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The phytogeography of Southern Mistbelt Forests of the Eastern Cape, South Africa

  • Authors: Matiwane, Aviwe
  • Date: 2016
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3224 , vital:20393
  • Description: In the Eastern Cape, a moisture gradient (from west to east) exists along the Escarpment where patches of Southern Mistbelt Forests (SMF) occur. There is a notable profusion of plants in these forests, but the factors that drive plant species composition and abundance in these patches is poorly understood and such knowledge is critical if we are to address or mitigate the problems imposed by global change. Many of our ideas on plant community assembly are based on the premise that species differ in their environmental requirements for successful regeneration, especially when young. The aims of this study were to document the floristic diversity of poorly known patches of Southern Mistbelt Forests in the Eastern Cape and identify the environmental factors that influence plant community composition in these forest patches. Twenty six forest patches across the Eastern Cape were sampled. In each forest 400m2 circular plots were constructed. The diameter at breast height and stem counts for the tree species was taken and the % cover of the herbaceous species was recorded. General collections were also made to supplement the plot data in order to obtain a comprehensive flora for each forest patch. All sampling was done during the summer season of 2013 and 2014. Using plot data, Hierarchal Cluster Analysis and Multidimensional Scaling Analysis were done to compare similarities between patches. Plots from the same forest patch clustered which indicated that the species composition in each forest patch was unique. However, this pattern went down when only tree species were considered. Plant diversity also varied between patches; with those located in the east being generally more diverse than those in the west are. Clustering patterns in fragmented communities and differences in species diversity indicate evidence of species “nestedness”. Analysis of nestedness indicated that these forest patches were significantly nested. To identify which environmental variables might be correlated with both species diversity and nestedness, twelve environmental variables was selected for analysis using Canonical Correspondence Analysis and Principal Component Analysis. Results show that Mean Annual Precipitation, Mean Annual Potential Evapotranspiration, and percentage of Organic Matter of the soil were most strongly correlated with the patterns of diversity observed in these forest patches. Regression analysis indicated that Mean Annual Precipitation accounted for most of the variation in species diversity, especially for the herbaceous species. The herbaceous species thus show a greater sensitivity to “climate filtering” as a consequence of rainfall gradients. With the implementation of suitable monitoring programs, changes in abundance or even local extinction of these species can act as an early warning indicator of the possible long-term effects of climate change on forest communities.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The potential economic implications of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia l.) on agricultural production in South Africa

  • Authors: Humphrey, Luke
  • Date: 2016
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4069 , vital:20599
  • Description: Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is an invasive deciduous, strongly suckering, broad- leaved tree that has the potential to be widely distributed across a large portion of South Africa. Robinia pseudoacacia has invaded all nine of South African provinces, with large infestations found in the Eastern Cape, Kwa Zulu-Natal, Free State and Gauteng provinces. The invasive tree has the potential to spread into livestock grazing lands in South Africa. Because R. pseudoacacia has the ability to spread and thrive in a variety of habitats and resists control, the distribution of the invasive tree into grazing land poses a problem for landowners. The potential economic impacts of R. pseudoacacia on agricultural production stem from the trees ability to reduce the carrying capacity of livestock. This study estimated the potential economic implications of R. pseudoacacia on agricultural production in South Africa, specifically looking at the livestock sector. The prevalence of R. pseudoacacia potential distribution was calculated by using a maximum-entropy predictive habitat model, MAXENT. The distribution of livestock, based on grazing capacity (ha/LSU), in South Africa was then determined. The potential direct economic impacts were estimated by assessing the impact of the potential distribution of R. pseudoacacia on the carrying capacity of livestock. The results showed that an infestation of R. pseudoacacia has the potential to reduce the gross margin in the livestock sector by between approximately R130 million and R961 million, dependent on the probability of invasion. Therefore, the potential invasion of R. pseudoacacia can have detrimental effects on the livestock sector in South Africa. The potential high levels of foregone income and business activity found in this study reaffirm the need to devote resources to develop a viable, economical and effective control method, such as biological control.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The potential use of baobab (Adansonia digitata) seedcake as a commercial diet replacement and in feed formulation for broiler chickens

  • Authors: Nxele, Sibusiso Kabelo
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Broilers (Chickens) Adansonia digitata Chickens -- Feeding and feeds
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12259 , vital:39224
  • Description: This dissertation is composed of two trials that were aimed at evaluating the effects of partially supplementing Baobab seed cake in broiler diets. In the first trail, performance and cost analysis of feeding birds a commercial starter diet from day-old to 21-days of age; then feeding a blend of the commercial finisher diet diluted by a mixture of baobab seedcake and ground maize from day 22nd to 35th were evaluated. The trial was conducted in an environmentally controlled deep litter housing system using 160 Ross 308 chicks of mixed sex that were randomly allocated into 4 treatments consisting of 16 pens of 1X2m2 area per pen, within similar environmental conditions. The trial diets were formulated as follows: T1 was 100 percent standard commercial starter diet, as a control; T2 had 95 percent (112g) commercial starter diet and 5 percent BSC-maize blend (2g BSC: 4g Maize); T3 had 85 percent (102g) of the commercial starter diet and 18percent BSC-maize blend (6g BSC + 12g Maize); and T4 had 75 percent commercial starter diet and 25 percent BSC-maize blend (10g BSC + 20g Maize). All diets (T1, T2, T3 and T4) percentages were calculated based on 120g being 100 percent of the diet. Each treatment consisted of 40 birds and 4 replicates, each replicate consisting of 10 birds per pen. Feed and clean water were provided ad libitum. Feed allocation and body weights were measured at placement, then weekly. Feed intakes (FI), body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated; then the cost analysis of feeding each diet was conducted. No significant differences (P>0.05) were found amongst all growth performance parameters. The cost efficient treatment to feed, which accumulated the cheapest cost of feed per weight gain (R33.62/kg gain) was T2 (5percent BSC+MM). The second trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding diets containing graded levels of baoabab (A. digitata) seedcake on performance, apparent digestibility and digestive organ weights of broilers chickens. A total of 200 Ross 308 day-old chicks of mixed sex were randomly allocated into 4 treatment groups (T1, T2, T3 and T4). The trial diets were as follows: T1 (control), was a commercial starter diet; while T2, T3 and T4 diets contained baobab seedcake meal at 0, 5, 10, and 15percent; respectively. Inclusion of BSC in diets only affected FI during the first and third weeks. In the first week, FI had significant differences (P < 0.05) during the first and third week of the trial, respectively. Birds in T4 had the least FI, while those in T3 had the highest (P<0.05). In the third week, T3 birds had the highest FI (P<0.05), while T1 birds had the lowest. Significant differences for changes in bodyweight were only evident in the second and forth weeks of the study. During week 2, birds in T had the highest BWG, whereas T4 birds had the lowest (P<0.05); however, in week 4, there were no statistical differences (P>0.05) amongst birds in T1, T2 and T4; respectively, while T4 had the lowest BWG (P<0.05). The FCR was not statistically different among treatment groups, except in week 3, where it was highest in T4birds with T3 birds having the lowest (P<0.05). No significant differences (P>0.05) were observed among treatment groups for all parameters that were considered for digestibility and digestive organ weights. Due to the fact that two different trials were conducted, it was concluded that blend of baobab seedcake and maize from the first trial can be supplemented up to 5 percent replacement level for optimum production; while up to 10 percent baobab seedcake graded level can be used on the second trial without resulting in any negative consequences on growth performance, nutrient utilization and digestive organ weights.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The projection of gender based violence through characterisation and theme in Magqashela’s works, Isangxa siyawhuza, Umlindi and Amathaf’entandabuzo

  • Authors: Somlata, B
  • Date: 2016
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3971 , vital:20575
  • Description: This study focuses on literature. The dissertation seeks to explore how Magqashela’s works Isangxa siyawhuza (2006), Amathaf’entandabuzo (2006) and Umlindi (2015) represent her characters to reveal gender based violence and stereotypes. As we, South Africans enfranchised and given the Act 108, a South African Constitution with Bill of rights, but it seems as if women and children do not enjoy these privileges because of high rate of violence against them. Through observation it is clear that theoretically every South African is free but practically some humans particularly women and young girls and discrimination. The researcher decided to choose female writer assuming that she is addressing women challenges as male writers are less interested to excavate women’s issues in their literary works. The reseacher also wanted to find out whether our female writer is disseminating women’s predicaments. By means of textual analysis the study investigates how gender based violence violates survivors and victims’ rights in chapter 3, and chapter 4 explores how unfaithful partners cause violence. It also explores the intervention of traditional justice and formal justice system in violent behavior caused by anger, jealousy and acquaintance of violent environment. Chapter 5 projects a stereotypical character in three selected literary texts. The whole thesis brings the prominent picture of how Gender Based Violence bodily harm the survivors and victims psychologically, physically and economically. It reveals rural women and young girls as the most vulnerable people and men as the worst perpetrators of Gender Based Violence in these literary texts. The thesis explains that the perpetrators are known by the survivors and victims hence there is a culture of silence. They are afraid of multiple abuses. The thesis relates character depiction of violence and stereotypes with current societal incidents quoting from newspapers, articles, journals and SABC online news as to disclose the accuracy of the author’s projection. Character analysis reveals that women are still discriminated and oppressed by their counterparts. The discussions succinctly elucidate that the underestimation of women and children are rooted by cultural traditional norms and values as well as Christian religion .These societal factors are promoting patriarchal perception which says men are dominant and women are submissive. It says men are obliged to take control over women. African feminist theory; Feminism, Womanism and Stiwanism and Motherism are employed as a theoretical framework. These theories are against gender inequality, they are against African women and children maltreatment .The changes of the current society including women’s independency propels insecurity, unemployed, illiterate and underprivileged men to use violence as the way of taking back control over their intimate partners and the whole family. Relevant quotations from selected texts are employed to project character portrayal of gender based violence and stereotypes.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The promotion of ethical egoism through morality mechanics in mass effect, fable III & fallout new vegas: a role-playing video game exploration

  • Authors: Grobler, Carli
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Egoism , Ethics Altruism
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7699 , vital:23393
  • Description: The aim of this study is to determine whether or not ethical egoism is promoted during gameplay of three role-playing video games namely Mass Effect, Fable III and Fallout New Vegas. The rapid expansion of the video gaming industry as well as game studies as an academic field have made it necessary to understand what effects video games may have on society. This study shows that gamers come into contact with various ethico-moral dilemmas during gameplay and act in an egoistic manner in order to complete video games. Firstly, an explanation of game and gameplay are provided as well as an outline of two game studies methodologies, namely narratology and ludology. These two methodologies are then combined into a hybrid approach which is used to analyse the video games from both a narrative and gameplay point of view which allows for a more comprehensive analysis of each respective game. Thereafter, a discussion of B.F. Skinner's behaviourism is given in order to better understand gamer behaviour. Skinner's concepts of positive reinforcement, schedules of reinforcement and operant conditioning are then linked to video games to show behaviourism's influences on game design. Ethical egoism, as theorised by Thomas Hobbes and Jesse Kalin, provides the ethico-moral theory necessary for the analysis of the morality mechanic in each game. Ethico-moral dilemmas identified within each game are discussed with regards to the hybrid approach which details both narrative and gameplay consequences of in-game ethico-moral decision making. The study concludes that gamers are ethical egoists when engaged in gameplay, due to their desire to complete the video game. However, during gameplay, gamers are exposed to altruism which is often promoted through the narrative and the nature of in-game objectives. Suggestions for further studies are also given for example a more detailed analysis of gamer behaviour, a qualitative study of in-game ethico-moral actions as well as a study of games that are non-violent in nature.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The rationale of using standard costing in manufacturing organisations in the Eastern Cape when modern alternatives are available

  • Authors: Januarie, Xavier Sebastian
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Manufacturing industries -- Accounting , Managerial accounting , Cost accounting
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6838 , vital:21153
  • Description: This paper investigates the rationale of using standard costing in modern manufacturing organisations. Researchers argue that standard costing does not easily fit in with the modern idea of continuous improvement. The benefits and limitations of standard costing and other modern alternative approaches in Eastern Cape manufacturing organisations are examined. Furthermore the factors affecting the accuracy of standards are investigated. Lastly, it is concluded that standard costing is used in Eastern Cape manufacturing organisations and those organisations using standard costing have considered the benefits and limitations.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The relationship between emotional intelligence and success in the project management

  • Authors: Tikwayo, Victor Vuyile
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Project Management--South Africa Emotional Intelligence--South Africa , Tire industry--South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45300 , vital:38568
  • Description: Project management plays an important role as a common method of reinforcing chosen organisational strategies that leads to sustainable competitive advantage (Steyn, et al. 2013:5). Organisations that respond quickly to customer demands with the use of projects have more opportunities of adding value to their shareholders and increase their market share or responding faster to mitigate risk. A major challenge facing management in many manufacturing organisations is the increasing gap between big investment demands on one hand and the knowledge and expertise on the other hand of the teams that need to make the project a reality. The increasing recognition of failures encountered in projects to meet the expectations of their stakeholders are cited to be jeopardizing the economic development and growth many developing countries like South Africa. As such, organisations are forced to become more resourceful to reduce project failures in an effort to ensure that the positive project outcomes are realized. Relationship management has been identified as one of the aspects that can help improve coordination and communication between all parties involved in a project. As such, emotional intelligence provides a framework for interpersonal skills among project teams, which is claimed to contribute to project success (Clarke, 2010a:14; Davis, 2011:39)The contemporary study, therefore explored the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and success in project management. The study was conducted within the context of manufacturing projects in Continental Tyre South Africa (CTSA). Based on the main findings, it was concluded that emotional intelligence plays an important role in project success. Various recommendations from the results of the empirical study are presented in the final chapter.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The relationship between engagement strategies and intention-to-stay of engineering professionals

  • Authors: Sibiya, Petros Mandla
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Employee retention -- South Africa Engineering -- Employment -- South Africa , Electric power-plants -- Maintenance and repair
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13028 , vital:27145
  • Description: The focus of the study was on the relationship between employee engagement strategies and intention-to-stay of engineering professionals at a power station. The investigated engagement strategies or drivers in the model adopted for this study included: leadership style, remuneration structure, physical and emotional work climate, nature of work and career development opportunities. The purpose of the study was to investigate and contribute to a better understanding of a voluntary turnover problem of engineering professionals at a power station by considering the influence of engagement on intention-to-stay. The research was conducted on a sample of 65 engineering professionals employed at a power station. The findings of the study revealed that only one variable, namely nature of work, was significantly related to employee engagement. It was also established that of the five engagement strategies investigated, nature of work and leadership style (transformational) were significantly related to intention-to-stay. A positive relationship between employee engagement and intention-to-stay was proven in this study.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The relationship between financial crises and South African bank lending activities

  • Authors: Madikizela, Mfundo
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: South African Reserve Bank Global Financial Crisis, 2008-2009 South Africa -- Economic conditions
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15398 , vital:40404
  • Description: Financial assets, and particularly fiat money, play a critical role in the prosperity of an economy. Its health therefore becomes the cornerstone of an economy, as asserted by modern financial intermediation theory. Fundamentally, as established by literature, crises affect bank balance sheets and subsequently banks’ ability to provide credit, thereby restricting investment, capital and asset growth, aggregate output, and eventually national income. This study conclusively establishes the relationship between financial crises and the South African bank lending activities. It describes this relationship, concluding that crises and bank lending have a negative short run relationship and positive long run relationship. The study gives a brief background of recent crises that were experienced by different economies in the world. The study uses South African quarterly data for the period 1996 to 2015, where it employs a VECM model that gives empirics to the effect that lending is indeed negatively affected by financial crises, but only in the short run. This is due to the South African Reserve Bank, through its monetary policy, cushioning the banking sector against the detrimental effects of economic distress. The study recommends that given the indebtedness of South Africa relative to GDP growth, to avoid credit downgrades and disinvestment in the long run, government should focus on improving GDP growth rather than debt; and should establish a policy framework that centralises operational transactions in order to reduce the effect of crises on real output.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The relationship between household debt and consumption spending in South Africa (1994 - 2013)

  • Authors: Nkala, Patience
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Finance, Personal Financial services industry Consumption (Economics)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/14022 , vital:39798
  • Description: Consumption has been and remains the main contributor to gross domestic product (GDP) growth in South Africa. Household debt on the other side has remained high over the years. This study examined the relationship between household debt and consumption spending, for the period between 1994 and 2013. The Johansen cointegration technique and the Vector error correction model (VECM) were utilised to test the long run and short run relationships between the variables. The Granger causality test was also employed to test the direction of causality between the variables. Results from this study have revealed that a relationship exists between household debt and consumption spending in South Africa and they have also showed that this relationship flows from household debt to consumption spending. The implications of these results are that consumption spending may be increased through other measures rather than through increasing debt. The study therefore recommends that policy makers avail more investment opportunities for households and to also create employment in a bid to increase the income of households which can then be used to increase household consumption rather than the use of debt.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The relationship between intrinsic rewards, organisational commitment and organisational citizenship behaviours within an automotive manufacturer

  • Authors: Weyers, Leandra
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Organizational behavior -- South Africa Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa Incentives in industry
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13235 , vital:27167
  • Description: Intrinsic rewards, organisational commitment (OC) and organisational citizenship behaviours (OCBs) are all considered to be positive constructs in today's world of work, which could have a practically beneficial impact on the employee's career, development and success as well as the organisation's bottom line and overall effectiveness. The meaning and purpose provided by one's job combined with commitment to one's organisation as well as the display of positive, helping behaviours have all become constructs of considerable importance whilst at work. The primary objective of this research study was to investigate the relationship between the three constructs of intrinsic rewards, OC and OCBs amongst permanent employees of an automotive manufacturer in South Africa. An additional aim was to establish whether significant differences existed between the three constructs under study across various demographic variables. The researcher made use of a quantitative research method in order to conduct this study using a cross-sectional design. A composite questionnaire was used to gather the necessary data for the study, inclusive of the Intrinsic Work Rewards Scale (IWRS) which is a 25 item scale measuring the dimensions of meaningful work, varied work, flexible work, challenging work and enjoyable work; the Organisational Commitment Scale (OCS) which is an 18 item scale measuring the desire, need and obligation to remain employed by an organisation; the Organisational Citizenship Behaviour Scale (OCBS) which is consistent of 20 items measuring the behaviours of altruism, courtesy, conscientiousness, civic virtue and sportsmanship; as well as a short demographic section. The questionnaire was electronically administered to 700 employees; however, it was only completed by a sample of 250 employees with a response rate of 35.7 percent. The data was analysed by means of both descriptive and inferential statistics consistent of frequency tables, central tendency and dispersion, Cronbach's alpha testing, Pearson's Product Moment Correlations and analysis of variance. The quantitative findings indicated that all three of the measurement scales were reliably used, due to Cronbach's alpha coefficients exceeding the acceptable 0.60. Significant differences existed in terms of the demographic variables included in the study for OC and to a lesser degree for OCBs and intrinsic rewards. The most significant differences were related to job level. The results identified that strong statistically and practically significant and positive correlations are existent between the constructs of intrinsic rewards, OC and OCBs. The strongest correlations were existent between the dimensions of intrinsic rewards and OC in terms of the desire (affective commitment) and obligation (normative commitment) to remain employed by the organisation as well as the organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) dimensions of civic virtue and conscientiousness. The strongest correlations in terms of OCBs and OC were between the OCB dimensions of civic virtue and altruism with affective commitment. The findings of this research study contribute to the literature available in terms of the constructs of intrinsic rewards, OC and OCBs and also provide statistical and practical evidence of the positive correlations between the three constructs. Consequently, the results from this study provided the management of this automotive manufacturer with important information into the intrinsic nature of their employees' jobs, the levels of OC as well as the propensity of their employees to display OCBs at work.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The relationship between organisational citizenship behaviour, workplace trust and workplace well-being in public and private hospitals in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa

  • Authors: Rautenbach, Leontine
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Organizational behavior -- South Africa , Nurses -- Employment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa , Health facilities -- Personnel management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5984 , vital:21022
  • Description: Globally, there is a shortage of professional nurses, which compromises the rendering of Health Care performance worldwide. South Africa has the added challenge of a dual Health Care system where there is a large disparity in financial resources, service levels and workload between private and public hospitals, which leads to public hospitals in rural areas failing to attract and retain professional nurses. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationships between three variables from the Positive Organisational Scholarship paradigm namely Workplace Trust, Organisational Citizenship Behaviour and Workplace Well-being which is researched amongst professional nurses in the private and public sectors in both the rural and urban areas in two districts in the Eastern Cape Province. The ultimate aim of the study is to propose interventions of how hospitals can improve the work environment in order to attract and to retain professional nurses. It is also anticipated that the results of the research will contribute to the body of research about Positive Organisational Scholarship (POS). The Workplace Trust Survey (WTS), Organisational Citizenship Level Scale (OCLS) and the Workplace Well-being Questionnaire (WWQ) were integrated into a single selfadministered questionnaire to measure the existence of the variables. The questionnaire also included questions relating to demographic factors. In order to confirm the reliability of the measuring instruments, an Exploratory Analysis was done, a Scree test was applied and a Principal Axis Factor Analysis was conducted. Finally, an Item-reliability Analysis on each factor was administered. The WTS and WWQ revealed sound factorial validity and was considered to be compatible with a South African sample, but the OCLS indicated poor construct validity. Relationships between the variables were analysed by applying a Pearson Productmoment Correlation Analysis in SPSS. T-tests, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the Tukey HSD test was utilized to determine the potential influence of demographic characteristics on the variables. Several interesting relationships between variables and sub-variables were identified. The study concludes with proposed interventions needed to retain professional nurses in hospitals. The limitations of the study as well as recommendations for further research is briefly noted.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The relationship between organisational contextual factors and clinical practice guideline implementation in private critical care units

  • Authors: Flippies, Emirenthia Emogin Elouise , Venter, D J L
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Medicine -- Practice -- Standards -- South Africa Medical care -- Standards , Intensive care units
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12583 , vital:27096
  • Description: Clinical practice guidelines are one way of ensuring that healthcare is based on the evidence-based practices. In a dynamic unit, like the critical care unit, where sound decision-making and critical thinking are required in the care of critically ill patients, the implementation of such guidelines for care is of utmost importance. Guideline implementation is however not so simplistic, and various studies have proven that there are various barriers linked to guideline implementation. However, most the barriers have proven to be related to individual factors. Therefore, a greater focus has been placed on organisational contextual factors that might have an influence on clinical practice guideline implementation. The research study followed a positivistic, quantitative paradigm, where the hypothesised relationship between the organisational contextual factors and clinical practice guideline implementation were investigated. A structured pre-existing questionnaire, namely the Alberta Context Tool, was used to collect data from 65 registered nurses in private critical care units. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The findings revealed that although the organisational contextual factors were prevalent in the private critical care units sampled, some factors like leadership and culture scored higher than the other factors. Positive relations were reported between the organisational contextual factors and clinical practice guideline implementation. The results imply that the alternative hypothesis H1 is supported, and thus proved that there are significant relationships between organisational contextual factors and clinical practice guideline implementation in private critical care units in the East London area.Recommendations were made on how to enhance organisational contextual factors in the implementation of clinical practice guidelines. Ethical principles were maintained throughout the study.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The relationship between receiving an HIV test result and the traumatic stress symptoms of rape survivors

  • Authors: Strydom, Yolandi Eloise , Elkonin, Diane
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Post-traumatic stress disorder -- Treatment HIV-positive persons -- Counseling of Sexual abuse victims
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12876 , vital:27130
  • Description: Rape survivors often have two traumatic events to deal with. In addition to the actual rape experience, survivors commonly need to deal with hearing the results of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing (which is standard practice after rape in South Africa). The relationship between these two traumatic events in terms of the survivors specific traumatic stress symptoms have not been well explored in the literature. The primary aim of this study was therefore an exploration of the relationship between receiving an HIV test result and the traumatic stress symptoms of rape survivors. In order to contextualise the main aim, an exploration of the relationship between demographic variables, knowledge of HIV status and early traumatic stress symptoms was also completed. The initial sample consisted of 97 South African rape survivors, however, only 45 participants returned for the second part of the study. This quantitative study utilised an exploratory descriptive design using the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire-Revised (HTQ-R) to measure the traumatic stress symptoms of rape survivors. The results of the first part of the study indicated that there was no significant difference between participants’ demographic factors in relation to their knowledge of HIV status or their overall traumatic stress symptom severity. Significant differences on individual traumatic stress symptoms indicated a relationship between not knowing one’s HIV status and dissociation after a rape incident, as well as a relationship between rape survivors who knew their HIV status is positive and emotional dysregulation. The results of the second part (and main analysis) of the study indicated that most participants presented with less severe overall traumatic stress severity after receiving their HIV test results (irrespective of their status before and after hearing their results). However, participants whose HIV status was unknown and who received a positive test result reported more severe overall traumatic stress compared to those whose HIV status was unknown and received a negative test result. Some inter-group differences on individual symptoms were HIV TEST RESULT TRAUMATIC STRESS RAPE SURVIVORS noted that highlight the possibility that dissociative and an intrusion/hyperarousal subtypes may be at work to explain some of the differences seen.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The relationship between sales promotion techniques and consumer off-take and attitude within the SA non-alcoholic ready to drink market

  • Authors: Mattheus, Jared Cameron
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Sales promotion Consumer behavior Advertising
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11586 , vital:26940
  • Description: Over the past decade there has been a shift in marketing spend from above the line advertising, to below the line advertising commonly referred to as promotions. This has been brought about by recessionary economic conditions, increased competition, rising media costs and long term profitability prospects. Many fast moving consumer goods’ (FMCG) companies are shifting a large portion of their marketing spend from advertising to sales promotion. This has occurred because of consumers becoming more prone to deals, declining brand loyalty and the growing power of major retail chains. Sales promotion spend can comprise of as much as 50% of the marketing budget in certain industries and the majority of the marketing budget for most FMCG companies. This has been heightened further by the global financial recession which has both direct and indirect effects on South Africa. Approximately 70% of purchasing decisions are made in store by understanding how these decisions are made and how to influence them is essential in developing an effective marketing strategy. Besides product characteristics, promotional techniques are among the most popular instruments used by marketers to influence this process. Global trends show that 83% of all senior marketers increase or maintain spend on promotional merchandise year on year. However, they had limited insight into how to best spend the funds or if they even achieved their intended purpose. Despite the rise in promotional activity, especially in the FMCG sector, limited research has been conducted on the influence and effectiveness in South Africa. The purpose of this treatise, then, is to examine addresses the paucity in research with regard to consumer sales promotions in the non-alcoholic ready to drink (NARTD) market, particularly within South Africa. By developing a relationship model to measure the influence and effectiveness of selected sales promotion techniques on consumer off-take and attitude. That can be used by organisations to retain consumers, grow market share, improve brand equity and achieve higher profitability. Equipping marketers with an improved understanding of the impact of sales promotion techniques and consumer buying patterns within the South African NARTD market and delivering value to consumers through targeted promotions. In order to achieve this goal a thorough literature review was performed which drew on both academic- and industry-based research. This led to the development of a conceptual relationship model which was tested using rigorous measures incorporating questionnaire-style, quantitative data collection and statistical analysis. The research revealed that sales promotion techniques are an important element of a successful marketing strategy and when correctly executed deliver positive business results. FMCG companies operating within the NARTD market need to ensure that they incorporate sampling and premiums into their marketing mix even if this requires them to reduce their spend on above the line marketing activities. Ultimately, sampling and premiums were found to be effective sales promotion techniques within the South African NARTD market and have the ability to positively influence consumer off-take, brand love and buying behaviour.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The relationship between stock market development and savings mobilization in South Africa

  • Authors: Katsande, Tamuka
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Stock exchanges Saving and investment Financial services industry
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , Economics
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11762 , vital:39104
  • Description: South Africa has a well-developed financial sector, particularly the stock market, which performs better than those of other developed countries. However, it is interesting to note that irrespective of the advancement in the financial sector, the country has low levels of savings. Given this background, the study empirically examined the relationship between stock market development and savings mobilization in South Africa. Employing the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) cointegration test for the period 1990 to 2012, using quarterly time series data. Based on the McKinnon-Shaw hypothesis, which advocates that the stock market development promotes the growth rate of savings, a model linking the savings and their determinants was specified. The empirical results revealed that there is a long-term relationship between savings and the other variables including rate of interest, income, age, M3 as a percentage of GDP, bank credit to the private sector as a percentage of GDP, and stock market used in the model. It was also established that the stock market plays a positive role in mobilizing savings in South Africa. In addition, it was also found that the financial sector development has a positive relation with savings, although the interest rate was found to be negatively related to savings. The empirical results indicate that the stock market has a positive effect on savings; however, given the extent to which the financial sector is developed, South Africans in general have access to different financial products which in a way may negatively impact savings as they are net borrowers rather than savers. It is crucially important, therefore, for the general public to be advised on the use of financial products. These empirical results are supported by findings of Mavrotas and Santillana (1999), Kelly and Mavrotas (2003) Odhiambo (2006), Sahoo and Dash (2013), Kapingura and Alagidede (2014), who concluded that the stock market as one of the indicators of financial development positively influences savings.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The relationship between the alcohol use patterns and cognitive and symptomatic functioning of Rhodes University students

  • Authors: Mayson, Tamara Ann
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Drinking of alcholic beverages -- South Africa , Rhodes University -- Students -- Alcohol use , Alcohol -- Physiological effect
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:3270 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020327
  • Description: Introduction: Studies reveal differential cognitive effects of alcohol use, with moderate to heavy alcohol having some beneficial effects in older adults, whereas in young adulthood, heavier alcohol use produces deficits. The aim of the research was to investigate the relationship between patterns of alcohol use and the cognitive and symptomatic functioning of university students over one year, and to discern which demographic, clinical and alcohol factors might moderate cognitive outcomes. Method: The sample included undergraduate Psychology students from a South African University, aged 18 to 23 years (n = 86). The sample was divided into two alcohol use groups based on four categories from the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) (Babor et al., 2001), including a lighter drinking group (Safe/Hazardous, n = 74) and a heavier drinking group (Harmful/Dependent, n = 12). The two drinking groups were statistically equivalent for distribution of age, gender, English first language, race groups, history of neurological or psychiatric vulnerability, a measure of initial intelligence/cognitive reserve (Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test: PPVT-4) (Dunn & Dunn, 2007) and for a measure of test-taking validity (Immediate Postconcussion Assessment and Cognitive Test: ImPACT Impulse Control) (p = < 0.05 in all instances). Participants were tested on the computerized ImPACT battery (ImPACT, 2007) at three intervals over an academic year (May, August, October 2012). Repeated measures ANOVAs were used to investigate cognitive and symptomatic differences between the two alcohol use groups, in association with moderating factors. Results: The heavier drinking group revealed: (i) poorer performance on ImPACT Visual Motor Speed, Reaction Time and Cognitive Efficiency Index scores, including less ability to benefit from practice over time; (ii) symptom reports of severe Numbness/Tingling, Balance problems and Dizziness. Deleterious cognitive outcome was exacerbated by longer lifetime duration of alcohol use, passing out monthly, beer or wine drinking, smoking or substance use. Conclusion: Deleterious cognitive and symptomatic effects of heavy alcohol use are in evidence for undergraduate university students implicating current and/or cumulative alcohol induced brain impairment. The results of the study are of concern for optimal academic performance of students at an early stage of university level study, who engage in heavier (Harmful/Dependent) drinking patterns, with negative implications for future career attainment.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The Representation of Adult Family Members in Selected Children’s Books by Roald Dahl

  • Authors: Kerford, Justine
  • Date: 2016
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: vital:2387 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1021254
  • Description: This thesis focuses on the representation of the five adult family members (mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers and aunts) that are present in a specialised corpus of Roald Dahl’s children’s literature. Children’s fiction provides insight into how society views childhood as it reflects the dominant ideologies in society (Larkin-Lieffers 2010).The family is “central to most children’s literature” (Alston 2008: 2) which makes the analysis of the family in children’s fiction important. Society favours particular representations of the family, as well as men and women, and these representations are also reflected in the fiction available to readers. I have used Critical Discourse Analysis and Corpus Linguistics in order to establish how adult family members are represented in Dahl’s fiction. The physical description and the verbs of speech that collocate significantly with the different tagged characters are analysed to establish patterns in representation. Verbs of speech give the reader information that allows them to establish the emotion and attitude of the character and this helps the reader make judgements with regards to the positive or negative perception of the character. The repeated use of particular descriptions and verbs of speech primes the reader to associate particular features with certain characters and the evaluation provided by these features bleeds over onto the characters. There is evidence of a continuum of verbs of speech moving from verbs of speech with low pitch and low volume like ‘said’ to ones with a high pitch and high volume like ‘shrieked’. The tagged characters are discussed according to the continuum to establish any patterns the verb of speech use. Women were found to collocate with verbs of speech like ‘shrieked, ‘screamed’ and ‘wailed’ which suggests that women are more hysterically emotional while men collocate with verbs of speech like ‘shouted’ and ‘yelled’ which were less hysterical and suggest aggression. Aunts were the exception to this pattern as they collocated with more masculine verbs of speech, like ‘shouted’. These patterns help establish whether or not the representations follow the dominant ideologies of women being emotional and home bound and men being aggressive and more active in the public sphere.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The Rights of victims of crime in South Africa

  • Authors: Nkukwana , Zingisile Wiseman
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Victims of crimes -- South Africa Victims of crimes -- Civil rights -- South Africa Crime -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12627 , vital:27100
  • Description: There is a perception among victims of crime, and people in general, in South Africa that the country’s laws favour and protect offenders. These people believe that offenders have more rights than victims which are derived from the Constitution of the country, and other legislative Acts of parliament. This view may sometimes lead to vigilantism and a total disregard of the law. The study will show that victims do have rights in the country’s legislations. The study briefly explains the sources of such laws, like the Constitution, the Victims Charter and selected provisions of some Acts of parliament. It is a fact that the section 35 of the Constitution provides in detail, the rights of the arrested, detained and accused. It is also submitted persons that there is no specific provision that talks about the rights of the victims of crime. However, that does not mean that such victims do not have rights in terms of the constitution. The rights of victims of crime are seen during the courts’ interpretation and application of rights mentioned in the Bill of Rights. The use of words like “everyone” and “any person” in the Bill of Rights also refers to victims of crime. Therefore, the Constitution is not victim-biased and offender-friendly. The Constitution protects everybody because it seeks to uphold the values of human dignity, equality, freedom and the African concept of ubuntu. The study discusses briefly the rights of victims as adopted by the Victims’ Charter. The Charter lists these rights, but does not explain how such rights are to be achieved. South Africa also developed a document called the Minimum Standards for Services for Victims of Crime which indicates how each right is to be achieved. The study also shows that South Africa had developed some Acts of parliament even before the adoption of the Victims Charter. South Africa claims that the Victims’ Charter is compliant with the Constitution and the United Nations Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice Abuse of Power of 1985. It is submitted that this statement is not entirely correct, especially with regards to the provision that deals with compensation. South Africa did not define compensation as defined by the United Nations Declaration. This can be seen as a dismal failure by South Africa to abide by the United Nations Declaration and this has resulted in more harm suffered by victims of crime. The study also discusses how rape victims benefit through the use of Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act of 2007. This begins with the changing of the definition of rape. The Act also deals with how rape victims can access antiretroviral drugs to prevent HIV/Aids infection. It explains limitations on the right to privacy of the accused, especially to compel him or her to undergo an HIV test. The HIV positive status of the accused can be used as an aggravating factor during sentencing in terms of UNAIDS policies. S v Nyalungu 2005 (JOL) 13254 (T) is a leading case in South Africa showing compliance with UNAIDS policies. Restorative justice mechanisms have been discussed to show positive movement by South Africa from a retributive justice system to a restorative justice system. The advantages of such mechanisms for victims have been discussed. The study also describes briefly some selected provisions of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1977 and how these provisions benefit victims of crime. These include sections 153, 170A, 297, 299A, 300 and 301. The study highlights some challenges that still exist and what innovations can be made. This includes recommendations which can be made to benefit victims of crime further. For example, an apology can be used as one of the important principles in the restorative justice system. It is submitted and recommended that truth and apology go hand in glove and the basic elements of forgiveness. South Africa can pride itself with regards to this approach especially during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission which was established in post-apartheid South Africa. The study concludes by saying that South Africa should set up a victim-compensation scheme. It is submitted that South Africa can afford such a scheme despite the problems identified.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

The role of assessments in enhancing midwifery programme outcomes at a public nursing education institution in the Eastern Cape Province

  • Authors: Njikija, Vuyelwa Francina
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Maternity nursing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Midwifery -- Study and teaching Community health nursing
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11597 , vital:26941
  • Description: The substandard care noted and reported on in midwifery practice at level one midwifery care institutions in South Africa raises a concern about the effectiveness of the assessment strategies used at nursing institutions in enhancing midwifery programme outcomes. The concern is mainly directed particularly at the performance of the newly qualified professional nurses as they are the ones that practise at level one institutions, had just gone through training and been found to be competent practitioners. The success of any training programme and specifically midwifery practice as in the content of this study is dependent on the effectiveness of the assessment techniques or strategies used; hence assessment is considered integral to monitoring the quality of the midwifery care programme. The current study used a quantitative research design to explore and describe the role of assessments in enhancing midwifery programme outcomes at a public nursing education institution in the Eastern Cape Province. Recommendations to enhance the role of assessments for the benefit of midwifery programme outcomes at a public nursing education institution that were made were guided by the findings of the study. Participants were non-randomly selected and were personally provided with a self-developed questionnaire to complete. 134 participants returned fully completed questionnaires while approximately 25% of the selected sample did not return theirs. Data was captured on an excel spread sheet and analysed using Cronbach’s alpha programme under the guidance of the statistician and supervisor. Findings of the study were that: • the participants perceived the role of assessments as positively enhancing the midwifery programme outcomes, • though they also agreed and strongly agreed that there were major factors that prevented enhancement of midwifery programme outcomes. Ethical considerations were autonomy, beneficence, justice and non-maleficence. The validity and reliability of the data- collection instrument was ensured. Furthermore, recommendations were made for nursing education, clinical practice and future research. The study was conducted during the period of July 2014 to January 2016.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2016
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