The role of local government in the basic education system: the case of the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Kivedo, Desmond
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1037 , vital:26521
- Description: The purpose of this study was to determine the role Local Government can play in the Department of Basic Education with the aim of addressing the enormous challenges faced by the Department of Basic Education with specific reference to the Province of the Eastern Cape. Currently the Department of Education in the Eastern Cape gets regular media coverage for the wrong reasons. Problems highlighted by the media normally include the following; over-crowded classrooms; mud schools; lack of ablution facilities at schools; delays in delivery of text books and stationary; shortage of teachers; unpaid teachers and the bungles with school transport and school nutrition programmes. Currently the National Government and Provincial Government have jurisdiction over basic education. An in-depth literature study was conducted in order to get insight in the Department of Basic Education in the Eastern Cape with its numerous problems and challenges that are crippling education in the province. The researcher also deemed it necessary to conduct an in-depth literature study on Local Government’s role in the education system in other countries e.g. USA, Wales, Great Britain and Nigeria where education is managed and financed by Local Government. Empirical studies were done through face-to-face interviews with the sample population from school principals, teachers, education specialists, administration officials and parents serving on School Governing Bodies in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole. The findings of the study suggested that Local Government is not yet in a favourable position to control the entire Department of Basic Education, although certain functions can be shifted to Local Government e.g. school transport, school nutrition programme; teachers’ salaries. The general feeling is that councilors at Local Government level are more likely to be aware of and sympathetic to the needs of their communities than Ministers and MEC’s. Through the relevant data the researcher has drawn certain conclusions and recommendations were made to alleviate the plight of education in the Province of the Eastern Cape.
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- Date Issued: 2014
The role of secondary education in operator employability in the automotive industry
- Authors: Puchert, Juliet
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Operators -- Selection -- Secondary education , Aptitude -- Automotive industry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Industrial Psychology)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/933 , vital:26510 , Operators -- Selection -- Secondary education , Aptitude -- Automotive industry
- Description: This study was designed to assess the role of secondary education in the employability of operators in the South African automotive industry. Five types of secondary education are referred to, namely, a secondary education including Mathematics and Science as subjects; a matriculation with Mathematics as a subject; a secondary education inclusive of Science as a subject; a technical type Grade 12 qualification and a general form of secondary education. A two-phase aptitude testing selection process, employing three sub-tests from the Differential Aptitude Test (DAT-K) and five from the Trade Aptitude Test (TRAT) batteries, was utilised to assess whether there were significant differences in aptitude test scores of applicants with different types of secondary education. These aptitude measures were administered to 2 463 preselected respondents. Descriptive statistics such as median, mode and frequency distribution graphs were used. Statistical analysis was also carried out, using the Chi-square test of independence, to determine the differences in aptitude test results obtained by the groups in the study. The study‟s findings revealed that the type of Grade 12 qualification held by applicants is an important criterion to be considered in the selection of automotive operators. The findings specifically indicated that a secondary education that included Mathematics and/or Science as subjects resulted in notable performance in the aptitude instruments employed in this study. The findings are broadly relevant to the South African automotive industry and are of value to human resource practitioners, educators, social scientists and other researchers.
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- Date Issued: 2014
The role of traditional leaders in the Amathole District local Municipality councils (with special reference to Mbhashe and Amahlathi local municipalities)
- Authors: Tsipa, Simpiwe
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1227 , vital:26538
- Description: The advent of democracy in South Africa brought about a new era of leadership at local sphere of government. According to the Constitution Act, No.108 of 1996 municipalities must be established throughout the country, including rural areas which were ruled by traditional leaders. The introduction of Councillors in the rural areas which were predominantly ruled by traditional leaders created uncertainty, tensions and insecurity. Roles of Councillors overlapped with those of traditional leaders. The roles and powers of Councillors became clearly defined unlike those of traditional leaders which were not clearly outlined. A need, therefore, arose for the clarification and confirming the roles and relevance of traditional leaders. The objective of this study was, therefore, to look at the role of traditional leaders in service delivery, their relevance in a democratic dispensation and evaluate the impact of poor relations between traditional leaders and Councillors. In doing the study, questionnaires and interviews were conducted to traditional leaders, municipal officials and some veterans such as Mda Mda. Municipal officials included Mayors, Municipal Managers, Senior Managers and Councillors. Traditional leaders included the King of Amaxhosa, Chiefs and Headman. It transpired that current legislation is not clear and precise as to what are the roles and responsibilities of traditional leaders are in service delivery. There is some serious overlapping in the roles of traditional leaders and those of Councillors. Traditional leaders have a great influence in rural areas and for effective delivery to happen they cannot be ignored or left outside the process. Legislation must therefore be reviewed to be precise, clear and be committing when it comes to roles of traditional leaders.
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- Date Issued: 2014
The study of the levels of patriotism and nationalism of the employees of a developmental local government: the case of Buffalo city Metropolitan Municipality
- Authors: Mxunyelwa, Sweetness Xolisa
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/1158 , vital:26531
- Description: The failure to deliver on basic services has strained relationship between the metropolitan and the community. This study therefore aimed to establish the levels of patriotism and nationalism of the employees of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in order to create a framework that can be used to address the low productivity levels and service delivery backlogs. The study was carried out by means of questionnaire survey method and data analysed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). All differences in opinion were considered to be significant at α (hereafter referred to as P) < 0.05. Except for questions 3, 6, 19 and 22 for which responses were influenced by the educational status of the respondents; their opinions for all other questions were not significantly affected by their educational qualifications. In considering question 6, the post-matric certificate holders indicated that they enjoy coaching people on new tasks and procedures (and so are the grade 12 certificate holders) while the post-graduate degree holders (and the degree holders also) were of a neutral disposition to that notion. Interestingly however, is the fact that despite their different places of residence, no statistically significant differences in opinion were recorded in the way respondents’ answered questions asked. The main difference (P = 0.05) was observed between those aged below 30 (who agreed) and those whose age was 50+ (who were neutral) to question 4 (the more challenging a task is, the more I enjoy it). The results of this study therefore indicated that the younger employees enjoy taking on a new or difficult task and that the improvement in the working conditions, remuneration, welfare packages and in training of the employees can improve service delivery in the study area.
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- Date Issued: 2014
The use of performance information in the department of transport, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Mrawusi, Lindelwa Theodorah
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11729 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1018183
- Description: In a global sphere where public management performance has to be monitored and governments held accountable for their performance, performance information use has been advocated to be stratagem to promote accountability and efficient public sector performance. The South African government has also in a bid to ensure accountable, responsive, transparent, participatory, effective and efficient service delivery promoted the use of performance information use. It is in this regard that the current study sought to It is this argument and scholarly contradictions that have given rise to the current study, which sought to investigate the usage of performance information systems (PIs) by managers and public sector officials in promoting good governance, decision making, transparency, accountability and reporting in the transport department in King Williams’ town. It was established from the current study that there is interplay of various factors for the proper utilization of PIs within the public sector and the findings of the study also indicated that PIs are mainly utilized by the top management for making decisions, planning and evaluation. In order to order to carry out the study, deductive logic was used using a quantitative survey methodology. Data was collected through the use of self administered Likert‐styled questionnaires within the King Williams Town Transport Department. The study utilized stratified sampling in selecting the respondents of the study.
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- Date Issued: 2014
Towards a framework for enhancing user trust in cloud computing
- Authors: Nyoni, Tamsanqa B
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Adoption -- Cloud Computing , User Trust
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Information Systems)
- Identifier: vital:11142 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1014674 , Adoption -- Cloud Computing , User Trust
- Description: Cloud computing is one of the latest appealing technological trends to emerge in the Information Technology (IT) industry. However, despite the surge in activity and interest, there are significant and persistent concerns about cloud computing, particularly with regard to trusting the platform in terms of confidentiality, integrity and availability of user data stored through these applications. These factors are significant in determining trust in cloud computing and thus provide the foundation for this study. The significant role that trust plays in the use of cloud computing was considered in relation to various trust models, theories and frameworks. Cloud computing is still considered to be a new technology in the business world, therefore minimal work and academic research has been done on enhancing trust in cloud computing. Academic research which focuses on the adoption of cloud computing and, in particular, the building of user trust has been minimal. The available trust models, frameworks and cloud computing adoption strategies that exist mainly focus on cost reduction and the various benefits that are associated with migrating to a cloud computing platform. Available work on cloud computing does not provide clear guidelines for establishing user trust in a cloud computing application. The issue of establishing a reliable trust context for data and security within cloud computing is, up to this point, not well defined. This study investigates the impact that a lack of user trust has on the use of cloud computing. Strategies for enhancing user trust in cloud computing are required to overcome the data security concerns. This study focused on establishing methods to enhance user trust in cloud computing applications through the theoretical contributions of the Proposed Trust Model by Mayer, Davis, and Schoorman (1995) and the Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability (CIA) Triad by Steichen (2010). A questionnaire was used as a means of gathering data on trust-related perceptions of the use of cloud computing. The findings of this questionnaire administered to users and potential users of cloud computing applications are reported in this study. The questionnaire primarily investigates key concerns which result in self-moderation of cloud computing use and factors which would improve trust in cloud computing. Additionally, results relating to user awareness of potential confidentiality, integrity and availability risks are described. An initial cloud computing adoption model was proposed based on a content analysis of existing cloud computing literature. This initial model, empirically tested through the questionnaire, was an important foundation for the establishment of the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) and therefore the framework to enhance user trust in cloud computing applications. The framework proposed by this study aims to assist new cloud computing users to determine the appropriateness of a cloud computing service, thereby enhancing their trust in cloud computing applications.
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- Date Issued: 2014
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
Assessment of government spending austerity measures in on-site school support for curriculum delivery: a case of Idutywa Education District
- Authors: Lombo, Nomachule
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Government spending policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Financial crises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Debts, Public -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2038 , vital:27600
- Description: The view of on-site school support for curriculum delivery is shared by most countries and its effects have been felt by schools. There is fear that the Austerity Measures will negate the outcomes of the action taken by the teams that visit the schools. The reviewed literature is more biased towards the Austerity Measures in the whole government sector rather than in a department or an institution like the Education District in Idutywa. Even though the effects of Austerity Measures have been researched all over the world based on a specific country, there is deficiency of such literature done in the institution like the department of Education Districts. The researcher intends contributing to the filling of this gap by this study. The researcher therefore carried out a focused study of the effect of Department’s Austerity Measures on on-site school curriculum support in Idutywa Education District. It is also imperative to know how the teachers are affected by these departmental Austerity Measures, hence the interviews were carried out with the school personnel in addition to the District Professional staff. The District is characterised by poor performance in both Annual National Assessment (ANA) and the final National Senior Certificate results. The findings revealed that the implementation of AM have contributed to, amongst other things, the following issues: The inadequate on-site school support for curriculum delivery; The shortage of resources that includes teachers and vehicles; and ultimately the learner underperformance The researcher expect that the recommendation made will be embraced and be factored through, during the planning process of the Eastern Cape Department of Basic Education in order to improve learner performance.
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- Date Issued: 2016
The role of school governing bodies in promoting good-governance in schools: a case of circuit 9 in Qumbu District Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Mdudo, Mzuvukile
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Educational change -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape School boards -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4627 , vital:28468
- Description: The main purpose of the study was to investigate on how a School Governing Body SGB can impact on the challenges of school governance in the Eastern Cape Province, particularly in Circuit 9 schools of Qumbu district. That was done firstly by identifying and explaining the three main themes namely; (i) the role of SGB components, (ii) the effectiveness of a SGB and (iii) the competency of a SGB. The study used the qualitative approach, particularly a constructive interpretative paradigm to collect and analyse data. A desk top study was used as the main design and was implemented to identify information rich data for the study. Desk top research was employed as the main data collection technique and was confirmed, corroborated and augmented by and document analysis, particularly during data analysis. The researcher inductively segmented and coded the data into three main themes which served as the main empirical research findings. Such findings indicated that school governance is influenced by both the SGB and the stakeholders. It was recommended that setting up key strategies, but specific to school governance, will reduce the challenges schools face in terms of governance as there will be full personal responsibility from the SGB.
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- Date Issued: 2016
The perceived meaning and benefits of people analytics in selected organisations in South Africa
- Authors: Marazanye, Joram
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Personnel management Business -- Data processing Employees -- Recruiting
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/4480 , vital:28341
- Description: Regardless of the widespread application of analytics to a variety of business measurements, it is noteworthy that the use of people analytics is still no place close where it could be. The main aim of this study is to examine the perceived meaning and benefits of people analytics in selected South African organisations. People analytics is a burning-fresh topic in HR field aiming at using data to make organisational decisions and little has been done in this area especially in the South African context. The study employed qualitative-exploratory design which comprised of 10 senior HR officers from selected organisations in South Africa. From the findings, it shows that the employment of people analytics in South African context is in its early stage and its conception and repercussions are little understood. In addition, there is an accord on its usefulness, however the workforce analytic skills have found to be the major difficulty to foster its successful implementation and adoption by organisations. Because of its qualitative nature, this study had a limitation that it lack representativeness hence the findings cannot be generalised. Research opportunities for future can be quantitative and longitudinal research to objectively ascertain the extent future employability of people analytics.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Accounting 1A: ACC 111 & 111E
- Authors: Mnconywa, N , Mtshwelo, L , Bomba, M , Lockyear, M
- Subjects: Accounting
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17417 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1009785
- Description: Accounting 1A: ACC 111 & 111E, June 2010.
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Entrepreneurship Small Business Management: BEC 507
- Authors: Shaw, G , Roberts-Lombard, M
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship Small Business Management
- Language: English
- Type: Examination paper
- Identifier: vital:17457 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1010271
- Description: Examination on Entrepreneurship Small Business Management: BEC 507 November 2010
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South Africa`s reflections and juxtapositions of puffery psychodynamic evaluation of public administration shortcomings: public protests versus elections outcomes
- Authors: Ijeoma, Edwin Okechukwu Chikata
- Subjects: Public procurement , Service delivery , Corruption , Tender fraud , Cadre deployment , Law courts
- Language: English
- Type: Inaugural lecture
- Identifier: vital:11972 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1007762 , Public procurement , Service delivery , Corruption , Tender fraud , Cadre deployment , Law courts
- Description: As the country concludes the second decade since the dawn of the new democratic dispensation in South Africa, there has been an explosion in the magnitude and intensity of service delivery related protest in the entire country. Such grumbling actions are a sign of the perceived growing frustration of the citizens of the failure of their government to provide service to them or a situation catalysed by the “enemies of the state”?. The governing party has to reflect on its policies and practices so as to rectify these in line with satisfying the citizens since these are the voters-cum-tax payers. Ironically, the protests related to service rendering are more frequent in the strongholds of the governing party, a situation which has led to some scholars handpicking the cadre deployment policy of the governing party as a failure. There are various incidences where residents or citizens had to take to the streets in protest of the manner in which the government has addressed the plight of the ordinary citizens. Some of these protests have turned into running battles between the residents and the police, sometimes even leading to death of protestors. One case in point is the death in Ficksburg of Andres Tatane on the 13 of April 2011, a protester from rubber bullet wounds in the Free State Province. The death has also been labelled a failure on the side of the police, same as those of the Marikana miners and the Mozambican Mido Macia on the 27 of February 2013, who also succumbed to police inflicted injuries. This paper probes the outcomes of elections and service delivery in the wake of the protracted rise in public service delivery protests. The paper also provides some recommendations which the governing parties can consider in reshaping its mandate and policies aimed at elimination the frequency of Public protest everywhere in the country.
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