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An analysis of the views of Minibus Taxi drivers and commuters to road safety : a case study of the Northern Areas of Port Elizabeth

  • Authors: Ferreira, Bernice Aloma
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Transportation -- South Africa -- Public opinion , Transportation -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Urban transportation -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Commuters -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Commuting -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Transportation -- Safety measures , Traffic safety -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: vital:8191 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1402 , Transportation -- South Africa -- Public opinion , Transportation -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Urban transportation -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Commuters -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Commuting -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Transportation -- Safety measures , Traffic safety -- South Africa
  • Description: People without private transport are dependent on public transportation. Public transport, particularly minibus taxis, is the most popular mode of transport in the Northern Areas of Port Elizabeth. The objective of the minibus taxi industry is to provide public transport to minibus taxi commuters in an economically, reliable and safe manner. The focus of this case study was to explore and determine the views of minibus taxi commuters who utilised minibus taxis as a form of public transport, as well as the views of minibus taxi drivers in terms of adhering to road safety requirements on Stanford Road in Port Elizabeth. The literature survey revealed that transport in South Africa has had a political dimension arising from the Group Areas Act 41 of 1950. One consequence of this Act, which imposed residential segregation on the country, was that poor black commuters were forced to live far out of town, forcing them to travel long distances to places of work and commercial centres, with a commensurate increase in transport costs. Data was collected by means of two structured questionnaires which were administered to minibus taxi drivers and minibus taxi commuters to explore their views and experience of road safety on Stanford Road in Port Elizabeth. A discussion on the minibus taxi industry, minibus taxi associations and law enforcement agencies in Port Elizabeth, as well as the sustainability of the minibus taxi industry, followed in Chapter Three. Through this case study, valuable insight was gained regarding the minibus taxi industry and road safety in Port Elizabeth. Finally, recommendations to improve road safety were made.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

An analysis of two tug propulsion systems in the Port Elizabeth harbour

  • Authors: Dlamini, Dumsani Andrieson
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Tugboats -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Harbors -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Propulsion systems
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: vital:8643 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1422 , Tugboats -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Harbors -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Propulsion systems
  • Description: The shipping industry is reliant on port authorities for the facilitation of safe entry and departure of ships at the ports. This role can not be fulfilled without the assistance of harbour tugs which are run by the marine operations section of the Transnet National Ports Authority. The tugs have to be safe and efficient in the process of pulling and pushing ships around the harbour. Harbour tugs are expensive to acquire and to maintain. The marine operations business has to make appropriate choices of tug propulsion design in order to realise the benefits of the tugs acquired by the ports authority. This can be achieved by analysing the current tugs that the operations are using, which will then serve as valuable information when the time for asset replacement is due. The researcher chose to use the two tug propulsion designs currently used by the Port Elizabeth harbour tugs as a basis for this analysis. The analysis links the three factors of maintenance management, equipment efficiency and equipment safety, to the minimisation of operational costs as perceived by the tug personnel, the pilots and the marine managers. This study seeks to verify the link between these factors and the perceived minimisation of operational costs. Available literature was reviewed and data was collected using a suitably designed questionnaire for this research. This research paper has led to recommendations that should inform the tug acquisition decisions and raise the awareness of the marine employees to relate the factors set out above to minimise operational costs.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

An assessment of local participation within the decentralised framework: a case of Lilongwe District Council

  • Authors: Sado, Davis Greg
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Local governmen -- Malawi -- Citizen participation , Decentralization in government -- Malawi , Municipal services -- Malawi
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: vital:11621 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/375 , Local governmen -- Malawi -- Citizen participation , Decentralization in government -- Malawi , Municipal services -- Malawi
  • Description: The research analyses local participation as it is implemented within the Lilongwe District Council. The study explores decentralisation in the council by examining important facets that contribute to good local governance with a special interest in local participation. The study finds that while local participation is a recognized feature in the decentralisation policy, lack of proper involvement and integration has limited the efficacy of local participation. The neglect of government in conducting local government elections to have ward councillors in place is brought to the fore as a major setback to the implementation of decentralisation reforms. The study therefore notes that decentralisation must not be seen as just a policy goal, with the aim of shifting development to the communities, but as a policy instrument which aims to improve local democracy, efficiency and effectiveness in the provision of social services. In order to achieve this, the study proposes five key recommendations and a proposed model for the attainment of good governance in the Council.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

An assessment of the effect of absenteeism on service delivery in the Eastern Cape department of health: Nelson Mandela Bay municipality district

  • Authors: Mwanda, Prophetta Ukho-Yena Jadedeja
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Absenteeism (Labor) -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Absenteeism (Labor) -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: vital:8209 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1139
  • Description: This study is an assessment of the effect of absenteeism on service delivery in the Eastern Cape Department of Health: Nelson Mandela Bay District Municipality. The work was a corollary of repetitive negative feedback from the press that the researcher was concerned and embarked to investigate possible causes of these allegations by the press. The Department of Health being a public entity has a responsibility to provide quality health services to the community. Government introduced a service delivery mechanism which is enshrined in the White Paper on the Transformation of the Public Service in 1997, through the Batho Pele principles. The researcher argued that if the Batho Pele principles were practiced in the delivery of services the aforementioned repetitive feedback on health services would be minimal. Among a variety of possibilities that could cause the Batho Pele principles not to be practiced the researcher was interested to ascertain if absenteeism could be among them. The researcher asserted that, if human capital is the delivery tool of services, the absence of the human capital therefore posed a negative effect on the delivery of such services. Therefore an inverse relationship exists between absenteeism and service delivery. This relationship was affirmed by the responses of participants through the analysis of questionnaires on absenteeism and service delivery. Absenteeism is a management aspect that has a negative effect in both the financial and delivery aspect of the organisational performance. It is therefore the researchers’ sincere hope that the Department of Health will consider the deductions drawn from this study and recommendations thereof. The researcher further hopes that this study contributes to the existing body of knowledge in relation to organisational behaviour and becomes employer ammunition for service delivery.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

An assessment of the effectiveness of trade union participation in municipal decision-making: a case study of the Buffalo City Municipality

  • Authors: Apraku, Amos
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Arbitration, Industrial -- South Africa , Labor unions -- South Africa , Local government -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Municipality
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:9037 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1262 , Arbitration, Industrial -- South Africa , Labor unions -- South Africa , Local government -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Municipality
  • Description: The objectives of this study were to first identify the decision-making bodies structures in the Buffalo City Municipality. Secondly, to assess compositions, powers and functions of such identified bodies or structures. The field study was limited to the administrative jurisdictions of the Buffalo City Municipality; however, the findings and recommendations were applicable to all municipalities in South Africa with the same or similar decision-making like the Buffalo City Municipality. In order to achieve the research objectives, a review of the relevant literature was done. It began by first looking at the constitutional and other legislative provisions establishing the Municipal government system or concept. The literature review looked at the powers and functions given to municipal governments by such constitutional provisions and how effective are such powers exercised. The literature further highlighted the role of trade unions participation and civil society groups in the smooth and effective administration of the municipality and in making the Integrated Development Planning a successful one. The data collection was done by means of questionnaire, focus group discussions complimented by face-to-face interviews. Forty respondents were sampled from six different trade unions and top municipal management. The data collected were analysed thematically with the use of frequency tables, pie charts and histograms. The findings of the study showed among other things that, the highest decision-making body in the municipality is the municipal council supported by various committees, boards and directorates. All the legislative and executive powers are vested in the municipal council. Again, it became known that, the municipal workers unions participate effectively in labour related issues whereas the non-municipal workers unions participate poorly in all consultative processes. In conclusion, there is the urgent need to bring all stakeholders including trade unions in the municipality during decision-making processes in order promote sustainable development in the municipality.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

An assessment of the impact of traditional leaders and ward councillors relations on service delivery: the case of Mnquma local municipality in the Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Mkata, Goodwin Pumelele
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Tribal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal officials and employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: vital:11625 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/333 , Tribal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal officials and employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Political leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Description: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of traditional leaders and ward councillors‟ roles on service delivery in Mnquma Local Municipality. Not much research has been conducted in this field. The researcher wanted to ascertain the extent of conflict between traditional leaders and ward councillors in providing services to the communities and provide mechanisms to harness these. In this study relevant literature and legislative frameworks were reviewed. From the literature review, it was evident that service delivery is essential to the communities, and as such, municipalities have a critical role to play. The data collection instruments used, were questionnaires and interviews. In order to achieve the objectives, questionnaires were distributed to the participants and interviews were conducted. After analysing the data, the researcher formulated conclusions and from those conclusions, some recommendations were made.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

An economic analysis of the 2007 SCB conference

  • Authors: Wait, Requier
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Biodiversity conservation -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Conservation biology -- South Africa , Biology -- Societies, etc , Managerial economics -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: vital:8981 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1131 , Biodiversity conservation -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Conservation biology -- South Africa , Biology -- Societies, etc , Managerial economics -- South Africa
  • Description: The Society for Conservation Biology held their 21st annual conference in Port Elizabeth during July 2007. This was the first SCB conference hosted on the African continent. Over 1500 conservation professionals and students from throughout the world were brought together by the SCB annual meeting. The local organizing committee was interested in the economic impacts associated with the conference and approached the NMMU Economics Department to conduct an economic impact assessment of the conference. The Economics Department invited the researcher to undertake this study towards obtaining an MCom degree in Economics. The economic impact of conferences stems from two sources, namely: expenditure by delegates (the demand-side) and the expenditure by conference organizers (the supply-side). The study focused on the economic impacts of the conference for the Eastern Cape. The conference expenditure produced an increase in demand in the Eastern Cape. Only new expenditure originating from outside the Eastern Cape were considered. An increase in the demand for one industry’s output will create additional demand for the outputs of its supplying industries, because industries are connected through forward and backward linkages. These inter-industry linkages produce a multiplier effect. The initial direct conference expenditure created secondary impacts. The latter were indirect and induced expenditures. In addition to secondary impacts, the SCB conference produced spill-over impacts. The spill-over impacts of the conference were noted (but not quantified). The expenditure by delegates was determined by means of a delegate expenditure questionnaire conducted during the conference. The expenditure by the conference organizers was determined in consultation with the organizers, using their financial statements. The multiplier impacts were estimated by means of an input-output (IO) analysis, using a Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) of the Eastern Cape as the underlying database. These multipliers (Type 1 and 2 multipliers) were estimated using open and closed multiplier models. It was deduced that the 2007 SCB conference created a significant and positive net economic impact in the Eastern Cape. The total direct cash injection of the conference was R12.141 million. Using a Type 1 multiplier this direct stimulus is estimated to have caused an extra R16.502 million increase in gross output. Using a Type 2 multiplier this direct stimulus was estimated to have caused a R19.884 million increase in gross output. The total cash injection of the conference contributed R6.093 million to GVA in terms of a Type 1 multiplier and a R7.344 million increase in GVA in terms of a Type 2 multiplier. Household incomes in the Eastern Cape were increased by R3.384 million. These results confirm that the hosting of major events and conferences is indeed a tool for promoting regional economic development.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

An empirical phenomenological investigation of procrastinating behaviour

  • Authors: Barratt, Neal Anthony
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Procrastination Self-actualization (Psychology) Cognitive psychology
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: vital:2929 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002438
  • Description: A qualitative empirical phenomenological study was undertaken to determine the self-experience of procrastinating behaviour. Five students each gave an account of an occasion when they procrastinated. The resultant protocols were analysed and the Situated Structure of each individual’s experience was reported. From these, the General Structure of procrastinating behaviour was determined. A further, novel step was added to the standard methodology, whereby ‘themes’ were extracted from participant protocols and a ‘Composite Reality’ of everyday-life procrastination was rendered. Participants’ accounts suggest they are concerned the results of intellectual tasks they undertake will be seen as equivalent to their quality of being-as-an-individual: poor work results will be interpreted by important-others as evidence of participants’ poor quality of self – which is to be avoided. This study suggests that procrastination is a ploy used by individuals to avoid criticism, by deflecting assessment of their capacity to complete a task well, to instead, what they are capable of when only a limited time is available. Conclusions drawn by the important-others of participants’ true ability are thereby confounded. The results achieved in the phenomenological study were compared with others originating from various quantitative studies, and considerable overlap was found. The experiential richness of the phenomenological results point to a worthwhile methodological strategy for future procrastination research.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

An environmental education portfolio: three small scale studies informing school greening activities and professional development of teachers in two rural Eastern Cape schools in SANBI's Greening the Nation Project

An evaluation into the implemation of the arts and culture learning area in Bizana schools of the Eastern Cape Province

  • Authors: Mbeshu, Nonceba Cynthia
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Arts -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Culture -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Teachers -- Training of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Curriculum evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
  • Identifier: vital:8508 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1189 , Arts -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Culture -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Teachers -- Training of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Curriculum evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Description: “Arts in education are arts that play a radical different role in the open classroom than traditional school. Arts are the real business of reading, writing, math or science” Siberman cited in Mark, (1995:160). This view by Siberman sharply contrasts with my observations in my school. During CASS moderation sessions, teachers bring learner portfolios with no learning activities, others prefer to teach learning areas they are qualified for rather than teaching Arts and Culture because they have no background knowledge in Arts and Culture. The question I wrestled with was: what could be the challenges faced by the Arts and Culture teachers given the fact that training has been conducted since the inclusion of the learning area in the curriculum from 1999 to date? In an implementation evaluation study that I conducted among four schools in the Bizana Area of the Eastern Cape Province, I found out through participant observation, questionnaires and interviews from four sampled senior phase teachers, that some of the participants have stopped teaching Arts and Culture in their schools because ‘they do not know what to teach’. Through the use of a thematic content analysis approach, I found out that many teachers complain about their lack of background knowledge of the art forms and that there is limited time provided in the timetable to teach this learning area. Seemingly, there are still challenges in the implementation of the learning area in this district. The results indicate a serious need for formal training of the Arts and Culture teachers with proper qualifications in more than one art form.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

An evaluation of citizen participation in low-income housing settlement in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa: the case of the Tyutyu Housing Project in Buffalo City Municipality (1985-2010)

  • Authors: Ssekibuule, Henry Jacob Festus
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Community development Urban -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Case studies , Local government -- Citizen participation , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Case studies , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Case studies , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Case studies , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: vital:11631 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/337 , Community development Urban -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Case studies , Local government -- Citizen participation , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Case studies , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Case studies , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Case studies , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Description: The provision of housing is a developmental practice and development cannot prevail without public participation. This is echoed in the Manila Declaration on People‟s Participation and Sustainable Development, 1989 as follows, “Public participation is an essential part of human growth that is the development of self-confidence, pride, initiative, responsibility, cooperation. Without such development within the people themselves, all efforts to alleviate their poverty will be immensely more difficult, if not impossible” (Burkey, 1993:56). Housing provision plays a vital role in meeting basic needs; dwellings provide the security required for basic functioning and are thus essential for both human development and the alleviation of poverty. South Africa has one of the most progressive constitutions in the world. It includes the municipal legislative framework that provides for community participation in decision-making at municipal level. However, in practice, citizens have had little experience of this, which is particularly relevant in contexts of severe poverty and failure by the state to provide basic services. This case study demonstrates the challenges faced by the Centre for Public Participation (CPP), a national NGO, when working to influence central government policy on citizen participation. It also explores the role and influence of international donors in promoting this agenda. From the literature review, it was evident that service delivery is essential in the communities, and, as such, government departments and municipalities have a critical role to play. In order to achieve this goal, an interview was conducted with various interviewees. The participants ranged from the youth to the elderly citizens in the community as well as government officials. The main patterns that emerged from the collected data related to the dissatisfaction of the community about the lack of consultation. It would be advisable for government, especially municipalities, to take cognizance of the results and concerns, in an effort to improve and ensure the effective service delivery, as stipulated in the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) document.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

An evaluation of leadership characteristics required to meet the demands of a strategic change process in the automative cluster in the Eastern Cape region

  • Authors: Angloher, Sanette
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Leadership , Organizational change
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DTech
  • Identifier: vital:9341 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1261 , Leadership , Organizational change
  • Description: Against a backdrop of increasing globalisation, deregulation, the rapid pace of technological innovation, a growing knowledge workforce, and shifting social and demographic trends, the primary task of management today is the leadership of organisational change (Graetz, 2000:550). In the words of Lussier and Achua Abstract v (2001:9): “The companies that will survive in the new global competitiveness environment are those that can attract and maintain leaders”. The above emphasises the important role of managers during times when change take place in the organisation. Yet employees are often managed inappropriately in a period of change. There are two reasons for this: (1) managers managing change are under pressure which undermines their own performance, (2) organisations often do not possess managers who are skilful at handling change. It is this second reason that will form the focus of this study. Carnall (1999:105) states that managing change effectively requires an understanding of both what is and seems likely to happen and of how people react to change, and a skilful management performance. Leaders must take on more facilitative roles, as competencies in change management become critical to creating and sustaining effective organisations. The major technological advances of today rely heavily on leaders to facilitate change. Leaders need to encourage people to “collaborate, take risks, take responsibility and be accountable for the change process the organisation must continually undergo to maintain a leadership position in its industry”, according to Moran and Brightman (2000:3). They furthermore argue that “change leaders recognise that they are always trying to balance stability and change. It is a delicate balance to accomplish since employees desire order and stability, while organisations must be ready to adapt to changing conditions quickly”. In this rapidly changing world, organisations must become more flexible, more responsive, and more willing to change and adapt. They must create and assimilate new knowledge at an increasing pace, encourage innovation, and learn to compete in new ways. Dess and Picken (2000:30) argue that the leaders of these organisations must be proactive in facilitating organisational learning and encouraging positive adaptation to external changes. The above shows what an important role leaders/managers have to play in the strategic change process. They need to possess the requisite skills in leadership, problem solving, continuous improvement, team effectiveness, and customer service in order to ensure the long-term growth and stability in the organisation which change can bring about. This research project will identify the various skills needed to successfully manage a change initiative.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

An evaluation of the BAE/SAAB South African Royal Manufacturing project in Virginia, Free State Province : a case study of the implementation of the South African Defence Offsets

  • Authors: Wellmann, Gwendolyn
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Arms transfers -- South Africa , Weapons industry -- South Africa , South Africa -- Military relations
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
  • Identifier: vital:9075 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1296 , Arms transfers -- South Africa , Weapons industry -- South Africa , South Africa -- Military relations
  • Description: This study is an evaluation of the BAE Systems/SAAB consortium National Industrial Programme project, South African Royal Manufacturers (SARM), which forms part of BAE Systems/SAAB’s National Industrial Participation Programme (NIPP) obligations resulting from their participation in South Africa’s 1998 Strategic Procurement Programme (popularly referred to as the ‘arms deal’). SARM was a gold chain manufacturing plant, located in the Free State mining town of Virginia and which was implemented by the BAE Systems/SAAB consortium in partnership with the Harmony Gold Mining Company. Funding for the business was provided by the BAE Systems/SAAB consortium as part of their industrial participation obligation. This funding was supplemented with a loan obtained from the South African Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to the value of 40% of the cash funds; while land and buildings, as well as loans in the form of gold granules and bars, were provided by Harmony Gold Company, as part of what they describe as their corporate social responsibility towards the Virginia area where they are the only mining company operating; and also simultaneously as their obligation towards gold beneficiation as required by law. The business failed after less than 12 months of operation amidst allegations of theft of gold and the sudden lay-off of approximately 500 poor black rural women. The company’s liquidation appears to be on the backburner indefinitely. The study was conducted over a period of 18 months, and this thesis written over several more. As part of this evaluation several issues were investigated. These issues are: the push for beneficiation of South African mined metals; the National Industrial Participation Programme; local government development; the BAE Systems/SAAB consortium and other similar companies which are involved in jewellery production for export as part of both the country’s beneficiation drive, as well as the 3 NIPP. These other companies are used in this study as a ‘control’ group against which SARM’s performance can be measured realistically. Different research methods were used during the evaluation, including secondary document reviews, face-to-face and telephonic interviews with key-informants, the use of e-mail to contact key-informants, as well as conducting face-to-face questionnaires with random interviewees, and a focus group discussion with SARM ex-workers. There were several limitations to this study. The primary limitation was the inaccessibility of official and legal documents pertaining to both SARM, and the 1998 arms deal. SARM no longer exists, and thus the evaluation results should be used as lessons learned for similar projects in the future.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

An evaluation of the Child Justice Act

  • Authors: McGregor, Melissa
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Children -- Legal status, laws, etc -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
  • Identifier: vital:10175 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1278 , Children -- Legal status, laws, etc -- South Africa
  • Description: “No civilized society, regards children as accountable for their actions to the same extent as adults”.1 In the absence of a justice system applicable exclusively to children in conflict with the law in South Africa, children are subjected to the same rigours of the criminal law applicable to adults in South Africa. “States Parties recognize the right of every child alleged as, accused of, or recognized as having infringed the penal law to be treated in a manner consistent with the promotion of the child's sense of dignity and worth, which reinforces the child's respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of others and which takes into account the child's age and the desirability of promoting the child's reintegration and the child's assuming a constructive role in society”.2 As a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, South Africa has a duty to ensure that the children in conflict with the law are treated in a manner that gives effect to the protectionary ideals espoused in the Convention. In July 2000, the South African Law Commission [Project 106] released the Child Justice Bill3, together with its Report on Juvenile Justice. Because the child justice system at present is not governed by legislation, uncertainty and inconsistency are constant dangers. We need legislation to ensure that all children in conflict with the law are dealt with consistently, fairly and appropriately. The question that needs to be answered in this treatise, is whether the Child Justice Act 75 of 2008, which comes into effect on 01 April 2010, is a legislative framework that incorporates due process rights together with the rights of children who is alleged to have committed an offence, to be protected and treated in a manner appropriate to their age.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

An evaluation of the impact of corruption, economic status and political influence on the Malawian construction industry

  • Authors: Phiri, Mulima Anaclet
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Construction industry -- Malawi
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:9688 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1155 , Construction industry -- Malawi
  • Description: The key objectives of this MSc (Construction Management) dissertation are to evaluate the negative impact of: corruption; political influence, and the poor economy on the construction industry; in order to gain insight regarding the management of the sector to achieve the desired project deliverables, which are: • Achievement of a functional fit for purpose built environment, which is to the clients’ requirements; • Achievement of a Financially viable product in line with the clients’ budget; • Achievement of a successful and timely completion, and • Achievement of the required quality standard of the final product. To achieve the above mentioned project deliverables, the study entailed the following prominent findings: • There is a need to manage political greed in the distribution of development projects, and functionality of the product to suit the client / community; • There is a need to manage, mitigate and combat corruption in order to diminish the dominance of unscrupulous contractors over others, and to achieve clients’ desired quality standards; • There is a requirement to manage the construction policy formulation process and governance of laws and regulations to revamp the retrogression of the industry, and • There is a requirement to manage project cost to significantly boost the ailing economy. In conclusion, the study evaluates the Malawi construction industry status and improvements there on. The management of the industry’s phenomena and mind set is of paramount importance to the success of the findings in this study. Recommendations to improve the status quo relative to the findings are: to train all active stakeholders in construction management courses; a national initiative to sensitise the community regarding the powers granted to them, as an electorate of the stakeholders; to change the phenomenon of and mindset relative to bribes, and finally to derive a passion for construction and for the associated built environment.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

An evaluation of the local economic development strategy: the case of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality

  • Authors: Pillay, Sareesha
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Local Economic Development (Programme) , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
  • Identifier: vital:8207 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1160 , Local Economic Development (Programme) , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Description: The central objective of the research study was to evaluate the 2020 Citywide Economic Growth and Development strategy, with reference to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM). The Citywide Economic Growth and Development strategy for the NMBM was developed in 2004 in relation to the need for Local Economic Development. The need for Local Economic Development (LED) has been mandated by the national government of South Africa as prescribed in the direction toward developmental local government post - 2000. The National Framework for Local Economic Development in South Africa serves as a strategic implementation guide for municipalities. The National Framework for Local Economic Development provides a supportive foundation to assist municipalities such as the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in improving its economic development through concentrations on suggested actions. Through support for municipal Local Economic Development strategies, the objective of Local Economic Development was to offer local government, private sectors, non - profit organisations and local communities the opportunity to work together to improve the local economy. The aim has thus been to enhance competitiveness and encourage inclusive sustainable growth. The 2020 Citywide Economic Growth and Development strategy for the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality includes its strategic approach to promote sustainable growth within its specified municipal environment. Formulation of the strategy includes descriptions of sector strategies as a mechanism to promote transformation and improved economic development in a sustainable manner. Content Analysis and the case study methods were utilised to evaluate the 2020 Citywide Economic Growth and Development strategy in the undertaking of the research study as a way of examining the formulation of the Local Economic Development strategy of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, in order to determine v the shortcomings in Local Economic Development as brought about by ineffective policy formulation process. Discourse Analysis was also used to understand the policy foundations as influenced by the previous apartheid regime and its accompanied injustices on the citizens of South Africa. The brief descriptions of major economic developments and sector strategies for the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality shows the detachment of policy content from clear strategic action plans has depicted an incongruence in efficiency and sustainable development. This has placed developmental policy formulation under scrutinisation and evaluation. The findings indicate that there is a need for revision and/ or reformulation of the current 2020 Citywide Economic Growth and Development strategy of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in promotion of effective sustainable development and an improved local economy. The impact of a failure to revise and rework the strategy has detrimental effects on the promotion of an effective and efficient economy in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. Therefore, the lack of detail within the 2020 Citywide Economic Growth and Development strategy must be tackled by policy formulators to ensure economic growth and an alignment with the objectives as contained in the national mandate for economic development.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

An evaluation of the time frame of the disclosure process in the evidence of 97 child witnesses in cases in the Belville sexual offences court

  • Authors: Lehmann, Caron Mary
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Disclosure of information -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
  • Identifier: vital:10174 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1279 , Disclosure of information -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
  • Description: When children are sexually abused it usually takes place in concealment. This means that unless the child reveals the abuse, it will remain hidden. This study commences with an examination of the reasons as to why a child may delay the disclosure of sexual abuse. The result of research indicates that there are certain recognisable reasons, which are frequently encountered, as to why a child may either delay telling anyone about his or her experience or as to why s/he may never tell anyone. Traditional assumptions of what are considered normal reactions to sexual abuse are tested. The discussion then moves on to considering the approach of the South African courts in regard to evaluating the manner and timing of a child’s revelations, as well as to considering the impact which a delay may have on the acceptance of that child’s evidence. Intrinsic to this analysis is the progress made in our courts, and by the legislature, in recognising factors that influence a child to either blurt out the information immediately or conceal it for a period of time. Thereafter, the testimony of 97 child victims of sexual abuse is analysed with a view to determining whether these children fit the profiles raised in research on the subject and described in some of the case law. The rate of attrition in cases of sexual offences against children is considered as well as the role that cross-examination plays in either enhancing or reducing a child’s ability to accurately describe an acceptable motivation for the delay in disclosure. The study concludes with a discussion of how well child victims are served in a legal environment designed to provide a forum for eliciting the truth from a child witness. The use of intermediaries and the impact of cross-examination is discussed as well as the ability of judicial officers to adjudicate in matters requiring highly specialized knowledge and experience.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

An examination of how organisational policy and news professionalism are negotiated in a newsroom: a case study of Zimbabwe's Financial gazette

  • Authors: Gandari, Jonathan
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Financial gazette Journalism -- Zimbabwe Journalism -- Political aspects -- Zimbabwe Journalistic ethics Journalists -- Zimbabwe Newspapers -- Zimbabwe Mass media -- Political aspects -- Zimbabwe Mass media -- Law and legislation -- Zimbabwe
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:3430 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002884
  • Description: The construction of journalistic professionalism in Zimbabwe has stirred debate among scholars. Critics have argued that professionalism has been compromised by the stifling media laws in Zimbabwe as well as the extra legal measures the state has enforced to control the press. Some have also argued that a new kind of journalism must be emerging in the Zimbabwean newsroom as journalism try to cope with the political and economic pressures bedeviling the country. Much of this criticism however, has not been based on close interrogation of professionalism from the perspective of the journalists in any particular newsroom. It is against this background that this study examines the constructions of professionalism at the Financial Gazette. In particular it explores the meaning of professionalism through interrogating the journalistic practices the journalists consider during the process of news production in the context of overwhelming state power. In undertaking this examination, the study draws primarily on qualitative research methods, particularly observation and multi-layered individual in-depth interviews. As the study demonstrates, the interrogation of professionalism from the perspective of newsroom practices uncovers the complex manner in which professionalism is negotiated in the Gazette’s newsroom located in a country undergoing transition in Democracy. The study establishes that when measured against normative canons of journalistic professionalism the Gazette is deviating from such tenets as public service and watchdog journalism. As the study indicates, perhaps unbeknown to the respondents, the ruling ZANU PF party hegemony is reproduced at the Gazette through choice of news values such as sovereignty and patriotism all euphemisms for ruling party‘s slogans.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

An examination of international trophy hunters' South African hunting experiences

  • Authors: Han, Xiliang
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Hunting trophies -- South Africa , Big game hunting -- South Africa , Big game animals -- South Africa , Safaris -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
  • Identifier: vital:9362 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1244 , Hunting trophies -- South Africa , Big game hunting -- South Africa , Big game animals -- South Africa , Safaris -- South Africa
  • Description: The diversity of wildlife resources and the highly-developed trophy hunting and game ranching industry make South Africa a sought-after destination for travelling hunters. Significant economic, social and ecological benefits result from the annual visits of 16 000 hunters. These benefits, in turn, accelerate industry competition. To maintain or increase the clientele base, hunting providers should continue to manage and improve their clients’ safari experiences. This research investigated visiting hunters’ South African safari experiences by measuring their perceptions of service quality, satisfaction and behavioural intention. The results of the research could assist hunting providers in identifying areas where service expectations are not met and understanding the impact of service quality and satisfaction on clients’ loyalty. The literature study contextualised the South African trophy hunting industry within the tourism environment, the realms of wildlife tourism, and the characteristics of hunting tourism. An overview of tourism services, service quality, customer satisfaction, and behavioural intention was also provided. The resulting conceptual model hypothesised relationships among the safari experience variables (service quality, satisfaction and behavioural intention). ii The empirical data were collected by means of a mail survey, using a self-administered questionnaire distributed to 2 000 foreign hunters who had participated in a South African hunting safari at least once between 2003 and 2007. Two hundred and thirty six completed questionnaires were returned, giving a response rate of 13.2%. The majority of the hunters were male, aged between 40 and 60 years, and from the United States of America and Europe. Hunters perceived the level of service quality delivery by hunting providers to be relatively high and were generally satisfied with their South African safaris. As a result, they were willing to return for another hunting experience and were very likely to speak positively about their experiences. By performing exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, a three-factor (augmented services, core services and supporting services) service quality construct was identified and confirmed. Multiple regression analyses found that core services was the strongest predictor of overall satisfaction; overall satisfaction was significantly related to revisit intention; and revisit intention significantly predicted word-of-mouth intention. An empirical model was accordingly constructed to replace the original conceptual model. iii It is recommended that South African hunting safari providers should: {u10007A} use the suggested measuring instrument to monitor their performance of service quality delivery on a regular basis; {u10007A} train their employees to ensure that they are knowledgeable and well prepared for field guidance and to promote ethical hunting practices; {u10007A} ensure an abundance of game and a wilderness atmosphere in the hunting area; {u10007A} conduct focus group studies to further understand the factors that shape clients’ perceptions of the safari experience; and {u10007A} invest in developing long-term relationships with existing clients.
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  • Date Issued: 2010

An explanatory study into the rehabilitation of ex-freedom fighters in Gweru, Zimbabwe from 1990 to 1995

  • Authors: Charema, John
  • Date: 2010
  • Subjects: Guerrillas -- Zimbabwe -- Gweru , Political rehabilitation -- Zimbabwe -- Gweru , Nationalism -- Zimbabwe -- Gweru , Zimbabwe -- Politics and government -- 1990-1995 , Zimbabwe -- History -- 1990-1995
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:8202 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1223 , Guerrillas -- Zimbabwe -- Gweru , Political rehabilitation -- Zimbabwe -- Gweru , Nationalism -- Zimbabwe -- Gweru , Zimbabwe -- Politics and government -- 1990-1995 , Zimbabwe -- History -- 1990-1995
  • Description: The purpose of the study was to explore the rehabilitation of ex-combatants who fought the Zimbabwe liberation war, thus to find out if these ex-combatants received counseling and were resettled or reintegrated within the period 1990 to 1995. In order to maintain focus the aims of the study were set out as follows: • to focus on rehabilitation which encompasses taking care of the ex-combatants who were disabled and or injured during the war, as well as counseling, reintegrating and resettling them and • to explore whether the ex-combatants who were demobilized and those who opted for a civilian life were rehabilitated. • to explore if the ex-combatants were reintegrated. • to understand how the ex-combatants were coping with their lives and • to discover how they perceived their support from the government at the time of their demobilisation. The study concentrated on ex-combatants in Gweru, who were to be rehabilitated from 1990 to 1995. In-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted to achieve the objectives set out for the study. The results of the study indicate that there was no rehabilitation, counseling, resettlement and real integration. The findings clearly indicate that these ex-combatants still think of being resettled, allocated good land for farming. They went on to suggest being paid pension by the government and to have their children employed, educated and supported by the government.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2010
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