Investigating effectiveness of the internship programme with reference to the Department of Health, Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Mjindi, Mpilo
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54881 , vital:48352
- Description: The study investigated the effectiveness of internship programme in the Department of Health in Port Elizabeth. The study utilized the human capital capita theory and scientific management approach to analyse the role of internship programme in the Livingstone Hospital in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The research draws from interpretive paradigm that made use of qualitative research methods to collect data. Therefore, documents were used for collecting data. These include government documents on an internship, peer-reviewed journal articles and relevant literature that inform internship programmes in a government department in South Africa. The study utilised a qualitative thematic analysis technique to analyse the data collected from documents. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
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- Date Issued: 2020-12
The representation of female consumerism in three African novels
- Authors: Njokweni, Manzendonga
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55096 , vital:49114
- Description: The portrayal of women and consumer culture is a pertinent issue in African literature. This dissertation examines female characters in three South African novels namely Hunger Eats a Man (2015) by Nkosinathi Sithole, Men of the South (2010) by Zukiswa Wanner and Black Diamond (2009) by Zakes Mda and exposes the effects of feminized consumerism. The theoretical framework for the study is taken from Carolyn Elizabeth Miller’s (2006) theory of consumerism and sexist oppression and is used to expose the oppressive effects of consumerism that nevertheless construct feminine identity in a capitalist world. To augment Miller’s theory, the work of other theorists are consulted to establish a theoretical framework for analysing feminized consumerism. The first chapter shows the effects of feminized consumerism as oppressive to wealthy women and poor women alike. The second chapter shows that female characters are domesticated by consumerism; domestication referring to the phenomenon of prohibiting women from male spaces or subordinating women within those spaces. The third chapter shows that some of the female characters are engaged in commodity fetishism and that they are affected in adverse ways because of this. The fourth chapter explains how female characters are portrayed as inferior to their male counterparts as a result of femininized consumerism in storytelling. In addition to concluding the oppressive effects of feminized consumerism, the fourth chapter analyses comments about capitalism that the authors make; authors like Wanner and Sithole seem to severely critique capitalism and its effects while Mda seems to verily defend capitalism. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Language, Media and Communication, 2020
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- Date Issued: 2020-12
The state and civil society in building a capable developmental state : a case of the National Department of Social Development and the Non Profit Organisations sector in South Africa
- Authors: Morkel, Candice
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55031 , vital:48824
- Description: The challenges in the relationship between the Department of Social Development (DSD) and Non Profit Organisations (NPOs) in South Africa pose a risk to their ability to partner successfully in order to deliver government’s Constitutional obligations in meeting citizens’ developmental social welfare needs. Some contemporary theories of the state (such as pluralism and corporatism) as well as approaches to Public Administration and Management (such as co-production) support a collaborative approach between governments and civil society in order to address development challenges. Peter Evans’ (cf. 1995, 1997, 1998, 2008; 2014) expansive scholarship on embedded autonomy and building capable developmental states, suggests that a state that is sufficiently embedded in an intimate partnership with nonstate actors is more likely to achieve its development goals. However, these relations must also be autonomous and unfettered by private or sectional interests to circumvent the risk of neopatrimonialism and state capture. In view of growing critiques of economic growth as the primary marker of a developmental state, which prioritises the state’s relationship with private capital, Evans (ibid.) also argued for a more expanded definition of embedded autonomy. Building on Evan’s perspective, this study examines the relationship between the DSD and the NPO sector in South Africa to address the gap in the literature on how other forms of embedded autonomy (beyond the state-private sector nexus) may function in a developmental state. Its purpose is to make an original contribution to knowledge by examining how the achievement of South Africa’s Developmental Social Welfare (DSW) outcomes and the building of a capable developmental state may be affected by weaknesses in embeddedness, autonomy and state capacity. It argues that a relationship of trust and solidarity between the state and civil society that prioritises the well-being of people as the primary indicator of development, is a necessary feature of the capable developmental state. The study therefore provides insights into the interventions required to ensure collaborative and integrated service delivery between the state and civil society in South Africa. This is forged from an examination of the deeply held conflicting beliefs and expectations around the execution of the DSW mandate, the current tensions in the relationship, its intersections with the history of the non-profit sector in the apartheid welfare state and the challenges of transformation since 1994. In this respect, it fills a further gap in the literature by focusing on expanded, non-traditional state-society ties imagined by Evans’ conceptual framework of embedded autonomy and the developmental state. Furthermore, the study makes an elemental contribution to knowledge around co-production, which remains poorly formulated despite increasing interest and research in this area of Public Administration and Management (Gawlowski, 2018:72; Osborne, Radnor & Strokosch, 2016:644). This study used a qualitative design to derive meaning from indepth interviews with twentythree (23) knowledgeable experts representing the DSD (current and ex-staff members), NPOs, members of the Ministerial Committee for the 2013-2016 Review of the White Paper for Social Welfare (1997), NPO umbrella bodies and social justice activists. These were supplemented by a Focus Group Discussion comprising of nine (9) activists based at a grassroots NPO. Employing both an interpretive and constructivist approach, the design facilitated an in-depth examination of participants’ perceptions of the state’s constitutional obligation towards social justice through delivering DSW services in collaboration with the NPO Sector. The researcher used thematic content analysis to explore how weaknesses in the inter-play between embeddedness and autonomy in the DSW sector may explain the tensions between the DSD and NPOs. An analysis of the literature also helped in drawing linkages between weaknesses in embedded autonomy, building a capable developmental state and achieving the country’s DSW outcomes. The study found that the adversarial relationship between the DSD and NPOs has a negative effect on the rendering of DSW services to citizens, which places South Africa’s pursuit of a capable developmental state at risk. Applying a strategic-relational conceptualisation of the state, it argued how South Africa’s commitment to a participatory and people-centred approach to public policy and the protection of the socio-economic rights of citizens requires a fully engaged civil society, balanced by autonomy. Invoking a Gramscian lens, the study also provided an analysis of the potential for civil society to act as a counter-hegemonic force against the domination of global capital and the marketization of the state in order to protect the rights of the subaltern. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
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- Date Issued: 2020-12
Towards a thriving youth culture: a framework for the development and empowerment of rural unemployed youth in Mhlontlo Municipality, South Africa
- Authors: Mugabe, Tanaka Candida
- Date: 2020-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55053 , vital:49026
- Description: The basis for youth employment and development in rural areas encapsulates transformation which brings about freedom in terms of economic growth as well as social stability. nevertheless, research provides evidence that one of the complex dilemmas in South Africa and across the globe is youth unemployment. Statistics South Africa in 2019 estimated that 70,9% of the total number of unemployed citizens are youths, with consequences that have a far-reaching impact on their quality of life and future prospects; thus, a social problem that requires urgent redress. In addition, there is evidence that youth unemployment is more prominent in rural than urban areas. It is for this reason that this study focused on the lived experiences of unemployed youth in Mhlontlo Municipality, a rural locality in South Africa to better understand the complexity and multifaceted unemployment phenomenon. Youth unemployment requires an understanding of its nature; especially, when considering and/or implementing interventions. Although the youth may share common denominators such as their culture, being unemployed and have a need for development and empowerment, youths experience their world as individuals and differently. Ensuring positive development and thriving requires insightful understanding about lived experiences of unemployed youths, as well as the immediate effect and long-standing impact caused by the nature of interaction between youths and their broader ecological environment. The research findings in this thesis highlight that whether as a source (self) or re-source (cocreator) of human capital, unemployed youth have the capacity to thrive and/or to enable thriving. Thus, an intervention initiative should create a culture of thriving; the latter, both a means and end, irrespective of the adversity in which unemployed youths find themselves. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
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- Date Issued: 2020-12
A study on staff provisioning using the Peter Morkel Model with reference to a selected school in the Amathole East District
- Authors: Qaba, Loyiso Siyabulela
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55161 , vital:49171
- Description: The Post-Provisioning Model (PPM) is a Resource Allocation Model (RAM) used by the Department of Education to optimize the distribution of available educator resources to public schools. The Department of Education adopted the PPM to distribute the total available posts to all public schools in an “equitable, transparent and resource-efficient manner. The PPM is a formula-driven model that primarily allocates educators, as human capital, to public schools based on learner enrolment numbers. In addition to allocating teaching staff, the PPM allocates the School Management Team (SMT) to each school. The outcome of the PPM formula is called the Post-Provisioning Norm (PPN). The implementation of the PPM has presented various challenges in the management of public schools. The primary aims of this study were to investigate any possible weaknesses of the PPM and to critically evaluate and explore school managers’ views of the PPM in the management of public schools. For the purposes of this study a probability sampling procedure was used. The participants were chosen from the principals within the Department of Education in Amathole East District. The literature review undertaken and the field research findings in the fourth chapter revealed that there is a gap between the ideals of the PPM and its implementation. It was found that there was a poor understanding of the technical aspects of the PPM formula among senior managers of public schools. There is evidence of equitable quantitative distribution of posts through the PPM. However, it was discovered that the PPM does not take into account the distribution of qualified educators. Hence, some of the allocated posts in public schools were often filled by under-qualified or non-qualified staff. The appointment of qualified educators was skewed. Further findings of this study revealed, amongst others, the inability of the PPM to provide for and promote the needs of a diverse curriculum in rural areas, and the inability to factor in and balance the variable that some public schools raise more money in school fees, which enables the advantaged schools to employ additional educators. The primary recommendations of this study are that principals be trained, on an annual basis, on the workings of the PPM and that the South African Schools Act No.84 of 1996 should be amended to grant authority to the Head of Department of the province to appoint and deploy qualified educators to public schools. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
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- Date Issued: 2020-04
An exploration of the (re)production of femininity in netball spaces: the case of Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Phuza, Nobubele
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55150 , vital:49163
- Description: Since its introduction in 1920, Netball has reflected and reinforced appropriate ideas of female physicality and a culturally valued femininity. It is socially accepted as an appropriate sport for women evidenced by its promotion for girls in schools, the number of teams, clubs and leagues in existence and the invisibility of men’s netball in the media and society. Existing literature from Australian and New Zealand scholars in the sociology of sport and leisure consistently makes the argument that the meaning of femininity and the expected attributes thereof, are powerfully presented in the bodily performances that occur in netball. “You learn to be a woman, female bonding, female submission and the like. All while seeming to do nothing but throw a ball around.” The aim of this dissertation is to contextualize the conversation around femininity and netball for South Africa, specifically Nelson Mandela Bay. The research focuses on how netball remains an island of femininity in the sea of masculine sport. I draw on individual interviews with twelve (12) competitive netball players and ethnographic field work to examine the meaning of femininity in netball and women’s affinity to it. Using a Bourdieusian-feminist lens, I explain netball spaces as subfields of sport, structured by the configuration of valued capital(s). The findings revealed femininity as a valued capital in netball. It was a compliant femininity, characterised by the need to be aesthetically pleasing, levels of modesty, religiosity and pseudo-fragility. As players accrued netball femininity, they internalized associated dispositions as their own, a habitus. They would transmit and redeposit the habitus through interactions in the field during training sessions and matches. To this end, the dissertation also revealed that the reproduction of femininity in netball was a function of habitus and the reciprocal relationship between bodies and space. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
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An exploration of the memorandum of understanding between the Mberengwa rural district council and the Mberengwa community : a conflict resolution perspective
- Authors: Pedro, Jean
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55139 , vital:49148
- Description: This study is motivated by a gap in a competent framework to adequately compensate communities whose land are expropriated for public use by the Government of Zimbabwe. It seeks to explore the extent to which the Memorandum of Understanding between the Mberengwa Rural District Council and the affected people of Mberengwa resulted in a fair and adequate compensation which specifically provided for rehabilitated livelihoods. The main objective is to determine whether the compensation was adequate and satisfying for the Mberengwa community and to this end, a qualitative methodology is utilised to collect and analyse data. The findings reveal that the Memorandum of Understanding did not provide for adequate land that adequately compensated for the expropriated land. The affected community also did not benefit from a possible rehabilitation of livelihoods. By the end of the study, the Mberengwa compensation had not been concluded and the programme, which was expected to be completed in October 2015, had not closed. The researcher recommends a competent project management strategy, PRINCE2 to ensure comprehensive planning that ensures stage-based delivery of the agreed compensation products. Another recommendation involved in-depth problem-solving workshops, which involves all affected members to increase the chances of success. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
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- Date Issued: 2020-04
An investigation of the challenges experienced in South Sudan (2004-2011): a military component perspective
- Authors: Mbaakanyi, Christopher
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54794 , vital:47692
- Description: This study deals with the conceptual analysis of the challenges experienced by military peacekeepers in the United Nations (UN) operations. The research focused on the problems that military personnel encountered during the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) between 2005 and 2011. Many findings summarised from the respondents and through documents reviewed elucidated various challenges peacekeepers in UN missions experience. This study’s specific objectives were to assess the necessary preparations that made military peacekeepers operationally ready for the UNMIS Peace Support Operations (PSO); to determine whether there was any pre-deployment training conducted for military peacekeepers during the UNMIS; to investigate whether there were command and control issues in the mission; and finally, to examine whether military peacekeepers were acquainted with the fundamental UN principles and core values. The study used the purposive sampling technique to identify relevant subjects best suited to provide informed feedback through interviews and a questionnaire. Most of the respondents were from Botswana and Malawi, with additional valuable subjects from the different countries who participated in the UNMIS as staff officers, formed units, and observers. The level of operational readiness of individual military personnel was found inconsistent among participants from different countries due to the varying level of attention given to pre-deployment training and planning. Some individuals did not know about the UN core values, principles and critical resolution documents such as the Status of Mission Agreement (SOMA), Status of Force Agreement (SOFA), Rules of Engagement (ROE), and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that were critical towards operationalising the UNMIS mandate to achieve the operational objectives. The concepts of command and control and reporting procedure continue to cause severe rifts between uniformed personnel and their civilian counterparts. Some of the areas that require further study include the challenges in command and control, vagueness in the rules of engagement, lack of clarity of the chain of leadership in the field area, lack of interoperability of equipment, the necessary operational readiness training, and the development of joint doctrine. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
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- Date Issued: 2020-04
Assessing the implementation of expanded public works programme in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (2013-2018)
- Authors: Nombebe, Gcobisa
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55107 , vital:49120
- Description: The aim of the study was to evaluate the implementation of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) between 2013 and 2018. This was necessitated by the common trend observed in the country that, despite many interventions to alleviate poverty, the unemployment rate continues to increase, and poverty remains a challenge. The study was qualitative, and it used secondary data to achieve its objectives. The data was sourced from journals, municipal documents, the national Department of Public Works’ publications, newspapers and many other secondary sources. The results revealed that the EPWP performance in BCMM is greatly influenced by effective performance management systems, proper planning, political impact, training and development, and committed leadership. This was perceived as the first attempt towards improving the EPWP aligned employment statistics in BCMM. These results were found to be very important in helping an organisation to achieve employment targets. Furthermore, the municipality should investigate strengthening its consultative processes to involve the public in the job creation and decision-making processes. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
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- Date Issued: 2020-04
Conflict management and transformation within the Evangelical Bible Church of Kwazulu-Natal
- Authors: Mentor, Kurt Raymond
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54870 , vital:48327
- Description: The following treatise is an analysis of conflict management within the Evangelical Bible Church of KwaZulu-Natal (EBC KZN). It focuses on the effectiveness of the management of conflict within the churches of EBC KZN. Over the years, many churches have avoided conflict and conflict management has never been a popular topic in the church. This may be because the church mostly relies on wisdom from God to handle conflict, with few attempts made to learn more about how to handle conflict effectively. A common approach is for the church to wait until conflict builds to a certain level before attempting to resolve it. Many conflicts have spiralled out of control by the time the church responds to issues. Thus, the church needs to address conflict proactively, rather than reactively. In order for the church to be more successful in resolving conflict, the leadership needs to take time to develop effective skills in conflict resolution. This is a proactive way of resolving conflict. This treatise explores the challenges pastors‟ face that inhibits their full potential to manage conflict. It describes the role of the pastors in the process of conflict management among the churches of EBC KZN, investigates the importance of effective conflict management in preventing further conflict, and explores ways of improving the skills of the pastors in conflict management. Like most churches, EBC KZN and its pastors have been called upon to deal with conflict disputes within local churches. Therefore, the researcher worked in partnership with seven pastors of EBC KZN using an analytical approach to explore the management of conflict among their churches. This study made use of qualitative methods of conducting interviews with the seven participants on conflict management in the church. The research revealed that conflict management in EBC KZN is ineffective because of a number of factors; including the lack of training of the pastors in conflict management and comprehensive church guidelines and policies to manage conflict. The researcher recommends that further research be done among the churches and for a proper policy of conflict management to be drawn up. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
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- Date Issued: 2020-04
Constructing an intergrated service excellence model for the South African police service
- Authors: Modise, Motsamai John
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55020 , vital:48823
- Description: This study is set within the South African Police Service (SAPS). The purpose of the study is to construct an integrated service excellence model, in order to improve service quality in the South African Police Service as a whole and to continuously improve service excellence in the assistance provided in the Northern Cape in particular. Furthermore, the study was intended to identify gaps in the quality of services provided by the SAPS to the various communities in the Northern Cape. The development of a service excellence model for the assessment of the services provided by the SAPS is justified, because it is an essential means to improving the services rendered, which will be beneficial to both the SAPS and the community. Service failures negatively impact relationships and marketing efforts and thus complicate service providers’ relationship-building efforts. Therefore, service providers endeavour to restore customers’ post-recovery satisfaction through service recovery efforts to retain their customers. However, the influence that customers’ relationship intentions have on this process has not been considered. Previous research on relationship intention in South Africa focussed only on developing a valid and reliable relationship intention measurement scale. This study employed both the quantitative and qualitative research approaches to validate the research questions and authenticate the problem statement. The triangulation approach allowed the researcher to effectively engage the strengths of both research methodologies. The research findings from the empirical survey were statistically analysed using statistical procedures. The data analysis, derived from the qualitative research approach, involved thematic content analysis. The sample populations for the study comprised ward councillors, selected senior officials and community members. For the quantitative approach, questionnaires were distributed to respondents. One-on–one interviews were conducted with senior managers as the qualitative component of the study. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
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- Date Issued: 2020-04
Evaluating compliance with supply chain management policies in the public sector
- Authors: Mvanana, Siziwe
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55064 , vital:49027
- Description: Despite reform processes in the employment of Supply Chain Management (SCM) as a strategic tool in the South African public sector, there are predicaments in SCM policies, especially in the public sector. This notwithstanding, research that demystifies the compliance with SCM policies in the public sector. This study evaluate compliance with Supply Chain Management policies in the public sector. The findings of the study revealed that overall the public sector have adopted and implemented the SCM policies. However, SCM policies are sometimes not always aligned with government policies. The most implemented SCM police was demand management, followed by acquisition management. The least implemented policies were logistics, disposal, risk and performance management. No significant differences were observed among the public sector. The public sector face serious SCM challenges in implementing their SCM policies. These challenges stem from: a lack of training for SCM staff, lack of proper capacity, poor planning, and ineffective black economic empowerment in the public sector. Based on the results, there is a need of training for SCM staff, capacity building, better planning interventions, and more effective black economic empowerment. It should be reiterated that the lack of proper SCM policies and procedures are the root cause of problems in service delivery in South Africa. The study concludes by recommending that SCM practitioners should regularly update their SCM policies, ensure proper compliance with the elements of SCM, as well as to source competencies, skills, and knowledge from higher education institutions and private accredited service providers. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
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- Date Issued: 2020-04
Investigating the employee turnover of educators in selected schools in the Butterworth Education District
- Authors: Siganagana, Zimkitha
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55229 , vital:49676
- Description: The aim of this study is to investigate the employee turnover of educators in the Butterworth Education District. In order to achieve this goal, it was necessary to review the literature on human resource management. The motivation of job satisfaction was used to utilise the full potential people so as to ensure quality products and services. This is a very complex issue owing to the wide range of internal and external factors that impact on it. The study employed a literature study to examine the employee turnover. Moreover, the study discussed the types, consequences and factors influencing employee turnover. It also discussed retaining strategies, steps to manage employee turnover and methods to reduce employee turnover. The findings of the study revealed that an overview of human resource management plays a key role in determining the survival, effectiveness and competitiveness of an organisation. Factors influencing employee turnover determine employee turnover, and one of these is the labour market, which is determined by economic conditions. The findings also revealed that the causes and consequences of employee turnover can impact both negatively and positively to the organisation. Thus, the management of the Department of Education should perhaps adopt intervention strategies to control the main factors. In this regard, the study made recommendations for the motivation of educators in carrying out the core business of teaching and learning. This would involve the adequate allocation of all resources and benefits that surround teaching and learning and the introduction of a retention policy, which might encourage qualified and productive employees to continue working for the Department and reduce the unwanted voluntary turnover of valuable employees. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
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- Date Issued: 2020-04
Managing the corporate reputation of a transforming organisation: a study of multimedia University of Kenya
- Authors: Mtange, Margaret Mulekani
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55042 , vital:48830
- Description: Universities, like other organisations, are challenged to manage corporate identity and reputation to maintain a competitive edge. Few studies in Africa focus on the impact of internal communication on corporate identity and reputation management during organisational transformation. Thus, this study interrogated how a transforming and complex university in Kenya managed the corporate identity, image and reputation for competitive advantage. The purpose of the study was to establish how Multimedia University of Kenya (MMU) management communicated with its employees to nurture the corporate identity, image and reputation during a ten-year period of transformation. The study draws insights from in-depth interviews with 23 university management members, 178 self-administered questionnaires through random stratification of MMU employees, and content review of two MMU strategic plans ranging from 2011 to 2021. The findings suggest that MMU management used formal and interactive channels to create awareness of organisational transformation. These channels included face-to-face engagements, formal meetings and mediated communication through telephone conversations and intranet that facilitated record keeping. The management engaged in top-down and bottom-up communication to build employee trust, while employees expressed reservations of bottom-up information accuracy, suggesting information exclusion. On the contrary, the employees preferred digital and interpersonal channels for internal communication, which included telephone conversations, social media, personal visits by MMU management, and university events. Publicity activities were to disseminate information to prospective students and sponsors through selected private television, vernacular radio, and MMU radio stations, traditional print media, and the MMU website to communicate the MMU brand and image. Employees acknowledged that MMU brands itself as a leader in telecommunication, technology, mechanical, manufacturing, and media training through state-of-the-art equipment, robust faculty, and problem-solving ventures through research. The current study proposes stronger employee involvement, executive packaging and positioning, coaching successful faculty members as brand ambassadors, retraining employees, and employee participation in policy formulation to enhance new culture. In addition, these opositions will enhance the corporate identity, brand, as well as university performance, product quality, policy and processes to enrich the corporate reputation during transformation. The findings challenge university management to actively engage the corporate communication function, emphasise employee participation, and focus on the continual improvement of corporate identity and reputation management practices for competitive advantage. The current study proposes a participative, multi-layered and multi-dimensional communication model for efficient and excellent internal communication. The current study recommends that corporate communication practitioner be strategically positioned to coordinate employee engagement, utilise appropriate communication channels and counsel university management on corporate identity, image and reputation management during organisational transformation. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Language, Media and Communication, 2020
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- Date Issued: 2020-04
The effects of performance appraisal on employee satisfaction: Department of Health in The Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Authors: Ngcamla, Ndileka Bongwe
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55085 , vital:49055
- Description: The main aim of this study is to investigate the effects of performance appraisal on employee satisfaction in the Eastern Cape Department of Health. Performance management is an increasingly common phenomenon in the public sector. The main objective of performance management is for development of the employees. When employees have achieved good working skills and attitudes towards work, they are likely to produce some excellent results in the execution of their duties. The Eastern Cape Provincial Administration started to introduce the Performance Management and Development Systems (PMDS) in late 2000 with the hope of measuring both performance of individuals and performance of the organisations, and the Performance Management and Development Systems (PMDS) policy was developed in 2003 to regularise performance management. This study was qualitative and it used secondary sources to gather data. Results show that performance appraisal falls under the intrinsic satisfaction category. Results show that employees get satisfied when they get feedback about their performance and their general conduct at work. Results show that both positive and negative feedback which is constructive can stimulate an employee’s intrinsic job satisfaction. It was seen that providing clear and direct information and appraisal of one’s work predicts intrinsic job satisfaction. The study recommends that whenever a performance appraisal is done, feedback should be offered to the employees. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Journalsim and Media Studies, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2020-04
The perceptions of employees and employer on the ever increasing use of technology: the case of the acoustex in Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Matamela, Wanga
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54783 , vital:47664
- Description: It is evident that many companies and organization are currently using high powered technology to be at par with the trends throughout the globe. This research focuses on the perception of workers and management on the Fourth Industrial Revolution at Acoustex in Port Elizabeth. The research objectives of this study is firstly, to investigate the perceptions of workers and management at Acoustex in Port Elizabeth. Secondly, to contribute within economic and industrial anthropology with reference to Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape and raise awareness. Thirdly, to propose recommendations that can be used by industries and the government to save jobs. The research methodology employed in this study include among others, individual interviews using an interview guide containing questions that is relevant to the study. To supplement the above, secondary sources ranging from relevant scholarly journals and books were consulted. Ethical compliance was adhered to by the researcher in terms of applying for permission to conduct interviews and it was granted. The concept unemployment was used as a conceptual framework to understand the impact of Fourth Industrial Revolution at Acoustex in particular and workplace in general. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
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- Date Issued: 2020-04
The role of the national development plan in reducing unemployment
- Authors: Mase, Akhona
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54755 , vital:47657
- Description: South Africa has one of the most disturbing joblessness rates in the world, especially among young people and black women. In 2018 the country’s narrow unemployment rate was at 26.7%, while by broader definition was anticipated to be at 35.1% (www.statssa.gov.za, 2018). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the role of the National Development Plan (NDP) in reducing unemployment in South Africa. The NDP was selected because it is the latest employment growth strategy the country has adopted. The National Development Plan targets economic growth, as the main factor for generating employment. To achieve the goal of this study, the researcher adopted the qualitative research methodology. Secondary data was gathered, analysed and interpreted to establish facts about the issue of high unemployment in South Africa and to determine if the National Development Plan is achieving its goal of reducing unemployment. This research established that the high unemployment rate in South Africa continues to be a major challenge, despite the introduction of the National Development Plan. The Plan projected that the rate of unemployment in South Africa will decline from 25% in 2013 to 14% by 2020. However, the unemployment rate in the country has increased from 25% in 2013 to 27% in 2018. In addition, this study established that unemployment in South Africa is structural, and it is caused by these four factors: Firstly, poor education, secondly, skills mismatch, the third factor which contributed immensely to unemployment in the country was the forceful removal of black people from places close to economic activities. This happened during the apartheid era. The fourth and last factor that led to increase in unemployment in South Africa was the 2008/2009 global recession. Structural unemployment is the type of unemployment that persists even when the economy is on the rise, as it is not caused by slow growth in the economy but by factors such as skill mismatch or complete unavailability of skills required in the economy. Therefore, targeting economic growth as a key mechanism for job creation will not yield any positive outcomes for South Africa. The study made a number of recommendations that the government can employ to adequately tackle unemployment in South Africa. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
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- Date Issued: 2020-04
The role of trade unions in policy formulation: the role of trade unions in policy formulation: The case of the Premier’s Office in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Rula-Peter, Philiswa Nolufefe
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55185 , vital:49586
- Description: After the first democratic elections of 1994, there was a clear need for radical change in South Africa’s socioeconomic and political order. The new government was confronted by significant institutional transformation and the introduction of new policies in line with the Constitution. It was also necessary to integrate the country into a rapidly changing global environment. Labour relations were important in engineering the much-needed transformation and policy changes. The government based the democratisation of South African society on the principles of equality, non-racialism, and non-sexism (Ferguson, 2013). In line with the Interim Constitution of 1993, new policies and programmes were put in place to improve the quality of life of all people. In the finalised Constitution of 1996, equitable labour relations were formally recognised as a fundamental right, in line with protection provided to all workers in advanced democracies throughout the world (Ferreira, 2005). Before 1994, there was much debate on the issue of labour, with the African National Congress’s (ANC) Members of Parliament (MPs) supporting the extension of the Labour Relations Act (LRA) to the public sector (Macun, cited in Adler, 2000:99). In late 1996, the public sector was included in the LRA, with certain transitional measures. As a result, a few changes took place in the nature of labour relations in the public sector, and there was a shift from consultation to interaction between the state and representative organisations. The first of these changes was the creation of new collective bargaining structures consisting of a central chamber, provincial councils, and departmental structures. Local government had long been unionised and regulated by the LRA. The second change was that labour relations were transferred from the Public Service Commission to the newly established office of the Minister for Public Service and Administration (Ferreira, 2005). , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
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- Date Issued: 2020-04
Visual narratives portraying the lived experience of women with invisible illnesses
- Authors: Scholtz, Micaela
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55207 , vital:49596
- Description: Stereotypical views and misrepresentation impact on how women experience ‘invisible’ gynaecological illnesses such as endometriosis. Patriarchal society forces a particular set of roles and standards upon women to which they must adhere and thus, a limited understanding exists as to how they experience their lived realities with endometriosis. This study consists of two components. The first component is a theoretical component in which I analyse how a visual narrative approach can be utilised in order to portray the lived experiences of women with an invisible illness. In support of this research I reflect on the work of Frida Kahlo, Georgie Wileman and Ellie Kammer in order to determine how these artists addressed the experiences of their illnesses within visual representation. The second part is the practical component informed by theory, interviews and auto-ethnographic data. This study established that women with endometriosis are largely influenced by the societal expectations placed on women as well as how the female body is represented by the media. By visually presenting the lived realities of women with endometriosis, the misperceptions of the disease and its effects are better understood. This study concludes having created a series of visual narratives which expresses internalised pain and emotions, and makes visible that which is invisible about endometriosis. Furthermore, the practical component challenges the stereotypical ideals and representations of femininity through presenting that which is often deemed as taboo. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Arts, School of Visual and Performing Arts, 2020
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- Date Issued: 2020-04
An investigation into the causes of high demand for leave at B. J. Vorster Hospital
- Authors: Mene, Xolani Stephen
- Date: 2015-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53312 , vital:45140
- Description: Due to the high demand for leave at B.J. Vorster Hospital; staff members, especially the nursing staff, tend to be on leave for long periods and sometimes be absent without leave. In some instances they request extensions to their leaves when they are already on leave. They do not report back for duties at the end of the leave period instead they provide reasons which warrant that the leave be extended. Subsequently, nurses who are on duty have to continue working because there is no-one to relieve the mand work needs to be done. A threatening situation which could lead to patients being left unattended tends to emerge under these circumstances. Hence in some instances nurses are called from other clinics to assist. Some employees absent themselves without leave and management does not appear to be taking action against such conduct. This leads to poor quality of health care in nursing which is a matter of concern to the community, to management and to the policy-makers. A qualitative research method was used in this study, in order to investigate the cause for high demand for leave at B.J. Vorster Hospital. Data collection was undertaken through interviews. The study found that the high demand for leave is attributed to fatigue resulting from huge workloads, claims of entitlement to leave, need to extend weekends due to family responsibilities. The study recommends that the management of leave and the current amount of leave days allocated to staff be reconsidered taking into account the relevant legislation including the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and the prevailing conditions in the hospital. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2015.
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- Date Issued: 2015-04