Cuba's revolutionist and anti-imperialist foreign policy in Southern Africa: the case of Angola and Namibia
- Authors: Othieno, Timothy
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Cuba -- Foreign Relations -- Africa, Southern , Cuba -- Dependency on foreign countries -- History , Cuba -- Foreign relations -- Angola , Cuba -- Foreign relations -- Namibia , Cuba -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2819 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003029 , Cuba -- Foreign Relations -- Africa, Southern , Cuba -- Dependency on foreign countries -- History , Cuba -- Foreign relations -- Angola , Cuba -- Foreign relations -- Namibia , Cuba -- Politics and government
- Description: This study examines Cuba’s role in the two southern African countries of Angola and Namibia during the Cold War period. It argues that Cuba’s ideological motivations have been embodied in the mutually reinforcing concepts of proletarian internationalism and anti-imperialism. These conceptual perspectives constitute some of the central variables that influence Cuba’s foreign policy behaviour in international relations. It is within this context that one can understand Cuba’s involvement in Southern Africa. This study also attempts to explain that Cuban foreign policy towards Africa was based on two complementary and contextual objectives namely, promoting nationalism at home and nurturing revolutionary Marxist-Leninist governments, as well as supporting anti-colonial and anti-imperialist movements abroad. For the purpose of achieving these foreign policy objectives, Cuba not only engaged in state-to-state relations with Angola and Namibia; but had cordial relations with the rest of the continent and in particular Southern Africa, which also became a direct military testing ground for Cuba’s commitment to an anti-colonial and anti-imperialist revolutionary stance. Furthermore, the thesis shows that Cuba’s relentless hatred of imperialism is rooted in its historical relationship with the United States because from the turn of the century till 1958, the Americans interfered in Cuba’s internal affairs by supporting corrupt administrations and exploited the country. These practices by the United States laid the foundation for Cuba’s anti-colonialism and antiimperialism abroad. Ultimately, this thesis shows that Cuban involvement in Angola and Namibia can be conceptualised within these contexts (anti-imperialism, anti-colonialism, proletarian internationalism and revolutionary Marxism-Leninism). The role of Cuban nationalism in the realisation of these objectives and ideals, as well as its role in perpetuating and consolidating her foreign policy is assessed in this study. This nationalism and ideals of internationalism constitutes the central idea in the Cuban revolution. Finally, this thesis asserts that Cuban motives for getting involved in the politics of Southern Africa were not motivated by economic or imperialistic reasons. Rather, the historical similarity and colonial experiences between Africa and Cuba were some of the central causal factors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Othieno, Timothy
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Cuba -- Foreign Relations -- Africa, Southern , Cuba -- Dependency on foreign countries -- History , Cuba -- Foreign relations -- Angola , Cuba -- Foreign relations -- Namibia , Cuba -- Politics and government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2819 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003029 , Cuba -- Foreign Relations -- Africa, Southern , Cuba -- Dependency on foreign countries -- History , Cuba -- Foreign relations -- Angola , Cuba -- Foreign relations -- Namibia , Cuba -- Politics and government
- Description: This study examines Cuba’s role in the two southern African countries of Angola and Namibia during the Cold War period. It argues that Cuba’s ideological motivations have been embodied in the mutually reinforcing concepts of proletarian internationalism and anti-imperialism. These conceptual perspectives constitute some of the central variables that influence Cuba’s foreign policy behaviour in international relations. It is within this context that one can understand Cuba’s involvement in Southern Africa. This study also attempts to explain that Cuban foreign policy towards Africa was based on two complementary and contextual objectives namely, promoting nationalism at home and nurturing revolutionary Marxist-Leninist governments, as well as supporting anti-colonial and anti-imperialist movements abroad. For the purpose of achieving these foreign policy objectives, Cuba not only engaged in state-to-state relations with Angola and Namibia; but had cordial relations with the rest of the continent and in particular Southern Africa, which also became a direct military testing ground for Cuba’s commitment to an anti-colonial and anti-imperialist revolutionary stance. Furthermore, the thesis shows that Cuba’s relentless hatred of imperialism is rooted in its historical relationship with the United States because from the turn of the century till 1958, the Americans interfered in Cuba’s internal affairs by supporting corrupt administrations and exploited the country. These practices by the United States laid the foundation for Cuba’s anti-colonialism and antiimperialism abroad. Ultimately, this thesis shows that Cuban involvement in Angola and Namibia can be conceptualised within these contexts (anti-imperialism, anti-colonialism, proletarian internationalism and revolutionary Marxism-Leninism). The role of Cuban nationalism in the realisation of these objectives and ideals, as well as its role in perpetuating and consolidating her foreign policy is assessed in this study. This nationalism and ideals of internationalism constitutes the central idea in the Cuban revolution. Finally, this thesis asserts that Cuban motives for getting involved in the politics of Southern Africa were not motivated by economic or imperialistic reasons. Rather, the historical similarity and colonial experiences between Africa and Cuba were some of the central causal factors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Cumulative mild head injury in contact sport: a comparison of the cognitive profiles of rugby players and non-contact sport controls with normative data
- Authors: Bold, Lisa Clare
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Neuropsychological tests , Head -- Wounds and injuries , Sports injuries -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2935 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002444 , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Neuropsychological tests , Head -- Wounds and injuries , Sports injuries -- Psychological aspects
- Description: This study investigates the effects of cumulative mild head injury on the cognitive functioning of elite rugby players. A comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests was administered to top national (Springbok) rugby players (n=26), national Under 21 rugby players (n= 19), and a non-contact sport control group of national hockey players (n=21). The test results of the Total Rugby group (Springbok Rugby and Under 21 Rugby players), the Under 21 Rugby group, the hockey controls, and the Total Rugby and Under 21 Rugby forward and backline players respectively, were each compared with established normative data. Results showed significant differences in the direction of a poorer performance relative to the norms for the Total Rugby and Under 21 Rugby groups, and for the Total Rugby Forwards and Under 21 Rugby Forwards, on tests sensitive to the effects of diffuse brain damage. On the other hand, the Hockey Control group and the Total Rugby Backs and Under 21 Rugby Backs tended to perform within the normal range or better than the norm on some tests. These results confirm the hypothesis that rugby players, and the forward players in particular, are at risk of adverse cognitive effects consequent on cumulative mild head injury. The theoretical implications are that the aggregate effects of multiple exposures to mild head injuries in the rugby players served to reduce their brain reserve capacities and acted as a threshold-lowering influence associated with symptom onset.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Bold, Lisa Clare
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Neuropsychological tests , Head -- Wounds and injuries , Sports injuries -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2935 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002444 , Head -- Wounds and injuries -- Psychology , Neuropsychological tests , Head -- Wounds and injuries , Sports injuries -- Psychological aspects
- Description: This study investigates the effects of cumulative mild head injury on the cognitive functioning of elite rugby players. A comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests was administered to top national (Springbok) rugby players (n=26), national Under 21 rugby players (n= 19), and a non-contact sport control group of national hockey players (n=21). The test results of the Total Rugby group (Springbok Rugby and Under 21 Rugby players), the Under 21 Rugby group, the hockey controls, and the Total Rugby and Under 21 Rugby forward and backline players respectively, were each compared with established normative data. Results showed significant differences in the direction of a poorer performance relative to the norms for the Total Rugby and Under 21 Rugby groups, and for the Total Rugby Forwards and Under 21 Rugby Forwards, on tests sensitive to the effects of diffuse brain damage. On the other hand, the Hockey Control group and the Total Rugby Backs and Under 21 Rugby Backs tended to perform within the normal range or better than the norm on some tests. These results confirm the hypothesis that rugby players, and the forward players in particular, are at risk of adverse cognitive effects consequent on cumulative mild head injury. The theoretical implications are that the aggregate effects of multiple exposures to mild head injuries in the rugby players served to reduce their brain reserve capacities and acted as a threshold-lowering influence associated with symptom onset.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Desert
- Authors: Harper, Sean Julian
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Rawls, John, 1921-2002 , Rawls, John, 1921-2002 Theory of justice , Ethics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2710 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002840 , Rawls, John, 1921-2002 , Rawls, John, 1921-2002 Theory of justice , Ethics
- Description: This thesis examines the idea of desert as expounded in the work of John Rawls, and some of the implications of this conception of desert for moral and political philosophy. In this work, I analyse a series of arguments against retaining this particular conception of desert.I argue that none of these arguments sufficiently diminishes the force of Rawls’ argument for desert, while many of them do state, and I argue that they are correct in doing so, that this conception of desert is dangerous for political or moral philosophy to maintain. I argue that the moral, political and legal implications of accepting this account of desert severely undermine various institutions of differential treatment, and indeed, moral assessment. I regard it as obvious that societies must, on occasion, treat members of those societies differently, for moral, as well as practical reasons. The Rawlsian account of desert, and the account of responsibility on which it rests, however, will endanger the legitimacy of such procedures. I argue further that the Rawlsian account of desert requires that differences in wealth, and inheritance of wealth, influence and privilege be diminished, if not abolished, if we are to talk of any form of desert meaningfully. I argue that this is a strength of Rawls’ account, and further that any account of desert that is true to the philosophical tradition of the concept will require similar steps to be taken. The primary aim of this thesis is to show that Rawls’ arguments against desert are serious ones, both in terms of strength and scope, and that they must be addressed. I intend to show that these arguments are founded on strong moral intuitions, and that it is plausible that these intuitions may need revision. Finally,I intend to show that desert is an important moral and political concept, and that the disciplines of moral and political philosophy will be impoverished by the absence this concept. This absence, I will argue, is a natural consequence of the acceptance of the Rawlsian arguments.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Harper, Sean Julian
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Rawls, John, 1921-2002 , Rawls, John, 1921-2002 Theory of justice , Ethics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2710 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002840 , Rawls, John, 1921-2002 , Rawls, John, 1921-2002 Theory of justice , Ethics
- Description: This thesis examines the idea of desert as expounded in the work of John Rawls, and some of the implications of this conception of desert for moral and political philosophy. In this work, I analyse a series of arguments against retaining this particular conception of desert.I argue that none of these arguments sufficiently diminishes the force of Rawls’ argument for desert, while many of them do state, and I argue that they are correct in doing so, that this conception of desert is dangerous for political or moral philosophy to maintain. I argue that the moral, political and legal implications of accepting this account of desert severely undermine various institutions of differential treatment, and indeed, moral assessment. I regard it as obvious that societies must, on occasion, treat members of those societies differently, for moral, as well as practical reasons. The Rawlsian account of desert, and the account of responsibility on which it rests, however, will endanger the legitimacy of such procedures. I argue further that the Rawlsian account of desert requires that differences in wealth, and inheritance of wealth, influence and privilege be diminished, if not abolished, if we are to talk of any form of desert meaningfully. I argue that this is a strength of Rawls’ account, and further that any account of desert that is true to the philosophical tradition of the concept will require similar steps to be taken. The primary aim of this thesis is to show that Rawls’ arguments against desert are serious ones, both in terms of strength and scope, and that they must be addressed. I intend to show that these arguments are founded on strong moral intuitions, and that it is plausible that these intuitions may need revision. Finally,I intend to show that desert is an important moral and political concept, and that the disciplines of moral and political philosophy will be impoverished by the absence this concept. This absence, I will argue, is a natural consequence of the acceptance of the Rawlsian arguments.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Designing and implementing a virtual reality interaction framework
- Authors: Rorke, Michael
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Virtual reality , Computer simulation , Human-computer interaction , Computer graphics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4623 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006491 , Virtual reality , Computer simulation , Human-computer interaction , Computer graphics
- Description: Virtual Reality offers the possibility for humans to interact in a more natural way with the computer and its applications. Currently, Virtual Reality is used mainly in the field of visualisation where 3D graphics allow users to more easily view complex sets of data or structures. The field of interaction in Virtual Reality has been largely neglected due mainly to problems with input devices and equipment costs. Recent research has aimed to overcome these interaction problems, thereby creating a usable interaction platform for Virtual Reality. This thesis presents a background into the field of interaction in Virtual Reality. It goes on to propose a generic framework for the implementation of common interaction techniques into a homogeneous application development environment. This framework adds a new layer to the standard Virtual Reality toolkit – the interaction abstraction layer, or interactor layer. This separation is in line with current HCI practices. The interactor layer is further divided into specific sections – input component, interaction component, system component, intermediaries, entities and widgets. Each of these performs a specific function, with clearly defined interfaces between the different components to promote easy objectoriented implementation of the framework. The validity of the framework is shown in comparison with accepted taxonomies in the area of Virtual Reality interaction. Thus demonstrating that the framework covers all the relevant factors involved in the field. Furthermore, the thesis describes an implementation of this framework. The implementation was completed using the Rhodes University CoRgi Virtual Reality toolkit. Several postgraduate students in the Rhodes University Computer Science Department utilised the framework implementation to develop a set of case studies. These case studies demonstrate the practical use of the framework to create useful Virtual Reality applications, as well as demonstrating the generic nature of the framework and its extensibility to be able to handle new interaction techniques. Finally, the generic nature of the framework is further demonstrated by moving it from the standard CoRgi Virtual Reality toolkit, to a distributed version of this toolkit. The distributed implementation of the framework utilises the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) to implement the distribution of the objects in the system. Using this distributed implementation, we are able to ascertain that CORBA is useful in the field of distributed real-time Virtual Reality, even taking into account the extra overhead introduced by the additional abstraction layer. We conclude from this thesis that it is important to abstract the interaction layer from the other layers of a Virtual Reality toolkit in order to provide a consistent interface to developers. We have shown that our framework is implementable and useful in the field, making it easier for developers to include interaction in their Virtual Reality applications. Our framework is able to handle all the current aspects of interaction in Virtual Reality, as well as being general enough to implement future interaction techniques. The framework is also applicable to different Virtual Reality toolkits and development platforms, making it ideal for developing general, cross-platform interactive Virtual Reality applications.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Rorke, Michael
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Virtual reality , Computer simulation , Human-computer interaction , Computer graphics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4623 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006491 , Virtual reality , Computer simulation , Human-computer interaction , Computer graphics
- Description: Virtual Reality offers the possibility for humans to interact in a more natural way with the computer and its applications. Currently, Virtual Reality is used mainly in the field of visualisation where 3D graphics allow users to more easily view complex sets of data or structures. The field of interaction in Virtual Reality has been largely neglected due mainly to problems with input devices and equipment costs. Recent research has aimed to overcome these interaction problems, thereby creating a usable interaction platform for Virtual Reality. This thesis presents a background into the field of interaction in Virtual Reality. It goes on to propose a generic framework for the implementation of common interaction techniques into a homogeneous application development environment. This framework adds a new layer to the standard Virtual Reality toolkit – the interaction abstraction layer, or interactor layer. This separation is in line with current HCI practices. The interactor layer is further divided into specific sections – input component, interaction component, system component, intermediaries, entities and widgets. Each of these performs a specific function, with clearly defined interfaces between the different components to promote easy objectoriented implementation of the framework. The validity of the framework is shown in comparison with accepted taxonomies in the area of Virtual Reality interaction. Thus demonstrating that the framework covers all the relevant factors involved in the field. Furthermore, the thesis describes an implementation of this framework. The implementation was completed using the Rhodes University CoRgi Virtual Reality toolkit. Several postgraduate students in the Rhodes University Computer Science Department utilised the framework implementation to develop a set of case studies. These case studies demonstrate the practical use of the framework to create useful Virtual Reality applications, as well as demonstrating the generic nature of the framework and its extensibility to be able to handle new interaction techniques. Finally, the generic nature of the framework is further demonstrated by moving it from the standard CoRgi Virtual Reality toolkit, to a distributed version of this toolkit. The distributed implementation of the framework utilises the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) to implement the distribution of the objects in the system. Using this distributed implementation, we are able to ascertain that CORBA is useful in the field of distributed real-time Virtual Reality, even taking into account the extra overhead introduced by the additional abstraction layer. We conclude from this thesis that it is important to abstract the interaction layer from the other layers of a Virtual Reality toolkit in order to provide a consistent interface to developers. We have shown that our framework is implementable and useful in the field, making it easier for developers to include interaction in their Virtual Reality applications. Our framework is able to handle all the current aspects of interaction in Virtual Reality, as well as being general enough to implement future interaction techniques. The framework is also applicable to different Virtual Reality toolkits and development platforms, making it ideal for developing general, cross-platform interactive Virtual Reality applications.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Designing and making a difference: an exploration of technology education for rural school teachers
- Authors: Schäfer, Marc
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Technology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Technology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa Rural schools -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Education, Rural -- South Africa Winterberg schools trust
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1491 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003372
- Description: This qualitative study focused on a Technology Education programme for farm school teachers in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. These teachers were faced with the challenge of incorporating Technology Education into their curriculum. The study was conducted within the context of an investigation into the conceptual nature of technology and an exploration of the theoretical underpinnings of Technology Education within both the international and South African context. Technology Education is being introduced into the South African curriculum against a background of educational transformation and the building of capacity to solve real life problems. This calls for a curriculum that will empower learners to be innovative, creative and skilled problem solvers. The introduction and incorporation of Technoiogy Education into the school curriculum poses a formidable challenge to farm schools in particular. Their unique history of neglect and legacy of underqualified teachers has made the introduction of any curriculum innovation process very difficult and challenging. This study analyses how an introductory Technology Education programme for farm school teachers in the Winterberg area of the Eastern Cape impacted~ on the teachers' professional and personal lives. It shows the importance of developing teclpological skills in conjunction with life skills in cO.ntributing to the empowerment, both in the work place and in the wider context, of rural school teachers. It highlights the need for supportive in-service education programmes and strengthens the argument for an integrative and mulitidisciplinary approach to the introduction of Technology Education in farm schools. Data was collected by means of questionnaires, interviews and photographs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Schäfer, Marc
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Technology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Technology -- Study and teaching -- South Africa Rural schools -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Education, Rural -- South Africa Winterberg schools trust
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1491 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003372
- Description: This qualitative study focused on a Technology Education programme for farm school teachers in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. These teachers were faced with the challenge of incorporating Technology Education into their curriculum. The study was conducted within the context of an investigation into the conceptual nature of technology and an exploration of the theoretical underpinnings of Technology Education within both the international and South African context. Technology Education is being introduced into the South African curriculum against a background of educational transformation and the building of capacity to solve real life problems. This calls for a curriculum that will empower learners to be innovative, creative and skilled problem solvers. The introduction and incorporation of Technoiogy Education into the school curriculum poses a formidable challenge to farm schools in particular. Their unique history of neglect and legacy of underqualified teachers has made the introduction of any curriculum innovation process very difficult and challenging. This study analyses how an introductory Technology Education programme for farm school teachers in the Winterberg area of the Eastern Cape impacted~ on the teachers' professional and personal lives. It shows the importance of developing teclpological skills in conjunction with life skills in cO.ntributing to the empowerment, both in the work place and in the wider context, of rural school teachers. It highlights the need for supportive in-service education programmes and strengthens the argument for an integrative and mulitidisciplinary approach to the introduction of Technology Education in farm schools. Data was collected by means of questionnaires, interviews and photographs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Determining the essential traits for successful retail pharmacists in the Port Elizabeth-Uitenhage metropole
- Authors: Melamed, Graham Morrison
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Retail trade -- Port Elizabeth -- South Africa , Pharmacists -- South Africa , Pharmacy management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10831 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22 , Retail trade -- Port Elizabeth -- South Africa , Pharmacists -- South Africa , Pharmacy management
- Description: The research problem addressed in this study was to determine whether successful retail pharmacists exhibited specific traits. To achieve this objective a theoretical schedule of traits was developed, using relevant literature in which traits of entrepreneurs are described. The theoretical list consisted of the possession of the following traits: The need to achieve; Confidence in their abilities; The successful management of risk; Creativity and the possession of vision; The tendency/ability to view changes as opportunities; Internal locus of control; Leadership; High level of motivation; Tenacity; Communication skills. Each trait of the schedule was analysed using the literature identified during the literature study. The theoretical list was then used to develop a questionnaire to test the degree to which retail pharmacists in the Greater Port Elizabeth/Uitenhage Metropole concur. The empirical results obtained indicate a strong concurrence with the theoretical list of traits of successful retail pharmacists that was developed in the study. This resulted in the theoretical schedule being confirmed and accepted as a list of traits possessed by successful retail pharmacists.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Melamed, Graham Morrison
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Retail trade -- Port Elizabeth -- South Africa , Pharmacists -- South Africa , Pharmacy management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10831 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22 , Retail trade -- Port Elizabeth -- South Africa , Pharmacists -- South Africa , Pharmacy management
- Description: The research problem addressed in this study was to determine whether successful retail pharmacists exhibited specific traits. To achieve this objective a theoretical schedule of traits was developed, using relevant literature in which traits of entrepreneurs are described. The theoretical list consisted of the possession of the following traits: The need to achieve; Confidence in their abilities; The successful management of risk; Creativity and the possession of vision; The tendency/ability to view changes as opportunities; Internal locus of control; Leadership; High level of motivation; Tenacity; Communication skills. Each trait of the schedule was analysed using the literature identified during the literature study. The theoretical list was then used to develop a questionnaire to test the degree to which retail pharmacists in the Greater Port Elizabeth/Uitenhage Metropole concur. The empirical results obtained indicate a strong concurrence with the theoretical list of traits of successful retail pharmacists that was developed in the study. This resulted in the theoretical schedule being confirmed and accepted as a list of traits possessed by successful retail pharmacists.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Development of a Human Resource development strategy for the Border-Kei motor industry cluster
- Authors: Maritz, Andre
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Manpower policy , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa , Automobile industry and trade -- Management , Personnel management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10832 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23 , Manpower policy , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa , Automobile industry and trade -- Management , Personnel management -- South Africa
- Description: DaimlerChrysler’s investment of R 1.4 billion in its East London Plant has resulted in the formation and development of an industry cluster, with DaimlerChrysler as the main industry driver. The rest of the cluster is made up of suppliers to the motor industry, as well as organisations involved in attracting and stimulating economic development in the region. The investment by DaimlerChrysler signalled the entry of DaimlerChrysler South Africa (DCSA) into global markets, supplying right-hand drive C-Class vehicles to the rest of the world. As a global player, world-class quality standards are expected of DCSA and, in turn, their suppliers. World-Class skills are therefore expected of the employees from all of the organisations within the cluster. This factor poses a challenge to South African organisations who are subjected to and challenged by the legislation that seeks to address and correct the societal imbalance of the past. The research problem addressed in this study was two-fold. The first objective was to determine whether or not there was a competitive advantage to be gained by being part of an industry cluster. The second objective was to determine how suppliers to DCSA from within the cluster developed world-class skills despite the constraints imposed upon them by South African legislation. To achieve these objectives, a theoretical study was conducted on existing conditions within clusters worldwide, as well as on methods being implemented by global organisations to develop world-class skills. An empirical study, covering the topics of competitive advantage and developing world-class skills, was developed and sent to suppliers of DCSA to test the degree of concurrence between methods implemented in the Border-Kei Motor Industry Cluster and global organisations elsewhere in the world. The results of the empirical study indicated a strong concurrence in many of the factors, and essentially only differed in instances where a cluster was more developed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Maritz, Andre
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Manpower policy , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa , Automobile industry and trade -- Management , Personnel management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10832 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23 , Manpower policy , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa , Automobile industry and trade -- Management , Personnel management -- South Africa
- Description: DaimlerChrysler’s investment of R 1.4 billion in its East London Plant has resulted in the formation and development of an industry cluster, with DaimlerChrysler as the main industry driver. The rest of the cluster is made up of suppliers to the motor industry, as well as organisations involved in attracting and stimulating economic development in the region. The investment by DaimlerChrysler signalled the entry of DaimlerChrysler South Africa (DCSA) into global markets, supplying right-hand drive C-Class vehicles to the rest of the world. As a global player, world-class quality standards are expected of DCSA and, in turn, their suppliers. World-Class skills are therefore expected of the employees from all of the organisations within the cluster. This factor poses a challenge to South African organisations who are subjected to and challenged by the legislation that seeks to address and correct the societal imbalance of the past. The research problem addressed in this study was two-fold. The first objective was to determine whether or not there was a competitive advantage to be gained by being part of an industry cluster. The second objective was to determine how suppliers to DCSA from within the cluster developed world-class skills despite the constraints imposed upon them by South African legislation. To achieve these objectives, a theoretical study was conducted on existing conditions within clusters worldwide, as well as on methods being implemented by global organisations to develop world-class skills. An empirical study, covering the topics of competitive advantage and developing world-class skills, was developed and sent to suppliers of DCSA to test the degree of concurrence between methods implemented in the Border-Kei Motor Industry Cluster and global organisations elsewhere in the world. The results of the empirical study indicated a strong concurrence in many of the factors, and essentially only differed in instances where a cluster was more developed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Development of a model of factors promoting team effectiveness in the automotive component industry
- Authors: Hutton, Timothy Strathearn
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Teams in the workplace , Automobile industry and trade -- Management , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10833 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/24 , Teams in the workplace , Automobile industry and trade -- Management , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa
- Description: The research problem addressed in this study was to determine what makes a work team successful. To achieve this objective a theoretical model of factors promoting team effectiveness was developed, using relevant literature in which models for team effectiveness are described. The theoretical model consisted of the following factors: Individual background factors; Facilitation; Team Factors; Synergy; Team effectiveness; Organisational factors. Each factor of the model was broken down into dimensions that were then analysed using literature identified during the literature study. The theoretical model was then used to develop a questionnaire to test the degree to which managers working for automotive component manufacturers in the Port Elizabeth /Uitenhage magisterial district and falling under Chapter III of the Bargaining Council for the Motor Industry concur. The empirical results obtained indicate a strong concurrence with the theoretical model of factors promoting team effectiveness that was developed in the study. This resulted in the theoretical model being confirmed and being accepted as a model of factors promoting team effectiveness.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Hutton, Timothy Strathearn
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Teams in the workplace , Automobile industry and trade -- Management , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10833 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/24 , Teams in the workplace , Automobile industry and trade -- Management , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa
- Description: The research problem addressed in this study was to determine what makes a work team successful. To achieve this objective a theoretical model of factors promoting team effectiveness was developed, using relevant literature in which models for team effectiveness are described. The theoretical model consisted of the following factors: Individual background factors; Facilitation; Team Factors; Synergy; Team effectiveness; Organisational factors. Each factor of the model was broken down into dimensions that were then analysed using literature identified during the literature study. The theoretical model was then used to develop a questionnaire to test the degree to which managers working for automotive component manufacturers in the Port Elizabeth /Uitenhage magisterial district and falling under Chapter III of the Bargaining Council for the Motor Industry concur. The empirical results obtained indicate a strong concurrence with the theoretical model of factors promoting team effectiveness that was developed in the study. This resulted in the theoretical model being confirmed and being accepted as a model of factors promoting team effectiveness.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Development of the components of a low cost, distributed facial virtual conferencing system
- Authors: Panagou, Soterios
- Date: 2000 , 2011-11-10
- Subjects: Virtual computer systems , Virtual reality , Computer conferencing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4622 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006490 , Virtual computer systems , Virtual reality , Computer conferencing
- Description: This thesis investigates the development of a low cost, component based facial virtual conferencing system. The design is decomposed into an encoding phase and a decoding phase, which communicate with each other via a network connection. The encoding phase is composed of three components: model acquisition (which handles avatar generation), pose estimation and expression analysis. Audio is not considered part of the encoding and decoding process, and as such is not evaluated. The model acquisition component is implemented using a visual hull reconstruction algorithm that is able to reconstruct real-world objects using only sets of images of the object as input. The object to be reconstructed is assumed to lie in a bounding volume of voxels. The reconstruction process involves the following stages: - Space carving for basic shape extraction; - Isosurface extraction to remove voxels not part of the surface of the reconstruction; - Mesh connection to generate a closed, connected polyhedral mesh; - Texture generation. Texturing is achieved by Gouraud shading the reconstruction with a vertex colour map; - Mesh decimation to simplify the object. The original algorithm has complexity O(n), but suffers from an inability to reconstruct concave surfaces that do not form part of the visual hull of the object. A novel extension to this algorithm based on Normalised Cross Correlation (NCC) is proposed to overcome this problem. An extension to speed up traditional NCC evaluations is proposed which reduces the NCC search space from a 2D search problem down to a single evaluation. Pose estimation and expression analysis are performed by tracking six fiducial points on the face of a subject. A tracking algorithm is developed that uses Normalised Cross Correlation to facilitate robust tracking that is invariant to changing lighting conditions, rotations and scaling. Pose estimation involves the recovery of the head position and orientation through the tracking of the triangle formed by the subject's eyebrows and nose tip. A rule-based evaluation of points that are tracked around the subject's mouth forms the basis of the expression analysis. A user assisted feedback loop and caching mechanism is used to overcome tracking errors due to fast motion or occlusions. The NCC tracker is shown to achieve a tracking performance of 10 fps when tracking the six fiducial points. The decoding phase is divided into 3 tasks, namely: avatar movement, expression generation and expression management. Avatar movement is implemented using the base VR system. Expression generation is facilitated using a Vertex Interpolation Deformation method. A weighting system is proposed for expression management. Its function is to gradually transform from one expression to the next. The use of the vertex interpolation method allows real-time deformations of the avatar representation, achieving 16 fps when applied to a model consisting of 7500 vertices. An Expression Parameter Lookup Table (EPLT) facilitates an independent mapping between the two phases. It defines a list of generic expressions that are known to the system and associates an Expression ID with each one. For each generic expression, it relates the expression analysis rules for any subject with the expression generation parameters for any avatar model. The result is that facial expression replication between any subject and avatar combination can be performed by transferring only the Expression ID from the encoder application to the decoder application. The ideas developed in the thesis are demonstrated in an implementation using the CoRgi Virtual Reality system. It is shown that the virtual-conferencing application based on this design requires only a bandwidth of 2 Kbps. , Adobe Acrobat Pro 9.4.6 , Adobe Acrobat 9.46 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Panagou, Soterios
- Date: 2000 , 2011-11-10
- Subjects: Virtual computer systems , Virtual reality , Computer conferencing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4622 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006490 , Virtual computer systems , Virtual reality , Computer conferencing
- Description: This thesis investigates the development of a low cost, component based facial virtual conferencing system. The design is decomposed into an encoding phase and a decoding phase, which communicate with each other via a network connection. The encoding phase is composed of three components: model acquisition (which handles avatar generation), pose estimation and expression analysis. Audio is not considered part of the encoding and decoding process, and as such is not evaluated. The model acquisition component is implemented using a visual hull reconstruction algorithm that is able to reconstruct real-world objects using only sets of images of the object as input. The object to be reconstructed is assumed to lie in a bounding volume of voxels. The reconstruction process involves the following stages: - Space carving for basic shape extraction; - Isosurface extraction to remove voxels not part of the surface of the reconstruction; - Mesh connection to generate a closed, connected polyhedral mesh; - Texture generation. Texturing is achieved by Gouraud shading the reconstruction with a vertex colour map; - Mesh decimation to simplify the object. The original algorithm has complexity O(n), but suffers from an inability to reconstruct concave surfaces that do not form part of the visual hull of the object. A novel extension to this algorithm based on Normalised Cross Correlation (NCC) is proposed to overcome this problem. An extension to speed up traditional NCC evaluations is proposed which reduces the NCC search space from a 2D search problem down to a single evaluation. Pose estimation and expression analysis are performed by tracking six fiducial points on the face of a subject. A tracking algorithm is developed that uses Normalised Cross Correlation to facilitate robust tracking that is invariant to changing lighting conditions, rotations and scaling. Pose estimation involves the recovery of the head position and orientation through the tracking of the triangle formed by the subject's eyebrows and nose tip. A rule-based evaluation of points that are tracked around the subject's mouth forms the basis of the expression analysis. A user assisted feedback loop and caching mechanism is used to overcome tracking errors due to fast motion or occlusions. The NCC tracker is shown to achieve a tracking performance of 10 fps when tracking the six fiducial points. The decoding phase is divided into 3 tasks, namely: avatar movement, expression generation and expression management. Avatar movement is implemented using the base VR system. Expression generation is facilitated using a Vertex Interpolation Deformation method. A weighting system is proposed for expression management. Its function is to gradually transform from one expression to the next. The use of the vertex interpolation method allows real-time deformations of the avatar representation, achieving 16 fps when applied to a model consisting of 7500 vertices. An Expression Parameter Lookup Table (EPLT) facilitates an independent mapping between the two phases. It defines a list of generic expressions that are known to the system and associates an Expression ID with each one. For each generic expression, it relates the expression analysis rules for any subject with the expression generation parameters for any avatar model. The result is that facial expression replication between any subject and avatar combination can be performed by transferring only the Expression ID from the encoder application to the decoder application. The ideas developed in the thesis are demonstrated in an implementation using the CoRgi Virtual Reality system. It is shown that the virtual-conferencing application based on this design requires only a bandwidth of 2 Kbps. , Adobe Acrobat Pro 9.4.6 , Adobe Acrobat 9.46 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Distributed authentication for resource control
- Authors: Burdis, Keith Robert
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Computers -- Access control , Data protection , Computer networks -- Security measures , Electronic data processing departments -- Security measures
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4630 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006512 , Computers -- Access control , Data protection , Computer networks -- Security measures , Electronic data processing departments -- Security measures
- Description: This thesis examines distributed authentication in the process of controlling computing resources. We investigate user sign-on and two of the main authentication technologies that can be used to control a resource through authentication and providing additional security services. The problems with the existing sign-on scenario are that users have too much credential information to manage and are prompted for this information too often. Single Sign-On (SSO) is a viable solution to this problem if physical procedures are introduced to minimise the risks associated with its use. The Generic Security Services API (GSS-API) provides security services in a manner in- dependent of the environment in which these security services are used, encapsulating security functionality and insulating users from changes in security technology. The un- derlying security functionality is provided by GSS-API mechanisms. We developed the Secure Remote Password GSS-API Mechanism (SRPGM) to provide a mechanism that has low infrastructure requirements, is password-based and does not require the use of long-term asymmetric keys. We provide implementations of the Java GSS-API bindings and the LIPKEY and SRPGM GSS-API mechanisms. The Secure Authentication and Security Layer (SASL) provides security to connection- based Internet protocols. After finding deficiencies in existing SASL mechanisms we de- veloped the Secure Remote Password SASL mechanism (SRP-SASL) that provides strong password-based authentication and countermeasures against known attacks, while still be- ing simple and easy to implement. We provide implementations of the Java SASL binding and several SASL mechanisms, including SRP-SASL.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Burdis, Keith Robert
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Computers -- Access control , Data protection , Computer networks -- Security measures , Electronic data processing departments -- Security measures
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4630 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006512 , Computers -- Access control , Data protection , Computer networks -- Security measures , Electronic data processing departments -- Security measures
- Description: This thesis examines distributed authentication in the process of controlling computing resources. We investigate user sign-on and two of the main authentication technologies that can be used to control a resource through authentication and providing additional security services. The problems with the existing sign-on scenario are that users have too much credential information to manage and are prompted for this information too often. Single Sign-On (SSO) is a viable solution to this problem if physical procedures are introduced to minimise the risks associated with its use. The Generic Security Services API (GSS-API) provides security services in a manner in- dependent of the environment in which these security services are used, encapsulating security functionality and insulating users from changes in security technology. The un- derlying security functionality is provided by GSS-API mechanisms. We developed the Secure Remote Password GSS-API Mechanism (SRPGM) to provide a mechanism that has low infrastructure requirements, is password-based and does not require the use of long-term asymmetric keys. We provide implementations of the Java GSS-API bindings and the LIPKEY and SRPGM GSS-API mechanisms. The Secure Authentication and Security Layer (SASL) provides security to connection- based Internet protocols. After finding deficiencies in existing SASL mechanisms we de- veloped the Secure Remote Password SASL mechanism (SRP-SASL) that provides strong password-based authentication and countermeasures against known attacks, while still be- ing simple and easy to implement. We provide implementations of the Java SASL binding and several SASL mechanisms, including SRP-SASL.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Donor conditionalities and democratisation in Kenya, 1991-1997
- Authors: Muriuki, Irene
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Economic assistance -- Political aspects -- Kenya , Democracy -- Kenya , Elections -- Kenya , Kenya -- Politics and government -- 1978-2002
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2812 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003022 , Economic assistance -- Political aspects -- Kenya , Democracy -- Kenya , Elections -- Kenya , Kenya -- Politics and government -- 1978-2002
- Description: The end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union has encouraged democratisation in most parts of Africa. At the same time, Western donors' attitudes towards r~cipients of foreign aid have changed. This has resulted in a new practice, which attempts to force Third World states to move toward liberal democracy by conditioning lending on the holding of mUlti-party elections. In Africa this has resulted to the holding of multi-party elections. This study attempts to examine donor conditionalities and democratisation in Kenya by examining the results of 1992 and 1997 multi-party elections. Kenya attained independence from the British and ushered in a multi-party democracy in 1963. Since then, the country has undergone a full circle of political development, starting with a multi-party democracy at independence, through a one party dictatorship between 1982 and 1992 and back to a multi-party democracy in 1993. The need to satisfy foreign donors forced the leadership to amend Section 2(A) of Kenya' s constitution that had legalised single-party rule in 1982 thus allowing plural politics. The externally pressured transition to multi-party democracy though has resulted in increased corruption, state-sponsored ethnic violence, continued political authoritarianism and disastrous economic mismanagement of what was once considered a model for the continent. This study urges that Western donors should focus less on elections and more on the fostering of democratic institutions through breaking patterns of neo-patrimonial rule that have inforn1ed and continue to inform politics in Kenya. Political reforms have been resisted by the incumbency in the fear tha! they may curtail the power of the political leadership whose main objective has been to cling to power.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Muriuki, Irene
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Economic assistance -- Political aspects -- Kenya , Democracy -- Kenya , Elections -- Kenya , Kenya -- Politics and government -- 1978-2002
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2812 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003022 , Economic assistance -- Political aspects -- Kenya , Democracy -- Kenya , Elections -- Kenya , Kenya -- Politics and government -- 1978-2002
- Description: The end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union has encouraged democratisation in most parts of Africa. At the same time, Western donors' attitudes towards r~cipients of foreign aid have changed. This has resulted in a new practice, which attempts to force Third World states to move toward liberal democracy by conditioning lending on the holding of mUlti-party elections. In Africa this has resulted to the holding of multi-party elections. This study attempts to examine donor conditionalities and democratisation in Kenya by examining the results of 1992 and 1997 multi-party elections. Kenya attained independence from the British and ushered in a multi-party democracy in 1963. Since then, the country has undergone a full circle of political development, starting with a multi-party democracy at independence, through a one party dictatorship between 1982 and 1992 and back to a multi-party democracy in 1993. The need to satisfy foreign donors forced the leadership to amend Section 2(A) of Kenya' s constitution that had legalised single-party rule in 1982 thus allowing plural politics. The externally pressured transition to multi-party democracy though has resulted in increased corruption, state-sponsored ethnic violence, continued political authoritarianism and disastrous economic mismanagement of what was once considered a model for the continent. This study urges that Western donors should focus less on elections and more on the fostering of democratic institutions through breaking patterns of neo-patrimonial rule that have inforn1ed and continue to inform politics in Kenya. Political reforms have been resisted by the incumbency in the fear tha! they may curtail the power of the political leadership whose main objective has been to cling to power.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Dynamic compensation for performance characteristic differences of wind generator coupled pumps
- Swanepoel, Pieter Frederick Renier
- Authors: Swanepoel, Pieter Frederick Renier
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Wind pumps
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10806 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/25 , Wind pumps
- Description: The lack of services such as electricity in the rural areas of South Africa has given rise to the use of pump water and the windmills. The ones in use currently are maintenance intensive. There is a corrosive element in water and this sometimes requires plastic or other non-corrosive materials to be used for pump components and pipes. Solar panels are expensive and have low efficiencies. Alternative energy systems such as diesel engine driven- mono pumps or -turbines or windmills are costly, which means that the overall efficiency must be maximized to reduce these costs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Swanepoel, Pieter Frederick Renier
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Wind pumps
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10806 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/25 , Wind pumps
- Description: The lack of services such as electricity in the rural areas of South Africa has given rise to the use of pump water and the windmills. The ones in use currently are maintenance intensive. There is a corrosive element in water and this sometimes requires plastic or other non-corrosive materials to be used for pump components and pipes. Solar panels are expensive and have low efficiencies. Alternative energy systems such as diesel engine driven- mono pumps or -turbines or windmills are costly, which means that the overall efficiency must be maximized to reduce these costs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Effects of sustained elevated CO2 concentration and Nitrogen nutrition on wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv Gamtoos)
- Authors: Kgope, Barney Stephen
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Wheat -- Growth , Wheat -- Nutrition , Nitrogen fertilizers , Nitrogen in agriculture
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4205 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003774 , Wheat -- Growth , Wheat -- Nutrition , Nitrogen fertilizers , Nitrogen in agriculture
- Description: There is consensus that high CO2 results in enhanced growth and yield for most crop plants. However, most of these studies were carried out in the presence of adequate nutrients, which is also the case in agricultural systems (managed ecosystems). About 20% of the earth’s land mass have sufficiently low levels of nutrients to cause some kind of stress to plants. On the other hand, elevated [CO2] decreases foliar nutrient elements in plants and as a result partitioning of certain nutrient elements in plants is altered. Little data is available on the partitioning of most nutrient elements in plants, and this will definitely impact on growth and yield. To investigate this, wheat (Triticum aestivum L. c.v. Gamtoos) was grown in controlled environment cabinets at 360 and 700 µmol mol -1 CO2. The full Long-Ashton nutrient solution comprising of three-nitrogen concentrations ([N]) viz. (4,6 and 12 mM) was used to water plants everyday. The measurement of net assimilation rate (NAR), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E), water use efficiency (WUE), foliar [N], nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and growth parameters (total plant biomass (TPB), total plant height (TPH), leaf area (LA), shoot and root dry weight) were made 7 days after germination (7 DAG) till the onset of flowering. The increase in nitrogen supply in the order of 4, 6 and 12mM resulted in an increase in NAR, g_s_ , WUE and a decline in E under elevated [CO2]. Under elevated [CO2] NAR was observed to increase during the first two weeks reaching its maximum at 14 DAG, thereafter followed by a decline reaching its maximum at 28 DAG. This was later followed by an increase at 35 DAG onwards. Under elevated [CO2], NAR was increased significantly between the nitrogen regimes during the first (7-14 DAG) and the last two (35-42 DAG) weeks. The response of assimilation as a function of internal [CO2] (Ci), showed a decrease with age at ages 14, 28 and 35 DAG. This negatively affected the initial slope and the CO2 saturated photosynthetic rates under all treatments. This suggest that acclimation may have been as a result of both stomatal and biochemical limitations. All the photosynthetic pigment levels (chl_a_, chl_b_, chl_(a+b)_, and C_(x+c)_ ) increased with an increase in nitrogen supply from 4 to 6mM [N]. A 12mM [N] resulted in a significant decline in the photosynthetic pigment levels compared to a 6mM [N]. Chla remained higher than chlb under all treatments. Also, NAR was seen to increase and decrease concomitantly with the photosynthetic pigment levels. Foliar [N] was seen to decrease with an increase in nitrogen supply from 4 to 6 mM [N] under elevated [CO2] and the effects were adverse under the 4mM [N]. Under the 6mM N regime foliar [N] was positively correlated to NAR for elevated [CO2] grown plants. Similarly, E was positively correlated to foliar [N] under the same conditions. Elevated CO2 and increase in nitrogen supply had a pronounced effect on total plant height (TPH), total plant biomass (TPB), leaf area (LA), shoot and root dry weight and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). The effects were more pronounced under a 6mM [N] as a result of high NUE. However, under 12mM [N] growth was not as expected as a result of lower NUE. Under all treatments shoot dry weight (SDW) was positively correlated to NUE. Anatomical studies revealed that total leaf and midrib thickness was significantly increased with an increase in nitrogen supply under elevated CO2 to support the larger leaf areas. There were no significant changes in the chloroplast ultrastructure as a result of the increase in nitrogen supply and CO2 enrichment. Starch grain surface area was seen to decline with an increase in nitrogen under both ambient and elevated CO2. Elevated CO2 and increase in nitrogen supply significantly increased total grain dry weight per plant by 47 and 46% respectively under 6 and 12mM [N]. In contrast, the increase was by about 21, 61 and 67% respectively under 4, 6 and 12mM [N] between the CO2 regimes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Kgope, Barney Stephen
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Wheat -- Growth , Wheat -- Nutrition , Nitrogen fertilizers , Nitrogen in agriculture
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4205 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003774 , Wheat -- Growth , Wheat -- Nutrition , Nitrogen fertilizers , Nitrogen in agriculture
- Description: There is consensus that high CO2 results in enhanced growth and yield for most crop plants. However, most of these studies were carried out in the presence of adequate nutrients, which is also the case in agricultural systems (managed ecosystems). About 20% of the earth’s land mass have sufficiently low levels of nutrients to cause some kind of stress to plants. On the other hand, elevated [CO2] decreases foliar nutrient elements in plants and as a result partitioning of certain nutrient elements in plants is altered. Little data is available on the partitioning of most nutrient elements in plants, and this will definitely impact on growth and yield. To investigate this, wheat (Triticum aestivum L. c.v. Gamtoos) was grown in controlled environment cabinets at 360 and 700 µmol mol -1 CO2. The full Long-Ashton nutrient solution comprising of three-nitrogen concentrations ([N]) viz. (4,6 and 12 mM) was used to water plants everyday. The measurement of net assimilation rate (NAR), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E), water use efficiency (WUE), foliar [N], nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and growth parameters (total plant biomass (TPB), total plant height (TPH), leaf area (LA), shoot and root dry weight) were made 7 days after germination (7 DAG) till the onset of flowering. The increase in nitrogen supply in the order of 4, 6 and 12mM resulted in an increase in NAR, g_s_ , WUE and a decline in E under elevated [CO2]. Under elevated [CO2] NAR was observed to increase during the first two weeks reaching its maximum at 14 DAG, thereafter followed by a decline reaching its maximum at 28 DAG. This was later followed by an increase at 35 DAG onwards. Under elevated [CO2], NAR was increased significantly between the nitrogen regimes during the first (7-14 DAG) and the last two (35-42 DAG) weeks. The response of assimilation as a function of internal [CO2] (Ci), showed a decrease with age at ages 14, 28 and 35 DAG. This negatively affected the initial slope and the CO2 saturated photosynthetic rates under all treatments. This suggest that acclimation may have been as a result of both stomatal and biochemical limitations. All the photosynthetic pigment levels (chl_a_, chl_b_, chl_(a+b)_, and C_(x+c)_ ) increased with an increase in nitrogen supply from 4 to 6mM [N]. A 12mM [N] resulted in a significant decline in the photosynthetic pigment levels compared to a 6mM [N]. Chla remained higher than chlb under all treatments. Also, NAR was seen to increase and decrease concomitantly with the photosynthetic pigment levels. Foliar [N] was seen to decrease with an increase in nitrogen supply from 4 to 6 mM [N] under elevated [CO2] and the effects were adverse under the 4mM [N]. Under the 6mM N regime foliar [N] was positively correlated to NAR for elevated [CO2] grown plants. Similarly, E was positively correlated to foliar [N] under the same conditions. Elevated CO2 and increase in nitrogen supply had a pronounced effect on total plant height (TPH), total plant biomass (TPB), leaf area (LA), shoot and root dry weight and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). The effects were more pronounced under a 6mM [N] as a result of high NUE. However, under 12mM [N] growth was not as expected as a result of lower NUE. Under all treatments shoot dry weight (SDW) was positively correlated to NUE. Anatomical studies revealed that total leaf and midrib thickness was significantly increased with an increase in nitrogen supply under elevated CO2 to support the larger leaf areas. There were no significant changes in the chloroplast ultrastructure as a result of the increase in nitrogen supply and CO2 enrichment. Starch grain surface area was seen to decline with an increase in nitrogen under both ambient and elevated CO2. Elevated CO2 and increase in nitrogen supply significantly increased total grain dry weight per plant by 47 and 46% respectively under 6 and 12mM [N]. In contrast, the increase was by about 21, 61 and 67% respectively under 4, 6 and 12mM [N] between the CO2 regimes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Environmental art and its contribution to establishing an awareness of the sacred in nature
- Matthews, Elaine Katherine Simone
- Authors: Matthews, Elaine Katherine Simone
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Installations (Art) Art, Modern -- 20th century Nature (Aesthetics)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: vital:2413 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002209
- Description: The introduction establishes the goal of the research, which is to discover that art concerned with re-evaluating the relationship to the environment and spirituality can serve to connect people to one another, and to the environment. The context of the research is the contemporary ecological and spiritual crisis of the postmodern world. The background places the discussion within the contexts of modernism and postmodernism. The historical background focuses on the period from the 1960s to the present day. Land and Environmental artists who work in a manner that is conscious of environmental issues and who suggest a sacred and creative attitude to ecology are discussed. My own creative work which is a response to both ancient and contemporary sites as well as to contemporary theories of art and spirituality is discussed. The four projects, are discussed in chronological order, they are: Quest - A journey into Sacred Space; Gaika's Kop - Sacred Mountain; Labyrinth - Journeys to the Centre; and Transforming the Centre. The conclusion shows that the multi-faceted, intertextual and relativistic philosophy of postmodernism has brought about a significant change in the attitude of humanity towards the environment. Artists who reject the modernist aesthetic and philosophy are making art that emphasises relationship to, rather than separation from the natural world.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Matthews, Elaine Katherine Simone
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Installations (Art) Art, Modern -- 20th century Nature (Aesthetics)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: vital:2413 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002209
- Description: The introduction establishes the goal of the research, which is to discover that art concerned with re-evaluating the relationship to the environment and spirituality can serve to connect people to one another, and to the environment. The context of the research is the contemporary ecological and spiritual crisis of the postmodern world. The background places the discussion within the contexts of modernism and postmodernism. The historical background focuses on the period from the 1960s to the present day. Land and Environmental artists who work in a manner that is conscious of environmental issues and who suggest a sacred and creative attitude to ecology are discussed. My own creative work which is a response to both ancient and contemporary sites as well as to contemporary theories of art and spirituality is discussed. The four projects, are discussed in chronological order, they are: Quest - A journey into Sacred Space; Gaika's Kop - Sacred Mountain; Labyrinth - Journeys to the Centre; and Transforming the Centre. The conclusion shows that the multi-faceted, intertextual and relativistic philosophy of postmodernism has brought about a significant change in the attitude of humanity towards the environment. Artists who reject the modernist aesthetic and philosophy are making art that emphasises relationship to, rather than separation from the natural world.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Environmental influences on the daytime vertical distribution of Cape hakes and implications for demersal trawl estimates of hake abundance off the west coast of South Africa
- Authors: Maree, R C
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Hake , Fisheries -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa , Fisheries -- South Africa , Trawls and trawling
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5278 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005122
- Description: The demersal fishery off the west coast of South Africa experiences decreased catches per unit effort of hake, Merluccius capensis and M. paradoxus, following the onset of strong south easterly winds. Research has demonstrated that, during daylight hours, Cape hakes migrate vertically in the water column in response to strong south easterly winds, decreasing their availability to the bottom trawl. Hydroacoustic, trawl and environmental data were collected off the West Coast during both calm and wind-swept periods in an attempt to understand the forces that initiate this behaviour, its spatial variability and the implications for demersal trawl estimates of abundance. Near-bottom currents appear to be the primary factor influencing the vertical distribution of the demersal fish community, of which hake constitutes a large proportion, during daylight hours. Correlation between wind and near-bottom currents suggest that the poleward component of the currents increase in velocity within eight hours following the onset of south easterly winds. The fish avoid boundary layers where currents change direction and speed dramatically, and seem to concentrate in waters with relatively stable current regimes. This result questions the assumption of CPUE-based assessment models that hake availability to the bottom trawl is constant or varies randomly. The incorporation of acoustic assessment techniques to demersal surveys has potential, but may be most valuable by supplementing swept-area estimates of abundance, since the sampling efficiency of these methods varies within the water column. The incorporation of wind indices and gear performance data to Cape hake assessment models have been identified as useful considerations for the future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Maree, R C
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Hake , Fisheries -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa , Fisheries -- South Africa , Trawls and trawling
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5278 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005122
- Description: The demersal fishery off the west coast of South Africa experiences decreased catches per unit effort of hake, Merluccius capensis and M. paradoxus, following the onset of strong south easterly winds. Research has demonstrated that, during daylight hours, Cape hakes migrate vertically in the water column in response to strong south easterly winds, decreasing their availability to the bottom trawl. Hydroacoustic, trawl and environmental data were collected off the West Coast during both calm and wind-swept periods in an attempt to understand the forces that initiate this behaviour, its spatial variability and the implications for demersal trawl estimates of abundance. Near-bottom currents appear to be the primary factor influencing the vertical distribution of the demersal fish community, of which hake constitutes a large proportion, during daylight hours. Correlation between wind and near-bottom currents suggest that the poleward component of the currents increase in velocity within eight hours following the onset of south easterly winds. The fish avoid boundary layers where currents change direction and speed dramatically, and seem to concentrate in waters with relatively stable current regimes. This result questions the assumption of CPUE-based assessment models that hake availability to the bottom trawl is constant or varies randomly. The incorporation of acoustic assessment techniques to demersal surveys has potential, but may be most valuable by supplementing swept-area estimates of abundance, since the sampling efficiency of these methods varies within the water column. The incorporation of wind indices and gear performance data to Cape hake assessment models have been identified as useful considerations for the future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Environmental youth clubs in Namibia : what role do, could or should they play in environmental education?
- Authors: Botma, Connie
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Environmental education -- Namibia Environmental education -- Study and teaching -- Namibia Youth -- Societies and clubs Youth -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1519 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003401
- Description: Although the existence of wildlife clubs in Africa dates back to the start of the environmental movement in the 1970s, youth involvement through environmental clubs only commenced in Namibia in 1992. I became involved with the clubs in 1995 when I was employed by the Rossing Foundation Environmental Education Project to encourage, support and coordinate environmental clubs in Namibia. During the last three years the number of Namibian clubs has increased from 20 to ±85, and they are now established in most geographical regions of the country. During my involvement with the clubs I became increasingly interested in the philosophical underpinnings of youth movements like clubs and started questioning what we could expect from the youth and what could be achieved through the clubs. One of my main concerns was whether youth could make a significant improvement to the quality of their lives and their environment through these clubs. The aim of my research was therefore to describe and reflect critically on the role of environmental youth clubs in environmental education in Namibia. My study was guided by a socially critical orientation which emphasises the construction of meaning through social dialogue and critical reflection. I chose an interpretative research strategy and generated data mainly through semi-structured interviews, participant observation, a focus-group discussion and a workshop. Due to the focus of the research I purposefully selected the sample of existing youth clubs to be included in the study. The iterative strategy of gathering and interpreting data in successive cycles allowed for continuous reflection throughout the research process. It also allowed me to identify key patterns and trends in analysing and interpreting the data. The study findings suggest that environmental clubs do playa role in learning about environmental issues; in developing personal and social identity, confidence and a sense of purpose in society; in establishing new and supportive relationships between teachers and learners and with other community resourde people; in creating opportunities and enabling exposure to diverse learning environments, options and alternatives; and ih fostering the orientation and skills needed to effect meaningful d1'inges in the environment. The findings also suggest that environmental clubs could make a significant contribution to environmental education, providing that they incorporate a socially critical orientation, gain greater recognition from significant adults and education officials, collaborate with other projects and organisations, and use guidelines of models such as the action research framework to ensure relevant and effective action projects. The main challenges to environmental clubs in Namibia include changing perceptions that youth do not have much to contribute; improving relationships between clubs, schools and communities; dealing with the tension between the possible disempowering effect of central control and the need for more formalised structures in order to gain official recognition; and developing strategies to ensure the clubs' sustainability in the future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Botma, Connie
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Environmental education -- Namibia Environmental education -- Study and teaching -- Namibia Youth -- Societies and clubs Youth -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1519 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003401
- Description: Although the existence of wildlife clubs in Africa dates back to the start of the environmental movement in the 1970s, youth involvement through environmental clubs only commenced in Namibia in 1992. I became involved with the clubs in 1995 when I was employed by the Rossing Foundation Environmental Education Project to encourage, support and coordinate environmental clubs in Namibia. During the last three years the number of Namibian clubs has increased from 20 to ±85, and they are now established in most geographical regions of the country. During my involvement with the clubs I became increasingly interested in the philosophical underpinnings of youth movements like clubs and started questioning what we could expect from the youth and what could be achieved through the clubs. One of my main concerns was whether youth could make a significant improvement to the quality of their lives and their environment through these clubs. The aim of my research was therefore to describe and reflect critically on the role of environmental youth clubs in environmental education in Namibia. My study was guided by a socially critical orientation which emphasises the construction of meaning through social dialogue and critical reflection. I chose an interpretative research strategy and generated data mainly through semi-structured interviews, participant observation, a focus-group discussion and a workshop. Due to the focus of the research I purposefully selected the sample of existing youth clubs to be included in the study. The iterative strategy of gathering and interpreting data in successive cycles allowed for continuous reflection throughout the research process. It also allowed me to identify key patterns and trends in analysing and interpreting the data. The study findings suggest that environmental clubs do playa role in learning about environmental issues; in developing personal and social identity, confidence and a sense of purpose in society; in establishing new and supportive relationships between teachers and learners and with other community resourde people; in creating opportunities and enabling exposure to diverse learning environments, options and alternatives; and ih fostering the orientation and skills needed to effect meaningful d1'inges in the environment. The findings also suggest that environmental clubs could make a significant contribution to environmental education, providing that they incorporate a socially critical orientation, gain greater recognition from significant adults and education officials, collaborate with other projects and organisations, and use guidelines of models such as the action research framework to ensure relevant and effective action projects. The main challenges to environmental clubs in Namibia include changing perceptions that youth do not have much to contribute; improving relationships between clubs, schools and communities; dealing with the tension between the possible disempowering effect of central control and the need for more formalised structures in order to gain official recognition; and developing strategies to ensure the clubs' sustainability in the future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Enzymes with biocatalytic potential from Sorghum bicolor
- Nganwa, Patience Jennifer Kengyeya
- Authors: Nganwa, Patience Jennifer Kengyeya
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Enzymes , Sorghum
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3908 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003967 , Enzymes , Sorghum
- Description: Sorghum is a staple food in the semi-arid tropics of Asia and Africa, sustaining the lives of the poorest rural people. This project set out to improve the potential economic value of Sorghum bicolor as a crop. The task was undertaken by screening for selected enzymes in the plant that would have a potential market for use in industrial applications and in biotransformations, specifically proteases, polyphenol oxidases and peroxidases. Asurveywas conducted using standard enzyme assays and crude plant extracts, to determine whether the selected enzymes were present. Grain tissue did not appear to have significant protease or polyphenoloxidase activity, but high levels of peroxidases were detected, withthe young grain extracts showing more activity(4.63U/mL)thanripegrain extracts (0.62 U/mL). Leaf tissue extracts contained low levels of protease activity, a considerable amount of polyphenol oxidase (0.127 U/mL), and peroxidase (4.7 U/mL) activities comparable with that found in grain tissue. Root tissue extract was found to contain the highest levels of peroxidase activity (7.8 U/mL) compared to the other extracts. Therefore, sorghum peroxidase from the root was isolated, purified, characterized and applied to biotransformation reactions. Different sorghum strains,withvaryinggraincolour, (Zimbabwe - bronze, Seredo - brown and Epurpur - cream/white) were investigated for the presence of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activities. Results of spectrophotometric analysis showed that the enzymes did not appear to be strain specific. However, gel electrophoresis analysis revealed differences in band patterns among the strains. Partial purification of sorghum root peroxidase was achieved after centrifugation, extraction with polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP), ultrafiltration, and hydrophobic chromatography with phenyl Sepharose, followed by polyacrylamidegelelectrophoresis (PAGE). The specific activity of the 5-fold purified enzyme was found to be 122.3 U/mg. After PAGE analysis, two bands with molecular weights of approximately 30 000 and 40 000 were detected, which compares well with horse radish peroxidase (HRP) which has a molecular weight of approximately 44 000. The colour intensity of the bands in the activity gels indicated that sorghum root peroxidase had apparently higher levels of peroxidase activity than commercial horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Characterizationexperiments revealed that sorghumroot peroxidase is active over a broad temperature range and remains active at temperatures up to 100°C. It also has a broad substrate range. The optimum pH of the enzyme was found to be pH 5 - 6. Under standardized assay conditions, the optimal substrate concentration, using o-dianisidine as substrate, was 50 mM, and the optimal H2O2 concentration under these conditions was found to be 100 mM. Sorghum root peroxidase was applied in a preliminary investigation into the oxidative biotransformationof a number of aromatic compounds. The products obtained were comparable withthose whenthe compounds are reacted with HRP which is the most commonly used commercial peroxidase and has been extensively studied. However, HRP is relatively costly, and the use of peroxidase from sorghum roots as an alternative source, appears to be promising. A patent has been provisionally registered, covering application of sorghum root peroxidase for biotransformations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Nganwa, Patience Jennifer Kengyeya
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Enzymes , Sorghum
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3908 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003967 , Enzymes , Sorghum
- Description: Sorghum is a staple food in the semi-arid tropics of Asia and Africa, sustaining the lives of the poorest rural people. This project set out to improve the potential economic value of Sorghum bicolor as a crop. The task was undertaken by screening for selected enzymes in the plant that would have a potential market for use in industrial applications and in biotransformations, specifically proteases, polyphenol oxidases and peroxidases. Asurveywas conducted using standard enzyme assays and crude plant extracts, to determine whether the selected enzymes were present. Grain tissue did not appear to have significant protease or polyphenoloxidase activity, but high levels of peroxidases were detected, withthe young grain extracts showing more activity(4.63U/mL)thanripegrain extracts (0.62 U/mL). Leaf tissue extracts contained low levels of protease activity, a considerable amount of polyphenol oxidase (0.127 U/mL), and peroxidase (4.7 U/mL) activities comparable with that found in grain tissue. Root tissue extract was found to contain the highest levels of peroxidase activity (7.8 U/mL) compared to the other extracts. Therefore, sorghum peroxidase from the root was isolated, purified, characterized and applied to biotransformation reactions. Different sorghum strains,withvaryinggraincolour, (Zimbabwe - bronze, Seredo - brown and Epurpur - cream/white) were investigated for the presence of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activities. Results of spectrophotometric analysis showed that the enzymes did not appear to be strain specific. However, gel electrophoresis analysis revealed differences in band patterns among the strains. Partial purification of sorghum root peroxidase was achieved after centrifugation, extraction with polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP), ultrafiltration, and hydrophobic chromatography with phenyl Sepharose, followed by polyacrylamidegelelectrophoresis (PAGE). The specific activity of the 5-fold purified enzyme was found to be 122.3 U/mg. After PAGE analysis, two bands with molecular weights of approximately 30 000 and 40 000 were detected, which compares well with horse radish peroxidase (HRP) which has a molecular weight of approximately 44 000. The colour intensity of the bands in the activity gels indicated that sorghum root peroxidase had apparently higher levels of peroxidase activity than commercial horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Characterizationexperiments revealed that sorghumroot peroxidase is active over a broad temperature range and remains active at temperatures up to 100°C. It also has a broad substrate range. The optimum pH of the enzyme was found to be pH 5 - 6. Under standardized assay conditions, the optimal substrate concentration, using o-dianisidine as substrate, was 50 mM, and the optimal H2O2 concentration under these conditions was found to be 100 mM. Sorghum root peroxidase was applied in a preliminary investigation into the oxidative biotransformationof a number of aromatic compounds. The products obtained were comparable withthose whenthe compounds are reacted with HRP which is the most commonly used commercial peroxidase and has been extensively studied. However, HRP is relatively costly, and the use of peroxidase from sorghum roots as an alternative source, appears to be promising. A patent has been provisionally registered, covering application of sorghum root peroxidase for biotransformations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Ethnic nationalism and democratisation in South Africa : political implications for the rainbow nation
- Authors: Naidoo, Vinothan
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Nationalism -- South Africa , Ethnicity -- South Africa , Democracy -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2815 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003025 , Nationalism -- South Africa , Ethnicity -- South Africa , Democracy -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-
- Description: Ethnic identities in South Africa have had a particularly contrived history, set within the constraints and motivations of population classification by race. A more democratic political environment emerged with the dismantling of apartheid, bringing with it a multitude of issues including the design and character of the country’s political institutions and framework. This thesis will address two principal questions. The first and primary one investigates what lies behind the initiation and development of ethnic bonds. The second concerns the political implications and management of ethnic expressions in a democratic South Africa. An analysis of Zulu ethnic nationalism will be undertaken, because it constituted the most prominent case of assertive communal interests during democratic transitional negotiations. This thesis argues that circumstantial and instrumental factors (based on conditions, and the actions of individuals and organizations respectively), have been predominately responsible for the initiation and formation of ethnic bonds, especially amongst those who identify with a Zulu identity. The “conditions” describe the increasingly segregationist direction in which successive South African government authorities were moving, especially after the 1948 election victory of the National Party and the subsequent introduction of apartheid. Secondly, the “actions” denote the motivations of both Zulu actors and governments in generating and elaborating an ethnic discourse where their desired interests could be more effectively supported and assured. It will also be argued that because of the instrumental and selective use of ethnicity, as well as the narrow interests being served by its popular and community-centred expressions, a developing South African democratic culture should seek to protect ethnic diversity rather than promote ethnic interests. To do so would be to deny the perpetuation of ethnic cleavages and the violence and instability perpetrated in its name in recent years. The “protection” of cultural diversity is consistent with a constitution that seeks non-discrimination among all South African identities. Finally, it is believed that an emphasis on the individual as individual, as well as member of a cultural group, will break from subordinating the individual to an ascribed racial and ethnic identity as in the past, and assist in reconstituting the state as equally reflective of all South Africans.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Naidoo, Vinothan
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Nationalism -- South Africa , Ethnicity -- South Africa , Democracy -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2815 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003025 , Nationalism -- South Africa , Ethnicity -- South Africa , Democracy -- South Africa , South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-
- Description: Ethnic identities in South Africa have had a particularly contrived history, set within the constraints and motivations of population classification by race. A more democratic political environment emerged with the dismantling of apartheid, bringing with it a multitude of issues including the design and character of the country’s political institutions and framework. This thesis will address two principal questions. The first and primary one investigates what lies behind the initiation and development of ethnic bonds. The second concerns the political implications and management of ethnic expressions in a democratic South Africa. An analysis of Zulu ethnic nationalism will be undertaken, because it constituted the most prominent case of assertive communal interests during democratic transitional negotiations. This thesis argues that circumstantial and instrumental factors (based on conditions, and the actions of individuals and organizations respectively), have been predominately responsible for the initiation and formation of ethnic bonds, especially amongst those who identify with a Zulu identity. The “conditions” describe the increasingly segregationist direction in which successive South African government authorities were moving, especially after the 1948 election victory of the National Party and the subsequent introduction of apartheid. Secondly, the “actions” denote the motivations of both Zulu actors and governments in generating and elaborating an ethnic discourse where their desired interests could be more effectively supported and assured. It will also be argued that because of the instrumental and selective use of ethnicity, as well as the narrow interests being served by its popular and community-centred expressions, a developing South African democratic culture should seek to protect ethnic diversity rather than promote ethnic interests. To do so would be to deny the perpetuation of ethnic cleavages and the violence and instability perpetrated in its name in recent years. The “protection” of cultural diversity is consistent with a constitution that seeks non-discrimination among all South African identities. Finally, it is believed that an emphasis on the individual as individual, as well as member of a cultural group, will break from subordinating the individual to an ascribed racial and ethnic identity as in the past, and assist in reconstituting the state as equally reflective of all South Africans.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Evaluation of the effectiveness of strategic planning in the blood transfusion services in South Africa
- Authors: Van Heerden, Marchell
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Strategic planning -- South Africa , Blood banks -- South Africa , Blood -- Transfusion -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10835 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/27 , Strategic planning -- South Africa , Blood banks -- South Africa , Blood -- Transfusion -- South Africa
- Description: In this research paper, the effectiveness of Strategic Planning in Blood Transfusion Services in South Africa was investigated. A brief general overview of relevant aspects that specifically relate to the strategic planning of Services and not-for-gain organisations was presented. The literature study included an explanation of the steps involved in the strategic planning process and the guidelines to develop and implement each of these effectively. The research methodology consisted of three phases: Phase 1 - A literature study to determine the most effective strategic plan for a not-for-gain organisation. Phase 2 - An empirical study to determine the effectiveness of the strategic planning processes in practice by means of a survey among the Blood Transfusion Services in South Africa. Phase 3 - The findings from the literature study and empirical study were used to evaluate whether effective strategic planning is implemented in the Blood Transfusion Services in South Africa. The following recommendations and conclusions were made: The Blood Transfusion Services that have not yet started seeking the opinion of all the stakeholders involved in the organisation should strongly consider implementing this strategy as part of the services provided to the community. The services operate as individual organisations, but clearly influence each other within the industry and the changes within the external environment form part of the elements that are considered by the services when determining the strategic direction of the services. All the services identify the major areas for which objectives need to be set to assist the organisations in achieving long-term prosperity, but they do not all set objectives in these areas. When it comes to strategic issues, all the services state that they identify these, but not all pre-determine criteria for evaluating the strategic issues. Guidelines for the effective implementation of the strategies of choice by lower managers or supervisors are not developed by all the services, nor do most of the services have control mechanisms in place to assist in effective implementation of the strategic planning process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Van Heerden, Marchell
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Strategic planning -- South Africa , Blood banks -- South Africa , Blood -- Transfusion -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10835 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/27 , Strategic planning -- South Africa , Blood banks -- South Africa , Blood -- Transfusion -- South Africa
- Description: In this research paper, the effectiveness of Strategic Planning in Blood Transfusion Services in South Africa was investigated. A brief general overview of relevant aspects that specifically relate to the strategic planning of Services and not-for-gain organisations was presented. The literature study included an explanation of the steps involved in the strategic planning process and the guidelines to develop and implement each of these effectively. The research methodology consisted of three phases: Phase 1 - A literature study to determine the most effective strategic plan for a not-for-gain organisation. Phase 2 - An empirical study to determine the effectiveness of the strategic planning processes in practice by means of a survey among the Blood Transfusion Services in South Africa. Phase 3 - The findings from the literature study and empirical study were used to evaluate whether effective strategic planning is implemented in the Blood Transfusion Services in South Africa. The following recommendations and conclusions were made: The Blood Transfusion Services that have not yet started seeking the opinion of all the stakeholders involved in the organisation should strongly consider implementing this strategy as part of the services provided to the community. The services operate as individual organisations, but clearly influence each other within the industry and the changes within the external environment form part of the elements that are considered by the services when determining the strategic direction of the services. All the services identify the major areas for which objectives need to be set to assist the organisations in achieving long-term prosperity, but they do not all set objectives in these areas. When it comes to strategic issues, all the services state that they identify these, but not all pre-determine criteria for evaluating the strategic issues. Guidelines for the effective implementation of the strategies of choice by lower managers or supervisors are not developed by all the services, nor do most of the services have control mechanisms in place to assist in effective implementation of the strategic planning process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
Exploitation patterns of the multi species/gear hake (Merluccius capensis and paradoxus) fishery on South Africa's southeast coast
- Authors: Sutton, Glen Robert
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Fishing -- South Africa , Hake -- South Africa , Merluccius capensis -- South Africa , Merluccius paradoxus -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5280 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005124 , Fishing -- South Africa , Hake -- South Africa , Merluccius capensis -- South Africa , Merluccius paradoxus -- South Africa
- Description: The motivation for this study was to examine the exploitation patterns of the M. capensis and M. paradoxus hake fisheries on the Southeast Coast, and determine the size and species of hake caught in each of the hand-line, long-line, and trawl methods. The handline hake fishery has increased substantially over the last several years and concerns are beginning to emerge about the impact this will have on the inshore resource collected on the South Coast between August 1998 and July 1999 was used to describe the hand-line method and estimate annual landings. Data on the size and species in longline catches of hake caught during 1997 were already available for this study. Size distributions in trawl catches were determined from commercial category landing data reported by catch weight and depth. The species composition in these catches determined by comparison using RV Afrikana survey data collected in the same depth regions. Location plays a significant role in determining the sizes and species of hake caught by each gear. Hand-lines catch smaller sizes on average than do long-lines, inshore trawls target mainly M. capensis while offshore trawls catch both hake species. A substantial amount of the hand-line hake caught on the South Coast is not reported. Examination of the exploitation patterns reveal that intense trawling pressure is directed at the smaller sized M. paradoxus inhabiting the depth region between 160-400-meters. Inshore trawls discard a large amount of small sized M. capensis within the 100-meter isobath. A preliminary stock assessment on the status of each hake species found that M. paradoxus appears to be over-exploited while M. capensis was in better shape. However, length-based pseudo-cohort analysis, used in this assessment, is critically reliant on having length frequency data from a steady state population in equilibrium. This limits the application of this model for management purposes and this finding is purely theoretical at this stage. Results suggest that each hake species is under a different pattern and level of exploitation and the multi-species nature of hake stocks on the South Coast should be considered in developing optimum management policies. Future work should focus on developing appropriate age/length keys so that an age-based VPA, which is more powerful than the length-based approach, can be applied towards stock assessments on the South Coast. Alternatively, length-data covering a longer period should be compiled and the equilibrium assumption further investigated so that the results from length-based models can be used with more confidence.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000
- Authors: Sutton, Glen Robert
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Fishing -- South Africa , Hake -- South Africa , Merluccius capensis -- South Africa , Merluccius paradoxus -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5280 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005124 , Fishing -- South Africa , Hake -- South Africa , Merluccius capensis -- South Africa , Merluccius paradoxus -- South Africa
- Description: The motivation for this study was to examine the exploitation patterns of the M. capensis and M. paradoxus hake fisheries on the Southeast Coast, and determine the size and species of hake caught in each of the hand-line, long-line, and trawl methods. The handline hake fishery has increased substantially over the last several years and concerns are beginning to emerge about the impact this will have on the inshore resource collected on the South Coast between August 1998 and July 1999 was used to describe the hand-line method and estimate annual landings. Data on the size and species in longline catches of hake caught during 1997 were already available for this study. Size distributions in trawl catches were determined from commercial category landing data reported by catch weight and depth. The species composition in these catches determined by comparison using RV Afrikana survey data collected in the same depth regions. Location plays a significant role in determining the sizes and species of hake caught by each gear. Hand-lines catch smaller sizes on average than do long-lines, inshore trawls target mainly M. capensis while offshore trawls catch both hake species. A substantial amount of the hand-line hake caught on the South Coast is not reported. Examination of the exploitation patterns reveal that intense trawling pressure is directed at the smaller sized M. paradoxus inhabiting the depth region between 160-400-meters. Inshore trawls discard a large amount of small sized M. capensis within the 100-meter isobath. A preliminary stock assessment on the status of each hake species found that M. paradoxus appears to be over-exploited while M. capensis was in better shape. However, length-based pseudo-cohort analysis, used in this assessment, is critically reliant on having length frequency data from a steady state population in equilibrium. This limits the application of this model for management purposes and this finding is purely theoretical at this stage. Results suggest that each hake species is under a different pattern and level of exploitation and the multi-species nature of hake stocks on the South Coast should be considered in developing optimum management policies. Future work should focus on developing appropriate age/length keys so that an age-based VPA, which is more powerful than the length-based approach, can be applied towards stock assessments on the South Coast. Alternatively, length-data covering a longer period should be compiled and the equilibrium assumption further investigated so that the results from length-based models can be used with more confidence.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2000