A case study of Kurt Donald Cobain
- Authors: Pieterse, Candice Belinda
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Cobain, Kurt, 1967-1994 , Personality development -- South Africa , Developmental psychology -- South Africa , Rock musicians
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9891 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1157 , Cobain, Kurt, 1967-1994 , Personality development -- South Africa , Developmental psychology -- South Africa , Rock musicians
- Description: Case study research allows for an in depth study of an individual and yields relevant insight and results while examining an individual in their entirety. This approach allows the researcher to capture the uniqueness of a subject and thus provide an interesting understanding of that individual. The study is a case study of Kurt Donald Cobain. Cobain (1967-1994) was an American musician who served as songwriter, lead singer and guitarist for the band, Nirvana. He struggled with drug addiction during the last years of his life, and died on 8 April 1994 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head (Sandford, 1995). The study is a single case research design, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data. It aimed to explore and describe Kurt Cobain’s personality according to the Five Factor Model of Personality. He was chosen as the research subject by means of purposive sampling on the basis of the researcher’s interest and on his uniqueness and inspirational influences on the general public. Collected data was analyzed in accordance with Huberman and Miles’s (1994) general approach which consists of data reduction, data display and conclusion drawing and verification. Descriptive tables from the NEO-PI-R personality measure were further interpreted to provide quantitative information regarding the personality traits of the subject. The findings of this study suggest that Kurt Cobain portrayed a complex personality profile as an individual, and it appears that he experienced much distress and emotional instability within his life. However, he was able to provide the youth a means of expressing themselves through his music.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Pieterse, Candice Belinda
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Cobain, Kurt, 1967-1994 , Personality development -- South Africa , Developmental psychology -- South Africa , Rock musicians
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9891 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1157 , Cobain, Kurt, 1967-1994 , Personality development -- South Africa , Developmental psychology -- South Africa , Rock musicians
- Description: Case study research allows for an in depth study of an individual and yields relevant insight and results while examining an individual in their entirety. This approach allows the researcher to capture the uniqueness of a subject and thus provide an interesting understanding of that individual. The study is a case study of Kurt Donald Cobain. Cobain (1967-1994) was an American musician who served as songwriter, lead singer and guitarist for the band, Nirvana. He struggled with drug addiction during the last years of his life, and died on 8 April 1994 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head (Sandford, 1995). The study is a single case research design, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data. It aimed to explore and describe Kurt Cobain’s personality according to the Five Factor Model of Personality. He was chosen as the research subject by means of purposive sampling on the basis of the researcher’s interest and on his uniqueness and inspirational influences on the general public. Collected data was analyzed in accordance with Huberman and Miles’s (1994) general approach which consists of data reduction, data display and conclusion drawing and verification. Descriptive tables from the NEO-PI-R personality measure were further interpreted to provide quantitative information regarding the personality traits of the subject. The findings of this study suggest that Kurt Cobain portrayed a complex personality profile as an individual, and it appears that he experienced much distress and emotional instability within his life. However, he was able to provide the youth a means of expressing themselves through his music.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
A case study of public service delivery in Cookhouse, Eastern Cape
- Makrwalana, Nomlindo Lillian
- Authors: Makrwalana, Nomlindo Lillian
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- Management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6986 , vital:21188
- Description: In South Africa the economic gaps imposed by the previous apartheid government aggravated economic inequalities and caused considerable disparities, which has resulted in high unemployment rates. Inequalities were also manifest in the neglect of infrastructural and service provision as well in the effective absence of independent governance among some race groups. This led to a call for pro-active initiatives by the post-1994 democratic government to remedy the living condition of the previously disadvantage people. As part of this poverty relief drive the South African government has embarked on a series of developmental initiatives in bringing infrastructure related service to the poor and to reduce the enormous prevailing backlog, with the aim of increasing community participation, improving service delivery and promoting the upliftment of the lives of poor people through the medium of local governance. This study investigated the integrated Development Planning, which has been undertaken in Cookhouse in Blue Crane Route Municipality in the Eastern Cape to respond to the prevailing poverty and underdevelopment among the poor communities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Makrwalana, Nomlindo Lillian
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- Management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6986 , vital:21188
- Description: In South Africa the economic gaps imposed by the previous apartheid government aggravated economic inequalities and caused considerable disparities, which has resulted in high unemployment rates. Inequalities were also manifest in the neglect of infrastructural and service provision as well in the effective absence of independent governance among some race groups. This led to a call for pro-active initiatives by the post-1994 democratic government to remedy the living condition of the previously disadvantage people. As part of this poverty relief drive the South African government has embarked on a series of developmental initiatives in bringing infrastructure related service to the poor and to reduce the enormous prevailing backlog, with the aim of increasing community participation, improving service delivery and promoting the upliftment of the lives of poor people through the medium of local governance. This study investigated the integrated Development Planning, which has been undertaken in Cookhouse in Blue Crane Route Municipality in the Eastern Cape to respond to the prevailing poverty and underdevelopment among the poor communities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
A case study of the cost and causes of the Tongaat mall accident in Durban
- Authors: Van Eeden, Leonarda
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Accidents -- South Africa -- Durban Construction industry -- Safety regulations -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Building sites -- Risk assessment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45464 , vital:38619
- Description: The literature shows that building collapses occur due to either management or operational failure. This Dissertation presents the causes of building collapse linked to management and operational lapses. A case study research on the Tongaat mall collapse in November 2013 forms the basis for the research. Through data collection that entails content analysis of official inquiry into the collapse and subsequent semi-structured face-to-face interviews among the participants in the collapsed building, major failures were identified. Salient findings show that the regulatory functions on the building project were compromised, and the inability to ensure that the project fulfils all enforcement and compliance requirements significantly enhances the existence of a work environment that led to two fatalities and 29 injuries. This study corroborates past findings that have flagged implementation as the weak link of H&S management in terms of construction regulations in South Africa. In other words, the benefits of adequate policies on paper can only emerge through applications on construction sites.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Van Eeden, Leonarda
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Accidents -- South Africa -- Durban Construction industry -- Safety regulations -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Building sites -- Risk assessment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45464 , vital:38619
- Description: The literature shows that building collapses occur due to either management or operational failure. This Dissertation presents the causes of building collapse linked to management and operational lapses. A case study research on the Tongaat mall collapse in November 2013 forms the basis for the research. Through data collection that entails content analysis of official inquiry into the collapse and subsequent semi-structured face-to-face interviews among the participants in the collapsed building, major failures were identified. Salient findings show that the regulatory functions on the building project were compromised, and the inability to ensure that the project fulfils all enforcement and compliance requirements significantly enhances the existence of a work environment that led to two fatalities and 29 injuries. This study corroborates past findings that have flagged implementation as the weak link of H&S management in terms of construction regulations in South Africa. In other words, the benefits of adequate policies on paper can only emerge through applications on construction sites.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
A case study of the high student failure and dropout rates at FET college
- Authors: Cain, Rashida
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: College dropouts -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies , School failure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education and training services industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9439 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020998
- Description: The aim of this case study was to investigate the key factors contributing to the high failure and high dropout rates at a FET College. The FET College selected for the purpose of this study is situated in a city in the Eastern Cape. The Minister of Labour declared in 2006 that FET Colleges in South Africa have a central role to play in assisting youth in gaining skills, in order to realise the South African Government’s goal of halving poverty and unemployment by 2014. The South African Government spent R1.9 million on the recapitalisation of colleges in 2005 to improve the FET Sector. According to the Green Paper (DHET, 2012), the FET College sector is weak and the throughput rate of the 2007 NC (V) cohort nationally was 4 percent and the dropout rate between 13 percent and 25 percent. The average pass rate for the successful completion of NC (V) students at FET Colleges in the Eastern Cape was 12 percent for 2007. The research design selected for this study was an explanatory intrinsic case study of a qualitative nature, with the aim to provide a comprehensive depiction of the case. Data was gathered from various sources and at different stages at the particular college campus. Questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and document interrogations were employed to gather descriptive qualitative data. Demographic information on the students who had dropped out assisted in the profiling of students at risk of dropping out of college. The findings derived from the data showed that multiple factors caused the high student dropout and failure rates, prominent among which was a lack of finances, impacting on accommodation and transport, which in turn impacted on student attendance. A lack of motivation and commitment from students seemed to further contribute to the high student failure and dropout rates. In addition, the students’ perceptions and expectations of the FET College, the barriers to academic success and views about support services were explored. Finally, the present circumstances and plans of students who had dropped out were investigated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Cain, Rashida
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: College dropouts -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Case studies , School failure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Education and training services industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9439 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020998
- Description: The aim of this case study was to investigate the key factors contributing to the high failure and high dropout rates at a FET College. The FET College selected for the purpose of this study is situated in a city in the Eastern Cape. The Minister of Labour declared in 2006 that FET Colleges in South Africa have a central role to play in assisting youth in gaining skills, in order to realise the South African Government’s goal of halving poverty and unemployment by 2014. The South African Government spent R1.9 million on the recapitalisation of colleges in 2005 to improve the FET Sector. According to the Green Paper (DHET, 2012), the FET College sector is weak and the throughput rate of the 2007 NC (V) cohort nationally was 4 percent and the dropout rate between 13 percent and 25 percent. The average pass rate for the successful completion of NC (V) students at FET Colleges in the Eastern Cape was 12 percent for 2007. The research design selected for this study was an explanatory intrinsic case study of a qualitative nature, with the aim to provide a comprehensive depiction of the case. Data was gathered from various sources and at different stages at the particular college campus. Questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and document interrogations were employed to gather descriptive qualitative data. Demographic information on the students who had dropped out assisted in the profiling of students at risk of dropping out of college. The findings derived from the data showed that multiple factors caused the high student dropout and failure rates, prominent among which was a lack of finances, impacting on accommodation and transport, which in turn impacted on student attendance. A lack of motivation and commitment from students seemed to further contribute to the high student failure and dropout rates. In addition, the students’ perceptions and expectations of the FET College, the barriers to academic success and views about support services were explored. Finally, the present circumstances and plans of students who had dropped out were investigated.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
A case study of the implementation of science process skills for grades 4 to 7 learners in natural sciences in a South African primary school
- Authors: Ambross, Johannes Nikolaas
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching (Primary) , Science -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Evaluation , Education -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9501 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1411 , Science -- Study and teaching (Primary) , Science -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Evaluation , Education -- Evaluation
- Description: With the publication of the National Curriculum Statement (2002) (NCS) the use and development of science process skills have become a critical part of the teaching and learning of the Natural Sciences in South Africa. This study sought to evaluate the implementation and development of these basic skills by four grade 4-7 educators at classroom level at a primary school in the northern areas of Port Elizabeth. Qualitative data for this evaluation were collected through educator interviews, classroom observation as well as a focus-group interview. Quantitative data were gathered by means of a Science Process Skills Observation Scale and through examining the learners' assessment activities. An Assessment Activity Science Process Skill Rating-Scale was used to evaluate assessment activities. Data generated from this study were carefully analysed and on the basis of their interpretation it was concluded that the implementation and development of science process skills were strongly influenced by the educators' understanding of these basic concepts, the belief held by each educator about their role and how their learners learn, the presence of quality support and effective training programmes as well continuous professional development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Ambross, Johannes Nikolaas
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching (Primary) , Science -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Evaluation , Education -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9501 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1411 , Science -- Study and teaching (Primary) , Science -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Evaluation , Education -- Evaluation
- Description: With the publication of the National Curriculum Statement (2002) (NCS) the use and development of science process skills have become a critical part of the teaching and learning of the Natural Sciences in South Africa. This study sought to evaluate the implementation and development of these basic skills by four grade 4-7 educators at classroom level at a primary school in the northern areas of Port Elizabeth. Qualitative data for this evaluation were collected through educator interviews, classroom observation as well as a focus-group interview. Quantitative data were gathered by means of a Science Process Skills Observation Scale and through examining the learners' assessment activities. An Assessment Activity Science Process Skill Rating-Scale was used to evaluate assessment activities. Data generated from this study were carefully analysed and on the basis of their interpretation it was concluded that the implementation and development of science process skills were strongly influenced by the educators' understanding of these basic concepts, the belief held by each educator about their role and how their learners learn, the presence of quality support and effective training programmes as well continuous professional development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
A case study on the role of excel as a teaching and learning tool in influencing learners' interpretation of functions
- Authors: Zakumba, Lwazi Xolisile
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Microsoft Excel (Computer file) , Computer-assisted instruction , Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9455 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018756
- Description: The aim of this study was to investigate the role Excel could play in influencing Mathematics and Mathematical literacy learners’ interpretation of functions and their attitude towards Mathematics. I used a Mathematical Graphical Diagnostic (MGD) test, an attitude questionnaire, a reflective questionnaire and semi-structured interviews as instruments. The MGD test and the attitude questionnaire were given to 72 volunteer grade 11 learners at a former Model C school in Port Elizabeth, in the Eastern Cape. This group included 50 pure Mathematics learners and 22 Mathematical literacy learners. From this group, a smaller group of 10 learners further took part in the rest of the study were they went through an intervention were Excel was used as a teaching tool, covering concepts concerning functions. This group included 6 pure Mathematics and 4 Mathematical literacy learners. The 10 learners then re-wrote the MDG test and refilled the attitude questionnaire after the intervention. A reflective questionnaire was administered to the 10 learners after the intervention, with 5 learners from the 10 undergoing interviews in order to meet the objectives of the study. The administration of the MDG test and attitude questionnaire, interviews and reflective questionnaire enabled me to explore the relationship between learner performance and their attitude towards Mathematics as a subject, as well as the comparing the attitudes and performances between pure Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy learners. The study followed a qualitative research design, with an element of quantitative research. The qualitative data yielded findings that revealed the effectiveness of using Excel in teaching functions while the quantitative data revealed the difference in attitude and ability between pure Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy leaners. The findings of the study revealed that Excel played a major role in improving pure Mathematics learners’ results but not those of the Mathematical Literacy learners. The study also showed that technology does not necessarily impact on learners’ attitudes positively.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Zakumba, Lwazi Xolisile
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Microsoft Excel (Computer file) , Computer-assisted instruction , Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Secondary)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9455 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018756
- Description: The aim of this study was to investigate the role Excel could play in influencing Mathematics and Mathematical literacy learners’ interpretation of functions and their attitude towards Mathematics. I used a Mathematical Graphical Diagnostic (MGD) test, an attitude questionnaire, a reflective questionnaire and semi-structured interviews as instruments. The MGD test and the attitude questionnaire were given to 72 volunteer grade 11 learners at a former Model C school in Port Elizabeth, in the Eastern Cape. This group included 50 pure Mathematics learners and 22 Mathematical literacy learners. From this group, a smaller group of 10 learners further took part in the rest of the study were they went through an intervention were Excel was used as a teaching tool, covering concepts concerning functions. This group included 6 pure Mathematics and 4 Mathematical literacy learners. The 10 learners then re-wrote the MDG test and refilled the attitude questionnaire after the intervention. A reflective questionnaire was administered to the 10 learners after the intervention, with 5 learners from the 10 undergoing interviews in order to meet the objectives of the study. The administration of the MDG test and attitude questionnaire, interviews and reflective questionnaire enabled me to explore the relationship between learner performance and their attitude towards Mathematics as a subject, as well as the comparing the attitudes and performances between pure Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy learners. The study followed a qualitative research design, with an element of quantitative research. The qualitative data yielded findings that revealed the effectiveness of using Excel in teaching functions while the quantitative data revealed the difference in attitude and ability between pure Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy leaners. The findings of the study revealed that Excel played a major role in improving pure Mathematics learners’ results but not those of the Mathematical Literacy learners. The study also showed that technology does not necessarily impact on learners’ attitudes positively.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
A case study: the role of a positive school climate in the enhancement of parental and community involvement at a primary school in Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Cloete, Jacqueline
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Education -- Parent participation , Community and school , Home and school
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8735 , vital:26425
- Description: This study examines the phenomenon of parental and community involvement in a primary school and the benefits thereof to the learners, teachers and community members. The aim of this study is to investigate how a positive school climate can improve the involvement of parents and community members in a school’s activities. The research attempted to determine what the role of a positive school climate is; the strategies schools could apply to enhance parental and community involvement, the possible benefits of involvement and reasons for non-involvement of parents and community members in school activities. The theoretical frameworks of Urie Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model and Joyce Epstein’s overlapping spheres of influence were used in the study. A case study was used as the qualitative research methodology. The data for the research was gathered from a purposive sample of teachers, community volunteer workers, parents and the principal. Semi-structured interview schedules and pre-designed questionnaires including open and closed questions, were used to collect data. The data was analysed inductively by using a descriptive open coding method to identify emerging themes. The findings of the research suggest that a positive school climate to improve parent and community involvement can be created by applying the strategies of effective communication, good working relationships, creating opportunities for involvement, ensuring a healthy and safe environment, formulating a school policy for parent and community involvement, creating a friendly and welcoming atmosphere as well as upholding an ethos of good moral values. The study found that parent and community involvement in a school’s activities offers various benefits to all stakeholders.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Cloete, Jacqueline
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Education -- Parent participation , Community and school , Home and school
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8735 , vital:26425
- Description: This study examines the phenomenon of parental and community involvement in a primary school and the benefits thereof to the learners, teachers and community members. The aim of this study is to investigate how a positive school climate can improve the involvement of parents and community members in a school’s activities. The research attempted to determine what the role of a positive school climate is; the strategies schools could apply to enhance parental and community involvement, the possible benefits of involvement and reasons for non-involvement of parents and community members in school activities. The theoretical frameworks of Urie Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model and Joyce Epstein’s overlapping spheres of influence were used in the study. A case study was used as the qualitative research methodology. The data for the research was gathered from a purposive sample of teachers, community volunteer workers, parents and the principal. Semi-structured interview schedules and pre-designed questionnaires including open and closed questions, were used to collect data. The data was analysed inductively by using a descriptive open coding method to identify emerging themes. The findings of the research suggest that a positive school climate to improve parent and community involvement can be created by applying the strategies of effective communication, good working relationships, creating opportunities for involvement, ensuring a healthy and safe environment, formulating a school policy for parent and community involvement, creating a friendly and welcoming atmosphere as well as upholding an ethos of good moral values. The study found that parent and community involvement in a school’s activities offers various benefits to all stakeholders.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
A change management model for the implementation of environmental sustainability principles at General Motors South Africa
- Authors: Mzuzu, Ncedisa
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: General Motors Corporation Organizational change -- Management , Corporate culture Business ethics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48047 , vital:40466
- Description: In this day and age, Environmental issues are considered to be very pertinent in a business environment. Lee (2010) argues that the natural environment is not only important for the general population, but the concern for the natural environment has become increasingly important within the accounting practice. Lee (2010) references (Porter & Van der Linde, 1995; Schaltegger & Wagner, 2006; Lee, 2009), in supporting his argument that there has been increasing interest in the relationship between environmental and economic performance, that is to say reducing costs while simultaneously improving environmental performance. Organisation in the past decades have either opted to disregard or embrace change as a result of this global phenomenon. Within organisations current leaders have had to manage operations in their local areas with a global mindset. Hill (2011:4) defines globalisation as a process whereby barriers to cross border trade and investment are declining, perceived trading distances are shrinking, material culture is starting to look similar and where national economies are merging to an interdependent, integrated economic system. With the increased hype and awareness of environmental and sustainability issues within the manufacturing environment, certain companies have adopted best practices that focus on firms' production processes (Hart, 1995; Stead & Stead, 1995) that can result in cost advantage. Within the South African context, the government has put in place a legislative framework laid down by the South African Constitution that enforces the responsibility of sustainable use of natural resources and responsible management of process outputs such as waste, effluent and gas emissions. General Motors adopted an Environmental Management System. The fundamental principles of EMS are based on continuous improvement where most of improvement opportunities and challenges exist within the implementation stages. The fundamental questions the study seeks to address are: As General Motors South Africa put in place this sustainability tool, how does the company ensure that in line with continuous improvement, the improvements are sustained? What interventions can the company implement to drive the change to ensure that it improves the implementation of its Environmental Management System so as to reap the benefits as outlined? This research effort discussed recommendations for achieving the objective of developing a change management model for improving implementation of sustainability principles at General Motors South Africa. Based on the outcome of the survey and the interview, the current senior managers at General Motors South Africa have embraced environmental issues, but there is no clear indication that the future leaders will also do the same. Based on the eight steps for transforming an organisation by Kotter (2006), the following are recommendations: A communication strategy to all employees (including leadership) that will continuously articulate connections between new behaviours and corporate success throughout the organisation, and not limit to manufacturing operations. Secondly, the company needs to ensure that there are programmes in place for leadership development and succession.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Mzuzu, Ncedisa
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: General Motors Corporation Organizational change -- Management , Corporate culture Business ethics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48047 , vital:40466
- Description: In this day and age, Environmental issues are considered to be very pertinent in a business environment. Lee (2010) argues that the natural environment is not only important for the general population, but the concern for the natural environment has become increasingly important within the accounting practice. Lee (2010) references (Porter & Van der Linde, 1995; Schaltegger & Wagner, 2006; Lee, 2009), in supporting his argument that there has been increasing interest in the relationship between environmental and economic performance, that is to say reducing costs while simultaneously improving environmental performance. Organisation in the past decades have either opted to disregard or embrace change as a result of this global phenomenon. Within organisations current leaders have had to manage operations in their local areas with a global mindset. Hill (2011:4) defines globalisation as a process whereby barriers to cross border trade and investment are declining, perceived trading distances are shrinking, material culture is starting to look similar and where national economies are merging to an interdependent, integrated economic system. With the increased hype and awareness of environmental and sustainability issues within the manufacturing environment, certain companies have adopted best practices that focus on firms' production processes (Hart, 1995; Stead & Stead, 1995) that can result in cost advantage. Within the South African context, the government has put in place a legislative framework laid down by the South African Constitution that enforces the responsibility of sustainable use of natural resources and responsible management of process outputs such as waste, effluent and gas emissions. General Motors adopted an Environmental Management System. The fundamental principles of EMS are based on continuous improvement where most of improvement opportunities and challenges exist within the implementation stages. The fundamental questions the study seeks to address are: As General Motors South Africa put in place this sustainability tool, how does the company ensure that in line with continuous improvement, the improvements are sustained? What interventions can the company implement to drive the change to ensure that it improves the implementation of its Environmental Management System so as to reap the benefits as outlined? This research effort discussed recommendations for achieving the objective of developing a change management model for improving implementation of sustainability principles at General Motors South Africa. Based on the outcome of the survey and the interview, the current senior managers at General Motors South Africa have embraced environmental issues, but there is no clear indication that the future leaders will also do the same. Based on the eight steps for transforming an organisation by Kotter (2006), the following are recommendations: A communication strategy to all employees (including leadership) that will continuously articulate connections between new behaviours and corporate success throughout the organisation, and not limit to manufacturing operations. Secondly, the company needs to ensure that there are programmes in place for leadership development and succession.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
A chemo-enzymatic process for the production of beta-thymidine, a key intermediate in antiretrovirol manufacture
- Gordon, Gregory Ernest Robert
- Authors: Gordon, Gregory Ernest Robert
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: HIV infections -- Treatment -- South Africa , HIV infections -- South Africa -- Prevention , Antiretroviral agents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DTech
- Identifier: vital:10423 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1016217
- Description: The socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDS on South Africa has resulted in lower gross domestic product, loss of skills in key sectors such as education, and increased health-care costs in providing access to treatment. Currently active pharmaceutical ingredients (API’s) such as stavudine (d4T) and azidothymidine (AZT) are imported from India and China, while formulation is conducted locally. A strategy was initiated between CSIR Biosciences and LIFElab under the auspices of Arvir Technologies to investigate the feasibility of local antiretroviral manufacture (d4T and AZT) or the manufacture of a key intermediate such as β- thymidine (dT). Several advantages associated with successful implementation of this strategy include ensuring a local supply of API’s, thus reducing reliance on procurement from foreign sources and reducing the effect of foreign exchange rate fluctuations on providing cost effective access to treatment. A local supply source would also reduce the imports and thus aid the balance of payments deficit, and in addition to this, provide stimulus in the local pharmaceutical manufacturing industry (which has been in decline for several decades), resulting in increased skills and employment opportunities. This thesis describes the development of a superior chemo-enzymatic process for the production of β-thymidine (72 percent yield, prior to isolation), a key intermediate in the preparation of anti-retrovirals. Alternative processes based purely on chemical or bioprocess transformations to prepare either 5-methyluridine (5-MU) or dT suffer from several disadvantages: lengthy transformations due to protection/deprotection strategies, low selectivties and product yields (30 percent in the chemical process) and isolation of the product from dilute process streams requiring the use of large uneconomical reactors (bioprocesss). This contributes significantly to the cost of d4T and AZT manufacture. Our novel chemoenzymatic process comprises of a biocatalytic reaction for the production of 5-MU, with subsequent chemical transformation into dT (3 steps) negating and circumventing the limitations of the chemical or bioprocess routes. During the course of this project development, the β-thymidine selling price declined from 175 $/kg (2005) to 100 $/kg (2008). However, the process described in this work is still competitive based on the current β- thymidine selling price of 100 $/kg. The process economics show that with further optimization and increasing the isolated dT yield from 70 percent to 90 percent, the variable cost decreases from 136 $/kg to 110 $/kg. The increase in isolated yield is highly probable, based on solubility data of β-thymidine. The decrease in β-thymidine selling price and technological improvement in dT manufacture should translate into lower API manufacture costs and more cost effective access to treatment. Our novel biocatalytic process producing 5-MU uses a coupled enzyme system employing PNP, Purine Nucleoside Phosphorylase and PyNP, Pyrimidine Nucleoside Phosphorylase. The overall transglycosylation reaction may be decoupled into the phosphorolysis reaction (PNP) and synthesis reaction (PyNP). During the phosphorolysis reaction, guanosine is converted into guanine and ribose-1-phosphate (R-1-P) in the presence of PNP enzyme. The reaction intermediate R-1-P is then coupled to thymine in the presence of PyNP enzyme during the synthesis reaction, producing 5-MU. The process was scaled up from lab-scale to bench-scale (10 - 20 L) and demonstrated to be robust and reproducible. This is evident from the average guanosine conversion (94.7 percent ± 2.03) and 5-MU yield (88.2 percent ± 6.21) and mole balance (104 percent ± 7.61) which were obtained at bench-scale (3 replicates, 10 L). The reaction was carried out at reactor productivities of between 7 – 11 g.L-1.h-1. The integration of the biocatalytic process and chemical processes was successfully carried out, showing that 5-MU produced using our novel biocatalytic process behaved similarly to commercially available 5- MU (ex. Dayang Chemicals, China). A PCT patent application (Ref. No. P44422PC01) on this chemo-enzymatic process has been filed and currently public private partnerships are being explored through Arvir Technologies to evaluate and validate this technology at one ton scale.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Gordon, Gregory Ernest Robert
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: HIV infections -- Treatment -- South Africa , HIV infections -- South Africa -- Prevention , Antiretroviral agents
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DTech
- Identifier: vital:10423 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1016217
- Description: The socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDS on South Africa has resulted in lower gross domestic product, loss of skills in key sectors such as education, and increased health-care costs in providing access to treatment. Currently active pharmaceutical ingredients (API’s) such as stavudine (d4T) and azidothymidine (AZT) are imported from India and China, while formulation is conducted locally. A strategy was initiated between CSIR Biosciences and LIFElab under the auspices of Arvir Technologies to investigate the feasibility of local antiretroviral manufacture (d4T and AZT) or the manufacture of a key intermediate such as β- thymidine (dT). Several advantages associated with successful implementation of this strategy include ensuring a local supply of API’s, thus reducing reliance on procurement from foreign sources and reducing the effect of foreign exchange rate fluctuations on providing cost effective access to treatment. A local supply source would also reduce the imports and thus aid the balance of payments deficit, and in addition to this, provide stimulus in the local pharmaceutical manufacturing industry (which has been in decline for several decades), resulting in increased skills and employment opportunities. This thesis describes the development of a superior chemo-enzymatic process for the production of β-thymidine (72 percent yield, prior to isolation), a key intermediate in the preparation of anti-retrovirals. Alternative processes based purely on chemical or bioprocess transformations to prepare either 5-methyluridine (5-MU) or dT suffer from several disadvantages: lengthy transformations due to protection/deprotection strategies, low selectivties and product yields (30 percent in the chemical process) and isolation of the product from dilute process streams requiring the use of large uneconomical reactors (bioprocesss). This contributes significantly to the cost of d4T and AZT manufacture. Our novel chemoenzymatic process comprises of a biocatalytic reaction for the production of 5-MU, with subsequent chemical transformation into dT (3 steps) negating and circumventing the limitations of the chemical or bioprocess routes. During the course of this project development, the β-thymidine selling price declined from 175 $/kg (2005) to 100 $/kg (2008). However, the process described in this work is still competitive based on the current β- thymidine selling price of 100 $/kg. The process economics show that with further optimization and increasing the isolated dT yield from 70 percent to 90 percent, the variable cost decreases from 136 $/kg to 110 $/kg. The increase in isolated yield is highly probable, based on solubility data of β-thymidine. The decrease in β-thymidine selling price and technological improvement in dT manufacture should translate into lower API manufacture costs and more cost effective access to treatment. Our novel biocatalytic process producing 5-MU uses a coupled enzyme system employing PNP, Purine Nucleoside Phosphorylase and PyNP, Pyrimidine Nucleoside Phosphorylase. The overall transglycosylation reaction may be decoupled into the phosphorolysis reaction (PNP) and synthesis reaction (PyNP). During the phosphorolysis reaction, guanosine is converted into guanine and ribose-1-phosphate (R-1-P) in the presence of PNP enzyme. The reaction intermediate R-1-P is then coupled to thymine in the presence of PyNP enzyme during the synthesis reaction, producing 5-MU. The process was scaled up from lab-scale to bench-scale (10 - 20 L) and demonstrated to be robust and reproducible. This is evident from the average guanosine conversion (94.7 percent ± 2.03) and 5-MU yield (88.2 percent ± 6.21) and mole balance (104 percent ± 7.61) which were obtained at bench-scale (3 replicates, 10 L). The reaction was carried out at reactor productivities of between 7 – 11 g.L-1.h-1. The integration of the biocatalytic process and chemical processes was successfully carried out, showing that 5-MU produced using our novel biocatalytic process behaved similarly to commercially available 5- MU (ex. Dayang Chemicals, China). A PCT patent application (Ref. No. P44422PC01) on this chemo-enzymatic process has been filed and currently public private partnerships are being explored through Arvir Technologies to evaluate and validate this technology at one ton scale.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
A child's journey through traumatic grief: a case study
- Authors: Goliath, Chantal Debra
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Post-traumatic stress disorder in children -- South Africa , Victims of family violence -- South Africa , Grief in children -- South Africa , Violent crimes -- South Africa , Family violence -- South Africa , Ritual abuse -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9953 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018646
- Description: The death of a parent is one of the most serious stressors that can occur in a child’s life. The aim of this study was to describe an 11-year-old child’s journey through traumatic grief after the violent death of her mother. The conceptual framework utilised was Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT). The case study approach was applied as it provided a suitable research design in which to give an account of the subject in a therapeutic situation. A purposive sampling technique was utilised to select the research subject in the study. The following three principles of data collection were adhered to: a) using multiple sources of information, b) creating a case study database, and c) maintaining a chain of evidence. Irving Alexander’s content-analysis technique in conjunction with Guba’s model of trustworthiness was employed for data analysis. The finding that emerged from the study was the resilience shown by Linda in relation to her adaptive functioning following the trauma of witnessing the violent death of her mother. Conclusions and recommendations were made following the findings based on the information obtained during the therapy sessions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Goliath, Chantal Debra
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Post-traumatic stress disorder in children -- South Africa , Victims of family violence -- South Africa , Grief in children -- South Africa , Violent crimes -- South Africa , Family violence -- South Africa , Ritual abuse -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9953 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018646
- Description: The death of a parent is one of the most serious stressors that can occur in a child’s life. The aim of this study was to describe an 11-year-old child’s journey through traumatic grief after the violent death of her mother. The conceptual framework utilised was Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT). The case study approach was applied as it provided a suitable research design in which to give an account of the subject in a therapeutic situation. A purposive sampling technique was utilised to select the research subject in the study. The following three principles of data collection were adhered to: a) using multiple sources of information, b) creating a case study database, and c) maintaining a chain of evidence. Irving Alexander’s content-analysis technique in conjunction with Guba’s model of trustworthiness was employed for data analysis. The finding that emerged from the study was the resilience shown by Linda in relation to her adaptive functioning following the trauma of witnessing the violent death of her mother. Conclusions and recommendations were made following the findings based on the information obtained during the therapy sessions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
A chronic care coordination model for HIV-positive children requiring antiretroviral therapy
- Authors: Williams, Margaret
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: HIV-positive children -- Care -- South Africa , HIV-positive persons -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10062 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020346
- Description: The human immunodeficiency virus / acquired immune deficiency syndrome pandemic (HIV/AIDS) continues to increase in prevalence worldwide, particularly in South Africa. There is a concurrent and distinct increase in the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and HIV-related diseases in the paediatric population in South Africa, particularly those using public sector health services, with a corresponding increase in morbidity and mortality rates (Abdool Karim & Abdool Karim, 2010:363), which impacts greatly on paediatric healthcare services. Adding to this, the provision of paediatric antiretroviral care has numerous stumbling blocks, not least of which is lack of decentralisation of facilities to provide treatment. There is the additional shortage of staff, which includes staff that are comfortable dealing with children, lack of training programmes on the provision of antiretroviral therapy to children, and minimal on-site mentorship of staff regarding HIV/AIDS disease in children. This lack of capacity in the healthcare system means that not all of those who require treatment will be able to access it, and this is particularly pertinent to paediatric patients (Meyers et al., 2007:198). Therefore the purpose of this research was to develop a nursing model that would assist healthcare professionals, in particular professional nurses, to optimise the comprehensive treatment, care and support for HIV-positive children who require antiretroviral therapy at PHC clinics. To achieve the purpose of this study, a theory-generating design based on a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual approach was implemented by the researcher to gain an understanding of how the healthcare professionals and parents/caregivers of HIV-positive children experienced the comprehensive treatment, care and support provided at primary healthcare clinics. The information obtained was used to develop a chronic care coordination model for the optimisation of comprehensive treatment, care and support for HIV-positive children requiring antiretroviral therapy. The study design comprised the following four steps: Step One of the research design focused on the identification, classification and definition of the major concepts of the study. This involved describing and selecting the research population and the sampling process prior to conducting the field work which comprised in-depth interviews with two groups of participants, namely healthcare professionals and parents/caregivers who accompany their HIV-positive children to PHC clinics in order to receive antiretroviral therapy. Step Two of the research design focused on the development of relationship statements in order to bring clarity and direction to the understanding of the phenomenon of interest. Step Three of the design concentrated on the development and description of the chronic care coordination model for optimising comprehensive treatment, care and support for HIV-positive children who require antiretroviral therapy in order to ensure a well-managed child on ART. A visual representation of the structure of the model for chronic care coordination was given and described as well as a detailed description of the process of the model. Step Four was the last step of the research design and its focus was the development of guidelines for the operationalisation of the model for chronic care coordination for the optimisation of comprehensive treatment, care and support for HIV-positive children requiring antiretroviral therapy at PHC clinics. Guidelines and operational implications for each of the five sequential steps of the model were developed. The evaluation criteria of Chinn & Kramer (2008:237‒248) were used to evaluate the model. It is therefore concluded that the researcher succeeded in achieving the purpose for this study because a chronic care coordination model that is understandable, clear, simple, applicable and significant to nursing practice has been developed for use by healthcare professionals, particularly professional nurses, in order to optimise the comprehensive treatment, care and support for HIV-positive children requiring antiretroviral therapy at primary healthcare clinics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Williams, Margaret
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: HIV-positive children -- Care -- South Africa , HIV-positive persons -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10062 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020346
- Description: The human immunodeficiency virus / acquired immune deficiency syndrome pandemic (HIV/AIDS) continues to increase in prevalence worldwide, particularly in South Africa. There is a concurrent and distinct increase in the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and HIV-related diseases in the paediatric population in South Africa, particularly those using public sector health services, with a corresponding increase in morbidity and mortality rates (Abdool Karim & Abdool Karim, 2010:363), which impacts greatly on paediatric healthcare services. Adding to this, the provision of paediatric antiretroviral care has numerous stumbling blocks, not least of which is lack of decentralisation of facilities to provide treatment. There is the additional shortage of staff, which includes staff that are comfortable dealing with children, lack of training programmes on the provision of antiretroviral therapy to children, and minimal on-site mentorship of staff regarding HIV/AIDS disease in children. This lack of capacity in the healthcare system means that not all of those who require treatment will be able to access it, and this is particularly pertinent to paediatric patients (Meyers et al., 2007:198). Therefore the purpose of this research was to develop a nursing model that would assist healthcare professionals, in particular professional nurses, to optimise the comprehensive treatment, care and support for HIV-positive children who require antiretroviral therapy at PHC clinics. To achieve the purpose of this study, a theory-generating design based on a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual approach was implemented by the researcher to gain an understanding of how the healthcare professionals and parents/caregivers of HIV-positive children experienced the comprehensive treatment, care and support provided at primary healthcare clinics. The information obtained was used to develop a chronic care coordination model for the optimisation of comprehensive treatment, care and support for HIV-positive children requiring antiretroviral therapy. The study design comprised the following four steps: Step One of the research design focused on the identification, classification and definition of the major concepts of the study. This involved describing and selecting the research population and the sampling process prior to conducting the field work which comprised in-depth interviews with two groups of participants, namely healthcare professionals and parents/caregivers who accompany their HIV-positive children to PHC clinics in order to receive antiretroviral therapy. Step Two of the research design focused on the development of relationship statements in order to bring clarity and direction to the understanding of the phenomenon of interest. Step Three of the design concentrated on the development and description of the chronic care coordination model for optimising comprehensive treatment, care and support for HIV-positive children who require antiretroviral therapy in order to ensure a well-managed child on ART. A visual representation of the structure of the model for chronic care coordination was given and described as well as a detailed description of the process of the model. Step Four was the last step of the research design and its focus was the development of guidelines for the operationalisation of the model for chronic care coordination for the optimisation of comprehensive treatment, care and support for HIV-positive children requiring antiretroviral therapy at PHC clinics. Guidelines and operational implications for each of the five sequential steps of the model were developed. The evaluation criteria of Chinn & Kramer (2008:237‒248) were used to evaluate the model. It is therefore concluded that the researcher succeeded in achieving the purpose for this study because a chronic care coordination model that is understandable, clear, simple, applicable and significant to nursing practice has been developed for use by healthcare professionals, particularly professional nurses, in order to optimise the comprehensive treatment, care and support for HIV-positive children requiring antiretroviral therapy at primary healthcare clinics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A code of practice for practitioners in private healthcare: a privacy perspective
- Authors: Harvey, Brett D
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Information storage and retrieval systems -- Medical care , Medical records -- Data processing , Privacy, Right of Comparative studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9735 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/521 , Information storage and retrieval systems -- Medical care , Medical records -- Data processing , Privacy, Right of Comparative studies
- Description: Whereas there are various initiatives to standardize the storage, processing and use of electronic patient information in the South African health sector, the sector is fragmented through the adoption of various approaches on national, provincial and district levels. Divergent IT systems are used in the public and private health sectors (“Recommendations of the Committee on …” 2003). Furthermore, general practitioners in some parts of the country still use paper as a primary means of documentation and storage. Nonetheless, the use of computerized systems is increasing, even in the most remote rural areas. This leads to the exposure of patient information to various threats that are perpetuated through the use of information technology. Irrespective of the level of technology adoption by practitioners in private healthcare practice, the security and privacy of patient information remains of critical importance. The disclosure of patient information whether intentional or not, can have dire consequences for a patient. In general, the requirements pertaining to the privacy of patient information are controlled and enforced through the adoption of legislation by the governing body of a country. Compared with developed nations, South Africa has limited legislation to help enforce privacy in the health sector. Conversely, Australia, New Zealand and Canada have some of the most advanced legislative frameworks when it comes to the privacy of patient information. In this dissertation, the Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and South African health sectors and the legislation they have in place to ensure the privacy of health information, will be investigated. Additionally, codes of practice and guidelines on privacy of patient information for GPs, in the afore-mentioned countries, will be investigated to form an idea as to what is needed in creating and formulating a new code of practice for the South African GP, as well as a pragmatic tool (checklist) to check adherence to privacy requirements.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Harvey, Brett D
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Information storage and retrieval systems -- Medical care , Medical records -- Data processing , Privacy, Right of Comparative studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9735 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/521 , Information storage and retrieval systems -- Medical care , Medical records -- Data processing , Privacy, Right of Comparative studies
- Description: Whereas there are various initiatives to standardize the storage, processing and use of electronic patient information in the South African health sector, the sector is fragmented through the adoption of various approaches on national, provincial and district levels. Divergent IT systems are used in the public and private health sectors (“Recommendations of the Committee on …” 2003). Furthermore, general practitioners in some parts of the country still use paper as a primary means of documentation and storage. Nonetheless, the use of computerized systems is increasing, even in the most remote rural areas. This leads to the exposure of patient information to various threats that are perpetuated through the use of information technology. Irrespective of the level of technology adoption by practitioners in private healthcare practice, the security and privacy of patient information remains of critical importance. The disclosure of patient information whether intentional or not, can have dire consequences for a patient. In general, the requirements pertaining to the privacy of patient information are controlled and enforced through the adoption of legislation by the governing body of a country. Compared with developed nations, South Africa has limited legislation to help enforce privacy in the health sector. Conversely, Australia, New Zealand and Canada have some of the most advanced legislative frameworks when it comes to the privacy of patient information. In this dissertation, the Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and South African health sectors and the legislation they have in place to ensure the privacy of health information, will be investigated. Additionally, codes of practice and guidelines on privacy of patient information for GPs, in the afore-mentioned countries, will be investigated to form an idea as to what is needed in creating and formulating a new code of practice for the South African GP, as well as a pragmatic tool (checklist) to check adherence to privacy requirements.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
A collaboratively constructed process model for understanding and supporting the work of the community volunteer in a community school
- Authors: Damons, Bruce Peter
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Volunteer workers in education -- South Africa Community schools -- South Africa , Volunteers -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15049 , vital:28116
- Description: This thesis sought to explore how community volunteers could be recruited, supported and sustained to assist a community school operating in difficult socioeconomic conditions in achieving basic school functionality. Through a collaborative process, the participants in the study attempted to address a significant gap in the literature, namely how this could be achieved in a way that would be beneficial both to the community volunteers and to the school itself. Based on existing literature, the vast majority of South African schools are struggling to reach the basic functionality levels required in terms of legislation. My interest in this topic was piqued while serving as principal of one such school; hence the focus in this thesis on whether schools would benefit in terms of achieving functionality if they partnered with the communities in which they are located. However, communities are seldom actively involved in the schools and school activities on an ongoing daily basis. In this thesis, I argue for an opportunity for schools and the community to collaborate in a way that would be mutually beneficial. In this, I was guided by the School-Based Complementary Learning Framework (SBCLF) in gaining a greater understanding of how multiple stakeholders could support a school to obtain basic functionality. A key stakeholder is the community in which a school is located, and the multidimensional framework provided a framework to understand why the community would want to get involved in the school. Following a Participatory Action Learning and Action Research (PALAR) design, I recruited 15 community volunteers from the existing pool at my then school; some of whom had been volunteering for over twelve years. We formed an action learning set where we collaboratively sought to understand the processes and conditions needed to recruit, support and sustain community volunteers and their involvement in the school. From this action learning set emerged a key advisors’ set, comprising five members of the action learning set, who were entrusted with the responsibility of planning, preparing and analysing the action learning set meetings. Transcripts and visual artefacts from the action learning set meetings and a focus group meeting of the school management team were analysed to generate data, complemented by secondary sources, such as documents. This participatory approach to data generation allowed the voice of every participant to be heard; agency was increased through active participation; and the sense of affiliation to the group was deepened. The iterative design of the research process further ensured that the participants also engaged in a critical discourse analysis of the emerging data, of which the trustworthiness was enhanced through the use of dialogic and process, catalytic, rhetoric, democratic and outcome validity. The emergence of the data through this collaborative engagement was underpinned by the ethical values of mutual respect; equality and inclusion; democratic participation; active learning; making a difference; collective action; and personal integrity. The findings revealed that community volunteers did add immense value to the school by supporting teaching and learning processes. However, the community volunteers also harboured expectations of material support and opportunities to develop skills. In addition, the study revealed that the hierarchical culture and structures present in most South African schools need to become more democratic and collaborative, with those working to make the school more functional, including community volunteers, being valued, acknowledged and supported. The participants also constructed their understanding of what a community school should be and do and how it should serve the interests of the children from the community. A process model was constructed from these findings regarding on ways to recruit, sustain and support community volunteers involved in community schools, specially designed so that schools could adapt it to suit individual contexts. This study is unique; I am not aware of any similar study ever having been conducted in a community school in South Africa. Furthermore, the collaborative approach used in the study helped ensure that the methodology used could be of value to principals and other school stakeholders in addressing the various complex challenges that confront schools in these contexts. Also, the findings will add to the theoretical body of knowledge around volunteerism, especially in difficult socioeconomic conditions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Damons, Bruce Peter
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Volunteer workers in education -- South Africa Community schools -- South Africa , Volunteers -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15049 , vital:28116
- Description: This thesis sought to explore how community volunteers could be recruited, supported and sustained to assist a community school operating in difficult socioeconomic conditions in achieving basic school functionality. Through a collaborative process, the participants in the study attempted to address a significant gap in the literature, namely how this could be achieved in a way that would be beneficial both to the community volunteers and to the school itself. Based on existing literature, the vast majority of South African schools are struggling to reach the basic functionality levels required in terms of legislation. My interest in this topic was piqued while serving as principal of one such school; hence the focus in this thesis on whether schools would benefit in terms of achieving functionality if they partnered with the communities in which they are located. However, communities are seldom actively involved in the schools and school activities on an ongoing daily basis. In this thesis, I argue for an opportunity for schools and the community to collaborate in a way that would be mutually beneficial. In this, I was guided by the School-Based Complementary Learning Framework (SBCLF) in gaining a greater understanding of how multiple stakeholders could support a school to obtain basic functionality. A key stakeholder is the community in which a school is located, and the multidimensional framework provided a framework to understand why the community would want to get involved in the school. Following a Participatory Action Learning and Action Research (PALAR) design, I recruited 15 community volunteers from the existing pool at my then school; some of whom had been volunteering for over twelve years. We formed an action learning set where we collaboratively sought to understand the processes and conditions needed to recruit, support and sustain community volunteers and their involvement in the school. From this action learning set emerged a key advisors’ set, comprising five members of the action learning set, who were entrusted with the responsibility of planning, preparing and analysing the action learning set meetings. Transcripts and visual artefacts from the action learning set meetings and a focus group meeting of the school management team were analysed to generate data, complemented by secondary sources, such as documents. This participatory approach to data generation allowed the voice of every participant to be heard; agency was increased through active participation; and the sense of affiliation to the group was deepened. The iterative design of the research process further ensured that the participants also engaged in a critical discourse analysis of the emerging data, of which the trustworthiness was enhanced through the use of dialogic and process, catalytic, rhetoric, democratic and outcome validity. The emergence of the data through this collaborative engagement was underpinned by the ethical values of mutual respect; equality and inclusion; democratic participation; active learning; making a difference; collective action; and personal integrity. The findings revealed that community volunteers did add immense value to the school by supporting teaching and learning processes. However, the community volunteers also harboured expectations of material support and opportunities to develop skills. In addition, the study revealed that the hierarchical culture and structures present in most South African schools need to become more democratic and collaborative, with those working to make the school more functional, including community volunteers, being valued, acknowledged and supported. The participants also constructed their understanding of what a community school should be and do and how it should serve the interests of the children from the community. A process model was constructed from these findings regarding on ways to recruit, sustain and support community volunteers involved in community schools, specially designed so that schools could adapt it to suit individual contexts. This study is unique; I am not aware of any similar study ever having been conducted in a community school in South Africa. Furthermore, the collaborative approach used in the study helped ensure that the methodology used could be of value to principals and other school stakeholders in addressing the various complex challenges that confront schools in these contexts. Also, the findings will add to the theoretical body of knowledge around volunteerism, especially in difficult socioeconomic conditions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
A combination of platinum anticancer drugs and mangiferin causes increased efficacy in cancer cell lines
- Authors: Du Plessis-Stoman, Debbie
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Cancer -- Chemotherapy , Antineoplastic agents , Platinum compounds -- Therapeutic use , Cancer cells
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:10338 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1016160
- Description: This thesis mainly deals with some biochemical aspects regarding the efficacy of novel platinum anticancer compounds alone and in combination with mangiferin, as part of a broader study in which both chemistry and biochemistry are involved. Various novel diamine and N-S donor chelate compounds of platinum II and IV have been developed in which factors such as stereochemistry, ligand exchange rate and biocompatibility were considered as additional parameters. In the first order testing, each of these compounds was tested with reference to their “killing” potential by comparing their rate of killing, over a period of 48 hours with those of cisplatin and oxaliplatin. Numerous novel compounds were tested in this way, using the MTT cell viability assay and the three cancer cell lines MCF7, HT29 and HeLa. Although only a few could be regarded as equal to or even better than cisplatin, CPA7 and oxaliplatin, the testing of these compounds on cancer cells provided useful knowledge for the further development of novel compounds. Three of the better compounds, namely Yol 25, Yol 29.1 and Mar 4.1.4 were selected for further studies, together with oxaliplatin and CPA7 as positive controls, to obtain more detailed knowledge of their anticancer action, both alone and when applied in combination with mangiferin. In addition to the above, resistant cells were produced for each of the three different cell lines tested and all the selected compounds, both in the presence and absence of mangiferin. The effects of these treatments on the activation of NFĸB when applied to normal and resistant cell lines were also investigated. All the compounds induced apoptosis in the cell lines tested as well as alter the DNA cycle at one or more phase. Additionally, combination of these compounds with mangiferin enhanced the above-mentioned effects. Mangiferin decreases the IC50 values of the platinum drugs by up to 3.4 times and, although mangiferin alone did not induce cell cycle arrest, the presence of mangiferin in combination with oxaliplatin and Yol 25 shows an earlier and greatly enhanced delay in the S-phase, while cells treated with CPA7, Yol 29.1 and Mar 4.1.4 in combination with mangiferin showed a later, but greatly enhanced delay in the S-phase. It was also found that mangiferin acts as an NFĸB inhibitor when applied in combination with these drugs, which, in turn, reduces the occurrence of resistance in the cell lines. Resistance to oxaliplatin was counteracted by the combination with mangiferin in HeLa and HT29, but not in MCF7 cells, while resistance to CPA7 was only counteracted in the MCF7 cell line. Yol 25 and Mar 4.1.4 did not seem to induce resistance in HeLa and MCF7 cells, but did in HT29 cells, whereas Yol 29.1 caused resistance in HeLa and HT29 cells, but not in MCF7 cells. Finally, an effort was made to evaluate the different compounds by comparing them with respect to their properties relating to anticancer action with and without the addition of mangiferin.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Du Plessis-Stoman, Debbie
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Cancer -- Chemotherapy , Antineoplastic agents , Platinum compounds -- Therapeutic use , Cancer cells
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:10338 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1016160
- Description: This thesis mainly deals with some biochemical aspects regarding the efficacy of novel platinum anticancer compounds alone and in combination with mangiferin, as part of a broader study in which both chemistry and biochemistry are involved. Various novel diamine and N-S donor chelate compounds of platinum II and IV have been developed in which factors such as stereochemistry, ligand exchange rate and biocompatibility were considered as additional parameters. In the first order testing, each of these compounds was tested with reference to their “killing” potential by comparing their rate of killing, over a period of 48 hours with those of cisplatin and oxaliplatin. Numerous novel compounds were tested in this way, using the MTT cell viability assay and the three cancer cell lines MCF7, HT29 and HeLa. Although only a few could be regarded as equal to or even better than cisplatin, CPA7 and oxaliplatin, the testing of these compounds on cancer cells provided useful knowledge for the further development of novel compounds. Three of the better compounds, namely Yol 25, Yol 29.1 and Mar 4.1.4 were selected for further studies, together with oxaliplatin and CPA7 as positive controls, to obtain more detailed knowledge of their anticancer action, both alone and when applied in combination with mangiferin. In addition to the above, resistant cells were produced for each of the three different cell lines tested and all the selected compounds, both in the presence and absence of mangiferin. The effects of these treatments on the activation of NFĸB when applied to normal and resistant cell lines were also investigated. All the compounds induced apoptosis in the cell lines tested as well as alter the DNA cycle at one or more phase. Additionally, combination of these compounds with mangiferin enhanced the above-mentioned effects. Mangiferin decreases the IC50 values of the platinum drugs by up to 3.4 times and, although mangiferin alone did not induce cell cycle arrest, the presence of mangiferin in combination with oxaliplatin and Yol 25 shows an earlier and greatly enhanced delay in the S-phase, while cells treated with CPA7, Yol 29.1 and Mar 4.1.4 in combination with mangiferin showed a later, but greatly enhanced delay in the S-phase. It was also found that mangiferin acts as an NFĸB inhibitor when applied in combination with these drugs, which, in turn, reduces the occurrence of resistance in the cell lines. Resistance to oxaliplatin was counteracted by the combination with mangiferin in HeLa and HT29, but not in MCF7 cells, while resistance to CPA7 was only counteracted in the MCF7 cell line. Yol 25 and Mar 4.1.4 did not seem to induce resistance in HeLa and MCF7 cells, but did in HT29 cells, whereas Yol 29.1 caused resistance in HeLa and HT29 cells, but not in MCF7 cells. Finally, an effort was made to evaluate the different compounds by comparing them with respect to their properties relating to anticancer action with and without the addition of mangiferin.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
A commercial process development for plant food formulation using polyprotic acids from natural extracts as chelating agents
- Authors: Ndibewu, Peter Papoh
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Chelates , Lemon juice , Liquid fertilizers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DTech (Chemistry)
- Identifier: vital:10368 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/153 , Chelates , Lemon juice , Liquid fertilizers
- Description: The citrus industry is one of South Africa's largest agricultural sectors in terms of export earnings with lemon fruits and juice as a trendsetter due to their high grade quality. According to growers, the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa alone produces an excess of about 10-14,000 tons of lemon juice which is presently of no economic value due to the sour taste and “bitterness”. As a result of this excess and in order to make use of the polyprotic acids naturally occurring in the lemon juice, four fertilizer nutrient mixtures are formulated, using lemon juice as base. From a conceptual scientific approach, characterization (physico-chemical and functional properties determinations) of Eureka Lemon fruit juices were undertaken, followed by smaller scale batch formulation experiments. On the basis that these lemon juice-based fertilizer mixtures are prepared following standard liquid fertilizer formulation guidelines, a field test was conducted to evaluate their potential effectiveness to influence plant growth. A growth chamber testing on tomato plants revealed high growth response (> 99.9 % certainty) potential in two of the semi-organic mixtures formulated while the organic mixture showed a relatively good growth rate as compared to the control (pure tap water). According to statistical analysis (ANOVA) comparison, two of the semi-organic mixtures performed considerably better than the two commercial samples evaluated. Potential benefits profoundly associated with these nutrient mixtures as compared to similar liquid fertilizer products on the market is that most nutrients are chelated and dissolved in solution. Also, the mixtures contain all necessary nutrients including plant growth substances required for healthier plant growth. The most important socioeconomic impact is the value addition to the technology chain in the citrus industry. The use of fluid fertilizers in significant quantities is less than twenty years old. Nevertheless, growth has been so rapid that in South Africa demand for mixed liquid fertilizer has greatly increased from 90 000 tons NPK & blended micronutrients in 1955 to more than 600 000 per annum tons today (Report 41/2003, Department of Minerals and Energy). The liquid fertilizers market is sparsely specialized with major competitors like Omnia, Kynoch and Foskor supplying more than 50 % of the market demand. Amongst the nutrient mixtures formulated, mixture one is an NPK (1-1-2) based nutrient mixture containing both secondary nutrients (0.5 % Mg & 1.0 % Ca) and seven micronutrients (0.1 % Fe, 0.05 % Cu, 0.05 % Zn, 0.05 % Mn, 0.02 % B, 0.0005 % Mo and 0.0005 % Co). The composition of this mixture offers the formula a potential to be used as a general purpose (all stages of plant growth) fertilization mixture in view of its balanced composition (containing all essential plant nutrients). Mixture two contains essentially the micronutrients and in higher concentrations (0.3 % Fe, 0.3 % Cu, 0.1 % Zn, 0.2 % Mn, 0.02 % B, 0.0005 % Mo and 0.0005 % Co) as compared to mixture one except for boron, molybdenum and cobalt. The concentration of the micronutrients contained in this mixture is adequately high which offers a potential for it to be used in supplementing nutrition in plants with critical micronutrient-deficient symptoms. Mixture three is very similar to mixture two (1.0 % Fe, 0.05 % Cu, 0.05 % Zn, 0.05 Mn, 0.05 % B, 0.0005 % Mo and 0.0005 % Co) except that the concentrations of all seven micronutrients are considerably less than those of contained in mixture two. However, the concentration of iron in this mixture is as high as 1.0 %. The mixture has a potential to be used in high iron-deficient situations. Mixture four is an organic formula with relatively low nutrient concentrations (NPK-0.02-0.02-1, 0.27 % Mg, 0.02 % Ca, 0.008 % Fe, 0.26 % Cu, 0.012 % Zn, 0.009 % Mn). Nevertheless, this mixture is appealing for organically grown crops where the use of chemicals is prohibited by standards. These lemon juice-based nutrient mixtures were further characterized and tested for stability and storability over a period of eight weeks. This study revealed no major change in the physical quality (colour, pH and “salt out” effect). The basic formulation methodology is a two-step procedure that involves filtration of the lemon juice to remove membranous materials, mixing at ambient temperature and stabilization of the nutrient mixtures. However, for the organic nutrient formula mix, filtration follows after extraction of nutrients from plant materials using the lemon juice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Ndibewu, Peter Papoh
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Chelates , Lemon juice , Liquid fertilizers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DTech (Chemistry)
- Identifier: vital:10368 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/153 , Chelates , Lemon juice , Liquid fertilizers
- Description: The citrus industry is one of South Africa's largest agricultural sectors in terms of export earnings with lemon fruits and juice as a trendsetter due to their high grade quality. According to growers, the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa alone produces an excess of about 10-14,000 tons of lemon juice which is presently of no economic value due to the sour taste and “bitterness”. As a result of this excess and in order to make use of the polyprotic acids naturally occurring in the lemon juice, four fertilizer nutrient mixtures are formulated, using lemon juice as base. From a conceptual scientific approach, characterization (physico-chemical and functional properties determinations) of Eureka Lemon fruit juices were undertaken, followed by smaller scale batch formulation experiments. On the basis that these lemon juice-based fertilizer mixtures are prepared following standard liquid fertilizer formulation guidelines, a field test was conducted to evaluate their potential effectiveness to influence plant growth. A growth chamber testing on tomato plants revealed high growth response (> 99.9 % certainty) potential in two of the semi-organic mixtures formulated while the organic mixture showed a relatively good growth rate as compared to the control (pure tap water). According to statistical analysis (ANOVA) comparison, two of the semi-organic mixtures performed considerably better than the two commercial samples evaluated. Potential benefits profoundly associated with these nutrient mixtures as compared to similar liquid fertilizer products on the market is that most nutrients are chelated and dissolved in solution. Also, the mixtures contain all necessary nutrients including plant growth substances required for healthier plant growth. The most important socioeconomic impact is the value addition to the technology chain in the citrus industry. The use of fluid fertilizers in significant quantities is less than twenty years old. Nevertheless, growth has been so rapid that in South Africa demand for mixed liquid fertilizer has greatly increased from 90 000 tons NPK & blended micronutrients in 1955 to more than 600 000 per annum tons today (Report 41/2003, Department of Minerals and Energy). The liquid fertilizers market is sparsely specialized with major competitors like Omnia, Kynoch and Foskor supplying more than 50 % of the market demand. Amongst the nutrient mixtures formulated, mixture one is an NPK (1-1-2) based nutrient mixture containing both secondary nutrients (0.5 % Mg & 1.0 % Ca) and seven micronutrients (0.1 % Fe, 0.05 % Cu, 0.05 % Zn, 0.05 % Mn, 0.02 % B, 0.0005 % Mo and 0.0005 % Co). The composition of this mixture offers the formula a potential to be used as a general purpose (all stages of plant growth) fertilization mixture in view of its balanced composition (containing all essential plant nutrients). Mixture two contains essentially the micronutrients and in higher concentrations (0.3 % Fe, 0.3 % Cu, 0.1 % Zn, 0.2 % Mn, 0.02 % B, 0.0005 % Mo and 0.0005 % Co) as compared to mixture one except for boron, molybdenum and cobalt. The concentration of the micronutrients contained in this mixture is adequately high which offers a potential for it to be used in supplementing nutrition in plants with critical micronutrient-deficient symptoms. Mixture three is very similar to mixture two (1.0 % Fe, 0.05 % Cu, 0.05 % Zn, 0.05 Mn, 0.05 % B, 0.0005 % Mo and 0.0005 % Co) except that the concentrations of all seven micronutrients are considerably less than those of contained in mixture two. However, the concentration of iron in this mixture is as high as 1.0 %. The mixture has a potential to be used in high iron-deficient situations. Mixture four is an organic formula with relatively low nutrient concentrations (NPK-0.02-0.02-1, 0.27 % Mg, 0.02 % Ca, 0.008 % Fe, 0.26 % Cu, 0.012 % Zn, 0.009 % Mn). Nevertheless, this mixture is appealing for organically grown crops where the use of chemicals is prohibited by standards. These lemon juice-based nutrient mixtures were further characterized and tested for stability and storability over a period of eight weeks. This study revealed no major change in the physical quality (colour, pH and “salt out” effect). The basic formulation methodology is a two-step procedure that involves filtration of the lemon juice to remove membranous materials, mixing at ambient temperature and stabilization of the nutrient mixtures. However, for the organic nutrient formula mix, filtration follows after extraction of nutrients from plant materials using the lemon juice.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
A comparative analysis of anti-corruption legislation and anti-corruption agencies in the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape provices : a governance perspective
- Authors: Majila, Victoria Thozama
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Political corruption -- South Africa , Misconduct in office -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:8179 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/2117 , Political corruption -- South Africa , Misconduct in office -- South Africa
- Description: This thesis analysed and compared the effectiveness of the anti-corruption legislation and anti-corruption agencies in the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape provinces. The thesis consists of six chapters. This study is based on the assumption that the struggle against corruption is best approached by developing a system of laws, institutions and supporting practices which promote integrity and make corrupt conduct a high-risk activity. It is imperative that a systemic approach is embarked upon in order to address the manner in which the major institutions and processes of the state are conquered and exploited by corrupt individuals and groups. With the magnitude in which hurdles exist that hamper the effectiveness of the country's anti-corruption legislation and anti-corruption agencies; South Africa is incapable of curbing corruption. With the purpose to determine a desired state of affairs, characteristics of effective anti-corruption agencies and anti-corruption legislation were presented. These served as a yardstick in measuring how effective such agencies and legislation are in South Africa. Reasons for failure of agencies and legislation are discussed. After discussing types of anti-corruption agencies, those that perform better than ix others were identified. Through literature review, the status quo concerning anti-corruption initiatives in South Africa was assessed. It was revealed that the level of the success of South African anti-corruption agencies and legislation has been limited. In the case of anti-corruption agencies, weaknesses such as fragmentation; insufficient coordination; poor delineation of responsibility; and assimilation of corruption work into a broader mandate were identified as major causes. Measures that are needed, such as informed citizens; a need to foster and sustain high levels of professional and ethically imbued civil servants; and legislation that supports the transition towards a corruption-free society that are needed to complement implementation of anti-corruption legislation, were also recognised. Ways of addressing such shortcomings that the writers identified are also presented. The methodology and design followed in the study are described. This is followed by the analysis and interpretation of the survey. The research findings are then presented. Based on the findings a number of recommendations that would assist in improving the effectiveness of anticorruption agencies and anti-corruption legislation are made. Flowing from the discussion of effective anti-corruption models that were identified by literature a model that would be ideal for South Africa is recommended.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Majila, Victoria Thozama
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Political corruption -- South Africa , Misconduct in office -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:8179 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/2117 , Political corruption -- South Africa , Misconduct in office -- South Africa
- Description: This thesis analysed and compared the effectiveness of the anti-corruption legislation and anti-corruption agencies in the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape provinces. The thesis consists of six chapters. This study is based on the assumption that the struggle against corruption is best approached by developing a system of laws, institutions and supporting practices which promote integrity and make corrupt conduct a high-risk activity. It is imperative that a systemic approach is embarked upon in order to address the manner in which the major institutions and processes of the state are conquered and exploited by corrupt individuals and groups. With the magnitude in which hurdles exist that hamper the effectiveness of the country's anti-corruption legislation and anti-corruption agencies; South Africa is incapable of curbing corruption. With the purpose to determine a desired state of affairs, characteristics of effective anti-corruption agencies and anti-corruption legislation were presented. These served as a yardstick in measuring how effective such agencies and legislation are in South Africa. Reasons for failure of agencies and legislation are discussed. After discussing types of anti-corruption agencies, those that perform better than ix others were identified. Through literature review, the status quo concerning anti-corruption initiatives in South Africa was assessed. It was revealed that the level of the success of South African anti-corruption agencies and legislation has been limited. In the case of anti-corruption agencies, weaknesses such as fragmentation; insufficient coordination; poor delineation of responsibility; and assimilation of corruption work into a broader mandate were identified as major causes. Measures that are needed, such as informed citizens; a need to foster and sustain high levels of professional and ethically imbued civil servants; and legislation that supports the transition towards a corruption-free society that are needed to complement implementation of anti-corruption legislation, were also recognised. Ways of addressing such shortcomings that the writers identified are also presented. The methodology and design followed in the study are described. This is followed by the analysis and interpretation of the survey. The research findings are then presented. Based on the findings a number of recommendations that would assist in improving the effectiveness of anticorruption agencies and anti-corruption legislation are made. Flowing from the discussion of effective anti-corruption models that were identified by literature a model that would be ideal for South Africa is recommended.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A comparative analysis of factors affecting the purchasing decisions of cleaning rag buyers in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Shearer, David Charcles
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Purchasing -- Decision making , Consumer behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8898 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020928
- Description: The objectives of this research project were to identify and compare factors that influence the purchasing decisions of Multifibres’ customers active in each channel. Multifibres manufactures and distributes industrial cleaning rags to three channels or client categories, these being industrial resellers, industrial end-users and the walk-in customers. An extensive literature review revealed that purchasing decisions are influenced by, amongst other factors, the buyer’s role, the internal cognitive processes of the buyer, as well as factors present in the buyer’s business and external environment. An empirical study was conducted utilising in-depth interviews. The most prevalent, emergent themes that buyers attached the greatest weight to when purchasing cleaning rags were: price; quality; service; relationships; and, convenience. These factors were probed, analysed and compared, based on each buyer category’s unique set of characteristics. When motivating their purchasing preferences, resellers emphasised the importance of the business relationship and trust as being paramount, while end-users viewed price and service as the most important factors. Walk-in customers valued the combination of price and convenience as the most important reasons influencing their purchasing decisions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Shearer, David Charcles
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Purchasing -- Decision making , Consumer behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8898 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020928
- Description: The objectives of this research project were to identify and compare factors that influence the purchasing decisions of Multifibres’ customers active in each channel. Multifibres manufactures and distributes industrial cleaning rags to three channels or client categories, these being industrial resellers, industrial end-users and the walk-in customers. An extensive literature review revealed that purchasing decisions are influenced by, amongst other factors, the buyer’s role, the internal cognitive processes of the buyer, as well as factors present in the buyer’s business and external environment. An empirical study was conducted utilising in-depth interviews. The most prevalent, emergent themes that buyers attached the greatest weight to when purchasing cleaning rags were: price; quality; service; relationships; and, convenience. These factors were probed, analysed and compared, based on each buyer category’s unique set of characteristics. When motivating their purchasing preferences, resellers emphasised the importance of the business relationship and trust as being paramount, while end-users viewed price and service as the most important factors. Walk-in customers valued the combination of price and convenience as the most important reasons influencing their purchasing decisions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A comparative analysis of mental illness as a defence in criminal law
- Authors: Sitole, Sizakele Elias
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Insanity (Law) -- South Africa , Insanity defense -- South Africa , Mentally ill offenders -- South Africa , Mental health laws -- South Africa , Offenders with mental disabilities -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10265 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/843 , Insanity (Law) -- South Africa , Insanity defense -- South Africa , Mentally ill offenders -- South Africa , Mental health laws -- South Africa , Offenders with mental disabilities -- South Africa
- Description: This dissertation deals with the comparative analysis of mental illness as a defence in criminal law. The mental illness / insanity defence is deemed applicable when the accused does not have mens rea or lacks criminal responsibility or is afflicted by the inability to appreciate the wrongfulness of his act and act accordingly, at the time of the commission of the offence due to a pathological disturbance of the mental faculties. A review of the law in South Africa, English Law and United States of America law was done with regard to their approach in connection with the matter. The legal systems of South Africa, English Law and the United States of America were compared and analyzed because English Law and United States of America are developed countries and I decided to compare their approach to insanity defence with reference to South Africa, which is a developing country. Similarities were drawn between South Africa and English Law and this could be attributed to the fact that South African law emanated from English law. This is an important research topic on comparative analysis of mental illness as a defence in criminal law. The law applicable today in South Africa in respect of the defence of mental illness is combined in the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, which replaced the criteria as set out in the M’Naghten rules and the irresistible impulse test. In all the three countries law that were compared the burden of proof has always been on the accused to prove his case on a balance of probabilities but in South Africa the position now is he who alleges must prove because of the legislative amendments. United States of America law allows for the forcible medication with drugs of the mentally ill defendants who are charged with crimes so that they can be fit to stand trial. This is the only country in the ones that were analyzed, which practices such a barbaric and inhuman acts. In the USA , the defendant has the burden of proving the defence of insanity by clear and convincing evidence, and the finding in not guilty by reason of insanity, English law, South African law has the same finding in insanity cases. The most common diagnosis used in support of a defence of insanity continues to be schizophrenia in South Africa and in English law system. In the English law system, the Home Secretary has the power to order defendant to be detained in a hospital on the basis of reports from at least two medical practitioners that the defendant is suffering from mental illness, if the minister is of the opinion that it is in the public interest to do so. In South Africa, the accused will be detained in a psychiatric hospital or a prison pending the decision of a judge in chambers. The detention of those found not guilty by reason of insanity could be challenged under the Human Rights Act in English law because the legal definition of insanity is far wider than the medical concept of mental disorder. The Drs under English Law have to use the legal, not the medical understanding of the mental disorder. The placing of a burden of proof on the defendant may be challengeable under European Convention of Human Rights as contrary to the presumption of innocence that is protected under convention. Finally this is a controversial subject on mental illness but the position in South Africa has been clear for a long time, and I did not come across any deficiencies in our law. I submit that South African law position on mental illness is good.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Sitole, Sizakele Elias
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Insanity (Law) -- South Africa , Insanity defense -- South Africa , Mentally ill offenders -- South Africa , Mental health laws -- South Africa , Offenders with mental disabilities -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10265 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/843 , Insanity (Law) -- South Africa , Insanity defense -- South Africa , Mentally ill offenders -- South Africa , Mental health laws -- South Africa , Offenders with mental disabilities -- South Africa
- Description: This dissertation deals with the comparative analysis of mental illness as a defence in criminal law. The mental illness / insanity defence is deemed applicable when the accused does not have mens rea or lacks criminal responsibility or is afflicted by the inability to appreciate the wrongfulness of his act and act accordingly, at the time of the commission of the offence due to a pathological disturbance of the mental faculties. A review of the law in South Africa, English Law and United States of America law was done with regard to their approach in connection with the matter. The legal systems of South Africa, English Law and the United States of America were compared and analyzed because English Law and United States of America are developed countries and I decided to compare their approach to insanity defence with reference to South Africa, which is a developing country. Similarities were drawn between South Africa and English Law and this could be attributed to the fact that South African law emanated from English law. This is an important research topic on comparative analysis of mental illness as a defence in criminal law. The law applicable today in South Africa in respect of the defence of mental illness is combined in the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, which replaced the criteria as set out in the M’Naghten rules and the irresistible impulse test. In all the three countries law that were compared the burden of proof has always been on the accused to prove his case on a balance of probabilities but in South Africa the position now is he who alleges must prove because of the legislative amendments. United States of America law allows for the forcible medication with drugs of the mentally ill defendants who are charged with crimes so that they can be fit to stand trial. This is the only country in the ones that were analyzed, which practices such a barbaric and inhuman acts. In the USA , the defendant has the burden of proving the defence of insanity by clear and convincing evidence, and the finding in not guilty by reason of insanity, English law, South African law has the same finding in insanity cases. The most common diagnosis used in support of a defence of insanity continues to be schizophrenia in South Africa and in English law system. In the English law system, the Home Secretary has the power to order defendant to be detained in a hospital on the basis of reports from at least two medical practitioners that the defendant is suffering from mental illness, if the minister is of the opinion that it is in the public interest to do so. In South Africa, the accused will be detained in a psychiatric hospital or a prison pending the decision of a judge in chambers. The detention of those found not guilty by reason of insanity could be challenged under the Human Rights Act in English law because the legal definition of insanity is far wider than the medical concept of mental disorder. The Drs under English Law have to use the legal, not the medical understanding of the mental disorder. The placing of a burden of proof on the defendant may be challengeable under European Convention of Human Rights as contrary to the presumption of innocence that is protected under convention. Finally this is a controversial subject on mental illness but the position in South Africa has been clear for a long time, and I did not come across any deficiencies in our law. I submit that South African law position on mental illness is good.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
A comparative analysis of the development of performers' rights in the United Kingdom and South Africa
- Authors: Wagenaar, Tanya
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Copyright -- Performing rights -- Great Britain , Copyright -- Performing rights -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10215 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1442 , Copyright -- Performing rights -- Great Britain , Copyright -- Performing rights -- South Africa
- Description: Although performers have been rife for centuries, no legal regime was required for their protection owing to the fact that the nature of their performances was transitory. It was not until the invention of the phonogram in 1877, that the need to provide performers with the means to protect the unauthorised uses of their performances became an issue. The subsequent development of performers' rights has been fuelled by the rapid technological developments of the modern age which has prompted the international community to respond through various international instruments. Performers initially sought protection in terms of the Berne Convention in 1886, but it was not until the Rome Convention in 1961 that performers were first accorded international recognition. This was followed by the TRIPs Agreement in 1994 and the WPPT in 1996. This work involves an investigation into the historical development of performers' rights in the United Kingdom and South Africa. This is followed by a comparative analysis of the current state of performers' rights as between the United Kingdom and South Africa with a view to proposing recommendations for improving the level of protection accorded performers in South Africa. Arguments in favour of a regime of performers' rights as well as possible counter-arguments have been advanced. The general development of performers' rights as a related or neighbouring right to copyright is focussed on. The development of performers' rights in the United Kingdom is discussed with reference to the first English legislative form of protection, namely the Dramatic and Musical Performers' Protection Act, 1925. This Act only provided performers with criminal remedies, a view that prevailed through several subsequent enactments designed to protect performers as a result of ratification of the Rome Convention. It was not until 1988 when the decision in Rickless v United Artists Corp prompted the legislature to grant performers with enforceable civil remedies through the enactment of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988. Several European Union Council Directives aimed at harmonising the law relating to performers' rights throughout the Union were issued, mainly in response to the TRIPS Agreement. In order to comply with these Directives, the United Kingdom passed Regulations to bring about the necessary amendments to the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act. Performers in the United Kingdom were granted moral rights in 2006 as a result of the United Kingdom's ratification of the WPPT. The development of performers' rights in South Africa has been slow when compared to that of the United Kingdom. It was not until 1967 that performers were first legally recognised in South Africa. Although South Africa has yet to ratify the Rome Convention, it was stated in South African Broadcasting Corporation v Pollecutt that the Act was clearly passed with a view to complying with the Convention. South Africa's ratification of the TRIPs Agreement brought about amendments to the Act, particularly regarding the duration of protection which was increased from 20 to 50 years. Although South Africa played an active role in the conclusion of the WPPT, it has yet to ratify it. However, amendments were made to the Act in line with this Treaty, such as the incorporation of “expressions of folklore” within the ambit of protection, and the granting of a right to receive royalties whenever a performer's performances are broadcast. This is commonly known as needletime. South Africa's reluctance to grant performers with moral rights as provided for by the Treaty is noteworthy. The introduction of needletime into South African law has resulted in a fierce debate between collecting societies (who represent authors and performers) and the NAB (who represent users of performances). Mainly as a result of this dispute, performers in South Africa have, to date, not received any royalties due to them. The protection of traditional knowledge has also received attention of late with the Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Bill, 2010 which aims to bring traditional knowledge inter alia within the ambit of the Performers' Protection Act. The current state of performers' rights in the United Kingdom and South Africa are compared in order to identify ways in which the level of protection accorded performers in South Africa could be improved. The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act is compared with the Performers' Protection Act through emphasis being placed on the definition of a “performer”; the definition of a “performance”; the nature of performers' rights; exceptions to infringement; the term of protection; the retrospectivity of the legislation; and the enforcement measures in place. Upon analysis, it was found that the Performers' Protection Act can be amended in several ways in order to increase the level of protection accorded performers in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Wagenaar, Tanya
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Copyright -- Performing rights -- Great Britain , Copyright -- Performing rights -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10215 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1442 , Copyright -- Performing rights -- Great Britain , Copyright -- Performing rights -- South Africa
- Description: Although performers have been rife for centuries, no legal regime was required for their protection owing to the fact that the nature of their performances was transitory. It was not until the invention of the phonogram in 1877, that the need to provide performers with the means to protect the unauthorised uses of their performances became an issue. The subsequent development of performers' rights has been fuelled by the rapid technological developments of the modern age which has prompted the international community to respond through various international instruments. Performers initially sought protection in terms of the Berne Convention in 1886, but it was not until the Rome Convention in 1961 that performers were first accorded international recognition. This was followed by the TRIPs Agreement in 1994 and the WPPT in 1996. This work involves an investigation into the historical development of performers' rights in the United Kingdom and South Africa. This is followed by a comparative analysis of the current state of performers' rights as between the United Kingdom and South Africa with a view to proposing recommendations for improving the level of protection accorded performers in South Africa. Arguments in favour of a regime of performers' rights as well as possible counter-arguments have been advanced. The general development of performers' rights as a related or neighbouring right to copyright is focussed on. The development of performers' rights in the United Kingdom is discussed with reference to the first English legislative form of protection, namely the Dramatic and Musical Performers' Protection Act, 1925. This Act only provided performers with criminal remedies, a view that prevailed through several subsequent enactments designed to protect performers as a result of ratification of the Rome Convention. It was not until 1988 when the decision in Rickless v United Artists Corp prompted the legislature to grant performers with enforceable civil remedies through the enactment of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988. Several European Union Council Directives aimed at harmonising the law relating to performers' rights throughout the Union were issued, mainly in response to the TRIPS Agreement. In order to comply with these Directives, the United Kingdom passed Regulations to bring about the necessary amendments to the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act. Performers in the United Kingdom were granted moral rights in 2006 as a result of the United Kingdom's ratification of the WPPT. The development of performers' rights in South Africa has been slow when compared to that of the United Kingdom. It was not until 1967 that performers were first legally recognised in South Africa. Although South Africa has yet to ratify the Rome Convention, it was stated in South African Broadcasting Corporation v Pollecutt that the Act was clearly passed with a view to complying with the Convention. South Africa's ratification of the TRIPs Agreement brought about amendments to the Act, particularly regarding the duration of protection which was increased from 20 to 50 years. Although South Africa played an active role in the conclusion of the WPPT, it has yet to ratify it. However, amendments were made to the Act in line with this Treaty, such as the incorporation of “expressions of folklore” within the ambit of protection, and the granting of a right to receive royalties whenever a performer's performances are broadcast. This is commonly known as needletime. South Africa's reluctance to grant performers with moral rights as provided for by the Treaty is noteworthy. The introduction of needletime into South African law has resulted in a fierce debate between collecting societies (who represent authors and performers) and the NAB (who represent users of performances). Mainly as a result of this dispute, performers in South Africa have, to date, not received any royalties due to them. The protection of traditional knowledge has also received attention of late with the Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Bill, 2010 which aims to bring traditional knowledge inter alia within the ambit of the Performers' Protection Act. The current state of performers' rights in the United Kingdom and South Africa are compared in order to identify ways in which the level of protection accorded performers in South Africa could be improved. The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act is compared with the Performers' Protection Act through emphasis being placed on the definition of a “performer”; the definition of a “performance”; the nature of performers' rights; exceptions to infringement; the term of protection; the retrospectivity of the legislation; and the enforcement measures in place. Upon analysis, it was found that the Performers' Protection Act can be amended in several ways in order to increase the level of protection accorded performers in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
A comparative analysis of the enforcement of market abuse provisions
- Authors: Chitimira, Howard
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Corporation law -- South Africa , Insider trading in securities -- South Africa , Securities -- South Africa , Efficient market theory , Securities fraud
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , LLD
- Identifier: vital:10240 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015008
- Description: Market abuse practices may directly or indirectly give rise to diverse problems such as inaccurate stock market prices, low public investor confidence, reduced market integrity and poor efficiency in the affected financial markets. This thesis reveals that three major forms of market abuse, namely insider trading, prohibited trading practices (trade-based market manipulation) and the making or publication of false, misleading or deceptive statements, promises and forecasts relating to listed securities (disclosure-based market manipulation) are prohibited in South Africa. However, although South Africa has had market abuse legislation for about 30 years, and must be commended for its great effort to enhance market integrity by combating market abuse practices, the enforcement of such legislation is still problematic. Moreover, in spite of the fact that there is no empirical data or accurate figures quantifying the occurrence and extent of market abuse activities in the South African financial markets, this thesis submits that market abuse practices are still to be completely eradicated. Accordingly, this thesis suggests that the aforementioned problem might have been aggravated by inter alia, various gaps, flaws and/or inconsistent implementation and enforcement of the market abuse legislation in South Africa. To this end, the anti-market abuse enforcement framework under the Securities Services Act 36 of 2004 is analysed to investigate its adequacy. The co-operation and role of the Financial Services Board, the courts, the Directorate of Market Abuse and other relevant stakeholders is also examined and discussed. Moreover, the co-operation between the Financial Services Board and similar international agencies is discussed to gauge its effectiveness in relation to the combating of cross-border market abuse practices. The adequacy of the awareness and preventative measures in place to curb market abuse practices is also investigated to determine whether such measures are robust enough to combat other new challenges that were posed by the 2007 to 2009 global financial crisis. Furthermore, a comparative analysis is undertaken of the enforcement of the market abuse prohibition in other jurisdictions, namely the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the European Union and Australia. This was done to investigate the relevant lessons that can be learnt or adopted from these jurisdictions. The thesis further discusses the adequacy of the recently introduced provisions of the Financial Markets Bill as well as the subsequent market abuse provisions of the Financial Markets Bill 2012. The thesis highlights that the aforementioned Bills are positive attempts by the policy makers to improve the enforcement of the market abuse provisions in South Africa. Nonetheless, the thesis reveals that most of the shortcomings contained in the Securities Services Act 36 of 2004 were duplicated in the Financial Markets Bill and the Financial Markets Bill 2012. In light of this, it remains to be seen whether the market abuse provisions contained in the Financial Markets Bill and/or the Financial Markets Bill 2012 will improve the combating of market abuse practices in South Africa. Consequently, it is hoped that the relevant market abuse provisions of the Securities Services Act 36 of 2004, the Financial Markets Bill and/or the Financial Markets Bill 2012 will be comprehensively reviewed in regard to the recommendations made in this thesis. To this end, the thesis proposes a viable anti-market abuse model and policy framework and sets out both policy objectives and provisions which policy makers could use to strengthen some of the market abuse provisions in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Chitimira, Howard
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Corporation law -- South Africa , Insider trading in securities -- South Africa , Securities -- South Africa , Efficient market theory , Securities fraud
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , LLD
- Identifier: vital:10240 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015008
- Description: Market abuse practices may directly or indirectly give rise to diverse problems such as inaccurate stock market prices, low public investor confidence, reduced market integrity and poor efficiency in the affected financial markets. This thesis reveals that three major forms of market abuse, namely insider trading, prohibited trading practices (trade-based market manipulation) and the making or publication of false, misleading or deceptive statements, promises and forecasts relating to listed securities (disclosure-based market manipulation) are prohibited in South Africa. However, although South Africa has had market abuse legislation for about 30 years, and must be commended for its great effort to enhance market integrity by combating market abuse practices, the enforcement of such legislation is still problematic. Moreover, in spite of the fact that there is no empirical data or accurate figures quantifying the occurrence and extent of market abuse activities in the South African financial markets, this thesis submits that market abuse practices are still to be completely eradicated. Accordingly, this thesis suggests that the aforementioned problem might have been aggravated by inter alia, various gaps, flaws and/or inconsistent implementation and enforcement of the market abuse legislation in South Africa. To this end, the anti-market abuse enforcement framework under the Securities Services Act 36 of 2004 is analysed to investigate its adequacy. The co-operation and role of the Financial Services Board, the courts, the Directorate of Market Abuse and other relevant stakeholders is also examined and discussed. Moreover, the co-operation between the Financial Services Board and similar international agencies is discussed to gauge its effectiveness in relation to the combating of cross-border market abuse practices. The adequacy of the awareness and preventative measures in place to curb market abuse practices is also investigated to determine whether such measures are robust enough to combat other new challenges that were posed by the 2007 to 2009 global financial crisis. Furthermore, a comparative analysis is undertaken of the enforcement of the market abuse prohibition in other jurisdictions, namely the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the European Union and Australia. This was done to investigate the relevant lessons that can be learnt or adopted from these jurisdictions. The thesis further discusses the adequacy of the recently introduced provisions of the Financial Markets Bill as well as the subsequent market abuse provisions of the Financial Markets Bill 2012. The thesis highlights that the aforementioned Bills are positive attempts by the policy makers to improve the enforcement of the market abuse provisions in South Africa. Nonetheless, the thesis reveals that most of the shortcomings contained in the Securities Services Act 36 of 2004 were duplicated in the Financial Markets Bill and the Financial Markets Bill 2012. In light of this, it remains to be seen whether the market abuse provisions contained in the Financial Markets Bill and/or the Financial Markets Bill 2012 will improve the combating of market abuse practices in South Africa. Consequently, it is hoped that the relevant market abuse provisions of the Securities Services Act 36 of 2004, the Financial Markets Bill and/or the Financial Markets Bill 2012 will be comprehensively reviewed in regard to the recommendations made in this thesis. To this end, the thesis proposes a viable anti-market abuse model and policy framework and sets out both policy objectives and provisions which policy makers could use to strengthen some of the market abuse provisions in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012