An assessment of the role of information and communication technology (ICT) in enhancing employee performance: a case-study of Nkonkobe local municipality
- Oyelana, Akeem Adewale https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7337-3260
- Authors: Oyelana, Akeem Adewale https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7337-3260
- Date: 2015-06
- Subjects: Municipal government , Internet in public administration
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25157 , vital:63983
- Description: The operations and utilisation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) are not well understood and have rarely been addressed both nationally and internationally. The aim of this study is therefore to establish a base level of understanding of the operational core values of ICT in Nkonkobe Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study used a qualitative research design that involved a desktop review methodology. Data was collected through the review of available published or existing documents. Data analysis included using document analysis which consist of the existing information reviewed from the literature or document containing information about various municipalities issues, journals and books as well as reviewed of various data analysis done in relation to the assessment of the role of ICT in enhancing employees performance with the aim of analyzing the organization structure of the municipality. Findings from previous literature revealed that there are constraints faced in the operations and utilisation of ICT. The study confirmed some of the operational hurdles to include lack of IT skills, and lack of clear understanding of ICT as well as training. The findings also identified the search for solutions to the challenges faced by the employees in Nkonkobe Local Municipality by providing an insight for further research regarding the institutional weaknesses and policy issues in this part of the world. The implications of the findings are that unless the limitations named above are resolved, ICT in Nkonkobe Local Municipality will continue to experience poor service delivery, poor economic growth and development. Recommendations to overcome these challenges are suggested. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-06
- Authors: Oyelana, Akeem Adewale https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7337-3260
- Date: 2015-06
- Subjects: Municipal government , Internet in public administration
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25157 , vital:63983
- Description: The operations and utilisation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) are not well understood and have rarely been addressed both nationally and internationally. The aim of this study is therefore to establish a base level of understanding of the operational core values of ICT in Nkonkobe Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study used a qualitative research design that involved a desktop review methodology. Data was collected through the review of available published or existing documents. Data analysis included using document analysis which consist of the existing information reviewed from the literature or document containing information about various municipalities issues, journals and books as well as reviewed of various data analysis done in relation to the assessment of the role of ICT in enhancing employees performance with the aim of analyzing the organization structure of the municipality. Findings from previous literature revealed that there are constraints faced in the operations and utilisation of ICT. The study confirmed some of the operational hurdles to include lack of IT skills, and lack of clear understanding of ICT as well as training. The findings also identified the search for solutions to the challenges faced by the employees in Nkonkobe Local Municipality by providing an insight for further research regarding the institutional weaknesses and policy issues in this part of the world. The implications of the findings are that unless the limitations named above are resolved, ICT in Nkonkobe Local Municipality will continue to experience poor service delivery, poor economic growth and development. Recommendations to overcome these challenges are suggested. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-06
Application of the Lewis Labour Surplus Model in the smallholder agricultural sector of the Eastern Cape Province
- Mgwangqa, Noluchulumanco Petronella
- Authors: Mgwangqa, Noluchulumanco Petronella
- Date: 2015-06
- Subjects: Economic development -- Mathematical models , Labor economics , Surplus (Economics)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23969 , vital:62148
- Description: Rural-urban migration is historically connected to industrialization, urbanization and economic growth. The Lewis model is one of the development theories which provide a good framework of explaining the ways in which the fruits of economic development are spread. Previous studies done in Lewis model in South Africa are still minimal and are only related to the mining sector. Understanding the Lewis labour surplus model in the smallholder agricultural sector is very crucial as agriculture is one of the industries that contribute to the GDP of the country. The application of the Lewis model in the agricultural sector will contribute modestly to available knowledge on labour transition, clarify the ongoing argument on the broad application of the Lewis labour surplus model and more importantly is the need to tease out factors that confirm its validity to the given environment. Thus, the research examines the applicability of the Lewis labour surplus model in the smallholder agricultural sector of the Eastern Cape. It first describes the rate of rural urban migration, causes of rural-urban migration and determines the impact of rural-urban migration on agricultural production.The study was carried in Nkonkobe and Mnquma local Municipalities. Both local municipality were purposively selected because of the high numbers of youth known to have migrated to the urban centres.This study employed a cross-sectional research design. Data was collected at one point in time. Multistage random sampling technique was employed to arrive at the sample size of the study. Data was analysed using descriptive and econometric models. Linear regression model was used to examine the causes of rural urban migration and T-test was also used to test the wage rate difference between rural and urban areas. Lastly Cobb Douglas model was used to test the impact of rural-urban migration on agricultural production. The findings of this research showed that rural urban migration is caused by higher wages, employment opportunities, lack of infrastructure and access to productive land. The results also indicated that urban areas have higher wages than rural areas. Lastly this study provides evidence that the loss of labour through increases in the existing rural-urban migration following rapid urbanizations has an impact on agricultural production. The government should formulate effective policy making in tackling the problems that force people to leave their rural origin and narrowing the development gap between urban and rural areas through the introduction of rural development strategies and effective urban management. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-06
- Authors: Mgwangqa, Noluchulumanco Petronella
- Date: 2015-06
- Subjects: Economic development -- Mathematical models , Labor economics , Surplus (Economics)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/23969 , vital:62148
- Description: Rural-urban migration is historically connected to industrialization, urbanization and economic growth. The Lewis model is one of the development theories which provide a good framework of explaining the ways in which the fruits of economic development are spread. Previous studies done in Lewis model in South Africa are still minimal and are only related to the mining sector. Understanding the Lewis labour surplus model in the smallholder agricultural sector is very crucial as agriculture is one of the industries that contribute to the GDP of the country. The application of the Lewis model in the agricultural sector will contribute modestly to available knowledge on labour transition, clarify the ongoing argument on the broad application of the Lewis labour surplus model and more importantly is the need to tease out factors that confirm its validity to the given environment. Thus, the research examines the applicability of the Lewis labour surplus model in the smallholder agricultural sector of the Eastern Cape. It first describes the rate of rural urban migration, causes of rural-urban migration and determines the impact of rural-urban migration on agricultural production.The study was carried in Nkonkobe and Mnquma local Municipalities. Both local municipality were purposively selected because of the high numbers of youth known to have migrated to the urban centres.This study employed a cross-sectional research design. Data was collected at one point in time. Multistage random sampling technique was employed to arrive at the sample size of the study. Data was analysed using descriptive and econometric models. Linear regression model was used to examine the causes of rural urban migration and T-test was also used to test the wage rate difference between rural and urban areas. Lastly Cobb Douglas model was used to test the impact of rural-urban migration on agricultural production. The findings of this research showed that rural urban migration is caused by higher wages, employment opportunities, lack of infrastructure and access to productive land. The results also indicated that urban areas have higher wages than rural areas. Lastly this study provides evidence that the loss of labour through increases in the existing rural-urban migration following rapid urbanizations has an impact on agricultural production. The government should formulate effective policy making in tackling the problems that force people to leave their rural origin and narrowing the development gap between urban and rural areas through the introduction of rural development strategies and effective urban management. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-06
Assessment of the willingness-to-pay for indigenous animal products in Ngxakaxa households in Mbashe local municipality in Eastern Cape province of South Africa
- Authors: Lusawana, Nangamso
- Date: 2015-06
- Subjects: Willingness to pay , Animal products
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24879 , vital:63667
- Description: The demand for animal products is projected to increase progressively due to extensive urbanization, rapid growth of the human population and income dynamics. The demand for indigenous animal products will increase due to increasing income levels and this will be happening at the time when the supply of indigenous product is reducing as a result urbanization. The purpose of the current study was to assess consumption and willingness to pay for indigenous animal products looking at chicken and pork. The study intended to determine the socio- economic determinants influencing consumer willingness and consumption. Multistage sampling was used to derive a sample of 120 consumers at households. Primary data were collected using a structured interview schedule. Data collected was on household consumer characteristics, responses to different bid levels for indigenous meat and socio-economic determinants. The study used a Contingent Valuation Method to assess consumers‟ mean WTP for indigenous meat and logit model to determine socio-economic determinants influencing consumers‟ WTP. Results indicated that consumers were willing to pay an average premium of 33percent above the current prevailing price of convectional meat. They also showed that about 87percent of consumers who were willing to pay for indigenous meat and about 12.8percent who are willing to pay if the price increases. Of those who were willing a greater proportions were females. About 64percent of those who are willing and aware of indigenous meat most of them obtained information from neighbours and friends, Age, level of education, consumer awareness and monthly household income had a positive and significant effect on WTP. Most of the consumers indicated that indigenous meats are affordable, healthier when compared conventionally-produced meat. The main significant barrier to the purchase of indigenous meat was identified as its limited availability at convenient locations. The study recommends policy intervention aimed at facilitating development of marketing infrastructure, creation of awareness of important nutritional and health benefits of indigenous meat, and boosting the development of animal production systems that can add value to indigenous meat, so as to capture existing market opportunities. This would enhance food security and income generation of the small-scale resource-constrained farmers. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-06
- Authors: Lusawana, Nangamso
- Date: 2015-06
- Subjects: Willingness to pay , Animal products
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24879 , vital:63667
- Description: The demand for animal products is projected to increase progressively due to extensive urbanization, rapid growth of the human population and income dynamics. The demand for indigenous animal products will increase due to increasing income levels and this will be happening at the time when the supply of indigenous product is reducing as a result urbanization. The purpose of the current study was to assess consumption and willingness to pay for indigenous animal products looking at chicken and pork. The study intended to determine the socio- economic determinants influencing consumer willingness and consumption. Multistage sampling was used to derive a sample of 120 consumers at households. Primary data were collected using a structured interview schedule. Data collected was on household consumer characteristics, responses to different bid levels for indigenous meat and socio-economic determinants. The study used a Contingent Valuation Method to assess consumers‟ mean WTP for indigenous meat and logit model to determine socio-economic determinants influencing consumers‟ WTP. Results indicated that consumers were willing to pay an average premium of 33percent above the current prevailing price of convectional meat. They also showed that about 87percent of consumers who were willing to pay for indigenous meat and about 12.8percent who are willing to pay if the price increases. Of those who were willing a greater proportions were females. About 64percent of those who are willing and aware of indigenous meat most of them obtained information from neighbours and friends, Age, level of education, consumer awareness and monthly household income had a positive and significant effect on WTP. Most of the consumers indicated that indigenous meats are affordable, healthier when compared conventionally-produced meat. The main significant barrier to the purchase of indigenous meat was identified as its limited availability at convenient locations. The study recommends policy intervention aimed at facilitating development of marketing infrastructure, creation of awareness of important nutritional and health benefits of indigenous meat, and boosting the development of animal production systems that can add value to indigenous meat, so as to capture existing market opportunities. This would enhance food security and income generation of the small-scale resource-constrained farmers. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-06
Children in conflict with the law: assessing the implementation of the Child Justice Act 75 of 2008 in the Eastern Cape province
- Authors: Chakuwamba, Kapesi Antony
- Date: 2015-06
- Subjects: South Africa. -- Child Justice Act, 2008 , Children -- Legal status, laws, etc
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24945 , vital:63683
- Description: The study explored efforts made by various stakeholders involved in the implementation of the Child Justice Act (CJA). It is essential to get insight on the roles of stakeholders in the child justice and view how their efforts could or do not warrant an effective coordination of the child justice system. This study was inductive in nature. Primary data came from in-depth interviews with individuals and government officials as well as focus groups with children in conflict with the law. Various assumptions relating to delinquent behaviour were highlighted by a description of the various factors underlying or contributing to this behaviour. The theories discussed such as social disorganization and differential association are relevant to this study and help to understand juvenile delinquency. It is essential to look at the extent and causes of juvenile delinquency as well as the history of child justice in South Africa, so that this can be used as a yardstick to measure the development of the law on child justice and see if the coming of the new CJA has made improvements to address juvenile delinquency. This study showed that the development of international and regional norms and standards on juvenile justice such as the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child, the UN Minimum Rules for Administration of Juvenile Justice, the UN Standard Minimum Rules For the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty the UN Guidelines for Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child provide a comprehensive framework at the international level within which the issue of child justice should be understood. The study also argued that although the CJA brought new innovations in the criminal justice system, challenges in various key provisions of CJA such as assessment, preliminary inquiry, diversion, sentencing, child and youth care centres are noted. Other key findings include lack of training or capacity building, unavailability of budget and public education awareness. There is a need to look at these challenges to improve the multi-sectoral implementation of the CJA. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-06
- Authors: Chakuwamba, Kapesi Antony
- Date: 2015-06
- Subjects: South Africa. -- Child Justice Act, 2008 , Children -- Legal status, laws, etc
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24945 , vital:63683
- Description: The study explored efforts made by various stakeholders involved in the implementation of the Child Justice Act (CJA). It is essential to get insight on the roles of stakeholders in the child justice and view how their efforts could or do not warrant an effective coordination of the child justice system. This study was inductive in nature. Primary data came from in-depth interviews with individuals and government officials as well as focus groups with children in conflict with the law. Various assumptions relating to delinquent behaviour were highlighted by a description of the various factors underlying or contributing to this behaviour. The theories discussed such as social disorganization and differential association are relevant to this study and help to understand juvenile delinquency. It is essential to look at the extent and causes of juvenile delinquency as well as the history of child justice in South Africa, so that this can be used as a yardstick to measure the development of the law on child justice and see if the coming of the new CJA has made improvements to address juvenile delinquency. This study showed that the development of international and regional norms and standards on juvenile justice such as the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child, the UN Minimum Rules for Administration of Juvenile Justice, the UN Standard Minimum Rules For the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty the UN Guidelines for Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child provide a comprehensive framework at the international level within which the issue of child justice should be understood. The study also argued that although the CJA brought new innovations in the criminal justice system, challenges in various key provisions of CJA such as assessment, preliminary inquiry, diversion, sentencing, child and youth care centres are noted. Other key findings include lack of training or capacity building, unavailability of budget and public education awareness. There is a need to look at these challenges to improve the multi-sectoral implementation of the CJA. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-06
Concerning care in the context of the nursing profession: a phenomenological investigation
- O’Donnell, Neal Garth Mandy https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3534-6522
- Authors: O’Donnell, Neal Garth Mandy https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3534-6522
- Date: 2015-06
- Subjects: Nursing
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26638 , vital:65684
- Description: This dissertation is concerned with the phenomenological question of lack of care in the face of Martin Heidegger’s placing care as a base for being. More specifically with the question: How is Heidegger’s ontological notion of care to be understood from within the contexts of healthcare, in general, and nursing in particular. Furthermore, deep within this notion of care there is always the option to not care which, although care is always contained in the various modes of Heidegger's Dasein, can be a contemporary enigma demanding investigation. In approaching the interpretation of what it is to care, the question will be confronted on three fronts a to interrogate, in the context of healthcare, Heidegger’s conception of the phenomenological situation of care in his writings up to and including his Being and Time; b then to delve into the phenomenon of lack of care that seems to have appeared in the provision of healthcare in recent times; and, in an attempt to explain this lack, c to expand on Heidegger’s early conception of care more broadly out into the world by postulating a diachronic emphasis by introducing elements from the developmental psychology of Erik Erikson. It is argued that this is necessary in order to begin to understand provenance of the notion of lack of care within the sphere of healthcare. As nursing is considered an epitome of caring, the profession will be used as a vehicle to illustrate the phenomenon of lack of care and how this is possible when care is the basis of Being in the world. Thus the final section will bring out through the lens of lack of care the predicates of caring as they apply to the healthcare professions, and, just as importantly, other areas of human endeavour, for that matter. Thes predicates, it is postulated, are an accretion of five elements: development of the care-of, assumption of some level of authority, introduction of curiosity into the engagement with the world of people and things, an understanding of the role of empathy, and, finally, advocacy in the face of disturbance. It is further postulated that none of these predicates are a given, that, in an enabling environment, they unfold out of each other to create a caring person. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-06
- Authors: O’Donnell, Neal Garth Mandy https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3534-6522
- Date: 2015-06
- Subjects: Nursing
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/26638 , vital:65684
- Description: This dissertation is concerned with the phenomenological question of lack of care in the face of Martin Heidegger’s placing care as a base for being. More specifically with the question: How is Heidegger’s ontological notion of care to be understood from within the contexts of healthcare, in general, and nursing in particular. Furthermore, deep within this notion of care there is always the option to not care which, although care is always contained in the various modes of Heidegger's Dasein, can be a contemporary enigma demanding investigation. In approaching the interpretation of what it is to care, the question will be confronted on three fronts a to interrogate, in the context of healthcare, Heidegger’s conception of the phenomenological situation of care in his writings up to and including his Being and Time; b then to delve into the phenomenon of lack of care that seems to have appeared in the provision of healthcare in recent times; and, in an attempt to explain this lack, c to expand on Heidegger’s early conception of care more broadly out into the world by postulating a diachronic emphasis by introducing elements from the developmental psychology of Erik Erikson. It is argued that this is necessary in order to begin to understand provenance of the notion of lack of care within the sphere of healthcare. As nursing is considered an epitome of caring, the profession will be used as a vehicle to illustrate the phenomenon of lack of care and how this is possible when care is the basis of Being in the world. Thus the final section will bring out through the lens of lack of care the predicates of caring as they apply to the healthcare professions, and, just as importantly, other areas of human endeavour, for that matter. Thes predicates, it is postulated, are an accretion of five elements: development of the care-of, assumption of some level of authority, introduction of curiosity into the engagement with the world of people and things, an understanding of the role of empathy, and, finally, advocacy in the face of disturbance. It is further postulated that none of these predicates are a given, that, in an enabling environment, they unfold out of each other to create a caring person. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-06
Evaluation of the performance assessment system for senior administrative managers in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Authors: Qupe, Zandisile
- Date: 2015-06
- Subjects: Employees -- Rating of , Performance -- Management , Municipal government
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25655 , vital:64351
- Description: In 2011 the South African Presidency developed Management Performance Assessment and Municipal Assessment as tools to monitor and evaluate the performance of government employees in government departments and municipalities. The Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) is leading performance assessments of national departments using the tool, Offices of the Premier are undertaking performance assessments of provincial departments, Offices of the Premier and provincial Department of Cooperative Governance (DCOG) will assess municipalities. Management performance assessments contribute to improving service delivery through providing a holistic picture of the quality of management practices within a department or municipality, against common standards. This study evaluated the performance assessment system used in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality for senior administrative managers. The main objectives of the study were to investigate the Performance Assessment System used in NMBM for the Section 57 employees (i.e. all Senior Managers working on a five-year contract and directly reporting to the Municipal Manager) of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, to determine the extent, if any, the NMBM adheres to its policy objectives pertaining to the application and implementation of its performance management system and to provide recommendations on the possible recourse that can be taken by the NMBM in improving the application of its performance assessment system and performance management system at senior management level. The research methods employed for this study were both qualitative and quantitative. For the qualitative method, data was gathered through interviews, questionnaire and documents from the municipality, for the quantitative method a questionnaire was used and appropriate statistical techniques were used to analyse the gathered data. Emanating from the data analysed, the study found that there is still a lack of understanding of performance assessment in the municipality; the municipality is still faced with a number of challenges when implementing the performance assessment system as well as the performance management system in the municipality and these have affected service delivery in a very negative way. One of the recommendations made by the researcher was that there should be more training and workshops on performance assessment system as well as performance management in the municipality. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-06
- Authors: Qupe, Zandisile
- Date: 2015-06
- Subjects: Employees -- Rating of , Performance -- Management , Municipal government
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25655 , vital:64351
- Description: In 2011 the South African Presidency developed Management Performance Assessment and Municipal Assessment as tools to monitor and evaluate the performance of government employees in government departments and municipalities. The Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) is leading performance assessments of national departments using the tool, Offices of the Premier are undertaking performance assessments of provincial departments, Offices of the Premier and provincial Department of Cooperative Governance (DCOG) will assess municipalities. Management performance assessments contribute to improving service delivery through providing a holistic picture of the quality of management practices within a department or municipality, against common standards. This study evaluated the performance assessment system used in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality for senior administrative managers. The main objectives of the study were to investigate the Performance Assessment System used in NMBM for the Section 57 employees (i.e. all Senior Managers working on a five-year contract and directly reporting to the Municipal Manager) of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, to determine the extent, if any, the NMBM adheres to its policy objectives pertaining to the application and implementation of its performance management system and to provide recommendations on the possible recourse that can be taken by the NMBM in improving the application of its performance assessment system and performance management system at senior management level. The research methods employed for this study were both qualitative and quantitative. For the qualitative method, data was gathered through interviews, questionnaire and documents from the municipality, for the quantitative method a questionnaire was used and appropriate statistical techniques were used to analyse the gathered data. Emanating from the data analysed, the study found that there is still a lack of understanding of performance assessment in the municipality; the municipality is still faced with a number of challenges when implementing the performance assessment system as well as the performance management system in the municipality and these have affected service delivery in a very negative way. One of the recommendations made by the researcher was that there should be more training and workshops on performance assessment system as well as performance management in the municipality. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-06
Factors affecting smallholders access to agricultural credit in Nkonkobe local muncipality community in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Dlikilili, Xolela
- Date: 2015-06
- Subjects: Agricultural credit -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture -- Finance --South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Finance
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/29043 , vital:76494
- Description: South Africa has a large proportion of its population residing in rural areas and are, in one way or the other, involved in some agriculture-related activity. However, majority of the disadvantaged farmers are not part of the mainstream agriculture and practice subsistence agriculture in overcrowded, semi-arid areas in the former homelands. Farmers‟ limited access to agricultural credit facilities is one of the major factors responsible for the declining agricultural productivity for smallholder farming. The study therefore, aims to identify determinants of access to agricultural credit among smallholder farmers in the Nkonkobe Local Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Data were obtained from 214 farmers using administered structured questionnaire in the 2015 production season. Regarding selection of respondents, a simple random sampling technique was employed. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, as well as binary logistic regression model were analytical techniques used in analyzing the data. Results from the analysis showed that credit use is very minimal. Furthermore, the study observed that, household size, age of household head and the farm income were significant factors affecting farmers‟ accessibility to agricultural credit in the study area. More so, the results show that other variables such as household head, level of education and farming experience were negative variables, an indication that an increase in any of these variables would be associated with a decrease in the level of participation in the credit market. Therefore, government policy involving the improvement of farmers‟ accessibility to agricultural credit facilities should create enabling environment to ease their access to education and credit facilities. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-06
- Authors: Dlikilili, Xolela
- Date: 2015-06
- Subjects: Agricultural credit -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture -- Finance --South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural development -- South Africa -- Finance
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/29043 , vital:76494
- Description: South Africa has a large proportion of its population residing in rural areas and are, in one way or the other, involved in some agriculture-related activity. However, majority of the disadvantaged farmers are not part of the mainstream agriculture and practice subsistence agriculture in overcrowded, semi-arid areas in the former homelands. Farmers‟ limited access to agricultural credit facilities is one of the major factors responsible for the declining agricultural productivity for smallholder farming. The study therefore, aims to identify determinants of access to agricultural credit among smallholder farmers in the Nkonkobe Local Municipality of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Data were obtained from 214 farmers using administered structured questionnaire in the 2015 production season. Regarding selection of respondents, a simple random sampling technique was employed. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, as well as binary logistic regression model were analytical techniques used in analyzing the data. Results from the analysis showed that credit use is very minimal. Furthermore, the study observed that, household size, age of household head and the farm income were significant factors affecting farmers‟ accessibility to agricultural credit in the study area. More so, the results show that other variables such as household head, level of education and farming experience were negative variables, an indication that an increase in any of these variables would be associated with a decrease in the level of participation in the credit market. Therefore, government policy involving the improvement of farmers‟ accessibility to agricultural credit facilities should create enabling environment to ease their access to education and credit facilities. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-06
Potential effects of different salinities on the survival of the mangrove crab, Uca urvillei and its associated chemoautotrophic bacterial symbionts
- Mbobo, Tumeka https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0159-6569
- Authors: Mbobo, Tumeka https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0159-6569
- Date: 2015-06
- Subjects: Mangrove ecology http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85080528 , Crabs--South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19225 , vital:43033
- Description: The ability of natural populations to maintain fitness is important to their long-term persistence and has further relevance in the light of climate change scenarios. Fitness is however also influenced strongly by interactions with other species of the community. It is, therefore, important to focus on how environmental change can alter key biological interactions. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of different salinity levels on one species of mangrove crab, Uca urvillei and the associated chemoautotrophic bacterial symbionts, from the Mngazana estuary, South Africa. To examine the influence of different salinities over time on the symbiotic bacterial community, salinity experiments were set up, choosing three salinity exposures (5, 20 and 35percent) and four time exposures (3, 7, 14 and 21 days). The results showed that microbial community associated with U. urvillei was generally stable throughout the three salinity treatments, while the survival of the host (crab), was influenced by high salinities, particularly after day 14. Overall, the results of this study suggest that over time, environmental salinity (35percent) has the potential to affect significantly the physiology of U. urvillei, but this might not necessarily be the case for the associated microbial communities. The modes at which the significant symbionts are transferred from mother to offspring were also investigated by analysing the bacterial profiles from eggs, ovigerous and non-ovigerous females, along with mud. The results were fairly complex, but with significant differences in the bacterial communities of eggs from mud and females. These differences were driven mostly by two dominant phyla: Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. The presence of both these phyla throughout the categories (even though in different percentages) suggest that U. urvillei might employ a mixed mode strategy of acquiring and maintaining the bacterial symbionts. Overall, this study contributes to further understand the dynamic and complex effects of environmental Abstract ii change on symbiotic communities, with overall potential cascading repercussions to the persistence of mangrove systems. , Thesis (MSc) (Zoology) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-06
- Authors: Mbobo, Tumeka https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0159-6569
- Date: 2015-06
- Subjects: Mangrove ecology http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85080528 , Crabs--South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19225 , vital:43033
- Description: The ability of natural populations to maintain fitness is important to their long-term persistence and has further relevance in the light of climate change scenarios. Fitness is however also influenced strongly by interactions with other species of the community. It is, therefore, important to focus on how environmental change can alter key biological interactions. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of different salinity levels on one species of mangrove crab, Uca urvillei and the associated chemoautotrophic bacterial symbionts, from the Mngazana estuary, South Africa. To examine the influence of different salinities over time on the symbiotic bacterial community, salinity experiments were set up, choosing three salinity exposures (5, 20 and 35percent) and four time exposures (3, 7, 14 and 21 days). The results showed that microbial community associated with U. urvillei was generally stable throughout the three salinity treatments, while the survival of the host (crab), was influenced by high salinities, particularly after day 14. Overall, the results of this study suggest that over time, environmental salinity (35percent) has the potential to affect significantly the physiology of U. urvillei, but this might not necessarily be the case for the associated microbial communities. The modes at which the significant symbionts are transferred from mother to offspring were also investigated by analysing the bacterial profiles from eggs, ovigerous and non-ovigerous females, along with mud. The results were fairly complex, but with significant differences in the bacterial communities of eggs from mud and females. These differences were driven mostly by two dominant phyla: Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. The presence of both these phyla throughout the categories (even though in different percentages) suggest that U. urvillei might employ a mixed mode strategy of acquiring and maintaining the bacterial symbionts. Overall, this study contributes to further understand the dynamic and complex effects of environmental Abstract ii change on symbiotic communities, with overall potential cascading repercussions to the persistence of mangrove systems. , Thesis (MSc) (Zoology) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-06
The experience of a black baptist township pastor in the apartheid: the case study of Reverend Simon Lukwe from the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mkonwana, Vuyo Patrick
- Date: 2015-06
- Subjects: Church and state
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25205 , vital:64007
- Description: The role of the Church in politics is always a contentious issue, this is not only the case in South Africa but all over the world. Christian traditions vary in their understanding and interpretation of Biblical teaching on what role Christians and clergy should play in city politics. The primary gist or objective of this thesis revolves around the birth, calling and the ministry of Reverend Simon Lukwe as a representation of black ministers in the Baptist Church. The secondary objective is to look at the pastoral methods that he employed based on the challenges of the day. It is acknowledged that there have been autobiographies and biographies written on the experiences of well-known clergy like Dr. Frank Chikane, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Reverend Beyes Naude and others, but there is puzzling silence about other Christian permanent persuaders who played a pivotal role in the public life in South Africa. This individual is one of those like many who were able to trounce the inferior and oppressive education that was offered to black ministers in the Baptist Union of Southern Africa. This dissertation is a narrative of a heart-breaking but fascinating account of a black minister who was detained and tortured by security forces; sadly, he was even forsaken by his own brothers and sisters in Christ (Baptist church members). It also seeks to examine what might be the call to the modern religious ministers based on the current socio-economic and political challenges, and what pastoral methods might be relevant to effectively minister in this context. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-06
- Authors: Mkonwana, Vuyo Patrick
- Date: 2015-06
- Subjects: Church and state
- Language: English
- Type: text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25205 , vital:64007
- Description: The role of the Church in politics is always a contentious issue, this is not only the case in South Africa but all over the world. Christian traditions vary in their understanding and interpretation of Biblical teaching on what role Christians and clergy should play in city politics. The primary gist or objective of this thesis revolves around the birth, calling and the ministry of Reverend Simon Lukwe as a representation of black ministers in the Baptist Church. The secondary objective is to look at the pastoral methods that he employed based on the challenges of the day. It is acknowledged that there have been autobiographies and biographies written on the experiences of well-known clergy like Dr. Frank Chikane, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Reverend Beyes Naude and others, but there is puzzling silence about other Christian permanent persuaders who played a pivotal role in the public life in South Africa. This individual is one of those like many who were able to trounce the inferior and oppressive education that was offered to black ministers in the Baptist Union of Southern Africa. This dissertation is a narrative of a heart-breaking but fascinating account of a black minister who was detained and tortured by security forces; sadly, he was even forsaken by his own brothers and sisters in Christ (Baptist church members). It also seeks to examine what might be the call to the modern religious ministers based on the current socio-economic and political challenges, and what pastoral methods might be relevant to effectively minister in this context. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-06
The relationship between economic dependency and the reporting behaviours of victims of intimate partner violence: a case study of Bothaville in the Free State Province
- Mwatsiya, Innocent https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2845-5512
- Authors: Mwatsiya, Innocent https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2845-5512
- Date: 2015-06
- Subjects: Wife abuse , Abused women
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24761 , vital:63549
- Description: This research study explored the relationship between economic dependency and the reporting behaviours of victims of intimate partner violence. The study was conducted using qualitative methods. Data was gathered using semi-structured interviews and a focus group discussion. Data analysis was done using thematic analysis where themes were allowed to emerge from the raw data findings. The study intended to explore the experiences; reporting behaviours; coping strategies and available sources of support for victims of intimate partner violence. The study drew mainly from literature and the tenets of the Resource Theory as well as the Learned Helplessness Theory. The study established that economic dependency supported the existence of intimate partner violence owing to the fact that victims of intimate partner violence feared financial vulnerability should they report the perpetrator resulting in his arrest. It was also established that the relationship between economic dependency and the reporting behaviours of victims of intimate partner violence was compounded by the number of children the victim had including the number of family members dependent on the victims besides her own children. More dependents were linked to a lesser likelihood of reporting intimate partner violence. This was due to the fact that more dependents translated into a greater financial burden in the absence of the source of income; the perpetrator. On the other hand, the study also established that even those victims who were employed, though earning lesser money than their partners (the perpetrators), did not leave abusive relationships. This was linked to the possibility of learned helplessness as well as the possibility of their individual incomes being too little to afford them a life away from the perpetrator. The study also established that victims of intimate partner violence experienced physical violence more than all other forms of violence. Availability of support, frequency and severity of abuse were identified as determinants of the timing for reporting. The study established that families were the most active sources of social support for victims of intimate partner violence whilst all professional networks of support were discovered to be functional. The study made several following recommendations including awareness raising, introduction of policy amendments and the inclusion of victims of intimate partner violence in income generating projects. Lastly the study concluded that little has been done and much needs to be done regarding the alleviation of the conditions of victims of intimate partner violence across the divide. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-06
- Authors: Mwatsiya, Innocent https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2845-5512
- Date: 2015-06
- Subjects: Wife abuse , Abused women
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24761 , vital:63549
- Description: This research study explored the relationship between economic dependency and the reporting behaviours of victims of intimate partner violence. The study was conducted using qualitative methods. Data was gathered using semi-structured interviews and a focus group discussion. Data analysis was done using thematic analysis where themes were allowed to emerge from the raw data findings. The study intended to explore the experiences; reporting behaviours; coping strategies and available sources of support for victims of intimate partner violence. The study drew mainly from literature and the tenets of the Resource Theory as well as the Learned Helplessness Theory. The study established that economic dependency supported the existence of intimate partner violence owing to the fact that victims of intimate partner violence feared financial vulnerability should they report the perpetrator resulting in his arrest. It was also established that the relationship between economic dependency and the reporting behaviours of victims of intimate partner violence was compounded by the number of children the victim had including the number of family members dependent on the victims besides her own children. More dependents were linked to a lesser likelihood of reporting intimate partner violence. This was due to the fact that more dependents translated into a greater financial burden in the absence of the source of income; the perpetrator. On the other hand, the study also established that even those victims who were employed, though earning lesser money than their partners (the perpetrators), did not leave abusive relationships. This was linked to the possibility of learned helplessness as well as the possibility of their individual incomes being too little to afford them a life away from the perpetrator. The study also established that victims of intimate partner violence experienced physical violence more than all other forms of violence. Availability of support, frequency and severity of abuse were identified as determinants of the timing for reporting. The study established that families were the most active sources of social support for victims of intimate partner violence whilst all professional networks of support were discovered to be functional. The study made several following recommendations including awareness raising, introduction of policy amendments and the inclusion of victims of intimate partner violence in income generating projects. Lastly the study concluded that little has been done and much needs to be done regarding the alleviation of the conditions of victims of intimate partner violence across the divide. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-06
The role of farmer organisations in smallholder cabbage in value-chain development in Ndakana Village, Stutterheim, Eastern Cape province, South Africa
- Labase, Tshifhiwa Noluthando.
- Authors: Labase, Tshifhiwa Noluthando.
- Date: 2015-06
- Subjects: Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture, Cooperative -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28999 , vital:76447
- Description: The South African agricultural sector dualistic in nature, where a large commercial and smallholder sectors co-exist. The commercial sector is well resourced while the small holder sector is characterised by being resource poor, having very short value chains, lacking access to markets and low productivity. Smallholder farmers sell their produce at farm gate with minimal value addition. These have implications on household income and overall livelihoods of farmers. In an attempt to overcome some of the challenges faced by smallholder farmers, several farmer support organisations have been established by the South African government. Despite these initiatives poverty in the Eastern Cape remains wide spread and deep. Over the years high value agricultural markets have become more sophisticated and regulated making it increasingly difficult for smallholder farmers to participate in lucrative value chains. The study was carried out in Ndakana Location in Stutterheim, which is under Amahlathi Local Municipality. The study intended to assess the role of farmer organisations in value chain development of cabbage smallholder farmers in this area. The research was conducted through interviews using questionnaires to collect primary data. Econometric formulas were used to calculate Gross Marketing Margin to gain information on cabbage value chains as well as examining relative performance of individual and organised farmers. Cobb Douglas model was used to determine factors that influence relative performance of individual and smallholder farmers. Results for individual farmers indicated that, five variables were found to be significant farming experience, access to technical support, area planted, labour and quantity of fertiliser. All the variables had positive values, implying an increase in these variables is more likely to cause an increase in output. Results for organised farmers indicated that five variables were also found to be significant labour, area planted, farm experience, quantity of fertiliser and price of fertiliser. Labour had a negative value meaning an increase in labour will lead to an increase in output at a decreasing rate. Price of fertiliser also had a negative value meaning a decrease in price of fertiliser will lead to an increase in the amount of fertiliser used. The rest of the variables had positive values, implying an increase in these variables will most likely cause an increase in output. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-06
- Authors: Labase, Tshifhiwa Noluthando.
- Date: 2015-06
- Subjects: Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture, Cooperative -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28999 , vital:76447
- Description: The South African agricultural sector dualistic in nature, where a large commercial and smallholder sectors co-exist. The commercial sector is well resourced while the small holder sector is characterised by being resource poor, having very short value chains, lacking access to markets and low productivity. Smallholder farmers sell their produce at farm gate with minimal value addition. These have implications on household income and overall livelihoods of farmers. In an attempt to overcome some of the challenges faced by smallholder farmers, several farmer support organisations have been established by the South African government. Despite these initiatives poverty in the Eastern Cape remains wide spread and deep. Over the years high value agricultural markets have become more sophisticated and regulated making it increasingly difficult for smallholder farmers to participate in lucrative value chains. The study was carried out in Ndakana Location in Stutterheim, which is under Amahlathi Local Municipality. The study intended to assess the role of farmer organisations in value chain development of cabbage smallholder farmers in this area. The research was conducted through interviews using questionnaires to collect primary data. Econometric formulas were used to calculate Gross Marketing Margin to gain information on cabbage value chains as well as examining relative performance of individual and organised farmers. Cobb Douglas model was used to determine factors that influence relative performance of individual and smallholder farmers. Results for individual farmers indicated that, five variables were found to be significant farming experience, access to technical support, area planted, labour and quantity of fertiliser. All the variables had positive values, implying an increase in these variables is more likely to cause an increase in output. Results for organised farmers indicated that five variables were also found to be significant labour, area planted, farm experience, quantity of fertiliser and price of fertiliser. Labour had a negative value meaning an increase in labour will lead to an increase in output at a decreasing rate. Price of fertiliser also had a negative value meaning a decrease in price of fertiliser will lead to an increase in the amount of fertiliser used. The rest of the variables had positive values, implying an increase in these variables will most likely cause an increase in output. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-06
Witchcraft beliefs and fears in Malawi: an ethical-theological inquiry within the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Blantyre Synod
- Authors: Chimenya, Austin Elias
- Date: 2015-06
- Subjects: Witchcraft -- Malawi , Presbyterian Church
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25633 , vital:64345
- Description: Witchcraft beliefs and fear has been a problem for many years in many societies throughout the world. This problem mainly affect old, women and children as they are mostly accused of witchcraft practice in many societies. Witchcraft beliefs and fear is a major problem in Africa as compared to Europe and America. Although Malawi boasts of over 75% of Christians, but witchcraft beliefs and fear still poses a big challenge. There are so many factors that contribute to witchcraft beliefs and fear in Malawi. Some of the major factors include; cultural factors, legal factors, religious factors, social factors and economic factors. This study aimed at establishing a theological and ethical approach to witchcraft beliefs and fear within the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) Blantyre Synod in Malawi. The study established that old people particularly women and the children largely are the victims of witchcraft accusations in Malawi. This revealed that these victimised people needs security support, spiritual support, economic support, legal support as well as social support. The study also established that those that were victimised due to witchcraft accusations are stigmatized by the society and the church as well. As a result of this, there has been unnecessary loss of lives and property. Further, those that are stigmatized have resorted to stop going to church. The problem of witchcraft beliefs and fear has influenced other people to be involved mob justice against the suspected witches. Although the society has used other means to stop witchcraft beliefs and fear but it has failed to end the problem. The church has also used disciplining those suspected to be practising witchcraft among other ways but no solution came out of the problem. As a result, gossip, hatred, loss of trust, un-forgiveness spirit continued to prevail. The data for this research came up with major themes as; cultural, social, religious, legal and economic problems. There was interviews from fifty individuals who were full members of CCAP Blantyre Synod in Malawi from the Presbyteries of Mulanje and Blantyre City with the purpose of getting views from rural and urban areas within the church. In order to minimise or end the problem of witchcraft beliefs and fear, the study came up with other ways as follows: Sound Biblical teaching is needed, Deliverance prayers should be introduced in the church, Building effective Sunday schools, intensifying counselling, lobbying Malawi Parliament to amend the Witchcraft Act and Provide financial support. , Thesis (M.Th) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-06
- Authors: Chimenya, Austin Elias
- Date: 2015-06
- Subjects: Witchcraft -- Malawi , Presbyterian Church
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25633 , vital:64345
- Description: Witchcraft beliefs and fear has been a problem for many years in many societies throughout the world. This problem mainly affect old, women and children as they are mostly accused of witchcraft practice in many societies. Witchcraft beliefs and fear is a major problem in Africa as compared to Europe and America. Although Malawi boasts of over 75% of Christians, but witchcraft beliefs and fear still poses a big challenge. There are so many factors that contribute to witchcraft beliefs and fear in Malawi. Some of the major factors include; cultural factors, legal factors, religious factors, social factors and economic factors. This study aimed at establishing a theological and ethical approach to witchcraft beliefs and fear within the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) Blantyre Synod in Malawi. The study established that old people particularly women and the children largely are the victims of witchcraft accusations in Malawi. This revealed that these victimised people needs security support, spiritual support, economic support, legal support as well as social support. The study also established that those that were victimised due to witchcraft accusations are stigmatized by the society and the church as well. As a result of this, there has been unnecessary loss of lives and property. Further, those that are stigmatized have resorted to stop going to church. The problem of witchcraft beliefs and fear has influenced other people to be involved mob justice against the suspected witches. Although the society has used other means to stop witchcraft beliefs and fear but it has failed to end the problem. The church has also used disciplining those suspected to be practising witchcraft among other ways but no solution came out of the problem. As a result, gossip, hatred, loss of trust, un-forgiveness spirit continued to prevail. The data for this research came up with major themes as; cultural, social, religious, legal and economic problems. There was interviews from fifty individuals who were full members of CCAP Blantyre Synod in Malawi from the Presbyteries of Mulanje and Blantyre City with the purpose of getting views from rural and urban areas within the church. In order to minimise or end the problem of witchcraft beliefs and fear, the study came up with other ways as follows: Sound Biblical teaching is needed, Deliverance prayers should be introduced in the church, Building effective Sunday schools, intensifying counselling, lobbying Malawi Parliament to amend the Witchcraft Act and Provide financial support. , Thesis (M.Th) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-06
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