not been resolved. By and large urban renewal and in this particular study, HURP has made great strides in improving the social and economic standing of the township community despite the challenges that are still lurking. A number of recommendations were proposed for similar studies and for urban renewal initiatives in South Africa. For the latter the study recommended having a robust policy that speaks to urban renewal directly and informs such. Other propositions include allowing the community to own and be stewards of urban renewal initiatives; allocating enough resources, both human and financial; and tailoring the project to respond to the needs of a particular community and not a one size fits all approach. In terms of similar studies the study recommends using a mixed methods approach to evaluate the impact of such ventures as well as evaluating more than one urban renewal initiatives for comparison and to allow for the generalizability of the findings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Kagande, Albert Tafadzwa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Urban renewal -- South Africa City planning -- South Africa , Economic development -- South Africa Land use -- South Africa South Africa -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17756 , vital:28451
- Description: Urban areas have become strategic locations where many throng to for a better life. However, wealth and economic opportunities are not evenly distributed in these urban spaces. South Africa is a fairly young democracy whose urban landscape has been largely shaped by the colonial apartheid system. The apartheid system segregated and relegated the black majority to the fringes of the cities into crowded communities characterised by poor living conditions, exclusion from the mainstream economy and limited urban amenities. Townships epitomise the harsh reality of the urban poor and how underdevelopment has been perpetuated. South Africa came up with different policies to redress the historical imbalances and inform urban development strategies. Urban renewal has been implemented as a development strategy in various cities across the world in an attempt to revive and improve the social, economic and environmental state of derelict urban spaces. Townships in South Africa have been the target areas for urban renewal with 8 presidential nodes having been initially identified for such in 2001. Eventually, Helenvale was added to the mix as a prime node in 2006 and the Helenvale Urban Renewal Project (HURP) was birthed - Helenvale and HURP being the identified site and project for this research respectively. An evaluative approach was adopted in assessing the socio-economic impact of urban renewal in South Africa townships and more specifically the socio-economic impact of HURP. Helenvale, like most townships in South Africa, is characterised by a high density settlement pattern, poverty, high unemployment, high rate of violence and crime, drug trade and substance abuse as well as a high rate of school dropouts. The Helenvale Urban Renewal Project (HURP) was implemented by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) and eventually the Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA) with the intention to rejuvenate the community on the social, economic and environmental front. The study findings showed that Helenvale, like all urban renewal nodes in South Africa had a number of socio-economic issues which prompted HURP. These include high unemployment (was 53.5% in 2013); alarming levels of violence and crime; drug trade and substance abuse and high rate of school dropout. Between 2007 and 2014, different projects were implemented under HURP, focusing mainly on physical development and community building. Study respondents had mixed reactions and perceptions of the impact of HURP. On one hand, the project saw the community benefit from the constructed public facilities like recreational parks and resource centre as well as capacity development and created employment opportunities. On the other hand, unemployment has persisted with only a small proportion of the population benefiting from the created jobs; crime remains unabated; drug trade has persisted leaving parents fearing for their young and gang violence has rendered the provided safe public physical features ineffective and the housing challenge has also not been resolved. By and large urban renewal and in this particular study, HURP has made great strides in improving the social and economic standing of the township community despite the challenges that are still lurking. A number of recommendations were proposed for similar studies and for urban renewal initiatives in South Africa. For the latter the study recommended having a robust policy that speaks to urban renewal directly and informs such. Other propositions include allowing the community to own and be stewards of urban renewal initiatives; allocating enough resources, both human and financial; and tailoring the project to respond to the needs of a particular community and not a one size fits all approach. In terms of similar studies the study recommends using a mixed methods approach to evaluate the impact of such ventures as well as evaluating more than one urban renewal initiatives for comparison and to allow for the generalizability of the findings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The South African tax implications of ceasing to be resident
- Authors: Walker, Anthony Howard
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5555 , vital:20941
- Description: In the context of rapid globalisation, skilled South African employees and professionals are often attracted overseas to take up new work opportunities in foreign countries. This may cause these individuals no longer to be “ordinarily resident” in South Africa. At the same time, changes in modes of travel, information and communication channels could result in companies and trusts no longer being considered to be tax resident in South Africa, if the place of effective management for these entities is moved to a foreign country and a double taxation agreement between South Africa and that foreign country deems these entities to be exclusively resident in the foreign country. The objective of this thesis was to analyse the tax implications that could arise when a resident natural person, trust or company ceases to be a resident or when a Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) ceases to be a CFC. A detailed analysis of the “exit charge” in section 9H of the Income Tax Act was undertaken to understand its normal tax implications when a natural person, trust or company ceases to be a resident or a CFC ceases to be a CFC. This included an analysis of how a natural person, trust or company ceases to be resident or how a CFC ceases to be a CFC. It was found that certain normal tax principles consistently apply to when a natural person, trust or company ceases to be resident or a CFC ceases to be a CFC. At the same time, certain unique normal tax implications arise for trusts and CFCs since they are impacted by the special tax rules that apply to these entities. Furthermore in the case of a trust, a judicial precedent has established that the “exit charge” remains and is taxable in the trust. For CFCs, there is uncertainty as to whether the “exit charge” could arise when a shareholder ceases to be resident, which results in residents no longer holding more than 50% of the total participation or voting rights in that foreign company.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Walker, Anthony Howard
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5555 , vital:20941
- Description: In the context of rapid globalisation, skilled South African employees and professionals are often attracted overseas to take up new work opportunities in foreign countries. This may cause these individuals no longer to be “ordinarily resident” in South Africa. At the same time, changes in modes of travel, information and communication channels could result in companies and trusts no longer being considered to be tax resident in South Africa, if the place of effective management for these entities is moved to a foreign country and a double taxation agreement between South Africa and that foreign country deems these entities to be exclusively resident in the foreign country. The objective of this thesis was to analyse the tax implications that could arise when a resident natural person, trust or company ceases to be a resident or when a Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) ceases to be a CFC. A detailed analysis of the “exit charge” in section 9H of the Income Tax Act was undertaken to understand its normal tax implications when a natural person, trust or company ceases to be a resident or a CFC ceases to be a CFC. This included an analysis of how a natural person, trust or company ceases to be resident or how a CFC ceases to be a CFC. It was found that certain normal tax principles consistently apply to when a natural person, trust or company ceases to be resident or a CFC ceases to be a CFC. At the same time, certain unique normal tax implications arise for trusts and CFCs since they are impacted by the special tax rules that apply to these entities. Furthermore in the case of a trust, a judicial precedent has established that the “exit charge” remains and is taxable in the trust. For CFCs, there is uncertainty as to whether the “exit charge” could arise when a shareholder ceases to be resident, which results in residents no longer holding more than 50% of the total participation or voting rights in that foreign company.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The stability of tolerance of Sorghum spp to Striga asiatica L. Kuntze under diverse conditions and existence of pre-attachment resistance
- Authors: Mandumbu, Ronald
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Sorghum Sorghum -- Drought tolerance Sorghum -- Effect of drought on
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2788 , vital:28088
- Description: Sorghum is the fifth most important cereal in the world and a staple food for humans. It is also a source of food and fodder for animals. In addition to the abiotic stresses such as drought, parasitic weeds of the genus Striga cause losses in sorghum production in sub Saharan Africa. Striga asiatica is a parasitic weed that attacks cereals in low input agricultural systems and is distributed throughout semi- arid regions of Africa. Most sorghum producing farmers rely on tolerance for their harvests in Striga infested fields yet the stability of tolerance in the face of a changing climate (recurrent droughts), new farming systems (mulch based agriculture) and existence of various Striga strains needs further investigation. Reduced strigolactones production was also studied as a resistance mechanism. The first study was focused on the determination of tolerance of Striga asiatica infested sorghum under drought in a pot study. Five sorghum lines were subjected to infestation with Striga and some were not infested while watering was done at 50 percent field capacity (FC) and 100 percent FC. The results showed that the five sorghum lines differed significantly in chlorophyll content and Normalised Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI). Infection did not lower chlorophyll content when it co-occurred with drought across all sorghum lines. Drought and infestation had mutually exclusive effects on chlorophyll content and NDVI. Under infestation, internode length was similar both at 100 percent FC and at 50 percent FC while under uninfested conditions, 100 percent FC gave the longer internode compared to 50 percent FC. Both infestation and irrigation regime reduced the sorghum head weight, illustrating that the two effects have synergistic effects on sorghum head weight. The second study sought to determine the effects of mulching and infestation on sorghum spp tolerance to Striga asiatica. The experiments were carried out in the seasons 2013/14 and 2014/15 summer seasons. The results indicated that mulching increased chlorophyll content in the 2014/15 season which was a drier season compared to 2013/14. In the 2014/15 season, mulching increased chlorophyll content in all varieties except Ruzangwaya, Mukadziusaende and SC Sila. When the same varieties were infested under mulch and infested without mulch, the results showed that mulching overcomes the effects of infestation in some varieties. Mulch also negates the effect of Striga parasitism and results in yield maintenance in sorghum varieties. The third study sought to determine the stability of sorghum lines when exposed to two Striga asiatica lines sourced from two places which are 500 km apart in Zimbabwe. The two strains were termed the Chiundura and Rushinga strains, based on where they were sourced. The experiments were conducted at Henderson Research Station (HRS) at Mazoe and at Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE). The results showed differential virulence for some traits while the two strains were equally virulent for some traits. The two strains were equally virulent on all sorghum lines with respect to chlorophyll content. The different sorghum lines responded differently to the effects of the two strains. The effects of the two strains were generally similar for head index, root index, and leaf index at all sites. Generally the Chiundura strain was more virulent to sorghum lines compared to Rushinga strain, confirming the existence of physiological strains of Striga in Zimbabwe. Therefore physiological speciation of Striga asiatica exists and this adds a further dimension to the complexity of Striga management in the smallholder sector. Quantification of strigolactone production by different sorghum genotypes was conducted in the laboratory using the agar gel assay. The genotype Mukadziusaende produced significantly the least (P<0.01) quantities of strigolactones, as inferred from the maximum germination distance (MGD) from the sorghum root. The MGD was negatively correlated to tiller numbers illustrating that the more the strigolactones the less the tillering capacity. Tiller numbers and MGD can therefore be used to select for reduced strigolactones production.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Mandumbu, Ronald
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Sorghum Sorghum -- Drought tolerance Sorghum -- Effect of drought on
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2788 , vital:28088
- Description: Sorghum is the fifth most important cereal in the world and a staple food for humans. It is also a source of food and fodder for animals. In addition to the abiotic stresses such as drought, parasitic weeds of the genus Striga cause losses in sorghum production in sub Saharan Africa. Striga asiatica is a parasitic weed that attacks cereals in low input agricultural systems and is distributed throughout semi- arid regions of Africa. Most sorghum producing farmers rely on tolerance for their harvests in Striga infested fields yet the stability of tolerance in the face of a changing climate (recurrent droughts), new farming systems (mulch based agriculture) and existence of various Striga strains needs further investigation. Reduced strigolactones production was also studied as a resistance mechanism. The first study was focused on the determination of tolerance of Striga asiatica infested sorghum under drought in a pot study. Five sorghum lines were subjected to infestation with Striga and some were not infested while watering was done at 50 percent field capacity (FC) and 100 percent FC. The results showed that the five sorghum lines differed significantly in chlorophyll content and Normalised Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI). Infection did not lower chlorophyll content when it co-occurred with drought across all sorghum lines. Drought and infestation had mutually exclusive effects on chlorophyll content and NDVI. Under infestation, internode length was similar both at 100 percent FC and at 50 percent FC while under uninfested conditions, 100 percent FC gave the longer internode compared to 50 percent FC. Both infestation and irrigation regime reduced the sorghum head weight, illustrating that the two effects have synergistic effects on sorghum head weight. The second study sought to determine the effects of mulching and infestation on sorghum spp tolerance to Striga asiatica. The experiments were carried out in the seasons 2013/14 and 2014/15 summer seasons. The results indicated that mulching increased chlorophyll content in the 2014/15 season which was a drier season compared to 2013/14. In the 2014/15 season, mulching increased chlorophyll content in all varieties except Ruzangwaya, Mukadziusaende and SC Sila. When the same varieties were infested under mulch and infested without mulch, the results showed that mulching overcomes the effects of infestation in some varieties. Mulch also negates the effect of Striga parasitism and results in yield maintenance in sorghum varieties. The third study sought to determine the stability of sorghum lines when exposed to two Striga asiatica lines sourced from two places which are 500 km apart in Zimbabwe. The two strains were termed the Chiundura and Rushinga strains, based on where they were sourced. The experiments were conducted at Henderson Research Station (HRS) at Mazoe and at Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE). The results showed differential virulence for some traits while the two strains were equally virulent for some traits. The two strains were equally virulent on all sorghum lines with respect to chlorophyll content. The different sorghum lines responded differently to the effects of the two strains. The effects of the two strains were generally similar for head index, root index, and leaf index at all sites. Generally the Chiundura strain was more virulent to sorghum lines compared to Rushinga strain, confirming the existence of physiological strains of Striga in Zimbabwe. Therefore physiological speciation of Striga asiatica exists and this adds a further dimension to the complexity of Striga management in the smallholder sector. Quantification of strigolactone production by different sorghum genotypes was conducted in the laboratory using the agar gel assay. The genotype Mukadziusaende produced significantly the least (P<0.01) quantities of strigolactones, as inferred from the maximum germination distance (MGD) from the sorghum root. The MGD was negatively correlated to tiller numbers illustrating that the more the strigolactones the less the tillering capacity. Tiller numbers and MGD can therefore be used to select for reduced strigolactones production.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017