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The role of psychosocial recuperative therapy in enhancing construction performance on projects

  • Authors: Obiozo, Rita Ngozi
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Building -- Psychological aspects , Construction industry -- Accidents Building -- Economic aspects Feng shui
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23080 , vital:30414
  • Description: Research findings indicate that recent improvements in construction management initiatives have not substantially reduced the incidence of fatal occurrences and accidents in construction due to negligence and error. Some of the traumatic and causative factors include the dissipation of vital energy, health, safety, and wellbeing in the construction workforce due to the lack of contact with nature on construction sites, combined with the exhaustive nature of the work, and multiple stress factors in construction. The resultant effect is visible in the form of increased rework, disputes, and socio-psycho-traumatic factors that result in a reduction in profit margins due to the daily repetition of health and safety (H&S) hazards and quality errors. To address these issues there is a need for the exploration of the inherent potential to achieve exceptional environmental credentials on construction worksites attributable to the biophilic design concept of the intelligent construction workplace. This would involve the introduction of a biophilic construction site model (BCSM) that has the potential of establishing the continuous flow of natural energy that would replenish the vital life force and impact on the improvement of the performance of the construction workforce and management throughout the life cycle of the construction process. The objective of the initiative involves the introduction of dynamic harmonious energy in consonance with the theory of biophilia and feng shui principles of wellness interventions, which would introduce and enhance the flow of natural energy relative to the greening of construction sites in aid of H&S, wellbeing and human factors for ergonomics in construction. The methodology adopted, involved a survey of the related literature, and the triangulation and longitudinal assessment of multiple case studies of viable construction sites in progress. The applied technique included a greening construction site survey, interviews, observations, photo elicitation, questionnaire surveys, and a focus group study conducted with the construction workforce during the construction process. Findings indicate a potential increase in the level of sustainable behaviour in construction that impacts on the enhanced concentration and level of focus of the workforce, as well as a reduction in H&S and quality errors that militate against consistent improvement of the construction process. These efforts add value and novelty to the construction management body of knowledge (CMBOK) with regards to the green building construction and sustainable sites initiative. Research findings established the ‘greening of the construction site / biophilic construction site model (BCSM)’ as a cost-effective strategy towards the healing of the ‘sick construction site syndrome’ and the psychosocial recuperative and rejunative therapy for the workforce in construction for productive performance. It is significant and notable that the empirical findings relative to the BCSM strategy were found to substantiate effectively as the missing link in the establishment and reconstitution of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which according to research findings, is currently conceptual. The recommendations include the suggestions for the ‘informal dynamic rock garden design’ as suitable for the BCSM with the inclusion of ‘plants as a primary indicator’ in construction site premises, site offices, material sheds, welfare facilities including ‘lunch break retreats and outdoor shelters’. The recommendation of the BCSM strategy for the construction site is aimed towards the onset of construction as opposed to the conclusion of works / external works at the end of the project as is currently practiced. For effective application, the empirical findings relative to the study recommend that the procurement of the BCSM as a ‘silent and indispensable team mate’ should commence from the conceptual design, pre-bid / tender stages, to the fiscal planning and setting out of worksites, as well as its inclusion in the ‘curriculum of studies’ for the instruction of emerging construction management practitioners. In furtherance of the CMBOK and the enhancement of the BCSM strategy and the ‘humanistic value of the intelligent construction worksite’, the study recommends that the concept of ‘frozen music’ be addressed in future research relative to the ‘biophilic design concept’ to determine its role in enhancing cost effective performance, H&S, ergonomics, and the health and wellbeing of workers in construction.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

The role of renewable energy projects in solving South Africa’s energy crisis

  • Authors: Mjoli, Anthony Lunga
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Renewable energy sources -- South Africa , Wind power -- South Africa Solar energy
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32171 , vital:31972
  • Description: Renewable energy has played a critical role in improving the economy of South Africa as well as the lives of the citizens. There have been a lot of advantages in using renewable energy such as increased access to electricity, job creation and increased investment. This research project sought to give insight into the effectiveness of renewable energy projects in resolving the nation’s power crises. The research problem was motivated by the power outages that took place in South Africa for close to half a decade between 2010 and 2015. The introduction of renewable energy versus nuclear energy caused wide-spread debates in the business, political and social sectors inter alias. The renewable energy sector started off as a controversial issue across South Africa, with a lot of critics regarding it as an expensive trial and era method of tackling the energy crisis. The researcher purposed to explore on the role of renewable energy projects in solving South Africa’s energy crisis. The specific objectives of the research were to investigate and evaluate how the renewable energy projects contribute to improving the energy supply; to examine the effectiveness of the renewable energy projects in improving the energy supply; and to provide a critical appraisal of the constraints faced renewable energy projects in improving the energy supply in South Africa. The role of renewable energy projects in solving South Africa’s energy crisis is a controversial issue inviting many debates within the realm of scholarship pertaining to energy development. Thus literature was reviewed to give an understanding of the realities associated with the energy status in South Africa at present in order to have an in-depth understanding of the concerns, which need to be dealt with if renewable energy is to play a vital role in the alleviation of the plight of South Africa’s energy crisis. The literature review was part of the secondary data, therefore, the focus thereof led to the adoption of an interpretive stance as the favoured research methodology. A content analysis in case study approach was therefore, used to describe the role of renewable energy projects in solving South Africa’s energy crisis. The research focused on two main renewable energy sources wind and solar energy respectively. The results show that wind energy dominates the RE sector with 3342.59MW of electricity which accounts for approximately 53% of the total production. Solar energy in its various forms accounts for approximately 46% of the total production. Biomass, small hydro and land fill gas account for less than 2% of the total production. The research showed that wind and solar energy are the main renewable energy sources that combat the energy crisis in South Africa. The researcher concluded that there no longer exists a crisis in the South African energy sector. Secondly the researcher concluded that RE has significantly contributed to the energy mix, thereby playing a crucial role in the aversion of the afore-mentioned crisis. Thirdly, the researcher concluded that while the RE sector is growing at an impressive rate, coal will remain the cheapest and dominant source of energy in the foreseeable future of South Africa up to 2050 and possibly beyond.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

The role of the CCMA and bargaining councils in labour dispute resolution

  • Authors: Mkalipi, Thembinkosi
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: South Africa -- Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration , Dispute resolution (Law) -- South Africa Arbitration, Industrial -- South Africa Collective bargaining -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32182 , vital:31977
  • Description: A feature of collective bargaining is that it has a habit of ending in deadlock. However, in the event of a dispute, an aggrieved party is not free to call an immediate strike or lockout. The Labour Relations Act of 1956 and the Labour Relations Act of 1995 (“the LRA”) provided for a strict procedure to be followed in an event of a dispute. The law before 1995 regarded industrial action in the case of a dispute that did not follow the procedure as an illegal act attracting criminal sanction. The law then distinguished between a dispute of right and a dispute of interest. Like many countries, South Africa, has a very violent history regarding the resolution of labour disputes. This is illustrated by the force and brutality that was used to solve the 1913 white miners’ strike after martial law was declared. The reaction of the employers and the state was more brutal. The same violence and brutality were applied in the 1914 railway-workers strike and the 1946 African workers strike. The most important purpose of labour law is to ensure labour peace will prevail in the labour market and to regulate relations between employer and employee. Labour peace ensures that the economy functions effectively and if this happens, society at large benefits greatly. In Chapter 1 of the LRA one of the purposes of the LRA is stated as: “the effective resolution of labour disputes.” This section is intended to give effect section 23(1) of the Constitution, which provide that, ‘‘everyone has the right to fair labour practices’’1. This treatise will analyse the role of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (the CCMA) in dispute resolution; its functions and jurisdiction, ensure labour peace and whether the dispute resolution system provided in the law and implemented by the different dispute resolution institutions have succeeded to advance Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act 108 [1996]. Economic development, social justice, labour peace and the democratisation of the workplace to fulfil the purpose of the LRA. Under the previous Labour Relations Act2 (the “1956 LRA”) disputes were resolved through three main institutions namely, Conciliation Boards, Industrial Councils and the Industrial Court3. A Conciliation Board was on ad hoc - body established by the Minister of Manpower on application by any one of the parties in dispute. There was no requirement for an agreement between the disputing parties to apply for the establishment of a Conciliation Board. Either party could approach the Minister for its establishment. This application could be made on the workers side by one or more registered trade unions, one or more employees, or one or more registered trade unions. On the employer’s side, the application can be made by one or more registered employers’ organisations or, one or more employers.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

The role of the church in social development : the case of selected churches in Nairobi, Kenya

  • Authors: Mutunga, Daniel Kioko
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Perception Social action Community development
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12599 , vital:39291
  • Description: The church as a unique society was founded by Jesus Christ who also set a pattern for its operations. Primary to the core responsibilities of the church, according to Scripture, is to reconcile creation to the Creator by transforming society to regain its lost nature. The Christian Church in Kenya was established by missionaries from different parts of the world about three centuries ago. It has since grown and spread to almost all the parts of the country, but all the major denominations have vibrant congregations in Nairobi. A quick categorisation of the church in Kenya would be into the Mainline and the Pentecostal churches. This study set out to investigate the perception the church in Nairobi holds on in its involvement in social action, whether the church thinks social action is part of its ministry, and what kind of engagements in social action the church in Nairobi is currently having. The study employed a qualitative approach and an exploratory design. Using the questionnaire and interview methods, data was collected from thirty two (32) church leaders (including pastors) sampled to be representative of the Mainline and the Pentecostal groups of churches. The data was transcribed, coded, categorised and interpreted following the themes which emerged in relation to the study objectives and the nature of the responses. The results of the study show that the church holds different perceptions on its responsibility and involvement with regard to social action. The findings show two extremes: those who see social action as core to the mission of the church and those who think social action is the responsibility of the government or of non-governmental agencies. Generally most churches do not plan or budget for social actions. The few that are engaged in in it the budgets are far too low compared to the other church activities and the plans are unstructured and sporadic Active engagement in social action by the church in Nairobi is therefore, by and large, unplanned and episodic. However, the few who are already engaged in social action have witnessed great success in community transformation. The study concludes that the church has not fully understood its ministry and this could be the reason why social action is not part of its agenda. This further explains the sporadic and truncated nature of social action in the church in Nairobi. The study recommends a review of the curriculum in seminaries and the retraining of practising pastors to embrace holistic ministry. This will address the current misconceptions, address the current dichotomy of sacred-secular in church ministry, and hence increase organised participation of the church in social action.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

The role of the school management team in ensuring quality education: a case study of the iQonce high school in the Buffalo City Metro Education District in Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Fudam, Noluthando
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: School management teams School management and organization|
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13348 , vital:39636
  • Description: Since 1994, South Africa has undergone drastic fundamental changes in almost every sphere of society. Within education, the change has seen the significant transformation of the education system. One of the primary aims for the transformation of the education system was to provide quality education to all the children of the Republic of South Africa. The School Management Teams (SMTs) were introduced in order to increase accountability within a transformed education system. The aim of the study was to investigate the role of SMTs in ensuring quality education, with the aim of finding sustainable ways of improving the quality of education at the Iqonce high school at the Iqonce high school and the department of Education in the Eastern Cape Province. The objectives of the study were: a) To assess the role played by SMT in enhancing quality education at Iqonce high school in King Williams Town. b) To assess the role played by SMTs in enhancing quality education. c) To assess the challenges faced by the SMT in managing quality education and the functionality of the school. d) To identify training needs for SMTs to operate in their full capacity educational leadership and management. e) To explore an alternative policy framework that will help the SMTs in enhancing quality education. A qualitative research approach was employed and included an interview guide. Participants included four (4) SMT members, six (6) educators and six (6) parents drawn from the SGB of the Iqonce high school in the Buffalo City Metro Education District. Research findings indicated that the Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDoE) does not fully support the SMT members at Iqonce high school in their role of ensuring quality education. The study made numerous recommendations which included training of SMT members on how to manage the school. The ECDoE must work very closely with SMT members at Iqonce high school, also listens to their concerns. The teachers must understand that in order for SMTs to work effectively they need their support, even other stakeholders must support SMTs. There needs to be sound annual plans with targets that show how the annual target will be achieved.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

The role of the state-owned enterprises in the developmental state of South Africa: a case study of Transnet

  • Authors: Mayedwa, Vuyile Arthur
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Government business enterprises -- South Africa , Government corporations -- South Africa Economic development -- Political aspects -- South Africa Developing countries
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32375 , vital:32028
  • Description: The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, together with the National Development Plan (which is a government policy for the country), envisions the achievement of a developmental state (DS). In 2012 the African National Congress (ANC) Government brought a guiding document of national importance into being, known as the National Development Plan, which refers to South Africa as a developmental state. Developmental states are usually associated with development in a number of sectors of the country’s industries as well as high economic growth. This model has been successful in the East Asian countries of Japan and Singapore and could be emulated by South Africa. The National Development Plan (NDP) categorically expresses that South Africa is a developmental state (DS) and this research builds on that premise, citing inroads made and challenges faced by the country in the realization of the developmental mandate and the role performed by SOEs. Fourie (2014:30) holds that in South Africa, state-owned enterprises (SOEs) contribute significantly towards the economic development of the country, the Southern Africa region and international communities, as they attract capital equipment, finance and cooperative partnerships. This treatise investigates the role of the state-owned enterprises in the developmental state of South Africa. This treatise comprises five chapters and is based on the assumption that South African SOEs are ineffective in their contribution to the country’s transformation and socio-economic development mandate. The problem may be misalignment with the mandate set out by the Constitution and the NDP. This study provides a brief historical background on the evolution of SOEs in South Africa and a discussion regarding developmental states and the role of SOEs in developmental states. SOEs face a number of challenges and solutions need to be found. This study discusses two possible solutions, namely privatization and restructuring. The study surmises that the call to privatize is brought to the fore by the numerous failures of a number of SOEs, such as SAA. Restructuring SOEs is discussed as well as the new mandate for SOEs. Lastly, there is a discussion on the extent to which state-owned enterprises have succeeded in complying with South Africa’s developmental mandate. A literature review was conducted of previous and related research material. This study utilised a qualitative research method and the researcher ensured the validity and reliability of the secondary data that was referenced in this study. Due attention was paid to all ethical considerations and any form of harm, manipulation and malpractice was avoided. Chapter 4 includes the presentation and analysis of the data and the study’s findings are discussed in relation to the research questions and objectives that guided the study. The main problem under investigation was whether state-owned enterprises (SOEs) were responding to South Africa’s developmental agenda. This study found that the State must perform a leadership role in creating an enabling environment to drive the performance of SOEs in delivering their mandate and ensuring that SOEs are aligned with the mandate of the National Development Plan. The final chapter presents a number of recommendations that evolved from the results of the study. If adopted, these recommendations could enable the SOEs to deal with the developmental mandate given to them, ultimately assisting the SOEs to become more efficient and effective agents for development.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

The role of traditional leaders in rural development in the Lukhanji Local Municipality

  • Authors: Mani, Nontsikelelo
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Tribal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/31973 , vital:31868
  • Description: This study investigates the role of traditional leaders in the development of their communities. The villages in the Whittlesea area within Lukhanji Local Municipality were chosen as sample of study. The aim was to investigate the involvement of traditional leaders in the delivery of quality services to their communities. To achieve this, literature on the role of traditional leaders was reviewed. Case studies from other countries on the subject matter were also reviewed. The second objective was to look at the relationship between the traditional leaders and the democratically elected councillors. The support rendered by the Lukhanji Local Municipality in terms of capacity building programmes for traditional leaders was also examined. This was done in order to check mechanisms used by the municipality to strengthen the capacity of the traditional leaders as one of the agents of service delivery. Face to face interviews were conducted with the selected sample of traditional leaders and ward councillors to conduct the research. The findings were that if the traditional leaders can be well capacitated, they can play a crucial role to enhance service delivery and also in the monitoring of the services rendered.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

The role of upwelling in determining the composition, species distribution and genetic structure of intertidal communities in a time of climate change

  • Authors: Lourenço, Carla Sofia Emídio Rodrigues
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Upwelling (Oceanography) , Intertidal organisms -- Morocco -- Atlantic Coast , Intertidal organisms -- Canary Current -- Effect of water currents on , Intertidal animals -- Canary Current -- Effect of water currents on , Intertidal animals -- Morocco -- Atlantic Coas , Mytilus galloprovincialis -- Morocco -- Atlantic Coast , Mytilus galloprovincialis -- Canary Current -- Effect of water currents on , Intertidal ecology -- Canary Current , Sea surface microlayer -- Morocco -- Atlantic Coast
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/61614 , vital:28042
  • Description: Upwelling is an oceanographic process that strongly influences coastal species and the communities they belong to. In upwelling areas, colder, denser, nutrient-rich subsurface waters are transported to the nearshore surface, replacing warmer superficial waters that are advected offshore. Such effects influence the composition and dynamics of coastal communities, for example by affecting species abundance, recruitment, dispersal and distribution. Upwelling areas are key model regions to study the responses of coastal species to climate change because they are characterized by cooler conditions and experience lower warming rates than adjacent regions. In particular, intertidal rocky shore species are ideal coastal sentinel organisms to study distributional changes driven by climate warming because they inhabit the interface between marine and terrestrial habitats and are exposed to extremely severe environmental conditions. In fact, sharp distributional shifts have been reported for multiple intertidal species as a response to ocean warming. Although some studies have investigated the role of upwelling in influencing abundance and distribution of intertidal species, little is known about its potential as refugia against climate warming and the degree to which upwelling shapes species genetic structure is yet not fully understood. The aim of this thesis is to understand the influence of the Canary Current upwelling system on intertidal community composition, including species distribution and the genetic structure of intertidal species under current climate change. To do this, I investigated community structure of intertidal assemblages along the Atlantic shores of Morocco and Western Sahara, performed large scale surveys on species distribution, evaluated species abundance and frequency of parasitism and examined species genetic patterns. I further coupled biological data with upwelling indices, sea surface temperatures (SST) and the rate of SST warming. I demonstrate that strong upwelling influences abundance and distribution of intertidal rocky shore species and that upwelling cells can act as refugia from climate change by ameliorating thermal conditions. Upwelling cells also conserve the genetic diversity of the marine macroalga Fucus guiryi, promoting intraspecific genetic diversity by preserving unique genetic lineages. However, no evidence was found that upwelling affects the genetic structure for either F. guiryi or the brown mussel Perna perna. Instead, the genetic patterns presented in this thesis seem to result from a combination of species’ life history traits, population size and habitat suitability. My results also suggest that upwelling intensity affects the frequency of endolithic parasitism on the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. In times of climate change, upwelling events provide suitable environmental conditions for species to counter act climatic change. As upwelling is project to intensify in the future, its influence on benthic intertidal species might be greater than previously anticipated.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

The role of ward committees in the local government sector: a case study of Enoch Mgijima local municipality of Eastern Cape (2012 – 2016)

  • Authors: Mteyise, Nomapa Pretty
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Public administration--Citizen participation. , Community development. , Public administration.
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22143 , vital:51987
  • Description: Public participation is a vital aspect of developmental local government. A ward committee system was introduced in South Africa, as a channel for driving public participation programmes. This study set out to examine the experiences of ward committee members in Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality (EMLM). The aim was to assess the ward committee system as a vehicle for meaningful public participation in the integrated development planning processes. In 1995 the government formulated the White Paper on the Transformation of the Public Service. It indicated the importance of service delivery, and the aim was to transform the South African public service, as the key machinery of the government to equalize service delivery to all citizens. In 1996, the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa anchored the Bill of Rights as the cornerstone of democracy that enshrines the rights of all people and affirms the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom. The South African government has developed a wide array of legislation that ensures that communities are consulted on an unremitting basis with regard to how services need to be rendered. Communities have a right to be consulted and to give input into issues affecting them. Public consultation as envisaged in the South African legislation has, nevertheless, not yielded the desired results, which is evident in the spate of service delivery protests over poor or non-service delivery. Section 152(1) (e) of the Constitution promotes involvement of communities and community organisations in the matters of local government. Section 73 of the Municipal Structures Act (Act 117 of 1998) also requires municipalities to establish ward committees in a manner that seeks to enhance participatory democracy at the local level. This study set out to explore the experiences of ward committee members in EMLM. The intention was to evaluate the role of ward committees in the local government sector. , Thesis (MPA) -- University of Fort Hare, 2022
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  • Date Issued: 2018

The role of women's agricultural cooperatives in meeting United Nations sustainable development goals

  • Authors: Boni, Ntomboxolo
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Millennium Development Goals , Agriculture, Cooperative -- South Africa , Cooperative societies -- South Africa , Women in agriculture -- South Africa , Rural development -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21768 , vital:29775
  • Description: The majority of the people in South Africa were poor prior 1994, especially those in the rural areas. Poverty in the rural areas affected mostly the women. The government of South Africa designed support programmes to mainstream women into the economy, although it had its own challenges, such as the non-participation of women in their own development and the top-down approach that at times was used by the government in the implementation of the programmes. Owing to the nature of the rural areas, agriculture was identified as a sector that had a potential to improve the economy in order to address the challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality. Since 2005 the concept of cooperative development has been a vehicle that has the potential to address the aforementioned challenges. In order for the cooperative development to run efficiently and effectively and in line with the cooperative principles and values, the government should keep the independence of this sector in mind by engaging the cooperatives in all the activities that were affecting the cooperative sector through their cooperative movement.The findings of the study showed that the agricultural cooperatives have not yet addressed poverty fully. All their members were employed and at times employment opportunities were extended to their community members, but the income earned was not satisfying its members. The women felt that they were not in control of their development as they lacked the capacity to lead and they were still led by the men in their cooperatives.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

The rupture in the Rainbow: an exploration of Joburg Pride’s fragmentation, 1990 to 2013

  • Authors: McLean, Nyx Nicolene Cindy
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Gay pride celebrations -- South Africa -- Johannesburg , Sexual minorities -- South Africa , Sexual minorities -- Crimes against -- South Africa , Hate crimes -- South Africa , Group identity -- South Africa -- Johannesburg , Identity politics -- South Africa -- Johannesburg , Racism -- South Africa , One in Nine Campaign
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63822 , vital:28492
  • Description: In 2012 Joburg Pride was disrupted by the One in Nine Campaign who asked for a moment of silence to honour the lives of victims of hate crimes1 and violence. This interruption of the parade was met with violence from Joburg Pride organisers, marshals and participants, who explicitly told the campaign’s activists that they “had no right to be at the parade.” The activists were predominantly black lesbians and gender non-conforming people. This response suggested that there was no place within Joburg Pride for honouring and mourning the lives of LGBTIAQ people of colour that had been lost to hate crimes. In addition to the call for one minute of silence, the One in Nine Campaign argued that Joburg Pride had become depoliticised as a result of its increased commercialisation. This study is motivated by a need to understand this rupture that occurred in 2012, and to situate it within the history of the LGBTIAQ movement in South Africa. In particular, it investigates the argument made by the One in Nine Campaign that Joburg Pride had become depoliticised and commercialised. The tensions that were facilitated by the 2012 clash and the subsequent formation of alternative Pride events in 2013 are interesting in light of current conversations circulating in broader South African discourse around what it means to be a South African citizen. The study applies a poststructuralist, anti-racist queer feminist lens informed by queer theory, critical theory, critical race theory, and whiteness studies to the historical and current fractures within Joburg Pride. The study analyses Exit newspaper articles from 1990 to 2013, alongside interviews with key stakeholders involved in the 2012 clash. The analysis, informed by both thematic and discursive approaches, interrogates the following themes: depoliticisation, commercialisation, “community”, assimilation, whiteness, racism, rainbowism and rainbow-washing. In this thesis I argue that the commercial interests and apolitical stance of predominantly white Joburg Pride organisers came to exclude LGBTIAQ people of colour’s experiences, at a time when political organising around hate crimes was most necessary. The analysis further highlights a politics of assimilation rooted in rights-based discourse informed by the Rainbow Nation rhetoric of post-apartheid South Africa. Further, this study problematises the notion of “community”, and discusses its strategic use in assimilationist politics within the LGBTIAQ “community”. This study shows that the rupture in the rainbow that occurred at Joburg Pride 2012 was constituted by multiple ruptures that exist in South African society. The issues explored in this thesis are therefore not only useful for constructing more inclusive spaces for LGBTIAQ people, but also for the nation building project of South Africa.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

The scalability of small and medium enterprises in South Africa

  • Authors: Augustyn, Wesley
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Small business -- South Africa -- Management , Business planning -- South Africa Corporations -- South Africa -- Growth Success in business -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21516 , vital:29532
  • Description: It has long been recognised that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) account for an overwhelming part of businesses worldwide and that they contribute considerably to private sector Gross Domestic Product (GDP), growth and are the source for most new employment opportunities. It may therefore be postulated that scaling and growing SMEs are of notable importance to the economic wealth of the country and to this extent it eliminates economic stagnation. This treatise argues the significant impact that entrepreneurship exerts on the South African economy. This would allow the role players to identify the strategic interventions necessary to grow and scale SMEs. A literature review was conducted to develop insights on the factors that affect the scalability of SMEs. The aforementioned section expounds on the concept of SMEs. Secondly, the emergence of SMEs across developed and emerging economies is discussed by exploring the United States of America, Europe and the BRICS economies respectively. Thirdly, SMEs in the South African context are explored. Fourthly, the requirements and challenges of SMEs in the South African economy are highlighted. The primary data for this study were collected from the sample by means of an online questionnaire and through fieldworkers who were deployed to collect responses from the sample group. A representative sample of n = 295 responses were received. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data in a way to simplify the interpretation of the data. Inferential statistics were used to authenticate conclusions made from the data. The model was developed and identified the following factors as exerting influence on the scalability of SMEs: Access to Finance, Access to Markets and Access to Human Capital, Entrepreneurial Intention, Regulatory Framework, Business Support and Networks. The average mean values of the factors were then used to establish their position or ranking as determined from the responses received. All factors ranked above a mean value of 3 which indicates that SMEs have a neutral to positive opinion of the factors identified in the model. According to a one-tailed t-test from the sample of SMEs it was shown that two of the nine factors had a large effect size in the factors of Human Capital and Entrepreneurial Intention. The Scalability of SMEs’ model developed in this study specified the factors that influence the growth of SMEs.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

The scope of environmental protection under the legal framework of the World Trade Organisation : an evaluation of the issues and implications for developing countries

  • Authors: Umenze, Nnamdi Stanislaus
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Environmental protection -- Developing countries Environmental law -- Developing countries
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10802 , vital:35762
  • Description: Over the years, the extent to which the legal framework of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) makes provision for environmental protection has been a major issue within the organisation. While trade liberalisation and environmental protection are fundamental objectives of the WTO to be pursued in line with the sustainable development goals as enshrined in the Preamble of the Marrakesh Agreement, the organisation does not have a specific agreement on the environment. Moreover, efforts by the member states of the WTO to reform the environmental protection regime of the global trading system have achieved little. Nevertheless, under the current legal framework of the WTO, members are allowed, subject to a number of conditions, to adopt trade-related measures aimed at protecting the environment. Employing documentary research methodology, this study critically evaluates the relationship between trade and the environment, the provisions made for environmental protection in selected WTO agreements and the extent to which trade-related environmental protection measures are permissible under the legal framework of the WTO. It also evaluates the implications of unilateral and the Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA)-based environmental trade measures as well as the possibility of a clash of policy objectives between the WTO Agreements and the MEAs, given that some of the MEAs contain environmental trade measures prohibited by the WTO free trade rules. The findings made in this study suggest that states generally prefer to enforce unilateral environmental trade measures against foreign goods. This has allowed states, in some instances, to hide under the guise of environmental protection to pursue protectionist’s interests, eco-imperialism, etc., leading to the trade and environment-related disputes at the WTO. Moreover, the WTO is made up of member states that are at different levels of development and possess different environmental protection standards. Hence, there is concern from developing countries, on the one hand, that their economic interests are being frustrated by the stringent application of unilateral environmental trade measures in the developed countries, and, on the other hand, that the environmental burden of international trade is being shifted to the developing countries as the developed countries tighten their environmental standards. The study concludes that the environmental protection regime of the WTO as it stands is not adequate to guarantee the balance of trade and environmental protection objectives as well as the balance of interests between the developed and developing countries. The study, therefore, recommends reform in the environmental protection regime of the WTO to ensure that the environmental protection measures are adequately provided for and that balance of interests between the developed and developing countries is maintained in order to ensure sustainable global trade. It further recommends that a mutually reinforcing relationship should be established between the WTO and the MEAs to avoid a possible clash of policy objectives.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

The secret life of public sculpture: an explorative case study on what the “voting line” does in Central, Port Elizabeth

  • Authors: Van der Merwe, Joy
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Public art , Public art -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Art and society Sculpture -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36750 , vital:34050
  • Description: To date, there has been little contemporary academic study on public art in Port Elizabeth. There have however been major art-led urban regeneration projects in the last ten years. This raises the question of what these artworks have been ‘doing’ in their relatively new homes. This study explores the function of the Voting Line, which was commissioned by the Mandela Bay Development Agency and made by Anthony Harris and Konrad Geel. The Voting Line is discussed as a key example of public artwork produced for Route 67. Using a case study design, four different approaches have been applied in this exploratory study. These include: document analysis, observation, interviews and a South African data making process called the Mmogo Method. The findings of this study suggest that the Voting Line is broadly considered as contributing towards nation building; cultural heritage tourism, and developing city identity.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

The socialisation and leader identity development of school leaders in Southern African countries

  • Authors: Moorosi, Pontso , Grant, Carolyn
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/281142 , vital:55696 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1108/JEA-01-2018-0011"
  • Description: Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the socialisation and leader identity development of school leaders in Southern African countries. Design/methodology/approach: The study utilised a survey of qualitative data where data collection primarily involved in-depth interviews with school principals and deputy principals of both primary and secondary schools. Findings: Findings revealed that early socialisation to leadership transpired during childhood and early schooling at which points in time the characteristics and values of leadership integral to the participants’ leadership practice were acquired. Initial teacher training was found to be significant in introducing principalship role conception. Leader identity was also found to develop outside the context of school through pre-socialising agents long before the teaching and leading roles are assumed. Originality/value: The study presents an overview of the findings from four countries in Southern Africa, providing a complex process with overlapping stages of career socialisation. Existing research puts emphasis on formal leadership preparation as a significant part of socialisation – this study suggests alternatives for poorly resourced countries. Significantly, the paper improves our understanding that school leader identity is both internal and external to the school environment.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

The sound of reading

  • Authors: Berold, Robert
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: To be catalogued
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/458754 , vital:75769 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC-1061c76543
  • Description: This essay recounts, in autobiographical form, how poetry transformed me. It began at school with an unanticipated response to the internal music of a poem. Later, drawn primarily by sound and image, I responded to form, texture, ideas and movement in particular poems. These poems and poets – a few of them quoted here – woke me into an awareness of where I was, and gave me the courage to live with my confusion.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

The South African general anti-tax avoidance rule and lessons from the first world: a case law approach

  • Authors: Pidduck, Teresa Michelle Calvert
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Tax evasion -- South Africa , Taxpayer compliance -- South Africa , Taxation -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , South Africa. Income Tax Act, 1962 , Taxation -- Law and legislation -- Australia , Taxation -- Law and legislation -- Canada , Tax evasion -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , General anti-avoidance rule (GAAR)
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/60328 , vital:27768
  • Description: Tax avoidance has been a concern to revenue authorities since the time that the concept of tax was first introduced. Revenue authorities worldwide constantly strive to ensure taxpayer compliance, while combating impermissible tax avoidance. South Africa uses a general anti-avoidance rule (GAAR) as part of its arsenal to combat the increasingly innovative ways in which taxpayers seek to minimise their tax. However, the GAAR has been the source of much criticism and its effectiveness in combatting impermissible tax avoidance is untested in the courts. Therefore, the use of hindsight to criticise the GAAR is not possible. This study applied a qualitative approach to compare the South African, Australian and Canadian GAARs in order to propose changes which are intended to improve the efficacy of the South African GAAR. This research was performed by first comparing the three GAARs using a doctrinal research methodology and then applying the South African GAAR to the facts of selected cases from Australia and Canada in the form of reform-oriented research. In order to apply the South African GAAR to the facts of the cases a framework was developed in phase 1 of the research in order to ensure consistency in the application. This allowed for a more reliable analysis to be made regarding the areas where the South African GAAR could be improved. The convergence of results from the two research methodologies validated many of the suggestions made for the improvement of the South African GAAR This thesis examined the GAARs in South Africa, Australia and Canada with a view to identifying if there are any lessons to be learned for their application and interpretation, in order to suggest improvements which can be made to the South African GAAR. Further, relevant Australian and Canadian case law was found to be instructive as to the approach that could be adopted for purposes of applying the South African GAAR. The findings of the research revealed that while the South African, Australian and Canadian GAARs differ in their structure, each is directed to achieve the same end. The results of the study identified two types of improvements to the South African GAAR. Firstly, the South African GAAR should be consolidated into a three-part enquiry instead of the current four-part enquiry. In doing so the tainted elements (previously the abnormality requirement) could be used to inform an objective test of purpose. Secondly, guidance on areas of uncertainty regarding the application of the South African GAAR needs to be provided in order to prevent possible inconsistent judicial interpretations that may limit the efficacy of the GAAR whilst still protecting the right for taxpayers to legitimately minimise their tax burdens. One additional cause for concern highlighted in this research is the use of provisions from other jurisdictions without guidance on the application in the South African context. The use of similar provisions to that of its much-criticised predecessor has also introduced areas of uncertainty regarding the application of the South African GAAR. These areas of weakness and uncertainty arguably prevent the South African GAAR from being an effective deterrent to tax avoidance and many could be addressed by the legislature.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

The spatial ecology and roost site selection of fledging Cape vultures (Gyps coprotheres) in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

  • Authors: Martens, Francis Rae , Downs, Colleen
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Spatial ecology -- South Africa -- Easter , Gyps -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Vultures -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Birds -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15875 , vital:28284
  • Description: The Cape Vulture (Gyps coprotheres), a southern African endemic, is a species currently listed on the IUCN Red List as “Threatened” due to its 66-81% decline over the past 50 years. South Africa and Lesotho hold 90% of the global population, which are focused at two core areas, namely northern central South Africa and eastern South Africa. This species provides important ecological services yet faces numerous anthropogenic threats. An emerging threat in the south eastern part of South Africa is that of wind energy development. Understanding the movement and roosting behaviour of the Cape Vulture may mitigate potential collisions if areas of high use are avoided. Juvenile Cape Vultures, who naturally suffer high mortality rates, are known to forage extensively over a wider landscape and as a consequence may face a greater assortment of threats. The overall aim of this study therefore was to determine the ranging and roosting behaviour of juvenile Cape Vultures in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. In order to achieve this aim, i) the ranging behaviour and habitat use were determined and ii) roost sites and factors that influence roost site selection were determined. Using five juvenile Cape Vultures tagged with Global Positioning System (GPS/GSM) transmitters, home range sizes, distance travelled from the nest and habitat use were determined. Home range was determined through kernel density estimates and distance travelled from the nest was determined through the Euclidean distance. Habitat use was determined by overlaying the home range size onto a merged layer of all protected areas and the National Land Cover Database of South Africa. To determine roost sites, data from the tagged vultures were split into encamped and exploratory movements using a mixture model in a cluster analysis setting. Encamped movements were associated with roost sites. Roost density was determined around the natal colony using predetermined buffer sizes and a generalised linear mixed model (GLMM) fitted to the data. Conditions considered favourable for roost sites were based on previous research conducted on cliff-nesting species and a GLMM conducted. Juveniles increased their home range progressively for the first two months, then exhibited a rapid increase in size associated with dispersal from the colony. Distance from the nest increased rapidly following the dispersal period. Protected areas and woody vegetation were areas of preferred habitat. The highest density of roosts for juveniles was located within 20 km’s from the breeding colony and decreased further away. Roost sites that were favoured for juveniles and adult birds were those that were located close to colonies, had low accessibility to terrestrial predators and were in areas of high wind speed. The orientation of the cliff into the prevailing wind direction was also a determining factor. Roosting sites and foraging areas are important spatial determinants of Cape Vulture behaviour and the identification of such areas can help with conservation management. With the additional threat of wind development in areas highly utilised, wind farms located too close to colonies could have a devastating impact on the Cape Vulture population. Therefore, this study highlights the importance of conservation buffer zones as no-go areas for wind energy development around vulture colonies.
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  • Date Issued: 2018

The spatial ecology of Albula glossodonta in the St. Joseph Atoll, Seychelles

  • Authors: Moxham, Emily Jeanne
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Bonefish -- Seychelles -- Amirante Islands , Albula -- Seychelles -- Amirante Islands , Bonefish fisheries -- Seychelles -- Amirante Islands , Small-scale fisheries -- Seychelles -- Amirante Islands -- Economic conditions , Underwater acoustic telemetry , Bonefish -- Behavior -- Seychelles -- Amirante Islands , Bonefish -- Home range -- Seychelles -- Amirante Islands , Bonefish -- Conservation -- Seychelles -- Amirante Islands , Predation (Biology) -- Seychelles -- Amirante Islands , Bonefishing
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/57863 , vital:26997
  • Description: Bonefish (Albula spp.) support valuable recreational and artisanal fisheries worldwide. Declining stocks have been reported at multiple localities, potentially jeopardising numerous multimillion-dollar industries. In particular, tourism generated through bonefish fly fishing contributes considerably to the economies of many isolated tropical islands and atolls. However, despite their economic value, little is known about bonefish in the Indian Ocean. This study aimed to contribute to the understanding of bonefish ecology in the Indian Ocean by (1) reviewing the bonefish literature to identify knowledge gaps; (2) evaluating the postrelease survival of acoustically tagged bonefish and; (3) quantifying the spatial and temporal movements of bonefish at a near-pristine and predator rich atoll in the Seychelles. A review of published literature on bonefish indicated that despite considerable biological and ecological research in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, virtually no research has been conducted in the Indian Ocean. To help address this research gap, an acoustic telemetry study was initiated at the remote St. Joseph Atoll, within an existing array of 88 automated datalogging acoustic receivers. Thirty Albula glossodonta were surgically implanted with Vemco V13 acoustic transmitters in May 2015 and tracked for a period of one year. Only 10% of the tagged bonefish were detected for more than two weeks. A comparison of the final 100 hours of movement data from fish that were detected for less than two weeks to fish detected for longer periods revealed distinct differences. These included differences in area use patterns and significant differences in the average daily distance moved, speed of movement and residency index. This suggested that mortality in the form of post-release predation was high (90%) with tagged fish detected for less than two weeks being preyed upon by sharks. The three surviving bonefish were tracked for 210 to 367 days. These individuals remained in the atoll and showed high use of the marginal habitats between the shallow sand flats and the deeper lagoon. Water temperature, diel cycle and tide were significant predictors of bonefish presence in the lagoon. The high post-release predation of bonefish has implications for the management of this and other Albula species. Despite these fisheries being catch-and-release, bonefish fishing may be unsustainable due to the high post-release mortality, particularly in areas that are rich in predators. Therefore, protected areas or limitations on fishing effort need to be considered.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2018

The state of constitutionalism in Uganda: 1962-2018

  • Authors: Bashasha, Turyatemba Alex
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Constitutional history -- Uganda , Constitutional history Constitutional law -- Uganda
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23669 , vital:30596
  • Description: This Thesis examines the state of constitutionalism in Uganda between 1962 and 2018. The central question which it seeks to answer is: ‘why did Ugandan governments persistently fail to adhere to the basic requirements of the doctrine of constitutionalism between 1962 and 2018?’ In answering this question, which has challenged and continues to challenge many academicians, politicians, government officials, researchers and the international community alike, the Thesis adopts the Theory of Neo-patrimonialism as a theoretical lens through which the behaviours of the post-independence presidents of Uganda are examined. The Thesis discovers that, indeed, Neo-patrimonialism is a fundamental framework for analysing and explaining constitutionalism in post-independence Uganda. Against this backdrop, the Thesis concludes that, the collective behaviours of Uganda’s post-independence presidents viewed through the lens of neo-patrimonialism are more fundamental in understanding the failure of democracy and good governance in Uganda than the country’s structural problems of constitutionalism. The originality of the Thesis is in: (a) its being the first comprehensive investigation into why Ugandan governments have persistently failed to adhere to the basic requirements of the doctrine of constitutionalism for the entire period of 56 years (1962-2018) of post-independence Uganda; and (b) its being the first study to apply the Theory of Neo-patrimonialism in explaining the volatile nature and state of constitutionalism in Uganda. The contribution of the Thesis to the existing knowledge lies in its; (a) generation of detailed and well-researched information about the volatility of constitutionalism in Uganda between 1962 and 2018, (b) recommendation of strategies that should be adopted to effectively enhance consititutionalism in Uganda, and (c) authentication of the validity of the claims that despite its shortcomings, Neo-patrimonialism is a Theory which not only continues to define and drive African politics but its application can suitably be used to explain the volatile nature of constitutionalism in post-independence Uganda and the rest of Africa.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2018
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