Multilingualism and ICT education at Rhodes University: an exploratory study
- Authors: Dalvit, Lorenzo
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Educational technology -- South Africa Educational equalization -- South Africa Digital divide -- South Africa Information technology -- Social aspects -- South Africa Educational innovations Information technology -- Study and teaching Language and education -- South Africa Native language and education -- South Africa Rhodes University -- Students -- Attitudes Computer science -- Study and teaching (Higher)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1673 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003556
- Description: In South Africa, the linguistic hegemony of English over the African languages in the academic field reproduces unequal power relationships between their speakers. The present study shows that an intervention shaped by a counterhegemonic ideology can change the attitudes of Black university students, key players in spearheading social change. Usign statistical analysis and survey methodologies, this research explored the hegemonic role of English as the only language of learning and teaching (LoLT) in the discipline of Computer Science (CS) at Rhodes University. The study found that those speakers of an African language who are the most disadvantaged by the use of English as LoLT are also the most likely to resist a more extensive use of their mother tongue as an alternative. A group of such students were involved in the development and use of an online glossary of CS terms translated, explained and exemplified in an African language (isiXhosa). This experience increased the support for the use of African languages as additional LoLT, even in the Englishdominated field of study of Computer Science. This is an initial step towards promoting linguistic equality between English and African languages and social equality between their speakers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Dalvit, Lorenzo
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Educational technology -- South Africa Educational equalization -- South Africa Digital divide -- South Africa Information technology -- Social aspects -- South Africa Educational innovations Information technology -- Study and teaching Language and education -- South Africa Native language and education -- South Africa Rhodes University -- Students -- Attitudes Computer science -- Study and teaching (Higher)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1673 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003556
- Description: In South Africa, the linguistic hegemony of English over the African languages in the academic field reproduces unequal power relationships between their speakers. The present study shows that an intervention shaped by a counterhegemonic ideology can change the attitudes of Black university students, key players in spearheading social change. Usign statistical analysis and survey methodologies, this research explored the hegemonic role of English as the only language of learning and teaching (LoLT) in the discipline of Computer Science (CS) at Rhodes University. The study found that those speakers of an African language who are the most disadvantaged by the use of English as LoLT are also the most likely to resist a more extensive use of their mother tongue as an alternative. A group of such students were involved in the development and use of an online glossary of CS terms translated, explained and exemplified in an African language (isiXhosa). This experience increased the support for the use of African languages as additional LoLT, even in the Englishdominated field of study of Computer Science. This is an initial step towards promoting linguistic equality between English and African languages and social equality between their speakers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Photoluminescence study of ZnO doped with nitrogen and arsenic
- Authors: Dangbegnon, Julien Kouadio
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Photoluminescence , Zinc oxide , Nitrogen , Arsenic
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:10518 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1216 , Photoluminescence , Zinc oxide , Nitrogen , Arsenic
- Description: In this work, the optical properties of ZnO doped with arsenic and nitrogen were studied. The ZnO samples were grown by Metalorganic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD). The solubility of nitrogen in the ZnO films, as well as its activation upon annealing, was also investigated. Hydrogen is known as a major source for passivation of the acceptors in ZnO:N. Therefore, it is crucial to dissociate the complex(es) formed by nitrogen and hydrogen and diffuse out the hydrogen in order to prevent the reformation of such complexes. High temperatures (≥ 600 C) are required for these purposes. In order to effectively remove the hydrogen impurities from the sample, it is important to know the optical fingerprints of hydrogen and its thermal stability. Therefore, the effects of annealing and hydrogen plasma treatment on bulk ZnO (hydrothermally grown) were first studied. The use of bulk material for this purpose was motivated by the well-resolved photoluminescence (PL) lines observed for bulk ZnO, which allow the identification of the different lines related to hydrogen after plasma treatment. Annealing at 850 C was effective for the removal of most of the hydrogen related transitions in the near-band-edge emission. Also, additional transitions at ~3.364 eV and ~3.361 eV were observed after hydrogen plasma treatment, which were ascribed to hydrogen-Zn vacancy complexes. In this work, a comparative study of the annealing ambient and temperature on ZnO films grown on GaAs substrate, using diethyl zinc (DEZn) and tertiary butanol (TBOH), showed that arsenic diffuses in the ZnO films and gives a shallow level in the band gap, which is involved in an acceptor-bound exciton line at 3.35 eV. This shallow level is visible when annealing is performed in oxygen, but not when annealing is performed in nitrogen, and indeed only for annealing temperatures around 550 C. However, annealing in either ambient also causes zinc to diffuse from the ZnO films into the GaAs substrate, rendering the electrical properties deduced from Hall measurements ambiguous. For ZnO:N, NO was used as both oxygen and nitrogen sources. Monitoring the concentration of nitrogen, carbon and hydrogen in the ZnO films, the formation of different complexes from these impurities were deduced. Furthermore, an investigation of the effect of annealing on the concentrations of impurities showed that their out- diffusion was strongly dependent on the crystalline quality of the ZnO films. For porous ZnO films, obtained at low growth temperatures (≤310 C), the out-diffusion of impurities was efficient, whereas for films grown at higher temperatures, which have improved crystalline quality, the out-diffusion was practically nonexistent. The out-diffusion of unwanted impurities may activate the nitrogen dopant in the ZnO films, as was confirmed by the PL measurements on the different samples grown at different temperatures. PL transitions at ~3.24 eV and ~3.17 eV were related to substitutional NO. These transitions were more dominant in the spectra of samples grown at low temperatures. An additional transition at ~3.1 eV was assigned to a donor-acceptor pair transition involving VZn, instead of NO, as previously reported.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Dangbegnon, Julien Kouadio
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Photoluminescence , Zinc oxide , Nitrogen , Arsenic
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:10518 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1216 , Photoluminescence , Zinc oxide , Nitrogen , Arsenic
- Description: In this work, the optical properties of ZnO doped with arsenic and nitrogen were studied. The ZnO samples were grown by Metalorganic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD). The solubility of nitrogen in the ZnO films, as well as its activation upon annealing, was also investigated. Hydrogen is known as a major source for passivation of the acceptors in ZnO:N. Therefore, it is crucial to dissociate the complex(es) formed by nitrogen and hydrogen and diffuse out the hydrogen in order to prevent the reformation of such complexes. High temperatures (≥ 600 C) are required for these purposes. In order to effectively remove the hydrogen impurities from the sample, it is important to know the optical fingerprints of hydrogen and its thermal stability. Therefore, the effects of annealing and hydrogen plasma treatment on bulk ZnO (hydrothermally grown) were first studied. The use of bulk material for this purpose was motivated by the well-resolved photoluminescence (PL) lines observed for bulk ZnO, which allow the identification of the different lines related to hydrogen after plasma treatment. Annealing at 850 C was effective for the removal of most of the hydrogen related transitions in the near-band-edge emission. Also, additional transitions at ~3.364 eV and ~3.361 eV were observed after hydrogen plasma treatment, which were ascribed to hydrogen-Zn vacancy complexes. In this work, a comparative study of the annealing ambient and temperature on ZnO films grown on GaAs substrate, using diethyl zinc (DEZn) and tertiary butanol (TBOH), showed that arsenic diffuses in the ZnO films and gives a shallow level in the band gap, which is involved in an acceptor-bound exciton line at 3.35 eV. This shallow level is visible when annealing is performed in oxygen, but not when annealing is performed in nitrogen, and indeed only for annealing temperatures around 550 C. However, annealing in either ambient also causes zinc to diffuse from the ZnO films into the GaAs substrate, rendering the electrical properties deduced from Hall measurements ambiguous. For ZnO:N, NO was used as both oxygen and nitrogen sources. Monitoring the concentration of nitrogen, carbon and hydrogen in the ZnO films, the formation of different complexes from these impurities were deduced. Furthermore, an investigation of the effect of annealing on the concentrations of impurities showed that their out- diffusion was strongly dependent on the crystalline quality of the ZnO films. For porous ZnO films, obtained at low growth temperatures (≤310 C), the out-diffusion of impurities was efficient, whereas for films grown at higher temperatures, which have improved crystalline quality, the out-diffusion was practically nonexistent. The out-diffusion of unwanted impurities may activate the nitrogen dopant in the ZnO films, as was confirmed by the PL measurements on the different samples grown at different temperatures. PL transitions at ~3.24 eV and ~3.17 eV were related to substitutional NO. These transitions were more dominant in the spectra of samples grown at low temperatures. An additional transition at ~3.1 eV was assigned to a donor-acceptor pair transition involving VZn, instead of NO, as previously reported.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Molecular and cellular analysis of the interaction between soluble CD23 and CD11/CD18 integrins
- Authors: Daniels, Brodie Belinda
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: CD23 antigen , Immune response -- Regulation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:10303 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1217 , CD23 antigen , Immune response -- Regulation
- Description: The low affinity IgE receptor, CD23, is expressed by a wide variety of cells and cleaved from its original 45 kDa size to several smaller soluble CD23 proteins. Soluble CD23 function depends on the form of the protein and its interaction with various ligands. CD23 is believed to play an important role in regulating allergic responses and in inflammation, amongst others. β2 integrins are important in a variety of cell-adhesion reactions during immune-inflammatory mechanisms and the binding of their natural ligands generates outside-in cellular signalling, leading to cell activation. Although the binding of CD23 to β2 integrins contributes to this signalling in monocytes, the interaction site for CD23 is unknown. This study focused on the interaction of three soluble CD23 proteins with the β2 integrins CD11b/CD18 and CD11c/CD18. Differentiated HL60, THP1 and U937 monocytic cells were used to demonstrate the binding of three recombinant CD23 constructs (corresponding to 16, 25 and 33 kDa human soluble CD23) to upregulated CD11b/CD18 and CD11c/CD18. This binding was partially blocked by an antibody specific for the CD11b/CD18 αI domain, demonstrating that αI domains are involved in binding to CD23. Recombinant αI domain proteins of CD11b and CD11c were demonstrated to bind CD23 using ELISA and in surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. The dissociation constants for CD23-CD11b/CD18 and CD23-CD11c/CD18 are comparable to other integrin ligands. This study has shown that CD23 interacts directly with the αI domains of β2 integrins and that the interaction surface likely spans the lectin domain as well as either the stalk and/or C-terminal tail of CD23. This study also looked at the effect that soluble CD23 proteins had on monocyte biology. It appears that iv sCD23 proteins have little effect on the phagocytic or chemotactic ability of monocytes, while an increase in oxidative burst was shown with the 16 kDa and 25 kDa CD23 proteins. Signalling pathways for the production of reactive oxygen species were investigated and it appears that the CD23 proteins signal mainly through the phosphoinositide-3 kinase pathway, although the mitogen activated protein kinase and Src kinase pathways may also play a role. These data suggest that sCD23 proteins induce outside-in signalling of β2 integrins and are able to change the activation state of CD11b/CD11c by stimulating oxidative burst. This needs to be further investigated by determining how the three sCD23 proteins are binding the CD11 proteins and investigating further leukocyte function and inflammatory responses by the cells.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Daniels, Brodie Belinda
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: CD23 antigen , Immune response -- Regulation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:10303 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1217 , CD23 antigen , Immune response -- Regulation
- Description: The low affinity IgE receptor, CD23, is expressed by a wide variety of cells and cleaved from its original 45 kDa size to several smaller soluble CD23 proteins. Soluble CD23 function depends on the form of the protein and its interaction with various ligands. CD23 is believed to play an important role in regulating allergic responses and in inflammation, amongst others. β2 integrins are important in a variety of cell-adhesion reactions during immune-inflammatory mechanisms and the binding of their natural ligands generates outside-in cellular signalling, leading to cell activation. Although the binding of CD23 to β2 integrins contributes to this signalling in monocytes, the interaction site for CD23 is unknown. This study focused on the interaction of three soluble CD23 proteins with the β2 integrins CD11b/CD18 and CD11c/CD18. Differentiated HL60, THP1 and U937 monocytic cells were used to demonstrate the binding of three recombinant CD23 constructs (corresponding to 16, 25 and 33 kDa human soluble CD23) to upregulated CD11b/CD18 and CD11c/CD18. This binding was partially blocked by an antibody specific for the CD11b/CD18 αI domain, demonstrating that αI domains are involved in binding to CD23. Recombinant αI domain proteins of CD11b and CD11c were demonstrated to bind CD23 using ELISA and in surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. The dissociation constants for CD23-CD11b/CD18 and CD23-CD11c/CD18 are comparable to other integrin ligands. This study has shown that CD23 interacts directly with the αI domains of β2 integrins and that the interaction surface likely spans the lectin domain as well as either the stalk and/or C-terminal tail of CD23. This study also looked at the effect that soluble CD23 proteins had on monocyte biology. It appears that iv sCD23 proteins have little effect on the phagocytic or chemotactic ability of monocytes, while an increase in oxidative burst was shown with the 16 kDa and 25 kDa CD23 proteins. Signalling pathways for the production of reactive oxygen species were investigated and it appears that the CD23 proteins signal mainly through the phosphoinositide-3 kinase pathway, although the mitogen activated protein kinase and Src kinase pathways may also play a role. These data suggest that sCD23 proteins induce outside-in signalling of β2 integrins and are able to change the activation state of CD11b/CD11c by stimulating oxidative burst. This needs to be further investigated by determining how the three sCD23 proteins are binding the CD11 proteins and investigating further leukocyte function and inflammatory responses by the cells.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The promotion of scientific literacy within a museum context
- Authors: Daniels, Nicolette Deidré
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Museums -- Educational aspects , Science -- Study and teaching (Primary) -- South Africa , Scientific literature -- Study and teaching , Science museums -- Educational aspects , Museums and schools -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9502 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1343 , Museums -- Educational aspects , Science -- Study and teaching (Primary) -- South Africa , Scientific literature -- Study and teaching , Science museums -- Educational aspects , Museums and schools -- South Africa
- Description: Currently South African museums are faced with the challenge of evaluating and transforming their roles and functions as a response to changing national educational needs. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether aspects of the integrated strategies approach to promoting scientific literacy can be successfully employed in a museum context. The approach was used as part of the education programmes at the Port Elizabeth Museum School (Bayworld) and mixed methods were used to gather qualitative and quantitative data on the teachers’ ability to adopt the strategy. Data were also generated on the teachers’ perceptions of teaching and learning, possible activities which supported the approach, and aspects of the strategy which the learners adopted most readily. The findings suggest that active engagement in the process resulted in effective adoption of the strategy by the teachers, improved attitudes towards science learning by both the teachers and children who participated in the process, and improved scientific literacy in both.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Daniels, Nicolette Deidré
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Museums -- Educational aspects , Science -- Study and teaching (Primary) -- South Africa , Scientific literature -- Study and teaching , Science museums -- Educational aspects , Museums and schools -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9502 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1343 , Museums -- Educational aspects , Science -- Study and teaching (Primary) -- South Africa , Scientific literature -- Study and teaching , Science museums -- Educational aspects , Museums and schools -- South Africa
- Description: Currently South African museums are faced with the challenge of evaluating and transforming their roles and functions as a response to changing national educational needs. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether aspects of the integrated strategies approach to promoting scientific literacy can be successfully employed in a museum context. The approach was used as part of the education programmes at the Port Elizabeth Museum School (Bayworld) and mixed methods were used to gather qualitative and quantitative data on the teachers’ ability to adopt the strategy. Data were also generated on the teachers’ perceptions of teaching and learning, possible activities which supported the approach, and aspects of the strategy which the learners adopted most readily. The findings suggest that active engagement in the process resulted in effective adoption of the strategy by the teachers, improved attitudes towards science learning by both the teachers and children who participated in the process, and improved scientific literacy in both.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The impact of economic downturn on black economic empowerment and banks
- Authors: Daniels, Sinclair Lonwabo
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: South Africa -- Economic conditions -- 21st century , South Africa -- Economic conditions , Business enterprises, Black -- South Africa , Blacks -- Employment -- South Africa , Employee empowerment -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8620 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1505 , South Africa -- Economic conditions -- 21st century , South Africa -- Economic conditions , Business enterprises, Black -- South Africa , Blacks -- Employment -- South Africa , Employee empowerment -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa
- Description: The purpose of this treatise is to ascertain the impact of economic downturn on Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and Banks. This has been sparked by the huge speculations in the market as to what will happen to BEE and how will the banks cope in general with the impact of this scourge. It is imperative to understand the influence of the 2008+ economic downturn on socio-economic reconstruction and development in South Africa and the black economic empowerment and its funding mechanisms. The treatise has two phases the, namely the theoretical phase and a bit of narrative phase. In the theoretical phase the research study interrogates what the literature review reveals about the economic downturn, BEE as well as performances of different banks across the world. This shows the economic impact that the banks have had to endure during the economic downturn. This resulted in stock markets losing their value. The dividend earners were significantly affected including a sizeable number of BEE companies. The BEE companies are perceived to be too reliant on debt on to finance their deals and this treatise will look at various options of financing a BEE deal and what is deem to the most suited financing structure. The narrative phase involves semi-structured interviews that were conducted in order to ascertain the real impact that South African were faced with and how they have managed to steer clear of the turbulent waters. This also looked at how the BEE consultant views the current occurrences in the market.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Daniels, Sinclair Lonwabo
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: South Africa -- Economic conditions -- 21st century , South Africa -- Economic conditions , Business enterprises, Black -- South Africa , Blacks -- Employment -- South Africa , Employee empowerment -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8620 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1505 , South Africa -- Economic conditions -- 21st century , South Africa -- Economic conditions , Business enterprises, Black -- South Africa , Blacks -- Employment -- South Africa , Employee empowerment -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa
- Description: The purpose of this treatise is to ascertain the impact of economic downturn on Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and Banks. This has been sparked by the huge speculations in the market as to what will happen to BEE and how will the banks cope in general with the impact of this scourge. It is imperative to understand the influence of the 2008+ economic downturn on socio-economic reconstruction and development in South Africa and the black economic empowerment and its funding mechanisms. The treatise has two phases the, namely the theoretical phase and a bit of narrative phase. In the theoretical phase the research study interrogates what the literature review reveals about the economic downturn, BEE as well as performances of different banks across the world. This shows the economic impact that the banks have had to endure during the economic downturn. This resulted in stock markets losing their value. The dividend earners were significantly affected including a sizeable number of BEE companies. The BEE companies are perceived to be too reliant on debt on to finance their deals and this treatise will look at various options of financing a BEE deal and what is deem to the most suited financing structure. The narrative phase involves semi-structured interviews that were conducted in order to ascertain the real impact that South African were faced with and how they have managed to steer clear of the turbulent waters. This also looked at how the BEE consultant views the current occurrences in the market.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The role of strategic leadership in Coega Development Corporation: a case study
- Authors: Davids, Mogamad Sadiek
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Coega Development Corporation Industrial development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Strategic planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Organizational behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:763 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003884
- Description: South Africa became a democracy after its election in April 1994. Thereafter, the country faced the daunting task of trying to fast-track economic growth and addressing social challenges. The Department of Trade and Industry was mandated by the newly elected government to spearhead economic development in order to address these challenges. Trade policy instruments such as industrial development zones formed part of government’s strategic economic instruments to achieve economic reform. The Coega Industrial Development Zone (CIDZ) near Port Elizabeth was one of many economic development zones created principally to promote export orientated manufacturing. The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) was registered as a company to develop, operate and manage the CIDZ. The literature suggests that strategic leadership is important for organizational success. Strategic leadership is described as the ability to influence others to make day-to-day voluntary decisions that enhance long-term viability while maintaining short term financial stability. Literature further suggests that strategic leaders deal with the evolution of organizations and their changing aims and transform them through their capabilities and strategic leadership roles such as being a figurehead, spokesperson, team builder, design school planner and so on. The aim of this research is to analyse the role of strategic leadership with the objectives to ascertain whether strategic leadership contributed to the success of the development of CDC, and identify possible challenges they are confronted with in the execution of their leadership duties. This research was conducted from an interpretivist perspective as the researcher attempted to develop insight into how the strategic leadership of CDC viewed and understood their role. The strategic leadership of CDC, who were the focus of this study, consisted of the executive management team of the organization, including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The research design was in the form of a case study of the CDC leadership, with data collected through semi-structured interviews and documents. The most prominent roles exercised by the leadership of CDC included creating a vision and strategy development and inculcating a teamwork corporate culture. Other roles identified include that of team builder, fostering innovation and developing human capital etc. A lack of stakeholder management as well as managing the culture of the organization as it expands and grows, remain critical challenges. Finally recommendations are made together with suggestions for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Davids, Mogamad Sadiek
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Coega Development Corporation Industrial development projects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Strategic planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies Organizational behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:763 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003884
- Description: South Africa became a democracy after its election in April 1994. Thereafter, the country faced the daunting task of trying to fast-track economic growth and addressing social challenges. The Department of Trade and Industry was mandated by the newly elected government to spearhead economic development in order to address these challenges. Trade policy instruments such as industrial development zones formed part of government’s strategic economic instruments to achieve economic reform. The Coega Industrial Development Zone (CIDZ) near Port Elizabeth was one of many economic development zones created principally to promote export orientated manufacturing. The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) was registered as a company to develop, operate and manage the CIDZ. The literature suggests that strategic leadership is important for organizational success. Strategic leadership is described as the ability to influence others to make day-to-day voluntary decisions that enhance long-term viability while maintaining short term financial stability. Literature further suggests that strategic leaders deal with the evolution of organizations and their changing aims and transform them through their capabilities and strategic leadership roles such as being a figurehead, spokesperson, team builder, design school planner and so on. The aim of this research is to analyse the role of strategic leadership with the objectives to ascertain whether strategic leadership contributed to the success of the development of CDC, and identify possible challenges they are confronted with in the execution of their leadership duties. This research was conducted from an interpretivist perspective as the researcher attempted to develop insight into how the strategic leadership of CDC viewed and understood their role. The strategic leadership of CDC, who were the focus of this study, consisted of the executive management team of the organization, including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The research design was in the form of a case study of the CDC leadership, with data collected through semi-structured interviews and documents. The most prominent roles exercised by the leadership of CDC included creating a vision and strategy development and inculcating a teamwork corporate culture. Other roles identified include that of team builder, fostering innovation and developing human capital etc. A lack of stakeholder management as well as managing the culture of the organization as it expands and grows, remain critical challenges. Finally recommendations are made together with suggestions for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
A biochemical study of the antidiabetic and anticogulant effects of Tulbaghia Violacea
- Authors: Davison, Candice
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa , Diabetes -- Alternative treatment -- South Africa , Violaceae -- Therapeutic use -- South Africa , Anticoagulants (Medicine) , Plants -- Analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10311 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1523 , Medicinal plants -- South Africa , Diabetes -- Alternative treatment -- South Africa , Violaceae -- Therapeutic use -- South Africa , Anticoagulants (Medicine) , Plants -- Analysis
- Description: Secondary metabolites derived from plants, especially those used by traditional healers, are at the forefront of new drug development in combating diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Garlic is employed in indigenous medicine all over the world for the treatment of a variety of diseases. Dietary garlic has been recognized for its beneficial health effects. In particular, garlic consumption has been correlated with (i) reduction of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and cancer, (ii) stimulation of immune function, (iii) enhanced detoxification of foreign compounds, (iv) hepatoprotection, (v) antimicrobial effects, (vi) antioxidant effects, and most importantly (vii) its hypoglycemic and anticoagulant properties. Due to these beneficial properties, garlic and its closely related genera which includes Tulbaghia violacea, may be useful as coadjuvant therapy in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and some of its physiological complications. The aim of this study was to determine if T. violacea has antidiabetic and anticoagulant properties. This was performed in vitro using both aqueous and organic extracts of the roots, leaves and bulbs. An organic extract was able to improve glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in INS-1 pancreatic β-cells and glucose uptake in Chang liver cells. The BO extract had no effect on the glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 an adipose cell line and reduced glucose utilisation in C2C12, a skeletal muscle cell line. Some of the properties displayed by T. violacea in this study are consistent with those found in similar studies with garlic extracts. It was observed that the BO extract increased the membrane potential and Glut-2 expression in INS-1 cells cultured at hyperglycemic levels, however, at normoglycemic levels a reduction was observed. The oxygen consumption increased at both glycemic levels due to treatment with the BO extract. Platelets were exposed to the extracts to determine their effects upon platelet aggregation, adhesion and protein secretion. Since the BO extract displayed the highest potential at inhibiting platelet aggregation and adhesion. A rat model was used in ex vivo studies to determine if the extract exhibited the same effect in a physiological model. It was noted that the BO extract exhibited a higher degree of inhibition on platelet aggregation and adhesion than the positive control, aspirin. The BO extract reduced clotting times in the prothrombin time (PT) test, but prolonged the clotting time in the actived partial thromboplastin time (APTT) assay in the ex vivo model; however, it had no affect on these clotting assays in the in vitro model using human blood. The BO extract increased the D-dimer and Fibrinogen-C levels in the in vitro model, but had no effect on the D-dimer concentrations and lowered the Fibrinogen-C levels in the ex vivo model. The active compounds in the extract remain to be elucidated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Davison, Candice
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Medicinal plants -- South Africa , Diabetes -- Alternative treatment -- South Africa , Violaceae -- Therapeutic use -- South Africa , Anticoagulants (Medicine) , Plants -- Analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10311 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1523 , Medicinal plants -- South Africa , Diabetes -- Alternative treatment -- South Africa , Violaceae -- Therapeutic use -- South Africa , Anticoagulants (Medicine) , Plants -- Analysis
- Description: Secondary metabolites derived from plants, especially those used by traditional healers, are at the forefront of new drug development in combating diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Garlic is employed in indigenous medicine all over the world for the treatment of a variety of diseases. Dietary garlic has been recognized for its beneficial health effects. In particular, garlic consumption has been correlated with (i) reduction of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and cancer, (ii) stimulation of immune function, (iii) enhanced detoxification of foreign compounds, (iv) hepatoprotection, (v) antimicrobial effects, (vi) antioxidant effects, and most importantly (vii) its hypoglycemic and anticoagulant properties. Due to these beneficial properties, garlic and its closely related genera which includes Tulbaghia violacea, may be useful as coadjuvant therapy in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and some of its physiological complications. The aim of this study was to determine if T. violacea has antidiabetic and anticoagulant properties. This was performed in vitro using both aqueous and organic extracts of the roots, leaves and bulbs. An organic extract was able to improve glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in INS-1 pancreatic β-cells and glucose uptake in Chang liver cells. The BO extract had no effect on the glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 an adipose cell line and reduced glucose utilisation in C2C12, a skeletal muscle cell line. Some of the properties displayed by T. violacea in this study are consistent with those found in similar studies with garlic extracts. It was observed that the BO extract increased the membrane potential and Glut-2 expression in INS-1 cells cultured at hyperglycemic levels, however, at normoglycemic levels a reduction was observed. The oxygen consumption increased at both glycemic levels due to treatment with the BO extract. Platelets were exposed to the extracts to determine their effects upon platelet aggregation, adhesion and protein secretion. Since the BO extract displayed the highest potential at inhibiting platelet aggregation and adhesion. A rat model was used in ex vivo studies to determine if the extract exhibited the same effect in a physiological model. It was noted that the BO extract exhibited a higher degree of inhibition on platelet aggregation and adhesion than the positive control, aspirin. The BO extract reduced clotting times in the prothrombin time (PT) test, but prolonged the clotting time in the actived partial thromboplastin time (APTT) assay in the ex vivo model; however, it had no affect on these clotting assays in the in vitro model using human blood. The BO extract increased the D-dimer and Fibrinogen-C levels in the in vitro model, but had no effect on the D-dimer concentrations and lowered the Fibrinogen-C levels in the ex vivo model. The active compounds in the extract remain to be elucidated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The impact of a one-hour self-selected nap opportunity on physiological and performance variables during a simulated night shift
- Authors: Davy, Jonathan Patrick
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Night work , Naps (sleep) in the workplace , Naps (sleep) in the workplace -- Case studies , Shift systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5123 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005201 , Night work , Naps (sleep) in the workplace , Naps (sleep) in the workplace -- Case studies , Shift systems
- Description: Napping has been explored extensively as a means of counteracting the negative effects associated with shift work. A significant amount of this research has focused on the implementation of scheduled naps, with few studies considering flexible nap schemes. The current study therefore aimed to assess the effects of a flexible nap opportunity on the physiological, cognitive, performance, neurophysiological and subjective responses of a group of non shift workers over the course of a three-day simulated night shift regime. Additional foci were the effects of the nap condition on the extent of the circadian adaptation of the subjects to the irregular work schedule and the circadian-related influences associated with being awake during the night. 36 subjects – 18 males and 18 females – were recruited to participate in the current study. The data collection spanned twelve days, during which four, three-day long shift cycles were set up: three night shift cycles and one day shift cycle. During each night shift cycle, three separate experimental conditions were staggered, namely the nap condition, the no nap condition and a booster break condition (a collaborative study that completed the setup). The day shift served as a further comparison. Each cycle comprised of 12 subjects, which meant there were four subjects per condition during each cycle. The shifts were 8 hours in duration, with the no nap group following a standard break schedule evinced in industry. The three breaks taken during the shifts amounted to a total time of 1 hour. The nap group was afforded a 1 hour flexible nap opportunity between 00h00 and 03h00 with no other breaks. Therefore, both conditions had the same amount of work time. During the shifts, subjects performed two simple, low arousal tasks (beading and packing) and completed a test battery roughly every two hours which was comprised of physiological, performance, neurophysiological and subjective measures. It was found that the inclusion of the nap opportunity significantly improved output performance and response time during a low precision, modified Fitts tapping task over the course of three night shifts, relative to no napping. Physiologically, napping resulted in higher heart rate frequency measures by the end of the shifts, which were also accompanied by significant reductions in subjective sleepiness ratings during all iii the night shifts. The nap group’s responses in this case, did not differ significantly from those of the day shift. Both simple reaction time and memory performances improved as a result of the nap inclusion, but only during the third night shift. The majority of the measures included in the research also depicted the effects of the circadian rhythm, which was indicative of the pronounced effect that this natural biological down regulation has on performance during the night. Napping reduced the severity of these effects during beading performance and measures of subjective sleepiness. With regard to habituation, the nap opportunity also resulted in positive changes in the responses of beading performance, high precision response time, simple reaction time and both subjective sleepiness measures, relative to no napping. Sleep diary responses indicated that although sleep length and quality during the day were significantly reduced for both night-time conditions, recovery sleep (length and quality) for the nap group did not differ significantly from the no nap group. The findings of this research indicate that the inclusion of a flexible napping opportunity during the night shift had positive effects on some physiological, performance and subjective responses, and that this intervention is as beneficial as scheduled napping. Specifically, napping resulted in a significantly higher output during the beading task, relative to the no nap group despite the duration of work time being the same. As such the introduction of a flexible, self-selected nap opportunity is a practical, effective and individual-specific means of alleviating the negative effects of shift work, while improving certain performance parameters. Therefore, industries should consider its inclusion in their fatigue management programs. However, contextspecific considerations must be made, with regard work scheduling, individual differences and task demands when implementing such an intervention. This will ensure that its introduction will be well received and in time, lessen the health and work-related decrements associated with shift work.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Davy, Jonathan Patrick
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Night work , Naps (sleep) in the workplace , Naps (sleep) in the workplace -- Case studies , Shift systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5123 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005201 , Night work , Naps (sleep) in the workplace , Naps (sleep) in the workplace -- Case studies , Shift systems
- Description: Napping has been explored extensively as a means of counteracting the negative effects associated with shift work. A significant amount of this research has focused on the implementation of scheduled naps, with few studies considering flexible nap schemes. The current study therefore aimed to assess the effects of a flexible nap opportunity on the physiological, cognitive, performance, neurophysiological and subjective responses of a group of non shift workers over the course of a three-day simulated night shift regime. Additional foci were the effects of the nap condition on the extent of the circadian adaptation of the subjects to the irregular work schedule and the circadian-related influences associated with being awake during the night. 36 subjects – 18 males and 18 females – were recruited to participate in the current study. The data collection spanned twelve days, during which four, three-day long shift cycles were set up: three night shift cycles and one day shift cycle. During each night shift cycle, three separate experimental conditions were staggered, namely the nap condition, the no nap condition and a booster break condition (a collaborative study that completed the setup). The day shift served as a further comparison. Each cycle comprised of 12 subjects, which meant there were four subjects per condition during each cycle. The shifts were 8 hours in duration, with the no nap group following a standard break schedule evinced in industry. The three breaks taken during the shifts amounted to a total time of 1 hour. The nap group was afforded a 1 hour flexible nap opportunity between 00h00 and 03h00 with no other breaks. Therefore, both conditions had the same amount of work time. During the shifts, subjects performed two simple, low arousal tasks (beading and packing) and completed a test battery roughly every two hours which was comprised of physiological, performance, neurophysiological and subjective measures. It was found that the inclusion of the nap opportunity significantly improved output performance and response time during a low precision, modified Fitts tapping task over the course of three night shifts, relative to no napping. Physiologically, napping resulted in higher heart rate frequency measures by the end of the shifts, which were also accompanied by significant reductions in subjective sleepiness ratings during all iii the night shifts. The nap group’s responses in this case, did not differ significantly from those of the day shift. Both simple reaction time and memory performances improved as a result of the nap inclusion, but only during the third night shift. The majority of the measures included in the research also depicted the effects of the circadian rhythm, which was indicative of the pronounced effect that this natural biological down regulation has on performance during the night. Napping reduced the severity of these effects during beading performance and measures of subjective sleepiness. With regard to habituation, the nap opportunity also resulted in positive changes in the responses of beading performance, high precision response time, simple reaction time and both subjective sleepiness measures, relative to no napping. Sleep diary responses indicated that although sleep length and quality during the day were significantly reduced for both night-time conditions, recovery sleep (length and quality) for the nap group did not differ significantly from the no nap group. The findings of this research indicate that the inclusion of a flexible napping opportunity during the night shift had positive effects on some physiological, performance and subjective responses, and that this intervention is as beneficial as scheduled napping. Specifically, napping resulted in a significantly higher output during the beading task, relative to the no nap group despite the duration of work time being the same. As such the introduction of a flexible, self-selected nap opportunity is a practical, effective and individual-specific means of alleviating the negative effects of shift work, while improving certain performance parameters. Therefore, industries should consider its inclusion in their fatigue management programs. However, contextspecific considerations must be made, with regard work scheduling, individual differences and task demands when implementing such an intervention. This will ensure that its introduction will be well received and in time, lessen the health and work-related decrements associated with shift work.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Factors affecting information technology implementation in the mobile telecommunications industry: a family business case
- Authors: De Jong, Piet
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Mobile communication systems -- Technological innovations , Family-owned business enterprises -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8629 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1486 , Mobile communication systems -- Technological innovations , Family-owned business enterprises -- South Africa
- Description: This treatise investigates how information technology (I.T.) enables growth in a family business (the firm) in Port Elizabeth. The firm operates in the mobile telecommunications sector. The objective of the study is to gain a deeper understanding on why family businesses adopt information technology in their firm by means of a case study. The firm found its technology (or lack thereof) completely out-dated compared to the competition and customer demands. The future of the firm was in jeopardy. The study starts with a literature review of the following three topics which form part of the scope of the research: 1. Family businesses; 2. Influence of I.T. as a driver of growth in business; and 3. An introduction into the mobile telecommunications industry. Data are collected through structured interviews with family members involved in the business. The data are consequently linked to the theory and provides insight as to what the drivers are for I.T. adoption and the required core competencies or critical success factors of the firm. Although it might seem trivial for a small family business to adopt information technology, the research concludes that I.T. is critical for continuous growth and survival of this family business. Conversely due to a lack of internal skills the firm is heavily reliant upon outside consultants for advice, implementation and support. Recommendations which are of particular interest to family businesses in a similar environment are: • Embrace technology early, utilise I.T. solutions to grow and enhance current competitive advantage, do not see I.T. as a competitive advantage alone (Pavlou & Sawy, 2006); • If information expertise is not present within the company it is advisable to invest in that expertise through recruitment, training, partnership, or outsourcing; • Ensure software meets specification / is effective enough – this can be achieved by frequent releases cycles with small changes instead of infrequent release cycles with many big changes; • Engage the consultants in a partnership by i.e. providing a profit share – this will ensure that the consultants are committed to the cause and will also ensure that their involvement is also in their own best interest; • Choose local consultants who are easily accessible – build relationships and focus on trust; • Create lock-in (Amit & Zott, 2001), provide tools free-ofcharge for customers, this will make switching to competitor more difficult; • Automate as much as possible, enable standard work practices, routinize; • Be ready to adjust the organisational structure or relinquish control (Bruquea & Moyanob, 2007)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: De Jong, Piet
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Mobile communication systems -- Technological innovations , Family-owned business enterprises -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8629 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1486 , Mobile communication systems -- Technological innovations , Family-owned business enterprises -- South Africa
- Description: This treatise investigates how information technology (I.T.) enables growth in a family business (the firm) in Port Elizabeth. The firm operates in the mobile telecommunications sector. The objective of the study is to gain a deeper understanding on why family businesses adopt information technology in their firm by means of a case study. The firm found its technology (or lack thereof) completely out-dated compared to the competition and customer demands. The future of the firm was in jeopardy. The study starts with a literature review of the following three topics which form part of the scope of the research: 1. Family businesses; 2. Influence of I.T. as a driver of growth in business; and 3. An introduction into the mobile telecommunications industry. Data are collected through structured interviews with family members involved in the business. The data are consequently linked to the theory and provides insight as to what the drivers are for I.T. adoption and the required core competencies or critical success factors of the firm. Although it might seem trivial for a small family business to adopt information technology, the research concludes that I.T. is critical for continuous growth and survival of this family business. Conversely due to a lack of internal skills the firm is heavily reliant upon outside consultants for advice, implementation and support. Recommendations which are of particular interest to family businesses in a similar environment are: • Embrace technology early, utilise I.T. solutions to grow and enhance current competitive advantage, do not see I.T. as a competitive advantage alone (Pavlou & Sawy, 2006); • If information expertise is not present within the company it is advisable to invest in that expertise through recruitment, training, partnership, or outsourcing; • Ensure software meets specification / is effective enough – this can be achieved by frequent releases cycles with small changes instead of infrequent release cycles with many big changes; • Engage the consultants in a partnership by i.e. providing a profit share – this will ensure that the consultants are committed to the cause and will also ensure that their involvement is also in their own best interest; • Choose local consultants who are easily accessible – build relationships and focus on trust; • Create lock-in (Amit & Zott, 2001), provide tools free-ofcharge for customers, this will make switching to competitor more difficult; • Automate as much as possible, enable standard work practices, routinize; • Be ready to adjust the organisational structure or relinquish control (Bruquea & Moyanob, 2007)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
To be Xhosa or not to be Xhosa… that is the question:
- Authors: De Klerk, Vivian A
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/158096 , vital:40148 , https://doi.org/10.1080/01434630008666401
- Description: It has long been recognised that indigenous languages are endangered because of powerful social, political and economic pressures. In South Africa, the legacy of apartheid has left its indigenous languages particularly vulnerable, and since 1994 huge efforts have been made to reverse the situation. Despite the new language policy and accompanying legislation, it would seem that many Xhosa speakers themselves want English, and not Xhosa,for their children. This paper reports on a multi-faceted quantitative and qualitative survey in and around Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape Province, which focused on the steady trickle of speakers of Xhosa into English-medium schools in thearea, and examined the reasons underlying decisions to send Xhosa children to these schools and the subsequent linguistic and psycho-social effects of the move on the children.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: De Klerk, Vivian A
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/158096 , vital:40148 , https://doi.org/10.1080/01434630008666401
- Description: It has long been recognised that indigenous languages are endangered because of powerful social, political and economic pressures. In South Africa, the legacy of apartheid has left its indigenous languages particularly vulnerable, and since 1994 huge efforts have been made to reverse the situation. Despite the new language policy and accompanying legislation, it would seem that many Xhosa speakers themselves want English, and not Xhosa,for their children. This paper reports on a multi-faceted quantitative and qualitative survey in and around Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape Province, which focused on the steady trickle of speakers of Xhosa into English-medium schools in thearea, and examined the reasons underlying decisions to send Xhosa children to these schools and the subsequent linguistic and psycho-social effects of the move on the children.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Wounding and healing as paradox: towards the visual articulation of synthesis
- Authors: De Lange, Bev
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech (Fine Art)
- Identifier: vital:8531 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1655 , Psychology
- Description: The very notion of wounding can be argued to imply a process of healing. Indeed some wounds are at the outset designed to be instruments of healing. As ten years of my professional life were spent assisting in the surgical creation of such „wounds‟ in an operating theatre it is from this memory timeframe that I initiated the process of developing visual equivalents that become reflective of both wounding and healing. The operation theatre was also an environment from which I developed increased awareness of mind or psyche as an entity conceptually comprising both conscious and unconscious components. Within this context, it can be argued that the patient‟s state of mind moves between consciousness and forms of unconsciousness induced through anaesthesia. Through research into the writings of the psychoanalyst Carl Jung, I began to develop a greater understanding of the concepts surrounding the conscious and unconscious mind in relation to the development of consciousness as well as to the integration of opposites. It is from this understanding of a dynamic process within the mind itself that I have attempted to develop visual signifiers of paradox in order to give expression to symbols that are reflective of these processes and in so doing indicate the psychological journey towards synthesis and individuation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: De Lange, Bev
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech (Fine Art)
- Identifier: vital:8531 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1655 , Psychology
- Description: The very notion of wounding can be argued to imply a process of healing. Indeed some wounds are at the outset designed to be instruments of healing. As ten years of my professional life were spent assisting in the surgical creation of such „wounds‟ in an operating theatre it is from this memory timeframe that I initiated the process of developing visual equivalents that become reflective of both wounding and healing. The operation theatre was also an environment from which I developed increased awareness of mind or psyche as an entity conceptually comprising both conscious and unconscious components. Within this context, it can be argued that the patient‟s state of mind moves between consciousness and forms of unconsciousness induced through anaesthesia. Through research into the writings of the psychoanalyst Carl Jung, I began to develop a greater understanding of the concepts surrounding the conscious and unconscious mind in relation to the development of consciousness as well as to the integration of opposites. It is from this understanding of a dynamic process within the mind itself that I have attempted to develop visual signifiers of paradox in order to give expression to symbols that are reflective of these processes and in so doing indicate the psychological journey towards synthesis and individuation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Risk management
- Authors: Derrocks, Velda Charmaine
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Risk management -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa , Financial risk management -- South Africa , Risk management -- South Africa -- Decision making
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8633 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1480 , Risk management -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa , Financial risk management -- South Africa , Risk management -- South Africa -- Decision making
- Description: The objective of the study is to establish a perspective of risk management by doing an assessment of current risk management practices, especially in the aftermath of the 2008/2009 global financial crisis. Risk management, as a component of corporate governance, was analysed by addressing the following: - The nature of value-creating assets in business; - The primary challenges for risk management over the next three years; - The changing approaches towards risk management; - The role of legislation and external stakeholders; - The role of risk management in strategic planning; - The cost of risk management; and - The benefits of improved risk management capabilities. A survey was conducted in the form of a questionnaire in order to obtain primary information from business owners on the current role of risk management in their organisations as well as their view on the role of risk management going forward. Businesses operating in the Port Elizabeth and surrounding area with an existing relationship with Absa Business Banking Services participated in the study. Quantitative techniques were used to analyse the data that were obtained from the sample group. The study revealed that the role of risk management in enterprises is evolving into an integrated, enterprise wide risk management function that can be utilised as a source of competitive advantage, from both a funding perspective for Banks and a business perspective for business owners. Capitalising on risk management as a competitive advantage will ultimately lead to long term sustainability and profitability of South African business enterprises and the South African Banking system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Derrocks, Velda Charmaine
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Risk management -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa , Financial risk management -- South Africa , Risk management -- South Africa -- Decision making
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8633 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1480 , Risk management -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa , Financial risk management -- South Africa , Risk management -- South Africa -- Decision making
- Description: The objective of the study is to establish a perspective of risk management by doing an assessment of current risk management practices, especially in the aftermath of the 2008/2009 global financial crisis. Risk management, as a component of corporate governance, was analysed by addressing the following: - The nature of value-creating assets in business; - The primary challenges for risk management over the next three years; - The changing approaches towards risk management; - The role of legislation and external stakeholders; - The role of risk management in strategic planning; - The cost of risk management; and - The benefits of improved risk management capabilities. A survey was conducted in the form of a questionnaire in order to obtain primary information from business owners on the current role of risk management in their organisations as well as their view on the role of risk management going forward. Businesses operating in the Port Elizabeth and surrounding area with an existing relationship with Absa Business Banking Services participated in the study. Quantitative techniques were used to analyse the data that were obtained from the sample group. The study revealed that the role of risk management in enterprises is evolving into an integrated, enterprise wide risk management function that can be utilised as a source of competitive advantage, from both a funding perspective for Banks and a business perspective for business owners. Capitalising on risk management as a competitive advantage will ultimately lead to long term sustainability and profitability of South African business enterprises and the South African Banking system.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Take my word for it: a new approach to the problem of sincerity in the epistemology of testimony
- Authors: Dewhurst, Therese
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Sincerity Philosophy Terminology Knowledge, Theory of Honesty
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2707 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002837
- Description: The epistemological problem of sincerity in testimony is often approached in the following way: We, as a matter of fact, accept utterances as sincere. We do so in the face of knowledge that people lie and deceive,and yet we still count these beliefs as good beliefs. Therefore there must be some reason or argument that we can cite in order to justify our acceptance of the sincerity of the speaker. In this thesis I will argue, contra this, that there is no reason, per se, that justifies our of a speakers sincerity: this is because recognition of the obligation to accept the sincerity is a necessary condition on the possibility of communication and interpretation. In the first three of the thesis I will argue against three of the main approaches to the problem by focusing on what I believe to be the strongest accounts of each: Elizabeth Fricker's reductionism, Tyler Burge's non-reductionism, and Paul Faulkner's trust account of testimony. In the final chapter I will put forward my positive account. I will argue that it is a constitutive rule of language that a speaker be sincere, and then make the further claim, that it is a constitutive rule of interpretation that the hearer take an utterance as sincere. On my account, successful communication does not just depend on a speaker making sincere utterances,but just as importantly,, on the hearer recognising an obligation to take those utterances as being sincere.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Dewhurst, Therese
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Sincerity Philosophy Terminology Knowledge, Theory of Honesty
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2707 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002837
- Description: The epistemological problem of sincerity in testimony is often approached in the following way: We, as a matter of fact, accept utterances as sincere. We do so in the face of knowledge that people lie and deceive,and yet we still count these beliefs as good beliefs. Therefore there must be some reason or argument that we can cite in order to justify our acceptance of the sincerity of the speaker. In this thesis I will argue, contra this, that there is no reason, per se, that justifies our of a speakers sincerity: this is because recognition of the obligation to accept the sincerity is a necessary condition on the possibility of communication and interpretation. In the first three of the thesis I will argue against three of the main approaches to the problem by focusing on what I believe to be the strongest accounts of each: Elizabeth Fricker's reductionism, Tyler Burge's non-reductionism, and Paul Faulkner's trust account of testimony. In the final chapter I will put forward my positive account. I will argue that it is a constitutive rule of language that a speaker be sincere, and then make the further claim, that it is a constitutive rule of interpretation that the hearer take an utterance as sincere. On my account, successful communication does not just depend on a speaker making sincere utterances,but just as importantly,, on the hearer recognising an obligation to take those utterances as being sincere.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Social sustainability of biogas production in Sogwala village, lower Gweru district, Zimbabwe
- Authors: Dhliwayo, Nyaradzo
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Biogas -- Zimbabwe , Biogas -- Developing countries , Sustainability -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10648 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1459 , Biogas -- Zimbabwe , Biogas -- Developing countries , Sustainability -- Zimbabwe
- Description: The study has explored the social sustainability of biogas production in a local village of Sogwala which is located in the Lower Gweru District of Zimbabwe. The social sustainability assessment was based on the two concepts of social sustainability, namely human capital and social capital with particular emphasis on their respective elements and aspects. Qualitative and quantitative research methodology methods were used on a sample of 100 households using biogas and some key informants. Analysis of the variance was used to determine whether biogas production could account for any effects on the social and human capital elements of the Sogwala community. An overview and descriptive statistics analysis of the findings from the study have been provided where the biogas users’ experiences, perspectives are discussed and results were assessed. For instance, effects on the aspects of social capital elements which include increases in the social group membership of households after the introduction of biogas production the village; the performance of biogas energy as compared with other fuel sources in terms of accessibility, efficiency and the degree of labour needed for continual production of biogas. In view of the human capital element, assessment is done on the economic status per household before and after the production of biogas, where emphasis is placed on the aspects of employment, education and health indicators within the social sustainability context. The fundamental benefits from biogas production are considered and discussed with the technical issues surrounding biogas production also being presented. This is not just a technical unit for providing alternative energy supply, but it requires management, labour and knowledge, skills to operate on a daily basis for it to have an impact that can bring positive change to the daily social lives of both the young and old.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Dhliwayo, Nyaradzo
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Biogas -- Zimbabwe , Biogas -- Developing countries , Sustainability -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10648 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1459 , Biogas -- Zimbabwe , Biogas -- Developing countries , Sustainability -- Zimbabwe
- Description: The study has explored the social sustainability of biogas production in a local village of Sogwala which is located in the Lower Gweru District of Zimbabwe. The social sustainability assessment was based on the two concepts of social sustainability, namely human capital and social capital with particular emphasis on their respective elements and aspects. Qualitative and quantitative research methodology methods were used on a sample of 100 households using biogas and some key informants. Analysis of the variance was used to determine whether biogas production could account for any effects on the social and human capital elements of the Sogwala community. An overview and descriptive statistics analysis of the findings from the study have been provided where the biogas users’ experiences, perspectives are discussed and results were assessed. For instance, effects on the aspects of social capital elements which include increases in the social group membership of households after the introduction of biogas production the village; the performance of biogas energy as compared with other fuel sources in terms of accessibility, efficiency and the degree of labour needed for continual production of biogas. In view of the human capital element, assessment is done on the economic status per household before and after the production of biogas, where emphasis is placed on the aspects of employment, education and health indicators within the social sustainability context. The fundamental benefits from biogas production are considered and discussed with the technical issues surrounding biogas production also being presented. This is not just a technical unit for providing alternative energy supply, but it requires management, labour and knowledge, skills to operate on a daily basis for it to have an impact that can bring positive change to the daily social lives of both the young and old.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Shark fishing effort and catch of the ragged-tooth shark Carcharias taurus in the South African competitive shore-angling fishery
- Dicken, Matthew L, Booth, Anthony J, Smale, Malcolm J
- Authors: Dicken, Matthew L , Booth, Anthony J , Smale, Malcolm J
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/126944 , vital:35937 , https://doi.10.2989/18142320609504209
- Description: In South Africa, Carcharias taurus is commonly known as the ragged-tooth shark or raggie. The species is also referred to as the sand-tiger shark in North America and as the grey-nurse shark in Australia. It is a long-lived species with an estimated longevity of up to 40 years (Goldman 2002). Female sharks reach sexual maturity at approximately 10 years (Goldman 2002), and they exhibit a biennial reproductive cycle (Branstetter and Musick 1994, Lucifora et al. 2002, G Cliff, Natal Sharks Board, unpublished data). Intra-uterine cannibalisation results in a maximum fecundity of two pups per litter after a gestation period of approximately 9–12 months (Bass et al. 1975, Gilmore et al. 1983). These life-history characteristics make this species particularly susceptible to overexploitation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Dicken, Matthew L , Booth, Anthony J , Smale, Malcolm J
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/126944 , vital:35937 , https://doi.10.2989/18142320609504209
- Description: In South Africa, Carcharias taurus is commonly known as the ragged-tooth shark or raggie. The species is also referred to as the sand-tiger shark in North America and as the grey-nurse shark in Australia. It is a long-lived species with an estimated longevity of up to 40 years (Goldman 2002). Female sharks reach sexual maturity at approximately 10 years (Goldman 2002), and they exhibit a biennial reproductive cycle (Branstetter and Musick 1994, Lucifora et al. 2002, G Cliff, Natal Sharks Board, unpublished data). Intra-uterine cannibalisation results in a maximum fecundity of two pups per litter after a gestation period of approximately 9–12 months (Bass et al. 1975, Gilmore et al. 1983). These life-history characteristics make this species particularly susceptible to overexploitation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Spatial and seasonal distribution patterns of the ragged-tooth shark Carcharias taurus along the coast of South Africa
- Dicken, Matthew L, Booth, Anthony J, Smale, Malcolm J
- Authors: Dicken, Matthew L , Booth, Anthony J , Smale, Malcolm J
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/127008 , vital:35943 , https://doi.10.2989/18142320609504210
- Description: Off South Africa, the ragged-tooth shark Carcharias Taurus has been occasionally reported from the West Coast, but it is more commonly found along the East and South coasts from Cape Town to northern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) (Bass et al. 1975, Smale 2002). Mating is thought to occur off the south coast of KZN from October to late November (G Cliff, Natal Sharks Board, unpublished data). Pregnant females then move northward to spend the early part of their gestation in the warmer waters of northern KZN and possibly southern Moçambique. During July and August, the near-term pregnant females begin to move southwards towards the cooler waters of the Eastern Cape (Wallett 1973, Bass et al. 1975, G Cliff, unpublished data), where they give birth from September to November (Smale 2002). After parturition, many of the females migrate back to KZN. The whereabouts of mature males outside of the mating season is unclear. These broadscale distribution and migratory habits for C. taurus have been inferred from limited catch records obtained for only parts of its range along the South African coast.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Dicken, Matthew L , Booth, Anthony J , Smale, Malcolm J
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/127008 , vital:35943 , https://doi.10.2989/18142320609504210
- Description: Off South Africa, the ragged-tooth shark Carcharias Taurus has been occasionally reported from the West Coast, but it is more commonly found along the East and South coasts from Cape Town to northern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) (Bass et al. 1975, Smale 2002). Mating is thought to occur off the south coast of KZN from October to late November (G Cliff, Natal Sharks Board, unpublished data). Pregnant females then move northward to spend the early part of their gestation in the warmer waters of northern KZN and possibly southern Moçambique. During July and August, the near-term pregnant females begin to move southwards towards the cooler waters of the Eastern Cape (Wallett 1973, Bass et al. 1975, G Cliff, unpublished data), where they give birth from September to November (Smale 2002). After parturition, many of the females migrate back to KZN. The whereabouts of mature males outside of the mating season is unclear. These broadscale distribution and migratory habits for C. taurus have been inferred from limited catch records obtained for only parts of its range along the South African coast.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Factors affecting recapture rates of raggedtooth sharks Carcharias taurus tagged off the east coast of South Africa
- Dicken, Matthew L, Booth, Anthony J, Smale, Malcolm J
- Authors: Dicken, Matthew L , Booth, Anthony J , Smale, Malcolm J
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124493 , vital:35618 , https://doi.10.2989/AJMS.2009.31.3.9.997
- Description: Understanding differences in the recapture rate between different tags (A-, B- and C-types), capture methods (rock-and-surf anglers, scientific divers and Natal Sharks Board protection nets) and life-history stages (juvenile and adult) is critical in evaluating the results obtained from cooperative tagging programmes (CTPs). A generalised linear modelling approach, using a log-linear model, was used to determine significant differences in the probability of recapture between these various factors using data from the Oceanographic Research Institute and Port Elizabeth Museum CTPs. Between 1984 and 2004, a total of 3 385 raggedtooth sharks Carcharias taurus was tagged by volunteers from both programmes along the east coast of South Africa. A likelihood ratio test indicated significant differences in the probability of recapture between A- and C-type and B- and C-type tags (p < 0.01), between different capture methods (p < 0.05) and between juvenile and adult sharks (p < 0.01). A comparison of recapture rates between members of the CTPs also indicated a marked variability in the performance of individual taggers. The study highlights important data-quality issues inherent in large CTPs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Dicken, Matthew L , Booth, Anthony J , Smale, Malcolm J
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124493 , vital:35618 , https://doi.10.2989/AJMS.2009.31.3.9.997
- Description: Understanding differences in the recapture rate between different tags (A-, B- and C-types), capture methods (rock-and-surf anglers, scientific divers and Natal Sharks Board protection nets) and life-history stages (juvenile and adult) is critical in evaluating the results obtained from cooperative tagging programmes (CTPs). A generalised linear modelling approach, using a log-linear model, was used to determine significant differences in the probability of recapture between these various factors using data from the Oceanographic Research Institute and Port Elizabeth Museum CTPs. Between 1984 and 2004, a total of 3 385 raggedtooth sharks Carcharias taurus was tagged by volunteers from both programmes along the east coast of South Africa. A likelihood ratio test indicated significant differences in the probability of recapture between A- and C-type and B- and C-type tags (p < 0.01), between different capture methods (p < 0.05) and between juvenile and adult sharks (p < 0.01). A comparison of recapture rates between members of the CTPs also indicated a marked variability in the performance of individual taggers. The study highlights important data-quality issues inherent in large CTPs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Enhancing self-esteem as a teacher of English using action research
- Authors: Didloft, Virginia Charmaine
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Self-esteem in children -- South Africa , Self-esteem -- Study and teaching , Self-perception in children -- South Africa , Social interaction in children -- South Africa , Educational psychology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DEd
- Identifier: vital:9496 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1520 , Self-esteem in children -- South Africa , Self-esteem -- Study and teaching , Self-perception in children -- South Africa , Social interaction in children -- South Africa , Educational psychology -- South Africa
- Description: This thesis offers a critical reflection of a study I initiated to enhance self-esteem for self-actualization. The research process involved enhancing my own self-esteem before facilitating the enhancement of the self-esteem of my participants. This endeavour included the simultaneous exposure given to researcher and researched, with the aim of helping to attain the respective transformative potentials of the latter. An action research methodology was used, intending to improve my own practice and to involve and learn from the participants in order for all relevant stakeholders to capitalize from the learning experience. Whilst undertaking this study, I learned to reflect on my values, attitudes and relationships with my learners. I also became aware of how individuals‟ perceptions of themselves can influence other aspects of their development. This awareness enabled me to become more sensitive to the emotional needs of the learners in my care and also led to a greater understanding of their individuality. I came to comprehend the impact of a positive self-esteem on the learning process that aided me in developing an understanding of the positive impact an enhanced self-esteem has on how my learners view themselves. In the course of the research, I developed an awareness of the need to create a caring practice centred on values of gentleness, respect, kindness, awareness and recognition of individual strengths. These afore-mentioned values are premised on the recognition and acknowledgement of basic human rights, inclusivity, equality and social justice; principles reflecting my own living standards. This heightened vii awareness influenced the ways I organized the learning and teaching process in my classroom. Enhancing my own self-esteem and those of my learners basically involved interchangeable interventions such as encouraging involvement, allocating responsibilities, creating opportunities for assertiveness and being generous with affirmation, praise and motivation. These endeavours occurred within a social constructivist approach, enabling participants to construct their own epistemologies within their respective ontologies. My findings offer new conceptualizations about how an enhanced self-esteem can help individuals realize their fullest potential.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Didloft, Virginia Charmaine
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Self-esteem in children -- South Africa , Self-esteem -- Study and teaching , Self-perception in children -- South Africa , Social interaction in children -- South Africa , Educational psychology -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DEd
- Identifier: vital:9496 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1520 , Self-esteem in children -- South Africa , Self-esteem -- Study and teaching , Self-perception in children -- South Africa , Social interaction in children -- South Africa , Educational psychology -- South Africa
- Description: This thesis offers a critical reflection of a study I initiated to enhance self-esteem for self-actualization. The research process involved enhancing my own self-esteem before facilitating the enhancement of the self-esteem of my participants. This endeavour included the simultaneous exposure given to researcher and researched, with the aim of helping to attain the respective transformative potentials of the latter. An action research methodology was used, intending to improve my own practice and to involve and learn from the participants in order for all relevant stakeholders to capitalize from the learning experience. Whilst undertaking this study, I learned to reflect on my values, attitudes and relationships with my learners. I also became aware of how individuals‟ perceptions of themselves can influence other aspects of their development. This awareness enabled me to become more sensitive to the emotional needs of the learners in my care and also led to a greater understanding of their individuality. I came to comprehend the impact of a positive self-esteem on the learning process that aided me in developing an understanding of the positive impact an enhanced self-esteem has on how my learners view themselves. In the course of the research, I developed an awareness of the need to create a caring practice centred on values of gentleness, respect, kindness, awareness and recognition of individual strengths. These afore-mentioned values are premised on the recognition and acknowledgement of basic human rights, inclusivity, equality and social justice; principles reflecting my own living standards. This heightened vii awareness influenced the ways I organized the learning and teaching process in my classroom. Enhancing my own self-esteem and those of my learners basically involved interchangeable interventions such as encouraging involvement, allocating responsibilities, creating opportunities for assertiveness and being generous with affirmation, praise and motivation. These endeavours occurred within a social constructivist approach, enabling participants to construct their own epistemologies within their respective ontologies. My findings offer new conceptualizations about how an enhanced self-esteem can help individuals realize their fullest potential.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Application of the sustainable livelihoods framework to the analysis of the Provincial Growth and Development Plan of the Eastern Cape: a case study of the Massive Food Production Programme in Nkonkobe Municipality and Buffalo City Municipality
- Authors: Dirwayi, Tafadzwa P
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11159 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/353 , Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The Government of the Eastern Cape Province introduced the Massive Food Production programme, which is a cornerstone within the agrarian reform initiative of the Provincial Growth and Development Plan (PGDP). The programme has been going on for more than seven years, however little has been documented on its impact. The main objective of the study was to investigate the impact of the Massive Food Production Programme on the livelihoods in Nkonkobe Municipality. This study did not only investigate its impact on the participants but also assessed its impact on the recipient communities. Accordingly, the specific objectives of the study were to investigate the impact of the Massive Food Programme on the asset base of participants, the general livelihood activities, and the livelihood outcomes. Among other livelihood activities, the study made an in-depth investigation on the impact of the Massive Food Production Programme on maize crop production. This is because the Massive Food Production was aimed at maize crop production. Previous studies investigated on the indicators of success that can be used to measure the impact of this programme. After the wide-ranging evaluation of views, arguments and research findings, a model to measure impact of the programme was designed. The asset base improvement was used as the proxy of impact. Nine factors were selected from the principal component analysis of the many factors that were taken to affect participation. Three other dummy variables to proximate location, participation and group turnover were added to the regression model that was developed to measure impact. The DFID Sustainable Livelihood Framework was used to investigate the impact of the Massive Food Production Programme. This approach was used in both conceptualizing the study and the selection of variables. The DFID Sustainable Livelihood Approach was selected because unlike the CARE or UNDP Sustainable Livelihood models, it was designed for such purposes. Data collection was accomplished through observation, interviewing, and focus group discussions. The researcher also made use of project annual reports on change of livelihoods, baseline survey reports, project log frame, internal reports, work plans, budgets and mid-term evaluation reports as sources of secondary data. v The research findings were analysed using several analytical procedures, including the conventional descriptive statistics, principal components analysis, and linear regression analysis. The use of the different types of analysis was driven by the research questions under investigation and the theories on which they are based, and by the available data. The study revealed that to some extent the Massive Food Production Programme has managed to improve the asset base of the farmers. However, its impact on ensuring food security is still debatable. Findings of the study revealed that most of the participants and the non-participants communities experienced food shortages in the last season 2007/8 for at most three months. The study revealed that the highest agricultural income is from livestock sales. The varying locations showed the potential of livestock production. It is recommended that development agencies consider livestock production as an agricultural strategy with immense potential for enhancing sustaining rural livelihoods
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Dirwayi, Tafadzwa P
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11159 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/353 , Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rural poor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Food security -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The Government of the Eastern Cape Province introduced the Massive Food Production programme, which is a cornerstone within the agrarian reform initiative of the Provincial Growth and Development Plan (PGDP). The programme has been going on for more than seven years, however little has been documented on its impact. The main objective of the study was to investigate the impact of the Massive Food Production Programme on the livelihoods in Nkonkobe Municipality. This study did not only investigate its impact on the participants but also assessed its impact on the recipient communities. Accordingly, the specific objectives of the study were to investigate the impact of the Massive Food Programme on the asset base of participants, the general livelihood activities, and the livelihood outcomes. Among other livelihood activities, the study made an in-depth investigation on the impact of the Massive Food Production Programme on maize crop production. This is because the Massive Food Production was aimed at maize crop production. Previous studies investigated on the indicators of success that can be used to measure the impact of this programme. After the wide-ranging evaluation of views, arguments and research findings, a model to measure impact of the programme was designed. The asset base improvement was used as the proxy of impact. Nine factors were selected from the principal component analysis of the many factors that were taken to affect participation. Three other dummy variables to proximate location, participation and group turnover were added to the regression model that was developed to measure impact. The DFID Sustainable Livelihood Framework was used to investigate the impact of the Massive Food Production Programme. This approach was used in both conceptualizing the study and the selection of variables. The DFID Sustainable Livelihood Approach was selected because unlike the CARE or UNDP Sustainable Livelihood models, it was designed for such purposes. Data collection was accomplished through observation, interviewing, and focus group discussions. The researcher also made use of project annual reports on change of livelihoods, baseline survey reports, project log frame, internal reports, work plans, budgets and mid-term evaluation reports as sources of secondary data. v The research findings were analysed using several analytical procedures, including the conventional descriptive statistics, principal components analysis, and linear regression analysis. The use of the different types of analysis was driven by the research questions under investigation and the theories on which they are based, and by the available data. The study revealed that to some extent the Massive Food Production Programme has managed to improve the asset base of the farmers. However, its impact on ensuring food security is still debatable. Findings of the study revealed that most of the participants and the non-participants communities experienced food shortages in the last season 2007/8 for at most three months. The study revealed that the highest agricultural income is from livestock sales. The varying locations showed the potential of livestock production. It is recommended that development agencies consider livestock production as an agricultural strategy with immense potential for enhancing sustaining rural livelihoods
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
An analysis of two tug propulsion systems in the Port Elizabeth harbour
- Authors: Dlamini, Dumsani Andrieson
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Tugboats -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Harbors -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Propulsion systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8643 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1422 , Tugboats -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Harbors -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Propulsion systems
- Description: The shipping industry is reliant on port authorities for the facilitation of safe entry and departure of ships at the ports. This role can not be fulfilled without the assistance of harbour tugs which are run by the marine operations section of the Transnet National Ports Authority. The tugs have to be safe and efficient in the process of pulling and pushing ships around the harbour. Harbour tugs are expensive to acquire and to maintain. The marine operations business has to make appropriate choices of tug propulsion design in order to realise the benefits of the tugs acquired by the ports authority. This can be achieved by analysing the current tugs that the operations are using, which will then serve as valuable information when the time for asset replacement is due. The researcher chose to use the two tug propulsion designs currently used by the Port Elizabeth harbour tugs as a basis for this analysis. The analysis links the three factors of maintenance management, equipment efficiency and equipment safety, to the minimisation of operational costs as perceived by the tug personnel, the pilots and the marine managers. This study seeks to verify the link between these factors and the perceived minimisation of operational costs. Available literature was reviewed and data was collected using a suitably designed questionnaire for this research. This research paper has led to recommendations that should inform the tug acquisition decisions and raise the awareness of the marine employees to relate the factors set out above to minimise operational costs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Dlamini, Dumsani Andrieson
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Tugboats -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Harbors -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Propulsion systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8643 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1422 , Tugboats -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Harbors -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Propulsion systems
- Description: The shipping industry is reliant on port authorities for the facilitation of safe entry and departure of ships at the ports. This role can not be fulfilled without the assistance of harbour tugs which are run by the marine operations section of the Transnet National Ports Authority. The tugs have to be safe and efficient in the process of pulling and pushing ships around the harbour. Harbour tugs are expensive to acquire and to maintain. The marine operations business has to make appropriate choices of tug propulsion design in order to realise the benefits of the tugs acquired by the ports authority. This can be achieved by analysing the current tugs that the operations are using, which will then serve as valuable information when the time for asset replacement is due. The researcher chose to use the two tug propulsion designs currently used by the Port Elizabeth harbour tugs as a basis for this analysis. The analysis links the three factors of maintenance management, equipment efficiency and equipment safety, to the minimisation of operational costs as perceived by the tug personnel, the pilots and the marine managers. This study seeks to verify the link between these factors and the perceived minimisation of operational costs. Available literature was reviewed and data was collected using a suitably designed questionnaire for this research. This research paper has led to recommendations that should inform the tug acquisition decisions and raise the awareness of the marine employees to relate the factors set out above to minimise operational costs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010