Investigating the feasibility of an indoor aquatic centre for the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole
- Janse van Rensburg, Philippus Jacobus
- Authors: Janse van Rensburg, Philippus Jacobus
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Aquatic sports facilities -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Designs and plans , Sports facilities -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Recreation centers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8739 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/791 , Aquatic sports facilities -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Designs and plans , Sports facilities -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Recreation centers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an Indoor Aquatic Centre for the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole. The main problem was to establish the minimum aquatic facilities an Indoor Aquatic Centre must have, to be able to host National and International aquatic events. The sub problems identified to address the main problem were as follows: - Should accommodation be available at the Indoor Aquatic Centre? - Should medical facilities be available at the Indoor Aquatic Centre? - Should there be a gymnasium at the Indoor Aquatic Centre? - Should there be food malls available at the Indoor Aquatic Centre? - Will sports tourism in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole benefit from an Indoor Aquatic Centre? In this study the researcher discusses current tourism opportunities, possible sports tourism opportunities and the current aquatic facilities the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole has to offer. From the discussion regarding these issues it was found that the metropole do offer many attraction opportunities including the following: - Adventure and Sport; - Agriculture; - Arts and Culture; - Business and Conferencing; - Coastal and Beaches; - Entertainment and Shopping; - Historical; - Wild Life and Nature. Adventure and Sport attractions contribute to sports tourism in the metropole and an Indoor Aquatic Centre could enable the metropole to improve sports tourism figures to the metropole. Sports tourism is defined as any tourism that is linked with a sports event. The conclusion can be made that the main initiative for sports tourism is to host a major sporting event to attract tourists. Adding other tourist attractions makes the destination more attractive. It is also important that the community is educated and informed about sports tourism so that the tourist and the community benefits from the event. Indoor Aquatic Centres found in countries like Australia, Canada, Europe, Russia, The Far East, United Kingdom and the United States of America, were discussed to identify the minimum requirements for an Indoor Aquatic Centre. The literature study has shown that the Indoor Aquatic Centre should be a multi purpose centre with a minimum of two heated pools and leisure facilities included. This will enable the centre to generate different streams of income to enhance sustainability. The aquatic centre should also be designed to host National and International events, but not necessarily for Olympic Games events. An empirical study was done to see if the respondents agree on the minimum requirements for an Indoor Aquatic Centre, identified by the literature study and if they agree that sports tourism within the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole will benefit from an Indoor Aquatic Centre. The conclusion of the empirical study is that the respondents’ view correlate with the information found during the literature study regarding the minimum requirements for an Indoor Aquatic Centre listed as follows: - The minimum number of heated pools are two consisting of a fifty metre ten lane pool and a twenty five metre ten lane pool; - A food mall that consists of a restaurant, fast food stalls and a food store; - Medical facilities, conference facilities, gymnasium and other leisure facilities must also be available; - Accommodation facilities must be available and consists of two and three bedroom fully serviced apartments; - The Indoor Aquatic centre must be able to have seating for 2000 people and parking for 1000 vehicles. The study has addressed the main problem and the sub problems, but further research needs to be conducted regarding the funding of the Indoor Aquatic Centre as this issue was not successfully addressed. More information is needed regarding the different ways of funding and who the stakeholders should be in this process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Janse van Rensburg, Philippus Jacobus
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Aquatic sports facilities -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Designs and plans , Sports facilities -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Recreation centers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8739 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/791 , Aquatic sports facilities -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Designs and plans , Sports facilities -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Recreation centers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an Indoor Aquatic Centre for the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole. The main problem was to establish the minimum aquatic facilities an Indoor Aquatic Centre must have, to be able to host National and International aquatic events. The sub problems identified to address the main problem were as follows: - Should accommodation be available at the Indoor Aquatic Centre? - Should medical facilities be available at the Indoor Aquatic Centre? - Should there be a gymnasium at the Indoor Aquatic Centre? - Should there be food malls available at the Indoor Aquatic Centre? - Will sports tourism in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole benefit from an Indoor Aquatic Centre? In this study the researcher discusses current tourism opportunities, possible sports tourism opportunities and the current aquatic facilities the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole has to offer. From the discussion regarding these issues it was found that the metropole do offer many attraction opportunities including the following: - Adventure and Sport; - Agriculture; - Arts and Culture; - Business and Conferencing; - Coastal and Beaches; - Entertainment and Shopping; - Historical; - Wild Life and Nature. Adventure and Sport attractions contribute to sports tourism in the metropole and an Indoor Aquatic Centre could enable the metropole to improve sports tourism figures to the metropole. Sports tourism is defined as any tourism that is linked with a sports event. The conclusion can be made that the main initiative for sports tourism is to host a major sporting event to attract tourists. Adding other tourist attractions makes the destination more attractive. It is also important that the community is educated and informed about sports tourism so that the tourist and the community benefits from the event. Indoor Aquatic Centres found in countries like Australia, Canada, Europe, Russia, The Far East, United Kingdom and the United States of America, were discussed to identify the minimum requirements for an Indoor Aquatic Centre. The literature study has shown that the Indoor Aquatic Centre should be a multi purpose centre with a minimum of two heated pools and leisure facilities included. This will enable the centre to generate different streams of income to enhance sustainability. The aquatic centre should also be designed to host National and International events, but not necessarily for Olympic Games events. An empirical study was done to see if the respondents agree on the minimum requirements for an Indoor Aquatic Centre, identified by the literature study and if they agree that sports tourism within the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole will benefit from an Indoor Aquatic Centre. The conclusion of the empirical study is that the respondents’ view correlate with the information found during the literature study regarding the minimum requirements for an Indoor Aquatic Centre listed as follows: - The minimum number of heated pools are two consisting of a fifty metre ten lane pool and a twenty five metre ten lane pool; - A food mall that consists of a restaurant, fast food stalls and a food store; - Medical facilities, conference facilities, gymnasium and other leisure facilities must also be available; - Accommodation facilities must be available and consists of two and three bedroom fully serviced apartments; - The Indoor Aquatic centre must be able to have seating for 2000 people and parking for 1000 vehicles. The study has addressed the main problem and the sub problems, but further research needs to be conducted regarding the funding of the Indoor Aquatic Centre as this issue was not successfully addressed. More information is needed regarding the different ways of funding and who the stakeholders should be in this process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
The influences of substitute care on learner motivation
- Authors: Johannes, Arnold Marius
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Motivation in education , Kinship care -- South Africa , Foster home care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9479 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/527 , Motivation in education , Kinship care -- South Africa , Foster home care -- South Africa
- Description: Substitute care is a temporary or permanent placement of children under the supervision of an adult person due to the absence of their biological parents. The escalating divorce rate, increase in extramarital births, high incidence of family violence, the growing number of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS, and the increasing career-orientatedness of parents have led to the development of diverse family structures. Grandparents and other family members are increasingly becoming the primary caretakers for children. Whilst it is generally assumed by society that children’s well-being is better served when they are raised by their biological parents, the purpose of this study is to: • explore what influence substitute care has on learners’ motivation; • formulate guidelines and recommendations for educators to improve the current levels of motivation of learners in substitute care. The literature related to substitute care and motivation were reviewed, with the aim of providing a firm theoretical basis for the study. Concepts related to motivation discussed, included types of and sources of motivation. Concepts related to the second focus of this study included forms of substitute care. Motivational theories related to this study were briefly discussed, namely: the Attribution Theory, the Drive Theory, Goal Theory, and the Self-worth and Selfefficacy Theories. Factors that have a motivational influence on learners, such as acceptance versus rejection, praise versus criticism, success versus failure and positive self-concept versus negative self-concept, were also discussed. A link was then drawn between motivation and substitute care. ii The research design chosen for this study can be described as qualitative, interpretive and constructive in nature. The research study was conducted in two phases: Phase One provided an investigation of the research problem by means of the following open-ended question: What is the influence or impact of your status as a child in substitute care on your motivation? Data were collected by means of eleven unstructured, in-depth personal interviews. Purposeful sampling was undertaken, which included high school learners all in substitute care. Data were analysed, as proposed by the eight steps of Tesch. Discussions between the observer, moderator and an independent re-coder took place to determine the final results of the research through a consensus principle. Key and related concepts were clustered together to formulate themes, categories and sub-categories. The following three themes emerged, based on the results of the data analysis. I. Problems in the close family circle have profound effects on learner motivation. II. Certain motivating forces help learners in substitute care to cope. III. Substitute care does influence learner motivation. Phase Two offered recommendations, derived from the findings of Phase One, to empower teachers in effectively supporting and motivating learners in substitute care. The conclusion was reached that substitute care does have an influence on the motivation of learners. This motivation can either be positive, which means encouraging learners towards their goal, or negative, which implies that it moves learners away from their goal.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Johannes, Arnold Marius
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Motivation in education , Kinship care -- South Africa , Foster home care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9479 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/527 , Motivation in education , Kinship care -- South Africa , Foster home care -- South Africa
- Description: Substitute care is a temporary or permanent placement of children under the supervision of an adult person due to the absence of their biological parents. The escalating divorce rate, increase in extramarital births, high incidence of family violence, the growing number of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS, and the increasing career-orientatedness of parents have led to the development of diverse family structures. Grandparents and other family members are increasingly becoming the primary caretakers for children. Whilst it is generally assumed by society that children’s well-being is better served when they are raised by their biological parents, the purpose of this study is to: • explore what influence substitute care has on learners’ motivation; • formulate guidelines and recommendations for educators to improve the current levels of motivation of learners in substitute care. The literature related to substitute care and motivation were reviewed, with the aim of providing a firm theoretical basis for the study. Concepts related to motivation discussed, included types of and sources of motivation. Concepts related to the second focus of this study included forms of substitute care. Motivational theories related to this study were briefly discussed, namely: the Attribution Theory, the Drive Theory, Goal Theory, and the Self-worth and Selfefficacy Theories. Factors that have a motivational influence on learners, such as acceptance versus rejection, praise versus criticism, success versus failure and positive self-concept versus negative self-concept, were also discussed. A link was then drawn between motivation and substitute care. ii The research design chosen for this study can be described as qualitative, interpretive and constructive in nature. The research study was conducted in two phases: Phase One provided an investigation of the research problem by means of the following open-ended question: What is the influence or impact of your status as a child in substitute care on your motivation? Data were collected by means of eleven unstructured, in-depth personal interviews. Purposeful sampling was undertaken, which included high school learners all in substitute care. Data were analysed, as proposed by the eight steps of Tesch. Discussions between the observer, moderator and an independent re-coder took place to determine the final results of the research through a consensus principle. Key and related concepts were clustered together to formulate themes, categories and sub-categories. The following three themes emerged, based on the results of the data analysis. I. Problems in the close family circle have profound effects on learner motivation. II. Certain motivating forces help learners in substitute care to cope. III. Substitute care does influence learner motivation. Phase Two offered recommendations, derived from the findings of Phase One, to empower teachers in effectively supporting and motivating learners in substitute care. The conclusion was reached that substitute care does have an influence on the motivation of learners. This motivation can either be positive, which means encouraging learners towards their goal, or negative, which implies that it moves learners away from their goal.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
An analysis of the representation of female athletes in selected South African print media from February 2006 to June 2006
- Authors: Jooste, Carlien
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Women athletes -- South Africa , Athletes in mass media -- South Africa , Mass media and sports -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8374 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/528 , Women athletes -- South Africa , Athletes in mass media -- South Africa , Mass media and sports -- South Africa
- Description: This thesis attempts to analyse the representation of professional female sport persons in selected South African media. The field of study is located within the ambit of gender and media studies with specific attention to the power of the latter to not only reflect, but actually shape realities and attitudes. Carolyn Byerly and Karen Ross (2004) comment that “the media have the potential not only to reinforce the status quo in power arrangements in society, but also to contribute to new, more egalitarian ones” (2004:24). The core question, then, is to determine whether traditional gender roles are confirmed, or positively shaped, by the way in which the selected media reported on professional women athletes in various sporting codes. As this is a neglected topic in South Africa, the study relied heavily on the research done by various American and European academics. Academics such as Pamela Creedon (1994) and Susan Birrell and Cheryl Cole (1994), found that female athletes are marginalised and stereotyped by the media. Their research also denotes that female athletes are objectified and judged on their looks and dress code instead of their sporting abilities. Female athletes are continuously stereotyped according to societal induced feminine traits. These representations alienate women who do not possess feminine qualities as “the other”, namely falling outside the desirability as determined by sponsorship and an assumed male viewing / reading public. The media further focus more on beautiful, glamorous athletes than female athletes that are less feminine, but with no less achievement and ability. Extensive examples are provided in the treatise of how the selected South African print media misrepresented women in the six month period that was studied. The conclusion is unambiguous: The South African media unfortunately follow the international trend of objectifying women according to male stereotypes. The media that were studied therefore missed an opportunity to shape gender attitudes as they collude with the powerful forces of sponsorship and viewer-ship to reinforce the status quo.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Jooste, Carlien
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Women athletes -- South Africa , Athletes in mass media -- South Africa , Mass media and sports -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8374 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/528 , Women athletes -- South Africa , Athletes in mass media -- South Africa , Mass media and sports -- South Africa
- Description: This thesis attempts to analyse the representation of professional female sport persons in selected South African media. The field of study is located within the ambit of gender and media studies with specific attention to the power of the latter to not only reflect, but actually shape realities and attitudes. Carolyn Byerly and Karen Ross (2004) comment that “the media have the potential not only to reinforce the status quo in power arrangements in society, but also to contribute to new, more egalitarian ones” (2004:24). The core question, then, is to determine whether traditional gender roles are confirmed, or positively shaped, by the way in which the selected media reported on professional women athletes in various sporting codes. As this is a neglected topic in South Africa, the study relied heavily on the research done by various American and European academics. Academics such as Pamela Creedon (1994) and Susan Birrell and Cheryl Cole (1994), found that female athletes are marginalised and stereotyped by the media. Their research also denotes that female athletes are objectified and judged on their looks and dress code instead of their sporting abilities. Female athletes are continuously stereotyped according to societal induced feminine traits. These representations alienate women who do not possess feminine qualities as “the other”, namely falling outside the desirability as determined by sponsorship and an assumed male viewing / reading public. The media further focus more on beautiful, glamorous athletes than female athletes that are less feminine, but with no less achievement and ability. Extensive examples are provided in the treatise of how the selected South African print media misrepresented women in the six month period that was studied. The conclusion is unambiguous: The South African media unfortunately follow the international trend of objectifying women according to male stereotypes. The media that were studied therefore missed an opportunity to shape gender attitudes as they collude with the powerful forces of sponsorship and viewer-ship to reinforce the status quo.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Prime near-ring modules and their links with the generalised group near-ring
- Authors: Juglal, Shaanraj
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Near-rings
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:10507 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/714 , Near-rings
- Description: In view of the facts that the definition of a ring led to the definition of a near- ring, the definition of a ring module led to the definition of a near-ring module, prime rings resulted in investigations with respect to primeness in near-rings, one is naturally inclined to attempt to define the notion of a group near-ring seeing that the group ring had already been defined and investigated into by, interalia, Groenewald in [7] . However, in trying to define the group near-ring along the same lines as the group ring was defined, it was found that the resulting multiplication was, in general, not associative in the near-ring case due to the lack of one distributive property. In 1976, Meldrum [19] achieved success in defining the group near-ring. How- ever, in his definition, only distributively generated near-rings were considered and the distributive generators played a vital role in the construction. In 1989, Le Riche, Meldrum and van der Walt [17], adopted a similar approach to that which led to a successful and fruitful definition of matrix near-rings, and defined the group near-ring in a more general sense. In particular, they defined R[G], the group near-ring of a group G over a near-ring R, as a subnear-ring of M(RG), the near-ring of all mappings of the group RG into itself. More recently, Groenewald and Lee [14], further generalised the definition of R[G] to R[S : M], the generalised semigroup near-ring of a semigroup S over any faithful R-module M. Again, the natural thing to do would be to extend the results obtained for R[G] to R[S : M], and this they achieved with much success.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Juglal, Shaanraj
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Near-rings
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:10507 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/714 , Near-rings
- Description: In view of the facts that the definition of a ring led to the definition of a near- ring, the definition of a ring module led to the definition of a near-ring module, prime rings resulted in investigations with respect to primeness in near-rings, one is naturally inclined to attempt to define the notion of a group near-ring seeing that the group ring had already been defined and investigated into by, interalia, Groenewald in [7] . However, in trying to define the group near-ring along the same lines as the group ring was defined, it was found that the resulting multiplication was, in general, not associative in the near-ring case due to the lack of one distributive property. In 1976, Meldrum [19] achieved success in defining the group near-ring. How- ever, in his definition, only distributively generated near-rings were considered and the distributive generators played a vital role in the construction. In 1989, Le Riche, Meldrum and van der Walt [17], adopted a similar approach to that which led to a successful and fruitful definition of matrix near-rings, and defined the group near-ring in a more general sense. In particular, they defined R[G], the group near-ring of a group G over a near-ring R, as a subnear-ring of M(RG), the near-ring of all mappings of the group RG into itself. More recently, Groenewald and Lee [14], further generalised the definition of R[G] to R[S : M], the generalised semigroup near-ring of a semigroup S over any faithful R-module M. Again, the natural thing to do would be to extend the results obtained for R[G] to R[S : M], and this they achieved with much success.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
An evaluation of the implementation of budgetary control measures by the provincial treasury with specific reference to the province of the Eastern Cape Department of Education
- Authors: Kalashe, Mzukisi Harrington
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: South Africa. Dept. of Education -- Appropriations and expenditures , Expenditures, Public , Fiscal policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8249 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/530 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011681 , South Africa. Dept. of Education -- Appropriations and expenditures , Expenditures, Public , Fiscal policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Budget control is a process of financial monitoring to ensure effective allocation, collection and efficient utilizing of public funds. It is a process that is aimed at ensuring the accomplishment of public policy objectives. Budget control is regulated by financial legislation as well as regulations and procedures which guide public financial administrators. Continuous monitoring is needed once appropriation is allowed by parliament or provincial legislatures to ensure effective service rendering as well as tax and user charges collection. This study investigates the reported ineffective budget control measures implemented by the provincial treasury in the Province of the Eastern Cape particularly in the Eastern Cape Department of Education (George, 2004). Ineffective budget control may be associated with the implementation of unstable fiscal policy by the provincial treasury that led to deficit spending in the Department of Education during the 2004/5 financial year. The purpose of this study is to show that the implementation of stable fiscal policy instruments by the provincial treasury would lead to effective budget control in provincial departments such as the Eastern Cape Department of Education. Governments in many instances encounter various challenges in controlling their expenditures on an annual basis as well as in the medium term. This is due to the notion that once the government exceeds the current year’s budget, it consumes the forthcoming budget. Borrowing is by nature an implicit consumption of future unplanned revenue. This makes the Medium Term Revenue Framework in the province immaterial as the provincial own revenue is insignificant. The relative uncontrollability of government expenditure stems from the notion that the provision of, for instance, primary education and social welfare is intertwined with legal entitlement within prescribed parameters. Allocative efficiency embodies recognition of legal entitlement that is reflected in the distribution imperatives if the provincial treasury is to be effective in the budget control function. The National Norms and Standards for School Funding of 2006 state explicitly that public spending in public schools is targeted at increasing the literacy levels of the poor. Intergovernmental fiscal relations play a pivotal role in modelling the fiscal policy of the province. This stems from the fact that expected national collected revenue is distributed as an equitable share to national, provincial and local spheres of government. The criteria for revenue sharing are based on economic disparities and demographics in each sphere of government. It is imperative to note in intergovernmental relations that there are functional areas of concurrent national and provincial competencies. The budget control function of the provincial treasury is implemented within the framework of various administrative processes which are aimed at ensuring effective transactional activities. The disbursement of funds and various other financial processes are subject to the delegation of powers as prescribed in the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act 1 of 1999), as amended by Act 29 of 1999. The provincial governments’ fiscal policies are modelled to be consistent with the macro-economic objectives of the national government. It is for the purpose of macro-economic stability that only national government is eligible to borrow to finance a budget deficit. Provinces are legally prohibited from overspending their budgets. If the fiscal policies of the provinces materially and unreasonably prejudice the national economic policies, the relevant provincial treasury is responsible for taking appropriate steps to place the financial administration on a sound footing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Kalashe, Mzukisi Harrington
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: South Africa. Dept. of Education -- Appropriations and expenditures , Expenditures, Public , Fiscal policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8249 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/530 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011681 , South Africa. Dept. of Education -- Appropriations and expenditures , Expenditures, Public , Fiscal policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Budget control is a process of financial monitoring to ensure effective allocation, collection and efficient utilizing of public funds. It is a process that is aimed at ensuring the accomplishment of public policy objectives. Budget control is regulated by financial legislation as well as regulations and procedures which guide public financial administrators. Continuous monitoring is needed once appropriation is allowed by parliament or provincial legislatures to ensure effective service rendering as well as tax and user charges collection. This study investigates the reported ineffective budget control measures implemented by the provincial treasury in the Province of the Eastern Cape particularly in the Eastern Cape Department of Education (George, 2004). Ineffective budget control may be associated with the implementation of unstable fiscal policy by the provincial treasury that led to deficit spending in the Department of Education during the 2004/5 financial year. The purpose of this study is to show that the implementation of stable fiscal policy instruments by the provincial treasury would lead to effective budget control in provincial departments such as the Eastern Cape Department of Education. Governments in many instances encounter various challenges in controlling their expenditures on an annual basis as well as in the medium term. This is due to the notion that once the government exceeds the current year’s budget, it consumes the forthcoming budget. Borrowing is by nature an implicit consumption of future unplanned revenue. This makes the Medium Term Revenue Framework in the province immaterial as the provincial own revenue is insignificant. The relative uncontrollability of government expenditure stems from the notion that the provision of, for instance, primary education and social welfare is intertwined with legal entitlement within prescribed parameters. Allocative efficiency embodies recognition of legal entitlement that is reflected in the distribution imperatives if the provincial treasury is to be effective in the budget control function. The National Norms and Standards for School Funding of 2006 state explicitly that public spending in public schools is targeted at increasing the literacy levels of the poor. Intergovernmental fiscal relations play a pivotal role in modelling the fiscal policy of the province. This stems from the fact that expected national collected revenue is distributed as an equitable share to national, provincial and local spheres of government. The criteria for revenue sharing are based on economic disparities and demographics in each sphere of government. It is imperative to note in intergovernmental relations that there are functional areas of concurrent national and provincial competencies. The budget control function of the provincial treasury is implemented within the framework of various administrative processes which are aimed at ensuring effective transactional activities. The disbursement of funds and various other financial processes are subject to the delegation of powers as prescribed in the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act 1 of 1999), as amended by Act 29 of 1999. The provincial governments’ fiscal policies are modelled to be consistent with the macro-economic objectives of the national government. It is for the purpose of macro-economic stability that only national government is eligible to borrow to finance a budget deficit. Provinces are legally prohibited from overspending their budgets. If the fiscal policies of the provinces materially and unreasonably prejudice the national economic policies, the relevant provincial treasury is responsible for taking appropriate steps to place the financial administration on a sound footing.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Social workers' experiences of HIV and AIDS intervention in Botswana
- Authors: Kesamang, Lefhoko
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- Botswana , AIDS (Disease) -- Botswana -- Epidemiology , AIDS (Disease) -- Botswana -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9987 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/532 , AIDS (Disease) -- Botswana , AIDS (Disease) -- Botswana -- Epidemiology , AIDS (Disease) -- Botswana -- Prevention
- Description: This study endeavoured to explore and describe the experiences of social workers in their intervention with HIV and AIDS clients within the Department of Clinical Services of the Ministry of Health in Botswana. The researcher undertook a qualitative research study, using an exploratory, descriptive and contextual design to explore these experiences as perceived by the social workers. The method of data collection included semi-structured face-to-face interviews, as this was deemed most appropriate to the nature of the study. Data analysis was undertaken according to the outline of Tesch (1990), as stated in Creswell (1994:155). The findings were reported as themes, sub-themes and categories emanating from the data-analysis process. In ensuring the trustworthiness of the findings, the researcher adhered to Guba’s (1981) model (in Krefting, 1991:251). The research findings were subjected to a literature control, and culminated in the compiling of the research report. The research findings centred around the following five themes: · experiences of intervention with HIV and AIDS clients; · challenges in HIV and AIDS intervention; · measures to alleviate challenges of HIV and AIDS intervention; · intervention strategies utilised by social workers; and · suggestions and advice to new social workers. The recommendations resulting from this research project proposed inter alia that social workers need to be trained in specific and specialised areas related to HIV and AIDS intervention in the health setting, and that the support structures and a holistic multidisciplinary service delivery approach need to be put in place to assist social workers to be able to meet the needs of the clients as well as their own needs. Key Words: participants, clients/patient, qualitative, HIV and AIDS, experiences, intervention, strategies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Kesamang, Lefhoko
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- Botswana , AIDS (Disease) -- Botswana -- Epidemiology , AIDS (Disease) -- Botswana -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9987 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/532 , AIDS (Disease) -- Botswana , AIDS (Disease) -- Botswana -- Epidemiology , AIDS (Disease) -- Botswana -- Prevention
- Description: This study endeavoured to explore and describe the experiences of social workers in their intervention with HIV and AIDS clients within the Department of Clinical Services of the Ministry of Health in Botswana. The researcher undertook a qualitative research study, using an exploratory, descriptive and contextual design to explore these experiences as perceived by the social workers. The method of data collection included semi-structured face-to-face interviews, as this was deemed most appropriate to the nature of the study. Data analysis was undertaken according to the outline of Tesch (1990), as stated in Creswell (1994:155). The findings were reported as themes, sub-themes and categories emanating from the data-analysis process. In ensuring the trustworthiness of the findings, the researcher adhered to Guba’s (1981) model (in Krefting, 1991:251). The research findings were subjected to a literature control, and culminated in the compiling of the research report. The research findings centred around the following five themes: · experiences of intervention with HIV and AIDS clients; · challenges in HIV and AIDS intervention; · measures to alleviate challenges of HIV and AIDS intervention; · intervention strategies utilised by social workers; and · suggestions and advice to new social workers. The recommendations resulting from this research project proposed inter alia that social workers need to be trained in specific and specialised areas related to HIV and AIDS intervention in the health setting, and that the support structures and a holistic multidisciplinary service delivery approach need to be put in place to assist social workers to be able to meet the needs of the clients as well as their own needs. Key Words: participants, clients/patient, qualitative, HIV and AIDS, experiences, intervention, strategies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
The evaluation of the implementation of the national curriculum statement (NCS) in a few selected grade 1 classrooms of the Limpopo Province
- Authors: Kgohlo, Piet Maphodisa
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Education, Primary -- Curricula -- South Africa -- Limpopo
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9535 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/690 , Education, Primary -- Curricula -- South Africa -- Limpopo
- Description: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the implementation of the National Curriculum Statement (NCS) in a few selected Grade 1 classrooms of the Limpopo Province. The investigation was carried our in 2007 and was guided by the following three sub-problems: 1. What are the concerns of teachers about the NCS?. 2. Wgat are the teachers' levels of used of the NCS?. 3. What are the adaptations that teachers have made in teaching the NCS?
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Kgohlo, Piet Maphodisa
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Education, Primary -- Curricula -- South Africa -- Limpopo
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9535 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/690 , Education, Primary -- Curricula -- South Africa -- Limpopo
- Description: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the implementation of the National Curriculum Statement (NCS) in a few selected Grade 1 classrooms of the Limpopo Province. The investigation was carried our in 2007 and was guided by the following three sub-problems: 1. What are the concerns of teachers about the NCS?. 2. Wgat are the teachers' levels of used of the NCS?. 3. What are the adaptations that teachers have made in teaching the NCS?
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2007
The status of the Al Qaeda and Taliban detainees at Guantanamo bay
- Authors: Kilian, Clive Linton
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Prisoners of war -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- Cuba -- Guantańamo Bay Naval Base , Detention of persons -- Guańtanamo Bay Naval Base (Cuba) , Human rights -- Government policy -- United States
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10278 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/826 , Prisoners of war -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- Cuba -- Guantańamo Bay Naval Base , Detention of persons -- Guańtanamo Bay Naval Base (Cuba) , Human rights -- Government policy -- United States
- Description: The United States of America has in its custody several hundred Taliban and Al Qaeda combatants who were captured after the September 11, 2001 attack and during the war in Afghanistan. These prisoners are incarcerated at the Guantanamo naval base in Cuba. The treatment given to these detainees has elicited widespread criticism, as well as unprecedented intellectual and legal debates regarding prisoners of war. In order to fully understand the position of the Guantanamo Bay detainees, one has to be aware of the origins of the prisoner-of-war phenomenon. From biblical times, through the countless conflicts that were waged across the globe through the ages, the concept of “prisoner of war” gradually evolved. Growing concern for the plight of prisoners of war was paralleled by the development of the laws of war, which sought to regulate the conduct of combatants during an armed conflict. The laws of war that have bearing on modern day States are those documented in the Geneva Conventions. The Geneva Conventions regulate armed conflicts and set out the requirements for prisoners of war, as well as their trial rights. The United States, in declaring the Guantanamo Bay detainees “unlawful combatants” or “illegal enemy combatants”, terms which are undefined in International Law, have sought to evade the prescripts of the Geneva Conventions. In direct contravention of the Geneva Conventions, the Guantanamo Bay detainees are denied the right to humane treatment, a fair trial and due process of the law. Prior to Hamdan vs Rumsfeld, the United States’ position was challenged with very little success. The Supreme Court, in Hamdan vs Rumsfeld, directed the president to accord the detainees the protections of the Third Geneva Convention. The relief brought by this decision was very short lived. In September 2006 the United States Congress passed the Military Commissions Act of 2006. This Bill gives the president of the United States unfettered power in dealing with anyone suspected of being a threat to the State, as well as the authorisation to interpret and apply the Geneva Conventions according to his sole discretion.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Kilian, Clive Linton
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Prisoners of war -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- Cuba -- Guantańamo Bay Naval Base , Detention of persons -- Guańtanamo Bay Naval Base (Cuba) , Human rights -- Government policy -- United States
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10278 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/826 , Prisoners of war -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- Cuba -- Guantańamo Bay Naval Base , Detention of persons -- Guańtanamo Bay Naval Base (Cuba) , Human rights -- Government policy -- United States
- Description: The United States of America has in its custody several hundred Taliban and Al Qaeda combatants who were captured after the September 11, 2001 attack and during the war in Afghanistan. These prisoners are incarcerated at the Guantanamo naval base in Cuba. The treatment given to these detainees has elicited widespread criticism, as well as unprecedented intellectual and legal debates regarding prisoners of war. In order to fully understand the position of the Guantanamo Bay detainees, one has to be aware of the origins of the prisoner-of-war phenomenon. From biblical times, through the countless conflicts that were waged across the globe through the ages, the concept of “prisoner of war” gradually evolved. Growing concern for the plight of prisoners of war was paralleled by the development of the laws of war, which sought to regulate the conduct of combatants during an armed conflict. The laws of war that have bearing on modern day States are those documented in the Geneva Conventions. The Geneva Conventions regulate armed conflicts and set out the requirements for prisoners of war, as well as their trial rights. The United States, in declaring the Guantanamo Bay detainees “unlawful combatants” or “illegal enemy combatants”, terms which are undefined in International Law, have sought to evade the prescripts of the Geneva Conventions. In direct contravention of the Geneva Conventions, the Guantanamo Bay detainees are denied the right to humane treatment, a fair trial and due process of the law. Prior to Hamdan vs Rumsfeld, the United States’ position was challenged with very little success. The Supreme Court, in Hamdan vs Rumsfeld, directed the president to accord the detainees the protections of the Third Geneva Convention. The relief brought by this decision was very short lived. In September 2006 the United States Congress passed the Military Commissions Act of 2006. This Bill gives the president of the United States unfettered power in dealing with anyone suspected of being a threat to the State, as well as the authorisation to interpret and apply the Geneva Conventions according to his sole discretion.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Improving the levels of cooperation between members of the school management teams
- Authors: Klaas, Andile Jeffrey
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: School management teams -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9539 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/681 , School management teams -- South Africa
- Description: Schools are directly placed under the care of the school governing bodies and school management teams that manage their day-to-day activities. These school management teams are expected to transform their schools into functioning and effective schools. The sad reality though, is that they are confronted with a huge task of improving cooperation between themselves in order to realise their dream of achieving their shared organizational goals. This interpretive study explores members of the management staff’s subjective experiences and their social world, to provide meaning and understanding of the levels of cooperation among them, and how this can be improved. The main outcomes of the study include: o Promoting conditions that are favourable to the establishment of collaborative practices between members of the management teams. o Fostering cooperation to ensure the development of sustainable capacity and increased energy to solve problems and transform their schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Klaas, Andile Jeffrey
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: School management teams -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9539 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/681 , School management teams -- South Africa
- Description: Schools are directly placed under the care of the school governing bodies and school management teams that manage their day-to-day activities. These school management teams are expected to transform their schools into functioning and effective schools. The sad reality though, is that they are confronted with a huge task of improving cooperation between themselves in order to realise their dream of achieving their shared organizational goals. This interpretive study explores members of the management staff’s subjective experiences and their social world, to provide meaning and understanding of the levels of cooperation among them, and how this can be improved. The main outcomes of the study include: o Promoting conditions that are favourable to the establishment of collaborative practices between members of the management teams. o Fostering cooperation to ensure the development of sustainable capacity and increased energy to solve problems and transform their schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Towards knowing through doing : improving the societal relevance of systematic conservation assessments
- Authors: Knight, Andrew Thomas
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Conservation of natural resources -- Planning , Nature conservation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:10598 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/711 , Conservation of natural resources -- Planning , Nature conservation -- South Africa
- Description: Systematic conservation assessments are spatially-explicit techniques for prioritising areas for the implementation of conservation action. There has been considerable reference in the peer-reviewed literature as to the usefulness of these tools, which appear to be primarily used by academics for theoretical research. A literature review and author survey reveals the peer-reviewed literature is largely theoretical, although conservation action results more frequently than reported. The effectiveness of these interventions is generally described as only ‘fairly effective’. This general trend, coupled with previous personal failures in translating systematic conservation assessments into effective conservation action triggered an explicit process of social learning implemented as action research. It examined the workings of the Subtropical Thicket Ecosystem Planning (STEP) project, which included development of a systematic conservation assessment. Systematic conservations assessments simply provide information on where action should be implemented, and so are only useful if situated within broader operational models for conservation planning. Most operational models presented in the peer-reviewed literature are primarily focused upon the testing ecological data, not upon the delivery of conservation action. A new operational model for conservation planning is presented which more accurately reflects the ‘real-world’ process of conservation planning. An implementation strategy is an essential complement to a systematic conservation assessment. It describes how specific, explicitly-stated goals will be achieved, who is accountable for undertaking these activities, and the resources required. As the Implementation Specialist for the STEP Project, I co-lead the collaborative development of an implementation strategy with stakeholders that aimed to mobilise resources towards achieving common goals. Whilst the development and initial uptake of the strategy was good, subsequent implementation has flounder. The reasons for this are explored. The ultimate pragmatic goal of a conservation planning process is the establishment of effective social learning institutions. These develop common visions, mobilise collective action, and adaptively learn and refine their conservation activities. Thicket Forum is one xi such institution established through the STEP Project. My involvement with Thicket Forum since 2004 in implementing an adaptive learning approach facilitates collaboration between land managers, government and research organisations. Systematic conservation assessments evolved in response to the ad hoc way in which protected areas were implemented, leaving unrepresentative, biased protected area networks. Most research is theoretical and without an intimate understanding of the social-ecological system of a planning region, notably opportunities and constraints for implementing conservation action. Highlighting the importance of an approach which is flexible, not only in space, but in time, which can capitalise upon implementation opportunities, is important for stemming the myth that opportunism is the nemesis of systematic conservation assessments. To this end, conservation planners have been slow to include factors influencing effective implementation in systematic conservation assessments. Many studies which identify candidate protected area networks, first, fail to identify the specific instrument(s) to be applied, and second, assume all intact land is available. Having mapped the willingness of land managers in the Albany District, South Africa, to sell their land, it is demonstrated the majority of targets fail to be achieved because land managers will not sell. Knowing this, the current focus of gathering ever-more ecological data is misplaced. Human, social and economic factors influence target achievement, efficiency and spatial configuration of priority areas. Selecting important areas for conservation, particularly at the local-scale, requires the mapping of factors which define opportunities for conservation. Land manager willingness to collaborate and participate, entrepreneurial orientation, conservation knowledge, social capital, and local champions were applied using a method of hierarchical clustering to identify land managers who represent conservation opportunities for private land conservation initiatives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Knight, Andrew Thomas
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Conservation of natural resources -- Planning , Nature conservation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:10598 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/711 , Conservation of natural resources -- Planning , Nature conservation -- South Africa
- Description: Systematic conservation assessments are spatially-explicit techniques for prioritising areas for the implementation of conservation action. There has been considerable reference in the peer-reviewed literature as to the usefulness of these tools, which appear to be primarily used by academics for theoretical research. A literature review and author survey reveals the peer-reviewed literature is largely theoretical, although conservation action results more frequently than reported. The effectiveness of these interventions is generally described as only ‘fairly effective’. This general trend, coupled with previous personal failures in translating systematic conservation assessments into effective conservation action triggered an explicit process of social learning implemented as action research. It examined the workings of the Subtropical Thicket Ecosystem Planning (STEP) project, which included development of a systematic conservation assessment. Systematic conservations assessments simply provide information on where action should be implemented, and so are only useful if situated within broader operational models for conservation planning. Most operational models presented in the peer-reviewed literature are primarily focused upon the testing ecological data, not upon the delivery of conservation action. A new operational model for conservation planning is presented which more accurately reflects the ‘real-world’ process of conservation planning. An implementation strategy is an essential complement to a systematic conservation assessment. It describes how specific, explicitly-stated goals will be achieved, who is accountable for undertaking these activities, and the resources required. As the Implementation Specialist for the STEP Project, I co-lead the collaborative development of an implementation strategy with stakeholders that aimed to mobilise resources towards achieving common goals. Whilst the development and initial uptake of the strategy was good, subsequent implementation has flounder. The reasons for this are explored. The ultimate pragmatic goal of a conservation planning process is the establishment of effective social learning institutions. These develop common visions, mobilise collective action, and adaptively learn and refine their conservation activities. Thicket Forum is one xi such institution established through the STEP Project. My involvement with Thicket Forum since 2004 in implementing an adaptive learning approach facilitates collaboration between land managers, government and research organisations. Systematic conservation assessments evolved in response to the ad hoc way in which protected areas were implemented, leaving unrepresentative, biased protected area networks. Most research is theoretical and without an intimate understanding of the social-ecological system of a planning region, notably opportunities and constraints for implementing conservation action. Highlighting the importance of an approach which is flexible, not only in space, but in time, which can capitalise upon implementation opportunities, is important for stemming the myth that opportunism is the nemesis of systematic conservation assessments. To this end, conservation planners have been slow to include factors influencing effective implementation in systematic conservation assessments. Many studies which identify candidate protected area networks, first, fail to identify the specific instrument(s) to be applied, and second, assume all intact land is available. Having mapped the willingness of land managers in the Albany District, South Africa, to sell their land, it is demonstrated the majority of targets fail to be achieved because land managers will not sell. Knowing this, the current focus of gathering ever-more ecological data is misplaced. Human, social and economic factors influence target achievement, efficiency and spatial configuration of priority areas. Selecting important areas for conservation, particularly at the local-scale, requires the mapping of factors which define opportunities for conservation. Land manager willingness to collaborate and participate, entrepreneurial orientation, conservation knowledge, social capital, and local champions were applied using a method of hierarchical clustering to identify land managers who represent conservation opportunities for private land conservation initiatives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Influence of pharmaceutical advertising on consumers: an exploratory descriptive study
- Authors: Knoesen, Brent Claud
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Pharmaceutical industry -- Moral and ethical aspects , Pharmaceutical industry -- Marketing , Pharmaceutical industry -- ethics -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Pharmaceutical policy -- Developing countries , Advertising -- Medicine -- Moral and ethical aspects , Advertising -- Drugs -- Moral and ethical aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:10149 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/658 , Pharmaceutical industry -- Moral and ethical aspects , Pharmaceutical industry -- Marketing , Pharmaceutical industry -- ethics -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Pharmaceutical policy -- Developing countries , Advertising -- Medicine -- Moral and ethical aspects , Advertising -- Drugs -- Moral and ethical aspects
- Description: Pharmaceutical advertising involves the advertising of medicines, medical devices, and healthcare services. A review of available international literature indicates the belief that pharmaceutical advertisements negatively affect healthcare decisions made by consumers. Very little research has been conducted to determine how consumers in South Africa (SA) are affected by pharmaceutical advertisements. This study aimed to determine how consumers in the Nelson Mandela Metropole (NMM) perceive pharmaceutical advertisements. More specific objectives included the investigation of legislation in SA employed in pharmaceutical advertisements, the interpretation and misinterpretation of the advertisements, and the identification of problematic areas in this form of advertising. South African legislation applied to pharmaceutical advertisements was investigated by means of a literature review. A qualitative research design was also used to achieve the aim and objectives. This included a focus group consisting of six randomly selected participants in the NMM. A consumer survey, consisting of a 100 consumers obtained from 10 randomly selected community pharmacies within the NMM, supported the findings of the qualitative techniques. The themes identified in the focus group were incorporated into a questionnaire used in the consumer survey. Three randomly selected pharmaceutical advertisements were also decoded to interpret the components employed in each. The results determined that pharmaceutical advertising is a marketing tool that incorporates various emotional and psychological techniques to persuade consumers. It was also evident that consumers can misinterpret pharmaceutical advertisements. Various legal and ethical problems were identified in pharmaceutical advertisements. These results showed that pharmaceutical advertisements have the possibility of negatively affecting consumers’ healthcare decisions and warrants further investigation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Knoesen, Brent Claud
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Pharmaceutical industry -- Moral and ethical aspects , Pharmaceutical industry -- Marketing , Pharmaceutical industry -- ethics -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Pharmaceutical policy -- Developing countries , Advertising -- Medicine -- Moral and ethical aspects , Advertising -- Drugs -- Moral and ethical aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: vital:10149 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/658 , Pharmaceutical industry -- Moral and ethical aspects , Pharmaceutical industry -- Marketing , Pharmaceutical industry -- ethics -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Pharmaceutical policy -- Developing countries , Advertising -- Medicine -- Moral and ethical aspects , Advertising -- Drugs -- Moral and ethical aspects
- Description: Pharmaceutical advertising involves the advertising of medicines, medical devices, and healthcare services. A review of available international literature indicates the belief that pharmaceutical advertisements negatively affect healthcare decisions made by consumers. Very little research has been conducted to determine how consumers in South Africa (SA) are affected by pharmaceutical advertisements. This study aimed to determine how consumers in the Nelson Mandela Metropole (NMM) perceive pharmaceutical advertisements. More specific objectives included the investigation of legislation in SA employed in pharmaceutical advertisements, the interpretation and misinterpretation of the advertisements, and the identification of problematic areas in this form of advertising. South African legislation applied to pharmaceutical advertisements was investigated by means of a literature review. A qualitative research design was also used to achieve the aim and objectives. This included a focus group consisting of six randomly selected participants in the NMM. A consumer survey, consisting of a 100 consumers obtained from 10 randomly selected community pharmacies within the NMM, supported the findings of the qualitative techniques. The themes identified in the focus group were incorporated into a questionnaire used in the consumer survey. Three randomly selected pharmaceutical advertisements were also decoded to interpret the components employed in each. The results determined that pharmaceutical advertising is a marketing tool that incorporates various emotional and psychological techniques to persuade consumers. It was also evident that consumers can misinterpret pharmaceutical advertisements. Various legal and ethical problems were identified in pharmaceutical advertisements. These results showed that pharmaceutical advertisements have the possibility of negatively affecting consumers’ healthcare decisions and warrants further investigation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
A comparison between the game and hunting industries in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Kobus, Louann
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Big game hunting -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Big game hunting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hunting -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Hunting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Game farms -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Game farms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10590 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/534 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011724 , Big game hunting -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Big game hunting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hunting -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Hunting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Game farms -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Game farms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The objectives of this research, were to investigate the characteristics and develop a profile of the game and hunting industries of KwaZulu-Natal, and to undertake a comparison between the game and hunting industries in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. The comparative part of this study was completed using results obtained from a study done in 2002 in the Eastern Cape (van Niekerk, 2002). The main farming activities in KwaZulu-Natal are large livestock production and sugar cane production. In recent years, private landowners in KwaZulu-Natal have undergone a transition from livestock production to game ranching due to the problems faced and the cost implications of the HIV epidemic, stock theft, difficulties faced with changes in the labour laws and the increasing number of land claims against farmers. Although the game and hunting industries are relatively young industries in KwaZulu-Natal they contribute significantly to the economy of the province. Not only is greater conservation of the biodiversity more effective in game ranching but it is also proving to yield great economic returns. The increase in game ranching in recent years is namely due to the monetary value placed on wildlife, the increased value in ecotourism and its value as an earner of foreign exchange, less dependency on unskilled labour than that of livestock farming and lower rates of animal loss through theft compared to that of livestock farming. In KwaZulu-Natal game numbers indicate that impala have the greatest population amongst the respondents, followed by nyala, blesbok, common reedbuck, kudu and blue wildebeest, whilst other game species occur in smaller numbers. Respondents in KwaZulu-Natal indicate that nyala is the largest economic earner for them followed by buffalo, whereas in the Eastern Cape (2002), kudu and springbok provide the greatest income for the province. In KwaZulu-Natal income generated from hunting is second to that of live game sales compared to the Eastern Cape (2002) where hunting is the most important form of game utilisation in terms of income generated. At the time of this study, respondents in KwaZulu-Natal reported an income of R 15 382 397 generated from live sales and R 13 561 459 from hunting. These respondents also indicated that the total value of game utilised annually was in excess of R 30 million. Although game utilisation is occurring on a sustainable basis, there is room for greater utilisation of some game species which, if undertaken correctly, can increase the revenue for the province significantly and also contribute positively to further sustainability of the game populations. KwaZulu-Natal’s competitive advantage is derived from the fact that there is an abundance of game on the ranches, quality trophy animals are available, the number of game species available for hunting and quality of service rendered to hunters by the professional hunters and ranch owners. This study has clearly shown that there is a need for further investigation into the game and hunting industries in KwaZulu-Natal.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Kobus, Louann
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Big game hunting -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Big game hunting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hunting -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Hunting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Game farms -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Game farms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10590 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/534 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011724 , Big game hunting -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Big game hunting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hunting -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Hunting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Game farms -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Game farms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The objectives of this research, were to investigate the characteristics and develop a profile of the game and hunting industries of KwaZulu-Natal, and to undertake a comparison between the game and hunting industries in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. The comparative part of this study was completed using results obtained from a study done in 2002 in the Eastern Cape (van Niekerk, 2002). The main farming activities in KwaZulu-Natal are large livestock production and sugar cane production. In recent years, private landowners in KwaZulu-Natal have undergone a transition from livestock production to game ranching due to the problems faced and the cost implications of the HIV epidemic, stock theft, difficulties faced with changes in the labour laws and the increasing number of land claims against farmers. Although the game and hunting industries are relatively young industries in KwaZulu-Natal they contribute significantly to the economy of the province. Not only is greater conservation of the biodiversity more effective in game ranching but it is also proving to yield great economic returns. The increase in game ranching in recent years is namely due to the monetary value placed on wildlife, the increased value in ecotourism and its value as an earner of foreign exchange, less dependency on unskilled labour than that of livestock farming and lower rates of animal loss through theft compared to that of livestock farming. In KwaZulu-Natal game numbers indicate that impala have the greatest population amongst the respondents, followed by nyala, blesbok, common reedbuck, kudu and blue wildebeest, whilst other game species occur in smaller numbers. Respondents in KwaZulu-Natal indicate that nyala is the largest economic earner for them followed by buffalo, whereas in the Eastern Cape (2002), kudu and springbok provide the greatest income for the province. In KwaZulu-Natal income generated from hunting is second to that of live game sales compared to the Eastern Cape (2002) where hunting is the most important form of game utilisation in terms of income generated. At the time of this study, respondents in KwaZulu-Natal reported an income of R 15 382 397 generated from live sales and R 13 561 459 from hunting. These respondents also indicated that the total value of game utilised annually was in excess of R 30 million. Although game utilisation is occurring on a sustainable basis, there is room for greater utilisation of some game species which, if undertaken correctly, can increase the revenue for the province significantly and also contribute positively to further sustainability of the game populations. KwaZulu-Natal’s competitive advantage is derived from the fact that there is an abundance of game on the ranches, quality trophy animals are available, the number of game species available for hunting and quality of service rendered to hunters by the professional hunters and ranch owners. This study has clearly shown that there is a need for further investigation into the game and hunting industries in KwaZulu-Natal.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Factors influencing the utilization of voluntary counselling and testing services amongst employees of the Lobatse Town Council in Botswana
- Authors: Komanyane, Lorato
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: HIV infections -- Diagnosis -- Botswana -- Lobatse Town Coucil , HIV-positive persons -- Counseling of -- Botswana -- Lobatse Town Council , AIDS (Disease) -- Employees -- Counseling of -- Botswana -- Lobatse Town Council , AIDS (Disease) -- Botswana
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9394 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/535 , HIV infections -- Diagnosis -- Botswana -- Lobatse Town Coucil , HIV-positive persons -- Counseling of -- Botswana -- Lobatse Town Council , AIDS (Disease) -- Employees -- Counseling of -- Botswana -- Lobatse Town Council , AIDS (Disease) -- Botswana
- Description: In this study both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to find out to what extent the Lobatse Town Council employees used Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) HIV and AIDS services, the reasons for using or not using the services, the preferred service providers reasons for choosing a service provider. Lastly recommendations were made on how the uptake HIV and AIDS VCT services could increased amongst the employees. A sample of 200 respondents was selected from the employees of the Lobatse Town Council, and it was established that 65.5 percent of the respondents had used VCT. Females had a higher testing participation rates than males, white collar respondents had a higher testing participation than the blue collar respondents. There was a higher rate amongst the married than the single respondents and the older ages of 30 and above than the young ages of 29 years and under. In the study it was also established that the majority of the respondents considered voluntary counselling and testing for HIV and AIDS as being important. However there were some groups that were more positive than others regarding the importance of testing. More females than males were positive regarding the importance of testing, and also amongst the employment categories the white collar respondents were more positive than the blue collar respondents regarding the importance of HIV and AIDS testing. Furthermore it was established that the most important reason for testing amongst the employees that did test for HIV and AIDS was that they felt that they needed to undergo testing before they tested. The respondents that did not test for HIV and AIDS indicated that the most important reason for not testing was that they were scared the results could not be kept confidential. The research also showed that the most preferred service provider was Tebelopele. Tebelopele was the most used and preferred service provider amongst both gender and age groups, all marital groups and the blue collar group in the employment categories. However, for the white collar group the most preferred service provider was the private practitioners. The most common reason for choosing a service provider was confidentiality and privacy. Lastly, the research makes recommendations on what needs to be done to increase the uptake of VCT HIV and AIDS testing amongst the Lobatse Town Council employees. One of the recommendations is that there was a need to educate the employees of the Lobatse Town Council and that the education should be specific for each group. For example from the group discussion the participants felt that the reason to why males did not want to utilise HIV and AIDS VCT was because they lacked knowledge on the importance of testing. Also the respondents indicated that there was a need to remove stigma and discrimination through removing confidentiality attached to HIV and AIDS. It was also, recommended that the Lobatse Town Council formulate and implements a workplace policy on HIV and AIDS
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Komanyane, Lorato
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: HIV infections -- Diagnosis -- Botswana -- Lobatse Town Coucil , HIV-positive persons -- Counseling of -- Botswana -- Lobatse Town Council , AIDS (Disease) -- Employees -- Counseling of -- Botswana -- Lobatse Town Council , AIDS (Disease) -- Botswana
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9394 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/535 , HIV infections -- Diagnosis -- Botswana -- Lobatse Town Coucil , HIV-positive persons -- Counseling of -- Botswana -- Lobatse Town Council , AIDS (Disease) -- Employees -- Counseling of -- Botswana -- Lobatse Town Council , AIDS (Disease) -- Botswana
- Description: In this study both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to find out to what extent the Lobatse Town Council employees used Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) HIV and AIDS services, the reasons for using or not using the services, the preferred service providers reasons for choosing a service provider. Lastly recommendations were made on how the uptake HIV and AIDS VCT services could increased amongst the employees. A sample of 200 respondents was selected from the employees of the Lobatse Town Council, and it was established that 65.5 percent of the respondents had used VCT. Females had a higher testing participation rates than males, white collar respondents had a higher testing participation than the blue collar respondents. There was a higher rate amongst the married than the single respondents and the older ages of 30 and above than the young ages of 29 years and under. In the study it was also established that the majority of the respondents considered voluntary counselling and testing for HIV and AIDS as being important. However there were some groups that were more positive than others regarding the importance of testing. More females than males were positive regarding the importance of testing, and also amongst the employment categories the white collar respondents were more positive than the blue collar respondents regarding the importance of HIV and AIDS testing. Furthermore it was established that the most important reason for testing amongst the employees that did test for HIV and AIDS was that they felt that they needed to undergo testing before they tested. The respondents that did not test for HIV and AIDS indicated that the most important reason for not testing was that they were scared the results could not be kept confidential. The research also showed that the most preferred service provider was Tebelopele. Tebelopele was the most used and preferred service provider amongst both gender and age groups, all marital groups and the blue collar group in the employment categories. However, for the white collar group the most preferred service provider was the private practitioners. The most common reason for choosing a service provider was confidentiality and privacy. Lastly, the research makes recommendations on what needs to be done to increase the uptake of VCT HIV and AIDS testing amongst the Lobatse Town Council employees. One of the recommendations is that there was a need to educate the employees of the Lobatse Town Council and that the education should be specific for each group. For example from the group discussion the participants felt that the reason to why males did not want to utilise HIV and AIDS VCT was because they lacked knowledge on the importance of testing. Also the respondents indicated that there was a need to remove stigma and discrimination through removing confidentiality attached to HIV and AIDS. It was also, recommended that the Lobatse Town Council formulate and implements a workplace policy on HIV and AIDS
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Assessing management competencies in selected Southern Cape Municipalities
- Authors: Krapohl, Johannes
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa , Core competencies , Performance -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8571 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/797 , Local government -- South Africa , Core competencies , Performance -- Management
- Description: In his 2006 State of the Nation Address, President Thabo Mbeki emphasised the need for the development of managerial competencies and other skills to empower the country’s municipalities to meet the needs of the community (Governance and Administration, 2005). In order to meet the needs of the local community, municipalities need to render effective and efficient services. The lack of relevant managerial competencies adversly influences the municipality’s capacity to deliver the required services. In addition, the uneven distribution of capabilities and capacity across different sections within a municipality also poses a great risk to municipal performance and equitable service provision over the medium term. Notwithstanding progress made to date, service delivery backlogs still exist in key areas that affect the daily lives of the community. Where these backlogs coincide with poor municipal capacity, the result is service failure and a government that is incapable of meeting its goals (Governance and Administration, 2005). The objective of the study is to assess the contemporary management competencies that are required to assist municipal management in addressing the challenges of a dynamic, uncertain and complex Local Government environment. A questionnaire was used to gather the perceptions of 26 senior managers. This sample constituted a response rate of 65 per cent of people employed by municipalities within the Eden District Municipality’s service area. The questionnaires were distributed to the senior managers by means of an identified contact person within each municipality. The empirical findings such as the mean, median, standard deviation and pvalues were calculated by means of MS Excel. The main findings of this research indicated that: • Presently the most developed managerial competencies were selfmanagement, strategic action, planning and administration and communication. • The least developed current competency was global awareness. • The managerial competencies regarded as the most important for the next ten years were planning, administration and strategic action. • Global awareness was regarded as the least important competency for the next ten years. This finding points to the need for developing the global awareness competency to ensure that Municipal Managers are more sensitive to cultural cues and are able to adapt quickly in novel situations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Krapohl, Johannes
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa , Core competencies , Performance -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8571 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/797 , Local government -- South Africa , Core competencies , Performance -- Management
- Description: In his 2006 State of the Nation Address, President Thabo Mbeki emphasised the need for the development of managerial competencies and other skills to empower the country’s municipalities to meet the needs of the community (Governance and Administration, 2005). In order to meet the needs of the local community, municipalities need to render effective and efficient services. The lack of relevant managerial competencies adversly influences the municipality’s capacity to deliver the required services. In addition, the uneven distribution of capabilities and capacity across different sections within a municipality also poses a great risk to municipal performance and equitable service provision over the medium term. Notwithstanding progress made to date, service delivery backlogs still exist in key areas that affect the daily lives of the community. Where these backlogs coincide with poor municipal capacity, the result is service failure and a government that is incapable of meeting its goals (Governance and Administration, 2005). The objective of the study is to assess the contemporary management competencies that are required to assist municipal management in addressing the challenges of a dynamic, uncertain and complex Local Government environment. A questionnaire was used to gather the perceptions of 26 senior managers. This sample constituted a response rate of 65 per cent of people employed by municipalities within the Eden District Municipality’s service area. The questionnaires were distributed to the senior managers by means of an identified contact person within each municipality. The empirical findings such as the mean, median, standard deviation and pvalues were calculated by means of MS Excel. The main findings of this research indicated that: • Presently the most developed managerial competencies were selfmanagement, strategic action, planning and administration and communication. • The least developed current competency was global awareness. • The managerial competencies regarded as the most important for the next ten years were planning, administration and strategic action. • Global awareness was regarded as the least important competency for the next ten years. This finding points to the need for developing the global awareness competency to ensure that Municipal Managers are more sensitive to cultural cues and are able to adapt quickly in novel situations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Depressive disorders and chronic comorbid disease states: a pharmacoepidemiological evaluation
- Authors: Kritiotis, Lia Costas
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Depression, Mental , Child psychopathology , Adolescent psychopathology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10151 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/653 , Depression, Mental , Child psychopathology , Adolescent psychopathology
- Description: The treatment of Depressive Disorders in patients with chronic comorbid disease states warrants careful consideration of the risk-benefit ratio pertaining to the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of the antidepressant being considered, against the physiological susceptibilities of the patient; potential drug-drug interactions and depressive symptoms. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between Depressive Disorders and the most frequently diagnosed chronic comorbid disease states in a depressed South African study population; and to comment on the appropriateness of antidepressants prescribed to these patients. This retrospective drug utilisation study consisted of two parts: the first part focused on the prevalence of the most frequently diagnosed chronic comorbidities in a depressed South African population (N = 21 171). The three most prevalent chronic comorbid disease states were Hypertension (52.87 percent), Lipid Disorders (20.40 percent) and Arthritis (16.70 percent). The second part of the study included an assessment of the antidepressants prescribed to depressed patients in 2004 (N = 6 150). Emphasis was placed on the suitability of antidepressants selected for depressed adult patients (18 years of age and older) with comorbid Hypertension, Lipid Disorders or Arthritis. SSRIs were prescribed most frequently to the depressed patients during 2004 (59.67 percent). SSRIs are the suggested first-line treatments for depressed patients with multiple chronic comorbid disease states. However, of the SSRIs, fluoxetine has the least favourable pharmacokinetic profile and was found to be the antidepressant prescribed most often. Amitriptyline, which was the TCA prescribed most frequently, produces the greatest degree of anticholinergic, sedative and hypotensive effects, relative to other agents in the same antidepressant class. Thus, it is not recommended as a first-line antidepressant, especially in depressed patients with comorbidities. This study identifies potential areas of intervention regarding antidepressant prescribing in depressed individuals with chronic comorbid disease states and offers recommendations to promote the selection of optimal, individualised drug treatment strategies for these patients.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Kritiotis, Lia Costas
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Depression, Mental , Child psychopathology , Adolescent psychopathology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10151 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/653 , Depression, Mental , Child psychopathology , Adolescent psychopathology
- Description: The treatment of Depressive Disorders in patients with chronic comorbid disease states warrants careful consideration of the risk-benefit ratio pertaining to the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of the antidepressant being considered, against the physiological susceptibilities of the patient; potential drug-drug interactions and depressive symptoms. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between Depressive Disorders and the most frequently diagnosed chronic comorbid disease states in a depressed South African study population; and to comment on the appropriateness of antidepressants prescribed to these patients. This retrospective drug utilisation study consisted of two parts: the first part focused on the prevalence of the most frequently diagnosed chronic comorbidities in a depressed South African population (N = 21 171). The three most prevalent chronic comorbid disease states were Hypertension (52.87 percent), Lipid Disorders (20.40 percent) and Arthritis (16.70 percent). The second part of the study included an assessment of the antidepressants prescribed to depressed patients in 2004 (N = 6 150). Emphasis was placed on the suitability of antidepressants selected for depressed adult patients (18 years of age and older) with comorbid Hypertension, Lipid Disorders or Arthritis. SSRIs were prescribed most frequently to the depressed patients during 2004 (59.67 percent). SSRIs are the suggested first-line treatments for depressed patients with multiple chronic comorbid disease states. However, of the SSRIs, fluoxetine has the least favourable pharmacokinetic profile and was found to be the antidepressant prescribed most often. Amitriptyline, which was the TCA prescribed most frequently, produces the greatest degree of anticholinergic, sedative and hypotensive effects, relative to other agents in the same antidepressant class. Thus, it is not recommended as a first-line antidepressant, especially in depressed patients with comorbidities. This study identifies potential areas of intervention regarding antidepressant prescribing in depressed individuals with chronic comorbid disease states and offers recommendations to promote the selection of optimal, individualised drug treatment strategies for these patients.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
The medicinal chemistry of cyclo (Ser-Ser) and cyclo (Ser-Tyr)
- Authors: Kritzinger, André Louis
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Cyclic peptides , Peptide drugs -- Therapeutic use , Haematostasis , Pharmaceutical chemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10155 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/537 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011712 , Cyclic peptides , Peptide drugs -- Therapeutic use , Haematostasis , Pharmaceutical chemistry
- Description: Cyclic dipeptides are widely used as models for larger peptides because of their simplicity and limited conformational freedom. Some cyclic dipeptides have been shown to produce antiviral, antibiotic and anti-tumour activity (Milne et al., 1998). In this study the cyclic dipeptides, cyclo(Ser-Ser) and cyclo(Ser-Tyr), were synthesised from their corresponding linear precursors using a modified phenolinduced cyclisation procedure. The phenol-induced cyclisation procedure resulted in good yields and purity of the cyclic dipeptides. Quantitative analysis and evaluation of the physicochemical properties of the cyclic dipeptides was achieved by using high-performance liquid chromatography, scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis and X-ray powder diffraction. The structures of the synthesised cyclic dipeptides were elucidated using infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular modelling. The study aimed to determine the biological activity of cyclo(Ser-Ser) and cyclo(Ser-Tyr) with respect to their anticancer, antimicrobial, haematological and cardiac effects. Anticancer studies revealed that cyclo(Ser-Ser) and cyclo(Ser- Tyr) inhibited the growth of HeLa (cervical cancer), HT-29 (colon cancer) and MCF (breast cancer) cancer cell lines. Both cyclic dipeptides also inhibited the growth of certain selected Gram-positive, Gram-negative and fungal microorganisms in the antimicrobial study. Although the inhibition of growth in the anticancer and antimicrobial studies was statistically significant, the clinical relevance is questionable, since the inhibition produced by both cyclic dipeptides was very limited compared to other pre-existing anticancer and antimicrobial agents. Cyclo(Ser-Tyr) exhibited significant activity in the haematological studies, where it increased the rate of calcium induced-coagulation, and decreased the rate of streptokinase-induced fibrinolysis. Both cyclic dipeptides, however, failed to produce any significant effects on thrombin-substrate binding and ADPinduced platelet aggregation. Cardiac studies revealed that cyclo(Ser-Ser) and especially cyclo(Ser-Tyr) reduced the heart rate, coronary flow rate and ventricular pressure of isolated rat hearts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Kritzinger, André Louis
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Cyclic peptides , Peptide drugs -- Therapeutic use , Haematostasis , Pharmaceutical chemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10155 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/537 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011712 , Cyclic peptides , Peptide drugs -- Therapeutic use , Haematostasis , Pharmaceutical chemistry
- Description: Cyclic dipeptides are widely used as models for larger peptides because of their simplicity and limited conformational freedom. Some cyclic dipeptides have been shown to produce antiviral, antibiotic and anti-tumour activity (Milne et al., 1998). In this study the cyclic dipeptides, cyclo(Ser-Ser) and cyclo(Ser-Tyr), were synthesised from their corresponding linear precursors using a modified phenolinduced cyclisation procedure. The phenol-induced cyclisation procedure resulted in good yields and purity of the cyclic dipeptides. Quantitative analysis and evaluation of the physicochemical properties of the cyclic dipeptides was achieved by using high-performance liquid chromatography, scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis and X-ray powder diffraction. The structures of the synthesised cyclic dipeptides were elucidated using infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular modelling. The study aimed to determine the biological activity of cyclo(Ser-Ser) and cyclo(Ser-Tyr) with respect to their anticancer, antimicrobial, haematological and cardiac effects. Anticancer studies revealed that cyclo(Ser-Ser) and cyclo(Ser- Tyr) inhibited the growth of HeLa (cervical cancer), HT-29 (colon cancer) and MCF (breast cancer) cancer cell lines. Both cyclic dipeptides also inhibited the growth of certain selected Gram-positive, Gram-negative and fungal microorganisms in the antimicrobial study. Although the inhibition of growth in the anticancer and antimicrobial studies was statistically significant, the clinical relevance is questionable, since the inhibition produced by both cyclic dipeptides was very limited compared to other pre-existing anticancer and antimicrobial agents. Cyclo(Ser-Tyr) exhibited significant activity in the haematological studies, where it increased the rate of calcium induced-coagulation, and decreased the rate of streptokinase-induced fibrinolysis. Both cyclic dipeptides, however, failed to produce any significant effects on thrombin-substrate binding and ADPinduced platelet aggregation. Cardiac studies revealed that cyclo(Ser-Ser) and especially cyclo(Ser-Tyr) reduced the heart rate, coronary flow rate and ventricular pressure of isolated rat hearts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Identifying financial success factors for SMMEs in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Krog, Naomi Maria
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Small business -- Finance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8570 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/792 , Small business -- Finance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: In March 1995, the South African government formulated the White Paper for the development and promotion of small business in South Africa to foster an environment in which small and medium enterprises could operate. SMMEs play an important role in job creation in South Africa. The survival of SMMEs is reliant on the abilities of the entrepreneur to succeed. An entrepreneur’s abilities and knowledge plays a very important role in the assessing process when applying for finance. There are various financial institutions in South Africa that have different criteria and turnover requirements to assess such applications. Financial institutions include banks, funds and privately owned institutions. The purpose of this study was to identify the financial success factors for SMMEs in the Eastern Cape. During the study, 32 success factors were identified. The most important factors amongst these include financials, knowledge of management, competition / market, past conduct of banking account, source of repayment, purpose, business ability / product, collateral, capital and industry risk / knowledge. These findings resulted in the various recommendations, as well as suggestions for further research opportunities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Krog, Naomi Maria
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Small business -- Finance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8570 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/792 , Small business -- Finance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: In March 1995, the South African government formulated the White Paper for the development and promotion of small business in South Africa to foster an environment in which small and medium enterprises could operate. SMMEs play an important role in job creation in South Africa. The survival of SMMEs is reliant on the abilities of the entrepreneur to succeed. An entrepreneur’s abilities and knowledge plays a very important role in the assessing process when applying for finance. There are various financial institutions in South Africa that have different criteria and turnover requirements to assess such applications. Financial institutions include banks, funds and privately owned institutions. The purpose of this study was to identify the financial success factors for SMMEs in the Eastern Cape. During the study, 32 success factors were identified. The most important factors amongst these include financials, knowledge of management, competition / market, past conduct of banking account, source of repayment, purpose, business ability / product, collateral, capital and industry risk / knowledge. These findings resulted in the various recommendations, as well as suggestions for further research opportunities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Ionic liquids as media for electro-organic synthesis
- Authors: Kruger, Elna
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Ionic solutions , Inorganic compounds -- Synthesis , Electrochemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10413 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/538 , Ionic solutions , Inorganic compounds -- Synthesis , Electrochemistry
- Description: The IL’s used in this study were either synthesized or commercially available. Preparation of the IL’s involved 2 step processes: firstly the heating of distilled 1-methylimidazole with distilled 1-chlorobutane under reflux to obtain 1-butyl-3- methylimidazolium chloride; secondly, the metathesis reaction of sodium tetrafluoroborate with 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride to obtain 1-butyl-3- methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate. The addition of sodium tetrafluoroborate, sodium hexafluorophosphate and lithium trifluoromethane sulfonamide with 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride produced good yields of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide respectively. The IL’s are hygroscopic and must be stored under a nitrogen atmosphere. The IL’s were analyzed using 1H and 13C NMR analysis with CDCl3 as solvent. The physical and chemical properties of these IL’s were compared to commercial products. The physical and chemical properties compared well to reference values from the literature. The physical properties measured include the density, conductivity and electrochemical window. The electrochemical window is dependant primarily on the resistance of the cation to reduction and the resistance of the anion to oxidation. The electrochemical windows of the IL’s were very similar to the reference windows obtained from literature and it can be seen that some IL’s have a slightly lower window which can be due to water present. Water content in the IL’s was determined with the use of a Karl Fischer titrator, with Hydranal 5 Composite as titrant and HPLC grade methanol as the base. The concentration of halide in the IL’s was determined with a Perkin-Elmer ICP-MS.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Kruger, Elna
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Ionic solutions , Inorganic compounds -- Synthesis , Electrochemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10413 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/538 , Ionic solutions , Inorganic compounds -- Synthesis , Electrochemistry
- Description: The IL’s used in this study were either synthesized or commercially available. Preparation of the IL’s involved 2 step processes: firstly the heating of distilled 1-methylimidazole with distilled 1-chlorobutane under reflux to obtain 1-butyl-3- methylimidazolium chloride; secondly, the metathesis reaction of sodium tetrafluoroborate with 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride to obtain 1-butyl-3- methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate. The addition of sodium tetrafluoroborate, sodium hexafluorophosphate and lithium trifluoromethane sulfonamide with 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride produced good yields of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide respectively. The IL’s are hygroscopic and must be stored under a nitrogen atmosphere. The IL’s were analyzed using 1H and 13C NMR analysis with CDCl3 as solvent. The physical and chemical properties of these IL’s were compared to commercial products. The physical and chemical properties compared well to reference values from the literature. The physical properties measured include the density, conductivity and electrochemical window. The electrochemical window is dependant primarily on the resistance of the cation to reduction and the resistance of the anion to oxidation. The electrochemical windows of the IL’s were very similar to the reference windows obtained from literature and it can be seen that some IL’s have a slightly lower window which can be due to water present. Water content in the IL’s was determined with the use of a Karl Fischer titrator, with Hydranal 5 Composite as titrant and HPLC grade methanol as the base. The concentration of halide in the IL’s was determined with a Perkin-Elmer ICP-MS.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
A comparative analysis of the environmental impact of selected low-income housing developments in the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Kumm, Simon
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Low-income housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:8152 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/539 , Low-income housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: South Africa has a shortage of affordable housing for its poor. In order to overcome the shortage, a large number of houses need to be built. The bulk building of these houses has an effect on the environment and it is important to note whether or not this impact will be a lasting positive one or not. Governmental policies have recognised the need to create positive, sustainable settlement environments. The degree to which settlements are sustainable and reflect a positive environment is, however, a point of concern. This dissertation analyses and compares four low-income housing developments in the Eastern Cape in order to make proposals on how future low-income developments can impact more positively on their settlement environments, reduce their impact on non-renewable resources and better implement the ideals of the Development Facilitation Act. This was done in order to meet the expectations put in place by Government policies and to correct the historical shortcomings of South Africa’s low-income settlement provision. The method used was to determine, through literature study, a set of factors that most prominently impacted on low-income settlement environments. These were then compiled into a model, which was then used to analyse and compare existing settlements. This elicited a set of conclusions based on the findings and provided strategies for future settlements to follow to meet the research’s stated ideals. The literature study revealed a myriad of important principles that fell into six main categories that impacted on settlement environments. Furthermore, it was discovered that each of these principles should be assessed in the context of their human and natural environments as well as their effect at the scale of the unit, the settlement and the city. The analysis and comparison of the settlements revealed that all six of the model’s categories performed poorly in at least two of the four settlements analysed, a strong indication that the implementation of the model’s principles was not being successfully achieved in low-income settlements. It further revealed specific areas requiring attention in future developments. The analysis also revealed positive areas of implementation from each settlement that can be used in future settlements to meet the stated ideals of creating a positive impact on their settlement environments, reducing their impact on non-renewable resources and better implementing the ideals of the Development Facilitation Act. The study recommends that future settlements avoid the negative practices identified in these settlements and implement the positive strategies proposed for the benefit of future settlement environments.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Kumm, Simon
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Low-income housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:8152 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/539 , Low-income housing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Housing policy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: South Africa has a shortage of affordable housing for its poor. In order to overcome the shortage, a large number of houses need to be built. The bulk building of these houses has an effect on the environment and it is important to note whether or not this impact will be a lasting positive one or not. Governmental policies have recognised the need to create positive, sustainable settlement environments. The degree to which settlements are sustainable and reflect a positive environment is, however, a point of concern. This dissertation analyses and compares four low-income housing developments in the Eastern Cape in order to make proposals on how future low-income developments can impact more positively on their settlement environments, reduce their impact on non-renewable resources and better implement the ideals of the Development Facilitation Act. This was done in order to meet the expectations put in place by Government policies and to correct the historical shortcomings of South Africa’s low-income settlement provision. The method used was to determine, through literature study, a set of factors that most prominently impacted on low-income settlement environments. These were then compiled into a model, which was then used to analyse and compare existing settlements. This elicited a set of conclusions based on the findings and provided strategies for future settlements to follow to meet the research’s stated ideals. The literature study revealed a myriad of important principles that fell into six main categories that impacted on settlement environments. Furthermore, it was discovered that each of these principles should be assessed in the context of their human and natural environments as well as their effect at the scale of the unit, the settlement and the city. The analysis and comparison of the settlements revealed that all six of the model’s categories performed poorly in at least two of the four settlements analysed, a strong indication that the implementation of the model’s principles was not being successfully achieved in low-income settlements. It further revealed specific areas requiring attention in future developments. The analysis also revealed positive areas of implementation from each settlement that can be used in future settlements to meet the stated ideals of creating a positive impact on their settlement environments, reducing their impact on non-renewable resources and better implementing the ideals of the Development Facilitation Act. The study recommends that future settlements avoid the negative practices identified in these settlements and implement the positive strategies proposed for the benefit of future settlement environments.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Vicarious and direct liability of an employer for sexual harassment at work
- Authors: Lawlor, Ryan Mark
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Sexual harassment -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Sex discrimination in employment -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10266 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/825 , Sexual harassment -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Sex discrimination in employment -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Description: Sexual harassment is an ever increasing drain on the resources of the modern employer, as well as serving to take up much time in terms of legal battles and court cases. The concept of sexual harassment has undergone much revision over the past decades, and South Africa is now firmly committed to the eradication of this problem. The Constitution protects and enshrines important rights like dignity, equality and the right to fair labour practices. These are further defined and protected through the application of various statutes, including the LRA, EEA, PEPUDA and the revised Code of Good Practice. In terms of statutory liability, the employer will be liable for the harassment of its employees, unless it takes a proactive stance and implements comprehensive sexual harassment policies. In this way it will escape liability. The common law vicarious liability of the employer cannot be escaped as easily. The entire concept of the law of delict is to remedy harm suffered. In terms of the common law, employers will be held vicariously liable for the harassment of their employees if it can be shown that the harassment occurred within a valid working relationship, if the harassment actually occurred through a delict, and if the act occurred within the course and scope of employment. The best way for employers to minimize their liability for sexual harassment is the implementation of training and educational policies that serve to make employees aware of what is permissible in the workplace. This will aid the employer in showing that it has done everything possible to reduce the risk of harassment, which will in turn serve to reduce the employer’s liability. To protect against the risk of expensive litigation, many employers are now investigating the matter of liability insurance – they would rather pay increased premiums than suffer alone when their employees take legal action against them. Sexual harassment is a problem that can only be solved through a concerted effort on the part of the legislature, judiciary, employers and employees. Together, these parties must ensure that all of those involved in the world of work are aware of the problem of harassment, as well as taking steps to educate and train employees so as to prevent it. Only in this way will we be able to take action to reduce this terrible problem in our country.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Lawlor, Ryan Mark
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Sexual harassment -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Sex discrimination in employment -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10266 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/825 , Sexual harassment -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Sex discrimination in employment -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Description: Sexual harassment is an ever increasing drain on the resources of the modern employer, as well as serving to take up much time in terms of legal battles and court cases. The concept of sexual harassment has undergone much revision over the past decades, and South Africa is now firmly committed to the eradication of this problem. The Constitution protects and enshrines important rights like dignity, equality and the right to fair labour practices. These are further defined and protected through the application of various statutes, including the LRA, EEA, PEPUDA and the revised Code of Good Practice. In terms of statutory liability, the employer will be liable for the harassment of its employees, unless it takes a proactive stance and implements comprehensive sexual harassment policies. In this way it will escape liability. The common law vicarious liability of the employer cannot be escaped as easily. The entire concept of the law of delict is to remedy harm suffered. In terms of the common law, employers will be held vicariously liable for the harassment of their employees if it can be shown that the harassment occurred within a valid working relationship, if the harassment actually occurred through a delict, and if the act occurred within the course and scope of employment. The best way for employers to minimize their liability for sexual harassment is the implementation of training and educational policies that serve to make employees aware of what is permissible in the workplace. This will aid the employer in showing that it has done everything possible to reduce the risk of harassment, which will in turn serve to reduce the employer’s liability. To protect against the risk of expensive litigation, many employers are now investigating the matter of liability insurance – they would rather pay increased premiums than suffer alone when their employees take legal action against them. Sexual harassment is a problem that can only be solved through a concerted effort on the part of the legislature, judiciary, employers and employees. Together, these parties must ensure that all of those involved in the world of work are aware of the problem of harassment, as well as taking steps to educate and train employees so as to prevent it. Only in this way will we be able to take action to reduce this terrible problem in our country.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007