Youth entrepreneurship and poverty alleviation in Kentane
- Authors: Potwana, Viwe
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Young adults -- Employment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Youth development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Entrepreneurship -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19850 , vital:28985
- Description: The goal of this research was to explore the experiences of the youth in Kentane with respect to the role that a entrepreneurship plays in alleviation poverty, with the intention to enhance recommendations to the local municipality, the private sector and governmental departments. The study focused on entrepreneurship as one of the strategies that is deemed capable of reducing poverty and increasing economic growth. A qualitative research approach was used to explore the experiences of the entrepreneurial youth, where permission was attained from the youth prior to the commencement of the study. Purposive sampling was utilised to recruit participants and data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews. Qualitative data analysis was carried out using steps outlined in Creswell (2003). Five main themes were identified during data analysis where the main finding was that there was a lack of knowledge and resources to broaden the scope of youth based businesses in the area. Another major finding from this study was the introduction and imposition of haphazard short-term projects aimed at alleviating poverty that often failed as they did not address the needs specific to the community. Youth of Kentane are dedicated as entrepreneurs; however, they need the collaboration of interested parties and stakeholders to realise their respective potentials. Developmental and training programmes are crucial to assist the entrepreneurial youth of Kentane.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Potwana, Viwe
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Young adults -- Employment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Youth development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Entrepreneurship -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19850 , vital:28985
- Description: The goal of this research was to explore the experiences of the youth in Kentane with respect to the role that a entrepreneurship plays in alleviation poverty, with the intention to enhance recommendations to the local municipality, the private sector and governmental departments. The study focused on entrepreneurship as one of the strategies that is deemed capable of reducing poverty and increasing economic growth. A qualitative research approach was used to explore the experiences of the entrepreneurial youth, where permission was attained from the youth prior to the commencement of the study. Purposive sampling was utilised to recruit participants and data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews. Qualitative data analysis was carried out using steps outlined in Creswell (2003). Five main themes were identified during data analysis where the main finding was that there was a lack of knowledge and resources to broaden the scope of youth based businesses in the area. Another major finding from this study was the introduction and imposition of haphazard short-term projects aimed at alleviating poverty that often failed as they did not address the needs specific to the community. Youth of Kentane are dedicated as entrepreneurs; however, they need the collaboration of interested parties and stakeholders to realise their respective potentials. Developmental and training programmes are crucial to assist the entrepreneurial youth of Kentane.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Youth development through basketball in Nelson Mandela Bay
- Authors: Thuo, Andrew G
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Youth development -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Youth -- Services for Sports and state Basketball -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43776 , vital:37046
- Description: Limited research exists, both internationally and in the South African context, on the use of basketball as tool for youth development through sport. In almost all sport-based youth development programs, the desired sport is football and occasionally rugby. Developing the youth is crucial for the development of a nation and the United Nations has highlighted the progress sport has had as a development tool over the past 20 years. South Africa has recently received international acclaim by becoming the focal point of the National Basketball Associations (NBA) presence in Africa by hosting the last three NBA Africa games. South Africa’s Eastern Cape province was the home of elite basketball in the early eighties and is no stranger to the sport of basketball. The study aimed to explore the possibility of using basketball as a tool for youth development in Nelson Mandela Bay in the Eastern Cape. The study employed a mixed methods research approach that was explorative, descriptive and contextual in design. The empirical data was collected by means of a questionnaire distributed to target basketball players in the Nelson Mandela Bay area. While the data analysis and literature favoured basketball as a suitable tool to be used in sport-based youth development programs, there were limitations with respect to the number of female participants in the study. It was recommended that further research be considered within this field of study and on a wider scale, in an effort to expand the knowledge base on youth development through basketball across South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Thuo, Andrew G
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Youth development -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Youth -- Services for Sports and state Basketball -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43776 , vital:37046
- Description: Limited research exists, both internationally and in the South African context, on the use of basketball as tool for youth development through sport. In almost all sport-based youth development programs, the desired sport is football and occasionally rugby. Developing the youth is crucial for the development of a nation and the United Nations has highlighted the progress sport has had as a development tool over the past 20 years. South Africa has recently received international acclaim by becoming the focal point of the National Basketball Associations (NBA) presence in Africa by hosting the last three NBA Africa games. South Africa’s Eastern Cape province was the home of elite basketball in the early eighties and is no stranger to the sport of basketball. The study aimed to explore the possibility of using basketball as a tool for youth development in Nelson Mandela Bay in the Eastern Cape. The study employed a mixed methods research approach that was explorative, descriptive and contextual in design. The empirical data was collected by means of a questionnaire distributed to target basketball players in the Nelson Mandela Bay area. While the data analysis and literature favoured basketball as a suitable tool to be used in sport-based youth development programs, there were limitations with respect to the number of female participants in the study. It was recommended that further research be considered within this field of study and on a wider scale, in an effort to expand the knowledge base on youth development through basketball across South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Xenophobia and media: an exploratory study on the public perception of the Nelson Mandela Bay Community
- Authors: Mohamed, Osman Abdi
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Xenophobia -- South Africa , Immigrants -- South Africa , Mass media -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9066 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1330 , Xenophobia -- South Africa , Immigrants -- South Africa , Mass media -- South Africa
- Description: Development in South Africa at present is at a crossroads; it could become injected with new energy or it could collapse. The presence of foreigners, especially those from Africa is in contention. Some argue that they help the economy whilst others argue they are a hindrance to locals and their employment worth. The “truth” regarding these may not be immediately recognisable and thus open to questioning depending on perception. The press plays a large role in these perceptions and has been criticised for the way it covers issues of public interest. it is envisaged that this study will be a useful contribution to the limited body of literature on xenophobia and media. The purpose of the study is to give foundation to the assumption that the media's constantly negative coverage of foreigner poses a very real threat to human rights as purported in South Africa‟s constitution, in addition to the economic significance, whether positive or not. This study highlights the perception that Nelson Mandela Bay residents have of foreign nationals, and whether negative reporting in the media has influenced residents' views of foreign nationals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Mohamed, Osman Abdi
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Xenophobia -- South Africa , Immigrants -- South Africa , Mass media -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9066 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1330 , Xenophobia -- South Africa , Immigrants -- South Africa , Mass media -- South Africa
- Description: Development in South Africa at present is at a crossroads; it could become injected with new energy or it could collapse. The presence of foreigners, especially those from Africa is in contention. Some argue that they help the economy whilst others argue they are a hindrance to locals and their employment worth. The “truth” regarding these may not be immediately recognisable and thus open to questioning depending on perception. The press plays a large role in these perceptions and has been criticised for the way it covers issues of public interest. it is envisaged that this study will be a useful contribution to the limited body of literature on xenophobia and media. The purpose of the study is to give foundation to the assumption that the media's constantly negative coverage of foreigner poses a very real threat to human rights as purported in South Africa‟s constitution, in addition to the economic significance, whether positive or not. This study highlights the perception that Nelson Mandela Bay residents have of foreign nationals, and whether negative reporting in the media has influenced residents' views of foreign nationals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Would an asset-based community development approach counteract a community deficit mindset in Leliefontein?
- Authors: Hopkins, Grant Camden
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Community development , Rural development , Sustainable development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8691 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1009316 , Community development , Rural development , Sustainable development
- Description: This research report aims to explore the potential of an Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) approach in Leliefontein. Through the ABCD process, an inventory of the individual capacities of a sample group will be undertaken, as well as an inventory of the significant local associations, organisations and institutions, as well as their capacities. The objective will be to use the asset-mapping process to challenge negative community self-perceptions, enabling them to build new, positive images that empower and release latent potential. The information gathered will also be made available to the individuals, organisations, associations and institutions within the community, along with some ideas on how mutually beneficial partnerships can be developed. The key objective will be to assist the community of Leliefontein, to no longer regard themselves from a deficit mindset, but positively, as a community with tremendous resources, assets and relationships that can be harnessed for 4 community economic development. Asset-mapping can then be used by local organisations to build new relationships within the community, as well as relationships that harness resources outside of the immediate community.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Hopkins, Grant Camden
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Community development , Rural development , Sustainable development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8691 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1009316 , Community development , Rural development , Sustainable development
- Description: This research report aims to explore the potential of an Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) approach in Leliefontein. Through the ABCD process, an inventory of the individual capacities of a sample group will be undertaken, as well as an inventory of the significant local associations, organisations and institutions, as well as their capacities. The objective will be to use the asset-mapping process to challenge negative community self-perceptions, enabling them to build new, positive images that empower and release latent potential. The information gathered will also be made available to the individuals, organisations, associations and institutions within the community, along with some ideas on how mutually beneficial partnerships can be developed. The key objective will be to assist the community of Leliefontein, to no longer regard themselves from a deficit mindset, but positively, as a community with tremendous resources, assets and relationships that can be harnessed for 4 community economic development. Asset-mapping can then be used by local organisations to build new relationships within the community, as well as relationships that harness resources outside of the immediate community.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Worker participation and involvement in a Zimbabwean mining environment
- Authors: Nyamahowa, Takudzwa Frank
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Management -- Employee participation -- Zimbabwe , Industrial relations -- Zimbabwe Industrial sociology -- Zimbabwe Job satisfaction Work environment -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/34432 , vital:33378
- Description: Harmonious work relations can be achieved when worker involvement and participation structures are used effectively to ensure that workers‟ interests and rights are addressed. Literature has established the relationship between employee participation and worker satisfaction with working conditions. However, the extent to which employees are happy at work is also affected by their social and living conditions. It is therefore important to know the worker levels of satisfaction with participation on issues that affect them, and if the channels are being used to create an enabling environment. The objective of the study was to look at the influence employee participation has on worker satisfaction with work-life and workers satisfaction with social and living conditions, and the relationship between worker satisfaction with work-life and satisfaction with social and living conditions. The research questions were structured around this premise. The research was quantitative and used a 5-Likert scale using the three factors of employee participation, social and living conditions, and working life. The major findings revealed that there is strong relationship between worker satisfaction with employee participation and worker satisfaction with working life. Social and living conditions through an Exploratory Factor Analysis divided into exterior and interior social and living conditions. Working life was strongly correlated with interior social and living conditions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Nyamahowa, Takudzwa Frank
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Management -- Employee participation -- Zimbabwe , Industrial relations -- Zimbabwe Industrial sociology -- Zimbabwe Job satisfaction Work environment -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/34432 , vital:33378
- Description: Harmonious work relations can be achieved when worker involvement and participation structures are used effectively to ensure that workers‟ interests and rights are addressed. Literature has established the relationship between employee participation and worker satisfaction with working conditions. However, the extent to which employees are happy at work is also affected by their social and living conditions. It is therefore important to know the worker levels of satisfaction with participation on issues that affect them, and if the channels are being used to create an enabling environment. The objective of the study was to look at the influence employee participation has on worker satisfaction with work-life and workers satisfaction with social and living conditions, and the relationship between worker satisfaction with work-life and satisfaction with social and living conditions. The research questions were structured around this premise. The research was quantitative and used a 5-Likert scale using the three factors of employee participation, social and living conditions, and working life. The major findings revealed that there is strong relationship between worker satisfaction with employee participation and worker satisfaction with working life. Social and living conditions through an Exploratory Factor Analysis divided into exterior and interior social and living conditions. Working life was strongly correlated with interior social and living conditions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Work/family conflict across various life and career stages
- Authors: Bostock, Natalie Jean
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Work and family , Work environment , Well-being
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9413 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020157
- Description: This study examines Work Family Conflict including Work Interferes with Family (WIF) conflict, Family Interferes with Work (FIW) conflict, role overload, role interference and the impact of children across various life and career stages. Much of the research in this area focuses on the differences in the way the genders experience Work Family Conflict. Research has shown that various life and career stages can have a marked impact on this type of conflict and this study aims to determine how individuals in the various life and career stages experience this conflict. A correlational research design was used for this study. Using a five point likert scale, participants were asked to score their responses to seventeen items. The instrument was based on Duxbury and Mills Measure of Work Family Conflict (1990) (in Handbook of Quality-of-Life Research: An Ethical Perspective by Sirgy, 2001) with the inclusion of two additional items due to their high face validity. The questionnaire was distributed to human resources managers in organisations, friends, family members and colleagues and friends, family members and colleagues of theirs. Most of the responses were scored using a pencil and paper technique and the remainder was distributed using a Surveymonkey application on social media platforms like Facebook and Linkedin. The overall sample size of respondents was 175. The raw data was entered on an excel spreadsheet and analysed using Statistica version 12 and Microsoft Excel applications with VBA macros developed by a consultant for the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Unit for Statistical Consultation. . Statistics such as means, Cronbach alpha’s, relationships between factors, descriptive statistics, MANOVA and Chi-squared tests were used to analyse the data. The results of this study demonstrate the need for organisations to take heed of the various challenges that individuals face in both the workplace and home environment and the different ways in which these are experienced across various life and career stages. This will enable them to design specific interventions to mitigate the effects of Work Family Conflict and improve employee’s level of performance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Bostock, Natalie Jean
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Work and family , Work environment , Well-being
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9413 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020157
- Description: This study examines Work Family Conflict including Work Interferes with Family (WIF) conflict, Family Interferes with Work (FIW) conflict, role overload, role interference and the impact of children across various life and career stages. Much of the research in this area focuses on the differences in the way the genders experience Work Family Conflict. Research has shown that various life and career stages can have a marked impact on this type of conflict and this study aims to determine how individuals in the various life and career stages experience this conflict. A correlational research design was used for this study. Using a five point likert scale, participants were asked to score their responses to seventeen items. The instrument was based on Duxbury and Mills Measure of Work Family Conflict (1990) (in Handbook of Quality-of-Life Research: An Ethical Perspective by Sirgy, 2001) with the inclusion of two additional items due to their high face validity. The questionnaire was distributed to human resources managers in organisations, friends, family members and colleagues and friends, family members and colleagues of theirs. Most of the responses were scored using a pencil and paper technique and the remainder was distributed using a Surveymonkey application on social media platforms like Facebook and Linkedin. The overall sample size of respondents was 175. The raw data was entered on an excel spreadsheet and analysed using Statistica version 12 and Microsoft Excel applications with VBA macros developed by a consultant for the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Unit for Statistical Consultation. . Statistics such as means, Cronbach alpha’s, relationships between factors, descriptive statistics, MANOVA and Chi-squared tests were used to analyse the data. The results of this study demonstrate the need for organisations to take heed of the various challenges that individuals face in both the workplace and home environment and the different ways in which these are experienced across various life and career stages. This will enable them to design specific interventions to mitigate the effects of Work Family Conflict and improve employee’s level of performance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Work-readiness of university graduates: a professional accounting educational expectation gap in South Africa
- Authors: Schoeman, Lynn Antoinette
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Accountants -- Employment -- South Africa -- Students , College graduates -- Employment -- South Africa School-to-work transition -- South Africa Employability -- South Africa -- Students
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20455 , vital:29288
- Description: The constant change in the business environment versus the curriculum content of accounting educational programmes result in a possible gap between the competencies gained by students who complete their degree qualifications compared to the expectations of employers of these entering trainee accountants. However, the universities do endeavour to teach students the syllabus that will provide them with sufficient information and skills to be able to complete the tasks expected from them without much learning following university. Universities face increasing pressure to ensure graduates are equipped with the right employability skills (Osmani, Weerakkody & Hindi, 2017) yet literature show that graduates entering the workforce are not sufficiently equipped with all the necessary non-technical skills required by the accounting profession (Fouché, 2013). The research for this study was guided by the question whether universities sufficiently prepare entering trainee accountants with regards to work-readiness skills and whether a gap exists between the level of work-readiness skills expected by employers in professional accounting practice, and the actual level of capability of these skills transferred through the formal professional accounting educational programmes offered by universities in South Africa. Published literature reviewed on the work-readiness of graduates showed that an educational gap could exist between the skills required by employees and the skills that entering trainee accountants possess. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather data from supervisors and/or coordinators from Accredited Training Centres (ATCs) in the Nelson Mandela Bay Region of the South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA) on their perception of the level of capability expected of entering trainee accountants. The findings of this study showed that the universities provide entering trainee accountants with sufficient knowledge insofar as their technical abilities are concerned. However, employers perceive entering trainee accountants‟ capabilities in terms of their work-readiness skills, as insufficient.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Schoeman, Lynn Antoinette
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Accountants -- Employment -- South Africa -- Students , College graduates -- Employment -- South Africa School-to-work transition -- South Africa Employability -- South Africa -- Students
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20455 , vital:29288
- Description: The constant change in the business environment versus the curriculum content of accounting educational programmes result in a possible gap between the competencies gained by students who complete their degree qualifications compared to the expectations of employers of these entering trainee accountants. However, the universities do endeavour to teach students the syllabus that will provide them with sufficient information and skills to be able to complete the tasks expected from them without much learning following university. Universities face increasing pressure to ensure graduates are equipped with the right employability skills (Osmani, Weerakkody & Hindi, 2017) yet literature show that graduates entering the workforce are not sufficiently equipped with all the necessary non-technical skills required by the accounting profession (Fouché, 2013). The research for this study was guided by the question whether universities sufficiently prepare entering trainee accountants with regards to work-readiness skills and whether a gap exists between the level of work-readiness skills expected by employers in professional accounting practice, and the actual level of capability of these skills transferred through the formal professional accounting educational programmes offered by universities in South Africa. Published literature reviewed on the work-readiness of graduates showed that an educational gap could exist between the skills required by employees and the skills that entering trainee accountants possess. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather data from supervisors and/or coordinators from Accredited Training Centres (ATCs) in the Nelson Mandela Bay Region of the South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA) on their perception of the level of capability expected of entering trainee accountants. The findings of this study showed that the universities provide entering trainee accountants with sufficient knowledge insofar as their technical abilities are concerned. However, employers perceive entering trainee accountants‟ capabilities in terms of their work-readiness skills, as insufficient.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Work engagement ,organizational commitment and perceived organizational support within a South African agricultural organization
- Authors: Van der Byl, Sally Louise
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Organizational commitment Employee motivation -- Agriculture , Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45580 , vital:38915
- Description: As organisations focus on cultivating extraordinary performance and developing human strength, the need for understanding related constructs has increased. Work engagement, organisational commitment and POS are associated with positive experiences in the workplace. By better understanding these constructs within the agricultural industry, agricultural organisations can focus and develop these constructs in order to increase their sustained competitive advantage. A self-report electronic questionnaire was distributed to employees (N = 126) of a large agricultural organisation whose employees are located throughout South Africa. The measuring instrument measured demographic variables, work engagement, organisational commitment and POS. descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The results indicate that both the work engagement and POS constructs are related to affective, normative and overall organisational commitment. A substantial relationship was also established between work engagement and POS. It was also determined that employees with specialised industry skills are more engaged and committed than their colleagues whose skills are not directly related to agriculture.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Van der Byl, Sally Louise
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Organizational commitment Employee motivation -- Agriculture , Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45580 , vital:38915
- Description: As organisations focus on cultivating extraordinary performance and developing human strength, the need for understanding related constructs has increased. Work engagement, organisational commitment and POS are associated with positive experiences in the workplace. By better understanding these constructs within the agricultural industry, agricultural organisations can focus and develop these constructs in order to increase their sustained competitive advantage. A self-report electronic questionnaire was distributed to employees (N = 126) of a large agricultural organisation whose employees are located throughout South Africa. The measuring instrument measured demographic variables, work engagement, organisational commitment and POS. descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The results indicate that both the work engagement and POS constructs are related to affective, normative and overall organisational commitment. A substantial relationship was also established between work engagement and POS. It was also determined that employees with specialised industry skills are more engaged and committed than their colleagues whose skills are not directly related to agriculture.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Woolworths Holdings Limited's (WHL) strategic business positioning in the South African clothing and food industry
- Authors: Kuhn, Ralph Ulrich
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Retail trade -- South Africa , Branding (Marketing) -- South Africa , Food industry and trade -- South Africa , Consumer behavior -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7793 , vital:24286
- Description: The South African food and clothing retail industry is highly sophisticated and dominated by a few large competitors. The market is unique and has been shaped by abnormal political influences that have created a polarised society. The market holds a high potential owing to the burgeoning young middle class that is also attracting global attention. This necessitates an increase in economies of scale through expansion and acquisition strategies. Woolworths Holdings Limited has experienced significant growth in tough trading conditions whilst many competitors have lost ground. The Woolworths’ brand is primarily aimed at the high-income groupings but also appeals to the burgeoning middle class with their private-label products. The clothing and food divisions also provide a unique appeal that concentrates on the strong brand name to cater to the polarised nature of the market. The Woolworths Holding Limited (WHL) business model aims to offer superior quality at a lower cost than competitors which competitors find difficult to imitate. The apparent paradox is solved through tightly-knit supplier relationships and a culture demanding continuous improvement. The company is uniquely positioned to service the Living Standards Measure (LSM) 8-10 niche market whilst improving efficiencies. The company drives its competitive advantage over competitors through the key competencies of a reputable brand name, a strong sustainability programme, a strong operation and supply chain network, all of which are crucially-supported by superior and innovative technology utilisation. The study analysed the strategic brand positioning with a focus on the introduction of the supermarket concept. The study indicated that the supermarket concept was a reaction from WHL to consumer’s requirements for a one-stop shop aimed at increasing existing customers’ basket spend and drawing similar new clients. An increase in spend is potentially lucrative to WHL, and the strategy is a viable option as long as the company remains focussed on the core principles of the business model.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Kuhn, Ralph Ulrich
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Retail trade -- South Africa , Branding (Marketing) -- South Africa , Food industry and trade -- South Africa , Consumer behavior -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7793 , vital:24286
- Description: The South African food and clothing retail industry is highly sophisticated and dominated by a few large competitors. The market is unique and has been shaped by abnormal political influences that have created a polarised society. The market holds a high potential owing to the burgeoning young middle class that is also attracting global attention. This necessitates an increase in economies of scale through expansion and acquisition strategies. Woolworths Holdings Limited has experienced significant growth in tough trading conditions whilst many competitors have lost ground. The Woolworths’ brand is primarily aimed at the high-income groupings but also appeals to the burgeoning middle class with their private-label products. The clothing and food divisions also provide a unique appeal that concentrates on the strong brand name to cater to the polarised nature of the market. The Woolworths Holding Limited (WHL) business model aims to offer superior quality at a lower cost than competitors which competitors find difficult to imitate. The apparent paradox is solved through tightly-knit supplier relationships and a culture demanding continuous improvement. The company is uniquely positioned to service the Living Standards Measure (LSM) 8-10 niche market whilst improving efficiencies. The company drives its competitive advantage over competitors through the key competencies of a reputable brand name, a strong sustainability programme, a strong operation and supply chain network, all of which are crucially-supported by superior and innovative technology utilisation. The study analysed the strategic brand positioning with a focus on the introduction of the supermarket concept. The study indicated that the supermarket concept was a reaction from WHL to consumer’s requirements for a one-stop shop aimed at increasing existing customers’ basket spend and drawing similar new clients. An increase in spend is potentially lucrative to WHL, and the strategy is a viable option as long as the company remains focussed on the core principles of the business model.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Women's perceptions regarding financial planning with specific reference to investment
- Authors: Dao, Thi Anh Thu
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Women -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Finance, Personal , Investments -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Financial planning industry -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9332 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021185
- Description: Investment planning (as one of the key components of financial planning) is seen as an important solution to investment problems and challenges. Previous research however indicated that compare to men, women are not as confident and knowledgeable about financial and investment matters. As a result, women do not conduct investment planning until it is often too late and when they are confronted with a financial crisis or a life predicament such as a divorce or death. Given the lack of research attention focusing on women's perceptions of financial and investment planning in South Africa, and in particular the Eastern Cape, the objective of this research is to investigate the factors that influence women‟s Perceived successful investment planning in the Nelson Mandela Bay area. After conducting a comprehensive literature study, seven factors (independent variables) namely Values, Attitudes, Time horizon, Personal life cycle, Risks and Returns, Investment Knowledge, were identified as influencing the Perceived successful investment planning (dependent variable) of women. Various hypotheses were formulated to be tested in the empirical investigation. The validity and reliability of the measuring instrument were tested among 207 respondents. The Exploratory Factor Analysis, as well as the Cronbach‟s alpha coeffient analysis, revelead that Investment knowledge, Personal life cycle and Values are important factors that influence the women‟s Perceived successful investment planning. As a result of these analyses, the hypotheses had to be reformulated. In order to establish whether correlations existed between the various factors investigated in this study, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficients were calculated. Positive correlations were found between all the variables, except between Values and Personal life cycle and between Values and Perceived successful investment planning. To analyse the association in which the effects of the independent variables (Investment knowledge, Personal life cycle and Values) have on the dependent variable (Perceived successful investment planning) of this study, multiple regression analysis was conducted. Only one independent variable emerged as having a significant influence on Perceived successful investment planning of women, namely Investment knowledge. In order to investigate the influence of the various demographic variables on the dependent variable, an Analysis of Variance was performed. No significant differences were found between the selected demographic variables, namely Age, Ethnic group, Marital status, Education and Investment experience and the independent variables or dependent variable of this study. By investigating the influence of women‟s Perceived successful investment planning, this study has added to the body of knowledge of both financial and investment planning. Based on the empirical results of this study, several recommendations have been made in an attempt to assist women to make better investment decisions and manage their investment planning more effectively.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Dao, Thi Anh Thu
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Women -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality -- Finance, Personal , Investments -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Financial planning industry -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9332 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021185
- Description: Investment planning (as one of the key components of financial planning) is seen as an important solution to investment problems and challenges. Previous research however indicated that compare to men, women are not as confident and knowledgeable about financial and investment matters. As a result, women do not conduct investment planning until it is often too late and when they are confronted with a financial crisis or a life predicament such as a divorce or death. Given the lack of research attention focusing on women's perceptions of financial and investment planning in South Africa, and in particular the Eastern Cape, the objective of this research is to investigate the factors that influence women‟s Perceived successful investment planning in the Nelson Mandela Bay area. After conducting a comprehensive literature study, seven factors (independent variables) namely Values, Attitudes, Time horizon, Personal life cycle, Risks and Returns, Investment Knowledge, were identified as influencing the Perceived successful investment planning (dependent variable) of women. Various hypotheses were formulated to be tested in the empirical investigation. The validity and reliability of the measuring instrument were tested among 207 respondents. The Exploratory Factor Analysis, as well as the Cronbach‟s alpha coeffient analysis, revelead that Investment knowledge, Personal life cycle and Values are important factors that influence the women‟s Perceived successful investment planning. As a result of these analyses, the hypotheses had to be reformulated. In order to establish whether correlations existed between the various factors investigated in this study, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficients were calculated. Positive correlations were found between all the variables, except between Values and Personal life cycle and between Values and Perceived successful investment planning. To analyse the association in which the effects of the independent variables (Investment knowledge, Personal life cycle and Values) have on the dependent variable (Perceived successful investment planning) of this study, multiple regression analysis was conducted. Only one independent variable emerged as having a significant influence on Perceived successful investment planning of women, namely Investment knowledge. In order to investigate the influence of the various demographic variables on the dependent variable, an Analysis of Variance was performed. No significant differences were found between the selected demographic variables, namely Age, Ethnic group, Marital status, Education and Investment experience and the independent variables or dependent variable of this study. By investigating the influence of women‟s Perceived successful investment planning, this study has added to the body of knowledge of both financial and investment planning. Based on the empirical results of this study, several recommendations have been made in an attempt to assist women to make better investment decisions and manage their investment planning more effectively.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Women's empowerment in the post-1994 Rwanda: the case study of Mayaga Region
- Authors: Hategekimana, Celestin
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Women in development -- Rwanda , Women -- Rwanda -- Social conditions , Women -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9068 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1314 , Women in development -- Rwanda , Women -- Rwanda -- Social conditions , Women -- Economic conditions
- Description: This research looks at the process of women’s empowerment in post- 1994 Rwanda, with special focus on twelve cooperatives working in Mayaga region and the way these cooperatives empower women, their households and the community at large. Traditional Rwandan society has been always bound by patriarchy which has not valued the reproductive roles of women as economically productive in their households and the society as a whole. On the one hand, this understanding was reversed in the post-1994 Rwanda by the commitment of the government to gender equality at the highest level of political leadership through progressive policies and legislation. On the other hand, in Mayaga region, cooperatives brought about socio-economic development and changed relationships of gender and power in a patriarchal post-conflict society. The findings from cooperatives in Mayaga region show that to prevent women from reaching their full potential is economic folly. If women are empowered, they can generate important development outcomes such as improved health, education, income levels and conflict resolution. The findings further indicate how women’s empowerment is determined by the livelihood strategies women adopt themselves to respond to their vulnerability, and by the ways in which they express their agency in making a living in a sustainable way, with the available community assets that they have access to (financial, social, human, natural and physical). This research highlights that the accessibility of the community assets used by women in Mayaga region and in Rwanda as a whole is also determined by policies, institutions and processes that are able to influence their livelihoods positively.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Hategekimana, Celestin
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Women in development -- Rwanda , Women -- Rwanda -- Social conditions , Women -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:9068 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1314 , Women in development -- Rwanda , Women -- Rwanda -- Social conditions , Women -- Economic conditions
- Description: This research looks at the process of women’s empowerment in post- 1994 Rwanda, with special focus on twelve cooperatives working in Mayaga region and the way these cooperatives empower women, their households and the community at large. Traditional Rwandan society has been always bound by patriarchy which has not valued the reproductive roles of women as economically productive in their households and the society as a whole. On the one hand, this understanding was reversed in the post-1994 Rwanda by the commitment of the government to gender equality at the highest level of political leadership through progressive policies and legislation. On the other hand, in Mayaga region, cooperatives brought about socio-economic development and changed relationships of gender and power in a patriarchal post-conflict society. The findings from cooperatives in Mayaga region show that to prevent women from reaching their full potential is economic folly. If women are empowered, they can generate important development outcomes such as improved health, education, income levels and conflict resolution. The findings further indicate how women’s empowerment is determined by the livelihood strategies women adopt themselves to respond to their vulnerability, and by the ways in which they express their agency in making a living in a sustainable way, with the available community assets that they have access to (financial, social, human, natural and physical). This research highlights that the accessibility of the community assets used by women in Mayaga region and in Rwanda as a whole is also determined by policies, institutions and processes that are able to influence their livelihoods positively.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Women in power: the experiences of female administrators at Nelson Mandela bay Metropolitan Municipality
- Authors: Memela, Yoliswa Lourenda
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Women government executives -- South Africa , Women executives -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9239 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021105
- Description: South Africa is held up internationally as a beacon of good practice in terms of its efforts to promote gender equality and, the increased number of women in leadership positions in all spheres of government is testament to this. The representation of women in all spheres of government is advocated for and promoted by legislation and policies that aim to promote a gender focus on all government procedures and programmes. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of women leaders, including their reasons for maintaining leadership positions. It also addressed the challenges these women faced on their journeys and described their definitions of successful leadership based on their experiences. The qualitative nature of the research project made it possible to tell the stories of the participants’ experiences in order to understand their career progression and how it pertained to their concept of leadership. The three participants recruited for the study were women in positions of influence within their municipality including managers, directors, and executive directors. Purposeful sampling was used so that the chosen participants would have experience with the central phenomenon being studied. All of the women contacted to participate in this study readily agreed to share their experiences. There was some level of diversity regarding the age, ethnic backgrounds, and education level of the participants. Semi-structured personal interviews were conducted to collect the data. Open-ended questions were used so the responses of the participants could guide the development of themes and the direction of the study. Once the data were collected through recorded interviews, codes were assigned to sections of the text to help identify themes. A coding table was developed to illustrate how the themes for the discussion emerged from data obtained during the interviews. The stories of the participants were interwoven based on the themes and also analyzed in terms of the existing research. A discussion of the findings incorporated the literature and provided evidence of connected concepts. Strategies including inter-coder agreement, rich description, and clarification of biases were used to strengthen the study’s findings. Ethical issues were addressed throughout each phase of the study. All participants were asked to sign an informed consent form that outlined the procedures of the study. The identity of the participants was kept confidential through the use of pseudonyms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Memela, Yoliswa Lourenda
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Women government executives -- South Africa , Women executives -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9239 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021105
- Description: South Africa is held up internationally as a beacon of good practice in terms of its efforts to promote gender equality and, the increased number of women in leadership positions in all spheres of government is testament to this. The representation of women in all spheres of government is advocated for and promoted by legislation and policies that aim to promote a gender focus on all government procedures and programmes. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of women leaders, including their reasons for maintaining leadership positions. It also addressed the challenges these women faced on their journeys and described their definitions of successful leadership based on their experiences. The qualitative nature of the research project made it possible to tell the stories of the participants’ experiences in order to understand their career progression and how it pertained to their concept of leadership. The three participants recruited for the study were women in positions of influence within their municipality including managers, directors, and executive directors. Purposeful sampling was used so that the chosen participants would have experience with the central phenomenon being studied. All of the women contacted to participate in this study readily agreed to share their experiences. There was some level of diversity regarding the age, ethnic backgrounds, and education level of the participants. Semi-structured personal interviews were conducted to collect the data. Open-ended questions were used so the responses of the participants could guide the development of themes and the direction of the study. Once the data were collected through recorded interviews, codes were assigned to sections of the text to help identify themes. A coding table was developed to illustrate how the themes for the discussion emerged from data obtained during the interviews. The stories of the participants were interwoven based on the themes and also analyzed in terms of the existing research. A discussion of the findings incorporated the literature and provided evidence of connected concepts. Strategies including inter-coder agreement, rich description, and clarification of biases were used to strengthen the study’s findings. Ethical issues were addressed throughout each phase of the study. All participants were asked to sign an informed consent form that outlined the procedures of the study. The identity of the participants was kept confidential through the use of pseudonyms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Women in decision making positions in the South African National Defence Force
- Authors: Mpendulo, Bongiwe Wendy
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Decision making -- Women -- South Africa Leadership in women -- South Africa Women in public life -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12242 , vital:27047
- Description: This study investigates the women in decision-making positions in the South African Defence Force (SANDF), with a special focus on the Human Resources Division. The Security Sector, a previously male-dominated sector, is investigated. The environment, the enabling qualities, policy formulation, implementation of gender-sensitive policies, monitoring of the implementation of gender policies and opportunities are explored to investigate their impact on decision-making by women. This research report is based on the hypothesis that, despite the appointment of women in key-decision-making positions, their role in these positions does not make an impact on their overall decision-making, as they are not empowered to perform at their best due to various factors that are analysed in this report. Factors that contribute to or impede impactful decision-making by women in decision-making positions in the Security Sector are investigated in this report. This report acknowledges the efforts made by the SANDF to comply with the required legislation for the empowerment of women in decision-making positions. However the environment, stereotypes and other factors pose a challenge to the impact that women potentially have in decision-making positions. The number of women in decision-making positions poses a challenge to the influence that these appointed women can have in their positions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Mpendulo, Bongiwe Wendy
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Decision making -- Women -- South Africa Leadership in women -- South Africa Women in public life -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12242 , vital:27047
- Description: This study investigates the women in decision-making positions in the South African Defence Force (SANDF), with a special focus on the Human Resources Division. The Security Sector, a previously male-dominated sector, is investigated. The environment, the enabling qualities, policy formulation, implementation of gender-sensitive policies, monitoring of the implementation of gender policies and opportunities are explored to investigate their impact on decision-making by women. This research report is based on the hypothesis that, despite the appointment of women in key-decision-making positions, their role in these positions does not make an impact on their overall decision-making, as they are not empowered to perform at their best due to various factors that are analysed in this report. Factors that contribute to or impede impactful decision-making by women in decision-making positions in the Security Sector are investigated in this report. This report acknowledges the efforts made by the SANDF to comply with the required legislation for the empowerment of women in decision-making positions. However the environment, stereotypes and other factors pose a challenge to the impact that women potentially have in decision-making positions. The number of women in decision-making positions poses a challenge to the influence that these appointed women can have in their positions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Women and co-operatives
- Tame, Faith Jabulile Nomfundiso
- Authors: Tame, Faith Jabulile Nomfundiso
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Cooperative societies -- Women -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Women in agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20615 , vital:29358
- Description: In this study, “Women and Cooperatives”, the researcher was interested in finding out whether women cooperatives contributed towards development of women and poverty reduction in Sarah Baartman District Municipality between 2004 and 2014. The study was conducted with three cooperatives situated in Makana Local Municipality, Sarah Baartman District Municipality and Eastern Cape Province. The cooperatives studied focused on sewing, poultry and agriculture. The study was explorative in nature as it was aimed at assessing the effectiveness of women cooperatives in empowering women, the effectiveness of women cooperatives in reducing poverty and to make recommendations regarding what can be done to address the challenges identified in the study. The qualitative research method was applied when conducting this study. Eight respondents from each cooperative were willing to take part and this led to a total of twenty-four respondents who participated. The questions asked were based on the interview schedule developed by the researcher. The results of the study and the recommendations indicated that more commitment from the government is required and the following key aspects should be taken into account when considering a development program: Infrastructure, Availability of funding, Access to resources, Skills development, Provision of basic services.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Tame, Faith Jabulile Nomfundiso
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Cooperative societies -- Women -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Women in agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20615 , vital:29358
- Description: In this study, “Women and Cooperatives”, the researcher was interested in finding out whether women cooperatives contributed towards development of women and poverty reduction in Sarah Baartman District Municipality between 2004 and 2014. The study was conducted with three cooperatives situated in Makana Local Municipality, Sarah Baartman District Municipality and Eastern Cape Province. The cooperatives studied focused on sewing, poultry and agriculture. The study was explorative in nature as it was aimed at assessing the effectiveness of women cooperatives in empowering women, the effectiveness of women cooperatives in reducing poverty and to make recommendations regarding what can be done to address the challenges identified in the study. The qualitative research method was applied when conducting this study. Eight respondents from each cooperative were willing to take part and this led to a total of twenty-four respondents who participated. The questions asked were based on the interview schedule developed by the researcher. The results of the study and the recommendations indicated that more commitment from the government is required and the following key aspects should be taken into account when considering a development program: Infrastructure, Availability of funding, Access to resources, Skills development, Provision of basic services.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Willingness to pay for water quality changes in the Swartkops Estuary
- Magobiane, Siyathemba Emmanuel
- Authors: Magobiane, Siyathemba Emmanuel
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Water quality -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Swartkops Estuary , Water quality -- Management , Estuaries -- South Africa -- Swartkops River
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9000 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011505 , Water quality -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Swartkops Estuary , Water quality -- Management , Estuaries -- South Africa -- Swartkops River
- Description: South Africa, like the rest of the world, is vulnerable to the impact of climate change and loss of biodiversity. Water pollution is one of the six global threats to freshwater biodiversity. The future health status and productivity of South Africa’s estuaries is dependent on two main factors: management and quality and quantity of freshwater inputs. South Africa has around 250 functioning estuaries along its 3000 km coastline (Hosking 2004). They play an invaluable role in ecosystem functioning and biodiversity conservation. Estuaries are amongst the richest and most productive parts of the marine environment and as such call for careful management. Some of these ecosystems are focus areas for urban an industrial development. Urbanization and industrialization pose a serious threat to these sensitive systems. Increased water pollution from domestic use, industry and agriculture affect the ecology of these estuarine, river and lake systems. A large number of South African estuaries are still in excellent or good condition, but these are mainly the very small systems. The larger systems, like the Swartkops estuary, often very important in terms of conservation value, are also often compromised in some way or other. The reasons why they are compromised include habitat destruction, artificial breaching and pollution, especially those close to urban areas. This situation is aggravated by outdated and inadequate sewage treatment plant infrastructure and unskilled operators that dispose untreated waste into these systems. Pollution into estuaries can result in the partial loss of the environmental service flows supplied by them. The result of lost environmental service flows has adverse consequences, such as diminished residential and holiday recreational appeal, as well as reduced capacity to support subsistence livelihoods. Poor water quality not only limits its utilisation value, but is also places added economic burden on society, through both the primary treatment costs and the secondary impacts on the economy. Healthy estuarine ecosystems are essential for the maintenance of biodiversity and a wide range of environmental goods and services. Without a drastic improvement in water quality management approaches and treatment technologies, the continuous deterioration in water quality will decrease benefits and increase costs affiliated with use of these water resources.The market-based system of the South African economy has to a large extent failed to account for the value of the “free” goods and services provided by the natural environment. When the true value of the natural resources is unknown, there is a risk that less financial resources and capacity are made available to manage and protect these natural resources than is efficient. To ensure that these goods are properly taken into account, they must be valued and these values incorporated in social decision making. This study uses the contingent valuation method (CVM) to establish the value of the Swartkops estuary for changes to water quality. The CVM is a non-market valuation method that is widely used in cost-benefit analysis and environmental impact assessment. The CVM establishes the economic value of the good by asking the users of an environmental good to state their willingness to pay for a hypothetical scenario to prevent, or bring about, certain changes in the current condition of the environmental good. This method is subjected to some criticism. This criticism revolves around the validity and the reliability of estimated results and the effects of various biases and errors on them. The North Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Blue-Ribbon panel investigating the validity of the CVM resolved that the CVM can be used to guide social decision making, if a series of guidelines are followed. The Swartkops contingent valuation (CV) was conducted with these guidelines in mind. The results of the Swartkops CV indicate that the user population has a total willingness to pay (TWTP) of R68848 (median bid) and R203632 (mean bid) annually for the implementation of a project to improve the water quality in the Swartkops estuary. User population is an important determinant of the TWTP value. As a result, using a more broadly defined user population, TWTP per annum was calculated to be R3481987 (median bid) and R10298688 (mean bid). Management of natural resources should be informed by values that reflect efficient balances, so as to obtain the most efficient use of them (Trupie 2008). Polluted water inflows into South Africa’s estuaries are a threat to their biodiversity. Healthy estuarine ecosystems are essential for the maintenance of biodiversity and human well-being (Water Assessment Programme Report 2006: 15). As a result, this study recommends that a project be implemented by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality to improve water quality in the Swartkops estuary.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Magobiane, Siyathemba Emmanuel
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Water quality -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Swartkops Estuary , Water quality -- Management , Estuaries -- South Africa -- Swartkops River
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:9000 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011505 , Water quality -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Swartkops Estuary , Water quality -- Management , Estuaries -- South Africa -- Swartkops River
- Description: South Africa, like the rest of the world, is vulnerable to the impact of climate change and loss of biodiversity. Water pollution is one of the six global threats to freshwater biodiversity. The future health status and productivity of South Africa’s estuaries is dependent on two main factors: management and quality and quantity of freshwater inputs. South Africa has around 250 functioning estuaries along its 3000 km coastline (Hosking 2004). They play an invaluable role in ecosystem functioning and biodiversity conservation. Estuaries are amongst the richest and most productive parts of the marine environment and as such call for careful management. Some of these ecosystems are focus areas for urban an industrial development. Urbanization and industrialization pose a serious threat to these sensitive systems. Increased water pollution from domestic use, industry and agriculture affect the ecology of these estuarine, river and lake systems. A large number of South African estuaries are still in excellent or good condition, but these are mainly the very small systems. The larger systems, like the Swartkops estuary, often very important in terms of conservation value, are also often compromised in some way or other. The reasons why they are compromised include habitat destruction, artificial breaching and pollution, especially those close to urban areas. This situation is aggravated by outdated and inadequate sewage treatment plant infrastructure and unskilled operators that dispose untreated waste into these systems. Pollution into estuaries can result in the partial loss of the environmental service flows supplied by them. The result of lost environmental service flows has adverse consequences, such as diminished residential and holiday recreational appeal, as well as reduced capacity to support subsistence livelihoods. Poor water quality not only limits its utilisation value, but is also places added economic burden on society, through both the primary treatment costs and the secondary impacts on the economy. Healthy estuarine ecosystems are essential for the maintenance of biodiversity and a wide range of environmental goods and services. Without a drastic improvement in water quality management approaches and treatment technologies, the continuous deterioration in water quality will decrease benefits and increase costs affiliated with use of these water resources.The market-based system of the South African economy has to a large extent failed to account for the value of the “free” goods and services provided by the natural environment. When the true value of the natural resources is unknown, there is a risk that less financial resources and capacity are made available to manage and protect these natural resources than is efficient. To ensure that these goods are properly taken into account, they must be valued and these values incorporated in social decision making. This study uses the contingent valuation method (CVM) to establish the value of the Swartkops estuary for changes to water quality. The CVM is a non-market valuation method that is widely used in cost-benefit analysis and environmental impact assessment. The CVM establishes the economic value of the good by asking the users of an environmental good to state their willingness to pay for a hypothetical scenario to prevent, or bring about, certain changes in the current condition of the environmental good. This method is subjected to some criticism. This criticism revolves around the validity and the reliability of estimated results and the effects of various biases and errors on them. The North Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Blue-Ribbon panel investigating the validity of the CVM resolved that the CVM can be used to guide social decision making, if a series of guidelines are followed. The Swartkops contingent valuation (CV) was conducted with these guidelines in mind. The results of the Swartkops CV indicate that the user population has a total willingness to pay (TWTP) of R68848 (median bid) and R203632 (mean bid) annually for the implementation of a project to improve the water quality in the Swartkops estuary. User population is an important determinant of the TWTP value. As a result, using a more broadly defined user population, TWTP per annum was calculated to be R3481987 (median bid) and R10298688 (mean bid). Management of natural resources should be informed by values that reflect efficient balances, so as to obtain the most efficient use of them (Trupie 2008). Polluted water inflows into South Africa’s estuaries are a threat to their biodiversity. Healthy estuarine ecosystems are essential for the maintenance of biodiversity and human well-being (Water Assessment Programme Report 2006: 15). As a result, this study recommends that a project be implemented by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality to improve water quality in the Swartkops estuary.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Why municipalities do not comply and implement expanded public works programmes: a case study of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in South Africa
- Jikwana, Mvumelwano Valithuba
- Authors: Jikwana, Mvumelwano Valithuba
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22486 , vital:29975
- Description: The Expanded public works programme (EPWP) was a South African government initiative that was meant to fight poverty, reduce unemployment and develop skills for young people, women and people with disabilities. EPWP was to be implemented by the national, provincial and local governments in order to alleviate poverty and increase economic growth. The programme started with phase 1 in April 2004, where the objective was to create a minimum of 1 million job opportunities by March 2009. The target was achieved by the South African government, but many municipalities faced challenges as they were struggling to meet their own targets. EPWP phase 2 started in April 2009, where the target of creating 4.5 million work opportunities was set and it was meant to end in March 2014. Phase 3 was scheduled to start in April 2014 to March 2019. Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) is a metropolitan municipality, which should implement EPWP, and it consists of the towns of East London, King Williams Town and Bisho. BCMM council accepted the EPWP structure in the financial year 2013/14, charging the Programme Manager to lead the EPWP unit, consisting of a single office to implement the programme. The municipality faced many challenges, in failing to meet the targets set by the National Department of Public Works (NDPW). These challenges include: the lack of political and administration commitment towards EPWP, lack of proper EPWP training and lack of accountability from Senior Management. Other challenges facing BCMM include: a lack of data capturers to consolidate EPWP information, lack of qualifies people to design and implement labour intensive projects and the shortage of staff within the EPWP unit, which was meant to support all departments. If the municipality can overcome all the challenges, the set targets can be met, unemployment can be reduced and poverty can be alleviated. There is an urgent need for the Mayor and Municipal Manager to commit themselves toward the full implementation of EPWP.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Jikwana, Mvumelwano Valithuba
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22486 , vital:29975
- Description: The Expanded public works programme (EPWP) was a South African government initiative that was meant to fight poverty, reduce unemployment and develop skills for young people, women and people with disabilities. EPWP was to be implemented by the national, provincial and local governments in order to alleviate poverty and increase economic growth. The programme started with phase 1 in April 2004, where the objective was to create a minimum of 1 million job opportunities by March 2009. The target was achieved by the South African government, but many municipalities faced challenges as they were struggling to meet their own targets. EPWP phase 2 started in April 2009, where the target of creating 4.5 million work opportunities was set and it was meant to end in March 2014. Phase 3 was scheduled to start in April 2014 to March 2019. Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) is a metropolitan municipality, which should implement EPWP, and it consists of the towns of East London, King Williams Town and Bisho. BCMM council accepted the EPWP structure in the financial year 2013/14, charging the Programme Manager to lead the EPWP unit, consisting of a single office to implement the programme. The municipality faced many challenges, in failing to meet the targets set by the National Department of Public Works (NDPW). These challenges include: the lack of political and administration commitment towards EPWP, lack of proper EPWP training and lack of accountability from Senior Management. Other challenges facing BCMM include: a lack of data capturers to consolidate EPWP information, lack of qualifies people to design and implement labour intensive projects and the shortage of staff within the EPWP unit, which was meant to support all departments. If the municipality can overcome all the challenges, the set targets can be met, unemployment can be reduced and poverty can be alleviated. There is an urgent need for the Mayor and Municipal Manager to commit themselves toward the full implementation of EPWP.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
What is the future of financial inclusion?
- Authors: Mago, Stephen
- Subjects: Financial services industry -- Africa , Banks and banking -- Africa , f-sa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Lectures
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/56481 , vital:56688
- Description: The purpose of this lecture is to explicate the future of financial inclusion with a focus on Africa. Understanding financial inclusion, its advantages, and its trajectory into the future sets a scene for future research and debates. Materials and methods: In preparing this lecture, I used systematic literature and bibliometric analysis complemented with field research done in two selected areas (Masvingo district in Zimbabwe and the Kirkwood area in the Eastern Cape, South Africa). Results/Findings: Results show that financial inclusion benefits poverty alleviation, job/employment creation, small business growth (through innovation and creativity), sustainability, closing inequality gaps, inclusive economic growth and development (local, national, regional, and global), closing gender gaps, and the promotion of digital finance. In other words, it creates opportunities for individuals, businesses, and economies in various ways. It also contributes to the attainment of sustainable development goals (SDGs). Globally, stakeholders such as governments, supranational organisations (the UN, the WB, the IMF, the G20) and development banks are working together to achieve financial inclusion. Alleviation or elimination of financial exclusion (FE) is the ultimate. Social implications: Financial inclusion promotes socio-economic transformation and livelihood enhancement. The unbanked, or the financially excluded, and the underbanked benefit from financial inclusion, thus allowing them access to financial services. Conclusions and recommendations: Extant literature and empirical research demonstrate the immense contribution of financial inclusion. It helps to defy the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment, and inequality. This lecture therefore recommends deliberate policy intentions by governments in developing countries to support financial inclusion to benefit the marginalised and promote the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs). There is a need to digitise the financial systems for inclusivity. I argue that the future of financial inclusion is achieved not only by technology, but also by acceptance, behaviour, and collaboration/synergy, built around strong ecosystems. An underlying thesis is that financial inclusion benefits economies in many ways.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mago, Stephen
- Subjects: Financial services industry -- Africa , Banks and banking -- Africa , f-sa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Lectures
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/56481 , vital:56688
- Description: The purpose of this lecture is to explicate the future of financial inclusion with a focus on Africa. Understanding financial inclusion, its advantages, and its trajectory into the future sets a scene for future research and debates. Materials and methods: In preparing this lecture, I used systematic literature and bibliometric analysis complemented with field research done in two selected areas (Masvingo district in Zimbabwe and the Kirkwood area in the Eastern Cape, South Africa). Results/Findings: Results show that financial inclusion benefits poverty alleviation, job/employment creation, small business growth (through innovation and creativity), sustainability, closing inequality gaps, inclusive economic growth and development (local, national, regional, and global), closing gender gaps, and the promotion of digital finance. In other words, it creates opportunities for individuals, businesses, and economies in various ways. It also contributes to the attainment of sustainable development goals (SDGs). Globally, stakeholders such as governments, supranational organisations (the UN, the WB, the IMF, the G20) and development banks are working together to achieve financial inclusion. Alleviation or elimination of financial exclusion (FE) is the ultimate. Social implications: Financial inclusion promotes socio-economic transformation and livelihood enhancement. The unbanked, or the financially excluded, and the underbanked benefit from financial inclusion, thus allowing them access to financial services. Conclusions and recommendations: Extant literature and empirical research demonstrate the immense contribution of financial inclusion. It helps to defy the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment, and inequality. This lecture therefore recommends deliberate policy intentions by governments in developing countries to support financial inclusion to benefit the marginalised and promote the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs). There is a need to digitise the financial systems for inclusivity. I argue that the future of financial inclusion is achieved not only by technology, but also by acceptance, behaviour, and collaboration/synergy, built around strong ecosystems. An underlying thesis is that financial inclusion benefits economies in many ways.
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What challenges are being faced by women entrepreneurs in accessing micro finance services in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mushanguri, Mejury
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Self-employed women -- Zimbabwe , Women-owned business enterprises -- Finance -- Zimbabwe , Financial services industry -- Zimbabwe , Entrepreneurship -- Zimbabwe , Microfinance -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9094 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011765 , Self-employed women -- Zimbabwe , Women-owned business enterprises -- Finance -- Zimbabwe , Financial services industry -- Zimbabwe , Entrepreneurship -- Zimbabwe , Microfinance -- Zimbabwe
- Description: The research seeks to explore why women in Zimbabwe still face hindrances in accessing micro finance services and what can be done to meet their needs in a more holistic and effective way. Women play a crucial role in the economic development of their families and communities but are faced with certain obstacles that hinder them from performing their role effectively. Such hindrances as poverty, unemployment, low household income and societal discrimination. UNIFEM (1992) confirms that the majority of the world‟s poor have a predominantly female face and argues that women earn only 10 percent of world‟s income and own less than 10 percent of the world‟s property. African women have been characterised by the lack of empowerment caused by societal perceptions and negative cultural practice. In many cases of women rights violation it has been noted that this has been exacerbated by the over reliance on the male counterpart. Development practitioners have noted that micro finance as one of the strategies needed for women empowerment. Despite the concept having been practiced for at least 15 years now, women still face challenges in accessing micro finance services. There is need for Micro Finance Institutions to recognise the position of women in relation to men as actors in society.
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- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Mushanguri, Mejury
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Self-employed women -- Zimbabwe , Women-owned business enterprises -- Finance -- Zimbabwe , Financial services industry -- Zimbabwe , Entrepreneurship -- Zimbabwe , Microfinance -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9094 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011765 , Self-employed women -- Zimbabwe , Women-owned business enterprises -- Finance -- Zimbabwe , Financial services industry -- Zimbabwe , Entrepreneurship -- Zimbabwe , Microfinance -- Zimbabwe
- Description: The research seeks to explore why women in Zimbabwe still face hindrances in accessing micro finance services and what can be done to meet their needs in a more holistic and effective way. Women play a crucial role in the economic development of their families and communities but are faced with certain obstacles that hinder them from performing their role effectively. Such hindrances as poverty, unemployment, low household income and societal discrimination. UNIFEM (1992) confirms that the majority of the world‟s poor have a predominantly female face and argues that women earn only 10 percent of world‟s income and own less than 10 percent of the world‟s property. African women have been characterised by the lack of empowerment caused by societal perceptions and negative cultural practice. In many cases of women rights violation it has been noted that this has been exacerbated by the over reliance on the male counterpart. Development practitioners have noted that micro finance as one of the strategies needed for women empowerment. Despite the concept having been practiced for at least 15 years now, women still face challenges in accessing micro finance services. There is need for Micro Finance Institutions to recognise the position of women in relation to men as actors in society.
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- Date Issued: 2011
Wellness strategies for unskilled and semi-skilled employees in the built environment
- Authors: Dido, Romano William
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Employee health promotion
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6929 , vital:21168
- Description: More employees in organisations in the built environment are beginning to suffer from ill health related to work when compared with employees in other industries. There are many reasons for this, such as: unsuitable working conditions, physical demands linked to the occupation and the high proportion of transient unskilled and semi-skilled employees. A study concerning the wellness levels of unskilled and semi-skilled employees therefore contributes to the understanding and improvement of employee health within the industry. The main objective of this study was therefore to identify the wellness levels of employees in the built environment and their perceptions of the extent to which their company provides wellness interventions or strategies. The methodological approach used in this study was within a quantitative paradigm, and a questionnaire was used as a data collection instrument. The findings indicated that the employees engaged in healthy activities and that the organisation encouraged the employees to maintain healthy lifestyles. However, there were areas that required consideration. Specifically, more attention should be given to budgeting for wellness interventions, regular health screenings should take place and more attention to substance abuse is required.
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- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Dido, Romano William
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Employee health promotion
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6929 , vital:21168
- Description: More employees in organisations in the built environment are beginning to suffer from ill health related to work when compared with employees in other industries. There are many reasons for this, such as: unsuitable working conditions, physical demands linked to the occupation and the high proportion of transient unskilled and semi-skilled employees. A study concerning the wellness levels of unskilled and semi-skilled employees therefore contributes to the understanding and improvement of employee health within the industry. The main objective of this study was therefore to identify the wellness levels of employees in the built environment and their perceptions of the extent to which their company provides wellness interventions or strategies. The methodological approach used in this study was within a quantitative paradigm, and a questionnaire was used as a data collection instrument. The findings indicated that the employees engaged in healthy activities and that the organisation encouraged the employees to maintain healthy lifestyles. However, there were areas that required consideration. Specifically, more attention should be given to budgeting for wellness interventions, regular health screenings should take place and more attention to substance abuse is required.
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- Date Issued: 2016
Water utility efficiency and stated choice responses: status quo effects, effects of presentation format and response time
- Authors: Murwirapachena, Genius
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Water utilities -- Finance , Waterworks -- Finance Waterworks -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41741 , vital:36577
- Description: Water regulators and policymakers around the world are increasingly influencing water systems towards efficiency and sustainable consumption. In pursuit of these, most regulators mainly use traditional economic-analysis methods to benchmark water utilities and elicit water-service preferences. There have been discussions of several other techniques that extend the commonly used traditional economic analysis tools in the literature. Regardless of these discussions, the practical application of new economic analysis tools in the water sector remains relatively low. This study intends to extend the existing literature by providing more robust methods that could be useful to water regulators. The study asks four research questions to shed light on whether more robust methods are the way forward in water regulation. More precisely, the study investigates the consistency of efficiency scores obtained from the data envelopment analysis (DEA), stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) and stochastic non-parametric envelopment of data (StoNED) techniques on a sample of South African water utilities. Additionally, the study examines the impact of status quo bias, presentation format and response time on results from discrete choice experiments conducted using a case of the South African water sector. The study reports four main findings. First, we find that the StoNED method (based on the methods of moments estimator) outperformed both SFA and DEA. However, SFA outperformed StoNED, when the latter was based on the pseudolikelihood estimator. Second, we find that including a partially relevant status quo reduced status quo bias but did not significantly affect empirical estimates. Major differences are noted in the marginal willingness to pay (MWTP) estimates reported for one of the sub-samples. Third, we find that presenting attributes and levels using the visuals format generated more statistically significant coefficients than presenting them as text or text-and-visuals. Generally, we find that the presentation format significantly affects choice. Finally, we find that removing fast or slow responses from the sample did not significantly affect both utility function and MWTP results. Based on these findings, the study makes four main recommendations. Firstly, the study argues that StoNED (method of moments estimator) and SFA are more appropriate for estimating efficiency in heterogenous water sectors. The study makes recommendations for future studies that seek to do a methodological cross-checking of the three efficiency analysis techniques in the water sector. Secondly, the study argues that a text-and-visuals experiment improves choice task clarity and yields more robust estimates. Thus, more research on the effects of presentation formats is required in environmental economics so that guidelines on developing valid presentation formats for choice tasks can be established. Finally, the study argues against the exclusion of fast and slow responses from the dataset; and recommends approaches for future studies that investigate the impact of response time on choice.
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- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Murwirapachena, Genius
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Water utilities -- Finance , Waterworks -- Finance Waterworks -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41741 , vital:36577
- Description: Water regulators and policymakers around the world are increasingly influencing water systems towards efficiency and sustainable consumption. In pursuit of these, most regulators mainly use traditional economic-analysis methods to benchmark water utilities and elicit water-service preferences. There have been discussions of several other techniques that extend the commonly used traditional economic analysis tools in the literature. Regardless of these discussions, the practical application of new economic analysis tools in the water sector remains relatively low. This study intends to extend the existing literature by providing more robust methods that could be useful to water regulators. The study asks four research questions to shed light on whether more robust methods are the way forward in water regulation. More precisely, the study investigates the consistency of efficiency scores obtained from the data envelopment analysis (DEA), stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) and stochastic non-parametric envelopment of data (StoNED) techniques on a sample of South African water utilities. Additionally, the study examines the impact of status quo bias, presentation format and response time on results from discrete choice experiments conducted using a case of the South African water sector. The study reports four main findings. First, we find that the StoNED method (based on the methods of moments estimator) outperformed both SFA and DEA. However, SFA outperformed StoNED, when the latter was based on the pseudolikelihood estimator. Second, we find that including a partially relevant status quo reduced status quo bias but did not significantly affect empirical estimates. Major differences are noted in the marginal willingness to pay (MWTP) estimates reported for one of the sub-samples. Third, we find that presenting attributes and levels using the visuals format generated more statistically significant coefficients than presenting them as text or text-and-visuals. Generally, we find that the presentation format significantly affects choice. Finally, we find that removing fast or slow responses from the sample did not significantly affect both utility function and MWTP results. Based on these findings, the study makes four main recommendations. Firstly, the study argues that StoNED (method of moments estimator) and SFA are more appropriate for estimating efficiency in heterogenous water sectors. The study makes recommendations for future studies that seek to do a methodological cross-checking of the three efficiency analysis techniques in the water sector. Secondly, the study argues that a text-and-visuals experiment improves choice task clarity and yields more robust estimates. Thus, more research on the effects of presentation formats is required in environmental economics so that guidelines on developing valid presentation formats for choice tasks can be established. Finally, the study argues against the exclusion of fast and slow responses from the dataset; and recommends approaches for future studies that investigate the impact of response time on choice.
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- Date Issued: 2019