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Characterization of a glycated gelatin model to explore the therapeutic properties of macrofungi in diabetic wound healing: an in vitro study

  • Authors: Pringle, Nadine Alex
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Diabetes -- Animal models Chronic diseases -- Age factors
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11992 , vital:27017
  • Description: Diabetic wounds frequently undergo impaired and prolonged wound healing due to a multitude of factors including hypoxia, impaired angiogenesis, hyperglycaemia, formation of ROS and AGEs, and infection - all of which may lead to cellular dysfunction. To date, however, treatment options for individuals suffering from impaired diabetic wound healing are limited, non-specific, and generally unsuccessful. The search for new and effective treatment strategies is severely hampered by the availability of adequately characterized screening models which comprehensively mimic the complexity of the diabetic wound healing process. In order to explore natural products as potential therapeutics to treat diabetic wounds and to encourage more research on this topic, this study sought out to develop and characterize a more convenient and cost effective in vitro screening assay which mimics the effects of protein glycation on the healing process of diabetic wounds. As proof of principal, this model was subsequently used to screen the potential of five wild mushroom species (P. tinctorius, R. capensis, B. badius, P. ostreatus and G. lucidum) as suitable diabetic wound healing therapies. The glycated gelatin model developed during this study was found to suitably mimic the diabetic state as it successfully simulated the major cellular dysfunctions in macrophages (NO production, phagocytosis, macrophage polarization, NF-ĸB translocation and COX-2 expression) and fibroblasts (proliferation and migration) documented during diabetic wound healing. Together these findings provide confidence that the model may serve as a valuable tool to study the poorly understood mechanisms which characterize cellular dysfunction in response to AGE accumulation and also to aid the identification of novel therapeutic agents to treat this pathology. Screening a number of mushroom extracts revealed that the ethanol extracts of R. capensis and P. ostreatus had the greatest potential for attenuating chronic inflammation due to their ability to promote macrophage phagocytosis, increased M2 activation (R. capensis) and decreased M1 activation (P. ostreatus) as well as reduced COX-2 expression while the water extract of G. lucidum proved to be the most promising candidate for stimulating fibroplasia as it was the most successful at promoting both fibroblast proliferation and migration. Different mushroom species were thus shown to promote different stages of the wound healing process providing sufficient evidence to support further studies related to the use of macrofungi as therapeutic agents in the search for more cost-effective and efficient treatment strategies for impaired diabetic wound healing.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Clusters as a vehicle for industrial development in the Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Mtati, Odwa
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Industrial clusters -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Industrialization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Industrial policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7106 , vital:21235
  • Description: This study examines the cluster approach as a means for promoting industrial development in the Eastern Cape Province, Republic of South Africa. The Province is unevenly developed, with pockets that are well-integrated into the national and global economies, but with some areas being severely underdeveloped. However, the Province retains a high potential for industrial revitalisation and expansion. The option of applying the cluster approach, most closely associated with Michael Porter’s work, The Comparative Advantage of Nations, to unlock this potential is examined, with a particular focus on the factors affecting the efficiency of the cluster as a vehicle for promoting industrialisation. Existing works on success factors for clusters and comparative case studies are examined, while responses from a survey among provincial stakeholders on the adaptation of the cluster concept to the circumstances of the province are analysed. The study finds that the management of a cluster is critical to its success or demise. Further to this, the key role that exists for industry is in building inter-firm co-operation, improving government and business cooperation, skills development of local labour pools and facilitating interactions between buyers and sellers. While Government Policy is not always necessary for establishment of clusters, in the specific circumstances of the Eastern Cape, it is desirable due to underdevelopment in most regions. The case for introduction of a cluster policy is supported by global experiences with clusters. A cluster approach for promotion of industrialisation is therefore recommended for the Province, with steps that may be taken towards the formation of clusters suggested.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Community structure and trophic relations in marine tufa stromatolite pools of the Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Rishworth, Gavin Midgley
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Bioturbation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7116 , vital:21236
  • Description: Microbialites were the dominant life-form of most shallow oceans during the Precambrian. These structures are formed by the deposition of calcium carbonate by cyanobacteria as well as the binding and trapping of sediment by these and other microalgae. In modern environments they are scarce due to several factors, including grazing pressures by metazoans, altered calcium carbonate saturation states of seawater and competition with macroalgae. The recent discovery of an extensive network of actively accreting layered microbialites (stromatolites) along the South African coastline is potentially informative from this perspective. These stromatolites form within the peritidal zone, at the interface of groundwater seepage and periodic marine incursion, forming pools trapped by the accreting fabric. The aim of this thesis was to characterise the ecosystem dynamics of a representative selection of the South African locations. During a comprehensive monthly assessment over an annual cycle, as well as for additional seasonal collections, physico-chemical measurements were monitored together with biological components such as benthic and pelagic microalgae as well as the invertebrate fauna inhabiting the stromatolite pools. These components were then assessed in terms of the potential physical and biological drivers which might explain patterns of variability. Finally, to link all of the ecosystem components, a food-web analysis was conducted, to determine the trophic linkages and, importantly, the reliance by the various consumer organisms on the stromatolite material as a food resource. Results show that the stromatolite pools are driven by a regular interplay between freshwater and marine salinity states, this being determined by tidal amplitude and ocean storm cycles. Furthermore, marine incursion represents the primary source of phosphorus for the stromatolite pools, while available nitrogen is consistently provided by the freshwater inlet stream at each site. This results in an optimum zone of primary biomass within the main stromatolite pool supported by nutrient conditions, while the shifts in salinity state occurring over a weekly tidal schedule likely exclude organisms and macrophytes that are not halotolerant. This is reflected in the benthic microalgae that form the stromatolite accretions in that they are primarily driven by salinity conditions, in addition to seasonal patterns. Interestingly, the variable nutrient conditions, both between sites and temporally, did not contribute as an important driver of the benthic microalgae but did significantly relate to the pelagic microalgae (phytoplankton). This, together with the higher biomass of benthic microalgae compared to its pelagic counterpart, suggests that the stromatolite pools are a benthic-driven system. The short duration of water retention within the stromatolite pools as a result of the constant freshwater inflow, likely also precludes nutrient build-up and favours the benthic, sessile ecosystem component, especially the stromatolite-forming microalgae. In terms of the metazoan infauna, the South African stromatolite pools support a persistent assemblage. This might be surprising given the apparently destructive influence of grazing and burrowing animals on microbial mats in terms of restricting the formation of layered accretions. However, metazoans that burrow within the stromatolite fabric were observed to coexist with clear, layered accretions. This supports the observations in some other modern microbialite habitats to suggest that metazoan disruption is clearly not the only or primary factor responsible for modern microbialite scarcity. When assessing the possible drivers of the metazoan community occupying the stromatolite matrix, both salinity patterns and resource conditions in terms of nutrient supply and macroalgal cover were consistently best related to infaunal abundance and presence/absence. This further demonstrates the role of salinity conditions in terms of providing a habitat that is restrictive to most metazoan organisms, while also suggesting that the metazoans are responding to macroalgal rather than the stromatolite microalgal conditions. To further develop this observation, the results from the stable isotope work clearly reflect a dominance of pool macroalgae in the diets of invertebrate consumers, with little to no stromatolite material consumed. This suggests that there is limited apparent destructive grazing influence by the metazoans on the stromatolite matrix, in addition to the burrowing bioturbation mentioned previously. Furthermore, the metazoan grazers may be indirectly benefitting the stromatolites by restricting macroalgal biomass, which might otherwise outcompete its microalgal counterpart. This study provides a valuable understanding of benthic-driven peritidal stromatolite ecosystems, and also, from a geological perspective of past stromatolite habitats, suggests some of the mechanisms as to why metazoans may be able to coexist with layered microbialites. Given the threats to similar habitats globally, especially in terms of water resources, management measures necessary to ensure stromatolite persistence in modern environments such as these are proposed. The possible ecological role of peritidal stromatolite habitats within the broader environment, as well as recommendations for future work, is also contextualised.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Comparative performance of natural and synthetic fibre nonwoven geotextiles

  • Authors: Tshifularo, Cyrus Alushavhiwi
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Geotextiles Textile fabrics , Textile fibers -- Testing Textile industry -- Quality control
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21362 , vital:29504
  • Description: The aim of this work was to establish a range of suitable process parameters which can be utilized to produce needlepunched nonwoven fabrics for geotextile applications. Nonwoven fabrics were produced from 100% PP, a blend of 50/50% PP/kenaf and 100% kenaf fibres. The depths of needle penetration of 4, 7 and 10 mm, stroke frequencies of 250, 350 and 450 strokes/min and mass per unit area of 300, 600 and 900 g/m2 were utilized for producing the fabrics, on a Dilo loom. The effect of depth of needle penetration, stroke frequency and mass per unit area on the fabric properties, namely, tensile strength, puncture resistance, pore size, water permeability and transmissivity were analysed. In addition, the effect of chemicals, namely, 10% ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH), 10% sodium chloride (NaCl) and 3% sulphuric acid (H2SO4) solutions on degradation of the fabric was also studied. The results have shown that density, thickness and nominal weight of the needlepunched nonwoven fabrics were related to each other and they were influenced by stroke frequency, depth of needle penetration and feed rate of the needlepunching process. The increase in nominal weight of the fabrics also increases thickness and density of the fabrics. The tensile strength and puncture resistance of the fabrics increased with the increases in stroke frequency, depth of needle penetration and fabric mass per unit area. However, lower tensile strength and puncture resistance were achieved in the fabrics produced at lower stroke frequency, lower depth of needle penetration and lower mass per unit area. Bigger pores were resulted in the fabrics produced at lower stroke frequency, lower depth of needle penetration and lower mass per unit area, however, pore size decreased with increases in stroke frequency, depth of needle penetration and mass per unit area. Water permeability depends on the pore size, properties of the fibres, stroke frequency, depth of needle penetration and mass per unit area. Higher tensile strength and higher puncture resistance were achieved in the needlepunched nonwoven fabrics produced from 100% PP fibres, therefore, they are suitable for some load-bearing geotextile applications, such as reinforcement and separation. However, higher water permeability was achieved in the fabrics produced from 100% kenaf fibres, therefore, they are ideal for geotextile applications where good water permeability is required. Higher values for transmissivity were obtained in the fabrics produced from a blend of 50/50% PP/kenaf fibres, therefore they are suitable for drainage applications. The fabrics produced from a blend of 50/50% PP/kenaf fibres achieved better values of tensile strength, puncture resistance, pore size and water permeability in comparison to that produced from 100% PP and 100% kenaf fibres. However, better tensile strength and puncture resistance were achieved in the fabrics produced from 100% PP fibres and bigger pore size and higher water permeability were achieved in the fabrics produced from 100% kenaf fibres. Therefore, it can be suggested that the nonwoven fabrics produced from a blend of 50/50% PP/kenaf fibres can fulfil almost all requirements of geotextile applications, such as, filtration, separation, reinforcement and drainage. The fabrics produced from 100% PP fibres were not damaged or deteriorated when treated with all the three chemicals due to chemical inertness of polypropylene. However, the fabrics produced from a blend of 50/50% PP/kenaf and 100% kenaf fibres were damaged and deteriorated when treated with H2SO4.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Comparing the automotive industry manufacturing costs between East London, Uitenhage and Gaborone

  • Authors: Domingo, Steve Cecil
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Manufactures -- Costs Manufacturing industries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Manufacturing industries -- Botswana -- Gaborone Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Automobile industry and trade -- Botswana -- Gaborone
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46306 , vital:39545
  • Description: South Africa faces the problem of its automotive production facilities, threatening relocation from South Africa to neighbouring countries such as Botswana, Nigeria and Mozambique, this while, the South African manufacturing industry suffers a very high unemployment rate. The business models for South African automotive manufacturing industry is currently too cost inefficient, making relocation to neighbouring countries more feasible and attractive. The purpose of this research study is to conduct an “Automotive Manufacturing Costs comparison between East London, Uitenhage, Gaborone and the resultant impact on the South African employment of manufacturing staff” The primary objective of this study is to measure the manufacturing cost between East London, Uitenhage and Gaborone (Botswana) for one automotive component and explain if this can affect employment at the current costs of labour. The findings might add value to the South African working population about the serious impact and effect of the high cost of labour in the country. A literature review was conducted on the South African and Botswana automotive manufacturing industry, the economic development and the strategic challenges of the two countries. In conclusion, the relocation of the production industry, specifically the South African market relocating to broader Africa. In order to achieve the research objectives, personal interviews with senior managers (Plant Managers, Business Managers and Human Resources Managers) of firms that have been involved in projects of the relocation of firms into Africa was conducted. The aim of the study is to identify to the local automotive manufacturing industry, unions, government and business people that the current labour cost is South Africa could cause future relocation of industry from South Africa which will cause more unemployment.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Comparison of taxation reforms regarding retirement funding between South Africa and the United Kingdom

  • Authors: Kruger, Leander
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Pension trusts -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Pension trusts -- Law and legislation -- Great Britain , Taxation -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Taxation -- Law and legislation -- Great Britain Pensions -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Pensions -- Law and legislation -- Great Britain
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18200 , vital:28588
  • Description: The purpose of this study was to review the provision of public and private retirement funding in both South Africa and the United Kingdom and the role of taxation in encouraging greater private provision for retirement. The study described the basis of taxation and determination of ‘taxable income’ in each jurisdiction, before addressing the relationship between taxation and retirement funding in each jurisdiction respectively. Both jurisdictions have introduced significant reforms of their systems of retirement funding and these reforms were accordingly addressed in the present research. The study compared the two jurisdictions based on the above mentioned areas to determine similarities or differences. The study concluded with recommendations, these being that South Africa should assess the feasibility of providing greater State provided retirement funding by possibly including a mandatory contribution, such as that used by the UK for its single-tier flat rate New State Pension. A further recommendation was that South Africa should encourage greater provision of private retirement funding by considering even greater tax deductions for contributions.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Competition factors influencing client switching behaviour within the commercial banking industry

  • Authors: Mathiyase, Kholiswa
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Banks and banking -- South Africa , Competition -- South Africa , Financial services industry -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45366 , vital:38574
  • Description: Banks are faced with challenges of retaining clients and preventing them from switching to competitors. For many years the South African banking industry has been dominated by the big four banks that were not known to be client focused. The banks were also known for serving only the middle and high-income earners, with the banks having a high and non-transparent banking fee structure. As a result, Capitec Bank was established in 2001 and differentiated itself from the traditional ways of providing banking service. One of their value propositions, Capitec Bank provided low and transparent banking fees, provided a unique personalised service to cater for the unbanked market and is gradually serving the middle and high-income market as well. Capitec Bank managed to establish its presence in the South African banking industry despite the dominance of the big four banks. The banking industry environment has also been subjected to a number of changes, including the entrants of other non-traditional banks, changing client behaviour, technology, regulatory and political reforms and the current depressed economic conditions.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Concrete work decision analysis in Bloemfontein

  • Authors: Mollo, Lesiba George
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Concrete construction -- South Africa -- Bloemfontein -- Decision making Concrete construction industry -- South Africa -- Bloemfontein -- Decision making , Construction projects -- South Africa -- Bloemfontein Building -- Estimates -- South Africa -- Bloemfontein
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19190 , vital:28783
  • Description: The purpose of this study was to evolve how to reduce the manifestation of poor decisions that always produce defects and rework. The purpose of the study is predicated on the fact that good decision-making is a fundamental element of improved project delivery in the construction industry. Such decisions determine the accomplishment of performance parameters in each project. However, suboptimal performance, which is pervasive in the construction industry, is often linked to team decisions. To remedy decision-making pitfalls, the concept of Choosing by Advantages (CBA) is promoted by lean construction researchers. CBA is a decision-making system that assists project parties in deciding a course of action among competing alternatives. Case study research design was used for this project to discover the decision-making process adopted by project teams. The results from the study achieved through cross-case analysis shows that concrete defects and rework is often caused by the project team’s decision-making process, which is influenced by the members of the project team because of lack of experience, poor working conditions, and lack of education. The results also show that the decision-making mechanism of the project teams is influenced by the construction method, specification, cost, quality and time. The outcome of the project team’s decision-making process when choosing a concrete type often causes the concrete defects and rework, which can be eliminated through the application of CBA when choosing a concrete type. The application of CBA when choosing concrete type from two alternatives, ready mixed concrete and site batched concrete is driven by the project team. It was discovered from all three cases that ready-mixed concrete had a better score than site-batched concrete when using CBA to compare these two alternatives. The results show that ready-mixed concrete had less chances of causing concrete defects and rework when used or applied per the correct specifications or methods which are detailed in the engineering drawings of the structure. The study proposes that the project team should adopt CBA to improve their decision-making process on site especially when working with concrete.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Conflict between local government and civil society pertaining to sanitation in South Africa

  • Authors: De Ujfalussy, Andrea Benedicta
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Sanitation -- South Africa -- Politics and government Conflict management -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14939 , vital:27911
  • Description: This study seeks to determine whether the conflict between the City of Cape Town (CCT) and the Social Justice Coalition (SJC) is resulting in positive or negative outcomes from the perspective of the residents concerned. In principle, engagement, between civil society and local government should lead to an improvement in terms of the meeting of needs or wants for those communities whose interests are being contested, or at the very least an improved understanding of the plans and challenges faced by both. Further, the engagement and/or conflict between local government and civil society, if positive, should ideally lead to greater understanding between all stakeholders and the strengthening of relations between them government, civil society and the relevant community interests. The motivation of this study is to explore the unanswered issues such as, whether the SJC has gone beyond the use of acceptable tactics associated with responsible and effective civil society actors and whether it would be justified if they have; if the SJC’s actions have resulted in an actual improvement in the accelerated realization of the socio-economic rights of the communities whose interests they purport to represent; whether the communities ‘represented’ by the SJC see them as their effective advocate for the interests and concerns ; if the issue of sanitation is the primary issue for the residents concerned as claimed by the SJC; if the residents of the communities concerned feel the same animosity to the CCT that the SJC does.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Conflict prevention, management and resolution in Africa: a case study of the conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan (2003 – 2013)

  • Authors: Chukwunaru, Charles Obinna
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Conflict management -- Sudan -- Darfur -- 21st century Conflict management -- Africa -- Prevention , Africa -- Politics and government
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14818 , vital:27876
  • Description: Africa has witnessed some of the most horrific and devastating conflicts in the world in recent times. This study, concerned about the problem of these seemingly intractable or endemic violent conflicts ravaging the continent of Africa since decolonisation; resulting in poverty, hunger, diseases, massive killing, rape, permanent disability and underdevelopment, examined the issues relating to conflict prevention, management and resolution in Africa. In doing so, it used the conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan as a case study. It examined the role of international organisations, especially that which the African Union and the United Nations played in the prevention, management and resolution of the conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan, as well as the remote and immediate cause of the Darfur conflict and major parties to the Darfur conflict. Other issues examined by this study include the outcome of the United Nations Commission of Inquiry into the violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law, including acts of genocide in Darfur; and the Sudanese government’s response. Moreover, it analysed the implication of the Darfur conflict in the problem of preventing, managing and resolving violent conflict in Africa while drawing some lessons for the African Union, as well as the government of Sudan. However, this research, which adopted the qualitative case study methodology in data collection, presentation and analysis, posits that the protracted violent conflict, which was triggered by some rebel leaders with doubtful motives in the Darfur region of Sudan, who capitalised on the age-long problem of underdevelopment in the Darfur region, as well as low intensity disputes among the tribes over ownership of land and water resources, was avoidable. It further asserts that the African Union lacked the capacity to engage in an effective peace support operation in Africa as witnessed in the failure of its mission in Darfur, which eventually got rescued by the United Nations through the UN-AU Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). Further, this study has contributed in narrowing the existing gaps in academic literature on the aspect of conflict prevention management and resolution especially in Africa, even as it introduced the conspiracy theory in the understanding of the issues relating to the conflict in the Darfur region while recommending the immediate operationalisation of the African Union standby force to avert the reoccurrence of the Darfur conflict in Sudan and other parts of Africa, among other strategies aimed at enhancing the capacity and capability of the African Union to prevent, manage and resolve violent conflicts in Africa with or without the intervention of foreign powers. Moreover, this study recommends good governance that will promote political, social and economic justice as well as adherence to the rule of law; against all forms marginalisation, discrimination and other forms of structural violence in Africa. Essentially, this research has made an original contribution to the conflict studies literature with the formulation of the “Violent Intrastate Conflict Model” which explains the conflict dynamics and processes in most violent intrastate conflicts or civil war.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Consumers’ perception of generic drugs in South Africa

  • Authors: Boltman, Tamarah
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Consumers' preferences -- Moral and ethical aspects -- South Africa Consumer education -- South Africa , Generic drugs -- Moral and ethical aspects -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14664 , vital:27815
  • Description: Medicines play a pivotal role in the process of human development as their rational utilization can decrease morbidity and mortality as well as improve quality of life (Jamshed, Hassali, Ibrahim, Shafie, & Babar, 2010). Access to therapeutic drugs form an integral part of any successful healthcare system. The high cost of medicines, is a barrier to accessibility and improved health to the majority of the South African population (Bangalee, 2015). In developing countries with limited healthcare budgets, such as South Africa, generic drugs (medicines) can be a cost-saving treatment alternative, resulting in medical expenditure being reduced and access to scarce resources increased (Van der Westhuizen, Burger, Lubbe, Serfontein, 2010). There is very little knowledge on perception and attitude of South African citizens with regard to use of generic drugs (Bangalee, 2015). Consumer perception can have a large impact on the choice of medicines or drugs chosen. The study intended to find out what the current consumer beliefs, attitudes, behaviours and knowledge of generic drugs are. There was also intent to establish if lack of awareness or misconception about generic drugs influence consumer choice. The study consists of a literature review of the definition of generic drugs and original or branded drugs, their influence in the public and private health sector, factors that influence consumer behaviour, brand effect, brand trust, brand loyalty, and most importantly the South Africa acceptance of generic drugs. Primary data was collected, reported and analysed through the use of a questionnaire to determine the current consumers’ belief, attitude, behaviour and knowledge of generic drugs. The study results reveal that scepticism does exists, yet there was clear acceptance, but still lack of confidence in generic drugs. Consumer education and information is the key to increased generic drug acceptance.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Cradock thermal springs spa: the design of a thermal springs spa located at the Cradock hot springs

  • Authors: Ferreira, Anita
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Health resorts -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Design and construction Bathhouses -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Design and construction , Health resorts -- Decoration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Interior architecture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15334 , vital:28220
  • Description: This treatise is focussed on the design of a Healing Spa Complex based on the relationship to the natural thermal springs 4km outside of the town of Cradock in the Karoo region of the Eastern Cape. The design response extends the dialogue between man and nature to structure in order to create an environment for healing within the natural landscape. The structure will accommodate spa facilities situated and specialized around the natural source of thermal water from the three springs on site. The site currently houses pool and accommodation facilities run by the local municipality. Due to a lack of funding these facilities have become dilapidated to the point where most of the buildings on site are unused and structurally unsound. The spring source on site was previously a major tourism attraction, but has subsequently shut down due to the degradation of the facilities. The Karoo is a dry, harsh and unforgiving landscape within which water is one of the most precious life-giving elements. Life is situated and celebrated around water, not only by humans, but also by nature. Settlements were built adjacent to rivers or springs, greenbelts flourished and formed along its edges, and animals migrate following the waters' (Hawkins, Sharrock and Havens, 2008). The region is characterised by extremes and contrasts, from scolding heat to freezing snow. This has contributed to a continuous display of dramatic contrasts within the landscape and created a unique character. Rain usually arrives in summer in the form of dramatic aernoon thunderstorms that bring relief to the relentless dry summer heat. Winter months are usually dry, allowing the sun to slowly heat up the open frosted plains before the intensely cold night brings another layer of snow to the Karoo koppies (Bloom, 2001). Eve Palmer, in her book, the Plains of Camdeboo, describes her Trust memories of the Karoo summer: “.....heat like blazing ovens; of shutters and sunbeams making a hot bright path through a chink in a dark blind, of soil too hot to walk on barefoot and rocks too hot to touch.” (Palmer 1986:3) Rain makes life possible in this part of the world. The joy and relief bit brings to the residents is very real and palpable (Palmer 1986:6). In response to the sensitivity of the natural environment of the site, and the desire to link this to the development of a healing environment, the architecture in this treatise will explore the unique sense of place of the Karoo and more speciacally the Cradock area. This will entail the exploration of the region and area in terms of physical and spatial features. Through the analyses of the natural structural elements, characteristics and local materials and assessment of Karoo architecture in terms of its use of materials, layout and craftsmanship, an appropriate response to the Karoo context should be achieved. The harsh environment will provide the opportunity to explore innovative means of optimum utilisation of resources, in order to ensure that the design is sustainable and therefore relevant to its context. This will contribute to a architectural expression which would allow a connection to nature and the area, by using nature to inspire this insight.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Craftsmanship in contemporary art: an exposition of selected artists’ practical non-involvement

  • Authors: Van der Walt, Jonathan Petra
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Art, Modern -- 21st century Sculpture -- South Africa -- Technique , Art and technology -- 21st century
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21285 , vital:29471
  • Description: Craftsmanship in contemporary art production is the main area of focus for this visual arts based research. An exploration into the artistic production processes of selected contemporary artists’ work, reveals a tendency of physical non-involvement on the part of the artist, who takes up the role of art director. The research enquiry attempts to provide an answer as to whether credit should be given to the craftsman as well as to the artist in this artist/craftsman relationship. The use of a practice-led research strategy allows the researcher’s art-making practice to become an integral part of the cycles of research, as the development of the researcher’s practical understanding, techniques and execution are crucial in the practical component, but also conceptually as a stance in opposition to the selected artists’ lack of practical involvement. The researcher has identified and analysed the following five factors that have contributed to this current state of art production in contemporary art: Kitsch as an influence on the subject matter and content of art, Marcel Duchamp and his idea of the ‘readymade’ and issues of authorship, Andy Warhol and his ideas on art and business, the Conceptual Art movement and, the act and product of craft being perceived as being inferior to the fine arts In addition, an exploration of the production processes involved in the creation of the artworks of Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Maurizio Cattelan and Takashi Murakami highlights the craftspeople, fabricators and foundries that are responsible for these artists’ highly crafted aesthetics. As practice is crucial in developing a new understanding and meaning in visual-arts based research, the practical component describes the researcher’s core practical themes as being the following:the creation of naturalistic figurative small-scale sculptures in resin and bronze, placing the characters explored in the theoretical component as the subject matter.The advantages and disadvantages of the collaborative experience with Sculpture Casting Services (fine art foundry) and eNtsa (a Technology Innovation agency), especially the implementation of 3D technologies in both experiences; and the technical development and understanding in order to improve the researcher’s artistic practice Collaboration is an important underlying theme throughout this research undertaking. It is crucial in the production of most contemporary art, and assists in identifying the artist’s role within the production of his/her work. Finally, it relates to the researcher’s collaborative experience expanded upon in the practical component and its benefits as a production method. In concluding, the researcher finds that craftspeople do receive credit for the work they do in the form of money, business and marketing. They provide a service that a great number of artists generously support. Foundries and fabricators also place a mark on the work they do, much like the artist’s signature, as a symbol of pride and recognition. It is ultimately the artist’s technical abilities, workload and artist identity or brand that will determine the extent to which he or she will contribute to the collaboration, whether that be a simple idea, a sketch, a maquette or a large-scale sculpture ready for installation. However, in a rapidly advancing technological society, it is the idea of the artist as craftsman, both thinker and maker, that demands more respect.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Credit risk management in development finance institutions and SMME sustainability

  • Authors: Derrocks, Velda Charmaine
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Credit -- Management Business enterprises -- Finance , Small business -- Finance
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14862 , vital:27884
  • Description: Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) make a significant contribution to the South African Economy. Regardless of size, these businesses have the ability to create employment, make a generous contribution to tax collections, uplift communities and serve as a beacon of hope for those trapped in the cycle of poverty and unemployment. However, SMMEs lack access to much-needed financial resources that are critical for their growth. Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) aim to bridge the gap between the SMME’s financial needs and the development of the respective SMME businesses, by providing funding to entrepreneurs with potentially viable businesses and ideas. Debt funding to these SMMEs are based on sound commercial lending principles that take various non-quantitative variables into account. The sustainability of SMMEs is a primary concern to all participants in the economy, as it is known that SMME failure rates are high Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to investigate the impact that the credit risk management practices of DFIs have on the sustainability of SMMEs, by examining a case study of a typical DFI. An electronic questionnaire survey was considered as an appropriate measurement method for this study. The targeted population of the study included SMMEs in the Eastern Cape that are Trust for Urban Housing (TUHF) clients and 23 SMMEs were identified as part of the study sampling frame. A total number of 14 questionnaires were returned out of the 23 targeted SMMEs - giving a response rate of 61%. The quantitative data was processed using the STATISTICA program, leading to appropriate descriptive statistical analyses. In order to better understand the impact of credit risk management practices on the sustainability of SMMEs, a hypothesis was formulated and linear regression analysis was used to establish the statistical significance of certain credit risk principles and sustainability characteristics. The results of the empirical study revealed that credit risk management practises do impact on the sustainability of SMMEs. Further, by testing the hypothesis, it was also revealed that certain sustainability variables are regarded as more important than others.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Critical success factors of effective performance appraisal and the latter's effect on employee engagement

  • Authors: Tseana, Tloutsana
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Employees -- Rating of Employee motivation -- Research , Performance standards Personnel management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21395 , vital:29511
  • Description: The objective of this study was to investigate what the critical elements were for an employee performance appraisal system (EPA) to be effective and successful and whether the latter would enhance employee engagement. The study hypothesised that three elements, namely the level of trust in the appraiser, communication by the appraiser and the level of training of the appraiser would be critical to achieve an effective EPA. Effective performance appraisal is known to benefit organisations by helping them measure performance, motivate employees and most commonly help to make HR related administrative decisions, such as promotions and rewards. The study was conducted in a national public entity, which is constituted and mandated in terms of the PPEC Act, No 9 of 1983, to perform cold chain services and also under the APS Act, No.119 of 1990. The organisation studied also delivers inspection and food safety services for perishable products as mandated by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The research adopts a survey approach where self-administered questionnaires were used to gather data from the employees to measure their opinions of the measured elements of the employee performance appraisal (EPA). The surveys were issued to a total of 150 employees within the organisation and a total of 82 usable surveys were returned. The findings of the study revealed that the employees were generally satisfied with the level of competency, training of, and trust in, the appraiser, but there was still work to be done in improving the system and making it more successful and rewarding. Communication by the appraiser was found to be not significantly related to the effectiveness of the current performance appraisal system.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Crop production and sustainable livehoods for rural women of Sutterheim in Eastern Cape

  • Authors: September, Lwandlekazi Christina
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural women -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Farms, Small -- Women -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20488 , vital:29296
  • Description: The study focuses on investigating the impact of crop production to sustainable livelihood strategies among rural women. The main objective of the study are as follows: to investigate the extent to which Silwindlala crop production cooperative has improved the lives of Jerseyville rural women, to investigate the new skills that Jerseyville rural women have obtained from Silwindlala crop production cooperative, to explore on challenges that would contribute to failure of crop production cooperative and to come up with the recommendations that would contribute to policy formulation and skills on management of crop production cooperative of rural women. The study employed qualitative method for data collection and analysis. The main findings of this study were that, the impact of crop production on sustainable livelihood is still seasonal, during harvesting period. Data showed low educational status and lack of business management skills among rural women, however, technical skills and collective interest contributed to the success of the cooperative
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Cross-border assistance in the recovery of foreign tax debt

  • Authors: Barnard, Hugo
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Taxation -- South Africa Tax administration and procedure -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15989 , vital:28302
  • Description: Internationally, there is a growing drive towards inter-governmental assistance with tax matters, including assistance in the collection of outstanding tax debt. The purpose of this study is the consider the development of South Africa’s ability to assist with the collection of foreign tax debt. The South African common law revenue rule precludes South Africa from rendering assistance with the recovery of a foreign tax debt. The revenue rule, however, may be abrogated through legislation. Analysis of section 93 of the Income Tax Act1 and section 185 of the Tax Administration Act2 indicates that a pre-requisite for South Africa to render assistance with the collection of a tax debt is the existence of an international tax agreement between South Africa and the requesting state which makes provisions for such assistance. It was also found that the South African Revenue Service (SARS) would not be able to rely on section 172 of the Tax Administration Act in order to obtain a civil judgement for recovery of a foreign tax debt. Interpretation of these provisions in light of the Constitution3 and the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act4 (PAJA) indicates that they do not violate the Constitution, but actions taken by SARS may be subject to judicial review under the PAJA. After analysis of South Africa’s bilateral international tax agreements, it was found that 22 agreements contain provisions for assistance with collection of a tax debt. A review of the Multilateral Convention for Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters indicates that South Africa and 73 other countries are bound by it. Analysis of the provisions of the international tax agreements and the South African case law dealing with conflicts between international agreements and domestic legislation indicates that the South African courts would give preference to the provisions of the international agreement over domestic legislation in the case of a conflict. A review of selected cases involving assistance provisions in international tax agreements suggests that the South African courts will apply the assistance provisions to taxes that arose prior to the effective date of the assistance provisions.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Culturally informed conceptions of traumatic experience and coping strategies among the mole-dagbon of Ghana

  • Authors: Thompson, Sandra
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Cultural psychiatry -- Ghana , Post-traumatic stress disorder -- Ghana , Dagbani (African people)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/9327 , vital:26578
  • Description: Culture is important to an individual’s understanding of traumatic events and the symptoms that ensue after such events. Cultural understandings also inform how individuals cope with the traumatic stress symptoms they experience. A great deal is known about the understanding of traumatic experiences and effective coping mechanisms used in Western cultures, but non-Western cultures are generally understudied. Valuable lessons are learnt from conducting studies with understudied non-Western cultures. The research sought to explore and describe the culturally informed conceptions of traumatic experience and coping strategies in one such understudied population - the Mole-Dagbon of Ghana. The research used a qualitative exploratory descriptive interpretive methodology. Purposive nonprobability sampling was used to gain access to individuals who could comment on the knowledge objectives of the study. Data was collected using focus group discussions with cultural leaders, and semi-structured interviews with traumatized individuals. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, translated and analyzed using interpretive phenomenological analysis. The findings indicated that traumatic experiences and the coping strategies are influenced by a number of cultural factors. Participants’ understanding of traumatic experiences and symptoms relied heavily on normative traditional African cultural understandings, but explanations also utilized monotheistic (from Islam and Christianity) worldviews. It was also evident that not all explanations were purely spiritual and events and symptoms were also explained using a natural/scientific framework. Some aspects of this system indicated parallels with the Western cognitive understanding of traumatic stress symptoms. The Mole-Dagbon did not focus naturally on explaining the events and symptoms and in the current sample such explanations were often deferred to authoritative individuals in the society (especially the soothsayers from the Traditional African Religion). However, there was an easy focus on coping with the symptoms after a traumatic event and in this last aspect there was a great degree of agreement between participants. A clear hierarchy of coping emerged with community and family social support being considered the most important aspect. Irrespective of religious affiliation, individuals also considered a visit to the soothsayer and completing prescribed rituals as important in the process. Even where an individual did not wish to include this practice from African Traditional Religion because of religious affiliation, they acknowledged the existence and effectiveness of these practices. Finally, it was thought important that a traumatized individual consult a religious leader for counselling (again irrespective of the actual religion). While there were elements of cognitive understanding and a recognition of counselling by religious leaders, Western based treatment modalities were not mentioned as options for the treatment of the symptoms of PTSD. Practitioners that come into contact with the Mole-Dagbon may need to use collaborative treatment strategies that respects and utilizes cultural treatment strategies for PTSD. One interesting element that needs further exploration is whether the cognitive understandings of the Mole-Dagbon can be used in a cognitive therapeutic paradigm. Even though these cognitive appraisals are present in explaining symptoms, there are no direct cultural remedies that rely on them.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Customer preferences with regard to milk packaging

  • Authors: Herbst, Ruben Andreas
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Consumer behavior Consumers' preferences , Consumer satisfaction
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15967 , vital:28295
  • Description: The milk industry in the Eastern Cape is very competitive and milk suppliers must use all means, including packaging, to influence buying behaviour. The aim of the study was to investigate customer preferences with regard to milk packaging in the Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) area. The purpose was to develop a better understanding of customer preferences so that packaging could be designed to satisfy customer expectations and needs. The research design was based on a quantitative approach (non-experimental) and the study was descriptive in nature. The measuring instrument was a self-developed questionnaire, which was developed based on the literature study and previous empirical studies conducted by Adam and Ali (2014a) and Ahmed, Pumar and Amin (2014). The sample consisted of 199 adult shoppers in the Nelson Mandela Bay area, selected through snowball and quota sampling. Data was collected with the help of fieldworkers, coded into Microsoft Excel and processed with statistical software. Descriptive statistics and canonical correlation analysis were used to identify customer preferences and relationships between the different dimensions of milk packaging. The results revealed that size, materials, convenience in handing and product information (expiry date) were important. Colour and design were not regarded as important by the target group.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

Determinants of export performance among small to medium enterprises in Zimbabwe

  • Authors: Karambakuwa, Tapuwa Roseline
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Economics -- Zimbabwe Small business -- Zimbabwe -- Management , Shipping -- Economic aspects -- Zimbabwe
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17647 , vital:28424
  • Description: There is consensus that Small to Medium Enterprises (SME) exports play a critical role in the development of economies. It has been widely acknowledged in empirical research done around the world that small businesses make a significant contribution to economic development, employment, competitiveness and the reduction of regional disparities. However, empirical literature gives conflicting evidence on the determinants of export performance among SMEs. The study contributes towards the debate on SME exports by: (i) investigating the variables that determine export performance among SMEs in Zimbabwe (ii) establishing the competi-tiveness of Zimbabwe’s exports and (iii) ascertaining the major constraints faced by SME ex-porters in Zimbabwe The researcher gathered data from 120 SMEs and 10 institutions in Zimbabwe for the period 2009 to 2015. SME samples were chosen from Harare, Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland East provinces while all 10 of the institutions were chosen from Harare province. Convenient non-probability sampling method was used to select SMEs while stratified sampling technique was applied in the selection of institutions. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were employed. For the quantitative approach, panel data ordinary least squares method was used in the form of the gravity model of trade. Export intensity (used as a measure of exports) was regressed against support institutions, business ownership, research & development, educational years, use of export processing zones, product type, export years, firm size, firm age, gender, distance from trading partner, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of trading partner, and GDP of Zimbabwe. The random effects estimation method was used, basing on results from the Durbin-Wu-Hausman test. The null hypothesis was based on the premise that the variables under study do not determine export intensity of SMEs in Zimbabwe. Other null hypothesis were that the major constraint faced by SME exporters in Zimbabwe is not access to finance and that Zimbabwe’s exports are not competitive in the mining, agricultural and manufacturing sectors. The revealed comparative advantage index was computed to measure the competitiveness of Zimbabwe’s exports.For the qualitative approach, the study used the triangulation method which involved combining and utilising the questionnaire, interviews and focus group discussions. The results from the study indicated that following variables increased export intensity of Zimbabwean SMEs; business ownership, use of export processing zones, export years, firm size, and GDP of trading partner. The following variables have an inverse relationship with the export intensity of Zimbabwean SMEs: gender, distance from trading partner and research & development. The results also indicated that these further variables do not determine the export intensity of SMEs in Zimbabwe: support institutions, years of education, product type, firm age and GDP of Zimbabwe. The major constraint faced by exporting SMEs in Zimbabwe is limited access to finance. Zimbabwe is competitive in the agricultural and mining sector exports, but not in manufacturing sector exports The policy implication of the findings is that SME support needs to go beyond support institutions when it comes to SME export promotion. Further SMEs in the agriculture and mining sectors need to be promoted for export growth since Zimbabwe is competitive in these sectors. However the manufacturing sector cannot be ignored, since many economies have developed due to exports of manufactured products and a country needs to have balanced export growth in both primary and manufacturing sectors. In order to have motivated, career SME exporters, entrepreneurship education should begin from primary school right up to university so as to improve entrepreneurial aspirations, attitudes and behaviour in the long run.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2017
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