Postpartum depression as defence against criminal liability
- Crafford, Krisascha, David, Desiree
- Authors: Crafford, Krisascha , David, Desiree
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Postpartum depression -- South Africa , Mothers -- Mental health -- South Africa Female offenders -- South Africa Feminist criminology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM`
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/38648 , vital:34863
- Description: The dissertation addresses the phenomenon of postpartum depression (and especially its most severe form of postpartum psychosis) against the backdrop of the defense of pathological criminal incapacity (the defense of mental illness, also known as insanity defense) the submission is made that, in the instance where a mother with postpartum depression, and especially postpartum psychosis causes the death of her infant or child such an accused could raise the defense of mental illness. This is due to the impact of the affliction on her mental facilities caused by the condition she was suffering from at the time of causing the death of her infant or child, such condition could render her incapable of distinguishing between right and wrong to act in accordance with such appreciation. If she can prove this, she cannot be held criminally liable for her actions, due to the absence of the required means rea element.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Crafford, Krisascha , David, Desiree
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Postpartum depression -- South Africa , Mothers -- Mental health -- South Africa Female offenders -- South Africa Feminist criminology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM`
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/38648 , vital:34863
- Description: The dissertation addresses the phenomenon of postpartum depression (and especially its most severe form of postpartum psychosis) against the backdrop of the defense of pathological criminal incapacity (the defense of mental illness, also known as insanity defense) the submission is made that, in the instance where a mother with postpartum depression, and especially postpartum psychosis causes the death of her infant or child such an accused could raise the defense of mental illness. This is due to the impact of the affliction on her mental facilities caused by the condition she was suffering from at the time of causing the death of her infant or child, such condition could render her incapable of distinguishing between right and wrong to act in accordance with such appreciation. If she can prove this, she cannot be held criminally liable for her actions, due to the absence of the required means rea element.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
PhD graduates' perceptions of supervision contact sessions at the University of Fort Hare, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Muleya, Ekem
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: University of Fort Hare Graduate students Doctoral students
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12914 , vital:39401
- Description: PhD supervision is mostly studied from the supervisor and education institutions’ point of view in South Africa. The role and what exactly transpires during supervision contact sessions, how it influences or contributes to the successful completion of a PhD degree has been under researched. The government of South Africa through the NDP has clear targets in terms of raising the annual number of people who graduate with PhDs, however the processes and the actual ingredients contributing to the increase are not being adequately examined. The purpose of this study was to investigate the contribution of supervision contact sessions in enabling a doctoral candidate to successfully complete a doctoral degree. Specifically this study sought to find out how supervision meetings enable a PhD candidate to finish the PhD degree successfully. This exploratory study sought to address the question through pin-pointing the specific benefits PhD candidates derive from supervision contact sessions and at the same time documenting the challenges faced in these meetings. Findings from this study point to the fact that supervision contact sessions are crucial in empowering a PhD candidate to finish his or her studies. Candidates benefit from both technical (professional) and social (emotional) support through supervision meetings with their supervisors and most importantly supervisors also assist and advise their candidates with regard to funding for their studies. In the main, PhD candidates prefer to meet frequently with their supervisors to discuss their PhD work however they in some instances encounter challenges in trying to set up meetings with their supervisors. Challenges also come during the actual supervision sessions due to the unequal relationship between supervisor and candidate. Given the role of supervision meetings in PhD completion, it is important to note some measures which can assist in terms of making supervision meetings more beneficial to a PhD candidate.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Muleya, Ekem
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: University of Fort Hare Graduate students Doctoral students
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12914 , vital:39401
- Description: PhD supervision is mostly studied from the supervisor and education institutions’ point of view in South Africa. The role and what exactly transpires during supervision contact sessions, how it influences or contributes to the successful completion of a PhD degree has been under researched. The government of South Africa through the NDP has clear targets in terms of raising the annual number of people who graduate with PhDs, however the processes and the actual ingredients contributing to the increase are not being adequately examined. The purpose of this study was to investigate the contribution of supervision contact sessions in enabling a doctoral candidate to successfully complete a doctoral degree. Specifically this study sought to find out how supervision meetings enable a PhD candidate to finish the PhD degree successfully. This exploratory study sought to address the question through pin-pointing the specific benefits PhD candidates derive from supervision contact sessions and at the same time documenting the challenges faced in these meetings. Findings from this study point to the fact that supervision contact sessions are crucial in empowering a PhD candidate to finish his or her studies. Candidates benefit from both technical (professional) and social (emotional) support through supervision meetings with their supervisors and most importantly supervisors also assist and advise their candidates with regard to funding for their studies. In the main, PhD candidates prefer to meet frequently with their supervisors to discuss their PhD work however they in some instances encounter challenges in trying to set up meetings with their supervisors. Challenges also come during the actual supervision sessions due to the unequal relationship between supervisor and candidate. Given the role of supervision meetings in PhD completion, it is important to note some measures which can assist in terms of making supervision meetings more beneficial to a PhD candidate.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Community participation in urban revitalization in Buffalo City
- Authors: Magwala, Tandiswa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Urban renewal -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Municipality , Community development -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Municipality Neighborhoods -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Municipality Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/31521 , vital:31501
- Description: Community participation relates to the process by which community members are involved in the projects that determine pertains to their development needs. It is a means of empowering people by developing their skills and abilities to enable them to negotiate and make appropriate decisions for their development. However, community participation faces many challenges in South Africa and some other countries. For instance, in most, if not all, development projects commenced by local municipalities, community participation is often neglected or becomes an afterthought. In most cases, the communities are consulted after decisions have already been made by government agencies in relation to the kind of development projects that need to be executed. As a result, community participation is a prerequisite in development projects which are meant to improve the livelihoods and standard of living of the majority of communities in South Africa. The Buffalo City Municipality Metro (BCMM) is not an exception to this. The BCMM is located in the Eastern Cape Province, which is one of the poorest provinces in South Africa. In one of the towns in the municipal area, namely Dimbaza in the former Ciskei ‘homeland’, where there are high levels of unemployment and poverty, a prominent feature in the landscape is the many abandoned factory buildings. In recent years, the BCMM has recognized the need to revitalize the nodal areas such as Mdantsane, Dimbaza and Bisho, but due to the fragmented patterns of Bantustan policies the program was negatively affected (BCMM 2014/15/141). As a consequence, the BCMM has supported the implement an urban revitalization project within its area. The aim of this study was to investigate and interrogate whether local communities are involved in urban revitalization in the BCMM. That is, to evaluate community participation in urban revitalization projects in the BCMM, and focusing on Dimbaza community in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa as a case study. The study asks the following questions: Do the BCMM’s urban redevelopment initiatives have community participation component? How can the community be more involved in neighbourhood revitalization? v To what extent do these perceptions and priorities of the people living in neighbourhood of the disused factories match those of the policy makers? What are the perceptions of the people living in the neighbourhood of the disused factories in Dimbaza with regard to redevelopment? What recommendations can emanate from the study to address the current challenges regarding community participation in urban revitalization in BCMM? The study revealed that the majority of the respondents did not participate in the initiation and planning stages of the urban revitalization projects. The study further showed that a considerable proportion of the surveyed Dimbaza residents did not know about the urban revitalization programme, but learnt about it only in the local newspaper. It is therefore recommended that, the BCMM should support the community at all levels of planning to ensure a strong commitment to participation in their urban revitalization or development projects. It is hoped that this study will sensitize the community members of Dimbaza and the roles players involved in the Dimbaza urban revitalization projects including, among others, the Buffalo City Municipality Metropolitan, the Eastern Cape Development Cooperation and the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism of the Eastern Cape, to realise the significance and advantages of community participation, and that they will work through the challenges therein in order to increase community participation in development projects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Magwala, Tandiswa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Urban renewal -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Municipality , Community development -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Municipality Neighborhoods -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Municipality Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Citizen participation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/31521 , vital:31501
- Description: Community participation relates to the process by which community members are involved in the projects that determine pertains to their development needs. It is a means of empowering people by developing their skills and abilities to enable them to negotiate and make appropriate decisions for their development. However, community participation faces many challenges in South Africa and some other countries. For instance, in most, if not all, development projects commenced by local municipalities, community participation is often neglected or becomes an afterthought. In most cases, the communities are consulted after decisions have already been made by government agencies in relation to the kind of development projects that need to be executed. As a result, community participation is a prerequisite in development projects which are meant to improve the livelihoods and standard of living of the majority of communities in South Africa. The Buffalo City Municipality Metro (BCMM) is not an exception to this. The BCMM is located in the Eastern Cape Province, which is one of the poorest provinces in South Africa. In one of the towns in the municipal area, namely Dimbaza in the former Ciskei ‘homeland’, where there are high levels of unemployment and poverty, a prominent feature in the landscape is the many abandoned factory buildings. In recent years, the BCMM has recognized the need to revitalize the nodal areas such as Mdantsane, Dimbaza and Bisho, but due to the fragmented patterns of Bantustan policies the program was negatively affected (BCMM 2014/15/141). As a consequence, the BCMM has supported the implement an urban revitalization project within its area. The aim of this study was to investigate and interrogate whether local communities are involved in urban revitalization in the BCMM. That is, to evaluate community participation in urban revitalization projects in the BCMM, and focusing on Dimbaza community in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa as a case study. The study asks the following questions: Do the BCMM’s urban redevelopment initiatives have community participation component? How can the community be more involved in neighbourhood revitalization? v To what extent do these perceptions and priorities of the people living in neighbourhood of the disused factories match those of the policy makers? What are the perceptions of the people living in the neighbourhood of the disused factories in Dimbaza with regard to redevelopment? What recommendations can emanate from the study to address the current challenges regarding community participation in urban revitalization in BCMM? The study revealed that the majority of the respondents did not participate in the initiation and planning stages of the urban revitalization projects. The study further showed that a considerable proportion of the surveyed Dimbaza residents did not know about the urban revitalization programme, but learnt about it only in the local newspaper. It is therefore recommended that, the BCMM should support the community at all levels of planning to ensure a strong commitment to participation in their urban revitalization or development projects. It is hoped that this study will sensitize the community members of Dimbaza and the roles players involved in the Dimbaza urban revitalization projects including, among others, the Buffalo City Municipality Metropolitan, the Eastern Cape Development Cooperation and the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism of the Eastern Cape, to realise the significance and advantages of community participation, and that they will work through the challenges therein in order to increase community participation in development projects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Developing a citizen technician based approach to suspended sediment monitoring in the Tsitsa River catchment, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Bannatyne, Laura Joan
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Sediments (Geology) -- Management , Sediments (Geology) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Watersheds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Suspended sediments -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Suspended sediments -- Monitoring -- Citizen participation , Tsitsa River
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62593 , vital:28211
- Description: Suspended sediment (SS) in channels is spatiotemporally heterogeneous and, over the long term, is known to be moved predominantly by flood flows with return periods of ~1 - 1.5 years. Flood flows in the Tsitsa catchment (Eastern Cape Province, South Africa) are unpredictable, and display a wide range of discharges. Direct, flood-focused SS sampling at sub-catchment scale was required to provide a SS baseline against which to monitor the impact on SS of catchment rehabilitation interventions, to determine the relative contributions of sub-catchments to SS loads and yields at the site of the proposed Ntabelanga Dam wall, and to verify modelled SS baselines, loads and yields. Approaches to SS sampling relying on researcher presence and/or installed equipment to adequately monitor SS through flood flows were precluded by cost, and the physical and socioeconomic conditions in the project area. A citizen technician (CT)-based flood-focused approach to direct SS sampling was developed and implemented. It was assessed in terms of its efficiency and effectiveness, the proficiency of the laboratory analysis methods, and the accuracy of the resulting SS data. A basic laboratory protocol for SSC analysis was developed, but is not the focus of this thesis. Using basic sampling equipment and smartphone-based reporting protocols, local residents at eleven points on the Tsitsa River and its major tributaries were employed as CTs. They were paid to take water samples during daylight hours at sub-daily timestep, with the emphasis on sampling through flood flows. The method was innovative in that it opted for manual sampling against a global trend towards instrumentation. Whilst the management of CTs formed a significant project component, the CTs benefitted directly through remuneration and work experience opportunities. The sampling method was evaluated at four sites from December 2015 - May 2016. The CTs were found to have efficiently and effectively sampled SS through a range of water levels, particularly in the main Tsitsa channel. An acceptable level of proficiency and accuracy was achieved, and many flood events were successfully defined by multiple data points. The method was chiefly limited by the inability of CTs to sample overnight rises and peaks occurring as a result of afternoon thunderstorms, particularly in small tributaries. The laboratory process was responsible for some losses in proficiency and accuracy. Improved laboratory quality control was therefore recommended. The CT-based approach can be adapted to other spatial and temporal scales in other areas, and to other environmental monitoring applications.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Bannatyne, Laura Joan
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Sediments (Geology) -- Management , Sediments (Geology) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Watersheds -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Suspended sediments -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Suspended sediments -- Monitoring -- Citizen participation , Tsitsa River
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62593 , vital:28211
- Description: Suspended sediment (SS) in channels is spatiotemporally heterogeneous and, over the long term, is known to be moved predominantly by flood flows with return periods of ~1 - 1.5 years. Flood flows in the Tsitsa catchment (Eastern Cape Province, South Africa) are unpredictable, and display a wide range of discharges. Direct, flood-focused SS sampling at sub-catchment scale was required to provide a SS baseline against which to monitor the impact on SS of catchment rehabilitation interventions, to determine the relative contributions of sub-catchments to SS loads and yields at the site of the proposed Ntabelanga Dam wall, and to verify modelled SS baselines, loads and yields. Approaches to SS sampling relying on researcher presence and/or installed equipment to adequately monitor SS through flood flows were precluded by cost, and the physical and socioeconomic conditions in the project area. A citizen technician (CT)-based flood-focused approach to direct SS sampling was developed and implemented. It was assessed in terms of its efficiency and effectiveness, the proficiency of the laboratory analysis methods, and the accuracy of the resulting SS data. A basic laboratory protocol for SSC analysis was developed, but is not the focus of this thesis. Using basic sampling equipment and smartphone-based reporting protocols, local residents at eleven points on the Tsitsa River and its major tributaries were employed as CTs. They were paid to take water samples during daylight hours at sub-daily timestep, with the emphasis on sampling through flood flows. The method was innovative in that it opted for manual sampling against a global trend towards instrumentation. Whilst the management of CTs formed a significant project component, the CTs benefitted directly through remuneration and work experience opportunities. The sampling method was evaluated at four sites from December 2015 - May 2016. The CTs were found to have efficiently and effectively sampled SS through a range of water levels, particularly in the main Tsitsa channel. An acceptable level of proficiency and accuracy was achieved, and many flood events were successfully defined by multiple data points. The method was chiefly limited by the inability of CTs to sample overnight rises and peaks occurring as a result of afternoon thunderstorms, particularly in small tributaries. The laboratory process was responsible for some losses in proficiency and accuracy. Improved laboratory quality control was therefore recommended. The CT-based approach can be adapted to other spatial and temporal scales in other areas, and to other environmental monitoring applications.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Factors influencing the hygienic quality of milk yield from smallholder dairy herds in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Dube, Hlengani Paul
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Milk hygiene
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Animal Science
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10790 , vital:35761
- Description: The objective of the study was to identify factors influencing the hygienic quality of milk of smallholder dairy herds in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Three smallholder herds participating in the National Animal recording scheme and located in Alexandria and East London District Municipalities were used. 90 dairy animals from 3 farms were used, each farm consisting of 30 animals. Three breeds of ten animals were randomly chosen from each farm, the three breeds include, (Holstein, Jersey and Crosses), and four seasons, (autumn, winter, spring and summer) were used to determine the effects of breed and season on the hygienic quality of milk. Milk components included fat percentage, protein percentage, lactose percentage, milk urea nitrogen, milk yield and somatic cell counts (SCC). A total of 1080 milk samples were collected in the afternoon after milking. Procedure of general linear model of SAS was used to determine the effects of breed, season and farm of the milk quality parameters. Means were separated by PDIFF test (α = 0.05). Fixed effects of season, breed and farm, along with 2 way interactions of season and farm and breed and farm were determined. An evaluation template was used to identify the factors affecting hygienic quality of milk. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) were used. In order to investigate associations between variables of interest, a Pearson Chi-square test was done. The Chi-square test was also used to determine significantly independent findings at a P < 0.10 level of confidence. Cross tabulations were done to establish a basis for comparison and to find out if there is a relationship between two or more variables. The breeds kept within the smallholder dairy herds include Holstein, Jersey, Ayrshire, Guernsey and their Crosses. All farmers’practised pasture based dairy farming system, which includes exclusive dairy production and dairy with other animals like poultry and pigs. 33.33 percent of the smallholder herds use the machine milking method, while 66.67 percent use both the machine and hand milking methods. Milking time is uniform throughout the farms, with milking being done twice a day, in the morning and afternoon. The hygiene practices of the farms were largely similar from farm to farm. Before milking, the udders and teats of animals are washed with clean running water. After milking, the teats of the animals are dipped in teat dip to prevent mastitis. All the farmers’ dairy milking facilities have a permanent water source with continuous supply throughout the year. The water sources vary according to farms, with 33.33% use boreholes, while 66.67 percent utilise rivers and springs. Farmers face numerous challenges such as ageing and dilapidated equipment and infrastructure, limited capital that reduces the number of employees on farm and the purchase of feed inputs to support the milking procedure. Effect of season on milk quality, were significantly (P <0.001) different in milk yield, lactose, and somatic cell counts, and significant different at (P < 0.05) for milk urea nitrogen. High milk yields are observed in spring, and winter, while low milk yields are observed in autumn. High values for fat and protein content were observed in winter. High somatic cell counts were observed in autumn than in spring summer and winter. Effects of farm, on milk quality were significantly (P < 0.001) different on milk yield, fat, protein, lactose, and milk urea nitrogen, and significantly different (P < 0.01) for somatic cell counts. Milk yields varied from 14.03kg/day, 15.51kg/day, and 20.12kg/day, fat percentage varied from 4.52 percent, 4.36 percent, and 4.18 percent, protein percentages of 3.55 percent, 3.44 percent, and 3.47 percent, lactose percentage of 4.47 percent, 4.65 percent, and 4.69 percent, somatic cell counts of 588.42cells/ml, 308.90cells/ml, and 437.43cells/ml, and milk urea nitrogen of 9.84mg/100ml, 10.03mg/100ml, and 10.91mg/100ml for High heaven, Soqhayisa and Matshibele farms respectively. Effect of breed on milk quality, were significantly (P < 0.001) different for milk yield, fat and protein percentage. Milk yields amongst breeds varied at 15.57kg/day, 17.92kg/day, and 16.18kg/day, fat percentages of 4.51 percent, 4.18 percent, and 4.37 percent, protein percentages of 3.55 percent, 3.39 percent, and 3.52 percent, for Jersey, Holstein Cross bred breeds respectively. There were no differences in lactose percentage, somatic cell counts, and milk urea nitrogen amongst breeds. The interaction between farm and season had an effect on milk yield (P < 0.0004), lactose (P < 0.0001), somatic cell counts (P < 0.0001), milk urea nitrogen (P < 0.0019). Milk fat and protein had no effect of farm and season. The interaction between farm and breed had an effect on milk yield (P < 0.0018), fat (P < 0.0001), protein (P < 0.0001), lactose (P < 0.0227), milk urea nitrogen (P < 0.0373). Farm and breed had no effect onsomatic cell counts. The effect of the farm had a greater detrimental effect on the variations in milk composition within the season and the breed. Milk quality is mainly affected by the farm management practices which at times are affected by the farmer’s resources to achieve the basic routine activities for clean milk. Improving the hygienic practises such as udder cleaning, removal of feed from the troughs, and environmental sanitation will increase milk quality in smallholder herds. Smallholder dairy herds were able to meet the milk quality standards of low somatic cell counts that are acceptable as grade A milk.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Dube, Hlengani Paul
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Milk hygiene
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Animal Science
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10790 , vital:35761
- Description: The objective of the study was to identify factors influencing the hygienic quality of milk of smallholder dairy herds in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Three smallholder herds participating in the National Animal recording scheme and located in Alexandria and East London District Municipalities were used. 90 dairy animals from 3 farms were used, each farm consisting of 30 animals. Three breeds of ten animals were randomly chosen from each farm, the three breeds include, (Holstein, Jersey and Crosses), and four seasons, (autumn, winter, spring and summer) were used to determine the effects of breed and season on the hygienic quality of milk. Milk components included fat percentage, protein percentage, lactose percentage, milk urea nitrogen, milk yield and somatic cell counts (SCC). A total of 1080 milk samples were collected in the afternoon after milking. Procedure of general linear model of SAS was used to determine the effects of breed, season and farm of the milk quality parameters. Means were separated by PDIFF test (α = 0.05). Fixed effects of season, breed and farm, along with 2 way interactions of season and farm and breed and farm were determined. An evaluation template was used to identify the factors affecting hygienic quality of milk. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) were used. In order to investigate associations between variables of interest, a Pearson Chi-square test was done. The Chi-square test was also used to determine significantly independent findings at a P < 0.10 level of confidence. Cross tabulations were done to establish a basis for comparison and to find out if there is a relationship between two or more variables. The breeds kept within the smallholder dairy herds include Holstein, Jersey, Ayrshire, Guernsey and their Crosses. All farmers’practised pasture based dairy farming system, which includes exclusive dairy production and dairy with other animals like poultry and pigs. 33.33 percent of the smallholder herds use the machine milking method, while 66.67 percent use both the machine and hand milking methods. Milking time is uniform throughout the farms, with milking being done twice a day, in the morning and afternoon. The hygiene practices of the farms were largely similar from farm to farm. Before milking, the udders and teats of animals are washed with clean running water. After milking, the teats of the animals are dipped in teat dip to prevent mastitis. All the farmers’ dairy milking facilities have a permanent water source with continuous supply throughout the year. The water sources vary according to farms, with 33.33% use boreholes, while 66.67 percent utilise rivers and springs. Farmers face numerous challenges such as ageing and dilapidated equipment and infrastructure, limited capital that reduces the number of employees on farm and the purchase of feed inputs to support the milking procedure. Effect of season on milk quality, were significantly (P <0.001) different in milk yield, lactose, and somatic cell counts, and significant different at (P < 0.05) for milk urea nitrogen. High milk yields are observed in spring, and winter, while low milk yields are observed in autumn. High values for fat and protein content were observed in winter. High somatic cell counts were observed in autumn than in spring summer and winter. Effects of farm, on milk quality were significantly (P < 0.001) different on milk yield, fat, protein, lactose, and milk urea nitrogen, and significantly different (P < 0.01) for somatic cell counts. Milk yields varied from 14.03kg/day, 15.51kg/day, and 20.12kg/day, fat percentage varied from 4.52 percent, 4.36 percent, and 4.18 percent, protein percentages of 3.55 percent, 3.44 percent, and 3.47 percent, lactose percentage of 4.47 percent, 4.65 percent, and 4.69 percent, somatic cell counts of 588.42cells/ml, 308.90cells/ml, and 437.43cells/ml, and milk urea nitrogen of 9.84mg/100ml, 10.03mg/100ml, and 10.91mg/100ml for High heaven, Soqhayisa and Matshibele farms respectively. Effect of breed on milk quality, were significantly (P < 0.001) different for milk yield, fat and protein percentage. Milk yields amongst breeds varied at 15.57kg/day, 17.92kg/day, and 16.18kg/day, fat percentages of 4.51 percent, 4.18 percent, and 4.37 percent, protein percentages of 3.55 percent, 3.39 percent, and 3.52 percent, for Jersey, Holstein Cross bred breeds respectively. There were no differences in lactose percentage, somatic cell counts, and milk urea nitrogen amongst breeds. The interaction between farm and season had an effect on milk yield (P < 0.0004), lactose (P < 0.0001), somatic cell counts (P < 0.0001), milk urea nitrogen (P < 0.0019). Milk fat and protein had no effect of farm and season. The interaction between farm and breed had an effect on milk yield (P < 0.0018), fat (P < 0.0001), protein (P < 0.0001), lactose (P < 0.0227), milk urea nitrogen (P < 0.0373). Farm and breed had no effect onsomatic cell counts. The effect of the farm had a greater detrimental effect on the variations in milk composition within the season and the breed. Milk quality is mainly affected by the farm management practices which at times are affected by the farmer’s resources to achieve the basic routine activities for clean milk. Improving the hygienic practises such as udder cleaning, removal of feed from the troughs, and environmental sanitation will increase milk quality in smallholder herds. Smallholder dairy herds were able to meet the milk quality standards of low somatic cell counts that are acceptable as grade A milk.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Plant–herbivore–parasitoid interactions in an experimental freshwater tritrophic system: higher trophic levels modify competitive interactions between invasive macrophytes
- Martin, Grant D, Coetzee, Julie A, Compton, Stephen
- Authors: Martin, Grant D , Coetzee, Julie A , Compton, Stephen
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/125686 , vital:35808 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-017-341
- Description: Natural enemies are known to modify competitive hierarchies among terrestrial plants. Here we examine whether the same applies to freshwatersystems. Lagarosiphon major (Hydrocharitaceae) is a submerged aquatic macrophyte, indigenous to South Africa. Outside its native range, it outcompetes with indigenous submerged species and degrades aquatic habitats. Hydrellia lagarosiphon (Diptera: Ephydridae) is the most abundant and ubiquitous herbivore associated with L. major in South Africa and is a potential biological control agent elsewhere. Chaenusa anervata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Alysiinae) is its main parasitoid. We generated an experimental system involving one, two or three trophic levels to monitor variation in the competitive ability of L. major relative to that of Myriophyllum spicatum (Haloragaceae), a second submerged macrophyte that can also be invasive. Using inverse linear models to monitor competition, we found that herbivory by H. lagarosiphon greatly reduced the competitive ability of L. major. Addition of the wasp at typical field densities halved the impact of herbivory and reestablished the competitive advantage of L. major. Our results demonstrate how multitrophic interactions modify relative competitive abilities among aquatic plants, emphasize the significance of higher tropic levels in these systems and illustrate how parasitoids can reduce the effectiveness of insects released as biocontrol agents.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Martin, Grant D , Coetzee, Julie A , Compton, Stephen
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/125686 , vital:35808 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-017-341
- Description: Natural enemies are known to modify competitive hierarchies among terrestrial plants. Here we examine whether the same applies to freshwatersystems. Lagarosiphon major (Hydrocharitaceae) is a submerged aquatic macrophyte, indigenous to South Africa. Outside its native range, it outcompetes with indigenous submerged species and degrades aquatic habitats. Hydrellia lagarosiphon (Diptera: Ephydridae) is the most abundant and ubiquitous herbivore associated with L. major in South Africa and is a potential biological control agent elsewhere. Chaenusa anervata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Alysiinae) is its main parasitoid. We generated an experimental system involving one, two or three trophic levels to monitor variation in the competitive ability of L. major relative to that of Myriophyllum spicatum (Haloragaceae), a second submerged macrophyte that can also be invasive. Using inverse linear models to monitor competition, we found that herbivory by H. lagarosiphon greatly reduced the competitive ability of L. major. Addition of the wasp at typical field densities halved the impact of herbivory and reestablished the competitive advantage of L. major. Our results demonstrate how multitrophic interactions modify relative competitive abilities among aquatic plants, emphasize the significance of higher tropic levels in these systems and illustrate how parasitoids can reduce the effectiveness of insects released as biocontrol agents.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The influence of construction project managers’ experience on project performance: the case of Nelson Mandela Bay infrastructure projects
- Authors: Parazee, Viahn
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Infrastructure (Economics) -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Management Public works -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Management Project Management -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Construction industry -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/34510 , vital:33387
- Description: When you start out in the engineering industry especially in the public sector, one seldom has the mentorship required to equip you with the skills to succeed in successfully implementing projects. It has furthermore been observed that there is a major difference between project management competencies and merely having a qualification in the same field as the project’s core business. The role of Construction Project Managers is especially unique within public sector projects as these projects often involve multiple stakeholders whose opinions can strongly influence the project(Jalocha et al., 2014). This has been the case within the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality where labour and community unrest often result in project stoppages and delays which ultimately lead to project failure. Stakeholder engagement, an inherently social competence, is a key component of Project Management Competence and falls outside the curriculum of most technical qualifications in the built environment. Project Management failure within the public sector has become rife and the research findings of this study should be helpful in assisting the local government in attaining higher project success rates. A qualitative research approach was adopted for this study making use of a descriptive research design, yielding qualitative data which was summarised by the researcher through statistical analyses. The data were obtained through questionnaires distributed to the various Clients, Consultants and Contractors within the NMBM via email. The questionnaires were furthermore only distributed to government parastatals within the construction industry in the NMBM, Consultants and Contractors who have completed or are working on projects for these parastatals within the public sector. Key findings from the research note a positive relationship between competency and project success; that there is not enough mentorship received by Construction Project Managers in the built environment sectors; that there is a positive relationship between mentorship received and project success and that there is a significant difference in the number of professionally registered personnel in the Consulting Sector compared to that of the Public-Sector. It furthermore indicated that there was a positive correlation between supervisors being professionally registered and their junior Construction Project Managers achieving project success from the research findings, recommendations were made to aid the increase in project success rates and decrease project management failure within the NMBM. For this to be achieved, the following areas need to be addressed: Assigning of projects to Construction Project Managers, Mentorship provided to Construction Project Managers and ultimately their Project Management Competence.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Parazee, Viahn
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Infrastructure (Economics) -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Economic development projects -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Management Public works -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Management Project Management -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Construction industry -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/34510 , vital:33387
- Description: When you start out in the engineering industry especially in the public sector, one seldom has the mentorship required to equip you with the skills to succeed in successfully implementing projects. It has furthermore been observed that there is a major difference between project management competencies and merely having a qualification in the same field as the project’s core business. The role of Construction Project Managers is especially unique within public sector projects as these projects often involve multiple stakeholders whose opinions can strongly influence the project(Jalocha et al., 2014). This has been the case within the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality where labour and community unrest often result in project stoppages and delays which ultimately lead to project failure. Stakeholder engagement, an inherently social competence, is a key component of Project Management Competence and falls outside the curriculum of most technical qualifications in the built environment. Project Management failure within the public sector has become rife and the research findings of this study should be helpful in assisting the local government in attaining higher project success rates. A qualitative research approach was adopted for this study making use of a descriptive research design, yielding qualitative data which was summarised by the researcher through statistical analyses. The data were obtained through questionnaires distributed to the various Clients, Consultants and Contractors within the NMBM via email. The questionnaires were furthermore only distributed to government parastatals within the construction industry in the NMBM, Consultants and Contractors who have completed or are working on projects for these parastatals within the public sector. Key findings from the research note a positive relationship between competency and project success; that there is not enough mentorship received by Construction Project Managers in the built environment sectors; that there is a positive relationship between mentorship received and project success and that there is a significant difference in the number of professionally registered personnel in the Consulting Sector compared to that of the Public-Sector. It furthermore indicated that there was a positive correlation between supervisors being professionally registered and their junior Construction Project Managers achieving project success from the research findings, recommendations were made to aid the increase in project success rates and decrease project management failure within the NMBM. For this to be achieved, the following areas need to be addressed: Assigning of projects to Construction Project Managers, Mentorship provided to Construction Project Managers and ultimately their Project Management Competence.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Comparison of contraceptive discontinuation in users of a copper intrauterine device against depot medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable
- Authors: Dekile-Yonto, Nolusindiso
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Contraceptives Birth control Women's health services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Magister of Curationis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15520 , vital:40422
- Description: The dynamics of continued contraceptive use, switches to alternatives, or the outright failure of contraception is strong indicators of the effectiveness of health care programmes for women or couples (Ali, Cleland & Shah, 2012:6). Furthermore, unplanned pregnancies often lead to undesirable health, economic, social, and psychological consequences for women (Sedgh, Singh & Hussain., 2014). There is a need to better understand the reasons for discontinuation of contraception to enable health care workers to address the gaps in the provision of family planning services. For this reason, the researcher embarked on a follow-up study of a randomised, controlled trial, which compared the effects on depression and sexual functioning of women after childbirth of a Copper Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (Cu-IUD) with Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA), (Singata-Madliki, 2014:5). The objectives of the follow-up study was to do a once-off follow-up of the original participants, three years after randomisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Dekile-Yonto, Nolusindiso
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Contraceptives Birth control Women's health services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Magister of Curationis
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15520 , vital:40422
- Description: The dynamics of continued contraceptive use, switches to alternatives, or the outright failure of contraception is strong indicators of the effectiveness of health care programmes for women or couples (Ali, Cleland & Shah, 2012:6). Furthermore, unplanned pregnancies often lead to undesirable health, economic, social, and psychological consequences for women (Sedgh, Singh & Hussain., 2014). There is a need to better understand the reasons for discontinuation of contraception to enable health care workers to address the gaps in the provision of family planning services. For this reason, the researcher embarked on a follow-up study of a randomised, controlled trial, which compared the effects on depression and sexual functioning of women after childbirth of a Copper Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (Cu-IUD) with Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA), (Singata-Madliki, 2014:5). The objectives of the follow-up study was to do a once-off follow-up of the original participants, three years after randomisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
A programme of academic support for students at the public nursing college of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa
- Senti, Nomandithini Innocent
- Authors: Senti, Nomandithini Innocent
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Nursing -- Study and teaching Nursing -- Study and teaching -- Simulation methods
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10997 , vital:36128
- Description: A comprehensive academic support at the public nursing college is important. Despite this, there is no such support in public nursing colleges in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The aim of the study was to develop an academic support programme for students in order to improve their success in Higher Education. The study endeavoured to answer the following questions: What are the academic support needs of students at the public nursing college in the Eastern Cape of South Africa? What conceptual framework can be developed for the academic support programme of students? What academic support programme can be developed for students at the public nursing college? What guidelines can be developed for implementation of academic support programme of students? The objectives were: to describe academic support needs of students at the public nursing college in the eastern Cape Province of South Africa; to develop a conceptual framework for the academic support programme for students at the public nursing college in the Eastern Cape of South Africa; to develop an academic support programme for students at the public nursing college in the Eastern Cape in south Africa and lastly to describe guidelines for implementation and evaluation of the academic support programme. The research design used in this study was quantitative, qualitative, descriptive, evaluative, and theory generation. The study was conducted according to four phases. Phase one focussed on academic supports needs of the student. Phase two focussed on development of conceptual framework for the students at the public nursing college in Eastern Cape Province. Phase three focussed on the development of the academic support programme for the students, whereas phase four focussed on description of guidelines for implementation and evaluation of the academic support programme. The population of the study consisted of students undergoing training in a four-year programme at the Public Nursing College. The target population was the students in the same programme from level one to level four of training. The sampling technique used was a probability sampling with multi-stage and cluster sampling techniques being utilized. The total sample was n=333 participants. A quantitative self-developed questionnaire was used to collect empirical data. The questionnaire consisted of eight sections. Descriptive data was analysed using Statistic Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted on the descriptive data collected in phase one. Concept analysis and identification were done through the utilisation of exploratory factor analysis. The conceptual framework for the academic support programme was identified through the analysed factors. Fifteen factors were derived from the descriptive data. The conceptual framework of the academic support programme discussed in Chapter 5 was used also in the development of the academic support programme. It is in this chapter that assumptions, context, stakeholders, process, outcome, dynamics and, lastly, the recipient were discussed, along with a description of the programme. The programme was evaluated in accordance with the criteria for programme evaluation. The recommendations brought forward for the academic support programme were: The guidelines have to be tested for the implementation of the programme; benchmarking should be done to compare with other institutions of higher learning regarding their academic support programmes; an academic brochure regarding academic support must be available in the college and should be given to students on arrival as part of a package; and neutral researcher should conduct the same research in the same college.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Senti, Nomandithini Innocent
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Nursing -- Study and teaching Nursing -- Study and teaching -- Simulation methods
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10997 , vital:36128
- Description: A comprehensive academic support at the public nursing college is important. Despite this, there is no such support in public nursing colleges in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The aim of the study was to develop an academic support programme for students in order to improve their success in Higher Education. The study endeavoured to answer the following questions: What are the academic support needs of students at the public nursing college in the Eastern Cape of South Africa? What conceptual framework can be developed for the academic support programme of students? What academic support programme can be developed for students at the public nursing college? What guidelines can be developed for implementation of academic support programme of students? The objectives were: to describe academic support needs of students at the public nursing college in the eastern Cape Province of South Africa; to develop a conceptual framework for the academic support programme for students at the public nursing college in the Eastern Cape of South Africa; to develop an academic support programme for students at the public nursing college in the Eastern Cape in south Africa and lastly to describe guidelines for implementation and evaluation of the academic support programme. The research design used in this study was quantitative, qualitative, descriptive, evaluative, and theory generation. The study was conducted according to four phases. Phase one focussed on academic supports needs of the student. Phase two focussed on development of conceptual framework for the students at the public nursing college in Eastern Cape Province. Phase three focussed on the development of the academic support programme for the students, whereas phase four focussed on description of guidelines for implementation and evaluation of the academic support programme. The population of the study consisted of students undergoing training in a four-year programme at the Public Nursing College. The target population was the students in the same programme from level one to level four of training. The sampling technique used was a probability sampling with multi-stage and cluster sampling techniques being utilized. The total sample was n=333 participants. A quantitative self-developed questionnaire was used to collect empirical data. The questionnaire consisted of eight sections. Descriptive data was analysed using Statistic Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted on the descriptive data collected in phase one. Concept analysis and identification were done through the utilisation of exploratory factor analysis. The conceptual framework for the academic support programme was identified through the analysed factors. Fifteen factors were derived from the descriptive data. The conceptual framework of the academic support programme discussed in Chapter 5 was used also in the development of the academic support programme. It is in this chapter that assumptions, context, stakeholders, process, outcome, dynamics and, lastly, the recipient were discussed, along with a description of the programme. The programme was evaluated in accordance with the criteria for programme evaluation. The recommendations brought forward for the academic support programme were: The guidelines have to be tested for the implementation of the programme; benchmarking should be done to compare with other institutions of higher learning regarding their academic support programmes; an academic brochure regarding academic support must be available in the college and should be given to students on arrival as part of a package; and neutral researcher should conduct the same research in the same college.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Reproductive phenology of two Mimusops species in relation to climate, tree diameter and canopy position in Benin (West Africa)
- Sinasson Sanni, Giséle K, Shackleton, Charlie M, Sinsin, Brian
- Authors: Sinasson Sanni, Giséle K , Shackleton, Charlie M , Sinsin, Brian
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/180337 , vital:43354 , xlink:href=" https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.12457"
- Description: Assessing species phenology provides useful understanding about their autecology, to contribute to management strategies. We monitored reproductive phenology of Mimusops andongensis and Mimusops kummel, and its relationship with climate, tree diameter and canopy position. We sampled trees in six diameter classes and noted their canopy position. For both species flowering began in the dry season through to the rainy season, but peaked in the dry season, whilst fruiting occurred in the rainy season and peaked during the most humid period. Flowering was positively correlated with temperature. Conversely, fruiting was negatively correlated with temperature and positively with rainfall, only in the Guineo-Sudanian zone. For M. andongensis, flowering and fruiting prevalences were positively linked to stem diameter, while only flowering was significantly related to canopy position. For M. kummel, the relationship with stem diameter was significant for flowering prevalence only and in the Guineo-Sudanian zone. Results suggest that phylogenetic membership is an important factor restricting Mimusops species phenology. Flowering and fruiting of both species are influenced by climate, and consequently climate change might shift their phenological patterns. Long-term investigations, considering flowering and fruiting abortion, will help to better understand the species phenology and perhaps predict demographic dynamics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Sinasson Sanni, Giséle K , Shackleton, Charlie M , Sinsin, Brian
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/180337 , vital:43354 , xlink:href=" https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.12457"
- Description: Assessing species phenology provides useful understanding about their autecology, to contribute to management strategies. We monitored reproductive phenology of Mimusops andongensis and Mimusops kummel, and its relationship with climate, tree diameter and canopy position. We sampled trees in six diameter classes and noted their canopy position. For both species flowering began in the dry season through to the rainy season, but peaked in the dry season, whilst fruiting occurred in the rainy season and peaked during the most humid period. Flowering was positively correlated with temperature. Conversely, fruiting was negatively correlated with temperature and positively with rainfall, only in the Guineo-Sudanian zone. For M. andongensis, flowering and fruiting prevalences were positively linked to stem diameter, while only flowering was significantly related to canopy position. For M. kummel, the relationship with stem diameter was significant for flowering prevalence only and in the Guineo-Sudanian zone. Results suggest that phylogenetic membership is an important factor restricting Mimusops species phenology. Flowering and fruiting of both species are influenced by climate, and consequently climate change might shift their phenological patterns. Long-term investigations, considering flowering and fruiting abortion, will help to better understand the species phenology and perhaps predict demographic dynamics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The representation of christian ministers in South African media : a study of Uzalo on South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC 1)
- Authors: Mbilase, Khanyisa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Television programs -- South Africa Mass media -- Moral and ethical aspects -- South Africa Mass media -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Communication
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9745 , vital:34909
- Description: This study aimed to evaluate the manner in which Christian Ministers are represented in South African media, a study of Uzalo a South African telenovela airing on SABC1, from Monday to Friday at 20:30 pm. According to the 2017 prime time statistics, the telenovela has attracted more than 9.1 million viewers and with that said the telenovela is assumed to have an extensive impact on the society. The study was conducted at Ntselamanzi village near Alice Town in Raymond Mhlaba Municipality. The study adopted a qualitative method and primary data was collected through focus groups and semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse the selected episodes from the drama. The finding of this study revealed that, Christian Ministers in the telenovela are portrayed to be actively involved in criminal activities which then qualifies them to be associated with crime or be called criminals. The study further revealed that, Christian Ministers have commercialised churches as seen by the continuous mushrooming of churches in society. The study concluded that, the media representations of Christian Ministers were biased and focusing only on portraying Christian Ministers negatively. Lastly, framing and cultivation theories were used to explain how the role of Christian Ministers is crafted and presented to the audiences.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mbilase, Khanyisa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Television programs -- South Africa Mass media -- Moral and ethical aspects -- South Africa Mass media -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Communication
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9745 , vital:34909
- Description: This study aimed to evaluate the manner in which Christian Ministers are represented in South African media, a study of Uzalo a South African telenovela airing on SABC1, from Monday to Friday at 20:30 pm. According to the 2017 prime time statistics, the telenovela has attracted more than 9.1 million viewers and with that said the telenovela is assumed to have an extensive impact on the society. The study was conducted at Ntselamanzi village near Alice Town in Raymond Mhlaba Municipality. The study adopted a qualitative method and primary data was collected through focus groups and semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse the selected episodes from the drama. The finding of this study revealed that, Christian Ministers in the telenovela are portrayed to be actively involved in criminal activities which then qualifies them to be associated with crime or be called criminals. The study further revealed that, Christian Ministers have commercialised churches as seen by the continuous mushrooming of churches in society. The study concluded that, the media representations of Christian Ministers were biased and focusing only on portraying Christian Ministers negatively. Lastly, framing and cultivation theories were used to explain how the role of Christian Ministers is crafted and presented to the audiences.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Strategy implementation at the Rand Water Board
- Authors: Leaver, Brian Jeffrey
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62118 , vital:28129
- Description: Expected release date-April 2019
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Leaver, Brian Jeffrey
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62118 , vital:28129
- Description: Expected release date-April 2019
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
A framework for malicious host fingerprinting using distributed network sensors
- Authors: Hunter, Samuel Oswald
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Computer networks -- Security measures , Malware (Computer software) , Multisensor data fusion , Distributed Sensor Networks , Automated Reconnaissance Framework , Latency Based Multilateration
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60653 , vital:27811
- Description: Numerous software agents exist and are responsible for increasing volumes of malicious traffic that is observed on the Internet today. From a technical perspective the existing techniques for monitoring malicious agents and traffic were not developed to allow for the interrogation of the source of malicious traffic. This interrogation or reconnaissance would be considered active analysis as opposed to existing, mostly passive analysis. Unlike passive analysis, the active techniques are time-sensitive and their results become increasingly inaccurate as time delta between observation and interrogation increases. In addition to this, some studies had shown that the geographic separation of hosts on the Internet have resulted in pockets of different malicious agents and traffic targeting victims. As such it would be important to perform any kind of data collection over various source and in distributed IP address space. The data gathering and exposure capabilities of sensors such as honeypots and network telescopes were extended through the development of near-realtime Distributed Sensor Network modules that allowed for the near-realtime analysis of malicious traffic from distributed, heterogeneous monitoring sensors. In order to utilise the data exposed by the near-realtime Distributed Sensor Network modules an Automated Reconnaissance Framework was created, this framework was tasked with active and passive information collection and analysis of data in near-realtime and was designed from an adapted Multi Sensor Data Fusion model. The hypothesis was made that if sufficiently different characteristics of a host could be identified; combined they could act as a unique fingerprint for that host, potentially allowing for the re-identification of that host, even if its IP address had changed. To this end the concept of Latency Based Multilateration was introduced, acting as an additional metric for remote host fingerprinting. The vast amount of information gathered by the AR-Framework required the development of visualisation tools which could illustrate this data in near-realtime and also provided various degrees of interaction to accommodate human interpretation of such data. Ultimately the data collected through the application of the near-realtime Distributed Sensor Network and AR-Framework provided a unique perspective of a malicious host demographic. Allowing for new correlations to be drawn between attributes such as common open ports and operating systems, location, and inferred intent of these malicious hosts. The result of which expands our current understanding of malicious hosts on the Internet and enables further research in the area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Hunter, Samuel Oswald
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Computer networks -- Security measures , Malware (Computer software) , Multisensor data fusion , Distributed Sensor Networks , Automated Reconnaissance Framework , Latency Based Multilateration
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60653 , vital:27811
- Description: Numerous software agents exist and are responsible for increasing volumes of malicious traffic that is observed on the Internet today. From a technical perspective the existing techniques for monitoring malicious agents and traffic were not developed to allow for the interrogation of the source of malicious traffic. This interrogation or reconnaissance would be considered active analysis as opposed to existing, mostly passive analysis. Unlike passive analysis, the active techniques are time-sensitive and their results become increasingly inaccurate as time delta between observation and interrogation increases. In addition to this, some studies had shown that the geographic separation of hosts on the Internet have resulted in pockets of different malicious agents and traffic targeting victims. As such it would be important to perform any kind of data collection over various source and in distributed IP address space. The data gathering and exposure capabilities of sensors such as honeypots and network telescopes were extended through the development of near-realtime Distributed Sensor Network modules that allowed for the near-realtime analysis of malicious traffic from distributed, heterogeneous monitoring sensors. In order to utilise the data exposed by the near-realtime Distributed Sensor Network modules an Automated Reconnaissance Framework was created, this framework was tasked with active and passive information collection and analysis of data in near-realtime and was designed from an adapted Multi Sensor Data Fusion model. The hypothesis was made that if sufficiently different characteristics of a host could be identified; combined they could act as a unique fingerprint for that host, potentially allowing for the re-identification of that host, even if its IP address had changed. To this end the concept of Latency Based Multilateration was introduced, acting as an additional metric for remote host fingerprinting. The vast amount of information gathered by the AR-Framework required the development of visualisation tools which could illustrate this data in near-realtime and also provided various degrees of interaction to accommodate human interpretation of such data. Ultimately the data collected through the application of the near-realtime Distributed Sensor Network and AR-Framework provided a unique perspective of a malicious host demographic. Allowing for new correlations to be drawn between attributes such as common open ports and operating systems, location, and inferred intent of these malicious hosts. The result of which expands our current understanding of malicious hosts on the Internet and enables further research in the area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Chemical transformation and phytochemical studies of bioactive constituents from extract of callistemon citrinus (curtis) skeels
- Authors: Larayetan, Rotimi Abisoye
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Callistemon Wild flowers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9122 , vital:34272
- Description: Callistemon citrinus belongs to the family Myrtaceae and exhibits therapeutic activities. The aerial parts of this plant are used to treat different ailments, among them are parasitic infections. The leaves, flowers and stems of Callistemon citrinus were subjected to hydrodistillation. The oils collected were studied by GC-MS analysis for the essential constituents. The overall phenolic content of the leaves oil, radical scavenging, antibacterial action and antioxidant activities of the essential oils of Callistemon citrinus were determined using standard methods, with free radical DPPH or ABTS as reference antioxidants. Chemical transformation of the components was examined for a whole year. A relationship between the chemical change in the volatile oil constituents, antioxidant capacity, percentage yield of the oil of Callistemon citrinus and fluctuation in season has been established. Active phytochemicals present in both ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts of Callistemon citrinus were determined spectrophotometrically. The antimicrobial properties, time of kill, and antioxidant activity of the extracts were explored. The bioactive components were characterized by high level of fatty acids. Squalene, a triterpenoid synthesized in human liver was obtained in the two extracts at varying amounts. The ethyl acetate extract demonstrated strong activity against P. aeruginosa ACC (28.7 ± 1.2 mm), Listeria ACC (26.0 ± 2.0 mm) and Escherichia coli ATCC 35150 (24.0 ± 3.5 mm). Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, steroids and triterpenoids, fats and oils, flavonoids, phenols and tannins in them. In the quantitative phytochemical determination (total tannin, total flavonoids and flavonols, total phenolic and total antioxidant capacity) were carried out. The minimum time needed to kill the tested bacterial strains totally ranged from 15 to 24 hours. The aqueous extracts used for biosynthesis of nanoparticles were obtained from the fresh aerial parts of the plant. The biosynthesized gold and silver nanoparticles (AuNPs and AgNPs) of the aqueous extracts of the seed, flower and leaf of the plant, which are active as reducing and capping agents, were characterized using UV-VIS spectrophotometry, XRD, SEM, EDS, TEM, and FT IR. The XRD analysis revealed that the AgNPs were crystalline and the TEM showed that the shapes were spherical with an average size of 29 nm. For AuNPs, an average particle size of about 37 nm was confirmed by the TEM while the morphology and composition of the AuNPs were ascertained by SEM and EDS micrographs; uneven spherical shaped nanoparticles were established by the SEM. Both SEM and EDS demonstrated triangular shaped materials made up of silver and oxygen only. Absorption spectra confirmed by UV-VIS signify the dispersed nature of the synthesized nanoparticles with absorption band observed at 280 nm for the leaf AgNPs. FT IR had absorption bands at about 1700 cm-1 establishing the C=O stretching due to the amide bond while the FT IR for the AuNPs showed an absorption peak at 230 cm-1 confirming the presence of gold nanoparticles. The phytochemical investigation, isolation and characterization of the bioactive compounds of various organic crude extracts like hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and ethyl acetate were as well carried out, and the compounds responsible for their medicinal actions were determined. The results from different experiments revealed that the leaves and flowers of Callistemon citrinus possessed phenolic compounds and cyclic ethers with a variety of pharmacological action. The ethyl acetate and methanol crude extracts were found to possess broad spectrum of antimicrobial activities and pharmaceutically essential bioactive components with striking antioxidant capacities that may be used in the synthesis of novel drugs for the management of different ailments. The AuNPs and AgNPs synthesized from the seed, flower and leaf extracts of Callistemon citrinus where found to have prominent antimalarial, antiplasmodial, and antibacterial activities. The biosynthesized nanoparticles inhibit all the bacterial strains used and they were not cytotoxic to Hela cells, confirming their prospect for use as an excellent source for naturally occurring drugs against malaria, cell cytotoxicity, trypanosomes, and microbial infection. Similarly the crude organic extracts and the fractions derived from them exhibited high antimalarial and antitrypanosomal activities, but they were toxic to Hela cells. This is an indication that they will not be safe for use as targeted drugs for mammalian organism.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Larayetan, Rotimi Abisoye
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Callistemon Wild flowers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9122 , vital:34272
- Description: Callistemon citrinus belongs to the family Myrtaceae and exhibits therapeutic activities. The aerial parts of this plant are used to treat different ailments, among them are parasitic infections. The leaves, flowers and stems of Callistemon citrinus were subjected to hydrodistillation. The oils collected were studied by GC-MS analysis for the essential constituents. The overall phenolic content of the leaves oil, radical scavenging, antibacterial action and antioxidant activities of the essential oils of Callistemon citrinus were determined using standard methods, with free radical DPPH or ABTS as reference antioxidants. Chemical transformation of the components was examined for a whole year. A relationship between the chemical change in the volatile oil constituents, antioxidant capacity, percentage yield of the oil of Callistemon citrinus and fluctuation in season has been established. Active phytochemicals present in both ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts of Callistemon citrinus were determined spectrophotometrically. The antimicrobial properties, time of kill, and antioxidant activity of the extracts were explored. The bioactive components were characterized by high level of fatty acids. Squalene, a triterpenoid synthesized in human liver was obtained in the two extracts at varying amounts. The ethyl acetate extract demonstrated strong activity against P. aeruginosa ACC (28.7 ± 1.2 mm), Listeria ACC (26.0 ± 2.0 mm) and Escherichia coli ATCC 35150 (24.0 ± 3.5 mm). Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, steroids and triterpenoids, fats and oils, flavonoids, phenols and tannins in them. In the quantitative phytochemical determination (total tannin, total flavonoids and flavonols, total phenolic and total antioxidant capacity) were carried out. The minimum time needed to kill the tested bacterial strains totally ranged from 15 to 24 hours. The aqueous extracts used for biosynthesis of nanoparticles were obtained from the fresh aerial parts of the plant. The biosynthesized gold and silver nanoparticles (AuNPs and AgNPs) of the aqueous extracts of the seed, flower and leaf of the plant, which are active as reducing and capping agents, were characterized using UV-VIS spectrophotometry, XRD, SEM, EDS, TEM, and FT IR. The XRD analysis revealed that the AgNPs were crystalline and the TEM showed that the shapes were spherical with an average size of 29 nm. For AuNPs, an average particle size of about 37 nm was confirmed by the TEM while the morphology and composition of the AuNPs were ascertained by SEM and EDS micrographs; uneven spherical shaped nanoparticles were established by the SEM. Both SEM and EDS demonstrated triangular shaped materials made up of silver and oxygen only. Absorption spectra confirmed by UV-VIS signify the dispersed nature of the synthesized nanoparticles with absorption band observed at 280 nm for the leaf AgNPs. FT IR had absorption bands at about 1700 cm-1 establishing the C=O stretching due to the amide bond while the FT IR for the AuNPs showed an absorption peak at 230 cm-1 confirming the presence of gold nanoparticles. The phytochemical investigation, isolation and characterization of the bioactive compounds of various organic crude extracts like hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and ethyl acetate were as well carried out, and the compounds responsible for their medicinal actions were determined. The results from different experiments revealed that the leaves and flowers of Callistemon citrinus possessed phenolic compounds and cyclic ethers with a variety of pharmacological action. The ethyl acetate and methanol crude extracts were found to possess broad spectrum of antimicrobial activities and pharmaceutically essential bioactive components with striking antioxidant capacities that may be used in the synthesis of novel drugs for the management of different ailments. The AuNPs and AgNPs synthesized from the seed, flower and leaf extracts of Callistemon citrinus where found to have prominent antimalarial, antiplasmodial, and antibacterial activities. The biosynthesized nanoparticles inhibit all the bacterial strains used and they were not cytotoxic to Hela cells, confirming their prospect for use as an excellent source for naturally occurring drugs against malaria, cell cytotoxicity, trypanosomes, and microbial infection. Similarly the crude organic extracts and the fractions derived from them exhibited high antimalarial and antitrypanosomal activities, but they were toxic to Hela cells. This is an indication that they will not be safe for use as targeted drugs for mammalian organism.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Development and validation of a health literacy measure for limited literacy public sector patients in South Africa
- Authors: Marimwe, Chipiwa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Health literacy -- South Africa , Patient education -- South Africa , Communication in medicine -- South Africa , Health literacy -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Poor -- Medical care -- South Africa , Analysis of variance , Multidimensional Screener of Functional Health Literacy (MSFHL)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62661 , vital:28227
- Description: The growing complexity of healthcare demands greater patient involvement and skills to navigate this complex system. It has therefore become increasingly important to identify individuals with inadequate health literacy, by using efficient, short and reliable measures for doing so. Most research on the development and validation of health literacy tests has been conducted in high-income countries, with very little reported from low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Existing health literacy measures have come under scrutiny for their lack of cultural sensitivity, bias towards certain population groups and failure to acknowledge health literacy as a multidimensional concept. These measures usually have limited application in LMICs due to the significantly different structuring of healthcare systems, they overlook the extreme discrepancies in educational levels, and rely too heavily on the ability to read health information. No health literacy data for South Africa are available, and only a few health literacy-based research papers have been published in this country. The aim of the study was to develop and validate a health literacy measure that is contextually and culturally appropriate to measure health literacy in limited literacy public sector patients in South Africa. An Item Bank of 30 questions was developed with the input of a diverse expert consultant panel, and included skills-based and self-reported questions which ensured cultural, contextual and educational level appropriateness. The Information and Support for Health Actions Questionnaire (ISHA-Q) is a health literacy measure developed to assess health literacy for LMICs which includes 14 core scales. These were useful in ensuring coverage of a range of health literacy constructs within the Item Bank. The 30 questions were then allocated to one of three health literacy domains: Procedural knowledge, Factual knowledge and Access to healthcare, health services and social support. Ethical approval for the study was obtained. The questions were translated into isiXhosa and underwent pilot testing. Following pilot testing, 120 isiXhosa first-language speakers, at least 18 years old, who attended public sector facilities and had a maximum 12 years of education were recruited from a primary healthcare clinic in Grahamstown. An interpreter was trained and he participated in all interviews. A questionnaire was used to collect data on the 30-question Item Bank. The Multidimensional Screener of Functional Health Literacy (MSFHL) was used as the primary comparator.The second phase of the study involved the refinement of the 30 questions in the Item Bank, which involved a multi-stage process. Data were analysed statistically using t-test, correlations, chi-square and ANOVA tests at a 5% level of significance, in order to identify problematic questions. Item Response Theory was used to ascertain difficulty and discriminatory ability of the questions. Each question was further subjected to in-depth interrogation by a panel of healthcare professionals to ensure that questions were supported by the conceptual framework and the definitions of health literacy adopted for this study. The number of questions was reduced from 30 to 12, and formed the new Health Literacy Test - Limited Literacy (HELT-LL). To validate the HELT-LL, 210 patients with the same inclusion criteria as previously noted, were recruited from four primary healthcare clinics in the Eastern Cape Province. Individual interviews were conducted with the assistance of the interpreter to collect sociodemographic data as well as data from the HELT-LL, the primary comparator (MSFHL), and a secondary comparator which was a South African modified version of the Newest Vital Sign (NVS-SA). The HELT-LL was re-administered to 40 patients in a follow-up interview two weeks later. The HELT-LL categorised only 17.6% of the patients as having adequate health literacy, just over a third with inadequate health literacy, and the majority with marginal health literacy. Questions in the cognitively demanding Procedural knowledge domain were the most poorly answered, with a mean score of 48.6±24.9%. Patients had great difficulty performing the basic numeric tasks in this domain. The overall mean score for the HELT-LL was 52.8±18.4%, compared with the more cognitively demanding NVS-SA with a mean of 28.6±21.1%, and clearly illustrated the impact of the strategy to include in the HELT-LL a variety of questions with differing cognitive load. The MSFHL, which is based on demographic characteristics and perceived difficulties with reading and writing, had an overall mean score of 44.4±26.2%. Demographic characteristics including age, education and English literacy, were found to be good predictors of limited health literacy, with significant correlations being found between these variables and the mean HELT-LL score. An acceptable value for Cronbach’s alpha, excellent test-retest reliability and excellent concurrent validity show that the HELT-LL is a valid and reliable measure of health literacy in our target population. As there is a paucity of health literacy research emanating from developing countries, this study presents a significant contribution to literature. It is the first study to report the development and validation of a health literacy measure to address the dearth of available health literacy measures applicable for South Africa. If implemented for use in clinical settings and for research purposes, it could provide valuable South African health literacy data which could inform the development of interventions focusing on improving health literacy and health outcomes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Marimwe, Chipiwa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Health literacy -- South Africa , Patient education -- South Africa , Communication in medicine -- South Africa , Health literacy -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Poor -- Medical care -- South Africa , Analysis of variance , Multidimensional Screener of Functional Health Literacy (MSFHL)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62661 , vital:28227
- Description: The growing complexity of healthcare demands greater patient involvement and skills to navigate this complex system. It has therefore become increasingly important to identify individuals with inadequate health literacy, by using efficient, short and reliable measures for doing so. Most research on the development and validation of health literacy tests has been conducted in high-income countries, with very little reported from low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Existing health literacy measures have come under scrutiny for their lack of cultural sensitivity, bias towards certain population groups and failure to acknowledge health literacy as a multidimensional concept. These measures usually have limited application in LMICs due to the significantly different structuring of healthcare systems, they overlook the extreme discrepancies in educational levels, and rely too heavily on the ability to read health information. No health literacy data for South Africa are available, and only a few health literacy-based research papers have been published in this country. The aim of the study was to develop and validate a health literacy measure that is contextually and culturally appropriate to measure health literacy in limited literacy public sector patients in South Africa. An Item Bank of 30 questions was developed with the input of a diverse expert consultant panel, and included skills-based and self-reported questions which ensured cultural, contextual and educational level appropriateness. The Information and Support for Health Actions Questionnaire (ISHA-Q) is a health literacy measure developed to assess health literacy for LMICs which includes 14 core scales. These were useful in ensuring coverage of a range of health literacy constructs within the Item Bank. The 30 questions were then allocated to one of three health literacy domains: Procedural knowledge, Factual knowledge and Access to healthcare, health services and social support. Ethical approval for the study was obtained. The questions were translated into isiXhosa and underwent pilot testing. Following pilot testing, 120 isiXhosa first-language speakers, at least 18 years old, who attended public sector facilities and had a maximum 12 years of education were recruited from a primary healthcare clinic in Grahamstown. An interpreter was trained and he participated in all interviews. A questionnaire was used to collect data on the 30-question Item Bank. The Multidimensional Screener of Functional Health Literacy (MSFHL) was used as the primary comparator.The second phase of the study involved the refinement of the 30 questions in the Item Bank, which involved a multi-stage process. Data were analysed statistically using t-test, correlations, chi-square and ANOVA tests at a 5% level of significance, in order to identify problematic questions. Item Response Theory was used to ascertain difficulty and discriminatory ability of the questions. Each question was further subjected to in-depth interrogation by a panel of healthcare professionals to ensure that questions were supported by the conceptual framework and the definitions of health literacy adopted for this study. The number of questions was reduced from 30 to 12, and formed the new Health Literacy Test - Limited Literacy (HELT-LL). To validate the HELT-LL, 210 patients with the same inclusion criteria as previously noted, were recruited from four primary healthcare clinics in the Eastern Cape Province. Individual interviews were conducted with the assistance of the interpreter to collect sociodemographic data as well as data from the HELT-LL, the primary comparator (MSFHL), and a secondary comparator which was a South African modified version of the Newest Vital Sign (NVS-SA). The HELT-LL was re-administered to 40 patients in a follow-up interview two weeks later. The HELT-LL categorised only 17.6% of the patients as having adequate health literacy, just over a third with inadequate health literacy, and the majority with marginal health literacy. Questions in the cognitively demanding Procedural knowledge domain were the most poorly answered, with a mean score of 48.6±24.9%. Patients had great difficulty performing the basic numeric tasks in this domain. The overall mean score for the HELT-LL was 52.8±18.4%, compared with the more cognitively demanding NVS-SA with a mean of 28.6±21.1%, and clearly illustrated the impact of the strategy to include in the HELT-LL a variety of questions with differing cognitive load. The MSFHL, which is based on demographic characteristics and perceived difficulties with reading and writing, had an overall mean score of 44.4±26.2%. Demographic characteristics including age, education and English literacy, were found to be good predictors of limited health literacy, with significant correlations being found between these variables and the mean HELT-LL score. An acceptable value for Cronbach’s alpha, excellent test-retest reliability and excellent concurrent validity show that the HELT-LL is a valid and reliable measure of health literacy in our target population. As there is a paucity of health literacy research emanating from developing countries, this study presents a significant contribution to literature. It is the first study to report the development and validation of a health literacy measure to address the dearth of available health literacy measures applicable for South Africa. If implemented for use in clinical settings and for research purposes, it could provide valuable South African health literacy data which could inform the development of interventions focusing on improving health literacy and health outcomes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The relationship between leadership, group identity and intention to attend: the case of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Mazantsana, Pumla
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Leadership -- South Africa -- Research , Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Absenteeism (Labor) -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32741 , vital:32340
- Description: The study investigated the relationship between leadership, group identity and intention to attend; among a sample of employees in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Since it is a common occurrence that public entities in South Africa are faced with high labour turnover and absenteeism as a result of failure to attend, strategies are required that will assist in reducing this challenging issue. The expectation is that by virtue of the leadership authorities and responsibilities, they play an important in the effective functioning of such public entities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mazantsana, Pumla
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Leadership -- South Africa -- Research , Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Absenteeism (Labor) -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32741 , vital:32340
- Description: The study investigated the relationship between leadership, group identity and intention to attend; among a sample of employees in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Since it is a common occurrence that public entities in South Africa are faced with high labour turnover and absenteeism as a result of failure to attend, strategies are required that will assist in reducing this challenging issue. The expectation is that by virtue of the leadership authorities and responsibilities, they play an important in the effective functioning of such public entities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Servant leadership: antecedent to Quality of Worklife of customer service frontline employees
- Authors: Bedser, Mark Bernard
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Call center agents Servant leadership Customer Service -- Quality control Employee morale Job satisfaction Quality of work life
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62144 , vital:28132
- Description: Contact Centre agents operate in closely monitored and highly controlled environments and their work consists of solving service requests or assisting customers with information on products or services. Consequently their work involves a great deal of emotional labour and stress. It is not surprising then, that the working environment of the Contact Centre is reported to have a negative impact on the levels of Quality of Worklife of Contact Centre agents, and that in the Contact Centre context, it is likely that low levels of Quality of Worklife exist. It is argued that it is important for organisations to be particularly aware of the Quality of Worklife perceptions of their employees should they want to address Quality of Worklife levels and benefit from the positive consequences of higher levels of the construct. Numerous variables are reported to play either an antecedent, moderating, mediating, or consequential role in relation to the Quality of Worklife construct. A systems model of Quality of Worklife is developed, which illustrates the inter-relationships of these variables and how they affect and are affected by the Quality of Worklife construct. It is argued that leadership is an important antecedent to Quality of Worklife, and this is the antecedent of interest in this study. It is proposed that it is not just any leadership that will contribute to an improved Quality of Worklife, particularly within a challenging context such as the Contact Centre environment. Rather, it is suggested that certain qualities of leaders will have a greater influence on Quality of Worklife. For example, leaders who focus on relationships and are caring - characteristics associated with servant leaders - are deemed more suitable for the Contact Centre context. The research also proposes that there are close associations between Servant Leadership and Trust, which in turn has the potential to affect Quality of Worklife positively. It is argued, therefore, that Trust mediates the relationship between Servant Leadership and Quality of Worklife in the customer service frontline context. While there is a broad base of literature available on servant leadership that focuses on the senior or executive level of leadership, Van Dierendonck and Nuijten (2011) have argued that it is also relevant at the middle level of management and have validated an eight dimensional measure of servant leadership that is suitable for this management level. The Van Laar, Edwards and Easton (2007) Quality of Worklife model is also argued to be an appropriate model and measure of the Quality of Worklife construct, due to the robustness of the instrument design and the appropriateness of its underlying theory to the context of this research. Research has shown that leadership can have a significant relationship with Quality of Worklife. Moreover, a review of the literature on servant leadership reveals that trust, satisfaction, general well-being, and commitment to their jobs increases when employees are exposed to leadership behaviours associated with servant leadership. There is however, no evidence in the literature of any investigation of the relationship between Servant Leadership and Quality of Worklife, or of research investigating the partial mediating effects of Trust between these two constructs. Research was conducted to test this relationship. A survey questionnaire was administered amongst a sample of 555 Contact Centre agents, who were employed in eight different organisations. Confirmatory factor analysis procedures were conducted in STATA (V15.0), to test and validate the factor structure of Servant Leadership and Quality of Worklife models. The research also produced a Servant Leadership, Trust and Quality of Worklife structural equation model that supported the hypotheses of the relationships between the constructs. Mediation analysis confirmed Trust’s role as a mediator between Servant Leadership and Quality of Worklife. The structural equation model confirmed that synergies between Servant Leadership, Trust and Quality of Worklife exist, and that Trust partially mediates the relationship between Servant Leadership and Quality of Worklife. It is therefore argued that an increase in Servant Leadership behaviour by the manager or supervisor of frontline staff has a positive association with increases of Trust, as well as positive associations with Quality of Worklife experienced by employees in the frontline context. Moreover, it is also posited that the relationship between Servant Leadership and Quality of Worklife is partially mediated by Trust of the supervisor. The implications of these results are discussed, and recommendations made for management practice and further research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Bedser, Mark Bernard
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Call center agents Servant leadership Customer Service -- Quality control Employee morale Job satisfaction Quality of work life
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62144 , vital:28132
- Description: Contact Centre agents operate in closely monitored and highly controlled environments and their work consists of solving service requests or assisting customers with information on products or services. Consequently their work involves a great deal of emotional labour and stress. It is not surprising then, that the working environment of the Contact Centre is reported to have a negative impact on the levels of Quality of Worklife of Contact Centre agents, and that in the Contact Centre context, it is likely that low levels of Quality of Worklife exist. It is argued that it is important for organisations to be particularly aware of the Quality of Worklife perceptions of their employees should they want to address Quality of Worklife levels and benefit from the positive consequences of higher levels of the construct. Numerous variables are reported to play either an antecedent, moderating, mediating, or consequential role in relation to the Quality of Worklife construct. A systems model of Quality of Worklife is developed, which illustrates the inter-relationships of these variables and how they affect and are affected by the Quality of Worklife construct. It is argued that leadership is an important antecedent to Quality of Worklife, and this is the antecedent of interest in this study. It is proposed that it is not just any leadership that will contribute to an improved Quality of Worklife, particularly within a challenging context such as the Contact Centre environment. Rather, it is suggested that certain qualities of leaders will have a greater influence on Quality of Worklife. For example, leaders who focus on relationships and are caring - characteristics associated with servant leaders - are deemed more suitable for the Contact Centre context. The research also proposes that there are close associations between Servant Leadership and Trust, which in turn has the potential to affect Quality of Worklife positively. It is argued, therefore, that Trust mediates the relationship between Servant Leadership and Quality of Worklife in the customer service frontline context. While there is a broad base of literature available on servant leadership that focuses on the senior or executive level of leadership, Van Dierendonck and Nuijten (2011) have argued that it is also relevant at the middle level of management and have validated an eight dimensional measure of servant leadership that is suitable for this management level. The Van Laar, Edwards and Easton (2007) Quality of Worklife model is also argued to be an appropriate model and measure of the Quality of Worklife construct, due to the robustness of the instrument design and the appropriateness of its underlying theory to the context of this research. Research has shown that leadership can have a significant relationship with Quality of Worklife. Moreover, a review of the literature on servant leadership reveals that trust, satisfaction, general well-being, and commitment to their jobs increases when employees are exposed to leadership behaviours associated with servant leadership. There is however, no evidence in the literature of any investigation of the relationship between Servant Leadership and Quality of Worklife, or of research investigating the partial mediating effects of Trust between these two constructs. Research was conducted to test this relationship. A survey questionnaire was administered amongst a sample of 555 Contact Centre agents, who were employed in eight different organisations. Confirmatory factor analysis procedures were conducted in STATA (V15.0), to test and validate the factor structure of Servant Leadership and Quality of Worklife models. The research also produced a Servant Leadership, Trust and Quality of Worklife structural equation model that supported the hypotheses of the relationships between the constructs. Mediation analysis confirmed Trust’s role as a mediator between Servant Leadership and Quality of Worklife. The structural equation model confirmed that synergies between Servant Leadership, Trust and Quality of Worklife exist, and that Trust partially mediates the relationship between Servant Leadership and Quality of Worklife. It is therefore argued that an increase in Servant Leadership behaviour by the manager or supervisor of frontline staff has a positive association with increases of Trust, as well as positive associations with Quality of Worklife experienced by employees in the frontline context. Moreover, it is also posited that the relationship between Servant Leadership and Quality of Worklife is partially mediated by Trust of the supervisor. The implications of these results are discussed, and recommendations made for management practice and further research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Investigating a new wealth tax in South Africa: Lessons from international experience
- Arendse, Jacqueline A, Stack, Elizabeth M
- Authors: Arendse, Jacqueline A , Stack, Elizabeth M
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/69434 , vital:29536 , https://jefjournal.org.za/index.php/jef/article/view/175/193
- Description: In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on new sources of taxation, including wealth tax. In South Africa, two phenomena have driven the focus on wealth tax. Firstly, the need for additional tax revenue to fund an ongoing and growing budget deficit, exacerbated by a prolonged period of low economic growth, rising government debt and a very small base of individual taxpayers. Secondly, the fact that South Africa has one of the most unequal societies in the world. The dual demands of increased tax revenue and economic inequality have converged around wealth tax as a possible panacea to both problems. Although South Africa has a long history of wealth transfer tax in the form of estate duty and donations tax, there has never been a tax on the net wealth holdings of individuals during their lifetime. Internationally, numerous countries have used wealth tax in various forms, including inheritance tax, gift tax, recurrent wealth tax and non-recurrent wealth tax. This study examines some of the international experiences with these three categories of wealth tax, seeking lessons and experiences that can inform the debate around the viability of a new wealth tax in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Arendse, Jacqueline A , Stack, Elizabeth M
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/69434 , vital:29536 , https://jefjournal.org.za/index.php/jef/article/view/175/193
- Description: In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on new sources of taxation, including wealth tax. In South Africa, two phenomena have driven the focus on wealth tax. Firstly, the need for additional tax revenue to fund an ongoing and growing budget deficit, exacerbated by a prolonged period of low economic growth, rising government debt and a very small base of individual taxpayers. Secondly, the fact that South Africa has one of the most unequal societies in the world. The dual demands of increased tax revenue and economic inequality have converged around wealth tax as a possible panacea to both problems. Although South Africa has a long history of wealth transfer tax in the form of estate duty and donations tax, there has never been a tax on the net wealth holdings of individuals during their lifetime. Internationally, numerous countries have used wealth tax in various forms, including inheritance tax, gift tax, recurrent wealth tax and non-recurrent wealth tax. This study examines some of the international experiences with these three categories of wealth tax, seeking lessons and experiences that can inform the debate around the viability of a new wealth tax in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The use of photography as a vehicle for socio-cultural commentary on the stigmatisation of albinism in sub-Saharan Africa
- Authors: Pragnell, Robyn Monica
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Photography -- Social aspects , Photography -- Digital techniques Photography -- Research Photography -- Africa Three-dimensional display systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22541 , vital:29998
- Description: This study provides an investigation into the current transition socio-culturally concerned photographers are making from traditional two-dimensional flat imagery, towards three-dimensional materiality based photographic installation artworks. According to Dr. Gillian Rose (2016), larger society is found to be in a state of oculacentrism, where vision and visuals are central to contemporary every day experience, resulting in the medium of photographic expression not being used and experienced by the average person as an art medium at all. So much so that these traditional photographic forms of visual communications have found a decline in visual engagement and subsequently visual impact. In an attempt to combat this change in the relationship between photographic imagery and audiences, select socio-cultural photographers are adopting practices incorporating three-dimensional, immersive installation techniques (Shore, 2014: 7-11), (Lister, 2007: 272). The aim is to provide a three-dimensional installation space, where the audience is encouraged to engage with socio-cultural issues. The study focuses specifically on two sociocultural photographers, Damien Schumann and Angelica Dass, who have communicated socio-cultural stories in this three-dimensional photographic installation space. In order to analyse and derive valuable techniques and approaches from their selected works The Shack (2010) and Humanae (2017) the study combines sections of Dr. Gillian Rose’s Visual Methodologies Framework (2016) as well as installation analysis tools designed by author Mark Rosenthal (2003). The same analytical criteria are then applied to the practical components socio-cultural topic communicating the Stigmatism Towards Persons With Albinism in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study concludes having created a three-dimensional photographic installation exhibition using similar techniques identified within the selected artists, moving beyond twodimensional forms to present a combination of three-dimensional techniques for enhanced socio-cultural visual communications.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Pragnell, Robyn Monica
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Photography -- Social aspects , Photography -- Digital techniques Photography -- Research Photography -- Africa Three-dimensional display systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22541 , vital:29998
- Description: This study provides an investigation into the current transition socio-culturally concerned photographers are making from traditional two-dimensional flat imagery, towards three-dimensional materiality based photographic installation artworks. According to Dr. Gillian Rose (2016), larger society is found to be in a state of oculacentrism, where vision and visuals are central to contemporary every day experience, resulting in the medium of photographic expression not being used and experienced by the average person as an art medium at all. So much so that these traditional photographic forms of visual communications have found a decline in visual engagement and subsequently visual impact. In an attempt to combat this change in the relationship between photographic imagery and audiences, select socio-cultural photographers are adopting practices incorporating three-dimensional, immersive installation techniques (Shore, 2014: 7-11), (Lister, 2007: 272). The aim is to provide a three-dimensional installation space, where the audience is encouraged to engage with socio-cultural issues. The study focuses specifically on two sociocultural photographers, Damien Schumann and Angelica Dass, who have communicated socio-cultural stories in this three-dimensional photographic installation space. In order to analyse and derive valuable techniques and approaches from their selected works The Shack (2010) and Humanae (2017) the study combines sections of Dr. Gillian Rose’s Visual Methodologies Framework (2016) as well as installation analysis tools designed by author Mark Rosenthal (2003). The same analytical criteria are then applied to the practical components socio-cultural topic communicating the Stigmatism Towards Persons With Albinism in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study concludes having created a three-dimensional photographic installation exhibition using similar techniques identified within the selected artists, moving beyond twodimensional forms to present a combination of three-dimensional techniques for enhanced socio-cultural visual communications.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
A critical analysis of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) dispute resolution process
- Authors: Olivier, Carl Hendré
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: South African Revenue Service , Conflict management Civil procedure -- Trials, litigation, etc Dispute resolution (Law) -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23011 , vital:30294
- Description: The SARS dispute resolution process was developed to ensure disputes are resolved in a constitutional manner (i.e. fair, accountable and efficient). The aim of this study was to investigate whether the dispute resolution process adheres to the constitutional requirements as required in terms of section 195 of the Constitution. The study summarised the rules of the dispute process in the various stages (i.e. assessment / discovery stage, objection stage, appeal stage and the litigation stage). The litigation stage was considered to be out of the scope for the study. Using the summary, the significant processes were identified based on set criteria for detailed analysis. The significant processes identified were:Prescribed form and manner, date of delivery and objection against an assessment and extension of time periods, Reasons for assessment, Appeal against rejection of an objection Each of the significant processes was analysed in detail by considering the treatment of the processes in various cases in the courts. Based on the analysis, the following conclusions were reached on the significant processes:Prescribed form and manner, objection against an assessment and extension of time periods – This process was considered to be flawed since the process does not provide for the SARS to be responsible for clerical or processing errors. It was recommended that the taxpayer should not be bound by the set timelines should the SARS issue an assessment which contains clerical or processing errors. It was also noted that there are no set rules when there is evidence of fraud, misrepresentation or non-disclosure of material facts in the case and it was recommended that set rules be included in the rules and the TAA to address the consequences, prescription period and processes surrounding cases where fraud, misrepresentation or non-disclosure of material facts is present. Reasons for assessment – The process was considered to be adequate, however it was recommended that the process be improved by including a set criteria for the SARS to comply with when providing reasons for an assessment to the taxpayer., Appeal against rejection of an objection – The process was considered to be adequate. Based on the findings, the conclusion was drawn that the dispute resolution process is considered to be adequate and constitutional with some reservations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Olivier, Carl Hendré
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: South African Revenue Service , Conflict management Civil procedure -- Trials, litigation, etc Dispute resolution (Law) -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23011 , vital:30294
- Description: The SARS dispute resolution process was developed to ensure disputes are resolved in a constitutional manner (i.e. fair, accountable and efficient). The aim of this study was to investigate whether the dispute resolution process adheres to the constitutional requirements as required in terms of section 195 of the Constitution. The study summarised the rules of the dispute process in the various stages (i.e. assessment / discovery stage, objection stage, appeal stage and the litigation stage). The litigation stage was considered to be out of the scope for the study. Using the summary, the significant processes were identified based on set criteria for detailed analysis. The significant processes identified were:Prescribed form and manner, date of delivery and objection against an assessment and extension of time periods, Reasons for assessment, Appeal against rejection of an objection Each of the significant processes was analysed in detail by considering the treatment of the processes in various cases in the courts. Based on the analysis, the following conclusions were reached on the significant processes:Prescribed form and manner, objection against an assessment and extension of time periods – This process was considered to be flawed since the process does not provide for the SARS to be responsible for clerical or processing errors. It was recommended that the taxpayer should not be bound by the set timelines should the SARS issue an assessment which contains clerical or processing errors. It was also noted that there are no set rules when there is evidence of fraud, misrepresentation or non-disclosure of material facts in the case and it was recommended that set rules be included in the rules and the TAA to address the consequences, prescription period and processes surrounding cases where fraud, misrepresentation or non-disclosure of material facts is present. Reasons for assessment – The process was considered to be adequate, however it was recommended that the process be improved by including a set criteria for the SARS to comply with when providing reasons for an assessment to the taxpayer., Appeal against rejection of an objection – The process was considered to be adequate. Based on the findings, the conclusion was drawn that the dispute resolution process is considered to be adequate and constitutional with some reservations.
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- Date Issued: 2018