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The design of a taxi mini-bus transport interchange for central Mthatha, Province of the Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Mcoteli, Jamandile
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Transportation buildings -- South Africa -- Mthatha -- Designs and plans Terminals (Transportation) -- South Africa -- Mthatha -- Designs and plans
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MArch
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39021 , vital:35017
  • Description: Public transportation, i.e. busses and minibus taxis provide an essential service to the public, especially low-income groups as they service a greater portion of this population, offering several benefits such as accessibility, cost, reduced travel time, etc. The taxi industry, particularly in South Africa was previously highly unregulated and a marginalized public service. However, with the involvement of relevant stakeholders and critical review of the issues involved, a change in that regard is imminent. The focus of this treatise is the design of a multi-modal public transport hub and traders' market in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The treatise emerges from a concern with the inadequacies related to provisions for public transportation and informal trading in South Africa and the implication of those inadequacies on the urban environment. Firstly, the research attempts to understand the role of transport in South African towns and cities, with specific focus on the spatial urban character of Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, using various literature sources to support theoretic viewpoints. Secondly, it will analyze the essential nature of public transportation hubs in Mthatha and their role within the urban context, achieved through extensive on-site data gathering, field work, interpretation and analysis. Thirdly, it will explore and resolve the architectural issues involved in the design of a new multi-modal transport hub and traders' market in the town of Mthatha through exploration of precedents within the discourse. An investigation of all the regulations, guidelines and by-laws governing public transport and “informal” trade in South Africa will be conducted. Finally, through research, formulate a background or a theoretical discourse against which Henri Lefebvre's (1974) theory of 'Production of space' will be discussed, as a way of supporting the premises put forward in this treatise. The architecture that emerges from the research and design process is to be cognizant of local culture, heritage, identity and place through an awareness of the need for sustainable design and building techniques to produce appropriate architectural responses.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The design of formula one pit complex for Cape Town

  • Authors: Erlangsen, Ashly A
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Racetracks (Automobile racing) -- South Africa -- Cape Town Sports facilities -- South Africa -- Cape Town
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MArch
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39032 , vital:35022
  • Description: The last time a Formula One Grand Prix took place in South Africa was in 1993. In recent years, there has been a real interest in bringing the event to Cape Town and several proposals have been put forward to the City of Cape Town. Unfortunately, they have all been unsuccessful for various reasons, but mainly, because of the large financial costs involved. The cost involved to build all the infrastructure required for the event is usually reserved for developed, wealthy countries. Despite the positive role that a major event like this can have on the image of a city, there is resistance to invest money into a stadium or sporting infrastructure, which has the sole purpose of serving one big event like a Grand Prix. This treatise therefore focuses on the design of a multi-functional pit complex for a Formula One Grand Prix Street Circuit in Green Point, Cape Town. As an architectural example, which explores the potential of an adaptable approach to creating a long-term, economically sustainable piece of event infrastructure. The design includes all the necessary requirements for a facility of this nature including, a media centre, pit garages, race control centre and hospitality lounges, but adaptable, so as to function within the context of the Green Point area between annual Grand Prix events. The aim is to investigate the issues relating to Formula One Grand Prix as an event and the impact it has on a city. It will further endeavour to conduct a comprehensive study of the context of Green Point so as to gain an understanding of suitable, viable activities that will form part of the pit complex when the race is not in progress. Research into the creation of a structure formed by interchangeable building components and demountable connections are undertaken so as to promote the possibility for future transformation. As a result of this multi-functional, adaptable approach, the building is used all year round. This effectively reduces maintenance costs associated with infrequently-used buildings and allows for the sustainable use of the infrastructure, as a public asset, when the race is not in progress.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

The redevelopment of the railway station Noupoort, Northern Cape

  • Authors: Moore, Maré
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Railroad stations -- South Africa -- Northern Cape -- Designs and plans Railroad stations -- South Africa -- Northern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MArch
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/38907 , vital:35012
  • Description: This treatise is a redevelopment of the role of the railway station on in the Noupoort because of the reduced industry and resulting economic influence it had on the town. The project developed from an interest in the rural community and it aims to revitalise and integrate the town. Using observations made from site visits and available literature an investigation on was conducted to understand the context and the community. It was found that there is a need for community functions and economic growth. Through urban integration in the centre of the town, community facilities along with skills training can be developed in order to facilitate trade with tourist through the railway connection. As a result a community and tourist facility are designed this connects to the railway and forms an urban link within the town.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

Time-activity budgets of cape gannets (Morus Capensis) at Bird Island, Algoa Bay

  • Authors: Rishworth, Gavin Midgley
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Birds of prey -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Algoa Bay , Gannets -- South Africa -- Algoa Bay , Birds -- Breeding -- South Africa -- Algoa Bay
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:10728 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021046
  • Description: For several decades now, seabirds have been considered to be useful indicators of the state of their prey resources because of how they reflect lower-level trophic variability through proxies such as diet or behaviour. However, collection of appropriate data is often challenging in the marine environment because of logistical or financial constraints. In this study, time-activity budgets were studied in the Cape gannet (Morus capensis), a seabird which has been advocated as a potential bioindicator for local epipelagic prey. VHF transmitters attached to PVC leg-rings were fitted to 50 adult breeding pairs during the 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 breeding seasons at Bird Island, Algoa Bay, to determine whether an automated method of continuously collecting time-activity budget data can replace conventional laborious direct observations. To validate that the foraging trip duration data generated from the automated method was a reflection of foraging effort, Time-Depth Recorders (TDRs) were simultaneously equipped to birds with VHF transmitters for three weeks. In order to assess the influence of factors other than prey availability on parent time-activity budgets, sex, chick age and body condition were measured. Additionally, chick growth and survival were recorded in order to investigate the gender-specific effects of parental time-activity budget variability on these parameters. Attachment of VHF transmitters to leg-rings of adult Cape gannets had no observable negative effects on the adults or their chicks in terms of adult body condition, nest attendance and foraging trip durations, or chick growth and survival. Furthermore, the frequency distribution of behaviour bout (foraging trip and nest attendance) durations was no different between automated and directly observed data. However, the automated method did record shorter behaviour bouts, largely attributed to the increased likelihood of direct observations missing birds returning briefly to their nests during older chick provisioning. Additionally, foraging trip duration was highly correlated to foraging effort in terms of time spent resting on the sea surface, flying and diving. The automated method therefore appears to be a good reflection of direct nest attendance observations and foraging effort. Cape gannet time-activity budgets were related to chick age and parental sex. Especially as chicks neared fledging, females spent significantly longer periods of time foraging than males, with males consequently provisioning their chicks more often. Furthermore, adults departing their nests earlier spent more time away from the nest foraging as more same-day daylight hours were available. Chick growth was a function of parent foraging trip duration and associated prey delivery rates. Chick survival was most strongly affected by the amount of time which chicks were left unattended by both parents and consequently exposed to predation by kelp gulls (Larus dominicanus) or to adverse weather conditions. Additionally, for females (but not males) there appeared to be a trade-off between foraging trip duration and chick survival. The Cape gannet appears to demonstrate a strategy whereby the costs of reproduction to the female are shifted towards male-dominated chick provisioning as the chick nears fledging. Drivers of time-activity budget variability such as chick age and parental sex therefore need to be considered if using data on foraging trip duration as a proxy of foraging effort and prey availability.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

Tourism and development : a case study of Mdumbi Backpackers and Transcape non-profit organisation

  • Authors: Hitchcock, Kelly Alexandra
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Mdumbi Backpackers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Tourism -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Tourism -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Planning , Backpacking -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies , Black people -- Employment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
  • Identifier: vital:3377 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013143
  • Description: The former Transkei region of the Eastern Cape of South Africa, in common with many of the other former Bantustans, is currently facing a developmental backlog. It is one of the poorest regions of the country and is a direct product of South Africa’s history of colonisation and geopolitical nature of apartheid in which people were forcibly located onto former tribal lands, called Bantustans. Tourism is one of the few business opportunities providing employment along the former Transkei coast. The tourism industry has been identified by many worldwide as a key strategy that can lead to economic upliftment, community development and poverty relief in the developing world. The predicament however, lies in the challenge of accepting or managing the negative consequences of tourism for the potential long term benefits offered by tourism-led development. Tourism development theory reflects development theory from traditional, top-down economic-growth based models to a more wide based approach with an emphasis on bottom-up planning, meeting of basic human need and a focus on sustainable development. Consequentially new and alternative forms of tourism have emerged and can be viewed as a response to some of the negative consequences of the mass tourism-led model of economic development. Backpacker tourism is one niche of the tourism market that is providing positive local socioeconomic benefits. This thesis is presented as a case study of Mdumbi Backpackers on the former Transkei coast. Mdumbi Backpackers is a unique example of a model of tourism that is providing meaningful benefits to the people who live in this community. By going one step further with the creation of the non-profit organisation Transcape, their involvement in the community has grown significantly, encouraging positive and sustainable development in the areas of social development, education and health. Mdumbi Backpackers goes beyond the notions of locally owned and sustainable approaches and actively encourages development by setting up community organisations and initiatives in a sustainable and equitable way. This approach to tourism-led development is well suited for the needs and objectives of the community as well preserving the natural environment. This thesis presents an exemplary example from which lessons can be learned and applied to developing tourism in a sustainable and equitable way in other rural communities.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

Tourism students' perceptions of their experiential learning experiences based on the place four-component model

  • Authors: Jonas, Lynn Cindy
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Experiential learning , College placement services , Education, Cooperative
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:9581 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020621
  • Description: The purpose of this study was to determine tourism students’ perceptions of their Experiential Learning (EL) experiences based on the Predicting Learner Advancement through Cooperative Education (PLACE) four-component model. The research objectives were to ascertain Experiential Learning’s impact on the four components namely Personal Development, Career Development, Work-skills Development and Academic Development. This study fits within the pragmatic paradigm and utilised an explanatory mixed methods research design which requires quantitative data to be collected first with follow-up qualitative data. The data collection instrument for the quantitative data was the PLACE model, which was in the form of a survey questionnaire and the data generating strategy for the qualitative data was individual interviews. The findings of the data were heavily skewed toward the positive end of the spectrum with students viewing the impact of EL on the four components as favourable. Interviews were conducted with participants whose results showed deviations from the norm and had particularly negative experiences. Academic Development had extremely low Cronbach Alphas, which points to poor reliability. This phenomenon was also further explored during the interviews with participants making suggestions for factors to be considered. Recommendations were made to the three stakeholders of EL namely students, employers and academic coordinators in order to ensure improved Experiential Learning programmes and maximised student benefit.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

Toward a culture of engagement: leveraging the enterprise social network

  • Authors: Alistoun, Garth
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Communication in organizations -- South Africa Business communication -- South Africa Social media -- South Africa -- Case studies Leadership -- South Africa -- Case studies Human capital -- Management Personnel management Organizational effectiveness
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: vital:1154 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1010869
  • Description: This research aims to provide a theory of enterprise social networking that generates and/or sustains a culture of employee engagement within a chosen South African private sector company. Based on an extensive review of interesting literature and the application of a grounded theory process in a chosen case, this research work provides a theory of enterprise social networking sustaining and growing employee engagement together with an explanatory theoretical framework that makes the theory more practical. Employee engagement is defined as “the harnessing of organisation member’s selves to their work roles; in engagement people employ and express themselves physically, cognitively, and emotionally during role performances.” This research regards employee engagement as a three part concept composed of a trait (personality/cognitive) aspect, a state (emotional) aspect, and a behavioural aspect. Research has shown that employee engagement has an unequivocal positive impact on business outcomes, such as profitability, business performance, employee retention and productivity. Employee engagement can be regarded as a culture if it is abundant within the organization’s employee population. Gatenby et al. (2009) propose that employee engagement is fostered by creating the desire and opportunity for employees to connect with colleagues, managers and the wider organisation. This standpoint is supported by Kular et al. (2008) who state that the “key drivers of employee engagement identified include communication, opportunities for employees to feed their views upward and thinking that their managers are committed to the organisation.” Further indicators of employee engagement include strong leadership (particularly in the form of servant leadership), accountability, a positive and open organisational culture, autonomy, and opportunities for development. One of the key facets of employee engagement is connection. A complementary definition of social media, an umbrella under which enterprise social networks fall, is that “(it) is more of a relationship channel, a connection channel. Each and every tweet, update, video, post, is a connection point to another human being. And it’s the other human being who will determine your worth to them.” Social media provides participants with access to a larger pool of resources and relationships than they would normally have access to. This enlarged relationship/resource pool is a result of expanding human and social capital enabled through social media tools. In order to produce a theory of enterprise social networking sustaining and growing a culture of employee engagement a rigorous grounded theory methodology coupled with a case study methodology was applied. The case study methodology was used to identify a suitable research site and interesting participants within the site while the grounded theory process was used to produce both qualitative and quantitative data sets in a suitability rigorous fashion. The corroborative data was then used to discover and define the emergent theory.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

Towards a framework for enhancing user trust in cloud computing

  • Authors: Nyoni, Tamsanqa B
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Adoption -- Cloud Computing , User Trust
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Information Systems)
  • Identifier: vital:11142 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1014674 , Adoption -- Cloud Computing , User Trust
  • Description: Cloud computing is one of the latest appealing technological trends to emerge in the Information Technology (IT) industry. However, despite the surge in activity and interest, there are significant and persistent concerns about cloud computing, particularly with regard to trusting the platform in terms of confidentiality, integrity and availability of user data stored through these applications. These factors are significant in determining trust in cloud computing and thus provide the foundation for this study. The significant role that trust plays in the use of cloud computing was considered in relation to various trust models, theories and frameworks. Cloud computing is still considered to be a new technology in the business world, therefore minimal work and academic research has been done on enhancing trust in cloud computing. Academic research which focuses on the adoption of cloud computing and, in particular, the building of user trust has been minimal. The available trust models, frameworks and cloud computing adoption strategies that exist mainly focus on cost reduction and the various benefits that are associated with migrating to a cloud computing platform. Available work on cloud computing does not provide clear guidelines for establishing user trust in a cloud computing application. The issue of establishing a reliable trust context for data and security within cloud computing is, up to this point, not well defined. This study investigates the impact that a lack of user trust has on the use of cloud computing. Strategies for enhancing user trust in cloud computing are required to overcome the data security concerns. This study focused on establishing methods to enhance user trust in cloud computing applications through the theoretical contributions of the Proposed Trust Model by Mayer, Davis, and Schoorman (1995) and the Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability (CIA) Triad by Steichen (2010). A questionnaire was used as a means of gathering data on trust-related perceptions of the use of cloud computing. The findings of this questionnaire administered to users and potential users of cloud computing applications are reported in this study. The questionnaire primarily investigates key concerns which result in self-moderation of cloud computing use and factors which would improve trust in cloud computing. Additionally, results relating to user awareness of potential confidentiality, integrity and availability risks are described. An initial cloud computing adoption model was proposed based on a content analysis of existing cloud computing literature. This initial model, empirically tested through the questionnaire, was an important foundation for the establishment of the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) and therefore the framework to enhance user trust in cloud computing applications. The framework proposed by this study aims to assist new cloud computing users to determine the appropriateness of a cloud computing service, thereby enhancing their trust in cloud computing applications.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

Towards sustainable municipalities : an evaluation of sustainability integration in Elundini Local Municipality strategy

Towards the feasibility of a landowner enterprise in the western Baviaanskloof : an external stakeholder analysis

  • Authors: Wiles, Kira Leigh Deborah
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Landowners -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Natural resources -- Co-management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land use -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land use -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Partnership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: vital:1198 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012075 , Landowners -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Natural resources -- Co-management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land use -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land use -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Partnership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Description: In May 2012, a meeting was held between various stakeholder representatives of the Western Baviaanskloof to discuss the concept of a proposed landowner-enterprise. This concept was put forward in response to a need for collaboration in the midst of economic, environmental and social issues at play in the Baviaanskloof. Owing to the conservation value and rapidly decreasing economic output of the land, a radical shift to sustainable land-use practices was called for by various stakeholders. Suggested as a vehicle to generate income for the local landowners through alternative sustainable land-uses, the proposed enterprise may aid in addressing this shift by use of a bottom-up approach. During the stakeholder meeting, it was requested by the representative landowners that a feasibility assessment be conducted on the concept of the proposed enterprise prior to establishment. As an integral part of this assessment, the researcher took on the task of investigating stakeholder reception to the enterprise by means of a stakeholder analysis. It was decided to limit this to three markets: water, carbon and tourism. The purpose of this research study is twofold, namely to: investigate stakeholder influence and their reception of the proposed enterprise using a stakeholder analysis; and also to identify and advise on the opportunities and constraints relating to stakeholders, thus contributing to determining the feasibility of the proposed enterprise. In achieving the purpose of this study, a systematic stakeholder analysis framework was constructed, based on existing theory. This was necessary because, although stakeholder analysis is commonly practiced, no study was found to provide a theoretically based framework for the purpose of feasibility in the initial stages of enterprise establishment. Thus the contribution of the study is also twofold, namely the practical outcome of determining stakeholder reception for feasibility, and a secondary outcome of constructing a stakeholder analysis framework. The stakeholder analysis framework is based on an interpretation of existing stakeholder theory, with the addition of four "relational indicators" – goals, intentions, relationships, and resources. These four indicators provide a link between theory and practice in gauging the two attributes of stakeholder influence – power and interest. Dealing with a number of stakeholder interests in a unique context, the study takes on a single network case study approach in the paradigm of phenomenology. To suit the complex nature of the study, semi-structured interviews with various stakeholder representatives were conducted, using groups or organisations as units of analysis. Drawing from the stakeholder analysis framework and overall purpose of the study, four research objectives were set. The first was to identify the proposed enterprise's legitimate key external stakeholders, based on the three markets: water, carbon and tourism; the second to describe, categorise and assess relative dyadic influence of the above stakeholders by gauging their power and interest; the third, to determine the stakeholder network influence and probable reception of the proposed enterprise; and the last to advise the landowners on any identified opportunities or constraints stakeholders might pose, and thus to contribute to determining feasibility. In addressing the first objective, 21 stakeholders were identified, 12 of whom were found to be key to the current investigation. These key stakeholders were: Gamtoos Irrigation Board (GIB), LivingLands, R3G, Rhodes Restoration Group, Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA), Department of Water Affairs (DWA), Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan (NMBM), Saaimanshoek, South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT), Baviaans Tourism, and Baviaans Municipality. In applying the stakeholder analysis framework, ECPTA was categorised as the definitive (most influential) stakeholder to the enterprise, and DEDEAT, SANBI (through Working for Wetlands), Baviaans Tourism, GIB, and NMBM were categorised as pivotal (influential and active). In discerning stakeholder interest in the proposed enterprise, a number of emerging themes were found to affect the projected interest and behaviour of stakeholders, apart from their specified goals. Emerging themes included: tunnel visioning, internal disparity, individual/personality clashes, and misaligned interests. In addition to this, in interpreting stakeholder interest, specific intentions or agendas that might affect the interest shown towards the proposed enterprise were also taken into account. Five predominant intentions of stakeholders were identified as: implementing a stewardship programme, establishing a tourism association, establishing a water users' association, social development, and "the big vision". Findings on the final objective revealed a number of perceived opportunities and constraints relative to the feasibility of the enterprise. Three prime opportunities were identified as: partnerships with definitive and pivotal stakeholders, the possibility of tendering for implementer of the "Working for" programmes, and taking on the role of Tourism Association. The following potential constraints were also emphasised by participants: social aspects such as individuals and personalities, the incompatibility or non-existence of local market structures, and the need for external funding. With regard to stakeholder reception, most of the stakeholders, with the exception of NMBM and Saaimanshoek, responded positively to the idea of the enterprise. Overall, based on participant perceptions, the tourism market was found to be the most feasible the carbon market uncertain and a long-term possibility, and the water market the least feasible.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

Towards understanding the effects of stocking density on farmed South African abalone, Haliotis Midae

  • Authors: Nicholson, Gareth Hurst
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Haliotis midae -- South Africa , Haliotis midae fisheries -- South Africa , Abalones -- South Africa , Fish stocking -- South Africa , Abalone populations -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:5371 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015646
  • Description: The profitability of abalone farms is heavily influenced by their production per unit of grow-out space. With farms having physically expanded to the maximum, and with increasing production costs, one of the most realistic ways for farms to increase their production is through optimizing stocking densities. The effect of stocking density on Haliotis midae performance is undocumented and optimal stocking densities for this species have not been determined. Experiments were conducted under farm conditions to investigate the effects of four different stocking densities (16 %, 20 %, 22 % and 24 % of available surface area) on growth, production and health of three different size classes of abalone (15-35 g, 45-65 g, and 70-90 g start weight). Each treatment was replicated four times and trials ran over a period of eight months with measurements being made at four month intervals. Abalone behaviour was observed during the trials in the experimental tanks. Weight gain per abalone decreased with an increase in density for all tested size classes (5.04 ± 0.18 to 2.38 ± 0.17; 5.35 ± 0.21 to 4.62 ± 0.29; 7.97 ± 0.37 to 6.53 ± 0.28 g.abalone-1.month-1 for the 15-35, 45-65 and 70-90 g classes respectively, with an increased density of 16 to 24 %). Individual weight gain of 15-35 g abalone was similar at stocking densities of 16 % and 20 % while weight gain of 45-65 g and 70-90 g abalone decreased when density was increased above 16 %. Biomass gain (kg.basket-1.month-1) was not affected by stocking density in the 15-35 g and 45-65 g size classes (1.29 ± 0.02 and 0.97 ± 0.02 kg.basket-1.month-1 respectively). However, the biomass gained by baskets stocked with 70-90 g abalone increased with stocking density (1.08 ± 0.02 to 1.33 ± 0.02 kg.basket-1.month-1) with an increased density of 16 to 24 %) and did not appear to plateau within the tested density range (16 to 24 %). Food conversion ratio did not differ significantly between densities across all size classes. Stocking density did not have a significant effect on abalone condition factor or health indices. The proportion of abalone above the level of the feeder plate increased with density (7.26 ± 1.33 to 16.44 ± 1.33 with an increased density of 16 to 24 %). As a proportion of abalone situated in the area of the basket, the same proportions were situated on the walls above the feeder plate and on the feeder plate itself irrespective of stocking density (p > 0.05). Higher proportions of animals had restricted access to feed at higher stocking densities (p = 0.03). The amount of formulated feed available on the feeder plate did not differ between stocking densities throughout the night (p = 0.19). Individual abalone spent more time above the feeder plate at higher stocking densities (p < 0.05). The percentage of time above the feeder plate, spent on the walls of the basket and on the feeding surface was not significantly different at densities of 20 %, 22 % and 24 % (p > 0.05) but abalone stocked at 16 % spent a greater percentage of time above the feeder plate on the feeding surface (83.99 ± 6.26 %) than on the basket walls (16.01 ± 6.26 %). Stocking density did not affect the positioning of abalone within a basket during the day or at night. Different size H. midae are affected differently by increases in stocking density in terms of growth performance. Findings from this research may be implemented into farm management strategies to best suit production goals, whether in terms of biomass production or individual weight gain. The fundamental mechanisms resulting in reduced growth at higher densities are not well understood, however results from behaviour observations suggest that competition for preferred attachment space and feed availability are contributing to decreased growth rates. With knowledge of abalone behaviour at different densities, innovative tank designs may be established in order to counter the reduction in growth at higher densities.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

Trends in the fish assemblage structure of two South African transition-zone estuaries : can these trends be linked to climate change?

  • Authors: Midgley, Craig
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Estuarine fishes -- South Africa -- Climatic factors , Fish communities -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:5368 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013173
  • Description: Changes in the fish communities of the Breede and Mbashe estuaries were investigated in relation to the environmental variables that influence the fish assemblages in these systems. The Breede Estuary (34° 24’21.6”S, 20° 51’ 08.2”E) occurs within the warm-temperate/cool-temperate transition-zone, while the Mbashe Estuary (32o 14' 55.4"S, 28o 54' 03.7"E) falls within the subtropical/warm-temperate transition-zone along the South African coastline. The Breede Estuary was sampled (seine and gill nets) during summer (January-March) over a period of 10 years (2002-2012), while the Mbashe Estuary was sampled (seine net) during spring (October) over a period of three years (2010-2012). The proportion of tropical fish species was higher in the Mbashe Estuary compared to the Breede Estuary, while the Breede Estuary contained a higher proportion of temperate species than the Mbashe Estuary. Although the abundance of individual species in both estuaries varied, the ranking of species in the Breede Estuary was stable over the 10 year period. Multivariate analysis showed that the fish communities within each reach (upper, middle, lower) of the Breede Estuary remained similar, regardless of year. In contrast, species composition in the Mbashe Estuary differed significantly between years mainly due to differences in the river flow regime during the study period. Environmental variables responsible for structuring the fish assemblage in each estuary differed. Salinity significantly impacted the spatial fish assemblage structure of the Breede Estuary, with most of the species recorded being associated with the more saline lower reaches. The abundance of tropical species near their distributional limit in the Breede Estuary appeared to be impacted by sea surface temperature (SST) as peak total abundance of these species coincided with the warmest SST, while the lowest total abundance coincided with the coldest annual SST during the study period. The fish assemblage structure in the Mbashe Estuary was impacted by differing freshwater input prior to sampling, with flooding negatively impacting the mean total abundance, species composition and diversity in this system. The variables that influenced the fish assemblage structure of both transition-zone estuaries will be affected by climate change in the future. These variables will, in turn, determine the composition, abundance and diversity of species within these important estuarine systems. In order to measure these impacts with any degree of understanding, long-term studies on the abiotic and biotic (including the ichthyofauna) features of these estuaries are required to interpret climate change trends.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

Turning the lens on the adolescent suicide

  • Authors: De Monk, Ingrid Venessia
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Teenagers -- Suicidal behavior South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , School children -- Mental health services -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:9582 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020791
  • Description: In South Africa, suicidal behaviour in the younger generations has become rapidly part of a major public health problem. It is a well-known fact that adolescence is a critical period of progression in a teenager’s development which makes them more susceptible and vulnerable to suicide. Statistics have shown that there has been an increase in suicide among adolescents within the last decade (Schlebusch, 2005). The main aim of this research study is to explore the perceptions of adolescents regarding the factors that contribute to adolescent suicide. This study reviews literature concerning various risks factors for adolescent suicidality. It also described major social and psychological theories of suicide and the extent to which these studies support the importance to adolescent suicide. In the literature review theories of Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, Durkheim’s sociological theory of suicide, Freud’s psychological perspective and Baumeister’s Escape Theory were discussed. A qualitative research design will be used by using visual participatory methodology techniques namely photo voice and reflective writing. A sample of 12 grade 11 learners, male and female, was purposely selected to participate in the research study. The focus of the study is to investigate the risk factors underlying adolescent suicidal behaviour in schools in the Northern Areas of Port Elizabeth, as well as to explore the stressors experienced by adolescents that could contribute to them having a higher suicide risk. Another focus point will be to look at prevention strategies as an antipode for suicidal behaviour. The main findings that emerged from the data analysis include contributing factors namely: socio-economic factors, personal factors, psychological factors and educational and school-related factors. The main prevention strategy themes emerged from findings derived from the data and include: parental involvement, religion, professional help and support groups and confiding in someone that you trust.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

Uitdagings tot skooldissipline, die rol van waardes en karakteropvoeding by sekere hoërskole in Port Elizabeth

  • Authors: Swartz, Jan
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: School discipline -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , High school students -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Discipline
  • Language: Afrikaans
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:9590 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021081
  • Description: This study is aimed at determining the challenges relevant to discipline in schools, the causes for these challenges, the role of values in connection with discipline and the intervention methods and strategies that could solve these challenges. Communities, societies, governmental and non-governmental organizations all over the world are value-driven. The challenges in relation to discipline that currently exist in schools, could be seen as coming from societies. There are general attacks on “common sense” and “common values”. It seems that low academic achievements can be linked to moral degeneration and the only solution is moral education. In the light thereof, discipline has to do with order and behavior that is acceptable. We have therefore tried to establish what the challenges in relation to high schools are, and whether the values that have been taught and modeled contribute towards the quality of being disciplined and how the challenges to discipline are being addressed. Character education is highly rated because it helps with prevention of discipline problems and contributes towards a positive environment that promotes a positive attitude. Many teachers in South-Africa experience challenges to discipline in the classroom environment brought about by many factors. Despite the challenges there is little support from the relevant governmental departments. After the abolishment of corporal punishment which used to work as the most effective method, no alternatives were provided. Educators have to lean on their own reactive methods to manage attitude problems in class. It also seems that educators are not trained by the Department of Education to implement the newer discipline strategies. Teachers apply discipline based on their own personal teaching philosophies that seems right and acceptable to them. The study tries to establish which intervention strategies could best address the challenges in schools. The study follows a mixed (qualitative and quantitative) approach which uses an embedded design. The embedded design consists of a primary method that leads the research project. In this instance the primary method is qualitative while the secondary data are quantitative which plays a supporting role. The secondary methods which are quantitative are not prioritized but it is embedded. The datacollecting instruments which have been used for this study are questionnaires, focus group and personal interviews, The primary goal of this study is to determine what the main challenges are in South Africa that result in discipline are being challenged, being threatened and pressurised. To achieve the main goal it is necessary that the researcher determines through literature study how the term “discipline” has been historically understood, interpreted and managed, as there was a shift in emphasis on how the term “discipline” was understood 30 years ago compared to today. The researcher has done a complete literature study to determine what current, relevant literature sees as current challenges in relation to discipline and what has been done to solve it. The researcher gathers information through data-collecting to determine which challenges currently exist at schools. Research has been done on current solutions and intervention methods to determine if there are intervention methods that can deal with these challenges more effectively. The study also tried to research new intervention methods. The empirical study and also the literature study acknowledge that challenges according to discipline exists, that there are a link between discipline and values, that the teaching of values positively influences school communities and that intervention methods and techniques that exists are not effective
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  • Date Issued: 2014

Ukuzotywa kwabalinganiswa ngokwesithako sobunzululwazi bume-ngqondo kwiincwadi zedrama ezikhethiweyo zesiXhosa, ngokweemeko zale mihla

  • Authors: Bilatyi, Katy Nomthandazo
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Xhosa drama Characters and characteristics in literature
  • Language: Xhosa
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/9913 , vital:26632
  • Description: Olu phando luza kugxila kuphononongo lobume bengqondo ephazamisekileyo yabalinganiswa, lujonga kananjalo izimo zabalinganiswa ngakumbi abatsha, indlela abacinga nabenza ngayo izinto. Olu phando luza kuphicotha obu bume bengqondo baba balinganiswa kusetyenziswa iincwadi zedrama ezilandelayo: uBuzani Kubawo, kaTamsanqa, uAmaza, kaQangule, uLiseza kutshona kaMbobo, u-Uthembisa noMakhaya kaMtywaku, Isikhwakhwa noBessie kaMtywaku kunye noNdiyekeni kaJongilanga. Olu thotho lweencwadi zedrama zikhethiweyo luza kusetyenziswa kwakhona ukubhentsisa ubungqondo-lukhuni lwababhali ekuzobeni abalinganiswa abatsha njengoongantweni nolwamvila lolu zobo kwindlela ulutsha oluziphethe ngayo. Olu phando lutshayelelwe ngesahluko sokuqala esiqulathe iingxaki zophando, iinjongo zophando, ukubaluleka kolu phando, okusele kubhaliwe ngophando olu, nalapho olu luza kwahluka khona. Isahluko sesibini sibonisa isithako sobuNzululwazi bume- ngqondo nezinye ezikhaphayo ezifana nenkcubeko apho kujongwa ukuba ingaba inkcubeko ayisetyenziswa na ngendlela ebangela ukuba abalinganiswa abatsha bazibone bekwimo emandla yoxinzelelo. Esi sithako senkcubeko sihambelana neso semo yokuziphatha apha kujongwa ukuba ingaba ukuziphatha kwaba balinganiswa batsha akuqhutywa yindlela uluntu olubabona ngayo bephenjelelwa nayindlela abazotywa ngayo ngababhali. Ezinye izithako ezikhapha esi sobume bengqondo seso sobudala apho kugxilwa kwindlela abajongelwa phantsi ngayo ngenxa yeminyaka yabo luluntu nabazali abaphela bebathathela izigqibo ezikhokelela kuxinzelelo nokuziphatha okungekuhle. Esokugqibela seso seOnomastiki apho kujongwa ukuba ingaba indlela abathiywe ngayo abalinganiswa ayinagalelo kusini na kwindlela oluziphethe ngayo ulutsha. Iimeko zoxinzelelo abazibhaqa bephantsi kwazo abatsha azibangelwa ngamagama abawanikiweyo na nekuye kulindeleke ukuba bawalandele ngenkani nokuba imeko ayivumi. Isahluko sesiThathu sakugxila kwizimo zabalinganiswa ze esesiNe sigxile kubalinganiswa nezigulo zengqondo.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

Understanding change and implications of divisional management model (DMM ) in a merged multi- campus University in South Africa

  • Authors: Mantashe, Lunga Xolisa
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Organizational change
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/6103 , vital:29491
  • Description: The study sought to understand change and transition in a multi-merged campus university in South Africa. Specifically the objectives were to understand the Human Resource (HR) plan, how it is being rolled out, the reactions of workers to it, the effects of the plan on workers and the processes put in place to mitigate, rather than aggravate, the current and foreseeable consequences of the Human Resource plan. A qualitative case study was used and focus groups and semi-structured interviews (triangulated with observation and document analysis) were used on a purposive sample of unions and the university HR official in one campus. The researcher found that there is no organogram which acts as a framework wherein all workers in respective campuses shall fit in. additionally, there is no staff transition plan and harmonisation of conditions of service policy that is agreed upon. Though it seemed there were some mechanisms to attenuate the effects of the HR plan (possible retrenchments, loss of morale, uncertainty, stress, doubt and the like) such as voluntary service package, there were areas of concern about the lack of a properly and widely circulated plan, and the absence of plans to transition staff throughout the process of change. Consequently, the researcher recommended at the end of the study that there must be a change management leadership in each campus to drive transition, a creation of proper communication networks, institution of campus indabas, a design of a transition plan, harmonisation approaches, migration of institutional items to an institutional site and the facilitation of recognition agreements for those unions which are still recognise in the premerger manner.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

Understanding development aid and state autonomy : the case of European Union budget support to Mozambique

  • Authors: Ndlovu, Ana Admiração
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Economic assistance, European -- Mozambique , Economic development -- Mozambique , Mozambique -- Economic conditions , Autonomy , Budget -- Mozambique
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
  • Identifier: vital:3378 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013218
  • Description: Post-colonial states in Africa continue to pursue nation-building and socio-economic development. This process is taking place with the sustained support of global agencies in terms of development cooperation, assistance and aid. Insofar as an endogenous development path which speaks to national priorities can be formulated and implemented by post-colonial states, their relationship with these agencies raises serious questions about such a path if the relationship entails dependence and indeed subordination of post-colonial states. This raises important questions about state autonomy under post-colonial conditions and the possibility of autonomy being compromised. In this light, the thesis examines European Union budget support to Mozambique and, in particular, the relationship between EU budget support and Mozambique state autonomy in pursuing national development. This is particularly pertinent given the massive dependence of the Mozambican state on foreign funding (notably EU funding) with specific regard to the national budget. Despite the broad claims existing in the prevailing literature that nation-state autonomy is seriously undermined in and through the international development system, the thesis argues against reductionist arguments that simply posit post-colonial states as mere instruments of global forces. This system, including European Union budget support, does indeed set the conditions of existence for post-colonial states such as Mozambique. But autonomy is necessarily relative and is subject to different forms and degrees. Ultimately, it is through empirical investigation that the specific form and degree of autonomy can be pinpointed and understood. The thesis contributes to this endeavour and suggests that the relationship between European budget support and Mozambican state autonomy is more complex and tension-riddled than the prevailing literature would seem to suggest.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

Understanding educators' and learners' perceptions and experiences of their participation in Science Fairs/Expos : a South African case study.

  • Authors: Kahenge, Wendelina Nambahu
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Science fairs -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Science -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Vocational guidance -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , School children -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Teachers -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Teacher effectiveness -- South Africa -- Grahamstown
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1981 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013130
  • Description: The rationale behind Science Expos is to develop and empower learners to be able to identify problems and find solutions (Eskom Expo Project Guide Book, 2013). It is believed that involvement in Science Expos arouses learners' interest to pursue science related careers. But despite these ideals, there is still poor participation in Science Expos by educators and learners. I conducted this case study in five schools in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The purpose of this study was to understand educators' and learners' perceptions and experiences of their participation in Science Expos. The case study was designed within an interpretive paradigm. The data were generated, triangulated and validated by a variety of methods, namely, document analysis, interviews (semi-structured and focus group) and observations. The main findings of the study were that learners who participate in Science Expos attend workshops organised by Scifest and SAEON office with the help of some of the educators and lecturers from Rhodes University. Learners' participation was influenced and assisted by the educators and peers with whom they were able to communicate and share their projects with. It emerged from the study that, as a result of participating in Science Expos, educators (teachers) and learners were exposed to a wide variety of scientific investigations and skills that are necessary for their classroom based-scientific investigations. It also emerged from this study that educators and learners face the challenge of a lack of motivation; insufficient support from schools and parents; time constraints to support learners in their participation and a lack of knowledge among some educators on their learners' projects. Some learners are even discouraged from participating in Science Expos by their peers on the grounds that they have no chance of winning. Teachers therefore require continuous mentorship and capacity building in order to encourage their learners to partake.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

Understanding how trainee teachers engage with prior everyday knowledge and experience associated with biological concepts during integrated natural science education 5-7 : a case study

  • Authors: Enghono, Albertina Magano
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Biology teachers -- Training of -- Namibia -- Case studies Teacher educators -- Training of -- Case studies Teachers -- Training of -- Namibia -- Case studies Education -- Namibia -- Case studies Prior learning -- Namibia
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: vital:1970 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011972
  • Description: Since the Namibian independence in 1990, the education system has undergone some major revamping which involved the adoption of social constructivist perspectives in the teaching and learning of sciences. This learning theory acknowledges learners’ background prior knowledge as valuable tools in the effective construction of science concepts during lessons. A corollary is that the socio-cultural circumstances of learners might negatively influence the way learners construct new knowledge in the science classroom if they are not taken into consideration. This study was thus prompted by the need to understand how trainee science teachers engage with prior everyday knowledge and experiences, so as to enhance the conceptual development of biological concepts. The study was qualitative and it was underpinned by an interpretive paradigm with some elements of action research. Science trainee teachers at Katima Mulilo, Unam Campus were used as research participants. The techniques used to gather data included document analysis, brainstorming, observation, audio-visual, microteaching and semi-structured interviews. The results of this study showed that the changes that occurred during microteaching practices of the four trainee teachers involved in the study reflected their professional development in this approach. However, it emerged that prior everyday knowledge can be both a barrier and enabler to the construction of meaningful teaching and learning; hence its oversight may lead to instructional failures. The findings also indicated that selected platforms are essential to enable trainee teachers to incorporate prior everyday knowledge and experiences into the teaching of Western science. However, larger scale study should be conducted in order to deepen the understanding of the topic.
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  • Date Issued: 2014

Understanding the livelihoods of child-grant mothers in Sinathingi in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

  • Authors: Motsetse, Matsepo Nomathemba
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Welfare recipients -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Social security -- South Africa , Family policy -- South Africa , Women -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal -- Social conditions , Women -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal -- Economic conditions , Poverty -- South Africa , Income -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
  • Identifier: vital:3380 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013284
  • Description: The main focus of this thesis is the child support grant, as part of a broader social security system, in post-apartheid South Africa. Since the end of apartheid of 1994, the new South African government has sought to redress the racial imbalances and inequalities of the past by engaging in measures of redistribution. Central to this pursuit of redistribution has been a restructured system of social grants, of which the child support grant is the most significant. However, the post-apartheid government has adopted a largely neo-liberal macro-economic strategy such that social inequality and endemic poverty remain pervasive particularly amongst the African population, which includes the recipients of the child support grants. In adopting a sustainable livelihoods framework as the main theoretical perspective, the thesis seeks to understand the livelihoods of child support grant mothers in the face of conditions of extreme poverty. It does this through a localised study of twenty child grant mothers in Sinathingi Township in KwaZulu-Natal Province. In examining the livelihoods of these child-grant mothers, the thesis brings to the fore that mothers and their children do not exist as autonomous living units but are embedded in a broader set of social relations, including intra-household relations and relations with the fathers of the grant-children. It also demonstrates that child-grant mothers are not simply victims of structures of poverty in contemporary South Africa, but actively construct their livelihoods through a range of activities and strategies which show perseverance and ingenuity.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2014
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