Showing items 1221 - 1240 of 1373

The post-secondary education system: Towards policy formulation for equality and development

  • Authors: Badat, Saleem
  • Date: 2014
  • Language: English
  • Type: Text
  • Identifier: vital:7861 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016410
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The potential and reality of the Living Lab model of ICT for Development (ICT4D) in the rural development context : the case of Siyakhula Living Lab, Dwesa, Eastern Cape, South Africa

  • Authors: Mosuoe, Teboho Priscilla
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Siyakhula Living Lab , Information technology -- South Africa -- Dwesa-Cwebe , Communication in economic development -- South Africa -- Dwesa-Cwebe , Rural development projects -- South Africa -- Dwesa-Cwebe , Rural development -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Dwesa-Cwebe , Rural development -- South Africa -- Dwesa-Cwebe -- Sociological aspects , Rural development projects -- Evaluation , Social networks -- South Africa -- Dwesa-Cwebe
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
  • Identifier: vital:3381 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013289
  • Description: This thesis explores the contribution of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in rural development processes. Within the framework of social capital theory, and in the context of the information society, the study examines how the collaborative and innovative model of ICT for Development (ICT4D) can enhance social networks and information channels in rural communities, thereby enabling the active participation of rural community members in their own development processes. The study examines networks and information channels both within the rural communities under investigation and between these communities and other sectors in the society. The thesis studies the case of the Siyakhula Living Lab (SLL), an ICT4D initiative in the Mbashe Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. During the investigation, four types of networks were identified: local organisations, social institutions, collective community projects and social ties. It was found that the Living Lab has so far influenced the creation of new forms of networks through the common spaces (computer labs) which have been made available by the Living Lab. The study further showed that the use of computers has enabled other community members to partake in the wider community of online/virtual social networks, allowing them to communicate and share information with those outside their own communities. The study also showed that the Living Lab has enabled the networking of these communities with other sectors such as academia. It was, however, found that so far the existence of the Living Lab has not influenced the already existing local networks in these communities. Also, the study showed that the relationship between these rural communities and their government and industry partners as stakeholders in the Living Lab is currently ineffective. Nevertheless, this situation has a potential to change in the future as there are ICT applications which have been developed through collaboration with rural community members, which will assist in enhancing communication between these rural communities and other stakeholders. The study finally revealed that social networks do contribute to the functioning of communities by providing both monetary and social support to community members, even though, in effect, the monetary benefits are somewhat limited by a number of factors. It is revealed that the engagement of ICT could go a long way in improving social and economic activities, governance and service delivery, as well as education in these communities.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The potential for solar water heaters in urban development in KwaZulu-Natal

  • Authors: Dlepu, Thobisa Miranda
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Solar water heaters , Solar heating , Renewable energy sources
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:9251 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021184
  • Description: The study found that investing in solar water heater system (SWH) would be an economically, socially and environmentally viable option to implement within urban households; in which the hot water demand, volume of hot water consumption, water heating costs, and electricity tariffs are high. Investing in solar water heater technology should be the key focus of South African government; in order to enhance the wellbeing of the ordinary citizens. The study made use of the qualitative research approach to investigate solar water heater drivers and barriers; from the perspective of energy consumers. This will be achieved by focusing on the major drivers and barriers that consumers consider when making decisions on adoption of solar water heater system. It is believed that solar water heater drivers and barriers substantially influence the potential and urban development thereof. Solar heat is utilized in the residential sector for heating water for bathing, cleaning, washing and cooking food, but its availability is limited (Arora & Arora, 2013). Renewable energy has become a wild card internationally and regionally because of the technical, economic and environmental barriers affecting the disadvantaged individuals.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The potential role of schools in skills development of local communities

  • Authors: Mthabela, Samson Mandlenkosi
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Community development , Community schools
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4485 , vital:20606
  • Description: South Africa is faced with socio-economic challenges of poverty, unemployment, health issues, drug abuse and many more. Stakeholders such as public, private sectors as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are trying to address some of these socio-economic challenges. For example, the public sector has initiated amongst other programs, an Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) to create job opportunities specifically for semi-skilled and unskilled people, private sector is offering learner-ship opportunities to newly qualified students in order to gain work experience and NGOs have initiated various community based programs where community members are assisted to make a living and being cautioned about health and other issues through awareness campaigns. This research has been initiated to try and address skills shortages that could reduce unemployment and further assist community members to make a living through starting their own businesses. The researcher has identified schools as one of the community resources that could be used to teach basic skills in the communities as schools have human and physical resources that could be utilized to teach these skills. For this research specific school subjects in particular have been identified as having the potential of transferring the theory that is taught in schools into skills which could be taught to community members. The community skills development program was a proposed tool and if is set up could try and address the skills shortages in communities. The research has been conducted focusing on school teachers teaching specific subjects as well as community development practitioners. The majority of research participants’ responses were positive about the setting up of a skills development program. Benefits for community members such as employment which could reduce poverty, crime and drug abuse were highlighted while challenges such as funding and availability of facilitators were also mentioned. A further study has been recommended to continue with specific processes of setting up this skill development program.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The preparation of antigen for the generation of polyclonal antibodies against the capsid subunit, VP1, and the viral protease, 3Cpro, of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV)

  • Authors: Moetlhoa, Boitumelo
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Enteroviruses , Encephalomyelitis , Antigens
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:4118 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013225
  • Description: The Picornaviridae is a family of viruses of economic importance that have a major impact on human and animal health. Some of the major genera found in the Picornaviridae family are Enterovirus which includes Poliovirus (PV) and Human Rhinovirus (HRV), Cardiovirus which includes Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) and Saffold virus (SAFV), Aphthovirus of which the Foot and Mouth disease virus (FMDV) is a member and Hepatovirus which includes Hepatitis A virus (HAV). Picornaviruses have a single stranded, positive sense RNA genome which is approximately 7.5-8.4 kb pairs in size. The picornavirus genome is translated into a large polyprotein and is proteolytically cleaved by viral proteases namely 2Apro, 3Cpro and 3CDpro into mature viral structural and non-structural polypeptides encoded by the P1, P2 and P3 domains. Picornaviruses utilise host cell machinery and cellular pathways for entry and uncoating, genome replication and capsid assembly. In our laboratory, we are studying the mechanisms by which TMEV interacts with host cell components and our recent research shows that molecular chaperones are required for a production infection. To follow up on this observation, the overall aim of this study was to prepare antigen for the generation of polyclonal antibodies against the TMEV VP1 and 3Cpro proteins. To this end, the TMEV VP1 and 3Cpro amino acid sequences were analysed to identify hydrophobic, hydrophilic and antigenic regions. Homology modelling was performed in order to predict linear B cell epitopes exposed on the surface of the protein structures. The full length coding sequences of VP1 and 3Cpro were selected for amplification by the PCR and cloning into pQE-80L for expression in a bacterial system. Time course induction studies of recombinant VP1 and 3Cpro showed that the proteins were maximally expressed at 6 hrs and 4 hrs respectively. Recombinant VP1 was solubilised using the detergent, Sarcosyl and purified by Nickel affinity chromatography under native conditions. Because recombinant VP1 co-purified with an unidentified protein, the pET expression system was used. Although no protein of the estimated size was observed by SDS-PAGE analysis in the time course induction study, Western analysis using anti-His6 (2) antibodies detected a signal of ~35 kDa. Solubility studies resulted in the presence of two protein bands in the insoluble fraction resolved between 35 and 40 kDa. Recombinant 3Cpro expressed in a bacterial system was predominantly present in the insoluble fraction. Treatment with Sarcosyl had no effect on the solubility of the recombinant protein and it was therefore purified under denaturing conditions using 8M urea. Following dialysis, 3Cpro was used for immunisation of rabbits. Crude anti-TMEV 3Cpro antibodies were able to detect as little as 107 ng of bacterially expressed antigen at a dilution of 1:100 000 by Western analysis. The presence of contaminating proteins was reduced using pre-cleared anti-TMEV 3Cpro antibodies. The antibodies were unable to detect virally expressed 3Cpro in BHK-21 cell lysate supernatant. In an attempt to determine whether TMEV 3Cpro is present in the insoluble fraction, anti-TMEV 3Cpro antibodies were tested using total protein prepared from infected and mock-infected cell lysates. Once again, no protein band the size of 3Cpro was detected. The antibodies were further tested for detection of 3Cpro in TMEV-infected cells by indirect immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. A diffuse cytoplasmic and perinuclear distribution, as well as nuclear staining, was observed in infected BHK-21 cells. This staining pattern resembled that observed for the HRV, FMDV and EMCV 3Cpro in similar experiments. Further experiments are required to confirm specificity of these antibodies for virally-expressed 3Cpro by Western analysis and indirect immunofluorescence.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The presumption of gult created by Section 235(2) of the Tax Administration Act: a constitutional and comparative perspective

  • Authors: Faifi, Farai
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Guilt (Law) -- South Africa , Presumption of innocence -- South Africa , Income tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Human rights -- Taxation -- South Africa , Taxpayer compliance -- Moral and ethical aspects -- South Africa , Taxation -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: vital:907 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012979
  • Description: This research examined the legal nature of the presumption of guilt created by section 235(2) of the South African Tax Admiration Act and considered whether or not its practical application violates the taxpayer’s fundamental right contained in section 35(3) of the Constitution, which gives every accused taxpayer the right to a fair trial, including the right to be presumed innocent. The research also provided clarity on the constitutionality of this presumption because it has been widely criticised for unjustifiably violating the taxpayer's constitutional right to a fair trial. The conclusion reached is that the presumption created by section 235(2) of the Tax Administration Act constitutes an evidentiary burden rather than a reverse onus. It does not create the possibility of conviction, unlike a reverse onus where conviction is possible, despite the existence of a reasonable doubt. Therefore, it does not violate the accused taxpayer’s the right to a fair trial and the right to be presumed innocent and hence it is constitutional. Accordingly, the chances that the accused taxpayer will succeed in challenging the constitutionality of section 235(2) of the Act are slim.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The principle of complementarity : a critical analysis of Article 17 of the Rome Statute from an African perspective

  • Authors: Mohami, Thapelo Adelice
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Complementarity (International law) , Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (1998 July 17) , International Criminal Court , Criminal jurisdiction -- Africa , International crimes -- Africa , Crimes against humanity -- Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
  • Identifier: vital:3720 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013326
  • Description: This thesis attempts to address perennial concerns, mostly raised in some quarters in Africa, pertaining to the development of the complementarity regime established by the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. It grapples with a very important question, whether the principle of complementarity, embodied in article 17 of the Rome Statute, was formulated and is being applied by the ICC in a manner that upholds the ideals and theories upon which the regime was founded. The principle of complementarity is designed to mediate the imperatives of State sovereignty and a legitimate international criminal justice system. Essentially, complementarity gives States latitude to try genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and aggression nationally, with the ICC only intervening where States are either unable or unwilling to prosecute genuinely. Africa constitutes the biggest regional block of membership to the Rome Statute, however, over the years; support for the ICC on the African continent has waned. It has been argued in some quarters that the ICC is anti-African and that it has interpreted and applied complementarity in a manner that diminishes State sovereignty. The thesis argues that this tension may also be due to textual deficiencies inherent within the Rome Statute, in the provisions that embody this principle. It therefore examines complementarity from a theoretical perspective to provide a comprehensive account of the system contemplated by the drafters of the Rome Statute. In this regard, the thesis argues for expansion of States’ ability at the national level to deal with international crimes without compromising international criminal justice processes or threatening State sovereignty. This is suggested as a way of relieving the tension that has characterised the relationship between African States and the ICC. The thesis further sketches out some of the complexities inherent in the modalities through which the Court may exercise its complementary jurisdiction, particularly within the African continent, given that legal systems in most African countries are particularly weak. It thus dissects the provisions that outline the principle of complementarity in tandem with the Court’s interpretation and application of complementarity in practice. Furthermore, through an exploratory survey of the referral of the Situation in Uganda, and the ICC Prosecutor’s proprio motu investigation of the Situation in Kenya, the thesis illustrates how a positive approach to complementarity can help establish a healthy cooperative synergy between the ICC and States, thereby promoting a functional expeditious criminal justice system. This will go a long way towards assuaging State’s fears that the ICC merely pays lip service to complementarity and arbitrarily supersedes national jurisdiction.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The process of relational play therapy between a trainee therapist and a maltreated child : a case study

  • Authors: Watkiss, Sheralyn Ann
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Play therapy , Therapist and patient , Abused children
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:9970 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020977
  • Description: Research in the field of attachment theory and object relations theory has indicated that early attachments between a child and his or her primary caregiver have significant implications for the development of that child. Early relationships begin to shape the child’s sense of self and other and healthy relationships lead to secure attachments. However, children who encounter early maltreatment or a disruption in caregivers are particularly vulnerable to developing insecure attachments and a disrupted sense of self and other, which has consequences for their subsequent psychological development. In the South African context, increasing numbers of children are being orphaned or placed in formal foster care with many children at risk for insecure attachments. This has implications for therapeutic work with an increased need to promote secure attachment relationships and a stable sense of self and other. The current case study aimed to describe the relational experience of play therapy that took place between a maltreated five year old female child and a female trainee therapist with this purpose in mind. The therapeutic process was embedded within a relational therapy framework which included object relations and attachment theory. The researcher made use of a qualitative descriptive dialogic research approach to conduct the research. The data were analysed using content analysis, where the play therapy sessions were analysed according to concepts relating to Fairbairn’s (1963) object relations theory as well as Winnicott’s (1965) object relations theory. Prominent themes that emerged included the role of the holding environment, splitting of good and bad objects and the presence of a false self versus a true self. In addition, the conflicting presence of two repressed ego structures, namely the libidinal and antilibidinal ego structure were noted throughout the therapeutic process.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

the programmable bride

  • Authors: Krueger, Anton
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/229698 , vital:49701 , xlink:href="https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC156969"
  • Description: the man gently opens his machine and finding an agreeable port for his firm flash, he eagerly installs the software he's been waiting on for so very long... once booted up, the man takes his first tentative steps, finding his bride perfect in every way, already completely in love with him, and dreamy... the man tenderly reaches out for her-she understands him so well, she's concerned about his needs, she wants to know how he feels, wants only to please him, she only-/but-there's an interruption/somebody's on the stairs, someone's knocking at his door-the man is forced to close her down a little too abruptly, shutting the machine to attend to other matters while he's away he can't wait to get back, he thinks about her all the time; he longs to flip his laptop lid up, to open her again... but when finally he silently prises open the instrument of his heart's desires, she seems a little disorientated... he didn't shut her down properly …
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The promise of justice

  • Authors: Clarke, John G.I.
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Chiefdoms--South Africa--Eastern Cape.
  • Language: English
  • Type: Book , Text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/379374 , vital:67336 , 978-1874976-63-9
  • Description: "In 1894 with troops massing on the border and Maxim guns taking aim, Cape Prime Minister Cecil Rhodes forced the King of Mpondo iKumkani Mqikela ka Sigcau to finally submit to Colonial rule. A year later, intoxicated by power, Rhodes arbitrarily imprisoned King Mqikela. This when President Jacob Zuma deposed his descendant iKumkani Mpondombini Justice Sigcau as King of Mpondo in 2010, the ghost of Cecil John Rhodes hovered fatefully over the court battle that unfolded over the next three years. When the Constitutional Court handed down judgement seven weeks later the Promise of Justice was fulfilled."
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The quality of life of adolescents living with early childhood HIV-Infection on highly active antiretroviral therapy in Port Elizabeth

  • Authors: Vazi, Thulani
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: HIV infections -- Treatment -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Antiretroviral agents -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , AIDS (Disease) in adolescence
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:9973 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021043
  • Description: This study aimed to explore and describe the quality of life of adolescents living with early childhood HIV infection on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) in Port Elizabeth. The advent of HAART has resulted in HIV being managed as a chronic illness, instead of the fatal disease that it once was. Children born with HIV can now live longer lives, progressing to adolescence and beyond. Chronic illness is known to impact one’s quality of life, so does adolescent development. A convenient sample of 31 adolescents was used in this study, with an exploratorydescriptive research design. The data was gathered using a cross cultural structured questionnaire developed by the World Health Organization, as well as through individual interviews. The data was then analysed by means of descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis. The results identified and presented the quality of life issues that are specific to this population. The results indicate that HIV as a chronic illness does impact the quality of life of adolescents. The adolescents living with early childhood HIV-infection on HAART in this study were very satisfied with their perceptions of their overall quality of life and general health perceptions. They were least satisfied in the Spirituality/Religion/Personal Beliefs and Social Relationships domains; and were most satisfied in the Level of Independence and the Psychological domains. There is a need for the development of (medical and psychosocial) services that can focus on adolescents as a special population with specific developmental needs in order to improve their treatment outcomes and quality of life.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The relationship between authentic leadership, cultural intelligence and employee behaviour

  • Authors: Barrass, Deon Brian
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Leadership , Cultural intelligence , Employees -- Attitudes , Work environment
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:8872 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020336
  • Description: Employee performance is a constant concern for any manager in a company or organisation. Managers have the unenviable task of balancing the meeting of organisational targets through the resources at their disposal. They must also manage their own responsibilities and personal targets which could be different to targets of the employees. These differences could create divergent priorities and affect the manager-employee relationship. Managers, in an effort to create a healthy work environment, need to show leadership qualities that encourage cooperation from their employees. These qualities must enable employees to form trustworthy relationships with their colleagues and the organisation thereby encouraging employee engagement and improved performance. A specific leadership quality that can create this type of positive and productive environment is authenticity. Authentic leadership can engender employee trust and organisational commitment and improve performance. Authentic leadership encourages improved relationships in the organisational environment by allowing employees and managers to communicate effectively. This encourages understanding of individual and organisational limitations in a non-threatening manner. Cultural intelligence is another quality that can enhance the employee manager relationship and affect the organisational climate. In South Africa’s culturally diverse environment managers from various cultural backgrounds will need to form healthy working relationships with employees and colleagues to encourage cooperation. These challenges and opportunities form the basis for this research study in the hope of informing managers of the relevance of the research topic and encouraging a change of behaviour and further study within the South African work environment.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The relationship between double taxation agreements and the provisions of the South African Income Tax Act

  • Authors: Stack, Elizabeth M
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: vital:21102 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6384 , http://journals.co.za/content/jefs/7/2/EJC157823
  • Description: This article investigates the legal status of Double Taxation Agreements, and the relationship between Double Taxation Agreements, which are concluded in terms of section 108 of the Income Tax Act, and the provisions of the Income Tax Act (taking into account the provisions of the Constitution, and the national and international rules for the interpretation of statutes). An important conclusion reached was that as the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties represents customary international law and as such forms part of South African law, the principles contained in the treaty should be taken into account when interpreting South African legislation (including Double Taxation Agreements).The final conclusion of the research was that Double Taxation Agreements have a dual nature – forming part of domestic legislation and being classified as international agreements. The provisions of the Double Taxation Agreement should be taken as overriding any conflicting legislation in the Income Tax Act.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The relationship between employee engagement and performance in a South African bottling company

  • Authors: Sauls, Lucretia
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Management -- Employee participation , Employees -- Rating of -- South Africa , Performance -- Management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:9420 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021171
  • Description: Employee engagement is emerging as a critical organisational issue especially as organisations are recovering from the trauma of the global recession and constant change. Employee engagement has been an area of interest among many researchers and it has received even greater recognition among consulting firms. Therefore, there is a need for academic research on this theory to ascertain the claims of the human resource consulting firms as well as to add to the existing knowledge of employee engagement in the literature. The main aim of the research was to establish whether there is a relationship between employee engagement and performance. The methodology was based on secondary research by means of statistics for employee engagement and performance scores obtained of permanent employees from the organisation under study. A structured survey for employee engagement was used and compared over a two year period as well as performance scores over a two year period. The empirical findings of this study in terms of the relationship between employee engagement and job performance were evident in that a relationship between the variables was proved; however findings from the qualitative research suggest direct and strong relationship between employee engagement and job performance, whereas the current study has not highlighted a very strong relationship based on the empirical findings.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The relationship between service quality, customer satisfaction and customer loyalty in the retail supermarket industry

  • Authors: Ndhlovu, Thinkwell
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Consumer satisfaction , Customer loyalty , Customer services -- Rating of , Customer services -- Quality control , Relationship marketing , Supermarkets -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: vital:1202 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013221
  • Description: The increasingly competitive business environment has influenced contemporary organisations to build mutual beneficial relationships with their customers indicating a paradigm shift from transactional marketing. In order to compete in this intense competitive environment, organisations are creating competitive advantage over their rivals through service quality that will influence customer satisfaction which subsequently leads to customer loyalty. Service quality has been found to be the key strategy of success and survival for most organisations like retail supermarkets who want to win the loyalty of their customers because of its positive effect on customer satisfaction. The purpose of this research was to determine the relationship between service quality, customer satisfaction and customer loyalty in the retail supermarket industry. An empirical study was conducted in Grahamstown between two main supermarkets through a survey that determined customers’ perceptions on service quality, customer satisfaction and customer loyalty respectively. The empirical findings of this research study revealed that moderate to strong positive linear relationships exists between the dimensions of service quality (namely physical aspects, reliability, personal interaction, problem solving and policy) and customer satisfaction at the 5% level of significance. Furthermore, this study showed that dimensions of service quality (namely physical aspects, reliability, personal interaction and problem solving) have weak negative linear relationships with price sensitivity dimension of customer loyalty. The study further showed that the dimensions of service quality (namely physical aspects, reliability, personal interaction, problem solving and policy) have weak to moderate positive linear relationships with the purchase intentions dimension of customer loyalty. In addition, all the dimensions of service quality (namely physical aspects, reliability, personal interaction, problem solving and policy) showed moderate positive linear relationships with word of mouth communication dimension of customer loyalty. A weak negative linear relationship between price sensitivity dimension of customer loyalty and customer satisfaction was revealed in this study. Purchase intentions dimension of customer loyalty was also found to have a moderate positive linear relationship with customer satisfaction. In addition, word of mouth communication dimension of customer loyalty showed a strong positive linear relationship with customer satisfaction. There is sufficient evidence that the customers of the two supermarkets in this study have different perceptions on problem solving dimension of service quality. This study further provides sufficient evidence of the significant difference between gender on the levels of customer satisfaction. In addition, this study showed that customers of various levels of education and occupations differ in price sensitivity dimension of customer loyalty. The average scores for word of mouth communication, purchase intentions and price sensitivity dimensions of customer loyalty were found to be significantly different between the two supermarkets investigated in this study. Therefore, for supermarkets to compete effectively in the intense retail supermarket industry in South Africa they have to manage their service quality dimensions so as to influence customer satisfaction and customer loyalty respectively.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The relationship between work-family conflict and job stress on organisational commitment: a study of selected hospitals within the health department in the Kkonkobe municipality of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

  • Authors: Ruzungunde, Vongai Sarah
  • Date: 2014
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Industrial Psychology)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/955 , vital:26512
  • Description: The aim of this research was to assess whether and to what extent does work-family conflict (WFC) and job stress affect organisational commitment of the employees within the health department. The quantitative design was used for the purposes of this study and the sample consisted of 141 respondents from selected hospitals within the Nkonkobe Municipality. The cluster sampling method was used to select the hospitals and then the simple random sampling was used to select the sample from the cluster. Data was analysed using both inferential and descriptive statistical analysis such as SAS 9.1, T-test scale and The Pearson Correlation Analysis. The results of the study showed significant positive relationships between WFC and job stress. Also, both WFC and job stress showed negative relationships with organisational commitment showing that they affect the commitment of workers. These findings are helpful and useful to the health department in implementing policies and procedures that will reduce WFC and job stress in employees in order to ensure that high levels of commitment towards the organisation are maintained for optimal success.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The relationship between work-family conflict, stress and burnout among South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) employees

  • Authors: Connie, Silingile Yanga
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Work family conflict -- Stress , Burn out (Psychology)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Industrial Psychology)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/966 , vital:26513 , Work family conflict -- Stress , Burn out (Psychology)
  • Description: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between work-family conflict, stress and burnout among South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) employees. For this purpose data was collected from the SASSA agency offices in Alice, King Williams Town and East London. A sample of 72 agency employees was drawn from the population. Results of the study indicated that the study variables are significantly positively correlated with one another. Work family conflict was found to be significantly positively correlated with stress. Stress was also found to be significantly positively correlated with burnout. A significant positive relationship was also found to exist between work family conflict and burnout. The findings of this study are helpful in the social security agency industry in order to design human resources policies which will reduce turnover of agency employees by reducing stress, work family conflict and burnout among the agency employees.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The rising popularity of Pidgin English radio stations in Nigeria: an audience study of Wazobia FM, Lagos

  • Authors: Durodola, Olufunke Treasure Anike
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Wazobia FM (Nigeria) , Radio audiences -- Nigeria -- Lagos , Pidgin English -- Nigeria -- Lagos , Radio stations -- Nigeria -- Lagos , Mass media and culture -- Nigeria -- Lagos , Language and languages -- Variation , Popular culture -- Nigeria , Postcolonialism -- Nigeria
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:3550 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020886
  • Description: This research is located within media studies and draws on the Cultural Studies approach. It is an audience study, which uses the mixed methods of focus group discussions and an online survey to examine the importance of the use of Nigerian Pidgin as a broadcast language in investigating the rising popularity of Pidgin English radio in a multi-ethnic and multi-lingual Nigeria. The study focuses on Wazobia FM, a radio station in Lagos, and the first pidgin station in Nigeria. It seeks to determine whether the station’s audience engaged with the station’s programming based on its prioritisation of NigP and the linguistic identity it offers them. The study foregrounds the marginalised status of NigP within the politics of language in Nigeria. It traces the language’s evolution through popular and oppositional expressions in broadcasting and in music. It also seeks to establish the place of Pidgin English within the role that language plays in the formation of the Nigerian identity. This study thus adopts the ‘emic’ perspective, which underpins qualitative methodology, and views social life in terms of processes as opposed to static terms. The theoretical framework of this research revolves around culture, language and identity. Pertinent concepts in post-colonial studies, together with conceptual frameworks in Cultural Studies, such as popular culture, representation, hegemony and counter-culture have been used to make sense of the popularity of NigP radio stations.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The role of computational thinking in introductory computer science

  • Authors: Gouws, Lindsey Ann
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Computer science , Computational complexity , Problem solving -- Study and teaching
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:4690 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011152 , Computer science , Computational complexity , Problem solving -- Study and teaching
  • Description: Computational thinking (CT) is gaining recognition as an important skill for students, both in computer science and other disciplines. Although there has been much focus on this field in recent years, it is rarely taught as a formal course, and there is little consensus on what exactly CT entails and how to teach and evaluate it. This research addresses the lack of resources for integrating CT into the introductory computer science curriculum. The question that we aim to answer is whether CT can be evaluated in a meaningful way. A CT framework that outlines the skills and techniques comprising CT and describes the nature of student engagement was developed; this is used as the basis for this research. An assessment (CT test) was then created to gauge the ability of incoming students, and a CT-specfic computer game was developed based on the analysis of an existing game. A set of problem solving strategies and practice activities were then recommended based on criteria defined in the framework. The results revealed that the CT abilities of first year university students are relatively poor, but that the students' scores for the CT test could be used as a predictor for their future success in computer science courses. The framework developed for this research proved successful when applied to the test, computer game evaluation, and classification of strategies and activities. Through this research, we established that CT is a skill that first year computer science students are lacking, and that using CT exercises alongside traditional programming instruction can improve students' learning experiences.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The role of Councillors in good governance: the case of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province

  • Authors: Lawack, Jonathan
  • Date: 2014
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1126 , vital:26528
  • Description: The transition of local government from the previous model that existed under apartheid to an inclusive democratic and developmental model, ushered in huge challenges. The transformational agenda for local government that was conceived by the new democratic government, introduced new key performance areas which included infrastructural development of previously neglected residential areas, service delivery to all, accountability and transparency in local government financial management, good governance and capacitation of those assigned to champion these issues. Councillors, being one of the most important stakeholders in local government, had to allow for additional responsibilities in the advancement of the transformational agenda of local government. As provocateurs of good governance which is indispensable for the successful developmental transformation of society, they are required to meet certain standards. This research investigates the factors that may negatively impact on good governance in the NMBM. Firstly, it examines conditions that undermine the development of a culture of good governance within its geographical confines. Secondly, it investigates the suitability and preparedness of councilors on a number of terrains. The research was conducted in the light of the public debate concerning the caliber of councilors in the NMBM while adding value to the academic discourse on this emotive issue. This is achieved by employing a qualitative research approach using a questionnaire and interviews with a specific target population.
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  • Date Issued: 2014
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