Growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of Nguni, Bonsmara and Angus steers raised on natural pasture
- Authors: Muchenje, Voster
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Cattle -- Feeding and feeds , Cattle -- Growth , Nguni cattle , Aberdeen -- Angus cattle , Bonsmara cattle , Meat industry and trade -- Quality control
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Animal Science)
- Identifier: vital:11580 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/199 , Cattle -- Feeding and feeds , Cattle -- Growth , Nguni cattle , Aberdeen -- Angus cattle , Bonsmara cattle , Meat industry and trade -- Quality control
- Description: The objective of the current study was to compare tick loads, growth, carcass characteristics and meat quality of Nguni, Bonsmara and Angus steers raised on natural pasture. A total of 30, 7-month old steers each of Bonsmara and Angus, and 40 Nguni steers were kept at the University of Fort Hare Farm till slaughter at 18 months. Monthly weights of the steers were recorded. Carcasses were electrically stimulated. The m. longissimus thoracis et lumborum was sampled for the measurement of meat colour, pH, drip loss, sarcomere length (SL), water holding capacity (WHC), cooking losses, myofibrillar fragmentation length (MFL), Warner Bratzler shear force (WBSF), fatty acid profiles and sensory characteristics of the steers. Urine samples were collected at the slaughter line for the determination of stress hormone concentrations. The Nguni had the lowest tick load (P < 0.05) while the Angus had the highest tick load (P < 0.05). Tick load did not affect the growth rate and carcass characteristics of the steers. Bonsmara and Angus steers had higher (P < 0.05) carcass weight and dressing percentage than the Nguni steers. Meat quality characteristics were similar (P > 0.05) among all the breeds, except that Nguni meat was darker (L*) (P < 0.05) than meat from the other two breeds. The Bonsmara had the highest (P > 0.05) concentrations while the Nguni had the lowest (P > 0.05) concentrations of stress hormones. There were significant (P < 0.05) correlations between WB values of meat aged for two and 21 days in Nguni and Bonsmara, but not in Angus. The correlations among stress responsiveness hormones and meat quality were breed-dependent. Except monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and the n-6/n-3 ratio, fatty acid profiles among the breeds were similar (P > 0.05). Cholesterol levels among the breeds were similar (P > 0.05). The Nguni had the best (P < 0.05) sensory characteristics, such as flavour and tenderness. It can be concluded that while the Nguni is a small framed breed, its meat quality is similar to that of Bonsmara and Angus and has the best meat taste when raised on natural pasture.
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- Date Issued: 2007
Narratives of South African heteroseual relationships: understanding masculine and feminine togetherness
- Authors: Tracey, Tiffany
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Heterosexuality , Heterosexism , Homosexuality , Gender identity
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , D Soc Sc (Psych)
- Identifier: vital:11601 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/176 , Heterosexuality , Heterosexism , Homosexuality , Gender identity
- Description: Heterosexuality often appears as a monolithic way of being that has been disciplinarily defined as right and natural for all sexual subjects (Foucault, 1979). However, it may also be viewed as a social construction, subject to alteration and variation according to social and historical context. In the following research, the stories of ten couples and from the South African soap opera Isidingo reveal the ways that heteronorms shape togetherness between men and women. In the research a queer stance is used to interrogate the ways that togetherness appears as natural and normal, such that the contingency of such togetherness is revealed. The queer stance was used to unsettle the unquestioned assumption of heteronormativity by interrogating the construction from a political position not included by the norm (Stein & Plummer, 1994). Within the general queer stance the concept of performance has been used to account for the ways in which subjects are able to unsettle normative constraints: Butler’s (1993) conception of repetition, Holzman’s (1991) account of the revolutionary developmental potential of performance, Billig’s (1991) understanding of the rhetorical constructions of everyday philosophers. Further Bakhtin’s (1994) dialogic ontology suggests that utterances, performances and/or narratives Using these theoretical underpinnings, the narratives show how stories of togetherness collude with heteronorms while at the same time existing alongside alternative forms of togetherness. Possibly because norms are broad, overarching constructions, they do not define the entirety of the couples’ tales. Rather moments of resistance and alteration are interwoven with normative themes. This unpredictable ambivalence appears in the couples narratives as the assertion that all relationships are the same, and that all relationships are unique. Couples position themselves within a social network, and this network instructs the couple on heteronormative ways of being together. They also witness normative performances in a way that is similar to the observation of disciplines, suggested by Foucault (1979). Although couples often go with their social network’s observations, the manner in which couples position themselves within this network assists them in arguing for alternatives to heteronorms. Spatial expressions also at times serve to fix togetherness. Homes are structured in line with social constructions of heteronorms. However, couples can and do mould their understandings of their homes, such space is reveal as an intersection between social and individual concerns. Narratives of work again reveal that heteronorms structure but can also be ignored within heterosexual relationships. Couples tell of receiving particular benefits from normative performances, and it is likely that these dividends make it difficult to opt for an altered version of togetherness. At the same time, the gender dualism of a heteronormative division of labour inserts oppression into togetherness, and this may lead couples to seek an unusual way of being together. In these ways, heterosexuality can be read as a multiple and contingent performance, rather than an immovable, unchangeable imperative.
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- Date Issued: 2007
Rural internet connectivity: a development in Dwesa-Cwebe, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Mandioma, Martin
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Internet -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Computer Science)
- Identifier: vital:11376 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/78 , Internet -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This thesis presents aspects of Internet connectivity in rural South Africa. The work looks at government initiatives being undertaken to connect rural communities to up-to-date information networks. Various projects that seek to connect rural areas of South Africa, as well as other remote areas around the world, are discussed. These projects present many novel ideas that have been successfully used to link rural communities in remote areas with the information age. In particular, wired and wireless access technologies that can be implemented to connect remote communities to the Internet are discussed. A field test utilizing GPRS, VSAT and WiMAX was implemented in Dwesa-Cwebe, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. VSAT proved to offer better Internet connectivity in terms of throughput and latency. WiMAX was then successfully implemented to relay the signal over the remote area of Dwesa-Cwebe, thus effectively providing Internet connectivity to an area with limited cell phone coverage and no telephone lines.
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- Date Issued: 2007
The classification of some fuzzy subgroups of finite groups under a natural equivalence and its extension, with particular emphasis on the number of equivalence classes
- Authors: Ndiweni, Odilo
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Fuzzy sets , Maximal functions , Finite groups , Equivalence classes (Set theory)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Sc (Mathematics)
- Identifier: vital:11587 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/88 , Fuzzy sets , Maximal functions , Finite groups , Equivalence classes (Set theory)
- Description: In this thesis we use the natural equivalence of fuzzy subgroups studied by Murali and Makamba [25] to characterize fuzzy subgroups of some finite groups. We focus on the determination of the number of equivalence classes of fuzzy subgroups of some selected finite groups using this equivalence relation and its extension. Firstly we give a brief discussion on the theory of fuzzy sets and fuzzy subgroups. We prove a few properties of fuzzy sets and fuzzy subgroups. We then introduce the selected groups namely the symmetric group 3 S , dihedral group 4 D , the quaternion group Q8 , cyclic p-group pn G = Z/ , pn qm G = Z/ + Z/ , p q r G Z Z Z n m = / + / + / and pn qm r s G = Z/ + Z/ + Z/ where p,q and r are distinct primes and n,m, s Î N/ . We also present their subgroups structures and construct lattice diagrams of subgroups in order to study their maximal chains. We compute the number of maximal chains and give a brief explanation on how the maximal chains are used in the determination of the number of equivalence classes of fuzzy subgroups. In determining the number of equivalence classes of fuzzy subgroups of a group, we first list down all the maximal chains of the group. Secondly we pick any maximal chain and compute the number of distinct fuzzy subgroups represented by that maximal chain, expressing each fuzzy subgroup in the form of a keychain. Thereafter we pick the next maximal chain and count the number of equivalence classes of fuzzy subgroups not counted in the first chain. We proceed inductively until all the maximal chains have been exhausted. The total number of fuzzy subgroups obtained in all the maximal chains represents the number of equivalence classes of fuzzy subgroups for the entire group, (see sections 3.2.1, 3.2.2, 3.2.6, 3.2.8, 3.2.9, 3.2.15, 3.16 and 3.17 for the case of selected finite groups). We study, establish and prove the formulae for the number of maximal chains for the groups pn qm G = Z/ + Z/ , p q r G Z Z Z n m = / + / + / and pn qm r s G = Z/ + Z/ + Z/ where p,q and r are distinct primes and n,m, s Î N/ . To accomplish this, we use lattice diagrams of subgroups of these groups to identify the maximal chains. For instance, the group pn qm G = Z/ + Z/ would require the use of a 2- dimensional rectangular diagram (see section 3.2.18 and 5.3.5), while for the group pn qm r s G = Z/ + Z/ + Z/ we execute 3- dimensional lattice diagrams of subgroups (see section 5.4.2, 5.4.3, 5.4.4, 5.4.5 and 5.4.6). It is through these lattice diagrams that we identify routes through which to carry out the extensions. Since fuzzy subgroups represented by maximal chains are viewed as keychains, we give a brief discussion on the notion of keychains, pins and their extensions. We present propositions and proofs on why this counting technique is justifiable. We derive and prove formulae for the number of equivalence classes of the groups pn qm G = Z/ + Z/ , p q r G Z Z Z n m = / + / + / and pn qm r s G = Z/ + Z/ + Z/ where p,q and r are distinct primes and n,m, s Î N/ . We give a detailed explanation and illustrations on how this keychain extension principle works in Chapter Five. We conclude by giving specific illustrations on how we compute the number of equivalence classes of a fuzzy subgroup for the group p2 q2 r 2 G = Z/ + Z/ + Z/ from the number of fuzzy subgroups of the group p q r G = Z/ + Z/ + Z/ 1 2 2 . This illustrates a general technique of computing the number of fuzzy subgroups of G = Z/ + Z/ + Z/ from the number of fuzzy subgroups of 1 -1 = / + / + / pn qm r s G Z Z Z . Our illustration also shows two ways of extending from a lattice diagram of 1 G to that of G .
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- Date Issued: 2007
Photovoltaic-powered wireless communication system for rural schools outside national utility grid
- Authors: Kaseke, Richmore https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8295-5016
- Date: 2007-02
- Subjects: Photovoltaic system
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25483 , vital:64284
- Description: Access to global information is inarguably one of the key ways of bringing development to any community. In developing worlds, many rural schools lie outside both the Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) cable network and the national utility grid. Rapid developments in information and communication technology (ICT) continue to widen the digital divide between urban and rural schools. In South Africa, although these rural areas are outside the ISP’s cable network, they enjoy excellent mobile (cellular) communications network coverage. Fortunately, leading mobile operators in the country (MTN and Vodacom) have incorporated mobile data packet services into their cellular communication networks since 2002. A stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) system for powering ICT equipment in off grid rural schools was designed and installed; and its performance monitored. Performance of the system was considered in two categories, which are; cost and service performance. In cost performance, return on investment (ROI) and payback period (PB) are the two critical considerations. The PV system designed in this study gave an impressive ROI and PB of 286percent and 5 years, respectively. In order to monitor and evaluate the service performance a data acquisition system (DAS) was designed and installed. Besides proving the potential of PV in powering ICT equipment, results from the DAS also suggested a more efficient way of employing PV as a power source for powering equipment that is based on Switched-Mode Power Supply Units. Concurrent and continuous change in irradiance and temperature result in a four-segment pattern of rising and falling module efficiency throughout the day. Generally, modules produce more energy on cooler sunny days than hotter sunny days. Infrared (IR) Thermography was also used as part of both indoor and outdoor module tests. During indoor tests at pre-deployment stage, IR Thermography showed development of hot spots in mismatched cells of reverse-biased modules. On the outdoors, IR Thermography reiterated the effect of bird droppings on module surfaces by showing hot spots forming on areas covered by the droppings. For internet connectivity, a customized Mobile Internet Device (MIDevice) was designed, built and tested. The device allows remote computer systems to be connected to the Internet via the already existing mobile communication network k using General Packet Radio Services (GPRS). An entire rural school local area network (LAN) can be connected to the Internet via a single MIDevice. An experimental setup was designed in order to monitor and evaluate performance of GPRS in specific and mobile Internet solutions in general. Results obtained proved that GPRS can indeed be a solution for remote Internet connectivity in rural schools. In order to improve performance of GPRS or mobile Internet connections, caching, pop-up blocking and proxy filtering are necessary. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2007
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- Date Issued: 2007-02
Classical Sociological Theory: SOC 212
- Authors: Duma, V , Mayaluza-Masina, N
- Date: 2007-07
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17955 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010526
- Description: Classical Sociological Theory: SOC 212, supplementary examiantion July 2007.
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- Date Issued: 2007-07
Theories of Industrial Society: SOC 12E & INS 212E
- Authors: Mosenthal, Derek , Duma, Vusumzi
- Date: 2007-08
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17933 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010502
- Description: Theories of Industrial Society: SOC 12E & INS 212E, Supplementary examination August 2007.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2007-08
Urban Sociology: SOU 221
- Authors: Wana, L , Makapela, L S
- Date: 2008-01
- Subjects: Sociology, Urban
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17939 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010509
- Description: Urban Sociology: SOU 221, supplementary examination January 2008.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2008-01
A Biblical theology of ministry to refugees for Baptist Churches in South Africa
- Authors: Stemmett, David John
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Baptists -- South Africa , Church and social problems -- South Africa , Church work with refugees
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Th
- Identifier: vital:11799 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/131 , Baptists -- South Africa , Church and social problems -- South Africa , Church work with refugees
- Description: The issue of refugees in South Africa has come under the spotlight recently, particularly in the light of the xenophobic violence that swept the country in 2008. As a Baptist pastor, working in a congregation which has a vital ministry towards refugees, the writer became aware that only a handful of Baptist congregations in the Western Cape had a similar concern for refugees and asylum seekers. These observations raised the question of ministry to refugees on the part of Baptist churches in SA. As Baptist churches adhere to the principle of the supremacy of Scripture, the motivation for churches to minister to refugees should to be based upon biblical theology. This dissertation seeks to provide such a biblical theology of ministry to refugees that can in turn provide a basis from which local congregation can develop such ministry. To provide the context of refugees in SA, this study begins by outlining the phenomenon of refugees in the context of SA, as well as the conditions experienced by refugees. This dissertation further seeks to delineate a number of Baptist principles that relate to the issue of Baptist churches and ministry to refugees. It also seeks to look at the role that various Baptist agencies such as the Baptist Union of Southern Africa (BUSA) and the Western Province Baptist Association have to play in ministry to refugees. The study then goes on to discuss biblical material from both the Old and New The issue of refugees in South Africa has come under the spotlight recently, particularly in the light of the xenophobic violence that swept the country in 2008. As a Baptist pastor, working in a congregation which has a vital ministry towards refugees, the writer became aware that only a handful of Baptist congregations in the Western Cape had a similar concern for refugees and asylum seekers. These observations raised the question of ministry to refugees on the part of Baptist churches in SA. As Baptist churches adhere to the principle of the supremacy of Scripture, the motivation for churches to minister to refugees should to be based upon biblical theology. This dissertation seeks to provide such a biblical theology of ministry to refugees that can in turn provide a basis from which local congregation can develop such ministry. To provide the context of refugees in SA, this study begins by outlining the phenomenon of refugees in the context of SA, as well as the conditions experienced by refugees. This dissertation further seeks to delineate a number of Baptist principles that relate to the issue of Baptist churches and ministry to refugees. It also seeks to look at the role that various Baptist agencies such as the Baptist Union of Southern Africa (BUSA) and the Western Province Baptist Association have to play in ministry to refugees. The study then goes on to discuss biblical material from both the Old and New Testaments pertaining to refugees. The dissertation then seeks to develop a theology of ministry to refugees based upon the biblical material that can be used to motivate local Baptist congregations to minister to refugees. In the final section the theology of ministry to refugees is used to evaluate current models of ministry directed towards refugees.
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- Date Issued: 2008
A comparative analysis of the rights of the child with particular reference to child soldiers
- Authors: Anwo, Joel Olasunkanmi
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Children's rights -- Child welfare -- Demobilization of children , Disarmament -- Reintegration
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , LLD
- Identifier: vital:11108 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/102 , Children's rights -- Child welfare -- Demobilization of children , Disarmament -- Reintegration
- Description: The recruitment, enlistment and forceful conscription of children as soldiers is a cause for grave concern all over the world and most especially in Africa, where years of factional fighting, civil wars and cross border conflicts have raged, children and youth have been pulled into violence not only as victims, but also as perpetrators. The involvement of children in war posses a severe challenge to prevailing moral and legal norms of the conduct of modern warfare. A major problem and most controversial issue, among others, is on the age at which children should be eligible to become combatants. Children, who may be viewed as a valuable resource due to their often inherent malleability, wish to avenge family member(s) killed in war, sense of immunity to danger, and or feeling of power in participating in the violence. Can the use of children as soldiers be effectively regulated in Africa? All efforts to assist child soldiers in recovering from the devastating effects of wars often unwillingly helped promote the growing number of child soldiers. This is in part because wars are now more fought internally among rebel armies and factions vying for power with the government and thus enlist children into their various armies. The study comes to a conclusion that drastic steps need to be taken to ameliorate this unfortunate situation. This formed the basis of the recommendations offered in the thesis to assist the African continent.
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- Date Issued: 2008
A comparison of ethical models for conflict resolution in the African context
- Authors: Mbangu, Muyingi
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Africa -- Politics and government , Conflict management
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/25052 , vital:63948
- Description: Remarkably little research has been done about the potential of ethical models for violent conflict resolution in the African context. I will argue here that ethical models such as Utilitarianism, Deontologism, Virtue ethics, and African ethics can exert influence to help resolve conflict situations peacefully for the sake of African civilians generally and the DRC civilians in particular. This influence firstly becomes visible in the fact that ethical models can guide conflict resolution attempts to bring about conditions of peace, justice and freedom among African civilians in whichever nations state they find themselves. Secondly, ethical models can be established in the resolution of conflict for a lasting peace in the African context, and lastly, ethical models can be proposed as a guideline for all African leaders to lead their countries in peace. The conclusion I draw is that a normative framework of ethical models can be applied in conflict resolution in the African context. This framework draws on all four models, but leans toward deontology because of its strictness or rigour of universal rules or principles in any situation. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2008
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- Date Issued: 2008
A critical study of Charles Dickens' representation of the socially disadvantage
- Authors: Makati, Pamela
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: People with disabilities
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA (English)
- Identifier: vital:11501 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/173 , People with disabilities
- Description: This research is an examination of Charles Dickens’ representation of the underprivileged in the Victorian society. The socially disadvantaged members that will be under discussion are the poor, women and children, who are of major concern in Dickens’ selected texts namely Bleak House, Great Expectations, Hard Times and Oliver Twist. It is evident that Dickens noted the impact of industrialisation on the Victorian society as it created a massive urban development, leading to a higher class division. Initially, the English society consisted of the aristocracy, the landed gentry and the servants who belonged to the lower class. The influx of industrialisation created a further division of these classes in which there emerged the capitalists or bourgeoisie, who were the industrialists like Mr. Bounderby in Hard Times, and the working class, who were the industrial workers. Although the Industrial Revolution fostered urban growth, it is unfortunate that the number of the poor also increased. Many of them lived under squalid conditions with poor sanitation leading to fatal diseases and even death. Being a socially conscious writer, Dickens depicts the world in which he lives, as a strategy to raise awareness in his readers of what was really happening, and hopefully, to bring social reforms. Apart from the poor, Dickens also portrays the brutal treatment of children at the workhouses. This research will show that Dickens was an obstinate critique of the Poor Law and its administration. Furthermore, it will be proven that Dickens also abhorred child labour because of his own childhood experience. Moreover, his repugnance is also noted in the way he creates child characters like Oliver Twist who are mistreated and exploited as child workers. Dickens representation of women is largely influenced by the Victorian ideology surrounding the role of women in society. It is evident that the English society was very patriarchal and strongly confined women to domesticity. Women were also expected to uphold virtue and purity and if they lost both, they were despised and not tolerated at all by society. Although Dickens creates both the Victorian stereotypical woman who is the “angel in the house,” and the antitypical women who comprise of the prostitutes, those who bear children out of wedlock and the larger than life characters like Mrs. Joe Gargery and Molly in Great Expectations, he is revealing the different types of women one can find in society. Moreover, the juxtaposition of the stereotype and the antitype is also a suggestion of the latter’s struggle to fight against patriarchy by assuming the unexpected. Therefore, this research will prove that Dickens is not a patriarchal writer but he actually sympathizes with the plight of women. A realist and naturalist reading of Dickens’ selected texts will provide literary theory for this research. Writing during the time that both theories were grounded, it is evident that Dickens adopted both elemental forms of writing. A feminist approach to Dickens’ female characters will also foster the analysis. Being a realist and naturalist writer, Dickens is comparable to writers of his time such as Nikolai Gogol from Russia who also employs a similar mode of writing in his works. Dickens’ antitypical female characters are comparable to those of the later feminist writers who have placed much emphasis on the independent female characters. It is evident that Dickens’ creation of violent or impure female characters influenced the feminist writers to use them as representations of female independence.
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- Date Issued: 2008
An assessment of information systems supporting procurement reforms in the Eastern Cape provincial government
- Authors: Bosire, Samuel Mobisa
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Government purchasing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public finance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11620 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/214 , Government purchasing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public finance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: As part of the on going financial management reforms, the South African Government introduced the Supply Chain Management (SCM) Framework. Since 2004, The Eastern Cape Provincial Government embarked on a process of ensuring that procurement reforms wrought by the advent of SCM are seamlessly ushered in. Information Technology (IT) and systems are a sine qua non in supporting the implementation of the SCM Framework. However, IT does not operate in a vacuum. Many other factors complement, supplement and influence the objectives sought through the use of Information Technology and systems. It is the confluence of this factors that eventually will determine that success or failure of using technology to support procurement reforms in government. The research investigates the factors affecting the success of the Information systems underlying SCM in the Eastern Cape Provincial government. Data for the research was gathered using a questionnaire administered to all Eastern Cape Provincial Government departments. The research borrows from Heeks’ ITPOSMO model in assessing SCM and Information Systems structures and processes and gauging their state of readiness to embrace procurement reforms envisaged through the SCM Framework. Because of the importance of having a strong IT functional unit in any government department, the study highlights IT issues that typically confront IT managers, especially in the public sector. Heeks’ ITPOSMO model emerges as a sufficient framework for identifying gaps that currently exist between the reality and perceptions on the readiness of IT to adequately support government procurement reforms. The dissertation concludes that the success of the system is dependent not only on the technological component of the system, but also on other factors.
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- Date Issued: 2008
An assessment of the child support grant as a poverty alleviation intervention in South Africa: the case of Mdantsane township in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mase, Blossom Bukelwa
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Child support -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Child welfare -- South Africa , Child support -- Government policy -- South Africa , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Children -- Services for -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11412 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/299 , Child support -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Child welfare -- South Africa , Child support -- Government policy -- South Africa , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Children -- Services for -- South Africa
- Description: There were different kinds of imbalances that were created by the past regime in which race and colour were determining factors in terms of access to state welfare. The State Maintance Grant was one of the state welfare interventions where African women did not even know how or where to access the grant. When the Child Support Grant was introduced in 1998 it gave hope to the vulnerable section of the society, the children. The CSG is one of the poverty alleviation programs introduced by the government to target the poverty stricken children of South Africa. This is a means tested program which not all children are to benefit but a certain portion of the society. There are special conditions attached to the grant which require to be fulfilled. These conditions require the child to be fed, clothed, immunized, school needs be paid, and have proper accommodation. This study made use of the Mdantsane Township which is 25 km away from East London city centre as a case study to determine whether the CSG has managed to achieve its objective of relieving poverty among children, given the conditions of poverty and unemployment in Mdantsane. The findings of this study indicate that the people of Mdantsane are still in poverty and the most affected sections remain the children. The respondents indicate that the people are unemployed as a result the CSG seems to be the source of livelihood in these households leaving the children at a disadvantage as the grant is intended for x their own needs. Therefore there is a need to investigate whether the CSG has any impact on the lives of these children. Also since Eastern Cape is known to be one of the poorest provinces, it is important to investigate whether the CSG has become the source of livelihood in some households.
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- Date Issued: 2008
An empirical analysis of the determinants and growth of South African exports
- Authors: Choga, Ireen
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Exports -- South Africa -- History , Export marketing -- South Africa , International trade -- South Africa , Exports -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Com
- Identifier: vital:11452 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/198 , Exports -- South Africa -- History , Export marketing -- South Africa , International trade -- South Africa , Exports -- South Africa
- Description: Exports have considerable effects on economic growth, employment and trade so it is crucial to understand the factors that are responsible for their variation. This study analyses the fundamental determinants of exports using annual South African data covering the period 1980 to 2006. It initially provides an overview of the South African export structure and export growth. A review of theoretical determinants is then specified. The study tests for stationarity and cointegration using the Johansen (1991, 1995) methodology. A vector error correction model is run to provide robust determinant variables on exports. The following variables which have been found to have a long run relationship with exports include: the domestic price of exports, real effective exchange rate, trade openness, foreign income and price of inputs (cost of production). The estimate of the speed of adjustment coefficient found in this study indicates that about 96% of the variation in exports from its equilibrium level is corrected within one year. The results that have emerged from this analysis corroborate the theoretical predictions and are also supported by previous researchers or studies.
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- Date Issued: 2008
An empirical investigation into the factors affecting the performance of small and medium enterprises in the manufacturing sector of Harare, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Zindiye, Stanislous
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Business enterprises -- Zimbabwe , Government business enterprises -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Com (Business Management)
- Identifier: vital:11319 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/128 , Business enterprises -- Zimbabwe , Government business enterprises -- Zimbabwe
- Description: This research investigates the factors that affect the performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector of Harare, Zimbabwe. To achieve this objective, the research hypothesised that a lack of skilled human resources contributes to the poor performance of SMEs in the manufacturing sector of Harare, Zimbabwe. The research further hypothesized that poor management skills such as human resources, financial management, general management, production management and marketing management result in the poor performance of SMEs in the manufacturing sector of Harare, Zimbabwe. A research proposition was also stated which stipulated that the current hyperinflation environment affects the profitability of SMEs in the manufacturing sector of Harare in terms of profitability. This study is important because SMEs, despite their contributions to the Zimbabwean economy, have not been given due attention as the research of performance has been biased towards large enterprises. The results indicate that managerial aspects which are in short supply have negative effects on the performance of SMEs in the manufacturing sector. The results also indicate that the high rate of inflation and other economic factors such as foreign currency shortage, interest rate and exchange rate affect their performance negatively. Lastly, the study recommends that SMEs, the Zimbabwean government and other supporting institutions such Empretec, ILO and SEDCO take measures to ensure the survival, growth and development of this sector which has the potential to steer the economy. These measures are expected to improve the managerial skills in the SME sector and consequently result in improved performance.
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- Date Issued: 2008
An evaluation of personnel provision policy in selected public secondary schools in the Eastern Cape province
- Authors: Peter, Zola Witness
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teachers -- Employment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teachers -- Training of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teachers -- Selection and appointment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teachers' unions -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School personnel management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Province
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11632 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/213 , Science -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teachers -- Employment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teachers -- Training of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teachers -- Selection and appointment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Teachers' unions -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School personnel management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Province
- Description: The Eastern Cape Department of Education has a constitutional and legislative mandate to provide quality public education in all public schools within the province. The commitment to improve also involves ensuring effective educator personnel provisioning in public secondary xii schools. However, despite various legislative and policy measures relating to educator personnel provisioning, serious concerns have been raised. There have been concerns over the shortage of educators. There are concerns over the lack of suitably qualified educators, especially in Mathematics and Science subjects. Disparities have been noted between legislative and policy directives with regard to educator personnel provisioning and the expectations of educators based on the realities in public secondary schools. The complications and challenges thereof have called upon for the appraisal of educator provisioning. The objective of the study is to describe and explain the nature and place of personnel provisioning in public secondary schools. Thereafter, evaluate its application at selected public secondary schools in the Eastern Cape Province. The basic intention is to prove that the educator personnel provision policy implementation in public schools needs to be examined and possibly changed for effective results. Basically, personnel provisioning is the first step in the personnel process. It is classified into: Human resources determination; and the Filling of posts The process of filling public personnel posts involves recruitment, selection, appointment, placement, transfer and promotion. In evaluating personnel provisioning policy in public secondary schools, a research study has to be conducted. As an integral part of scope of study, the survey area includes public secondary schools, provincial department offices and educator union/association offices. The questionnaire is used as the appropriate data collection instrument for this survey. The total population for the study are provincial department officials, public secondary school principals, school governing body chairpersons and educator unions/associations. xiii When data was analysed and interpreted, there were various significant findings. The respondents’ demographic details provided a significant insight into the study and its findings. They ensured divergence of opinions and understanding of the personnel provisioning. Regarding human resources determination and the filling of posts in public secondary schools, it was found that there are challenges in terms of the employment of suitably qualified educators. These include among other issues educator dissatisfaction and lack of effective procedures in the filling of posts. This also results in educator shortage in public secondary schools.
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- Date Issued: 2008
An evaluation of the national curriculum statement policy in the education of youth with disabilities in South Africa, the case of the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Sonqayi, Zandile Hillary
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Education and state -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Youth with disabilities -- Education , Learning disabled youth -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Curriculum evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Curriculum planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Educational change -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11418 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/298 , Education and state -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Youth with disabilities -- Education , Learning disabled youth -- Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Curriculum evaluation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Curriculum planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Educational change -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: What initiated this research was the need for the assessment of the National Curriculum Statement policy implementation. This was brought about by the observation that there was a general complaint in the province that educators are struggling with the implementation processes. It would seem that at the formulation of this policy the schools for learners with disabilities were not considered. The main objective of this study, is therefore, to assess the implementation of the NCS policy in relation to the principle of inclusivity regarding learners with disabilities in schools. This has been achieved through finding out how educators are coping in a situation where they are expected to improvise learning and assessment methodologies to cater for a large variety of disabilities of which they are not trained to work with. This study used two techniques, face to face interviews with the subject advisors in the districts as well as with the educators at the schools. Questionnaires were used in the case of managers at school and district levels. Qualitative research was used to accumulate sufficient data to lead to the understanding of the problems that are encountered at different levels. In terms of the findings, most of the respondents pointed out that the policy does not adequately cater for the needs of both the learners and the educators of the special schools. They further mentioned that the outcomes according to the policy do not stipulate what is expected of the learners with barriers to learning due to their disability conditions. According to the responses of the different categories of participants, it became clear that the implementation of the NCS policy is not very successful due to a wide variety of problems that are encountered by the implementers. The main complained about problem is the need for the adaptation of the curriculum to accommodate the learners with disabilities. Furthermore, there is a dire need for the implementers to make reference to all the disabilities found at these schools so as to deal with their situation accordingly. The NCS policy promises change for the better, however the necessary ramifications related to its implementation need to be successfully managed and dealt with properly. This has implications on areas of concern, mainly the training of educators on mastering the implementation and assessment processes which are key to meaningful education. Considering that inclusivity is about change of attitude and behaviour as well as teaching and learning methodologies, it becomes difficult for these changes to materialise if and when inclusivity is not applied properly at the schools for learners with disabilities. The effectiveness of inclusivity depends on the consideration of all the factors that would lead to a healthy environment in the case of these schools. This would mean putting of all the relevant structures in place as well as encouraging team work at all levels, from the educators, management and the community. The district officials should always avail themselves for monitoring and supporting services at these schools. The findings of this study, may contribute to the asking of many questions. This may lead to further debates which may give rise to the need for further research on many aspects that have come up in this study.
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- Date Issued: 2008
An evaluation of the role of local economic development in promoting infrastructural development: a case study King Sabata Dalindyebo local municipality
- Authors: Mbontsi, Nandipha Siphokazi
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Infrastructure (Economics) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Case studies , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11416 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/295 , Infrastructure (Economics) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Case studies , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: This study examines Local Economic Development intervention strategies in relation to promoting infrastructural development with specific reference to roads as one of the vital interventions for alleviating poverty in the KSD Municipality. The study sought to evaluate the impact of the deteriorated condition of roads on the growth of economic activity and community development, the understanding of LED by both the Council and the officials, and also to evaluate LED approach on infrastructural development for poverty alleviation. The study reveals that the municipality does not understand the concept of LED as a result this has caused blockages and impediments in terms of implementing the program in the municipality. Though there are some successes achieved through the construction of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Stadium, there are key constraints related to shortages of funds, staff, skills and resources. The study has established that LED is not living up to expectations in the area, there seems to be confusion regarding its definition and application. Furthermore, there is a confusion regarding the purpose of LED whether it is purely about poverty alleviation or whether LED it is about encouraging economic growth. Ideally it should be about the combination of the two. LED clearly has a critical role to play in terms of considerations of poverty alleviation in terms of addressing development backlogs and promoting sustainable economic growth. In order to achieve this, there is a need to establish a permanent LED facilitation and support unit. The need to identify key intervention strategies, for example, the Expanded xii Public Works Program which aims at identifying labor-intensive and community construction methods. In order to achieve this the study details a number of key recommendations which are mentioned below: The need to properly define LED and its goals, also to align LED with business and market realities. There should be adequate and appropriate training of officials, adequate funding and ensuring accountability. Active encouragement of local leaders, local level forums and partnerships and close co-operation with beneficiaries should be encouraged. It is also vital to establish LED units and development agencies at local level to drive LED process. It is also important for the municipality to encourage economically viable projects which meet poverty and growth requirements and which can also encourage SMME development
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- Date Issued: 2008
An investigation into the impact of performance management and development system on service delivery in the Eastern Cape: a case of the three Buffalo City hospitals
- Authors: Davashe, Cikizwa
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Performance -- Evaluation , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hospitals -- South Africa -- Administration
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Dev)
- Identifier: vital:11414 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/307 , Performance -- Evaluation , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hospitals -- South Africa -- Administration
- Description: In the Eastern Cape Department of Health the performance management and development system progress reviews are performed in a summative manner. This happens when a supervisor leaves out all the other progress reviews and conducts a final progress assessment and monitoring at the end of the year. It is worse when the performance agreements are not even signed during the start of a financial year, neither does a newly qualified employee sign. As a result employees are not appraised because there are no progress reviews that are entered on the Persal system. Employees miss an opportunity to be sent for training at the same time they are rewarded late or not at all. It is obvious that the managers do not understand the aims and objectives of the PMDS policy. The research was an assessment of the effectiveness of the performance management and development system in inculcating professional behaviour in the nursing staff in the three Buffalo City hospitals, namely, East London Hospital Complex, Grey and Bisho hospital. The aspects of the policy investigated were the performance reviews, the competency framework and the performance incentive scheme. This research is qualitative in nature. Data was collected using unstructured interviews and open ended questions. The population of this study involved selected Performance Management Managers, Quality Assurance Manager, Area Managers, junior nurses and clerks working in the Buffalo City Hospitals. The respondents of the study were selected using the stratified random sampling technique. Descriptive methods were used to analyse data. Confidentiality was highly maintained and consent form even distributed from the start of the research. The three Buffalo City hospitals are practising a balanced scorecard as a performance measurement tool. It is in the form of workplans that are different for different levels of employees such as the performance workplans, standard framework workplan and individual workplans. ix The study discovered that there is poor compliance in performing the performance reviews. The attention is on the appraisal aspect more than the development aspect. Also, there is a delay in taking the employees for training as a result they end up not being trained. The employees are not rewarded according to their performance. The PMDS policy states that employees that get a score of three are entitled to get a one percent and those that are rated a four or a five qualify for a performance bonus. The study found that the PMDS policy is not implemented well. It is recommended that the performance management manager and the quality assurance manager need to apply a radical strategic transformation and change management to address the challenges.
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- Date Issued: 2008