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An assessment of the relationship between clean audits and service delivery : a study of Amathole District Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province, for the 2013/2014 financial year

  • Authors: Mashalaba, Bongiwe
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Municipal finance -- South Africa -- Auditing Auditing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Finance, Public -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4638 , vital:28471
  • Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the concept of clean audit reports in relation to service delivery. The study was conducted in the Amathole District Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province and centred on the audit outcome of the municipality for the 2013/2014 financial year. A qualitative research design was adopted in order to conduct the study and the data was collected through the conducting of semi-structured interviews. The research sample comprised officers who were employed by the Amathole District Municipality and one manager from the office of the Auditor-General. The key findings of the study revealed that, at present, the concept of a clean audit outcome is used by municipal officers to imply that the performance of an organisation is to be assessed mainly on the basis of evidence which is provided by financial indicators, to the exclusion of non-financial benchmarks. This assumption tends to encourage municipal officers to strive towards impressing auditors, rather than serving their communities through the providing of adequate service delivery. In addition, the auditing of municipalities does not assess their performance in relation to service delivery and the ways in which communities at the local level are affected by it. At present it appears to be beyond the remit of auditors to investigate the validity of the protests which erupt in communities in response to poor service delivery or whether the members of communities and other affected stakeholders are satisfied or dissatisfied with the manner in which services are rendered by their municipalities. Consequently, those who are tasked with the making of decisions in municipalities act upon the recommendations which are made in their audit outcomes and formulate plans in relation to service delivery or projects which do not necessarily accord with the needs of the communities which they are intended to serve. Consequently, on the basis of the findings of this study, it is proposed that assessments of the performance of organisations should incorporate non-financial indicators into the auditing process. Adopting this approach would minimise incidences of municipalities receiving clean audit outcomes while the members of the communities which they serve take to the streets to express their anger and frustration as a result of poor service delivery.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An assessment of the strategies for implementing inclusive education in teacher education in Zimbabwe

  • Authors: Makiwa, Ellen
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Inclusive education -- Zimbabwe
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5025 , vital:29013
  • Description: Inclusive education has become a global trend in the 21st century and is seen as a way of addressing barriers to learning for children with diverse backgrounds, needs, abilities and learning styles. The key to the success of the implementation of inclusive education lies in teacher education as this is where teachers are trained. Teacher education is thus expected to equip pre-service teacher trainees with relevant and effective strategies to enable them to implement inclusive education effectively in the schools in response to learner diversity. This study therefore focused on assessing the strategies for implementing inclusive education that teacher educators equip their pre-service trainees with in the primary teacher training colleges in Zimbabwe. The research was grounded in the pragmatist paradigm and the mixed method approach was employed. Data were collected from two primary teacher training colleges in Zimbabwe and in primary schools in the Harare Metropolitan Province. The participants were lecturers (teacher educators), pre-service trainees in the final phase of the course and qualified teachers who trained with the two colleges and are teaching in the Mbare-Hatfield District of the Harare Metropolitan Province. The study found out that most of the lecturers, pre-service teacher trainees and qualified teachers knew about inclusive education although some had a narrow view of the extent to which learner diversity entails. Therefore, this could affect the way these educators perceive inclusive teaching strategies in the implementation of inclusive education. The main finding was that the teaching strategies that pre-service trainees were equipped with were not quite effective for inclusive classrooms. The study also unveiled that lecturers in the primary teacher training colleges were aware of different teaching strategies with which pre-service trainees can be equipped and exposed to in order for effective teaching and learning to take place. They, however, did not differentiate between those strategies for regular classes and those for inclusive ones. Although the lecturers were aware of inclusive teaching strategies, they did not do much to equip their trainees with these due to challenges which include lack of coordinated programmes in lecturing in the different subject areas; lack of integration in topics taught in the different subject areas; loaded timetables in the teacher education curriculum; the nature of the teacher education curriculum which is not flexible as it focuses on examinations; inadequate resources and high lecturer-student ratio in the colleges; and high teacher-pupil ratio in the primary schools where the pre-service trainees do their teaching practice. The researcher made some recommendations from the conclusions drawn from the research findings. The recommendations included that there is need for adequate teacher preparation and training to enable teachers to be flexible, accommodative and reflective in their practice in terms of employing teaching strategies. The researcher also recommended a review of the primary teacher education curriculum in its entirety to accommodate fully the teaching of inclusive education.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An energy, water and disease disaster management module: a technoeconomic feasibility analysis

  • Authors: Nicholson, Thomas J
  • Date: 2017
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSC
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/65167 , vital:28700
  • Description: Intermittent energy and water supply are current challenges faced by many residents in South Africa. South Africa is one of the more water scarce countries in the world; this coupled with the lack of infrastructure makes it challenging to provide every citizen with their right to basic water and sanitation. With millennium development goal 7C not being addressed in many areas, residents experience sub-standard living conditions, which drastically increases the vulnerability of marginalised groups to epidemics. In the sustainable development goals improving sanitation and drinking water has been identified as one of the most effective and least expensive means of reducing fatalities and increasing public health. There is a need for a mobile laboratory that demonstrates power and water self-sufficiency, which is capable of on-site diagnosis and water treatment. The unit will have the ability to perform independent compliance monitoring of municipal water supply, treat inadequate water and provide surplus electricity to surrounding areas. A literature-based study was performed utilizing several scientific databases to identify current methods of power and water production in previous disaster management and humanitarian relief situations. Based on findings three example laboratories were theoretically designed; structural modelling, systems simulation and optimization and sensitivity analyses were performed with HOMER Pro, PackVol and SketchUp. A cost benefit analysis was performed with the social return on investment methodology. Novel human waste processing was performed with fly ash and simulated faeces. Bacterial species identification in ice samples was performed with the API 20E protocol and limited equipment as a proof of concept for field deployment. A hybrid system consisting of PV panels, a wind turbine and biomass generator showed promise for displaced humanitarian relief camps; with every 1 ZAR capital invested resulting in 3.13 ZAR social benefit. A system consisting of PV panels and a battery bank proved to have the least environmental impact and the grid supply laboratory showed a cheaper cost of energy alternative for needs provision. Fly ash showed potential as in nutrient recovery and as a fertility aid to soil. The units developed function as a means to increase disaster preparedness and humanitarian relief as well a means to improve quality of life for rural marginalize populations.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An evaluation and estimation of risk factors associated with cholera : case study of registered patients in Raymond Mhlaba local municipality, South Africa

  • Authors: Osuji, Georgeleen O
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Cholera -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Risk assessment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15562 , vital:40459
  • Description: Background: Cholera is an acute infectious disease of the small intestine caused by the bacterium called Vibrio cholerae, which has two serogroups01and 0139which is also known as choleragenic V. cholerae. This disease is characterized by profuse watery diarrhoea and severe dehydration which can lead to death of both adult and children if treatment is not promptly given. Cholera is spread through ingestion of V. cholera contaminated water and food. Cholera has displayed global presence more than seven times and caused tremendous disaster to humankind. Method: This was a retrospective study among patients with cholera within the period of ten years (2005 to 2015) and the total number of patients was 106. The target population for this study were patients at Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality who attended Victoria hospital and were diagnosed with Vibrio cholerae species with respect to sources of water and non-water sources during the mentioned period. A multivariate Logistic regression was used to determine the risk factors of cholera and comparison was made in the treatment of cholera outcomes for factors which were statistically significant at P < 0.05. Results: The median age was 24.5 (IQR: 7.0-44.8) for all respondents with cholera. Patients within the age range of 26-40 and 41-55 were found to have a higher risk of cholera (2.20, 95percent CI: 1.51, 4.22) and (1.13, 95percent CI: 0.61, 2.01) respectively. The risk of cholera was considerably higher among the black race (2.51, 95percent CI: 1.52, 4.31) compared to the coloured (1.33, 95percent CI: 0.75, 3.713). Patients who used source of water supply from carrier/Tanker and Dam/River had higher increased risk of contracting cholera (1.71, 95percent CI: 0.92, 3.62) and (2.61, 95percent CI: 1.38, 4.25) respectively compared to patients that used other sources of water. Home, party and restaurant as places patients had eaten 24 hours earlier before the onset of cholera were associated with increased risk of severe cholera. Patients who shared toilet facilities had increased risk of cholera (0.91, 95percent CI: 0.47, 1.62) compared to the ones who used private toilet. Those patients who did not practice hand washing had an increased risk of contracting cholera (1.45, 95percent CI: 0.88, 2.12) compared to the ones who washed their hands. When Logistic regression was carried out, the following risk factors were found to be statistically significant in causing cholera at 5percent significance level; Age ( 26-40), gender, level of education, marital status, sources of water supply, place eaten in the last 24 hours before onset of cholera, type of toilet used and hand washing. Conclusion: Improvement in level of education, sources of water supply, place of last eaten before cholera sickness, toilet facilities, hand washing practices are key risk factors for cholera disease and hospitalization among patients in Raymond Mhlaba local Municipality, Eastern Cape. The strong association between water and sanitation highlights the need for a more thorough assessment of potential waterborne exposures and the risk faced by family members suffering from cholera infection cases and may warrant renewed research regarding the use of targeted chemoprophylaxis in endemic rural settings.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An evaluation into the organisational culture at a selected South African state owned enterprise

  • Authors: Ngubane, Nombulelo
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Corporate culture -- South Africa Government business enterprises -- South Africa , Government corporations -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48035 , vital:40465
  • Description: The purpose of this research was to evaluate and to develop a theoretical model for a sustainable organisational culture within the South African Post Office (SAPO) RSA. The goal of this study research was to evaluate the organisational culture within the SA Post Office, to develop a theoretical model of the sustainable organisational culture through literature review and analysis of the respondents‟ survey questionnaires. In addition, the study sought to investigate the perceived success of organisational transformation for sustainable organisational culture by examining the key factors that are believed impact sustainable organisational culture. Based on the above, to determine how SAPO measures up to the requirements for a sustainable organisational culture. This study research provides useful insight into the factors that contribute to a sustainable organisational culture for the South African Post Office. This research looks into the current organisational culture at SAPO.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An evaluation of affirmative action in public sector

  • Authors: Myoli, Vuyiseka Marly
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Affirmative action programs -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Human rights -- South Africa , Affirmative action programs -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14190 , vital:27443
  • Description: The South African public service has been undergoing fundamental transformation since 1994. The new government has had to build a democratic, inclusive and responsive public sector to the extent that the last two decades have witnessed the most dramatic shifts in public reform. After 1994, the public sector had to be transformed so that it could be representative of the nation’s racial composition, caters for the needs of all citizens irrespective of their racial, ethnic, gender, sexual persuasion and orientation. The government agenda of reconstructing and developing a democratic state depends on the willingness, capabilities and patriotism of the public service. As part of its transformation agenda, the government had to introduce policies that were focusing on promoting affirmative action and employment equity. Through this policy and other related employment equity measures, the South African public sector had to be transformed in terms of racial and gender representivity. This study assesses and evaluates whether the policies and legislation that were geared towards the transformation and democratization of public sector have yielded positive or negative results. By way of a literature review and comparative analysis, this study examines the objectives of affirmative action and analyses the approaches that have been taken since the adoption of this policy in the workplace. It looks at public sector and argues that there are still flaws relating to the implementation of affirmative action in public sector. The extent to which affirmative action programs attempt to implement affirmative action differs if South Africa and the United States of America can be taken as examples. The study considers some of the challenges faced by the new South African government in transforming public sector and interrogates the courts’ application and interpretation of affirmative action legislation. It concludes with recommendations that could be put in place in order to position affirmative action policies in line with the objectives of the South African Constitution, labour laws and American approach where the policy was adopted from.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An evaluation of appreciative inquiry as an alternative organisation development approach

  • Authors: Van der Merwe, Schalk Willem
  • Date: 2017
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/5925 , vital:20990
  • Description: The research provides an insight into the main challenges of previous Organisation Development processes, and Appreciative Inquiry is explored to establish the value it can offer as an alternative which minimises these challenges in today’s organisations. Organisation Development originated during the early 1950s and has evolved, adapted and changed dramatically since then. Two classical Organisation Development processes, Lewin’s 3-Step model and the Action Research spiral, are described, and typical challenges of applying them in today’s organisations are outlined. To remain competitive, organisations need to identify, adjust, and adapt to changing circumstances. These changing circumstances are constant and are due to increasingly complex demands from technological, economic, managerial, and cultural needs. Appreciative Inquiry as an approach is explored as an alternative Organisation Development process: it shifts the question from ‘what is going wrong’ to ‘what is going right in the organisation’. Appreciative Inquiry consists of the Discovery, Dream, Design and Destiny stages, and searches for the best in people and their organisations. In accordance with the constructionist paradigm, the research offers conclusions through the confirmation of past practices, conversations and relationships combined with creative new methods or experimentation of a positive intended future. The One- Group Pretest-Posttest, as a design, was selected to explore the effect of the variable (the Appreciative Inquiry intervention) in relation to the pre- and post-experimental evaluation. The design consists of an initial engagement (Pretest), the influencing variable (an Appreciative Inquiry intervention) and final engagement (Posttest) with the same group. The research was supported by a mixed method approach, with qualitative data supported by quantitative data. The quantitative data provided a general understanding of how participants experienced the change interventions. The qualitative data provided the information on how respondents experienced Organisation Development before an Appreciative Inquiry intervention and their views after an Appreciative Inquiry intervention. A South African secondary school was selected as a research site. Limited research is available regarding the application of Organisation Development and especially Appreciative Inquiry as a process in schools in general, and in South African schools in particular. A survey questionnaire was the instrument for collecting the quantitative data regarding the participants’ biographical information and change process perceptions. For the collection of qualitative data, interview questionnaires were used. The findings indicate that whereas previous change processes appear to have regarded the various staff levels of the school as separate entities, during the Appreciative Inquiry approach all staff were included as being an integral part of the organisation. The main finding after completion of the Appreciative Inquiry intervention was that collectively discussing and defining issues in a positive light instead of a problem to be solved changes the perspective of participants. Through the application of the Appreciative Inquiry’s four stages, participants were invited to think in a new way by applying innovation, enhancing participation, maintaining a positive core, and providing practical solutions through provocative statements. Conclusions reached from the research are that Appreciative Inquiry is a viable alternative for minimising Organisation Development challenges in contemporary organisations. The conclusions are based on factors such as understanding the reason for change; strong leadership; defining what is a successful intervention; understanding the Appreciative Inquiry process, the value of provocative statements; and the sustainability of change.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An evaluation of clinical governance within a private radiology organisation in Durban KwaZulu-Natal

  • Authors: Wedderburn-Maxwell, Morgan Keir
  • Date: 2017
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/40884 , vital:25036
  • Description: South African health care organisations are required to adhere to the National Health Act, 61 of 2003 which contains the national core standards. Clinical governance is a key domain within the national core standards and is directly involved with a health care organisation’s ability to deliver quality care services. It can be described as a framework that ensures doctors and health care employees collaborate to provide superior quality health care services and create clinical accountability. The aim of this research was to evaluate the role of clinical governance within a private radiology organisation in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). The goals of this research was to identify and explore the challenges that are associated with clinical governance within a private health care organisation in Durban, KZN. Furthermore, to evaluate the importance and implications of clinical governance for a private radiology organisation in Durban, KZN. The objectives of this research was to investigate how the private radiology organisation is managing clinical governance and to identify whether there is a common understanding of the concept among its members. The research adopted a qualitative approach where semi-structured interviews were conducted to obtain the data that enabled the goals and objectives of this research to be attained. The results indicated that clinical governance is a key factor to the private radiology organisations long-term sustainability. Clinical governance is vital for health care organisations to deliver quality health care services. The private radiology organisation places a significant emphasis among its members to deliver superior quality health care services. As a result, the organisation utilises the key elements within the clinical governance framework to continuously increase the quality of care that it provides and abide to the legally binding standards. The results support the notion that there is a need for the clarity of the definition, roles and responsibilities of clinical governance. The findings of this research suggest that further research is required to identify the contribution that clinical governance makes to improving the quality of care within South African health care organisations. Furthermore, research identifying employees’ perceptions of clinical governance within the private health care sector in South Africa is recommended.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An evaluation of government housing projects against the breaking new ground principles in Wells estate in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality

  • Authors: Songelwa, Thuthuka Siphumezile
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Low-income housing -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Housing development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Public housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Housing -- Developing countries Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14378 , vital:27578
  • Description: Despite the array of polices adopted to address the housing issue in South Africa in the post ’94’ dispensation, South Africa in 2015 remains riddled with the same housing challenges as at 1994 even despite the significant improvements that have been achieved. Subsidised housing projects completed between 1994 and 2004 are characterised by poor design, poor quality, late delivery, poor location, and spatial marginalisation. To address these shortfalls, the Department of Human Settlements adopted the Breaking New Ground (BNG) principles in 2004 and the housing code of 2009 to mitigate shortfalls in the provision of low cost housing and thereby creating sustainable human settlements. It was in such context that this study sought to assess whether the BNG and housing code of 2009 was implemented in the building of the low-cost houses of the Wells Estate Human Settlement in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM), constructed post-2004. An exploratory study using both the quantitative and qualitative data collection methods was used to conduct the study. A questionnaire with open and closed questions was used to collect data. To complement the use of the questionnaire, transect walks were also undertaken. The findings of the study were that; firstly: The majority of the beneficiaries belonged to the productive age that is between 18 and 60; Wells Estate depicts a pre ‘94 spatial planning given its peripheral location there by affecting cost to work and job searching; The quality of houses complied with the tenets of the BNG and housing code of 2009; Access to services and facilities like police station, community halls, clinics, and schools remained a challenge because their availability is determined by the population size and utilisation rate, and Access to socio economic opportunities was still a challenge. The beneficiaries of Wells Estate even in the case for businesses owned this; these were for subsistence only such as street vending, shoe repairing, and painting. Given the above findings, the study recommends that: There is need to focus on human capital development through skill development to the productive age group which is unemployed. With skills, the unemployed have an opportunity to look for employment thereby improving their livelihoods; The provision of housing alone cannot alleviate the socio-economic challenges affecting the poor, however there is a need for a multi-pronged approach to address other socioeconomic determinants such as access to employment and education, and There is need to for a collaboration approach between the NMBM and other government departments for instance with the Department of Basic Education for scholar transport.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An evaluation of how ABSA retail branch management experience change at ABSA Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Ramjee, Keeran
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Banks and banking -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Leadership , Leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Financial services industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Organizational change -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19949 , vital:29011
  • Description: Organisational leaders often assume that change (large or small) is straightforward and the approach to solve the problems is done rationally and logically. Thereafter a strategy is developed and a plan is implemented to make the improvement a reality. It comes as a shock to organisational leadership that those improvement plans, initially envisioned, do not deliver on expectations. As mentioned in The effective change managers’ handbook (Smith, et al., 2014), a greater shock awaits organisational leadership that after convincing colleagues of the necessity for the change to solution and the need to resolve the issue, in reality, it does not always work or achieve the desired outcomes. Improvement plans are often met with resistance by various stakeholders within the organisation. As a result, these improvement plans are abandoned and the organisation is relegated to business as usual. Literature reviewed in the field of organisational change management reveals a failure rate of 70% to 80% when it comes to the implementation of change initiatives and more so where change initiatives have a low expected return on value. Organisational change and organisational change management literature is constantly evolving as variable criteria and measures are researched, revealing deeper insight and impact on organisations. Therefore, according to literature, a greater knowledge of organisational change management within a global context would provide relevance and richness in the manner in which organisations go about implementing change initiatives. The key challenges and management issue at hand are to explore, understand and comprehend the variables that influence the branch manager’s positive reaction to change. This will guide organisational leadership and improve the success rate of change initiatives implemented in the organisation.For Absa to maintain a competitive advantage and ensure sustainability, a comprehensive understanding of the variables that influence the branch managers’ positive reaction to change is an imperative for Absa’s organisational leadership. Organisational change and organisational change management have all the key elements for the implementation of change within organisations. If executed effectively, this would result in a positive reaction by employees when change initiatives are introduced into the organisation. By studying past experiences and outcomes from empirical studies on organisational change and organisational change management, it was possible to draw lessons and experience about the discipline of organisational change management and factors influencing effective implementation of change initiatives resulting in a greater degree of success. The study may be of significance to other organisations across industries looking at improving the success rate in terms of implementing change initiatives within the managerial level of an organisation. Factors that come to the fore are creativity in influencing leadership behaviour, due diligence about investment opportunities, return on change initiatives, etc. These need to be explored in order for the organisation to achieve the objectives of remaining competitive and ensuring the sustainability of the organisation. Therefore creative strategies and thinking of ways to circumvent challenges in organisational change and organisational change management needs to be employed. The following independent variables were tested: training, effective communication, employee inclusion, trust, decreasing fear of the unknown and finally, decreasing fear of failure. Results revealed from the quantitative research that trust and decreasing fear of the unknown are essential factors influencing branch managers’ positive reaction to change though the importance of the other independent variables tested must not be considered to be of lesser importance. This study therefore concluded that utilisation of the framework, with emphasis on trust and decreasing fear of the unknown will result in the positive reaction by Absa branch managers to change and this will ultimately influence the success rate of change initiatives implemented. Recommendations were also made for future research studies that can contribute to organisational change and change management literature with emphasis on positive reaction to change, as well as the improvement and success rate of change initiatives implemented within organisations.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An evaluation of the expanded public works programme in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Eastern Cape Province

  • Authors: Ntwasa, Andisa
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Public works -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8802 , vital:33599
  • Description: The evaluation of the EPWP within the BCMM will assist the municipality in enhancing the metropolitan’s capacity to deliver the services of the EPWP by ensuring that challenges are addressed, an integrated approach is adopted and that the programme implementation receives the necessary support in order to develop communities. Cabinet has adopted the EPWP as its main tool for creating job opportunities. It has been approved as a conceptual framework with a specific role and targets for each municipality programme. The EPWP also engages the creation of job opportunities for unemployed people which enables them to participate in the economy; eventually they will make a contribution to their communities’ development and to the country as a whole. (National EPWP Guidelines, 2003:4). The EPWP is significant because it aims to expand the creation of temporary job opportunities which will give unemployed and poor people some income. The BCMM has focused on strengthening and expanding its EPWP, predominantly in the infrastructure sector. The emphasis has been on job creation through intensive methods in housing and infrastructure projects, as well as on improving reporting, monitoring and evaluation. Thus, the decision was taken to house the EPWP unit within the Directorate of Infrastructure Services for efficient administration, as most infrastructure projects are implemented within the directorate. To improve the implementation of the EPWP, and to be effective within the metropolitan, the programme should incorporate all activities within the municipality. Therefore, every project implemented, as per the municipality’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP), should be required to promote all possible EPWP opportunities. All existing projects should be restructured in order to promote greater employment opportunities. The municipality needs to increase emphasis on labour intensive construction methods, the rollout of the EPWP in the social and environmental and culture sectors, and the municipality should evince a greater level of EPWP participation.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An evaluation of the impact of the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 on the relationship between franchisors and franchisees

  • Authors: Biggs, Lynn
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: South Africa -- Consumer Protection Act, 2008 Consumer protection -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Franchises (Retail trade) -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14642 , vital:27810
  • Description: The franchising business model is an attractive option for both franchisors and franchisees. Franchisors grant the rights to use their intellectual property and business system to franchisees for a fee. Franchisees buy into the tried-and-tested business system, receive ongoing training and support and operate under an established trade mark or trade name. Fundamental characteristics of the franchise relationship include: the contractual nature thereof, the use of the franchisor‘s intellectual property by the franchisee, operating the franchise outlet according to the franchisor‘s business system, providing training and support to the franchisee, and paying for the use of the franchisor‘s intellectual property and business system. These characteristics have resulted in inherent tensions between franchisors and franchisees, which arise by virtue of, inter alia, the control exercised by the franchisor over the use of its intellectual property, franchisor opportunism, poor franchisee selection, franchisee free-riding, inadequate training and support, or the sunk investments made by the franchisee. The franchisor and franchisee generally use a franchise agreement to regulate their relationship. However, the franchise agreement itself can also lead to conflict between the parties, such as that arising from poor drafted clauses relating to territorial rights, renewal, payment, termination, restraint of trade, or confidentiality. The franchise agreement is typically drafted in the standard-form, resulting in franchisees faced with unequal bargaining power. The common law of contract is based on principles of freedom of contract and sanctity of contract and is, therefore, limited in its ability to resolve the tensions between the parties. Various models for regulating the franchising industry can be adopted, for example, self-regulation, statutory regulation, or co-regulation. Australia and Canada have adopted the statutory model by enacting franchise-specific legislation and New Zealand has followed the self-regulation model with no legislation regulating its franchising industry. South Africa did not formally regulate the franchise relationship through legislation until the enactment of its consumer protection legislation, the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (CPA), which includes a franchisee within the definition of consumer. This entails that all franchisees enjoy the protection of the CPA and all franchise agreements must comply with the provisions of the CPA. The South African economy is unique in that it is burdened by the social ills of its discriminatory past, such as high levels of unemployment, illiteracy and inequality. The country is faced with a slow growing economy with little development and promotion of entrepreneurship among small businesses. Despite the burdensome economy within which the franchising industry is required to operate, the industry‘s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country has remained stable. The South African government has identified the franchising industry as an opportunity for job creation, economic empowerment and promotion of entrepreneurship. The aim of the study is to ascertain whether the CPA is the correct legislative vehicle to regulate the franchise relationship, while enhancing the growth and development of the franchising industry. This thesis concludes that the introduction of fundamental consumer rights and rights of redress for franchisees through the provisions of the CPA has contributed to, or assisted in, the removal of the tensions inherent in the franchise relationship. In particular, the CPA has adequately addressed the lack of formal regulation of the franchise relationship through its disclosure requirements and its regulations. The thesis also proposes amendments to some of the CPA regulations, which will further enhance the disclosure requirements, and aid in curtailing the conflict caused by the terms of the franchise agreement. The thesis further proposes that the application of the CPA to franchise agreements should be limited to small, inexperienced or unsophisticated franchisees that are in need of the protection. An essential premise is that the CPA aims to protect ordinary consumers, including juristic persons, in day-to-day transactions (up to the threshold amount), to avoid suppliers taking advantage of them. Larger, more sophisticated or experienced franchisees, with stronger bargaining power and access to legal advice, do not necessarily require the protection of the CPA. The criteria relating to the size of class of micro-, very small and small enterprises, but not medium enterprises, within the different sectors or sub-sectors in terms of the National Small Enterprises Act, 102 of 1996, should be considered and used as a guide to determine whether the CPA applies to a franchise agreement. The development, growth and success of the franchising industry depends on the education of prospective franchisees wanting to adopt the franchising business model and invest in the industry. The CPA does not recognise or promote the roles of the various stakeholders (franchisors, franchisees and the government) with regard to the provision of education, training, ongoing support and assistance to prospective franchisees. This thesis proposes that mechanisms to enhance the education of prospective franchisees should be promoted, such as tandem franchising, obtaining advice undertakings from prospective franchisees before concluding franchise agreements, and increasing the role of the Consumer Commission in providing franchising education.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An evaluation of the implementation of phase 1 of the National Health Insurance Policy in South Africa

  • Authors: Ntlangula, Margaret Nokuzola
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: National health insurance -- South Africa Medical policy -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Development Studies
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8714 , vital:33439
  • Description: The purpose of this study was to evaluate how Phase 1 of the National Health Insurance Policy in South Africa was implemented. This evaluation focused on evaluation of reengineering of the primary health care system which is listed as one of the areas that was highlighted by the Department as needing attention during the implementation of Phase 1 of NHI. Reengineering of Primary Health Care was pronounced as the heart-beat of NHI. This is the approach that South Africa chose to implement to strengthen the current health care system. Specific measures that were selected to strengthen the current health system would be prioritized in Phase 1. Re-engineering of Primary Health Care is trusted with making a contribution to creation of a unified health care system. These areas would assist to close gaps which are a result of the current fragmented health care system. Inherited from the apartheid government of South Africa the current health care system has two fragments. One fragment is a highly resourced private health sector which provides quality health care for only 16 percent of the population while leaving 84percent of South Africans to access health care from the under-resourced public health sector. Fragmentation has contributed to inefficiencies in provision of health care. Post 1994 the Constitution outlawed discrimination based on economic and socioeconomic status which paved a way for progressive provision of universal coverage. To operationalize provisions of the Constitution of South Africa, the democratic government is implementing NHI which is a United Nations programme. To achieve a sustainable NHI, Phase 1 implementation also focused on strengthening the current health system. Through phased NHI implementation health financing reforms will become a reality. South Africa is implementing National Health Insurance policy to strategically redress health care financing which has resulted into an unequally fragmented health system. The end of a fragmented health system will give way to the birth of an ideal unified health system and universal coverage. The aim of this study was to evaluate how Phase 1 of National Health Insurance was implemented. Document method was used to collect documents, select and analyze data. This evaluation complements other studies which have contributed to the body of knowledge about implementation of programmes which will bring about realization of universal coverage.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An evaluation of the implementation of the South African Police Service Sector policing in the Eastern Cape

  • Authors: Lamana, Andile Robert
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: South African Police Service Police -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5271 , vital:29180
  • Description: This study focussed on the evaluation of the implementation of the South African Police Service sector policing in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. A mixed methods approach was used to gather, collect and analyse data for this study. The data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews, focus groups discussions and a survey. The quantitative approach dominated in data collection, whilst the qualitative approach was used to corroborate the quantitative findings. For the quantitative approach, 265 questionnaires were administered to 121 volunteer participants targeting the station commanders, cluster commanders and sector commanders. A hundred and forty questionnaires were also administered to the Sector Crime Forum chairpersons who were selected using simple random sampling from 32 police stations. The sector commanders were used for in depth interviews. The rationale behind was that the sector commanders are playing a key role in the implementation of sector policing. Simple random sampling was used to select the participants. The study area was in the Eastern Cape, where the research sample and participants were drawn. The findings of the study indicated that although sector policing minimum standards have been achieved by many stations, the study found out that there are some stations that have not yet attained the policy goals in terms of optimal implementation of sector policing in the Eastern Cape Province. The study established that the farm and rural and remote police stations were not complying with the minimum standards laid down in the National Instruction 3/2009. The problem of non-compliance emanates from the shortages of resources. Further findings on this study were based on the experiences and challenges of the implementers of sector policing. The study found that there were challenges confronted by them in the implementation process. Although some of the participants were indicating their enjoying working closely with their communities, there were some major challenges that they experienced in the process of executing their duties. The results of the study indicate that resources were not adequate to ensure that this new policing strategy is properly executed. Another important finding which was identified by the study was the fact that sector policing, as a new policing strategy, was not adequately communicated and marketed for it to be accepted and to for it to achieve the necessary buy in from stakeholders. The study further established that training, development and capacity building were lacking to capacitate the implementers of the new policing strategy. Further, sector to sector collaboration was identified as another challenge by the study. Team work was very much limited. The study further revealed that command and control was not enhanced by the sector commanders in their sectors. The sector patrol reports were not available in the files and AVL reports were also not retrieved and monitored. The factors highlighted above have a negative bearing on the reduction of crime. Poor police visibility and stakeholder participation in crime prevention programmes are not reducing crime.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An evaluation of the problems of equivalence and non-equivalence in the Intermediate Phase (IP) IsiXhosa home language workbooks of the Department of Basic Education

  • Authors: Styoshwana, Ntombenani
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Xhosa language -- Study and teaching Xhosa language -- Readers , Xhosa language -- Education (Primary) -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14356 , vital:27574
  • Description: Language plays an important part in our lives and the effects of language are remarkable and include much of what people believe. This study is about language and seeks to evaluate the extent of the problems of equivalence and non-equivalence in the texts translated from English into IsiXhosa by identifying those problems in the translated text. Translators strive to carry the meaning across from one language to another, as much as they can. Sometimes a translation shows non-equivalence and therefore the meaning gets lost. There are a number of reasons why this occurs. This study will examine some of them and propose solutions to address them.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An evaluation of the recruitment and selection of educators: the case of Zambezi Region Education Directorate, Namibia

  • Authors: Khama, Bollen Simataa
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Administrative agencies -- Namibia -- Personnel management , Civil service -- Personnel management , Teachers -- Recruiting -- Namibia , Employees -- Recruiting -- Namibia
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17967 , vital:28549
  • Description: This study evaluated the recruitment and selection of educators in the Zambezi Education Directorate of Namibia. Its objectives were: (1) to investigate ways and means of facilitating the implementation of the Public Service Act (Act no. 13 of 1995) with regard to the recruitment and selection of educators in the Zambezi Education District of Namibia; (2) to assess the role played by environmental and contextual factors in the performance of officials responsible for recruitment and selection of educators in the Zambezi Education District of Namibia; and (3) to find out if there was a relationship between the high turnover of educators and the processes of recruitment and selection of educators during the period of the investigation. A qualitative research methodology was used to conduct the study. A sample of 21 participants was selected for the study. It was comprised of six officials from the division human resources management - responsible for receiving information about teachers needed in schools from the circuit offices and advertising vacant posts; six officials from division of professional services - responsible for ensuring that educators who are recruited possess the prescribed teaching qualifications and competences; two officials in management cadre - responsible for administrative and financial decisions on recruitment and selection of educators and ensuring that posts have been budgeted for before they are filled. Seven participants who were former employees of the Zambezi Education Directorate also formed part of the sample. The researcher used interviews to gather data from participants. He also consulted relevant official documents such as the Public Servant Staff Rules (PSSR), circulars and policies issued by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) the Public Service Act, (Act No. 13 of 1995) and the Education Act, (Act No. 11of 2000). The study found, among others, that some participants who were involved in the recruitment and selection processes were not aware of the relevant Recruitment and Selection Policy. The environment and the context in which the recruitment and selection policy was implemented created loopholes for inefficiency and ineffectiveness. Furthermore, the study found that there was a relationship between the turnover of educators and the processes of recruitment and selection of educators. Hence the study recommends various ways and means of improving the recruitment and selection process in the Zambezi Education Directorate.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An experimental study of self-regulated learning with mathematically gifted pupils in Nigerian primary schools

  • Authors: Zaram, Gyang Nyam
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- Nigeria , Numeracy -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- Nigeria Gifted children -- Education -- Curricula Gifted children -- Nigeria
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/13381 , vital:27180
  • Description: The purpose of this study was to determine whether gifted pupils can master an enriched advanced level curriculum in mathematics using self-regulated learning strategies. A mathematics curriculum for class five primary school learners in Nigeria was developed for this study. An empirical study was conducted on primary five pupils who were seen to be significantly gifted in mathematics. The study employed the quantitative method of research, that is, the true experimental research. The pre-test, post-test control group design was used. Sixty gifted pupils who participated in a mathematics enrichment programme (MEP) were assigned into two groups of the control group and experimental group with thirty pupils forming each group. The control group was exposed to direct teaching (DT) while the experimental group used self-regulated learning (SRL) strategies. Four teachers served as facilitators in the MEP. The teaching and learning activities were carried out at a higher cognitive level as opposed to the regular curriculum, ensuring that the contents of the MEP were enriched and accelerated. Pupils in both the experimental group and the control group were administered a pre-test, problem-solving exercises, and post-test. These pupils also completed an attitudinal questionnaire to provide feedback about the MEP. The empirical results show that gifted pupils in primary five are capable of self-regulating their own learning through self-monitoring, self-evaluation, and self-reinforcement. The empirical results also show that there is a significant relationship between self-regulated learning, gifted learners, and an enriched advanced level differentiated curriculum as a realistic alternative to the present regular curriculum for gifted pupils in the mainstream of education. The findings further show that the lack of differentiation of instruction, lack of facilities such as libraries, media centres, and support materials contributes to low achievement of gifted pupils. Furthermore, the findings show that pupils were challenged and motivated with the MEP to the extent that they were engaged to think divergently and applied their metacognitive skills in finding solutions to mathematical problems. Therefore, the findings of this study could have significant implications for the future direction of gifted primary school education as well as teacher education. This study has made a significant contribution to the existing body of knowledge for implementing an enriched advanced level curriculum using SRL strategies for mathematically gifted pupils in the mainstream of primary school education.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An exploration of conflict related to land holding entities in the South African land reform process

  • Authors: Georghiades, George
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Land reform -- South Africa Land tenure -- South Africa , Conflict management -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15600 , vital:28275
  • Description: This evaluative study aims to identify and analyse conflicts within the South African land reform process that have manifested within Communal Property Institutions, and so doing, devising and providing a mechanism that will assist conflict practitioners to approach these conflicts in an informed manner. It further intends to provide for an approach in order to restore social justice to the land reform process, and so doing, suggesting resolution mechanisms to assist in the process for the reasons that this restoration of land rights was originally intended. This study further seeks to investigate the causes, actions and consequences of protagonistic land claimants and beneficiaries within the land reform process, who have created conflict within their communal property institutions, at the expense of those beneficiaries who are subsequently deprived of their land rights. According to Coate and Rosati (1988), human needs are a powerful source of explanation of human behaviour and social interaction. All individuals have needs that they strive to satisfy, either by using a system of “acting on the fringes” or acting as a reformist or revolutionary. Given this condition, social systems must be responsive to individual needs, or be subject to instability and forced change, possibly through violence or conflict). Humans need a number of essentials to survive. According to the renowned psychologist Abraham Maslow and the conflict scholar John Burton, these essentials go beyond just food, water, and shelter. They include both physical and non-physical elements needed for human growth and development, as well as all those things humans are innately driven to attain. For Maslow, needs are hierarchical in nature. That is, each need has a specific ranking or order of obtainment. Maslow's needs pyramid starts with the basic items of food, water, and shelter. These are followed by the need for safety and security, then belonging or love, self-esteem, and finally, personal fulfilment (Rothman J, 1997). Burton and other needs theorists who have adopted Maslow's ideas to conflict theory, however, perceive human needs in a different way, being rather as an emergent collection of human development essentials (Burton J, 1990). Furthermore, they contend needs do not have a hierarchical order. Rather, needs are sought simultaneously in an intense and relentless manner (Rothman J, 1997). Needs theorists' list of human essentials include safety, a sense of belonging (love), self esteem, personal fulfilment,identity, cultural security, freedom, distributive justice, and participation. The South African land restoration process relies largely on the Constitution of South Africa (1996), with the preamble thereof as its tenets. The three land reform programmes that emanate from the Constitution are the Land Redistribution Programme, the Land Tenure Reform programme, and the Land Restitution programme, which have been used in this study as the point of departure from which deviations are measured and analysed. A number of Communal property Institutions have been considered, the findings of which have been evaluated, investigated and analysed, in order to achieve the aims of this study.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An exploration of curriculum reforms in public schools in the Eastern Cape Province : a case study of Umtata District (1994-2014)

  • Authors: Daniel, Nokonwaba
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Curriculum change -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Education -- Curricula -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Public schools -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , Public Administration
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9132 , vital:34271
  • Description: This research explores the effectiveness of curriculum reforms in Public schools in the Eastern Cape Province with specific reference to a case study of Umtata District (1994- 2014). The study was accomplished using the qualitative research method in which the views of 20 participants comprising of principals and teachers were explored about: How effective are the curriculum changes brought about by the democratic system of government in the South African education system? Which factors are limiting the effectiveness of the implementation of curriculum reforms in the public schools in the Eastern Cape Province? What are the effects of curriculum reforms on the performance of the public schools in the Eastern Cape Province? Which strategies can the Eastern Cape Department of Education adopt to improve the effectiveness of the curriculum reforms in the public schools in the Eastern Cape Province? Findings that some of the curriculum changes brought about by the Democratic System of Government in the South African Education System were associated with review and change of the language used in education and learning, technology, computer education and data handling. From this analysis of the interview findings, it is evident that curriculum reviews and change not only influenced the change of language policy in the South African education system to support diversity and multiculturalism, but also new technologies and science in teaching and learning. Even though it was evident from the responses of most of the teachers that enormous successes have been achieved, it also emerged from the findings that there have also been challenges and impediments. It emerged from the analysis of the interview findings that some of the factors limiting the effectiveness of curriculum effectiveness in the public schools in the Eastern Cape Province are associated with lack of resources, lack of skills, lack of text books, poor review and modifications of the syllabus, and poor consultation and involvement of relevant stakeholders. However, findings still revealed that as much as there are some limitations, the curriculum reviews and change undertaken since the 1994 democratic dispensation significantly influenced the improvement of the performance of the contemporary South African public education system. The analysis of the interview findings revealed the effects of curriculum reforms on the performance of the public schools in the Eastern Cape Province to be associated with improved pass rates, improved performance in science and data handling, and improved responsiveness to changing needs and demands of the contemporary world. Considering the findings of this study, it is argued that the directors in the Eastern Cape Department of Education must evaluate the decision to apply the following strategies to influence improvement of the successful implementation of the curriculum. Such strategies would involve situational analysis, curriculum and syllabus development, investment in relevant key success factors (skills, technology & infrastructure), teaching and learning methods, and measuring and improving. Future studies can still explore and develop a framework for measuring and improving the implementation of curriculum reform.
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  • Date Issued: 2017

An exploration of employee readiness for change at Walter Sisulu University

  • Authors: Mpepo, Bulelwa N
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Walter Sisulu University for Technology & Science -- Employees -- Attitudes , Education, Higher -- South Africa -- Case studies , Educational change -- South Africa -- Case studies , Organizational change -- South Africa -- Case studies , Programme and qualification mix
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4455 , vital:20673
  • Description: Higher education institutions are faced with pressure to change to meet academic as well as socio-economic needs. These changes are often aimed at achieving financial viability, increased institutional efficiency, and solving problems of fragmentation in the university. Universities can change in their structure, operations, systems, or and in the use or adoption of technology. The effective implementation and management of these requisite changes is the key challenge to organisations facing change. Walter Sisulu University, a comprehensive university in the Eastern Cape, has formulated a strategy to turn the university around. Included in the strategy is a project on the academic enterprise. The level of readiness for change is viewed to be a determining factor in making any change successful. Since readiness is not automatic, there is a need to prepare individuals to have a positive attitude towards the change and to embrace the proposed change initiative. This study is informed by the quest to know what will encourage and prepare employees for the implementation of the new Programme and Qualification Mix (PQM) at the University. The study therefore sought as its main purpose to explore factors influencing individual readiness for change in the PQM at Walter Sisulu University. A qualitative approach was adopted in the study. Models of change readiness were reviewed to identify themes that would be used to explore the levels of readiness amongst university academic employees who were to implement the new Programme and Qualification Mix. Documents were analysed to understand the change in PQM and face-to-face, semi-structured interviews held to solicit the views of academic employees regarding enablers or inhibiters of their readiness. Results highlighted the poor preparation of academic employees at Walter Sisulu University to support and implement the change. Key concerns of employees included dissatisfaction with the inadequate and inappropriate communication strategies, uncertainty about the suitability of the changed PQM, doubt regarding leadership support for change, as well as the perceived risk of the change. However, the main enablers were the comprehension by WSU employees of the need for a new PQM to address the poor alignment with university vision and HEQSF requirements, an appreciation of the lack of social relevance of the programmes, and confidence that they have the requisite skills and qualifications. The perceived benefits for the institution provided the needed spur for embracing the new PQM.
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  • Date Issued: 2017
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