Tax compliance costs and small business performance: Evidence from the South African construction industry
- Authors: Obert Matarirano
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/1782 , vital:38107
- Description: Tax compliance costs and small business performance: Evidence from the South African construction industry
- Full Text:
- Authors: Obert Matarirano
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/1782 , vital:38107
- Description: Tax compliance costs and small business performance: Evidence from the South African construction industry
- Full Text:
Antecedents of Blackboard Adoption by Lecturers at a South African Higher Education Institution – Extending GETAMEL
- Obert Matarirano, Nobert R Jere, Hlanganani S Sibanda, Manoj Panicker
- Authors: Obert Matarirano , Nobert R Jere , Hlanganani S Sibanda , Manoj Panicker
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3847 , vital:43957
- Full Text:
- Authors: Obert Matarirano , Nobert R Jere , Hlanganani S Sibanda , Manoj Panicker
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/3847 , vital:43957
- Full Text:
Agricultural Development Planning: AGE 321
- Authors: Obi, A , Kundhlande, G
- Date: 2010-11
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17675 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010070
- Description: Agricultural Development Planning: AGE 321, degree examination November 2010.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2010-11
- Authors: Obi, A , Kundhlande, G
- Date: 2010-11
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17675 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010070
- Description: Agricultural Development Planning: AGE 321, degree examination November 2010.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2010-11
Agricultural Market Analysis: AGE 312
- Authors: Obi, A , Kundhlande, G
- Date: 2010-07
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17660 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010049
- Description: Agricultural Market Analysis: AGE 312, Supplementary examination July 2010.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2010-07
- Authors: Obi, A , Kundhlande, G
- Date: 2010-07
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17660 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010049
- Description: Agricultural Market Analysis: AGE 312, Supplementary examination July 2010.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2010-07
Agricultural Development Planning: AGE 321
- Authors: Obi, A , Kundhlande, G
- Date: 2009-02
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17670 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010063
- Description: Agricultural Development Planning: AGE 321, degree examination November 2009.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2009-02
- Authors: Obi, A , Kundhlande, G
- Date: 2009-02
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17670 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010063
- Description: Agricultural Development Planning: AGE 321, degree examination November 2009.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2009-02
Modern slavery and worst forms of child labour in South Africa: case of the former homeland areas
- Obi, A
- Authors: Obi, A
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Human rights , Child labour , Slavery
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA (Human Rights)
- Identifier: vital:11104 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016119 , Human rights , Child labour , Slavery
- Description: Despite a progressive constitution lauded as one of the best and most forward-looking in the world, with an advanced Bill of Rights, instances of human rights violations have been detected at all levels of the South African society. The most disturbing revelations have been associated with situations in many farming communities in South Africa. On the basis of a comprehensive nationwide study initiated in June 2001 and documented in 2003, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) confirmed widespread human rights violations on South African farms. Through the efforts of the South African Human Rights Commission, many of these violations have been brought to the attention of the authorities and there are already numerous actions being taken to contain and possibly eliminate them. Among these is the Child Labour Programme of Action which was adopted in 2003 by the large number of government departments that constitute the stakeholders, particularly those that have responsibility for labour, education, provincial and local government, water services, justice, policing, prosecution, and social development. However, the SAHRC study had limited coverage due to constraints of time and funding and did not pay adequate attention to the former independent homelands. In addition to this significant shortcoming, recent international experience reveals other forms of violations that may not be immediately obvious and therefore go undetected for a very long time. Among these, the International Labour Organization (ILO), together with various non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other bodies have drawn attention to existence of what are termed “worst forms of child labour”. The latter involves a wide range of abuses to which under-age individuals are subjected against their will and often exposed to hazards that may leave them permanently excluded from formal educational and economic opportunities. The fact that national definitions differ complicates the situation. As a result, systematic investigation is needed to see to what extent local practices compare with international norms and standards. Similarly, the fact that the former independent homelands were not adequately covered in such an important study that aimed to inform policy on the optimal direction of the transformation process also raises serious questions that must be addressed. This mini-dissertation documents evidence based on a rapid appraisal of farm and non-farm environments in two polar regions of the province, namely the Port St John’s Municipality in the Oliver Tambo District Municipality of the former Transkei homeland and Alice in the Nkonkobe Municipality of the former Ciskei homeland. Descriptive and content analysis methodologies were employed to analyze the data obtained from interviews of employers of labour, the labourers themselves, as well as community members and “bystanders” who had opinions about the insertion of children into the labour market. Correlational analysis and logistic regression were performed to draw inferences about the determinants of child labour in the farming system. The indication is that child labour is an established phenomenon whose discussion is however quite sensitive and elicits a wide range of emotions. The role of socioeconomic factors in influencing the decision to engage child labour seems to be quite extensive. For instance, monthly income of household has important practical implications for national and global policy on the use of child labour are foreseen and form the basis for the recommendations put forward to address the associated concerns.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Obi, A
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Human rights , Child labour , Slavery
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA (Human Rights)
- Identifier: vital:11104 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1016119 , Human rights , Child labour , Slavery
- Description: Despite a progressive constitution lauded as one of the best and most forward-looking in the world, with an advanced Bill of Rights, instances of human rights violations have been detected at all levels of the South African society. The most disturbing revelations have been associated with situations in many farming communities in South Africa. On the basis of a comprehensive nationwide study initiated in June 2001 and documented in 2003, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) confirmed widespread human rights violations on South African farms. Through the efforts of the South African Human Rights Commission, many of these violations have been brought to the attention of the authorities and there are already numerous actions being taken to contain and possibly eliminate them. Among these is the Child Labour Programme of Action which was adopted in 2003 by the large number of government departments that constitute the stakeholders, particularly those that have responsibility for labour, education, provincial and local government, water services, justice, policing, prosecution, and social development. However, the SAHRC study had limited coverage due to constraints of time and funding and did not pay adequate attention to the former independent homelands. In addition to this significant shortcoming, recent international experience reveals other forms of violations that may not be immediately obvious and therefore go undetected for a very long time. Among these, the International Labour Organization (ILO), together with various non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other bodies have drawn attention to existence of what are termed “worst forms of child labour”. The latter involves a wide range of abuses to which under-age individuals are subjected against their will and often exposed to hazards that may leave them permanently excluded from formal educational and economic opportunities. The fact that national definitions differ complicates the situation. As a result, systematic investigation is needed to see to what extent local practices compare with international norms and standards. Similarly, the fact that the former independent homelands were not adequately covered in such an important study that aimed to inform policy on the optimal direction of the transformation process also raises serious questions that must be addressed. This mini-dissertation documents evidence based on a rapid appraisal of farm and non-farm environments in two polar regions of the province, namely the Port St John’s Municipality in the Oliver Tambo District Municipality of the former Transkei homeland and Alice in the Nkonkobe Municipality of the former Ciskei homeland. Descriptive and content analysis methodologies were employed to analyze the data obtained from interviews of employers of labour, the labourers themselves, as well as community members and “bystanders” who had opinions about the insertion of children into the labour market. Correlational analysis and logistic regression were performed to draw inferences about the determinants of child labour in the farming system. The indication is that child labour is an established phenomenon whose discussion is however quite sensitive and elicits a wide range of emotions. The role of socioeconomic factors in influencing the decision to engage child labour seems to be quite extensive. For instance, monthly income of household has important practical implications for national and global policy on the use of child labour are foreseen and form the basis for the recommendations put forward to address the associated concerns.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Agricultural Development Planning: AGE 321
- Authors: Obi, A , Kundhlande, G
- Date: 2010-02
- Subjects: Agriculture -- Developmental aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17652 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010036
- Description: Agricultural Development: AGE 321, supplementary examination February 2010.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2010-02
- Authors: Obi, A , Kundhlande, G
- Date: 2010-02
- Subjects: Agriculture -- Developmental aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17652 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010036
- Description: Agricultural Development: AGE 321, supplementary examination February 2010.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2010-02
Economics of Agricultural Development & Project: AGE 607
- Authors: Obi, A , Kundhlande, G
- Date: 2009-11
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17674 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010068
- Description: Economics of Agricultural Development & Project: AGE 607, degree examination November 2009
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2009-11
- Authors: Obi, A , Kundhlande, G
- Date: 2009-11
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17674 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010068
- Description: Economics of Agricultural Development & Project: AGE 607, degree examination November 2009
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2009-11
Agricultural Development Planning: AGE 321
- Authors: Obi, A , Kundhlande, G
- Date: 2009-11
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17673 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010067
- Description: Agricultural Development: AGE 505, honours examination November 2009.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2009-11
- Authors: Obi, A , Kundhlande, G
- Date: 2009-11
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17673 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010067
- Description: Agricultural Development: AGE 505, honours examination November 2009.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2009-11
Agricultural Analysis: AGE 312
- Authors: Obi, A , Kundhlande, G
- Date: 2011-08
- Subjects: Agriculture -- Economic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17649 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010028
- Description: Agricultural Analysis: AGE 312, examination August 2011.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2011-08
- Authors: Obi, A , Kundhlande, G
- Date: 2011-08
- Subjects: Agriculture -- Economic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17649 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010028
- Description: Agricultural Analysis: AGE 312, examination August 2011.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2011-08
Economics of Agricultural Development and Project: AGE 607
- Authors: Obi, A , Kundhlande, G
- Date: 2010-10
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17676 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010071
- Description: Economics of Agricultural Development and Project: AGE 607, honours examination November 2010.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2010-10
- Authors: Obi, A , Kundhlande, G
- Date: 2010-10
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17676 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010071
- Description: Economics of Agricultural Development and Project: AGE 607, honours examination November 2010.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2010-10
Characterisation of antibacterial compounds produced by Pseudomonas spp. isolated from Hogsback wetlands, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Obi, Akudo Odochi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Bacteriology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15688 , vital:40507
- Description: With microbial pathogens developing resistance against currently existing antimicrobials, there is an earnest need to discover and develop new therapeutic compounds with unique and/or precise modes of action. Natural products have provided the inspiration for most of the active ingredients in medicines and thus are regarded as a potential screening resource lead for discovery of new drugs. Pseudomonads are ubiquitous, Gram-negative, motile bacteria that flourish and inhabit a diversity of environments. Literature has vastly revealed that some members of the genus Pseudomonas are capable of producing a plethora of biologically active metabolites and thus are regarded as “attractive” bacteria for testing as potential sources for new therapeutic compounds. In this regard, this study was undertaken with an aim to isolate and characterize antibacterial compounds produced by Pseudomonas species isolated from aquatic milieu of the Hogsback wetlands, Eastern Cape, South Africa. A total of 12 water samples were aseptically collected from Hogsback wetlands. To ascertain antimicrobial potential of the isolates, 9 test bacterial (sensitive) strains, namely Escherichia coli ATCC 3695, Vibrio fluvialis, Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella enteritidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Escherichia coli (2), Listeria ivanovii, Listeria monocytogenes and Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 19433 were used for antimicrobial screening. A total of 500 presumptive Pseudomonas spp. were isolated and screened for the production of antibacterial compound through the Agar-well diffusion method. About 8percent of the presumptive Pseudomonas spp. produced compound with activity against the test bacteria and based on the levels of activity shown, three isolates coded as A53, Y55 and Y138 were selected and identified by 16S rDNA sequence analysis and The Basic Local Alignment Search Tool analysis revealed that the three isolates (A53, Y55 and Y138) belonged to the Pseudomonas genus. Using MEGA6 software, a molecular phylogenetic tree was constructed by Maximum Likelihood Method. The phylogenetic analysis by this method showed that all three isolate codes (A53, Y55 and Y138) formed the same clade with Pseudomonas viridiflava strain P3 (Accession number: AY972186) and Pseudomonas plecoglossicida strain P9 (Accession number: AY972231) at a high bootstrap value of 100percent. Isolate code A53 and Y55 also grouped together at a bootstrap value of 96percent. Factors affecting antibacterial compound production by the three isolates were elucidated. The effect of pH on the three isolates revealed that isolate code A53 and Y55 could produce antibacterial compounds over all pH ranges (pH 4-9), however, antibacterial production was produced optimally at acidic conditions (pH 4) and a less acidic-neutral condition (pH 6) respectively. Isolate Y138 showed optimal production at pH 5. The effect of temperature on all three isolates was studied at different temperatures ranging between 25°C-40°C. Study on effect of temperature variations on antibacterial production revealed that all three isolates are capable of growing and producing antibacterial compounds over all the different temperature ranges, however, maximum/optimum production was observed at temperature of 30°C. In order to establish the role of plasmids in antibacterial production, two curing agents; Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and Ethidium bromide under different sub-lethal concentrations (1 mg/ml -11mg/ml and 2.5 μg/ml- 125 μg/ml respectively) were used to cure the selected isolates. Plasmid DNA samples of A53, Y55 and Y138, were separated by electrophoresis on a 0.7percent (w/v) agarose. Agarose gel electrophoresis revealed that not all the concentrations used were effective in curing the plasmid. A Quick Load 1 kb Extend DNA ladder marker was used for determining the size of the plasmids. Isolate code A53 and Y138 had a plasmid size of 48.5 kb while isolate Y55 had a plasmid size of approximately 20 kb. Antibacterial activity by agar-well diffusion method after the curing process revealed that antibacterial production was not lost or prevented, but rather increased. Thus, it is suggested that the genes responsible for antibiotic production in this study were chromosomal-encoded and not plasmid-encoded. This study revealed that Hogsback wetlands may represent a previously unexplored environment/source of discovering novel and potent antibacterial compounds.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Obi, Akudo Odochi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Bacteriology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15688 , vital:40507
- Description: With microbial pathogens developing resistance against currently existing antimicrobials, there is an earnest need to discover and develop new therapeutic compounds with unique and/or precise modes of action. Natural products have provided the inspiration for most of the active ingredients in medicines and thus are regarded as a potential screening resource lead for discovery of new drugs. Pseudomonads are ubiquitous, Gram-negative, motile bacteria that flourish and inhabit a diversity of environments. Literature has vastly revealed that some members of the genus Pseudomonas are capable of producing a plethora of biologically active metabolites and thus are regarded as “attractive” bacteria for testing as potential sources for new therapeutic compounds. In this regard, this study was undertaken with an aim to isolate and characterize antibacterial compounds produced by Pseudomonas species isolated from aquatic milieu of the Hogsback wetlands, Eastern Cape, South Africa. A total of 12 water samples were aseptically collected from Hogsback wetlands. To ascertain antimicrobial potential of the isolates, 9 test bacterial (sensitive) strains, namely Escherichia coli ATCC 3695, Vibrio fluvialis, Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella enteritidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Escherichia coli (2), Listeria ivanovii, Listeria monocytogenes and Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 19433 were used for antimicrobial screening. A total of 500 presumptive Pseudomonas spp. were isolated and screened for the production of antibacterial compound through the Agar-well diffusion method. About 8percent of the presumptive Pseudomonas spp. produced compound with activity against the test bacteria and based on the levels of activity shown, three isolates coded as A53, Y55 and Y138 were selected and identified by 16S rDNA sequence analysis and The Basic Local Alignment Search Tool analysis revealed that the three isolates (A53, Y55 and Y138) belonged to the Pseudomonas genus. Using MEGA6 software, a molecular phylogenetic tree was constructed by Maximum Likelihood Method. The phylogenetic analysis by this method showed that all three isolate codes (A53, Y55 and Y138) formed the same clade with Pseudomonas viridiflava strain P3 (Accession number: AY972186) and Pseudomonas plecoglossicida strain P9 (Accession number: AY972231) at a high bootstrap value of 100percent. Isolate code A53 and Y55 also grouped together at a bootstrap value of 96percent. Factors affecting antibacterial compound production by the three isolates were elucidated. The effect of pH on the three isolates revealed that isolate code A53 and Y55 could produce antibacterial compounds over all pH ranges (pH 4-9), however, antibacterial production was produced optimally at acidic conditions (pH 4) and a less acidic-neutral condition (pH 6) respectively. Isolate Y138 showed optimal production at pH 5. The effect of temperature on all three isolates was studied at different temperatures ranging between 25°C-40°C. Study on effect of temperature variations on antibacterial production revealed that all three isolates are capable of growing and producing antibacterial compounds over all the different temperature ranges, however, maximum/optimum production was observed at temperature of 30°C. In order to establish the role of plasmids in antibacterial production, two curing agents; Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and Ethidium bromide under different sub-lethal concentrations (1 mg/ml -11mg/ml and 2.5 μg/ml- 125 μg/ml respectively) were used to cure the selected isolates. Plasmid DNA samples of A53, Y55 and Y138, were separated by electrophoresis on a 0.7percent (w/v) agarose. Agarose gel electrophoresis revealed that not all the concentrations used were effective in curing the plasmid. A Quick Load 1 kb Extend DNA ladder marker was used for determining the size of the plasmids. Isolate code A53 and Y138 had a plasmid size of 48.5 kb while isolate Y55 had a plasmid size of approximately 20 kb. Antibacterial activity by agar-well diffusion method after the curing process revealed that antibacterial production was not lost or prevented, but rather increased. Thus, it is suggested that the genes responsible for antibiotic production in this study were chromosomal-encoded and not plasmid-encoded. This study revealed that Hogsback wetlands may represent a previously unexplored environment/source of discovering novel and potent antibacterial compounds.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Performance-based strategies for improving service quality in electricity regulation in developing countries: the Nigerian experience
- Authors: Obi, Chikwerem Ukaobasi
- Date: 2015-03
- Subjects: Electricity--Government policy--Developing countries , Public administration
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24868 , vital:63665
- Description: Service quality is a relatively new concept in the regulatory lexicon. It has emerged as a critical factor in post-reform regulation of electricity distribution networks and it is a multi-dimensional concept in regulatory policy that connotes standard of performance in service delivery. Regulators establish performance standards by defining clearly the quality of service the customer deserves given the price paid. It is in recognition of the fact that customers are highly sensitive to the level of service delivered to them, and they value the speed and accuracy with which their requests are handled that have made service quality critical in the electricity value chain. The level of quality provided to individual customers is generally distributed over a range of values. Hence, regulators are mainly concerned with the protection of the worst-served customers and the possibility that a group of customers might receive unacceptably low levels of service quality. The major objective of this study is to ascertain how service quality regulation can improve electricity distribution in Nigeria. In doing this, the research gave a general overview of the study as an introduction in chapter one; it went on to review the available literature in chapter two. Chapter three conceptualizes the framework of the study by identifying the New Public Management (NPM) as a catalyst for effective regulation, followed by a case study of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission in chapter four. In chapter five, the study employed the Likert attitudinal scale sampling technique and the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) as the methodologies for data analysis in the research. The data presentation and interpretation were carried out in chapter six by presenting the results of the customer survey and outlining the key performance indicators (KPIs) based on the following three areas of service quality: technical indicators, financial indicators and customer-service indicators, which finally dovetailed into the summary, recommendations and conclusion in chapter seven. The performance of the privatized DISCOs was assessed by means of descriptive analysis by administering questionnaires, trend analysis and technical efficiency estimations using the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) techniques. The estimates were carried out by means of the Frontier 4.1 software and were based on three assumptions of returns to scale. The findings revealed that the average industry performance for DISCOs dropped from 95% before privatization to 82% after privatization. This relatively poor performance may well have been caused by the reluctance of the private investors, who now own majority shares in the DISCOs, to invest in the retrofitting and upgrading of the network infrastructure existing before they took over. The implication of this finding is not a condemnation of the recentlyconcluded privatization of the power sector in Nigeria, but probably the private investors’ desperation to recover their investment at the expense of public interest for quality service given that most of the investors acquired the utilities with shortterm funds. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-03
- Authors: Obi, Chikwerem Ukaobasi
- Date: 2015-03
- Subjects: Electricity--Government policy--Developing countries , Public administration
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/24868 , vital:63665
- Description: Service quality is a relatively new concept in the regulatory lexicon. It has emerged as a critical factor in post-reform regulation of electricity distribution networks and it is a multi-dimensional concept in regulatory policy that connotes standard of performance in service delivery. Regulators establish performance standards by defining clearly the quality of service the customer deserves given the price paid. It is in recognition of the fact that customers are highly sensitive to the level of service delivered to them, and they value the speed and accuracy with which their requests are handled that have made service quality critical in the electricity value chain. The level of quality provided to individual customers is generally distributed over a range of values. Hence, regulators are mainly concerned with the protection of the worst-served customers and the possibility that a group of customers might receive unacceptably low levels of service quality. The major objective of this study is to ascertain how service quality regulation can improve electricity distribution in Nigeria. In doing this, the research gave a general overview of the study as an introduction in chapter one; it went on to review the available literature in chapter two. Chapter three conceptualizes the framework of the study by identifying the New Public Management (NPM) as a catalyst for effective regulation, followed by a case study of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission in chapter four. In chapter five, the study employed the Likert attitudinal scale sampling technique and the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) as the methodologies for data analysis in the research. The data presentation and interpretation were carried out in chapter six by presenting the results of the customer survey and outlining the key performance indicators (KPIs) based on the following three areas of service quality: technical indicators, financial indicators and customer-service indicators, which finally dovetailed into the summary, recommendations and conclusion in chapter seven. The performance of the privatized DISCOs was assessed by means of descriptive analysis by administering questionnaires, trend analysis and technical efficiency estimations using the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) techniques. The estimates were carried out by means of the Frontier 4.1 software and were based on three assumptions of returns to scale. The findings revealed that the average industry performance for DISCOs dropped from 95% before privatization to 82% after privatization. This relatively poor performance may well have been caused by the reluctance of the private investors, who now own majority shares in the DISCOs, to invest in the retrofitting and upgrading of the network infrastructure existing before they took over. The implication of this finding is not a condemnation of the recentlyconcluded privatization of the power sector in Nigeria, but probably the private investors’ desperation to recover their investment at the expense of public interest for quality service given that most of the investors acquired the utilities with shortterm funds. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce, 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-03
The obligation of unmarried biological parents to provide financial support for their children: a contemporary assessment from a children’s rights perspective
- Authors: Obi, Lauretta
- Date: 2021-07
- Subjects: Children's rights , Support (Domestic relations)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22445 , vital:52322
- Description: In South Africa, the compelling task of unmarried biological parents to provide financial support (in the form of paying monthly maintenance) to their children, as a matter of children’s rights, is intended to ensure the children’s economic and psychological well-being both in the present and future. This study seeks, within the private judicial system and socio-economic context, to explore the nature of children’s rights as they pertain to parental financial support and, the responsibilities of unmarried parents to provide financial support for their biological children until they become self-supporting. This is significant as many unmarried parents usually downplay their responsibilities towards ensuring the well-being of their minor children. Section 28 of the South African Constitution of 1996 enshrines it as a duty of parents to fulfil this aspect of their children’s fundamental rights and our courts apply these rules to the letter. The task of providing support to children basically rests with their birth parents as the primary care givers, and in the absence of these parents or, due to their inability, this legal obligation falls on the state. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-07
- Authors: Obi, Lauretta
- Date: 2021-07
- Subjects: Children's rights , Support (Domestic relations)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22445 , vital:52322
- Description: In South Africa, the compelling task of unmarried biological parents to provide financial support (in the form of paying monthly maintenance) to their children, as a matter of children’s rights, is intended to ensure the children’s economic and psychological well-being both in the present and future. This study seeks, within the private judicial system and socio-economic context, to explore the nature of children’s rights as they pertain to parental financial support and, the responsibilities of unmarried parents to provide financial support for their biological children until they become self-supporting. This is significant as many unmarried parents usually downplay their responsibilities towards ensuring the well-being of their minor children. Section 28 of the South African Constitution of 1996 enshrines it as a duty of parents to fulfil this aspect of their children’s fundamental rights and our courts apply these rules to the letter. The task of providing support to children basically rests with their birth parents as the primary care givers, and in the absence of these parents or, due to their inability, this legal obligation falls on the state. , Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-07
Implications of the protection of state information bill on government accountability: a critical analysis of governance in post-apartheid South Africa
- Authors: Obi, Maryjane Chukwunyem
- Date: 2015-01
- Subjects: Government accountability , Transparency in government , Post-apartheid era -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25874 , vital:64560
- Description: The study explores the following research questions; the nature of State access to and restriction of information during the apartheid era, the tenets of democratic leadership and good governance in the new dispensation in South Africa and the possible consequences of the Bill in its present form on democratic principles of accountability and transparency in South Africa. In terms of the methodology, the study critically analysed some sections of the Protection of State Information Bill-B6-2010 in relation to the principles of accountability and transparency in a democratic South Africa in accordance to the Bill of Rights enshrined in the Constitution section 32. The study recommends that government could include “public interest clause to the current Bill. This is to ensure that the public are able to play their Constitutional role, in which they are able to hold government accountable for the decisions taken and also help foster a system of government that is accountable, transparent, open, efficient and responsive to the Constitutional needs of the public. In addition, the study also recommends that government should consider the reduction of the period within which information may be declassified. It suggests that it should be reduced from 20 to 10 years in order to ensure that democratic government provides its citizens with information that is timely in making an informed decision in relation to governance. The study further recommends that the appeal process for information before the court of law should be done by an independent judge. This is to ensure that the court of law performs its duties without interference from government representatives and that it carries out its duties in a fair manner as envisaged or enshrined in section 34 of the Constitution in the Bill of Rights. The study further recommends that government should ensure that the current information Bill in the new dispensation should hold the elected delegates appointed by the Head of State accountable. This is to ensure that transparency and accountability is promoted at all level in government. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce , 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-01
- Authors: Obi, Maryjane Chukwunyem
- Date: 2015-01
- Subjects: Government accountability , Transparency in government , Post-apartheid era -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25874 , vital:64560
- Description: The study explores the following research questions; the nature of State access to and restriction of information during the apartheid era, the tenets of democratic leadership and good governance in the new dispensation in South Africa and the possible consequences of the Bill in its present form on democratic principles of accountability and transparency in South Africa. In terms of the methodology, the study critically analysed some sections of the Protection of State Information Bill-B6-2010 in relation to the principles of accountability and transparency in a democratic South Africa in accordance to the Bill of Rights enshrined in the Constitution section 32. The study recommends that government could include “public interest clause to the current Bill. This is to ensure that the public are able to play their Constitutional role, in which they are able to hold government accountable for the decisions taken and also help foster a system of government that is accountable, transparent, open, efficient and responsive to the Constitutional needs of the public. In addition, the study also recommends that government should consider the reduction of the period within which information may be declassified. It suggests that it should be reduced from 20 to 10 years in order to ensure that democratic government provides its citizens with information that is timely in making an informed decision in relation to governance. The study further recommends that the appeal process for information before the court of law should be done by an independent judge. This is to ensure that the court of law performs its duties without interference from government representatives and that it carries out its duties in a fair manner as envisaged or enshrined in section 34 of the Constitution in the Bill of Rights. The study further recommends that government should ensure that the current information Bill in the new dispensation should hold the elected delegates appointed by the Head of State accountable. This is to ensure that transparency and accountability is promoted at all level in government. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Management and Commerce , 2015
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015-01
Stakeholders' participation in curriculum development in four secondary schools in Fort Beaufort education district, Eastern cape province: towards a participatory curriculum model
- Authors: Obi, Uloma Nkpurunma
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Curriculum planning Educational planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Education -- Curricula -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5840 , vital:29401
- Description: The new democratic government came to power in 1994 and one of its major missions was to change the system of education inherited from the apartheid regime by laying a foundation for a single national core syllabus to replace the erstwhile multi-tier system, which discriminated among racial groups. Under the apartheid regime, the curriculum was flawed by ‘racially, offensive and outdated content’ and the government embarked on a bold programme to cleanse it of these elements. The democratic government went about this through curriculum reforms. In 1997, it introduced Curriculum 2005 fondly called “C2005”, with the Outcome-based Education (OBE) principles. Despite the initial overwhelming support for C2005, it soon ran into trouble. In 2000, the Minister appointed a committee that reviewed the curriculum and in 2002, the Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS) was born. These curriculum reforms have been met with a lot of criticism and the government felt it was not serving its purpose. Some key stakeholders still felt that their non-involvement, non-participation and the lack of proper consultation in the curriculum process were partly responsible for teachers and subject advisers misinterpreting the curriculum and implementing it from their own perspectives. Subsequently, another review was done and the National Curriculum Statement (NCS) was launched in 2002. But the complaints did not cease, probably due to continuing poor performance at the Matric Examination which continues to feature low pass rates for many provinces, especially the Eastern Cape. Against this backdrop, the government streamlined the NCS curriculum yield, and an amended Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) emerged. The key issue raised by critics is the lack of sufficient involvement of stakeholders in the curriculum review processes. At the same time, government continues to insist that it has been consulting adequately with all relevant stakeholders. There are iii obviously different interpretations of stakeholder involvement and participation and there is urgent need to reconcile whatever differences of opinion and definition exist, in order to gain common understanding, which is the first step in reaching a solution. For instance, how are the stakeholders involved? More importantly, what is meant by “involvement”? Even if there is no disagreement about the meaning of “involvement”, is the stage in the process at which the stakeholders are involved an important element in whether or not the process is an inclusive and participatory one?.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Obi, Uloma Nkpurunma
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Curriculum planning Educational planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Education -- Curricula -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5840 , vital:29401
- Description: The new democratic government came to power in 1994 and one of its major missions was to change the system of education inherited from the apartheid regime by laying a foundation for a single national core syllabus to replace the erstwhile multi-tier system, which discriminated among racial groups. Under the apartheid regime, the curriculum was flawed by ‘racially, offensive and outdated content’ and the government embarked on a bold programme to cleanse it of these elements. The democratic government went about this through curriculum reforms. In 1997, it introduced Curriculum 2005 fondly called “C2005”, with the Outcome-based Education (OBE) principles. Despite the initial overwhelming support for C2005, it soon ran into trouble. In 2000, the Minister appointed a committee that reviewed the curriculum and in 2002, the Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS) was born. These curriculum reforms have been met with a lot of criticism and the government felt it was not serving its purpose. Some key stakeholders still felt that their non-involvement, non-participation and the lack of proper consultation in the curriculum process were partly responsible for teachers and subject advisers misinterpreting the curriculum and implementing it from their own perspectives. Subsequently, another review was done and the National Curriculum Statement (NCS) was launched in 2002. But the complaints did not cease, probably due to continuing poor performance at the Matric Examination which continues to feature low pass rates for many provinces, especially the Eastern Cape. Against this backdrop, the government streamlined the NCS curriculum yield, and an amended Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) emerged. The key issue raised by critics is the lack of sufficient involvement of stakeholders in the curriculum review processes. At the same time, government continues to insist that it has been consulting adequately with all relevant stakeholders. There are iii obviously different interpretations of stakeholder involvement and participation and there is urgent need to reconcile whatever differences of opinion and definition exist, in order to gain common understanding, which is the first step in reaching a solution. For instance, how are the stakeholders involved? More importantly, what is meant by “involvement”? Even if there is no disagreement about the meaning of “involvement”, is the stage in the process at which the stakeholders are involved an important element in whether or not the process is an inclusive and participatory one?.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Tam Michael
- Obiera, Lang, Composer not specified, Tracey, Hugh
- Authors: Obiera, Lang , Composer not specified , Tracey, Hugh
- Date: 0000 00 00
- Subjects: Popular music--Africa , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya city not specified f-ke
- Language: Luo
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/265385 , vital:53837 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa , Hugh Tracey Commercial Records, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa , TP0452-ABC12219
- Description: Indigenous music
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 0000 00 00
- Authors: Obiera, Lang , Composer not specified , Tracey, Hugh
- Date: 0000 00 00
- Subjects: Popular music--Africa , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya city not specified f-ke
- Language: Luo
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/265385 , vital:53837 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa , Hugh Tracey Commercial Records, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa , TP0452-ABC12219
- Description: Indigenous music
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 0000 00 00
Tam Michael
- Obiera, Lang, Composer not specified, Tracey, Hugh
- Authors: Obiera, Lang , Composer not specified , Tracey, Hugh
- Date: 0000 00 00
- Subjects: Popular music--Africa , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya city not specified f-ke
- Language: Luo
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/265391 , vital:53838 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa , Hugh Tracey Commercial Records, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa , TP0452-ABC12219
- Description: Indigenous music
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 0000 00 00
- Authors: Obiera, Lang , Composer not specified , Tracey, Hugh
- Date: 0000 00 00
- Subjects: Popular music--Africa , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya city not specified f-ke
- Language: Luo
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/265391 , vital:53838 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa , Hugh Tracey Commercial Records, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa , TP0452-ABC12219
- Description: Indigenous music
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 0000 00 00
Pini Ochama
- Obiero, Lang, Obiero, Horace, Tracey, Hugh
- Authors: Obiero, Lang , Obiero, Horace , Tracey, Hugh
- Date: 1952-06-01
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya Nairobi f-ke
- Language: Luo
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/217098 , vital:48245 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa , Hugh Tracey Field Tapes, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa , HTFT295-F61 , Research no. F3F6
- Description: Town dance accompanied by two guitars.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952-06-01
- Authors: Obiero, Lang , Obiero, Horace , Tracey, Hugh
- Date: 1952-06-01
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya Nairobi f-ke
- Language: Luo
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/217098 , vital:48245 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa , Hugh Tracey Field Tapes, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa , HTFT295-F61 , Research no. F3F6
- Description: Town dance accompanied by two guitars.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952-06-01
Oloyo Nyiri
- Obiero, Lang, Obiero, Horace, Tracey, Hugh
- Authors: Obiero, Lang , Obiero, Horace , Tracey, Hugh
- Date: 1952-06-01
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya Nairobi f-ke
- Language: Luo
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/217045 , vital:48240 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa , Hugh Tracey Field Tapes, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa , HTFT294-F60 , Research no. F3F3
- Description: Praise song accompanied by two guitars.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952-06-01
- Authors: Obiero, Lang , Obiero, Horace , Tracey, Hugh
- Date: 1952-06-01
- Subjects: Folk music--Africa , Field recordings , Africa, Sub-Saharan , Africa Kenya Nairobi f-ke
- Language: Luo
- Type: sound recordings , field recordings , sound recording-musical
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/217045 , vital:48240 , International Library of African Music, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa , Hugh Tracey Field Tapes, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa , HTFT294-F60 , Research no. F3F3
- Description: Praise song accompanied by two guitars.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 1952-06-01