AMBER force field parameters for the Zn (II) ions of the tunneling-fold enzymes GTP cyclohydrolase I and 6-pyruvoyl tetrahydropterin synthase:
- Khairallah, Afrah, Tastan Bishop, Özlem, Moses, Vuyani
- Authors: Khairallah, Afrah , Tastan Bishop, Özlem , Moses, Vuyani
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/163068 , vital:41009 , DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1796800
- Description: The folate biosynthesis pathway is an essential pathway for cell growth and survival. Folate derivatives serve as a source of the one-carbon units in several intracellular metabolic reactions. Rapidly dividing cells rely heavily on the availability of folate derivatives for their proliferation. As a result, drugs targeting this pathway have shown to be effective against tumor cells and pathogens, but drug resistance against the available antifolate drugs emerged quickly. Therefore, there is a need to develop new treatment strategies and identify alternative metabolic targets. The two de novo folate biosynthesis pathway enzymes, GTP cyclohydrolase I (GCH1) and 6-pyruvoyl tetrahydropterin synthase (PTPS), can provide an alternative strategy to overcome the drug resistance that emerged in the two primary targeted enzymes dihydrofolate reductase and dihydropteroate synthase.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Khairallah, Afrah , Tastan Bishop, Özlem , Moses, Vuyani
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/163068 , vital:41009 , DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1796800
- Description: The folate biosynthesis pathway is an essential pathway for cell growth and survival. Folate derivatives serve as a source of the one-carbon units in several intracellular metabolic reactions. Rapidly dividing cells rely heavily on the availability of folate derivatives for their proliferation. As a result, drugs targeting this pathway have shown to be effective against tumor cells and pathogens, but drug resistance against the available antifolate drugs emerged quickly. Therefore, there is a need to develop new treatment strategies and identify alternative metabolic targets. The two de novo folate biosynthesis pathway enzymes, GTP cyclohydrolase I (GCH1) and 6-pyruvoyl tetrahydropterin synthase (PTPS), can provide an alternative strategy to overcome the drug resistance that emerged in the two primary targeted enzymes dihydrofolate reductase and dihydropteroate synthase.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An analysis of carbon tax and other environmental levies: a South African and international perspective
- Authors: Vuzane, Rolihlahla
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Carbon taxes , Carbon taxes -- South Africa , Environmental impact charges , Environmental impact charges -- South Africa , Taxation -- Environmental aspects , Taxation -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/167676 , vital:41502
- Description: As a “Non-Annex 1” country, there was no obligation for South Africa to reduce its carbon emissions. South Africa undertook, of its own volition, to take measures to reduce 34% of the carbon monoxide emissions by 2020 and 42% by 2025 respectively. In response, South Africa promulgated the Carbon Tax Act, No. 15 of 2019. This study seeks to answer the question: After analysing the range of environmental taxes levied in the Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden) and in South Africa, are there lessons that can be learnt for South Africa? In answering this question, the carbon tax structure in South Africa and in selected Scandinavian countries is analysed, together with existing environmental taxes and the related policies, using a literature study. What is evident from the Scandinavian countries studied, is that environmental taxes have distributional effects and are effective in reducing carbon emissions. The major result of the study was that the real weakness of the newly introduced Carbon Tax Act is that in both in the first and second phase of its implementation, the carbon tax rate is too low to send an appropriate signal to the market and would not have the desired outcome. In addition, there are currently no guidelines that inform the revenue recycling technique to ensure transparency of revenue usage, improved energy management, or how the Carbon Tax Act will promote environmental quality. A major concern is that carbon tax revenue will not be ring-fenced. Given that South Africa is a developing country and depends mainly on non-renewable energy, it is inevitable that most of its sectors will be subject to the carbon tax. A plausible approach is the one that promotes the idea of taxing those more heavily that contribute most to environmental degradation and are highly energy concentrated, to promote parity between the harm to the environment and the taxes levied to redress the harm.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Vuzane, Rolihlahla
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Carbon taxes , Carbon taxes -- South Africa , Environmental impact charges , Environmental impact charges -- South Africa , Taxation -- Environmental aspects , Taxation -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/167676 , vital:41502
- Description: As a “Non-Annex 1” country, there was no obligation for South Africa to reduce its carbon emissions. South Africa undertook, of its own volition, to take measures to reduce 34% of the carbon monoxide emissions by 2020 and 42% by 2025 respectively. In response, South Africa promulgated the Carbon Tax Act, No. 15 of 2019. This study seeks to answer the question: After analysing the range of environmental taxes levied in the Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden) and in South Africa, are there lessons that can be learnt for South Africa? In answering this question, the carbon tax structure in South Africa and in selected Scandinavian countries is analysed, together with existing environmental taxes and the related policies, using a literature study. What is evident from the Scandinavian countries studied, is that environmental taxes have distributional effects and are effective in reducing carbon emissions. The major result of the study was that the real weakness of the newly introduced Carbon Tax Act is that in both in the first and second phase of its implementation, the carbon tax rate is too low to send an appropriate signal to the market and would not have the desired outcome. In addition, there are currently no guidelines that inform the revenue recycling technique to ensure transparency of revenue usage, improved energy management, or how the Carbon Tax Act will promote environmental quality. A major concern is that carbon tax revenue will not be ring-fenced. Given that South Africa is a developing country and depends mainly on non-renewable energy, it is inevitable that most of its sectors will be subject to the carbon tax. A plausible approach is the one that promotes the idea of taxing those more heavily that contribute most to environmental degradation and are highly energy concentrated, to promote parity between the harm to the environment and the taxes levied to redress the harm.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An analysis of crime trends at University of Fort Hare, Alice campus: Ten years (2008-2018) projection case studies
- Giyama, Mlungisi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4024-9447
- Authors: Giyama, Mlungisi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4024-9447
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Criminal statistics , Victims of crimes surveys
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28584 , vital:74447
- Description: This research has concerted on the trend of crimes committed at University Fort Hare over past ten years. The previous conducted researches show several forms of crimes committed at different higher learning institutions and some crime are even cited happening in South Africa. The problem is Incompetence of University of Fort Hare security guards, which are responsible to prevent the occurrence of crime at the Alice campus. The university have scarcity of programmes that intends to inform students and staff members on how to protect themselves when there is crime threat. University of Fort Hare has unlimited access by community members. The knowledge gap on crimes committed at higher leaning is unexplained psychological such as depression and stress experienced by perpetrators. Secondly, there is lack of studies focused on the discussion about importance of criminal background check of prospective students. The unavailability of electronics that scans dangerous weapons such as knife (okapi) result to crimes such as murder at University of Fort Hare. The problem of abusing alcohol and other drugs by students result to rapes when students are drunk or high. The study aims to evaluate the trend in crimes that occurred from July 2008 to August 2018 at the University of Fort Hare Alice Campus. The objective is to find out types of crimes that occur quarterly at the University of Fort Hare Alice Campus. To discover the perception of selected staff members and students about the safety on campus and to find strategies introduced by the university to address crimes that are committed at University of Fort Hare Alice campus. The study has adopted qualitative research method and exploratory research design. The questions to be asked include what types of crimes occur at University of Fort Hare Alice Campus and how is the perception of selected staff members and students about the safety on campus? The researcher found out that crimes occurring at the University of Fort Hare Alice Campus has changed to new forms of crimes such as murder, looting of shops, slaughtering cattle, deformation of character on social media, bribery for academic admission, arson of buildings, stealing of university property, rapes and sexual assaults meanwhile these crimes were not prominent before 2008. The researcher discovered that students are the ones mostly affected by crimes that happened at University of Fort Hare (UFH) Alice campus in 2015, 2016 and 2018 thereafter followed staff members. Most people who are victims of crimes at University of Fort Hare (UFH) Alice campus arrived between 2014 and 2016. The study indicates that fewer security officers and lack of security equipment such as communicating radios cause crimes at University of Fort Hare (UFH) Alice campus. Cases reported to the security office takes a long time to conclude. Dark parts at the campus are found to cause some of crimes at the University of Fort Hare Alice campus. The significant of conducting this study, will help University of Fort Hare develop better policies regarding crimes on campus. The researcher also wanted to support the consistency of trying to find out a solution for university crime. It is recommended that University of Fort Hare management needs to hire more guards to make sure that each residence and building has a guard. During events at Alice campus that includes people from outside, there must be police and event’s organisers need to present security plan when they are requesting university facilities to ensure the safeness of staff members and students. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Giyama, Mlungisi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4024-9447
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Criminal statistics , Victims of crimes surveys
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/28584 , vital:74447
- Description: This research has concerted on the trend of crimes committed at University Fort Hare over past ten years. The previous conducted researches show several forms of crimes committed at different higher learning institutions and some crime are even cited happening in South Africa. The problem is Incompetence of University of Fort Hare security guards, which are responsible to prevent the occurrence of crime at the Alice campus. The university have scarcity of programmes that intends to inform students and staff members on how to protect themselves when there is crime threat. University of Fort Hare has unlimited access by community members. The knowledge gap on crimes committed at higher leaning is unexplained psychological such as depression and stress experienced by perpetrators. Secondly, there is lack of studies focused on the discussion about importance of criminal background check of prospective students. The unavailability of electronics that scans dangerous weapons such as knife (okapi) result to crimes such as murder at University of Fort Hare. The problem of abusing alcohol and other drugs by students result to rapes when students are drunk or high. The study aims to evaluate the trend in crimes that occurred from July 2008 to August 2018 at the University of Fort Hare Alice Campus. The objective is to find out types of crimes that occur quarterly at the University of Fort Hare Alice Campus. To discover the perception of selected staff members and students about the safety on campus and to find strategies introduced by the university to address crimes that are committed at University of Fort Hare Alice campus. The study has adopted qualitative research method and exploratory research design. The questions to be asked include what types of crimes occur at University of Fort Hare Alice Campus and how is the perception of selected staff members and students about the safety on campus? The researcher found out that crimes occurring at the University of Fort Hare Alice Campus has changed to new forms of crimes such as murder, looting of shops, slaughtering cattle, deformation of character on social media, bribery for academic admission, arson of buildings, stealing of university property, rapes and sexual assaults meanwhile these crimes were not prominent before 2008. The researcher discovered that students are the ones mostly affected by crimes that happened at University of Fort Hare (UFH) Alice campus in 2015, 2016 and 2018 thereafter followed staff members. Most people who are victims of crimes at University of Fort Hare (UFH) Alice campus arrived between 2014 and 2016. The study indicates that fewer security officers and lack of security equipment such as communicating radios cause crimes at University of Fort Hare (UFH) Alice campus. Cases reported to the security office takes a long time to conclude. Dark parts at the campus are found to cause some of crimes at the University of Fort Hare Alice campus. The significant of conducting this study, will help University of Fort Hare develop better policies regarding crimes on campus. The researcher also wanted to support the consistency of trying to find out a solution for university crime. It is recommended that University of Fort Hare management needs to hire more guards to make sure that each residence and building has a guard. During events at Alice campus that includes people from outside, there must be police and event’s organisers need to present security plan when they are requesting university facilities to ensure the safeness of staff members and students. , Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An analysis of how leadership has shaped the culture of customer centricity in the branch of a bank
- Authors: Mali, Mandisa
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Banks and banking -- Customer services , Banks and banking -- Customer services -- South Africa -- Case studies , Customer relations -- Management , Customer relations -- Management -- South Africa -- Case studies , Relationship banking -- South Africa -- Case studies , Bank management -- South Africa -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/171852 , vital:42132
- Description: Financial institutions are faced with increasing competition as there has been an increase in new entrants in the industry, therefore a battle of market share in banking is in progress. Digitization is fast changing how customers perceive value, customers have become spoilt for choice and thus banks have to implement strategies that will help them to increase their market share by keeping the customers they currently have and strategies that help them to acquire more customers. A strategy on its own will not support organizational goals, if it is not adopted by the executers – the employees on the ground. It is important for leaders to support the strategic goals of an organization by ensuring that the goals become a culture, a way of doing things in that organization. This study is an analysis of how leadership shaped a culture of customer centricity in the branch of a bank. The objectives of the study were to: (1) To describe the culture of customer centricity that was cultivated by the branch manager; (2) To analyse what the leader pays attention to, measures and controls on a regular basis, in support of a culture of customer centricity; (3) To analyse how the leader conducts deliberate role modelling, teaching and coaching in support of a culture of customer centricity; (4) To analyse whether - and if so how - the quality of the dyadic relations between the leader and her followers enables or disables the effect of cultural mechanisms on the culture of customer centricity; and (5) To analyse how the leader built high quality relations with her followers The study took the form of a case study of a branch of a bank, where nine universal bankers and their former leader were interviewed. The data were then analysed using a deductive thematic analysis. The findings met all objectives of the study and the findings supported the propositions. The findings also discovered that reward and recognition contributed to the shaping of a culture of customer centricity. In conclusion the limitations and delimitations of the study are acknowledged, and recommendations are made. The study contributes towards the Social Exchange Theory (SET) and demonstrates how high-quality leader member exchange (LMX) relations can be developed. Several recommendations are made for further studies on factors shaping a culture of customer centricity, and implications for management are considered.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mali, Mandisa
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Banks and banking -- Customer services , Banks and banking -- Customer services -- South Africa -- Case studies , Customer relations -- Management , Customer relations -- Management -- South Africa -- Case studies , Relationship banking -- South Africa -- Case studies , Bank management -- South Africa -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/171852 , vital:42132
- Description: Financial institutions are faced with increasing competition as there has been an increase in new entrants in the industry, therefore a battle of market share in banking is in progress. Digitization is fast changing how customers perceive value, customers have become spoilt for choice and thus banks have to implement strategies that will help them to increase their market share by keeping the customers they currently have and strategies that help them to acquire more customers. A strategy on its own will not support organizational goals, if it is not adopted by the executers – the employees on the ground. It is important for leaders to support the strategic goals of an organization by ensuring that the goals become a culture, a way of doing things in that organization. This study is an analysis of how leadership shaped a culture of customer centricity in the branch of a bank. The objectives of the study were to: (1) To describe the culture of customer centricity that was cultivated by the branch manager; (2) To analyse what the leader pays attention to, measures and controls on a regular basis, in support of a culture of customer centricity; (3) To analyse how the leader conducts deliberate role modelling, teaching and coaching in support of a culture of customer centricity; (4) To analyse whether - and if so how - the quality of the dyadic relations between the leader and her followers enables or disables the effect of cultural mechanisms on the culture of customer centricity; and (5) To analyse how the leader built high quality relations with her followers The study took the form of a case study of a branch of a bank, where nine universal bankers and their former leader were interviewed. The data were then analysed using a deductive thematic analysis. The findings met all objectives of the study and the findings supported the propositions. The findings also discovered that reward and recognition contributed to the shaping of a culture of customer centricity. In conclusion the limitations and delimitations of the study are acknowledged, and recommendations are made. The study contributes towards the Social Exchange Theory (SET) and demonstrates how high-quality leader member exchange (LMX) relations can be developed. Several recommendations are made for further studies on factors shaping a culture of customer centricity, and implications for management are considered.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An analysis of how visualisation capabilities in dynamic geometric software develop meaning-making of mathematical concepts in selected Grade 11 learners
- Authors: Mavani, Deepack Pravin
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa , Mathematics -- Computer programs , Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Case studies , Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- Activity programs , Educational technology , Visualization
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/143213 , vital:38211
- Description: Visualisation plays a central role in developing mathematical ideas because it can be used to make these ideas explicit and visible, and thus has the potential to advance understanding. This study centred around the GeoGebra Literacy Initiative Project (GLIP), a teacher development initiative in Mthatha that aimed to grow and develop appropriate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills in teachers, to harness the teaching and learning potential of GeoGebra. GeoGebra is a dynamic geometric software package that is very interactive and makes use of powerful features to create images which can be moved around the computer screen for mathematical exploration. This research project was located within GLIP and analysed how GeoGebra applets develop conceptual and procedural understanding in selected Grade 11 learners. One aspect of GLIP was for teachers to use GeoGebra applets that they had developed themselves and implemented in their classrooms in pre-determined cycles that were aligned to the curriculum. My study specifically focused on how the selected learners made use of these applets and explored how learning had taken place in terms of developing mathematical meaning-making. This interpretive research study was designed as a case study. The case was a cohort of selected Grade 11 learners who had been taught by GLIP teachers, and my unit of analysis was the learners’ interaction with the applets. A screen capturing software package was used to capture learners’ interactions with the GeoGebra. My data consisted mainly of recorded observations and interviews. An analytical framework derived from the works of Kilpatrick, Swafford, and Findell (2001) and Carter et al. (2009) guided and informed the data analysis of the learners’ activities with the GeoGebra. The theoretical orientation of this study was constructivist learning. An in-depth analysis and detailed descriptions of the participants’ interactions enabled me to gain a comprehensive understanding of their meaning-making processes in a technological classroom context. An analysis across the participants identified distinguishable patterns or differences in the development of the learners’ mathematical proficiency and making sense of mathematical ideas. The research argued that technology enabled visualisation was a powerful tool to not only enrich mathematically activities, but to also enrich conceptual and procedural understanding. The findings recognised that exploration of, or manipulation on mathematical objects in GeoGebra was a key activity in the participants’ meaning-making process. It also enabled learners to offer self-proclaimed theories
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mavani, Deepack Pravin
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa , Mathematics -- Computer programs , Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Case studies , Mathematics -- Study and teaching -- Activity programs , Educational technology , Visualization
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/143213 , vital:38211
- Description: Visualisation plays a central role in developing mathematical ideas because it can be used to make these ideas explicit and visible, and thus has the potential to advance understanding. This study centred around the GeoGebra Literacy Initiative Project (GLIP), a teacher development initiative in Mthatha that aimed to grow and develop appropriate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills in teachers, to harness the teaching and learning potential of GeoGebra. GeoGebra is a dynamic geometric software package that is very interactive and makes use of powerful features to create images which can be moved around the computer screen for mathematical exploration. This research project was located within GLIP and analysed how GeoGebra applets develop conceptual and procedural understanding in selected Grade 11 learners. One aspect of GLIP was for teachers to use GeoGebra applets that they had developed themselves and implemented in their classrooms in pre-determined cycles that were aligned to the curriculum. My study specifically focused on how the selected learners made use of these applets and explored how learning had taken place in terms of developing mathematical meaning-making. This interpretive research study was designed as a case study. The case was a cohort of selected Grade 11 learners who had been taught by GLIP teachers, and my unit of analysis was the learners’ interaction with the applets. A screen capturing software package was used to capture learners’ interactions with the GeoGebra. My data consisted mainly of recorded observations and interviews. An analytical framework derived from the works of Kilpatrick, Swafford, and Findell (2001) and Carter et al. (2009) guided and informed the data analysis of the learners’ activities with the GeoGebra. The theoretical orientation of this study was constructivist learning. An in-depth analysis and detailed descriptions of the participants’ interactions enabled me to gain a comprehensive understanding of their meaning-making processes in a technological classroom context. An analysis across the participants identified distinguishable patterns or differences in the development of the learners’ mathematical proficiency and making sense of mathematical ideas. The research argued that technology enabled visualisation was a powerful tool to not only enrich mathematically activities, but to also enrich conceptual and procedural understanding. The findings recognised that exploration of, or manipulation on mathematical objects in GeoGebra was a key activity in the participants’ meaning-making process. It also enabled learners to offer self-proclaimed theories
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An analysis of indicators disclosed in the integrated annual reports of selected South African retailers
- Authors: Blignaut, Anna Cornelia
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Financial statements -- South Africa -- Case studies , Retail trade -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/140859 , vital:37924
- Description: This study aimed to analyse the indicators disclosed in the Integrated Annual Reports (IARs) of selected South African retailers. This was firstly done by identifying the six capital and governance indicators retailers report on in order to analyse the commonalities and differences between them, secondly by identifying and assessing evidence of integrated thinking and lastly by making recommendations for optimal retail sector reporting. IARs from Pick n Pay Stores Ltd, Shoprite Holdings Ltd, Spar Group Ltd and Woolworths Holdings Ltd were analysed using content analysis. The results found noteworthy differences in IAR composition in terms of report length and the sections retailers devoted more or less of their report to. Governance and Remuneration indicator disclosure did not allow for broad comparison among all four retailers. In terms of indicator disclosure few indicators were disclosed by all retailers, whilst many were only disclosed by one retailer. Disclosures related to all six capitals were found, yet some indicators were disclosed excessively. Paradoxically, insufficient disclosure of indicators that are easily measurable and low levels of negative or unfavourable indicator disclosure was also apparent in this study. The comparability of indicators was influenced by the aggregation and disaggregation of indicators as well as the lack of consistency in the terminology used in IARs. Indicator disclosure also revealed several trends in the South African retail industry. This research identified the following six themes related to integrated thinking in the sample IARs. Retailers understand the connection between capitals, express consideration for multiple stakeholders and appreciate the context in which they operate, to some extent. Retailers were also found to have different interpretations of sustainability as part of their strategy and risk management whilst the completeness and consistency of information disclosed and retailers’ conceptualisation of value-added in IAR has not yet developed to the same extent across the retail industry. This study finally makes recommendations that may be used for optimal retail sector reporting with regards to the integrated reporting process as well as the integrated report itself. Addressing the former it is recommended that: integrated reporting be viewed as a means to build an internal understanding of their sustainability practices; integrated thinking be included as part of their strategic planning process; all capitals be considered in decision making; communication be established with others in the retail industry and that retailers engage with the IIRC on integrated reporting issues. In terms of the IAR itself, it is recommended that retailers ensure consistency in the terminology used and that the disaggregation of indicators is done in a consistent way. Retailers should include a balance of positive and negative disclosures as well as context-based indicators and seek assurance of the social, environmental and ethical information in their IARs. Finally, retailers need to set measurable sustainability performance targets and link them to specific performance indicators. The results of this study are not without limitations. The identification and categorisation of an indicator was largely based on the researcher’s own judgement in the content analysis process and can be highlighted as the main limitation of this research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Blignaut, Anna Cornelia
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Financial statements -- South Africa -- Case studies , Retail trade -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/140859 , vital:37924
- Description: This study aimed to analyse the indicators disclosed in the Integrated Annual Reports (IARs) of selected South African retailers. This was firstly done by identifying the six capital and governance indicators retailers report on in order to analyse the commonalities and differences between them, secondly by identifying and assessing evidence of integrated thinking and lastly by making recommendations for optimal retail sector reporting. IARs from Pick n Pay Stores Ltd, Shoprite Holdings Ltd, Spar Group Ltd and Woolworths Holdings Ltd were analysed using content analysis. The results found noteworthy differences in IAR composition in terms of report length and the sections retailers devoted more or less of their report to. Governance and Remuneration indicator disclosure did not allow for broad comparison among all four retailers. In terms of indicator disclosure few indicators were disclosed by all retailers, whilst many were only disclosed by one retailer. Disclosures related to all six capitals were found, yet some indicators were disclosed excessively. Paradoxically, insufficient disclosure of indicators that are easily measurable and low levels of negative or unfavourable indicator disclosure was also apparent in this study. The comparability of indicators was influenced by the aggregation and disaggregation of indicators as well as the lack of consistency in the terminology used in IARs. Indicator disclosure also revealed several trends in the South African retail industry. This research identified the following six themes related to integrated thinking in the sample IARs. Retailers understand the connection between capitals, express consideration for multiple stakeholders and appreciate the context in which they operate, to some extent. Retailers were also found to have different interpretations of sustainability as part of their strategy and risk management whilst the completeness and consistency of information disclosed and retailers’ conceptualisation of value-added in IAR has not yet developed to the same extent across the retail industry. This study finally makes recommendations that may be used for optimal retail sector reporting with regards to the integrated reporting process as well as the integrated report itself. Addressing the former it is recommended that: integrated reporting be viewed as a means to build an internal understanding of their sustainability practices; integrated thinking be included as part of their strategic planning process; all capitals be considered in decision making; communication be established with others in the retail industry and that retailers engage with the IIRC on integrated reporting issues. In terms of the IAR itself, it is recommended that retailers ensure consistency in the terminology used and that the disaggregation of indicators is done in a consistent way. Retailers should include a balance of positive and negative disclosures as well as context-based indicators and seek assurance of the social, environmental and ethical information in their IARs. Finally, retailers need to set measurable sustainability performance targets and link them to specific performance indicators. The results of this study are not without limitations. The identification and categorisation of an indicator was largely based on the researcher’s own judgement in the content analysis process and can be highlighted as the main limitation of this research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An Analysis of Internet Background Radiation within an African IPv4 netblock
- Authors: Hendricks, Wadeegh
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Computer networks -- Monitoring –- South Africa , Dark Web , Computer networks -- Security measures –- South Africa , Universities and Colleges -- Computer networks -- Security measures , Malware (Computer software) , TCP/IP (Computer network protocol)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/103791 , vital:32298
- Description: The use of passive network sensors has in the past proven to be quite effective in monitoring and analysing the current state of traffic on a network. Internet traffic destined to a routable, yet unused address block is often referred to as Internet Background Radiation (IBR) and characterised as unsolicited. This unsolicited traffic is however quite valuable to researchers in that it allows them to study the traffic patterns in a covert manner. IBR is largely composed of network and port scanning traffic, backscatter packets from virus and malware activity and to a lesser extent, misconfiguration of network devices. This research answers the following two questions: (1) What is the current state of IBR within the context of a South African IP address space and (2) Can any anomalies be detected in the traffic, with specific reference to current global malware attacks such as Mirai and similar. Rhodes University operates five IPv4 passive network sensors, commonly known as network telescopes, each monitoring its own /24 IP address block. The oldest of these network telescopes has been collecting traffic for over a decade, with the newest being established in 2011. This research focuses on the in-depth analysis of the traffic captured by one telescope in the 155/8 range over a 12 month period, from January to December 2017. The traffic was analysed and classified according the protocol, TCP flag, source IP address, destination port, packet count and payload size. Apart from the normal network traffic graphs and tables, a geographic heatmap of source traffic was also created, based on the source IP address. Spikes and noticeable variances in traffic patterns were further investigated and evidence of Mirai like malware activity was observed. Network and port scanning were found to comprise the largest amount of traffic, accounting for over 90% of the total IBR. Various scanning techniques were identified, including low level passive scanning and much higher level active scanning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Hendricks, Wadeegh
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Computer networks -- Monitoring –- South Africa , Dark Web , Computer networks -- Security measures –- South Africa , Universities and Colleges -- Computer networks -- Security measures , Malware (Computer software) , TCP/IP (Computer network protocol)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/103791 , vital:32298
- Description: The use of passive network sensors has in the past proven to be quite effective in monitoring and analysing the current state of traffic on a network. Internet traffic destined to a routable, yet unused address block is often referred to as Internet Background Radiation (IBR) and characterised as unsolicited. This unsolicited traffic is however quite valuable to researchers in that it allows them to study the traffic patterns in a covert manner. IBR is largely composed of network and port scanning traffic, backscatter packets from virus and malware activity and to a lesser extent, misconfiguration of network devices. This research answers the following two questions: (1) What is the current state of IBR within the context of a South African IP address space and (2) Can any anomalies be detected in the traffic, with specific reference to current global malware attacks such as Mirai and similar. Rhodes University operates five IPv4 passive network sensors, commonly known as network telescopes, each monitoring its own /24 IP address block. The oldest of these network telescopes has been collecting traffic for over a decade, with the newest being established in 2011. This research focuses on the in-depth analysis of the traffic captured by one telescope in the 155/8 range over a 12 month period, from January to December 2017. The traffic was analysed and classified according the protocol, TCP flag, source IP address, destination port, packet count and payload size. Apart from the normal network traffic graphs and tables, a geographic heatmap of source traffic was also created, based on the source IP address. Spikes and noticeable variances in traffic patterns were further investigated and evidence of Mirai like malware activity was observed. Network and port scanning were found to comprise the largest amount of traffic, accounting for over 90% of the total IBR. Various scanning techniques were identified, including low level passive scanning and much higher level active scanning.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An analysis of purple truths: an alternative history of the school of journalism and media studies at Rhodes University. Exploring the possibilities of digital media for telling history through multiple voices
- Authors: Geldenhuys, Jesamé
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Citizen journalism -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Social media and history -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Public history -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Digital media -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Digital humanities , User-generated content -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Social media -- Authorship , Rhodes University. School of Journalism and Media Studies -- History , Purple Truths
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/142293 , vital:38066
- Description: In theory, notions of public history and participatory journalism signal the ability of users to become active collaborators in the journalistic process with a degree of agency and authority over media content. Similarities in public history and participatory journalism are manifested in audience participation where the traditional and hegemonic boundaries between readers and journalists/historians are challenged. In this thesis, I present Purple Truths, a digital public history website about the School of Journalism and Media Studies at Rhodes University, that highlights multivocality and plurality. It allowed for democratisation of the historical narrative by inviting audience participation to historical inquiry on a digital platform. It was constructed as a case study for the thesis to investigate participatory processes. Using a five-dimensional model developed by Netzer et al. (2014) for the construction of participation on news websites, I identified five major participation features that revealed how and where participation was happening on the website. The features were mapped and tabulated according to Carpentier’s (2011) maximalist/minimalist dimensions of participation (access, interaction and ‘real’) to determine the degrees of participation in this study towards the aim of using the Purple Truths website to democratise the historical narrative. My findings suggest that despite a diversity of strategies, the study did have to rely on existing norms and practices of editorial decision-making, even in the context of digital media, and significant stages of the news-production process (selection/filtering) remained in the hands of researcher/editor. Maximalist participation, demonstrated as equalised power relations in decision-making, has a utopian dimension and is difficult to translate into practice. However, participation research requires further investigation in the digital humanities in South Africa to explore notions of democratisation of the narrative in academic and social praxis as sites of interdisciplinary democratic renewal
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Geldenhuys, Jesamé
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Citizen journalism -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Social media and history -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Public history -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Digital media -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Digital humanities , User-generated content -- South Africa -- Makhanda , Social media -- Authorship , Rhodes University. School of Journalism and Media Studies -- History , Purple Truths
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/142293 , vital:38066
- Description: In theory, notions of public history and participatory journalism signal the ability of users to become active collaborators in the journalistic process with a degree of agency and authority over media content. Similarities in public history and participatory journalism are manifested in audience participation where the traditional and hegemonic boundaries between readers and journalists/historians are challenged. In this thesis, I present Purple Truths, a digital public history website about the School of Journalism and Media Studies at Rhodes University, that highlights multivocality and plurality. It allowed for democratisation of the historical narrative by inviting audience participation to historical inquiry on a digital platform. It was constructed as a case study for the thesis to investigate participatory processes. Using a five-dimensional model developed by Netzer et al. (2014) for the construction of participation on news websites, I identified five major participation features that revealed how and where participation was happening on the website. The features were mapped and tabulated according to Carpentier’s (2011) maximalist/minimalist dimensions of participation (access, interaction and ‘real’) to determine the degrees of participation in this study towards the aim of using the Purple Truths website to democratise the historical narrative. My findings suggest that despite a diversity of strategies, the study did have to rely on existing norms and practices of editorial decision-making, even in the context of digital media, and significant stages of the news-production process (selection/filtering) remained in the hands of researcher/editor. Maximalist participation, demonstrated as equalised power relations in decision-making, has a utopian dimension and is difficult to translate into practice. However, participation research requires further investigation in the digital humanities in South Africa to explore notions of democratisation of the narrative in academic and social praxis as sites of interdisciplinary democratic renewal
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An Analysis of Self-Help Agricultural Projects in Rothe Village, Lesotho
- Authors: Phiri, Bokang
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Community development -- Lesotho , Rural development -- Lesotho , Rural development projects - Lesotho -- Case studies , Agricultural development projects - Lesotho -- Case studies , Agricultural development projects - Lesotho -- Evaluation , Rural Self-Help Development Association
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/144242 , vital:38324
- Description: The study analysed self-help agricultural projects in Rothe, Lesotho to ascertain whether they improve the quality lives of Rothe villagers. As much as government driven self-help projects in Lesotho contribute to growing the rural economy, there is limited research that looks the sustainability of these interventions. Much of the literature in Lesotho reveal that self-help agricultural projects have focused on people being provided with food-for-work, or cash-for-work, these offered little benefits and temporary relief for hunger for beneficiaries. This study seeks to understand how self-help agricultural projects can sustainable improve the lives of Rothe community in Lesotho. The study drew from Sustainable Livelihoods Approach to understand self-help agricultural projects in Rothe, Lesotho. The study employed a qualitative case study approach, supplemented by purposive and snowball sampling methods and semi-structured interviews to select and interview self-help project beneficiaries and Field Officers of RSDA in Rothe Village. The findings revealed that self-help agricultural projects are alternative development interventions for improving the quality lives of poor rural villagers. These development interventions enable people to access livelihoods resources, assets, and social capitals that are important to improve, and sustain livelihoods. Additionally, they improve capabilities of the poor, and contribute to their overall development. The thesis concludes that these development interventions have a role to play in alleviating rural poverty lives as a way to ensure equitable distribution of resources. The study recommends that the government, people on the ground and RSDA should work together to strengthen people’s capabilities through self-help agricultural projects to promote welfare and well-being of rural people.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Phiri, Bokang
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Community development -- Lesotho , Rural development -- Lesotho , Rural development projects - Lesotho -- Case studies , Agricultural development projects - Lesotho -- Case studies , Agricultural development projects - Lesotho -- Evaluation , Rural Self-Help Development Association
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/144242 , vital:38324
- Description: The study analysed self-help agricultural projects in Rothe, Lesotho to ascertain whether they improve the quality lives of Rothe villagers. As much as government driven self-help projects in Lesotho contribute to growing the rural economy, there is limited research that looks the sustainability of these interventions. Much of the literature in Lesotho reveal that self-help agricultural projects have focused on people being provided with food-for-work, or cash-for-work, these offered little benefits and temporary relief for hunger for beneficiaries. This study seeks to understand how self-help agricultural projects can sustainable improve the lives of Rothe community in Lesotho. The study drew from Sustainable Livelihoods Approach to understand self-help agricultural projects in Rothe, Lesotho. The study employed a qualitative case study approach, supplemented by purposive and snowball sampling methods and semi-structured interviews to select and interview self-help project beneficiaries and Field Officers of RSDA in Rothe Village. The findings revealed that self-help agricultural projects are alternative development interventions for improving the quality lives of poor rural villagers. These development interventions enable people to access livelihoods resources, assets, and social capitals that are important to improve, and sustain livelihoods. Additionally, they improve capabilities of the poor, and contribute to their overall development. The thesis concludes that these development interventions have a role to play in alleviating rural poverty lives as a way to ensure equitable distribution of resources. The study recommends that the government, people on the ground and RSDA should work together to strengthen people’s capabilities through self-help agricultural projects to promote welfare and well-being of rural people.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An analysis of South Africa’s food security policy frameworks from a food sovereignty perspective: challenges and implications for genuine long-term food security
- Authors: Hoepfl, Jason
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Food sovereignty -- South Africa , Food security -- South Africa , Food security -- Government policy -- South Africa , Food security -- Climatic factors -- South Africa , Food policy -- Government policy -- South Africa , Agriculture and state -- South Africa , Food industry and trade -- Government policy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSocSci
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/162851 , vital:40990
- Description: Food price volatility, ecological shocks and unprecedented levels of hunger and obesity are increasing concerns within food security governance, as is the emergence of food sovereignty in broadening critical discussions around food, water, energy and environmental crises. This thesis analyses this changing terrain in the context of South African policy. It analyses shifts in policymaking and the capability of South Africa’s food security policy frameworks to include food sovereignty principles and in so doing support genuine long-term food security. A shift in policy priorities from household production, trade and income opportunities towards social safety nets and nutritional interventions is identified. This focus is constrained by an inability to affect structural changes within a deeply inequitable food landscape. An emphasis on commercial farming and unwillingness to challenge large agribusiness, value chains and corporate retail has enabled social differentiation in access to food and the country’s colonial land dispensation to continue. Consequently, markets have continued to be antipathetic to the needs of poor producers and consumers in South Africa. To overcome these structural constraints, food security policy needs to be framed within a more radical normative agenda. This is important for challenging inequitable power relations and asserting the social and ecological imperatives of healthy food systems. Food sovereignty has significant potential to support a normative agenda by supporting the multiple farming practices, enterprises and livelihood strategies pursued by poor farmers, the unemployed and working poor whilst preserving sensitive environments for future generations. Determining the future of food security is not the privilege of the few with economic clout or power to govern but the right of all. The incorporation of food sovereignty principles in policymaking is therefore paramount for achieving genuine long-term food security.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Hoepfl, Jason
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Food sovereignty -- South Africa , Food security -- South Africa , Food security -- Government policy -- South Africa , Food security -- Climatic factors -- South Africa , Food policy -- Government policy -- South Africa , Agriculture and state -- South Africa , Food industry and trade -- Government policy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSocSci
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/162851 , vital:40990
- Description: Food price volatility, ecological shocks and unprecedented levels of hunger and obesity are increasing concerns within food security governance, as is the emergence of food sovereignty in broadening critical discussions around food, water, energy and environmental crises. This thesis analyses this changing terrain in the context of South African policy. It analyses shifts in policymaking and the capability of South Africa’s food security policy frameworks to include food sovereignty principles and in so doing support genuine long-term food security. A shift in policy priorities from household production, trade and income opportunities towards social safety nets and nutritional interventions is identified. This focus is constrained by an inability to affect structural changes within a deeply inequitable food landscape. An emphasis on commercial farming and unwillingness to challenge large agribusiness, value chains and corporate retail has enabled social differentiation in access to food and the country’s colonial land dispensation to continue. Consequently, markets have continued to be antipathetic to the needs of poor producers and consumers in South Africa. To overcome these structural constraints, food security policy needs to be framed within a more radical normative agenda. This is important for challenging inequitable power relations and asserting the social and ecological imperatives of healthy food systems. Food sovereignty has significant potential to support a normative agenda by supporting the multiple farming practices, enterprises and livelihood strategies pursued by poor farmers, the unemployed and working poor whilst preserving sensitive environments for future generations. Determining the future of food security is not the privilege of the few with economic clout or power to govern but the right of all. The incorporation of food sovereignty principles in policymaking is therefore paramount for achieving genuine long-term food security.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An analysis of South Africa’s readiness for analogue to digital terrestrial television migration by July, 2020
- Authors: Jikela, Qaqamba
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Digital television -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48180 , vital:40518
- Description: The 2006 International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio World Conference treaty concluded that all countries should migrate from analogue to digital terrestrial television by June 2015, starting with region one countries, comprising Africa, Europe, the Middle East and the Republic of Iran (Agona & Otim, 2012). South Africa, as part of region one, developed a migration policy, Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) regulations, and initiated a process of migrating from Analogue Terrestrial Television (ATT) to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) to meet the deadline. South Africa, however, missed the June 2015 deadline due to a number of challenges, including a lack of infrastructure readiness, South African citizens’ unawareness and government politics, and the deadline has since been extended by ITU to July, 2020 (African Telecommunications Union, 2018). The purpose of this research is to explore the technology adoption model (TAM) to address challenges associated with digital terrestrial television migration, and analyse the readiness of South Africa to migrate. TAM is a model used by researchers to understand the behavior and perception of users in new technology adoption (Fayad & Paper, 2015). Quantitative research is conducted to determine the relationship between dependent and independent variables. The research was undertaken through the use of an online questionnaire with a sample of South African citizen's. A sample of 60 -150 citizens, comprising middle and senior managers of the broadcasting industry was used for the purpose of this research. Digital television offers many benefits for broadcasters, network operators, spectrum regulators, and consumers. In most countries, the transition was slower than expected, even though most European countries managed to migrate. The digital migration is not an easy transition and analogue switch-off can also be much more difficult. Studies have shown that analogue switch off (ASO) needs to be carefully planned and well budgeted for, and it also needs a good publicity campaign which must involve all relevant stakeholders, such as broadcasters, viewers, manufacturers, network operators, manufacturers and retailers. Even though studies conducted previously identified obstacles of digital migration to include; a) lack of awareness b) lack of information, c) influence of politics and d) influence of corruptLack of information and influence of corruption seem to have strong correlation with DTT migration, so these are areas that need additional attention. Studies have shown that the African continent is struggling with meeting the digital migration deadline and is progressing very slowly. It is therefore advisable for the African continent to do a thorough analysis of how other countries managed to migrate successfully. Most African countries are struggling with the migration of television broadcasting from analogue terrestrial television to digital terrestrial television. This is caused mainly by lack of information and lack of awareness. Even though most South African people have heard about digital terrestrial television, they are not equipped for the migration. To sensitise viewers, as major stakeholders of digital migration, will play an important role. It is important that the South African Government should get a buy in from all relevant stakeholders as soon as possible. Broadcasters, including the national signal broadcaster (SABC), community broadcaster, commercial broadcasters, Sentech LTD and government should coordinate in establishing vigorous DTT awareness campaigns to educate viewers. These will encourage buy in from viewers and, as a result, drive dual illumination costs down, saving the county money. South Africa need to fast-track the implementation of digital migration to prevent incurring financial losses due to supporting two terrestrial television networks. Even though studies show that most challenges associated with digital migration are common throughout the world. It would, therefore, be logical for South Africa to take the best practices from developed countries that have successfully migrated and are already broadcasting in digital. Lastly, digital terrestrial television migration is dependent on set-up box approval, manufacturing and affordability. In order to ensure that set-up box prices are affordable for South African consumers, it is recommended that these boxes must be 100% manufactured in South Africa. This will drive costs down and ensure good, total quality assurance. It will also mean that the required skills are developed and maintained locally to position South Africa better for future technology developments. Successful digital television migration would be a great milestone for South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Jikela, Qaqamba
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Digital television -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48180 , vital:40518
- Description: The 2006 International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio World Conference treaty concluded that all countries should migrate from analogue to digital terrestrial television by June 2015, starting with region one countries, comprising Africa, Europe, the Middle East and the Republic of Iran (Agona & Otim, 2012). South Africa, as part of region one, developed a migration policy, Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) regulations, and initiated a process of migrating from Analogue Terrestrial Television (ATT) to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) to meet the deadline. South Africa, however, missed the June 2015 deadline due to a number of challenges, including a lack of infrastructure readiness, South African citizens’ unawareness and government politics, and the deadline has since been extended by ITU to July, 2020 (African Telecommunications Union, 2018). The purpose of this research is to explore the technology adoption model (TAM) to address challenges associated with digital terrestrial television migration, and analyse the readiness of South Africa to migrate. TAM is a model used by researchers to understand the behavior and perception of users in new technology adoption (Fayad & Paper, 2015). Quantitative research is conducted to determine the relationship between dependent and independent variables. The research was undertaken through the use of an online questionnaire with a sample of South African citizen's. A sample of 60 -150 citizens, comprising middle and senior managers of the broadcasting industry was used for the purpose of this research. Digital television offers many benefits for broadcasters, network operators, spectrum regulators, and consumers. In most countries, the transition was slower than expected, even though most European countries managed to migrate. The digital migration is not an easy transition and analogue switch-off can also be much more difficult. Studies have shown that analogue switch off (ASO) needs to be carefully planned and well budgeted for, and it also needs a good publicity campaign which must involve all relevant stakeholders, such as broadcasters, viewers, manufacturers, network operators, manufacturers and retailers. Even though studies conducted previously identified obstacles of digital migration to include; a) lack of awareness b) lack of information, c) influence of politics and d) influence of corruptLack of information and influence of corruption seem to have strong correlation with DTT migration, so these are areas that need additional attention. Studies have shown that the African continent is struggling with meeting the digital migration deadline and is progressing very slowly. It is therefore advisable for the African continent to do a thorough analysis of how other countries managed to migrate successfully. Most African countries are struggling with the migration of television broadcasting from analogue terrestrial television to digital terrestrial television. This is caused mainly by lack of information and lack of awareness. Even though most South African people have heard about digital terrestrial television, they are not equipped for the migration. To sensitise viewers, as major stakeholders of digital migration, will play an important role. It is important that the South African Government should get a buy in from all relevant stakeholders as soon as possible. Broadcasters, including the national signal broadcaster (SABC), community broadcaster, commercial broadcasters, Sentech LTD and government should coordinate in establishing vigorous DTT awareness campaigns to educate viewers. These will encourage buy in from viewers and, as a result, drive dual illumination costs down, saving the county money. South Africa need to fast-track the implementation of digital migration to prevent incurring financial losses due to supporting two terrestrial television networks. Even though studies show that most challenges associated with digital migration are common throughout the world. It would, therefore, be logical for South Africa to take the best practices from developed countries that have successfully migrated and are already broadcasting in digital. Lastly, digital terrestrial television migration is dependent on set-up box approval, manufacturing and affordability. In order to ensure that set-up box prices are affordable for South African consumers, it is recommended that these boxes must be 100% manufactured in South Africa. This will drive costs down and ensure good, total quality assurance. It will also mean that the required skills are developed and maintained locally to position South Africa better for future technology developments. Successful digital television migration would be a great milestone for South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An Analysis of the Impact of Industry 4.0 on the Motor Industry in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Dorothy, Liesel
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Motor vehicle industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape.
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47721 , vital:40329
- Description: Over the past decade we have noted the accelerated development in information technology which has resulted in the internet moving from merely connecting people via computers to its connections now being extended to connect virtually everything. It has changed the daily lives of humans, from how we communicate with each other and drive our vehicles to how we work as well. These advancements in technology have created smart technologies which give organisations and countries a competitive advantage when implemented. Developed countries in Europe and North America have invested significant sums of money in order to speed up the implementation of industry 4.0 given the benefits that can be derived from it. Literature on industry 4.0 is on the rise, however not many studies have been conducted in Africa or South Africa. The purpose of this research is to analyse the impact that industry 4.0 technologies have on the operational performance of an organisation in the automotive industry in the Eastern Cape in South Africa. The effects of these technologies on the operational performance of an organisation will be assessed on the key performance measures of: speed, flexibility, quality, delivery dependability and cost. The study also seeks to define a guideline for organisations to use who wish to implement these technologies into their operations. A literature review on the subject was conducted as well as an empirical investigation. The results from both the literature review and the empirical investigation found that the operational performance of an organisation improves with the implementation of technology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Dorothy, Liesel
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Motor vehicle industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape.
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47721 , vital:40329
- Description: Over the past decade we have noted the accelerated development in information technology which has resulted in the internet moving from merely connecting people via computers to its connections now being extended to connect virtually everything. It has changed the daily lives of humans, from how we communicate with each other and drive our vehicles to how we work as well. These advancements in technology have created smart technologies which give organisations and countries a competitive advantage when implemented. Developed countries in Europe and North America have invested significant sums of money in order to speed up the implementation of industry 4.0 given the benefits that can be derived from it. Literature on industry 4.0 is on the rise, however not many studies have been conducted in Africa or South Africa. The purpose of this research is to analyse the impact that industry 4.0 technologies have on the operational performance of an organisation in the automotive industry in the Eastern Cape in South Africa. The effects of these technologies on the operational performance of an organisation will be assessed on the key performance measures of: speed, flexibility, quality, delivery dependability and cost. The study also seeks to define a guideline for organisations to use who wish to implement these technologies into their operations. A literature review on the subject was conducted as well as an empirical investigation. The results from both the literature review and the empirical investigation found that the operational performance of an organisation improves with the implementation of technology.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An analysis of the public reporting of organisational resilience found within the integrated reports of a large state-owned enterprise
- Authors: Fleming, Linda
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Eskom (Firm) , Organizational resilience , Eskom (Firm) -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/141276 , vital:37958
- Description: This research explored whether there is any evidence of reporting of organisational resilience within the integrated reports of a large state-owned enterprise. The organisation chosen for the research was Eskom. The integrated annual reports of Eskom for 2016, 2017 and 2018 were examined. Direct and indirect evidence of organisational resilience was sought within the organisations integrated reports. The direct reporting of organisational resilience was located by using a PDF word search. A thematic content analysis was used to perform the search for indirect reporting of organisational resilience. Three main themes to represent organisational resilience that were identified beforehand were used to identify the indirect reporting of organisational resilience. Namely, transformability, adaptability and persistence. Sub themes of general and specified resilience were also identified during the research process. The literature review discusses the themes in detail, and also introduces communication and integrated reporting. Evidence of both direct and indirect organisational resilience was identified in all three years studied. Evidence of all the main themes and sub themes was found within the indirect reporting of organisational resilience. The main limitation of the study is that although evidence of reporting of organisational resilience was found, this evidence does not provide any indications of the level of organisational resilience within Eskom. A number of recommendations to Eskom management are made at the end of the research. What is interesting is that integrated reports are not designed to report on organisational resilience. However, the research showed clear evidence of reporting of organisational resilience within all three years researched. Potentially indicating that the integrated annual reports are a useful method of sharing information regarding organisational resilience with stakeholders. An additional benefit is that communication with stakeholders is simultaneously contributing to the enhancement of the organisations resilience.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Fleming, Linda
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Eskom (Firm) , Organizational resilience , Eskom (Firm) -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/141276 , vital:37958
- Description: This research explored whether there is any evidence of reporting of organisational resilience within the integrated reports of a large state-owned enterprise. The organisation chosen for the research was Eskom. The integrated annual reports of Eskom for 2016, 2017 and 2018 were examined. Direct and indirect evidence of organisational resilience was sought within the organisations integrated reports. The direct reporting of organisational resilience was located by using a PDF word search. A thematic content analysis was used to perform the search for indirect reporting of organisational resilience. Three main themes to represent organisational resilience that were identified beforehand were used to identify the indirect reporting of organisational resilience. Namely, transformability, adaptability and persistence. Sub themes of general and specified resilience were also identified during the research process. The literature review discusses the themes in detail, and also introduces communication and integrated reporting. Evidence of both direct and indirect organisational resilience was identified in all three years studied. Evidence of all the main themes and sub themes was found within the indirect reporting of organisational resilience. The main limitation of the study is that although evidence of reporting of organisational resilience was found, this evidence does not provide any indications of the level of organisational resilience within Eskom. A number of recommendations to Eskom management are made at the end of the research. What is interesting is that integrated reports are not designed to report on organisational resilience. However, the research showed clear evidence of reporting of organisational resilience within all three years researched. Potentially indicating that the integrated annual reports are a useful method of sharing information regarding organisational resilience with stakeholders. An additional benefit is that communication with stakeholders is simultaneously contributing to the enhancement of the organisations resilience.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An anthropoligical Inquiry on knowledge and understanding of Diabetes: a cultural analysis of knowledge construction amongst the youth in Humewood, Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Bota, Zizipho
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Diabetes -- Port Elizabeth --South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46659 , vital:39606
- Description: The study sought to inquire about the youth’s knowledge and understanding of diabetes in relation to its different types with regards to determined societal components such as education, culture, healthcare and socioeconomic status. It then became important to establish what the youth in Humewood, Port Elizabeth, understand about diabetes in relation to its three different types with regard to education, culture, healthcare and socioeconomic status in Humewood, Port Elizabeth. Previous studies have failed to inquire about knowledge construction and understanding of diabetes in Port Elizabeth, this provided an opportunity to do so, especially since diabetes is growing rapidly and is a lifelong illness. Most studies tend to focus on disseminating information to those that already have diabetes, overlooking the importance of diabetes education as a preventative strategy. The research followed a qualitative approach which included semi-structured individual face-to-face interviews as a method of data collection amongst ten participants using convenience sampling. The data revealed the importance of diabetes education and representation, and showed that financial standing and healthcare are interconnected. Complex inferiorities and social stratification hinder the betterment of the general welfare and therefore signifying social injustice. This research is an important contribution to medical anthropology in the context of Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Bota, Zizipho
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Diabetes -- Port Elizabeth --South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46659 , vital:39606
- Description: The study sought to inquire about the youth’s knowledge and understanding of diabetes in relation to its different types with regards to determined societal components such as education, culture, healthcare and socioeconomic status. It then became important to establish what the youth in Humewood, Port Elizabeth, understand about diabetes in relation to its three different types with regard to education, culture, healthcare and socioeconomic status in Humewood, Port Elizabeth. Previous studies have failed to inquire about knowledge construction and understanding of diabetes in Port Elizabeth, this provided an opportunity to do so, especially since diabetes is growing rapidly and is a lifelong illness. Most studies tend to focus on disseminating information to those that already have diabetes, overlooking the importance of diabetes education as a preventative strategy. The research followed a qualitative approach which included semi-structured individual face-to-face interviews as a method of data collection amongst ten participants using convenience sampling. The data revealed the importance of diabetes education and representation, and showed that financial standing and healthcare are interconnected. Complex inferiorities and social stratification hinder the betterment of the general welfare and therefore signifying social injustice. This research is an important contribution to medical anthropology in the context of Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An appraisal and critique of land redistribution approaches in South Africa
- Authors: Phiri, M C S
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: University of the Western Cape. Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies , Land reform -- South Africa , Land reform -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Agriculture and state -- South Africa , Reconstruction and Development Programme (South Africa) , Land reform beneficiaries -- South Africa , South Africa -- Economic conditions -- 1991- , South Africa -- Social conditions -- 1994- , South Africa -- Economic policy , Land tenure -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Black people -- South Africa -- Economic conditions , Black people -- South Africa -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/149161 , vital:38810
- Description: This paper is in response to the PLAAS Land Conference held in February 2019 which aimed at discovering an alternative to how to solve the land question. The conference came at a time where land and agrarian reform re-emerged in South African socio-policy discussion. After twenty-five years of democracy the three land reform programmes have failed to restructure apartheid’s economic segregation, exclusionary land ownership patterns and to restore dignity to poor black South Africans. This study offers a detailed examination of the discourse of South African land reform, specifically the redistribution component with a focus on the land redistribution approaches presented at the PLAAS conference. Ultimately, the study puts forward a synthesized land redistribution approach as a hybrid solution to the land and agrarian crisis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Phiri, M C S
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: University of the Western Cape. Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies , Land reform -- South Africa , Land reform -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Agriculture and state -- South Africa , Reconstruction and Development Programme (South Africa) , Land reform beneficiaries -- South Africa , South Africa -- Economic conditions -- 1991- , South Africa -- Social conditions -- 1994- , South Africa -- Economic policy , Land tenure -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Black people -- South Africa -- Economic conditions , Black people -- South Africa -- Social conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/149161 , vital:38810
- Description: This paper is in response to the PLAAS Land Conference held in February 2019 which aimed at discovering an alternative to how to solve the land question. The conference came at a time where land and agrarian reform re-emerged in South African socio-policy discussion. After twenty-five years of democracy the three land reform programmes have failed to restructure apartheid’s economic segregation, exclusionary land ownership patterns and to restore dignity to poor black South Africans. This study offers a detailed examination of the discourse of South African land reform, specifically the redistribution component with a focus on the land redistribution approaches presented at the PLAAS conference. Ultimately, the study puts forward a synthesized land redistribution approach as a hybrid solution to the land and agrarian crisis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An archetypical analysis of chief executive officers in the mining sector according to their remuneration and company performance: a resource based view
- Authors: King, Matthew Sebastian
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Executives -- Salaries, etc. -- South Africa , Directors of corporations -- Salaries, etc. -- South Africa , Mining corporations -- Salaries, etc. -- South Africa , Mines and mineral resources -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/168503 , vital:41589
- Description: The growth in the mining sector post 1994 saw many CEO s enjoy exorbitant levels of financial prosperity particularly in relation to th e mining workforce . The pay disparity between the remuneration of CEO s and the average worker contributed to instability and labour unrest. While there has been extensive research conducted on the relationship between CEO remuneration and company performance, questions around the justification of exorbitant CEO remuneration levels have persisted. One of the shortcomings of these studies have been understanding company performance as limited to financial indicators. For this reason, Resource - Based theory was used in this study to focus on CEOs as tangible, heterogeneous and immobile assets, who could influence company performance by creating a firm’s competitive advantage. In order to investigate this, a mixed - method research design was utilised to ascertain the relationship between CEO remune ration and company performance. The data for the quantitative study was collected using an archival method by sourcing secondary data obtained from the sampled companie s’ annual integrated reports. Statistical tests were performed to test the relationsh ip between CEO remuneration and company performance of mining companies listed on the JSE over the period of 2014 to 2018. This was followed by the qualitative thematic analysis which utilised online information published about four CEOs sampled according to their pay/performance relationships (namely high earning/high performing; high earning/low performing; low earning/high performing and low earning/low performing). The VRIO framework was utilised in conjunction with the thematic analysis to assess the extent to which each of the selected CEOs could be identified as valuable, rare, inimitable and organised. Finally, t he demographic characteristics and leadership attributes of these CEOs were collectiv ely aligned to particular l eadership archetype s. This study found that despite company performance levels experiencing negative growth and volatility, CEO remuneration remained stable and experienced positive growth throughout the period . The qualitative analysis and the application of the VRIO framework wa s conducted in order to explor e reasons why this disparity may continue to exist. The analysis of the differences in demographic characteristics and leadership attributes between these four CEOs provided a possible j ustification for the disparity in t he levels of remuneration. It was found that some CEOs high levels of remuneration could be justified by virtue of their well - developed leadership skills. In particular CEOs need softer skills (such as communication, openness, relationship - building and stakeholder engagement) and to draw on the communicator, builder and coach archetypes in order to create a sustained competitive advantage within companies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: King, Matthew Sebastian
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Executives -- Salaries, etc. -- South Africa , Directors of corporations -- Salaries, etc. -- South Africa , Mining corporations -- Salaries, etc. -- South Africa , Mines and mineral resources -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/168503 , vital:41589
- Description: The growth in the mining sector post 1994 saw many CEO s enjoy exorbitant levels of financial prosperity particularly in relation to th e mining workforce . The pay disparity between the remuneration of CEO s and the average worker contributed to instability and labour unrest. While there has been extensive research conducted on the relationship between CEO remuneration and company performance, questions around the justification of exorbitant CEO remuneration levels have persisted. One of the shortcomings of these studies have been understanding company performance as limited to financial indicators. For this reason, Resource - Based theory was used in this study to focus on CEOs as tangible, heterogeneous and immobile assets, who could influence company performance by creating a firm’s competitive advantage. In order to investigate this, a mixed - method research design was utilised to ascertain the relationship between CEO remune ration and company performance. The data for the quantitative study was collected using an archival method by sourcing secondary data obtained from the sampled companie s’ annual integrated reports. Statistical tests were performed to test the relationsh ip between CEO remuneration and company performance of mining companies listed on the JSE over the period of 2014 to 2018. This was followed by the qualitative thematic analysis which utilised online information published about four CEOs sampled according to their pay/performance relationships (namely high earning/high performing; high earning/low performing; low earning/high performing and low earning/low performing). The VRIO framework was utilised in conjunction with the thematic analysis to assess the extent to which each of the selected CEOs could be identified as valuable, rare, inimitable and organised. Finally, t he demographic characteristics and leadership attributes of these CEOs were collectiv ely aligned to particular l eadership archetype s. This study found that despite company performance levels experiencing negative growth and volatility, CEO remuneration remained stable and experienced positive growth throughout the period . The qualitative analysis and the application of the VRIO framework wa s conducted in order to explor e reasons why this disparity may continue to exist. The analysis of the differences in demographic characteristics and leadership attributes between these four CEOs provided a possible j ustification for the disparity in t he levels of remuneration. It was found that some CEOs high levels of remuneration could be justified by virtue of their well - developed leadership skills. In particular CEOs need softer skills (such as communication, openness, relationship - building and stakeholder engagement) and to draw on the communicator, builder and coach archetypes in order to create a sustained competitive advantage within companies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An assessment of temporal changes in selective biological characteristics of chokka squid (Loligo reynaudii d’Órbigny, 1845)
- Authors: Mmethi, Mpho Audrey
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Loligo reynaudii , Squids -- Morphology , Squids -- South Africa , Squid fisheries -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/143516 , vital:38253
- Description: The biological characteristics of chokka squid, Loligo reynaudii, sampled off the south coast of South Africa, were compared between 1994 and 2017 to ascertain any temporal changes using analysis of length frequency (LF) data over 15 years (1996–2017), and mantle length (ML) and total weight (TW) relationships over 9 years (1994–2016). To investigate feeding, two caecum colours were chosen for analysis (white: no food ingested, and yellow: six to seven hours after food ingestion). Other factors were kept constant throughout: similar sampling period of 60 days in spring-summer, similar depths and areas sampled, and identical maturity stage. Anecdotal evidence from fishers suggested that the length frequency and ML_TW relationship of chokka have changed over years, with possibilities to be linked to fishing activities and environmental conditions. Also, there is evidence in the published literature that both fisheries and environment may influence length distributions in populations of fish and cephalopods over time. The results from this study showed no significant differences between length frequencies over the time series. However, a significant decrease in length frequencies between 2014 and 2016 was noted when paired data was analysed by Anova (2014:2015, 2014:2016 and 2015:2016), which was initially noted in kernel density, Figure 2, hence an additional analysis was done. These changes were not linked to sea temperature (at 9 m, 14 m, 18 m, and 21 m depth strata), with not significant (P>0.05) results when temperature was analysed by t-test between 2002 and 2015. There was also a weak correlation between length frequency and the total squid catch in a given year (F Statistic (df = 1; 13) is 3.686 and 5.394 for males and females respectively, R² is 0.221 for males and 0.293 for females), but too weak to interpret, given the lack of other supporting data and the short time series. The ML_TW relationship showed no significant trends between the years for either sex. There was also no correlation between the ML_TW and total squid catch or temperature. A white caecum occurred significantly more often in males than in females (dof = 1; p < 0.05) from General Linear Model (GLM), indicating that the presence of non-feeding males in the spawning grounds may be linked to the behaviour of spawning squid.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Mmethi, Mpho Audrey
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Loligo reynaudii , Squids -- Morphology , Squids -- South Africa , Squid fisheries -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/143516 , vital:38253
- Description: The biological characteristics of chokka squid, Loligo reynaudii, sampled off the south coast of South Africa, were compared between 1994 and 2017 to ascertain any temporal changes using analysis of length frequency (LF) data over 15 years (1996–2017), and mantle length (ML) and total weight (TW) relationships over 9 years (1994–2016). To investigate feeding, two caecum colours were chosen for analysis (white: no food ingested, and yellow: six to seven hours after food ingestion). Other factors were kept constant throughout: similar sampling period of 60 days in spring-summer, similar depths and areas sampled, and identical maturity stage. Anecdotal evidence from fishers suggested that the length frequency and ML_TW relationship of chokka have changed over years, with possibilities to be linked to fishing activities and environmental conditions. Also, there is evidence in the published literature that both fisheries and environment may influence length distributions in populations of fish and cephalopods over time. The results from this study showed no significant differences between length frequencies over the time series. However, a significant decrease in length frequencies between 2014 and 2016 was noted when paired data was analysed by Anova (2014:2015, 2014:2016 and 2015:2016), which was initially noted in kernel density, Figure 2, hence an additional analysis was done. These changes were not linked to sea temperature (at 9 m, 14 m, 18 m, and 21 m depth strata), with not significant (P>0.05) results when temperature was analysed by t-test between 2002 and 2015. There was also a weak correlation between length frequency and the total squid catch in a given year (F Statistic (df = 1; 13) is 3.686 and 5.394 for males and females respectively, R² is 0.221 for males and 0.293 for females), but too weak to interpret, given the lack of other supporting data and the short time series. The ML_TW relationship showed no significant trends between the years for either sex. There was also no correlation between the ML_TW and total squid catch or temperature. A white caecum occurred significantly more often in males than in females (dof = 1; p < 0.05) from General Linear Model (GLM), indicating that the presence of non-feeding males in the spawning grounds may be linked to the behaviour of spawning squid.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An assessment of the effectiveness of the Crossways Farm Village constructed wetland in the treatment of domestic wastewater
- Authors: Silbernagl, Ryan
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Crossways Farm Village FWS wetland (South Africa)-- Management , Sewage -- Purification -- South Africa , Wetland management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145011 , vital:38400
- Description: A mass balance study was conducted comparing inflowing and outflowing solute loads in order to calculate the treatment efficiency of a free water surface (FWS) constructed wetland used to treat domestic wastewater following primary treatment in an anaerobic reactor and oxidation in a rotating biological contractor. Water samples were taken at six locations down the length of the treatment system and analysed for nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N), nitrite nitrogen (NO2-N), ammonia nitrogen (NH4-N) and phosphorus as phosphate (PO4-P). Flow was determined using two V notch weirs combined with pressure transducers based on an empirically derived stage-discharge relationship. The concentration of each solute (g.m-3) multiplied by flow (m3.day-1) provides a measurement of the mass of each solute entering and leaving the treatment wetland such that the difference (inflow – outflow) indicates the nett storage in, or loss from, the wetland. In order to determine the water balance, apart from measuring surface inflows and outflows, rainfall was measured using an onsite rain gauge. Evapotranspirational losses were determined using the Penman-Monteith equation based on weather data collected at an onsite weather station. Other than water that entered the wetland via the primary water treatment works, surface inflows could be ignored as the wetland was sealed with a plastic liner, which also prevented groundwater inflow and outflow. Wetland outputs via surface outflow and evapotranspiration were then subtracted from wetland inputs to determine the water balance over the study period. Approximately 10.5% of water inputs into the hydrological mass balance calculation was not accounted for, which is considered to be accounted for by inaccuracy associated with the estimation of evapotranspiration and possibly by differences in water levels in the wetland at the start and end of the experiment. Total input, output and storage of NO3-N, NO2-N, NH4-N and PO4-P was calculated from April 2016 to September 2016 to give the treatment efficiency of the FWS wetland system. Results showed a 91.5% reduction in NO3-N, 76.6% reduction in NH4-N, and 88.8% reduction in PO4P between the inflow and outflow. Wetland sediment and vegetation (Typha capensis) samples were also analysed for nitrogen and phosphorus content to give an estimate of nutrient stocks/storage accumulated in plant tissues and sediments over the lifespan of the wetland. Standing stock calculations showed that a total of 450.1kg of nitrogen is stored in the wetlands, of which 69.3kg is stored in wetland sediments. Wetland phosphorus retention was found to be significantly lower with a total of 57.1kg of phosphorus, of which 77.4% was stored in sediments, indicating that wetland sediments comprise the largest store and therefore removal pathway of nutrients in the Crossways Farm Village FWS wetland.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Silbernagl, Ryan
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Crossways Farm Village FWS wetland (South Africa)-- Management , Sewage -- Purification -- South Africa , Wetland management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145011 , vital:38400
- Description: A mass balance study was conducted comparing inflowing and outflowing solute loads in order to calculate the treatment efficiency of a free water surface (FWS) constructed wetland used to treat domestic wastewater following primary treatment in an anaerobic reactor and oxidation in a rotating biological contractor. Water samples were taken at six locations down the length of the treatment system and analysed for nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N), nitrite nitrogen (NO2-N), ammonia nitrogen (NH4-N) and phosphorus as phosphate (PO4-P). Flow was determined using two V notch weirs combined with pressure transducers based on an empirically derived stage-discharge relationship. The concentration of each solute (g.m-3) multiplied by flow (m3.day-1) provides a measurement of the mass of each solute entering and leaving the treatment wetland such that the difference (inflow – outflow) indicates the nett storage in, or loss from, the wetland. In order to determine the water balance, apart from measuring surface inflows and outflows, rainfall was measured using an onsite rain gauge. Evapotranspirational losses were determined using the Penman-Monteith equation based on weather data collected at an onsite weather station. Other than water that entered the wetland via the primary water treatment works, surface inflows could be ignored as the wetland was sealed with a plastic liner, which also prevented groundwater inflow and outflow. Wetland outputs via surface outflow and evapotranspiration were then subtracted from wetland inputs to determine the water balance over the study period. Approximately 10.5% of water inputs into the hydrological mass balance calculation was not accounted for, which is considered to be accounted for by inaccuracy associated with the estimation of evapotranspiration and possibly by differences in water levels in the wetland at the start and end of the experiment. Total input, output and storage of NO3-N, NO2-N, NH4-N and PO4-P was calculated from April 2016 to September 2016 to give the treatment efficiency of the FWS wetland system. Results showed a 91.5% reduction in NO3-N, 76.6% reduction in NH4-N, and 88.8% reduction in PO4P between the inflow and outflow. Wetland sediment and vegetation (Typha capensis) samples were also analysed for nitrogen and phosphorus content to give an estimate of nutrient stocks/storage accumulated in plant tissues and sediments over the lifespan of the wetland. Standing stock calculations showed that a total of 450.1kg of nitrogen is stored in the wetlands, of which 69.3kg is stored in wetland sediments. Wetland phosphorus retention was found to be significantly lower with a total of 57.1kg of phosphorus, of which 77.4% was stored in sediments, indicating that wetland sediments comprise the largest store and therefore removal pathway of nutrients in the Crossways Farm Village FWS wetland.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An audience perception of pentecostal churches’ television programmes on star times and dstv in lagos, Nigeria
- Authors: Olaoye, Adewale Titus
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Religious broadcasting -- Christianity Television in religion Mass media in religion
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Communication)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11418 , vital:39070
- Description: Pentecostal churches in Nigeria are leveraging traditional and new media technologies such as cable or digital satellite television, to broadcast services and programmes to their regular and a growing community of virtual worshippers. Critics of this type of religious outreach now known as televangelism have challenged its predominant, if not exclusive focus on miracle and prosperity message. Using the mixed-method research design involving focus group discussions, key informant interviews and a survey of 255 respondents, this study sought to ascertain Lagos audiences‘ perceptions of Pentecostal Television programmes on two satellite stations, Start Times and DSTV. The findings revealed that audience members perceive Pentecostal churches programme as primarily focused on converting the audience members to the Christian faith. The result revealed that miracle sessions are a common feature of televangelism. Respondents see the miracles as manipulations largely intended to woo and often, hoodwink audience members. The findings revealed that although some of the Pentecostal churches‘ programmes dwell more on the word of God compared to the mainline churches, the programmes and teachings, however, often tended to promote the leadership of the church and not the gospel of Christ. Generally, the study indicates the majority of the audience members are aware of and identify with the atrocities the Pentecostal Churches are accused of perpetrating through their TV programmes. The findings revealed poor awareness and knowledge about the role of the Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation (NBC). The results suggest participants do not believe the NBC is living up to its responsibilities. The findings of this study highlight the need for the NBC, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) to work together in formulating new regulations for controlling religious broadcast on television, Pentecostal TV broadcasts, in particular. This is the only way to safeguard vulnerable members of the audience from being manipulated and brainwashed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Olaoye, Adewale Titus
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Religious broadcasting -- Christianity Television in religion Mass media in religion
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Communication)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11418 , vital:39070
- Description: Pentecostal churches in Nigeria are leveraging traditional and new media technologies such as cable or digital satellite television, to broadcast services and programmes to their regular and a growing community of virtual worshippers. Critics of this type of religious outreach now known as televangelism have challenged its predominant, if not exclusive focus on miracle and prosperity message. Using the mixed-method research design involving focus group discussions, key informant interviews and a survey of 255 respondents, this study sought to ascertain Lagos audiences‘ perceptions of Pentecostal Television programmes on two satellite stations, Start Times and DSTV. The findings revealed that audience members perceive Pentecostal churches programme as primarily focused on converting the audience members to the Christian faith. The result revealed that miracle sessions are a common feature of televangelism. Respondents see the miracles as manipulations largely intended to woo and often, hoodwink audience members. The findings revealed that although some of the Pentecostal churches‘ programmes dwell more on the word of God compared to the mainline churches, the programmes and teachings, however, often tended to promote the leadership of the church and not the gospel of Christ. Generally, the study indicates the majority of the audience members are aware of and identify with the atrocities the Pentecostal Churches are accused of perpetrating through their TV programmes. The findings revealed poor awareness and knowledge about the role of the Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation (NBC). The results suggest participants do not believe the NBC is living up to its responsibilities. The findings of this study highlight the need for the NBC, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) to work together in formulating new regulations for controlling religious broadcast on television, Pentecostal TV broadcasts, in particular. This is the only way to safeguard vulnerable members of the audience from being manipulated and brainwashed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An educational intervention for professional nurses on the use of surgical attire in the prevention of surgical site infections in the operating theatres
- Authors: Alayemi, Joshua
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Surgical wound infections -- Prevention , Surgical nursing Operating room nursing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47937 , vital:40454
- Description: Infection control and prevention is an issue that is of utmost importance to every health practitioner, including professional nurses, as patients who undergo surgeries could develop sepsis, leading to failure of multiple organs and possibly death. Surgical site infections acquired from operating theatres are often introduced when there is lack of application of and adherence to the necessary control measures, sterile principles and techniques, including the appropriate use of surgical attire. This study aimed to contextualize, implement and evaluate an existing educational intervention regarding the use of surgical attire in operating theatres, in order to establish whether the educational intervention enhanced the practices of professional nurses in operating theatres regarding the use of surgical attire. A quantitative research design, using a quasi-experimental two-group pre-test, post-test intervention approach was employed for the study. The study consisted of three phases. Phase 1 consisted of the administration of the pre-test questionnaire relating to Objective One: “To explore and describe the practices of professional nurses on the use of surgical attire in the prevention of surgical site infections in operating theatres”. Phase 2 consisted of the contextualization and implementation of the educational intervention, which related to Objective Two: “To contextualize and implement an educational intervention for professional nurses on the use of surgical attire in the prevention of surgical site infections in operating theatres”. Phase 3 consisted of the administration of the posttest questionnaire, which related to Objective Three: “To evaluate whether an educational intervention regarding the use of surgical attire in the prevention of surgical site infections in operating theatres enhanced professional nurses’ practices”. The study is underpinned by the Promoting Action on Research Implementation (PARiHS) framework. The research sample consisted of all professional nurses working in the public and private operating theatres in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. Purposive sampling was used to select the hospitals in control (Hospitals 2 and 3) and intervention groups (Hospitals 4 and 5), ensuring an equal number of public and private hospitals in each group. Data was collected through self-administered pre- and post-questionnaires. An existing educational intervention based on the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN’s) guidelines was contextualized through review by three professional nurses with a specialty in operating theatre. The educational intervention was implemented for the intervention group, while the control group only received the summary of the AORN guidelines. Reliability and validity were ensured through the conduct of a pilot study, and expert review by three professional nurses with a specialty in operating theatre in order to check the validity and reliability of the data collection instrument and educational intervention. The data collection instrument was also reviewed by a statistician. Ethical clearance and permission was obtained from the relevant institutions. The following ethical principles were adhered to during the study: justice, respect and beneficence. The overall score of pre-test and post-test questionnaires for the control group revealed means of 3.96 and 4.01, with a standard deviation of 0.40 and 0.38, with a difference of -0.06 and a degree of freedom of 59. The overall score of the pre-test and post-test of the intervention group revealed means of 3.68 and 4.22, a standard deviation of 0.47 and 0.36, with a difference of -0.53, degree of freedom of 61 and a large significance difference of Cohen’s d= 1.26. This means that the educational intervention had a positive effect in terms of improving the professional nurses’ practices on the use of surgical attire to prevent surgical site infections in operating theatres. Recommendations for education, practice as well as future research were provided.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Alayemi, Joshua
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Surgical wound infections -- Prevention , Surgical nursing Operating room nursing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47937 , vital:40454
- Description: Infection control and prevention is an issue that is of utmost importance to every health practitioner, including professional nurses, as patients who undergo surgeries could develop sepsis, leading to failure of multiple organs and possibly death. Surgical site infections acquired from operating theatres are often introduced when there is lack of application of and adherence to the necessary control measures, sterile principles and techniques, including the appropriate use of surgical attire. This study aimed to contextualize, implement and evaluate an existing educational intervention regarding the use of surgical attire in operating theatres, in order to establish whether the educational intervention enhanced the practices of professional nurses in operating theatres regarding the use of surgical attire. A quantitative research design, using a quasi-experimental two-group pre-test, post-test intervention approach was employed for the study. The study consisted of three phases. Phase 1 consisted of the administration of the pre-test questionnaire relating to Objective One: “To explore and describe the practices of professional nurses on the use of surgical attire in the prevention of surgical site infections in operating theatres”. Phase 2 consisted of the contextualization and implementation of the educational intervention, which related to Objective Two: “To contextualize and implement an educational intervention for professional nurses on the use of surgical attire in the prevention of surgical site infections in operating theatres”. Phase 3 consisted of the administration of the posttest questionnaire, which related to Objective Three: “To evaluate whether an educational intervention regarding the use of surgical attire in the prevention of surgical site infections in operating theatres enhanced professional nurses’ practices”. The study is underpinned by the Promoting Action on Research Implementation (PARiHS) framework. The research sample consisted of all professional nurses working in the public and private operating theatres in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. Purposive sampling was used to select the hospitals in control (Hospitals 2 and 3) and intervention groups (Hospitals 4 and 5), ensuring an equal number of public and private hospitals in each group. Data was collected through self-administered pre- and post-questionnaires. An existing educational intervention based on the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN’s) guidelines was contextualized through review by three professional nurses with a specialty in operating theatre. The educational intervention was implemented for the intervention group, while the control group only received the summary of the AORN guidelines. Reliability and validity were ensured through the conduct of a pilot study, and expert review by three professional nurses with a specialty in operating theatre in order to check the validity and reliability of the data collection instrument and educational intervention. The data collection instrument was also reviewed by a statistician. Ethical clearance and permission was obtained from the relevant institutions. The following ethical principles were adhered to during the study: justice, respect and beneficence. The overall score of pre-test and post-test questionnaires for the control group revealed means of 3.96 and 4.01, with a standard deviation of 0.40 and 0.38, with a difference of -0.06 and a degree of freedom of 59. The overall score of the pre-test and post-test of the intervention group revealed means of 3.68 and 4.22, a standard deviation of 0.47 and 0.36, with a difference of -0.53, degree of freedom of 61 and a large significance difference of Cohen’s d= 1.26. This means that the educational intervention had a positive effect in terms of improving the professional nurses’ practices on the use of surgical attire to prevent surgical site infections in operating theatres. Recommendations for education, practice as well as future research were provided.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020