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An assessment of quality, class and grade of service (QoS, CoS and GoS) over worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMax) networks through performance evaluation of bandwidth

  • Authors: Nomnga, Phumzile
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Wireless communication systems Wireless LANs -- Standards Broadband communication systems
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8033 , vital:31481
  • Description: The Dwesa WiMAX network provides broadband communications over wireless connectivity for various types of multimedia traffic, such as emailing, browsing, VoIP, file transfer, etc. to the community members. The community members of Dwesa use schools’ computer labs to access the network and generate the aforementioned multimedia packets on dedicated timeslots and thus cause network congestion during such timeslots. Against this background, WiMAX implementation has faced several challenges in living up to its objectives in RMAs. Quality of Service (QoS) degradation as a result of high traffic demands remains one of the challenges thwarting WiMAX implementation. The GoS is also bound to get compromised as connectivity demands arise consistently with more subscribers connecting to the network, making it difficult to measure the success a subscriber is expected to have in accessing the network. The CoS and SchedType play a significant role in the redistribution of the available bandwidth to all bandwidth requests. This research project exploits this avenue to assess the resultant degradation of QoS and GoS caused by the inconsistent availability of bandwidth as redistributed by the CoS combination with a SchedType. The four CoS which are, namely, the UGS, rtPS, nrtPS and BE were implemented with the different SchedTypes, namely, MBQOS, FCFS and rtPS. Although the implementation process was conducted in a simulated environment using NS-3, the simulated network emulated the network setup implemented in Dwesa. The outcomes of the implementation suggests that certain combinations of the CoS’s with SchedTypes can lead to degradation of QoS whilst some combinations can redistribute the available bandwidth to ensure the provisioning of guaranteed QoS.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

An assessment of the budgeting system in the Eastern Cape Department of Health to ensure effective and efficient health care service delivery

  • Authors: Mangwanya, Maonei Gladys
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Health services administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Government spending policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Health facilities -- Finance , Finance, Public -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2061 , vital:27603
  • Description: The National Department of Health is the executive department of the South African government which is assigned to the national health issues of the country. This research was however aimed specifically on the budgeting process within the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Health. This was provisioned by assessing the significance of the budgeting system and its correlation to efficient and effective healthcare service delivery. The aim of the research was to highlight on how policies have an effect on the budgeting system at the provincial level, considering the provincial health department is responsible for the provision of publicly funded health services. This research assessed the budgeting system in the Eastern Cape Department of Health in an attempt to propagate effective and efficient health service delivery for the general citizenry. This was a qualitative study design which harnessed the merits of secondary data as the main code of the research design which enabled the comprehension of the budgeting system in the Eastern Cape Department of Health. Data was analysed using thematic analysis to examine the distinctive themes and sub-themes identified from within the reviewed literature. The Eastern Cape Province is succumbing to insufficient funding at provincial level and this has a clear-cut reflection on the administration of services within respective departments, particularly the Health Department. This is despite the fact that the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 promotes the objectives of good financial management aimed at maximizing service delivery through the effective use of the limited resources. Resultantly it was fundamental to comprehend on the issues underpinning the scope of budget reporting as well as budget accountability and the effect it has on service delivery in the Eastern Cape Department of Health. Recommendations were thus given based on the discussed and derived themes to ensure that there is an appropriate budgeting system to ensure efficient and effective provision of health care services in the Eastern Cape Department of Health.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

An assessment of the challenges of police child protection unit in providing services to vulnerable children in Alice, Eastern Cape Province

  • Authors: Mutyambizi, Clair
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Children -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Child welfare -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/7764 , vital:30756
  • Description: The study set out to assess the challenges that are faced by the South African Police child protection unit in providing services to vulnerable children in Alice, Eastern Cape Province. The study used the qualitative design. Data was collected using in-depth interviews in which twenty individual participants took part. The results indicate that the challenges of SAP child protection unit in providing services to vulnerable children in Alice, Eastern Cape Province are mainly financial based, emotionally stressful, labour related, and can be caused by parental oversight, legal constraints that begets lack of trust and also policing illegal child immigrants. These factors make the police child protection unit’s work challenging thereby hampering its effectiveness. It has therefore been recommended that the police child protection unit should be given the support due to them so as to make service delivery to vulnerable children in Alice effective. Also it has been recommended that children be educated that the police are there to enforce the law, assist and not to harm them.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

An assessment of the child support grant in South Africa : the case of Nkonkobe Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province

  • Authors: Kuboya, Patience
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Child support--South Africa--Eastern Cape Child welfare--South Africa Child support--Government policy--South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , Development Studies
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15991 , vital:40577
  • Description: The child support grant is an important tool which attempts to save lives and to reduce the negative effects of child poverty in South Africa. The importance of the child support grant comes in the middle of the growing concern over increased child poverty in the post-apartheid era therefore, this study was undertaken with the objective of assessing whether the child support grant is addressing the basic needs of the children particularly in the form of providing for health, education and adequate feeding; given that it is pooled to cover the needs of the household. The study adopted a qualitative approach based on field research. The results of the study indicated that the child support grant reduce child poverty in Nkonkobe Municipality. In addition, the results also revealed that there were also gaps that hinder the child support grant to reach its maximum in alleviating child poverty in the municipality. Firstly, the grant has become a means of family support that is used for meeting the needs of the whole family rather than being solely spent on the child as it is pooled to cover the expenses of the whole household. Secondly, the information about the successes in alleviating poverty through the grant in the municipality was not sufficiently documented. And lastly, there is lack of proper follow up from SASSA on how the grant was used by the caregivers. Therefore, the study has made recommendations which include capacity building, encouraging developmental projects, developing rural infrastructure and thorough monitoring.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

An assessment of the effect of HIV/AIDS policy in combating the spread of the disease within Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality: Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Mnguni, Grace
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: AIDS (Disease)|zSouth Africa|zEastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5185 , vital:29104
  • Description: Due to its rapid spreading, AIDS has been declared a global epidemic. Especially sub-Saharan Africa has been the most affected by the epidemic. South Africa is no exception to the devastating impact of the epidemic. Over the past few years, HIV-prevention initiatives have been underway on a full scale in an effort to combat the destructive powers of the epidemic in the country. These initiatives appear to have adopted a health-belief approach in their strategies to decrease HIV-infections. This approach to HIV-prevention assumes that the desired behavior change, namely increasing safe sexual practices and decreasing high-risk HIV/AIDS behavior, can be achieved through rational decision-making based on knowledge of the disease and its consequences. The findings of the studies on sexual behavior and HIV/AIDS such as KAPB (knowledge, attitudes, practice and beliefs) studies appear to reaffirm the fact that knowledge alone is neither sufficient nor effective in bringing about the appropriate behavior change to combat HIV/AIDS. These studies point towards a high level of knowledge about AIDS in the general population, yet the ever increasing infection rate remains undeterred. The ANC came to power in 1994 after 10 years of National Party inaction with regard to AIDS. The National AIDS plan, endorsed by incoming minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, was insufficiently informed by the institutional and social realities of South Africa. Like other policy blueprints of this period, it over-estimated the economic, and especially human, resources at the disposal of incoming government. Moreover, this avowedly multi-sect oral HIV/AIDS plan, designated a “presidential lead project”, was situated in a national department of health in the throes of transformation. Because health is in part a provincial prerogative, AIDS was vulnerable to further administrative obstruction in a second tier of bureaucracy from the previous regime. Competing claims on resources in the poorer provinces, the demands of administrative reconfiguration, and very uneven provincial capacity, further undermined implementations. The community of Duncan Village, in Buffalo City was selected because of the high HIV-prevalence in the District and because of the involvement of the Centers for Health Systems Research & Development in the proposed youth center in Duncan Village. Buffalo City is the third highest HIV-prevalence. The study intends to inform HIV-prevention initiatives about impediments to safe sex. Also, its aim is to decrease HIV-infections among the youth in the community. Towards informing the study the study aim and objectives, individual in-depth interviews were conducted with 30 confirmed HIV-positive males and females from various social strata in the community, and who assumedly HIV-negative. The focus group discussions were conducted with the aid of a semi-structured group -discussions schedule. The two forms of data collection served to complement each other and promoted the validity and quality of the data collected. The study design opted for was explorative in nature, as little is currently known about the community-specific obstacles to safe sex. All respondents were purposively sampled. The main findings of the study point towards the need for HIV/AIDS to be viewed in the light of the socio-cultural and socio-economic contexts of sexual behavior. Factors that were identified as influencing sexual behavior, and therefore HIV/AIDS, include the unbalanced power in gender-relations, socio-economic status and perceived self-efficacy, amongst others. Also, there is a need for detailed knowledge about the specific of HIV-prevention and transmission, as well as safe sexual practices. This will serve to address myths and misconceptions about three models of safe sex, namely condom use, sexual abstinence and mutual faithfulness. Overall, the research that HIV/AIDS is a socio-behavioral problem rooted in the sexual practices of individuals. Attempts to successfully change high-risk sexual behaviors should first identify factors that influence the progression of the disease in order to develop community-specific effective HIV-prevention initiatives. To a large extent, this study has identified those factors that influence and limit the options and opportunities that people in Buffalo City have when it comes to practice safe sex. In this community, there are factors that should be taken into account when HIV/AIDS -prevention initiatives are planned and implemented..
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  • Date Issued: 2016

An assessment of the effect of HIV/AIDS policy in combating the spread of the disease within Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality:Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Mnguni, Grace
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape HIV infections -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2956 , vital:28202
  • Description: Due to its rapid spreading, AIDS has been declared a global epidemic. Especially sub-Saharan Africa has been the most affected by the epidemic. South Africa is no exception to the devastating impact of the epidemic. Over the past few years, HIV-prevention initiatives have been underway on a full scale in an effort to combat the destructive powers of the epidemic in the country. These initiatives appear to have adopted a health-belief approach in their strategies to decrease HIV-infections. This approach to HIV-prevention assumes that the desired behavior change, namely increasing safe sexual practices and decreasing high-risk HIV/AIDS behavior, can be achieved through rational decision-making based on knowledge of the disease and its consequences. The findings of the studies on sexual behavior and HIV/AIDS such as KAPB (knowledge, attitudes, practice and beliefs) studies appear to reaffirm the fact that knowledge alone is neither sufficient nor effective in bringing about the appropriate behavior change to combat HIV/AIDS. These studies point towards a high level of knowledge about AIDS in the general population, yet the ever increasing infection rate remains undeterred. The ANC came to power in 1994 after 10 years of National Party inaction with regard to AIDS. The National AIDS plan, endorsed by incoming minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, was insufficiently informed by the institutional and social realities of South Africa. Like other policy blueprints of this period, it over-estimated the economic, and especially human, resources at the disposal of incoming government. Moreover, this avowedly multi-sect oral HIV/AIDS plan, designated a “presidential lead project”, was situated in a national department of health in the throes of transformation. Because health is in part a provincial prerogative, AIDS was vulnerable to further administrative obstruction in a second tier of bureaucracy from the previous regime. Competing claims on resources in the poorer provinces, the demands of administrative reconfiguration, and very uneven provincial capacity, further undermined implementations.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

An assessment of the effect of political and administrative leadership in ensuring sustainable service delivery in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Muteyi,Thembisile
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Political leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Politicians -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2990 , vital:28229
  • Description: This study attempts to assess the level to which effective political and management leadership for contributes to sustainable services. Looking at the past performance of the municipality one can see that around the years of 2003 and 2004, the municipality achieved a financially unqualified report from the Auditor General with just two points raised. However, from that point on the municipality has been on a steady decline. The most decline was from the period 2006 - 2011. The decline in the performance of the municipality has been so rapid in the five year period mentioned above so much that the 2010/2011 Auditor General Report on the municipality ran up to eighty issues over fourteen pages. Noteworthy is the fact that the decline in service delivery and financial management confirmed by the performance decline marked by the Auditor General coincided with several changes at the senior political and management levels. For example under the period of decline, the Municipality operated without a permanent Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for a period of more than four years. Also, during the period of decline the municipality had six municipal managers all in acting capacities and about four executive mayors in the same period. Regarding the issue of leadership in the municipality, the Auditor General made the following observation.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

An assessment of the efficiency and effectiveness of the Working for Water NBAL mapping, contract teams and clearing of Acacia mearnsii

  • Authors: Modipa, Rebone Dineo
  • Date: 2016
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/3192 , vital:20383
  • Description: Working for Water (WfW) works to fulfil their dual mandate of protecting ecosystem services and creating employment opportunities for poor communities. There have been many successes but evidence is increasing regarding the inefficiencies at project and site scales. The study was undertaken in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, at a farm called Ann’s Villa situated in the Kommadagga valley, at the foot of the northern side of the Zuurberg pass. The study sought to assess the efficiency of the WfW mapping of natural biological aliens (NBAL), of contract teams and the effectiveness of the clearing methods employed to clear Acacia mearnsii. To achieve this, WfW mapping was analysed, contract team dynamics of the different task groups were observed and assessed and various Acacia mearnsii and indigenous plant variables were measured pre-and post-clearing of A. mearnsii. The first key finding was that overall the WfW NBAL mapping was inaccurate, with WfW A. mearnsii percentage cover (cover) estimations significantly over-estimated. Acacia mearnsii cover over-estimations resulted in fruitless expenditure as contracts were more expensive than necessary. Cover under-estimations also led to the inability to fulfill contractual obligations and the subsequent halting of the clearing of a large portion the study area. It was recommended that the NBAL mapping as well as the cover estimations of NBALs be conducted more rigorously, with expert assistance where skills are lacking, to avoid the associated fruitless expenditure. The second key finding was that WfW contract teams were largely inefficient, as a result of waiting, stemming from the lack of continuity in work. There was a strong positive relationship between subgroup chainsaw operator (CO) to stacker ratio and subgroup CO to stacker efficiency ratio. These inefficiencies meant that a mean of 58±67% of the total money spent per team resulted in fruitless expenditure. It was recommend that contract teams be organised to promote the continuity of work and that the current high stacker to CO ratios be reversed to increase efficiency and reduce fruitless expenditures. The third key finding was that overall the WfW methods of clearing A. mearnsii were 95% effective with a 90% removal success. The last key finding was that initial clearing operations had a largely insignificant impact on indigenous plant biodiversity. It was recommended that post-clearing inspection of quality control is conducted more rigorously and that penalties be implemented to deter contract teams from cutting indigenous species.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

An assessment of the invasion state and fisheries suitability in four dams and a natural lake in the Western Cape, South Africa

  • Authors: Dredge, Brendon Neville
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Introduced organisms Fishery management -- South Africa -- Western Cape Fishes -- Conservation -- South Africa -- Western Cape Introduced fishes -- South Africa -- Western Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/69114 , vital:29391
  • Description: Despite more than a century of introductions, fish invasions are poorly understood in South Africa. This thesis aims to: (1) provide baseline information on the fish fauna in five inland water bodies (four dams: Theewaterskloof, Clanwilliam, Quaggaskloof, and Voelvlei and a natural lake, Groenvlei) in the Western Cape; (2) determine which species were established and provide a baseline of abundance and size structure for monitoring and, (3) make preliminary recommendations for a fishery. First, criteria for determining establishment were developed by undertaking a full biological assessment of bluegill Lepomis macrochirus, a data-poor species in South Africa. This included the assessment of growth rate using validated estimates of age derived from otoliths in two dams (Clanwilliam Dam: Lt=335.9(1−eo.113(t+1.06)); Groenvlei: Lt=287.2(1-e−0.171(t+0.54)). Length at 50% maturity was similar for males (146 mmFL) and females (147 mmFL). Length frequency analysis combined with data on the age and growth and reproduction demonstrated that established populations of bluegill contained several age cohorts as well as mature and juvenile fishes. A meta-analysis was conducted to: (1) compile a list of initial stocking dates for all alien fishes in each waterbody and (2) use angler tournament data to assess for additional species and persistence over time. Data from the meta-analysis was combined with ichthyological survey data to determine establishment success. These data demonstrated that nine non-native species had established in the five water bodies. Clanwilliam Dam had the largest number (7) of non-native species established, Groenvlei (5) and Theewaterskloof, Brandvlei and Voelvlei the lowest with four species. The state of invasion of each species in the province showed that all nine species are categorised as invasive. This information on establishment was then integrated into a framework for rapidly determining what type of fishery would be most suitable for the 5 waterbodies. Potential yield was estimated using morphoedaphic models, were 260 t/yr for Theewaterskloof Dam, 93 t/yr for Voelvlei, 81 t/yr for Brandvlei, 59 t/yr for Groenvlei and 55 t/yr for Groenvlei. The CPUE for Groenvlei was the highest in gill nets with 1.32 ± 1.94 kg/h, then Voelvlei 1.05 ± 1.34 kg/h followed by Brandvlei (0.84 ± 1.48 kg/h), Clanwilliam (0.71 ± 1.55 kg/h) and lastly Theewaterskloof (0.36 ± 0.41 kg/h). Only Theewaterskloof could produce in excess of 100 t/yr but less than 400 t/yr of fish making it suitable for a small scale fishery. The CPUE values of Theewaterskloof were the lowest and a gill net fishery on this water body may not produce sufficient fish for the fishery. All water bodies had a high recreational angling usage, the opening of a small scale fishery could be detrimental to this industry. Subsistence and recreational anglers should be promoted with the possibility of a long line industry targeting Clarias gariepinus.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

An assessment of the role of guidance and counselling in promoting learner discipline in secondary schools in the Oshikoto region of Namibia : a case study of learners with discipline problems

  • Authors: Mbongo, Emelia Ndapandula
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Educational counselling -- Namibia Counseling in secondary education -- Namibia School discipline -- Namibia School violence -- Namibia
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2325 , vital:27753
  • Description: The study assessed the role of guidance and counselling in promoting learner discipline in secondary schools in the Oshikoto region of Namibia. The study used the mixed methods approach, which resulted in providing qualitative and quantitative data to provide an understanding of the problem. The instruments for data collection were questionnaires for principals, teachers, teacher counsellors and learners, as well as one-on-one interviews with learners. Thirty-one (31) principals, ninety-eight (98) teachers, thirty-seven (37) teacher counsellors and four hundred and eighty-nine (489) learners participated in the study. Results from the questionnaires were analysed by using descriptive statistics in the form of frequencies and percentages. Data presentation took the form of tables and bar graphs. Qualitative data collected from interviews were transcribed and put into themes and categories. The study revealed that schools experienced a wide range of disciplinary problems. It was further revealed that learners are affected by issues emanating from the environment, namely, schools and societies which influence their behaviour negatively. The principals and teachers believe that exclusionary and punitive methods are effective in managing learner indiscipline, while teacher counsellors and learners were against the use of such methods. In addition, principals, teachers and teacher counsellors all have a major role to play in maintaining discipline in schools through guidance and counselling. Suggestions were thus made to strengthen the use of guidance and counselling in promoting learner discipline in secondary schools by: improving training for teacher counsellors/Life Skills teachers in guidance and counselling, sensitisation of school managers about the roles and responsibilities of teacher counsellors, including the role played by teacher counsellors in learner discipline, improved leadership from school principals, strengthening the co-ordination and communication among the school personnel, and by strengthening the referral system from teachers to teacher counsellors and from teacher counsellors to outside agencies. It was recommended that the use of guidance and counselling in promoting learner discipline would be strengthened if teacher counsellors’ training is improved, school principals are sensitised on the roles of teacher counsellors, including their role in learner discipline as well as improved co-ordination and communication among school personnel regarding learner discipline. The study further recommended that the referral system of learners experiencing problems from teachers to teacher counsellors and from teacher counsellors to outside agencies should be strengthened.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

An assessment of the role of guidance and counselling in promoting learner discipline in secondary schools in the Oshikoto region of Namibia:a case study of learners with discipline problems

  • Authors: Mbongo, Emelia Ndapandula
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Educational counseling Counseling in secondary education -- Namibia School discipline -- Namibia
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Degree
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5358 , vital:29215
  • Description: The study assessed the role of guidance and counselling in promoting learner discipline in secondary schools in the Oshikoto region of Namibia. The study used the mixed methods approach, which resulted in providing qualitative and quantitative data to provide an understanding of the problem. The instruments for data collection were questionnaires for principals, teachers, teacher counsellors and learners, as well as one-on-one interviews with learners. Thirty-one (31) principals, ninety-eight (98) teachers, thirty-seven (37) teacher counsellors and four hundred and eighty-nine (489) learners participated in the study. Results from the questionnaires were analysed by using descriptive statistics in the form of frequencies and percentages. Data presentation took the form of tables and bar graphs. Qualitative data collected from interviews were transcribed and put into themes and categories. The study revealed that schools experienced a wide range of disciplinary problems. It was further revealed that learners are affected by issues emanating from the environment, namely, schools and societies which influence their behaviour negatively. The principals and teachers believe that exclusionary and punitive methods are effective in managing learner indiscipline, while teacher counsellors and learners were against the use of such methods. In addition, principals, teachers and teacher counsellors all have a major role to play in maintaining discipline in schools through guidance and counselling. Suggestions were thus made to strengthen the use of guidance and counselling in promoting learner discipline in secondary schools by: improving training for teacher counsellors/Life Skills teachers in guidance and counselling, sensitisation of school managers about the roles and responsibilities of teacher counsellors, including the role played by teacher counsellors in learner discipline, improved leadership from school principals, strengthening the co-ordination and communication among the school personnel, and by strengthening the referral system from teachers to teacher counsellors and from teacher counsellors to outside agencies. It was recommended that the use of guidance and counselling in promoting learner discipline would be strengthened if teacher counsellors’ training is improved, school principals are sensitised on the roles of teacher counsellors, including their role in learner discipline as well as improved co-ordination and communication among school personnel regarding learner discipline. The study further recommended that the referral system of learners experiencing problems from teachers to teacher counsellors and from teacher counsellors to outside agencies should be strengthened.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

An assessment of the role of leadership in the successful implementation of performance management : a case of the Eastern Cape district municipalities

  • Authors: Dweba, Zandisile Moses
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Public administration -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12183 , vital:39194
  • Description: At the core of this study is the quest to understand the role leaders play in the successful implementation of performance management in the Eastern Cape municipalities, in the Republic of South Africa. Among the triggers for the study, was the Auditor-General’s lamentation that leaders did not set the correct tone by implementing sound performance management processes, evaluating and monitoring performance in the South African municipalities. He attributed this failure, inter alia, to the lack of employees’ and leadership commitment to the sound implementation of performance management. In an attempt to gain a deeper understanding and possibly respond to the Auditor-Generals’ concern, the researcher sought: To assess the role of leadership and ascertain the extent to which the identified leadership roles were demonstrated in the successful implementation of performance management in the Eastern Cape District Municipalities. Following a review of literature and the conducting of a mixed-methods, empirical study, numerous revelations and findings were made, among which were that, the literature on the leadership-performance link continued to be fragmented and lacking in uniformly defining the concepts, let alone the link between leadership and performance. Because of the multi-dimensionality and the multi-faceted nature of the leadership concept, there still existed a need for more detailed studies on the nature of the leadership-performance link. The eight roles of innovator, broker, producer, director, coordinator, monitor, facilitator and mentor suggested by Quinn, do not provide an exhaustive list of roles, although they provide a starting point on which leader capacitation could be anchored. Whilst the respondents had overwhelmingly affirmed that leaders played the requisite roles in their municipalities, concerns were expressed on deficient leadership competence, poor screening of new leadership entrants, and party political allegiance which was perceived to, at times, cloud their roles. Following a review of literature and past research, numerous studies were uncovered, on the leadership-performance link, which appeared to need consolidation, synthesis and refinement, with a view to sifting and isolating areas that might be of benefit to the implementation of performance management in the Eastern Cape municipalities.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

An assessment of the small-scale fisheries in the Kogelberg district of the Western Cape, South Africa

  • Authors: Jordan, Tia
  • Date: 2016
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/997 , vital:20011
  • Description: Small-scale fisheries play a critical role in communities by contributing to food security, poverty alleviation and source of income. The study focused on the Kleinmond small-scale fishery and estimated the current economic value of the fishery as well as exploring the potential for increasing this and also whether it is being used in a way that ensures sustainable harvesting of the marine resources. It was important to evaluate the ecological, economic and social dimensions of the fishing community in order to address the problems currently facing the community. The study draws on previous research done in the Kleinmond area. Data were collected to update and complement previous research and addresses current research. In order to investigate the fisheries catch contribution in the area, data were obtained from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Three different questionnaires were developed and conducted in face-to-face formal and informal interviews with the various stakeholders (n=42) in the value-chain. Interviews were also conducted telephonically with other stakeholders and a focus group was formed to supplement previous available data. Simple economic models were developed for the fisheries working from the Kleinmond harbour, which were used to estimate the gross and net economic value of catches for individual right-holders, as well as the Kleinmond area as a whole. The economic models used in this study showed that the West Coast rock lobster Jasus lalandii, fishery was the primary source of income for small-scale fishers. This was due to the rock lobsters being sold to the export market as a high-valued commodity, whereas the linefish were sold to the local market as a lower-valued commodity. However, linefish were found to be more of a commodity to the community as a portion would be retained for personal consumption. The linefishers were concerned in that over the past couple of years, snoek Thrysites atun have been absent the Kleinmond area, resulting in and the fishing effort shifting to a resident species Cape bream Pachymetopon blochii. Whereas West Coast rock lobster were considered to be harvested sustainably under the current total allowable catch strategy, there was concern for the future of the fishery because of the occurrence of illegal fishing, both locally and nationally. Small-scale fisheries in the Kleinmond community are largely dependent on fishing resources, even though the industry is only marginally profitable. Future management measures should concentrate on optimising the value-chain to provide both sustainability for the resources and improve the livelihoods of the community.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

An assessment of urban agriculture as a strategy for youth employment in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) : the case of Kisenso/Kinshasa

  • Authors: Mubiala, Wivin Luwakunu
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Urban agriculture -- Congo (Democratic Republic) Youth -- Employment -- Congo (Democratic Republic)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSoc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/14000 , vital:39759
  • Description: In this study, urban agriculture was investigated as a strategy for youth employment and poverty alleviation in Kisenso / Kinshasa- DRC. The aim of the study was to identify the effect of urban agriculture on employment and job creation in the DRC. The specific objectives are to assess the sustainability of urban agriculture as an employment alternative for the youth in Kinshasa, to examine the extent of government support for the sector and evaluate the role urban agriculture plays in poverty reduction in the identified households. This study adopted a qualitative approach because of its strengths which facilitated a better understanding of the different data the study gathered. Indeed, by use of words such as why, when, how, and what, the study was able to explain many aspects that are not known on urban agriculture in Kinshasa. The quantitative approach has been used to present some results in the form of figures and graphs It was noted that income from urban agriculture is mainly used for needs such as: school fees (25percent), food (53percent), clothing (15percent), and health (7percent). Despite the fact that it does not satisfy all the needs of the workers, results from the study indicate that urban agriculture is making a contribution in the socio-economic development of Kisenso. It clearly appears that if the urban agriculture is funded and professionalised, it can significantly contribute towards creating jobs in Kinshasa. This study was focused only in Kisenso, meaning that more research should be conducted on the entire city of Kinshasa so that conclusions can be generalised on employment and poverty reduction. It will be interesting for the government to fund urban agriculture activity and make it profitable to the workers and the entire population of Kinshasa.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

An assessment on the implementation of the fire brigade services act 99 of 1987 : the case of Nkonkobe and Nxuba Local Municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province

  • Authors: Ramothwala, ME
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Emergency management Fire prevention--Law and legislation
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , Public Administration
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16002 , vital:40581
  • Description: The Fire Brigade Services Act is a piece of legislation that guides organizations responsible for the establishment, management and implementation of fire prevention, firefighting, rescue of victims, training of officers and other emergency related activities. In light of how important life is and how difficult it is to lose our loved ones, crops and animals etc. The purpose of this study was to conduct a research and do an assessment of the implementation of the Fire Brigade Services Act 99 of 1987 (The case of Nkonkobe and Nxuba Municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province). The Fire Brigade Services Act operate in a specialised atmosphere. The complication of the interpretation of this legislation makes it difficult for the organizations to implement this piece of legislation successfully. This is exacerbated by the requirement of specialised equipment and machineries of which an exorbitant amount of money is required to procure, service and maintain those items. This propels the necessity of the organizations to plan, organise, direct, co-ordinate, control and evaluate proper management, effective and efficient implementation of this piece of legislation. The impact of the proper management, effective and efficient implementation of this act will be lifesaving. We all want to save our lives and fight for survival. The more we practice our skills and techniques to prevent, fight fires and rescue victims, the longer we can live. This study revealed that the implementation of Fire Brigade Services Act in the area of Nkonkobe and Nxuba situated at the Amathole District Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province is dramatically poor, with the resultant loss of lives and property. The Amatole District Municipality and the two above mentioned municipalities should develop a strategy to ensure effective and efficient implementation of the Fire Brigade Services Act as per the recommendation of this study. It should be noted that the organogram plays a major role in any organisation. It is a point of departure and once the organisation fails to create a proper structure, it is likely to be affect the performance of staff poorly.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

An e-learning environment for enterprise resource planning systems

  • Authors: Whale, Alyssa Morgan
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Blended learning Computer-assisted instruction Information storage and retrieval systems -- Business
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13182 , vital:27159
  • Description: Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) education can positively impact the success of an ERP implementation. Incorporating new tools and technologies into the learning process can potentially alleviate the evident problems with ERP education. Blended learning and e-learning environments both offer opportunities for improvement in education. However, there are various factors and components that need to be in place for such an environment to be successful. The aim of this research is to provide an ERP e-Learning Environment (ERPeL) that can assist with ERP education in terms of creating an integrated and comprehensive learning environment for novice ERP users. In order to achieve this aim, this study followed the Design-Based Research (DBR) methodology which is specific to educational technology research and was applied in iterative cycles where various components of the environment were evaluated by different participants. Quantitative and qualitative data was collected by means of field studies (interviews, focus groups and questionnaires). The proposed ERPeL underwent several iterations of feedback and improvement. In order to determine the success of e-learning, various critical success factors and evaluation criteria were investigated. Field studies were conducted in order to validate the theory in a real-world context. An initial field study was conducted with third year Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) students who were enrolled in the 2014 ERP systems’ module in the Department of Computing Sciences. Many of the problems identified in theory were found to be prevalent in the real-world context. One of the DBR process cycles involved the implementation of specific components of the ERPeL at the Developing and Strengthening Industry-driven Knowledge-transfer between developing Countries (DASIK) introduction to ERP systems course. Participants were either NMMU students, academic staff or industry delegates. The components evaluated included videos, learning content, badges, assessment and the SYSPRO Latte m-learning application. Additional components of a leader board, live chats, peer reviewing, expert reviews, user generated content, consultancy with experts and SYSPRO ERP certification were implemented in the subsequent cycle where participants were 2015 third year NMMU ERP systems students. The criteria used to evaluate the success of the ERPeL and its e-learning components were adapted from literature and a new set of evaluation criteria for e-learning was proposed. The ERPeL is made up of Moodle, the SYSPRO ERP System, the SYSPRO e-Learning System, the SYSPRO Latte m-learning application, learning content and components. Overall the ERPeL was positively received by the various sample groups. The research results indicate that the use of an e-learning environment for ERP systems was positively received. The most positive aspects reported were the implementation of e-learning components such as the interactive videos, simulations and m-learning. In support of this Masters dissertation, the following three papers have been published and presented at two local conferences and one international conference: 1. SACLA 2014, Port Elizabeth (South Africa); 2. SAICSIT 2015, Stellenbosch (South Africa); and 3. IDIA 2015, Zanzibar (Tanzania).
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  • Date Issued: 2016

An empirical investigation of the demand for money in South Africa within the inflation-targeting era

  • Authors: Duah, Rachel
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: South Africa--Economic conditions http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85125465 , Inflation targeting--South Africa , Monetary policy--South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Master's theses , text
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19465 , vital:43127
  • Description: The aim of the study is to empirically test the demand for money function in South Africa’s inflation-targeting era. This came from the fact that there have been a number of structural changes in the South African economy that have appeared to alter the relation between M3 and GDP and other macroeconomic variables. The study employed co-integration tests that showed one co-integrating equation which led to the application of the Vector-Error Correction Model (VECM) using the quarterly time series data covering the period from 2000-2015. The demand for money is investigated by estimating the real money balances as a function of Treasury Bills rate, income and total credit. Results showed that there is a negative relationship among Treasury Bills rate, income and real money balances. However, there is a positive relationship between real money balances and the total credit provided by the banking sector. The CUSUM and CUSUMQ tests are applied to examine the possibility of structural breaks in money demand functions, as well as parameter stability. The results of the study indicated that the estimated parameters for the short and long run dynamics of the real money demand function are stable. It was evident that Treasury bill rate, income and total credit can explain money balances and therefore can influence demand for money. The study recommends that the government ensures that there are economic activities such as employment creation which can then boost income levels so as to get a positive relationship between money balances and income. Through employment creation, there can be a reduction in borrowing. Treasury bill rates, being an effective monetary policy tool, can be used to direct monetary policy and also promote price stability. The study recommends that the South African Reserve Bank continue to improve the conditions in the financial sector. In this regard, the SARB and the government should strive to enact flexible policies that will boost financial credit and uplift business confidence. , Thesis (MCom)(Economics) -- University of Fort Hare, 2016
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  • Date Issued: 2016

An entrepreneurial development framework for SMEs in South Africa

  • Authors: Pyper, Regina Christina
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Sustainable development -- South Africa , Entrepreneurship -- South Africa , Small business -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5411 , vital:20838
  • Description: Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are engines of growth. It has been determined globally that these enterprises are the largest employers in economies. Small and Medium Enterprises fail fundamentally to succeed in South Africa. Many challenges and barriers were identified as the reason why the enterprise fails to survive or succeed for at least 42 months. Poor performance of the SMEs could be blamed on the lack of meaningful support including an over-regulated environment, red tape and the poor quality of education and training. A number of Small and Medium Enterprise owners in Turkey were interviewed to determine if the enterprise development support system contributed to success and economic growth. The government succeeded to improve the economy of Turkey profoundly by investing and supporting this very important sector. Turkey is positioned 17th in the world based on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The purpose of this study was to develop an entrepreneurial development framework for SMEs in South Africa. The government needs to support and implement this framework to stimulate economic growth, to address the poor quality of education and training and to establish a system to measure the performance of critical success factors. A case study research approach was employed to address five propositions that were investigated in this research project. Semi-structured interviews studied the perceptions and experiences of the SME owners in Turkey. The study found a positive relationship between economic growth, a meaningful enterprise development support system, education and training, critical success factors and entrepreneurship and the perceived success of entrepreneurial ventures in South Africa. The establishment and implementation of an entrepreneurial development framework will encourage the creation of new ventures. The government will be able to achieve the goal of economic growth as set out in the National Development Plan. The establishment of SMEs will result in employment, social stability, economic growth and the generation of tax revenues. The purpose of an entrepreneurial development framework is to ensure the sustainable economic development and prosperity of South Africa.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

An erosion and sediment delivery model for semi-arid catchments

  • Authors: Bryson, Louise Kay
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Sedimentation and deposition , Erosion , Watershed management -- South Africa , Water-supply -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: vital:6056 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020331
  • Description: Sedimentation has become a significant environmental threat in South Africa as it intensifies water management problems in the water-scarce semi-arid regions of the country. As South Africa already allocates 98% of available water, the loss of storage capacity in reservoirs and degraded water quality has meant that a reliable water supply is compromised. The overall aim of this thesis was to develop a catchment scale model that represents the sediment dynamics of semi-arid regions of South Africa as a simple and practically applicable tool for water resource managers. Development of a conceptual framework for the model relied on an understanding of both the sediment dynamics of South African catchments and applicable modelling techniques. Scale was an issue in both cases as most of our understanding of the physical processes of runoff generation and sediment transport has been derived from plot scale studies. By identifying defining properties of semi-arid catchments it was possible to consider how temporal and spatial properties at higher levels emerged from properties at lower levels. These properties were effectively represented by using the Pitman rainfall-runoff model disaggregated to a daily timescale, the Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation (MUSLE) model incorporating probability function theory and through the representation of sediment storages across a semi-distributed catchment. The model was tested on two small and one large study catchment in the Karoo, South Africa, with limited observed data. Limitations to the model were found to be the large parameter data set and the dominance of structural constraints with an increase in catchment size. The next steps in model development will require a reduction of the parameter data set and an inclusion of an in-stream component for sub-catchments at a larger spatial scale. The model is applicable in areas such as South Africa where water resource managers need a simple model at the catchment scale in order to make decisions. This type of model provides a simple representation of the stochastic nature of erosion and sediment delivery over large spatial and temporal scales.
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  • Date Issued: 2016

An ethnographic study of beginner mathematics teachers’ classroom practices in the first three years of their employment: Shaping of a Professional Identity

  • Authors: Narayanan, Ajayagosh Ettappiriparambil
  • Date: 2016
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: vital:2069 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020967
  • Description: The main theme in this study examines how beginner mathematics teachers (BTs) shape their professional identity in their first three years of classroom practices in Lesotho. This study, which focuses particularly on BTs’ second and third year of employment, gathers data with an understanding that the notion of professional identity is multi-faceted. Professional identity embraces a host of other identities such as personal identity, teacher identity, mathematics identity and community of practice identity. This study is framed by social theories of learning. Learning occurs by active participation and practice. BTs’ peripheral participation assists them in making sense of the activities (situated learning) in which they are engaged, in the classrooms. The sense making processes eventually shape their professional identity. In line with situated meanings that BTs form, the key notion (professional identity) is further categorised into personal identity, teacher identity, mathematics identity and community of practice identity. These identities integrate to become the professional identity of a beginner mathematics teacher. Using a narrative ethnographic approach as the research method, I have made use of extensive classroom observations and interviews to gather data. In this study, six volunteer participant BTs were originally selected. These teachers were from two districts, Berea and Maseru in Lesotho. After being observed in the classrooms, these teachers were interviewed. In the third year of the study, one participant withdrew from the study. I used vertical (descriptive) analysis to narrate their classroom practice followed by horizontal analysis to understand how they shape their professional identity. The analytical model enables the researcher to analyse the data in order to establish how the BTs’ actions, their reflexive stories and their journey in becoming a mathematics teacher shape their professional identity. The recurring themes that emerged from the horizontal analysis are the ways BTs approach the classroom practice which is dominated by teacher-centred learning. This involves demonstrating an example and then students following this model to practice more examples. In this sense, their approach is the same though these BTs started understanding how their classroom approaches can bring changes in the learning of mathematics. I analysed the utterances from the BTs’ classroom activities by separating these into mathematizing and subjectifying. The subjectifying utterances were further analysed to understand how these created meaning. These, in my view, are also central features of a teacher’s practice that need interpretation in order to understand the shaping of a professional identity. The key finding is that their narrative helped them to understand how they shape their professional identity. The study highlights the importance of listening to BTs’ stories of how they become mathematics teachers. Their narratives can be the benchmark for stake-holders, policy makers and potential researchers as the study on BTs’ professional identity is relatively new in Lesotho.
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  • Date Issued: 2016
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