The relationship between culture, commitment and performance in a South African electricity utility
- Authors: Pittorino, Leonardo Andres
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Eskom (Firm) -- Employees South Africa. Electricity Supply Commission Corporate culture -- South Africa -- Research Management -- South Africa -- Research Organization -- South Africa -- Research Employees -- South Africa -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:757 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003878
- Description: The Electricity Distribution Industry (EDI) in South Africa is in the process of restructuring into six Regional Electricity Distributors (REDs). This would entail the merging of the national electricity utility, Eskom Distribution with municipalities to consolidate skills and to improve on efficiencies. This integration would involve the assimilation of not only physical assets but also various organisational cultures into a separate organisation responsible for supplying electricity services within its designated geographical area. A separate challenge facing Eskom is an intensive capital expansion program to increase generation capacity which will require a committed workforce to execute. Organisational culture has been regarded as leading to greater productivity and generating commitment to the values and philosophies of the organisation. The purpose of the research was to determine whether there was a significant relationship between the organisational culture, organisational commitment and employee performance in Eskom Southern Region. In order to achieve this purpose a survey was undertaken (N=83) which measured perceptions regarding the existing organisational culture, preferred organisational culture as well as organisational commitment. Performance rating scores were linked to each respondent and were obtained from the performance management process of Eskom Southern Region. The main findings of this research can be summarised as follows: • The dominant existing organisational culture in Eskom Southern Region is the power culture, while the dominant preferred organisational culture is the achievement culture. • There is a significant organisational culture gap between the existing and the preferred organisational culture in Eskom Southern Region. • The dominant organisational commitment within Eskom Southern Region is affective commitment together with normative commitment. • The findings related to the employee performance include: o A slight but significant negative relationship was measured between the existing achievement culture and employee performance. o No significant relationships were measured between the preferred cultures and employee performance. o No significant relationships were measured between the organisational commitment scales and employee performance. • The findings pertaining to the relationship between organisational culture and organisational commitment can be stated as follows: o A significant positive linear relationship between the existing achievement culture and affective commitment was measured. A strong, significant negative linear relationship between the existing power culture and the affective commitment was also measured. o No significant relationships were measured between the preferred organisational cultures and organisational commitment. o The organisational culture gap has a significant effect on the organisational commitment of employees. • The findings pertaining to the relationship between the biographical variables and the organisational culture, organisational commitment and employee performance can be stated as follows: o There exists a strong significant relationship between the years of service and the existing organisational culture scales. o No significant relationships exist between the preferred organisational culture scales and any of the biographical variables. There was a common agreement across all respondents on the preferred organisational culture. o A significant relationship was found between organisational commitment and the number of people supervised. o A slight but significant positive linear relationship between the age of respondents and employee performance ratings was measured. It can therefore be concluded that the type of organisational culture has a significant impact on the level of affective commitment of the employees within Eskom Southern Region. No significant positive relationship was found between organisational commitment and organisational performance in Eskom Southern Region.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Pittorino, Leonardo Andres
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Eskom (Firm) -- Employees South Africa. Electricity Supply Commission Corporate culture -- South Africa -- Research Management -- South Africa -- Research Organization -- South Africa -- Research Employees -- South Africa -- Research
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:757 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003878
- Description: The Electricity Distribution Industry (EDI) in South Africa is in the process of restructuring into six Regional Electricity Distributors (REDs). This would entail the merging of the national electricity utility, Eskom Distribution with municipalities to consolidate skills and to improve on efficiencies. This integration would involve the assimilation of not only physical assets but also various organisational cultures into a separate organisation responsible for supplying electricity services within its designated geographical area. A separate challenge facing Eskom is an intensive capital expansion program to increase generation capacity which will require a committed workforce to execute. Organisational culture has been regarded as leading to greater productivity and generating commitment to the values and philosophies of the organisation. The purpose of the research was to determine whether there was a significant relationship between the organisational culture, organisational commitment and employee performance in Eskom Southern Region. In order to achieve this purpose a survey was undertaken (N=83) which measured perceptions regarding the existing organisational culture, preferred organisational culture as well as organisational commitment. Performance rating scores were linked to each respondent and were obtained from the performance management process of Eskom Southern Region. The main findings of this research can be summarised as follows: • The dominant existing organisational culture in Eskom Southern Region is the power culture, while the dominant preferred organisational culture is the achievement culture. • There is a significant organisational culture gap between the existing and the preferred organisational culture in Eskom Southern Region. • The dominant organisational commitment within Eskom Southern Region is affective commitment together with normative commitment. • The findings related to the employee performance include: o A slight but significant negative relationship was measured between the existing achievement culture and employee performance. o No significant relationships were measured between the preferred cultures and employee performance. o No significant relationships were measured between the organisational commitment scales and employee performance. • The findings pertaining to the relationship between organisational culture and organisational commitment can be stated as follows: o A significant positive linear relationship between the existing achievement culture and affective commitment was measured. A strong, significant negative linear relationship between the existing power culture and the affective commitment was also measured. o No significant relationships were measured between the preferred organisational cultures and organisational commitment. o The organisational culture gap has a significant effect on the organisational commitment of employees. • The findings pertaining to the relationship between the biographical variables and the organisational culture, organisational commitment and employee performance can be stated as follows: o There exists a strong significant relationship between the years of service and the existing organisational culture scales. o No significant relationships exist between the preferred organisational culture scales and any of the biographical variables. There was a common agreement across all respondents on the preferred organisational culture. o A significant relationship was found between organisational commitment and the number of people supervised. o A slight but significant positive linear relationship between the age of respondents and employee performance ratings was measured. It can therefore be concluded that the type of organisational culture has a significant impact on the level of affective commitment of the employees within Eskom Southern Region. No significant positive relationship was found between organisational commitment and organisational performance in Eskom Southern Region.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The relationship between innovation and leadership in First National Bank of South Africa
- Authors: Ward, Philip Henry
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: First National Bank of Southern Africa Banks and banking -- South Africa Bank management -- South Africa Leadership -- South Africa Organizational change -- South Africa Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa Chief executive officers -- South Africa Technological innovations -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:795 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004306
- Description: This research investigates the relationship between innovation and leadership in First National Bank in South Africa. In an information age paradigm, innovation is a key driver of organisational success. Innovation allows an information age company to create a sustainable competitive advantage over its competitors. First National Bank (FNB) has recognised the need for innovation and measures the amount of innovation generated in each business unit on an annual basis. Leadership is a key factor influencing innovation in large, multi-segment organisations, particularly transformational leadership. Large multi-segment organisations often have multi-functional teams and transformational leadership of these teams more effectively promotes innovation. Large multi-segment organisations also often have complex decision making processes. Transformational leadership ensures optimal innovative decisions rather than adequate decisions are reached. FNB is a multi-segment organisation comprising ten business units each headed by a Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The relationship between the level of innovation being generated annually by each business unit and the leadership style of the business unit CEO formed the focus of this research. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire was used to gather information on the leadership style of each CEO's. Data on the level of innovation within each of these business units was supplied by First National Bank. Data was statistically analysed against the innovation generated by each business unit using correlation analysis. Most of the results testing the relationship between transformational and transactional leadership and innovation were found not to be significant. This contradicts the theory which suggests a positive relationship between transformational leadership and innovation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Ward, Philip Henry
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: First National Bank of Southern Africa Banks and banking -- South Africa Bank management -- South Africa Leadership -- South Africa Organizational change -- South Africa Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa Chief executive officers -- South Africa Technological innovations -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:795 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004306
- Description: This research investigates the relationship between innovation and leadership in First National Bank in South Africa. In an information age paradigm, innovation is a key driver of organisational success. Innovation allows an information age company to create a sustainable competitive advantage over its competitors. First National Bank (FNB) has recognised the need for innovation and measures the amount of innovation generated in each business unit on an annual basis. Leadership is a key factor influencing innovation in large, multi-segment organisations, particularly transformational leadership. Large multi-segment organisations often have multi-functional teams and transformational leadership of these teams more effectively promotes innovation. Large multi-segment organisations also often have complex decision making processes. Transformational leadership ensures optimal innovative decisions rather than adequate decisions are reached. FNB is a multi-segment organisation comprising ten business units each headed by a Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The relationship between the level of innovation being generated annually by each business unit and the leadership style of the business unit CEO formed the focus of this research. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire was used to gather information on the leadership style of each CEO's. Data on the level of innovation within each of these business units was supplied by First National Bank. Data was statistically analysed against the innovation generated by each business unit using correlation analysis. Most of the results testing the relationship between transformational and transactional leadership and innovation were found not to be significant. This contradicts the theory which suggests a positive relationship between transformational leadership and innovation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The relationship between job satisfaction and organisational citizenship behaviour among selected organisations in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Chiboiwa, Malvern Waini
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Job satisfaction , Employees -- Attitudes , Corporate culture , Organizational behavior , Employee loyalty
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Industrial Psychology)
- Identifier: vital:11547 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/30 , Job satisfaction , Employees -- Attitudes , Corporate culture , Organizational behavior , Employee loyalty
- Description: Contemporary human resources management suggests that organisations which have been able to make it in the business arena have done so through good people management practices. Job satisfaction, through a people centered approach, has not been spared as one of the critical forces used in achieving organisational effectiveness. Traditional thought behind job satisfaction prescribes that satisfied employees tend to be more productive, creative and committed to their jobs; all of which are imperative to ii achieving an organisation’s bottom line. There has been some controversy surrounding the nature of the relationship between job satisfaction and organisational citizenship behaviour, which is another factor that is regarded as important in achieving organisational effectiveness. Some studies have shown that organisational citizenship behavior is a result of job satisfaction. In this regard, the present study focuses on the extent to which job satisfaction influences organisational citizenship behaviour among selected organizations in Zimbabwe. The study hypothesised that job satisfaction correlates positively with organisational citizenship behaviour. Participants in the study comprise of middle level management, supervisors and lower level employees. Two questionnaires were combined to collect data for the study. The Minnesota Satisfaction questionnaire was used to collect data on job satisfaction whilst a questionnaire by Konovsky and Organ (1996:253) was used to collect data on organisational citizenship behaviour. The results show that employees in the organisations surveyed report moderate levels of job satisfaction and organizational citizenship behavior. It was established that there was a substantive correlation between job satisfaction and organisational citizenship behaviour.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Chiboiwa, Malvern Waini
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Job satisfaction , Employees -- Attitudes , Corporate culture , Organizational behavior , Employee loyalty
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Industrial Psychology)
- Identifier: vital:11547 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/30 , Job satisfaction , Employees -- Attitudes , Corporate culture , Organizational behavior , Employee loyalty
- Description: Contemporary human resources management suggests that organisations which have been able to make it in the business arena have done so through good people management practices. Job satisfaction, through a people centered approach, has not been spared as one of the critical forces used in achieving organisational effectiveness. Traditional thought behind job satisfaction prescribes that satisfied employees tend to be more productive, creative and committed to their jobs; all of which are imperative to ii achieving an organisation’s bottom line. There has been some controversy surrounding the nature of the relationship between job satisfaction and organisational citizenship behaviour, which is another factor that is regarded as important in achieving organisational effectiveness. Some studies have shown that organisational citizenship behavior is a result of job satisfaction. In this regard, the present study focuses on the extent to which job satisfaction influences organisational citizenship behaviour among selected organizations in Zimbabwe. The study hypothesised that job satisfaction correlates positively with organisational citizenship behaviour. Participants in the study comprise of middle level management, supervisors and lower level employees. Two questionnaires were combined to collect data for the study. The Minnesota Satisfaction questionnaire was used to collect data on job satisfaction whilst a questionnaire by Konovsky and Organ (1996:253) was used to collect data on organisational citizenship behaviour. The results show that employees in the organisations surveyed report moderate levels of job satisfaction and organizational citizenship behavior. It was established that there was a substantive correlation between job satisfaction and organisational citizenship behaviour.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The relevance of person-environment fit amongst human resource graduates from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University within the Nelson Mandela Metropole
- Authors: Matthysen, Megan
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Environmental psychology -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University -- Students -- Psychological aspects , Students -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9402 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1186 , Environmental psychology -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University -- Students -- Psychological aspects , Students -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: This study sought to investigate the relevance of Person-Environment (P-E) fit amongst Human Resource (HR) graduates from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) within the Nelson Mandela Metropole (NMM). A secondary objective of this study was to determine whether P-E fit was a determinant of Human Resource (HR) graduates’ migration. The study comprised a pilot study and main study (n=50). The study was qualitative in nature, but incorporated a quantitative research component to support the qualitative research findings. Results showed that HR graduates from the NMMU perceived P-E fit as important. Immense emphasis was placed on achieving P-E fit by means of finding employment related to Human Resource Management (HRM). The lack of P-E fit, amongst HR graduates, was furthermore revealed as a determinant of graduate migration. HR graduates would relocate to pursue a career in HRM. Implications of the findings are that organisations should use the theoretical knowledge of HR graduates to develop their skills and broaden their practical knowledge. This will secure competent future HR managers for the NMM and help to combat scarce skills migrations from the area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Matthysen, Megan
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Environmental psychology -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University -- Students -- Psychological aspects , Students -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9402 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1186 , Environmental psychology -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University -- Students -- Psychological aspects , Students -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: This study sought to investigate the relevance of Person-Environment (P-E) fit amongst Human Resource (HR) graduates from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) within the Nelson Mandela Metropole (NMM). A secondary objective of this study was to determine whether P-E fit was a determinant of Human Resource (HR) graduates’ migration. The study comprised a pilot study and main study (n=50). The study was qualitative in nature, but incorporated a quantitative research component to support the qualitative research findings. Results showed that HR graduates from the NMMU perceived P-E fit as important. Immense emphasis was placed on achieving P-E fit by means of finding employment related to Human Resource Management (HRM). The lack of P-E fit, amongst HR graduates, was furthermore revealed as a determinant of graduate migration. HR graduates would relocate to pursue a career in HRM. Implications of the findings are that organisations should use the theoretical knowledge of HR graduates to develop their skills and broaden their practical knowledge. This will secure competent future HR managers for the NMM and help to combat scarce skills migrations from the area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The remedies for unfair dismissal
- Authors: Cokile, Siyabonga
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Employees -- Dismissal of -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Unfair labor practices -- South Africa , Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10227 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1033 , Employees -- Dismissal of -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Unfair labor practices -- South Africa , Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa
- Description: In terms of section 193 of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995, there are basically three remedies for unfair dismissal and unfair labour practice, namely reinstatement, re-employment and compensation. In disputes of unfair labour practice an arbitrator may determine a dispute on terms that the arbitrator deems reasonable, including the abovementioned three remedies. For example, in an unfair labour practice dispute relating to promotion or appointment, an arbitrator may order that the process of appointment be started afresh, if is found that the process was flawed. The right to fair labour practice is a right that is enjoyed by everyone and it is a right upon which every employee enjoys not to be unfairly dismissed is entrenched in section 23 of the Bill of Rights. The rights of every employee contained in the Labour Relations Act give content and effect to the right to fair labour practice contained in section 23 of the Bill of Rights. Every trade union, employer’s organisation and employer has a right to engage in collective bargaining, which includes but not limited to the formulation of disciplinary policies in the workplace, which should be observed by every employee. Our constitution mandates the Legislature to enact legislation that regulates collective bargaining. One of the purpose of our Labour Relations Act is to promote collective bargaining and the effective resolution of labour disputes. The remedies for unfair dismissal and unfair labour practice therefore give content and effect to the purpose of the Act, which is to promote effective resolution of labour disputes. The Legislature has given a legislative and policy framework, in terms of which the labour disputes may be resolved. In order to restrict the powers of the arbitrators and courts, section 193 of the Act provides that in ordering the reinstatement and re-employment of dismissed employee, they must exercise a discretion to order reinstatement re-employment, not earlier than the date of dismissal. The remedy of compensation is an alternative remedy, which must be ordered if the circumstances set out in section 193(2)(a) to (d) are applicable. Some arbitrators have made a mistake of treating this remedy as part of the primary remedies. However, our courts have clarified the intention of the Legislature in crafting the remedies for unfair dismissal.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Cokile, Siyabonga
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Employees -- Dismissal of -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Unfair labor practices -- South Africa , Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10227 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1033 , Employees -- Dismissal of -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Unfair labor practices -- South Africa , Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa
- Description: In terms of section 193 of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995, there are basically three remedies for unfair dismissal and unfair labour practice, namely reinstatement, re-employment and compensation. In disputes of unfair labour practice an arbitrator may determine a dispute on terms that the arbitrator deems reasonable, including the abovementioned three remedies. For example, in an unfair labour practice dispute relating to promotion or appointment, an arbitrator may order that the process of appointment be started afresh, if is found that the process was flawed. The right to fair labour practice is a right that is enjoyed by everyone and it is a right upon which every employee enjoys not to be unfairly dismissed is entrenched in section 23 of the Bill of Rights. The rights of every employee contained in the Labour Relations Act give content and effect to the right to fair labour practice contained in section 23 of the Bill of Rights. Every trade union, employer’s organisation and employer has a right to engage in collective bargaining, which includes but not limited to the formulation of disciplinary policies in the workplace, which should be observed by every employee. Our constitution mandates the Legislature to enact legislation that regulates collective bargaining. One of the purpose of our Labour Relations Act is to promote collective bargaining and the effective resolution of labour disputes. The remedies for unfair dismissal and unfair labour practice therefore give content and effect to the purpose of the Act, which is to promote effective resolution of labour disputes. The Legislature has given a legislative and policy framework, in terms of which the labour disputes may be resolved. In order to restrict the powers of the arbitrators and courts, section 193 of the Act provides that in ordering the reinstatement and re-employment of dismissed employee, they must exercise a discretion to order reinstatement re-employment, not earlier than the date of dismissal. The remedy of compensation is an alternative remedy, which must be ordered if the circumstances set out in section 193(2)(a) to (d) are applicable. Some arbitrators have made a mistake of treating this remedy as part of the primary remedies. However, our courts have clarified the intention of the Legislature in crafting the remedies for unfair dismissal.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The representation of materialist consumerism in film
- Authors: Fourie, Elizabeth
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Identity (Psychology) in motion pictures , Depersonalization , Group identity , Motion pictures -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8396 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/954 , Identity (Psychology) in motion pictures , Depersonalization , Group identity , Motion pictures -- Social aspects
- Description: People are constantly bombarded with the latest technology, the latest fashion, the latest ‘must have’ item. We are encouraged to buy things that promise to change our lives and give us satisfaction or even create happiness. Interestingly we often succumb to the temptation of these material things, which is not always a negative reaction; however it does become negative when our lives are controlled by material possessions and we give up certain aspects of who we are to enable us to obtain these possessions. Further more it becomes problematic when we start to rely on material possessions to define us in terms of our identity or to help us fit into particular groups within society. With the media playing such a large role in societies at present it is almost inevitable that the phenomenon of materialist consumerism will make its way into the media. The media however holds control, to an extent, over whether or not materialist consumerism is viewed in a negative or affirmative light. An analysis of the representation of materialist consumerism in selected instances of mainstream cinema will be the aim of my proposed study. The study will look at the representation of materialist consumerism in so far as it offers viewers a place to ‘fit’ into a particular group within society. The group I am referring to can be categorised as the upper-middle class of contemporary western society. I have thus selected films that represent this group specifically. For the purpose of the treatise ‘materialist consumerism’ is understood as a way of life, or alternatively, an ideology, which assumes that the accumulation of material wealth through consumption imparts meaning to human lives. The treatise will analyse both sides of the coin, or in other words films that support or promote materialist consumerism and those that either revolt against or criticise this form of consumerism. The study will explore different aspects of consumerism in so far as these are represented in the films, with an identifiable axiological bias.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Fourie, Elizabeth
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Identity (Psychology) in motion pictures , Depersonalization , Group identity , Motion pictures -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8396 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/954 , Identity (Psychology) in motion pictures , Depersonalization , Group identity , Motion pictures -- Social aspects
- Description: People are constantly bombarded with the latest technology, the latest fashion, the latest ‘must have’ item. We are encouraged to buy things that promise to change our lives and give us satisfaction or even create happiness. Interestingly we often succumb to the temptation of these material things, which is not always a negative reaction; however it does become negative when our lives are controlled by material possessions and we give up certain aspects of who we are to enable us to obtain these possessions. Further more it becomes problematic when we start to rely on material possessions to define us in terms of our identity or to help us fit into particular groups within society. With the media playing such a large role in societies at present it is almost inevitable that the phenomenon of materialist consumerism will make its way into the media. The media however holds control, to an extent, over whether or not materialist consumerism is viewed in a negative or affirmative light. An analysis of the representation of materialist consumerism in selected instances of mainstream cinema will be the aim of my proposed study. The study will look at the representation of materialist consumerism in so far as it offers viewers a place to ‘fit’ into a particular group within society. The group I am referring to can be categorised as the upper-middle class of contemporary western society. I have thus selected films that represent this group specifically. For the purpose of the treatise ‘materialist consumerism’ is understood as a way of life, or alternatively, an ideology, which assumes that the accumulation of material wealth through consumption imparts meaning to human lives. The treatise will analyse both sides of the coin, or in other words films that support or promote materialist consumerism and those that either revolt against or criticise this form of consumerism. The study will explore different aspects of consumerism in so far as these are represented in the films, with an identifiable axiological bias.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The response of the red mangrove rhizophora mucronata lam, to changes in salinity, inundation and light : predictions for future climate change
- Hoppe-Speer, Sabine Clara Lisa
- Authors: Hoppe-Speer, Sabine Clara Lisa
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Mangrove plants , Climatic changes , Red mangrove
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10616 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1249 , Mangrove plants , Climatic changes , Red mangrove
- Description: Mangrove forests are subjected to many environmental factors which influence species distribution, zonation patterns as well as succession. Important driving factors in these forests are salinity, water level fluctuations and available light. This study investigated the response of red mangrove (Rhizophora mucronata Lam.) seedlings to these factors in controlled laboratory experiments. Increase in salinity and prolonged inundation within estuaries are predicted impacts resulting from sea level rise due to climate change. The study investigated the effect of five salinity treatments (0, 8, 18, 35 and 45 ppt) with a semi-diurnal tidal cycle on seedling growth. In a separate experiment the effect of different inundation treatments: no inundation, 3, 6, 9 hour tidal cycles and continuous inundation (24 h) were investigated. Both morphological and physiological responses of R. mucronata seedlings were measured. There was a decrease in growth (plant height, biomass and leaf production) with increasing salinity. Seedlings in the seawater, hypersaline and no inundation treatments showed symptoms of stress, having increased leaf necrosis ("burn marks"). The highest growth occurred in the low salinity (8 ppt) treatment, but the highest photosynthetic performance and stomatal conductance occurred in the freshwater treatment (0 ppt). The typical response of stem elongation with increasing inundation was observed in the 24 hr inundation treatment. In the light and salinity combination study there were ten different treatments of five different light treatments (unshaded, 20 percent, 50 percent, 80 percent and 90 percent shade) combined with two salinity concentrations (18 and 35 ppt). In this study the seedling growth: plant height, biomass, leaf surface area and leaf production were higher in the moderate salinity (18 ppt) treatments compared to the seawater (35 ppt) treatments. Biomass in the 35 ppt experiment decreased with increasing shade as well as in the unshaded treatments. Photosynthetic performance and stomatal conductance were lower for the unshaded treatment in both 18 and 35 ppt salinity compared to all other treatments with the same salinity. This suggests that R. mucronata more shade than sun tolerant, but overall it can be concluded that the species has a broad tolerance range. The results may be relevant in mangrove rehabilitation and predicting responses to climate change. This is important as mangrove ecosystems may adapt to changing sea levels and in order to restore areas it will be necessary to choose the mangrove species which will grow best. The results may also help to increase the protection of existing mangrove habitats.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Hoppe-Speer, Sabine Clara Lisa
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Mangrove plants , Climatic changes , Red mangrove
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10616 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1249 , Mangrove plants , Climatic changes , Red mangrove
- Description: Mangrove forests are subjected to many environmental factors which influence species distribution, zonation patterns as well as succession. Important driving factors in these forests are salinity, water level fluctuations and available light. This study investigated the response of red mangrove (Rhizophora mucronata Lam.) seedlings to these factors in controlled laboratory experiments. Increase in salinity and prolonged inundation within estuaries are predicted impacts resulting from sea level rise due to climate change. The study investigated the effect of five salinity treatments (0, 8, 18, 35 and 45 ppt) with a semi-diurnal tidal cycle on seedling growth. In a separate experiment the effect of different inundation treatments: no inundation, 3, 6, 9 hour tidal cycles and continuous inundation (24 h) were investigated. Both morphological and physiological responses of R. mucronata seedlings were measured. There was a decrease in growth (plant height, biomass and leaf production) with increasing salinity. Seedlings in the seawater, hypersaline and no inundation treatments showed symptoms of stress, having increased leaf necrosis ("burn marks"). The highest growth occurred in the low salinity (8 ppt) treatment, but the highest photosynthetic performance and stomatal conductance occurred in the freshwater treatment (0 ppt). The typical response of stem elongation with increasing inundation was observed in the 24 hr inundation treatment. In the light and salinity combination study there were ten different treatments of five different light treatments (unshaded, 20 percent, 50 percent, 80 percent and 90 percent shade) combined with two salinity concentrations (18 and 35 ppt). In this study the seedling growth: plant height, biomass, leaf surface area and leaf production were higher in the moderate salinity (18 ppt) treatments compared to the seawater (35 ppt) treatments. Biomass in the 35 ppt experiment decreased with increasing shade as well as in the unshaded treatments. Photosynthetic performance and stomatal conductance were lower for the unshaded treatment in both 18 and 35 ppt salinity compared to all other treatments with the same salinity. This suggests that R. mucronata more shade than sun tolerant, but overall it can be concluded that the species has a broad tolerance range. The results may be relevant in mangrove rehabilitation and predicting responses to climate change. This is important as mangrove ecosystems may adapt to changing sea levels and in order to restore areas it will be necessary to choose the mangrove species which will grow best. The results may also help to increase the protection of existing mangrove habitats.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The role of belief systems in entrepreneurship : a Christian perspective
- Authors: Boshoff, Leslie Ian
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Business -- Religious aspects -- Christianity , Success in business , Belief and doubt
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8664 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1271 , Business -- Religious aspects -- Christianity , Success in business , Belief and doubt
- Description: The world needs entrepreneurs now more than ever; fresh thinkers, who spot opportunities and apply their talents to overcome obstacles to make their ideas happen. Entrepreneurs need to reframe the recession as an area of business opportunity for all. They must unleash their innovative ideas around the world and inspire solutions that will tackle issues ranging from poverty, unemployment and climatic change. It is the fundamental precept of the Christian faith that God calls not only ministers and other spiritual workers, but everyone to specific roles in his kingdom. Christian Entrepreneurs must realise that their calling to establish and lead business organisations that are designed to achieve results in the secular world. Christian Entrepreneur Organisations differ from secular businesses because they do business while being led by the Holy Spirit. Christian Entrepreneurship is the return of unfulfilled business leaders to the sense of "calling" enjoyed by fellow laity in the U.S.A. and Western Europe prior to the 20th Century. The goal is to develop a business that blends business excellence and entrepreneurship with Christian Biblical and theological perspectives. This exploratory study investigated the role of the Christian faith in Entrepreneurship and in Entrepreneurial businesses. The study identified some of the Christian business practices and introduced the reader to the different approaches this group of entrepreneurs have to that of the secular business equivalent.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Boshoff, Leslie Ian
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Business -- Religious aspects -- Christianity , Success in business , Belief and doubt
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8664 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1271 , Business -- Religious aspects -- Christianity , Success in business , Belief and doubt
- Description: The world needs entrepreneurs now more than ever; fresh thinkers, who spot opportunities and apply their talents to overcome obstacles to make their ideas happen. Entrepreneurs need to reframe the recession as an area of business opportunity for all. They must unleash their innovative ideas around the world and inspire solutions that will tackle issues ranging from poverty, unemployment and climatic change. It is the fundamental precept of the Christian faith that God calls not only ministers and other spiritual workers, but everyone to specific roles in his kingdom. Christian Entrepreneurs must realise that their calling to establish and lead business organisations that are designed to achieve results in the secular world. Christian Entrepreneur Organisations differ from secular businesses because they do business while being led by the Holy Spirit. Christian Entrepreneurship is the return of unfulfilled business leaders to the sense of "calling" enjoyed by fellow laity in the U.S.A. and Western Europe prior to the 20th Century. The goal is to develop a business that blends business excellence and entrepreneurship with Christian Biblical and theological perspectives. This exploratory study investigated the role of the Christian faith in Entrepreneurship and in Entrepreneurial businesses. The study identified some of the Christian business practices and introduced the reader to the different approaches this group of entrepreneurs have to that of the secular business equivalent.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The role of culture in the translation of advertisements: a comparative investigation of selected texts with German as source language and South African English as target language
- Authors: Matviyenko, Olena
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Target marketing Cross-cultural studies , Advertising -- Cross-cultural studies , Advertising -- Language , Comparative advertising -- South Africa , Consumer behavior -- South Africa Cross-cultural studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8365 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1187 , Target marketing Cross-cultural studies , Advertising -- Cross-cultural studies , Advertising -- Language , Comparative advertising -- South Africa , Consumer behavior -- South Africa Cross-cultural studies
- Description: The globalisation of economies and trade growth have made it necessary for international companies to communicate with consumers of different languages and cultures, since a major objective is to sell a standardised product to consumers with linguistic and cultural backgrounds which are different from those to which the manufacturers are accustomed. Once brought to a foreign country, the sales of a product must be promoted by way of advertising. To begin with, the method of advertising depends on the kind of product to be marketed. In addition, persuasive texts, which are characteristic of the language of advertising, not only employ particular pragmatic strategies, but are based on the values and cultural traditions of the relevant society. In different cultures different signs, symbols, names and customs will be used in different situations. In the case of the translation or localisation of advertisements, a translator must be very sensitive to the loss and gain of cultural elements. These could include objects, historical references, customs and habits that are unique to the source culture and not present in the target culture. The main focus of the research is on the culture-specific elements in advertising texts and their depiction in translation. This treatise investigates certain aspects of translation theory (such as theories of equivalence, Skopos theory and other similar theories) to form a basis for conducting this study and then adapts them to the process of translation. In addition, two main opposite techniques known as standardisation or localisation of the advertising message are discussed. The number of source texts (original) and target texts (localised) are examined closely to reveal any misrepresentations and to identify the method of translation applicable in each case.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Matviyenko, Olena
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Target marketing Cross-cultural studies , Advertising -- Cross-cultural studies , Advertising -- Language , Comparative advertising -- South Africa , Consumer behavior -- South Africa Cross-cultural studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8365 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1187 , Target marketing Cross-cultural studies , Advertising -- Cross-cultural studies , Advertising -- Language , Comparative advertising -- South Africa , Consumer behavior -- South Africa Cross-cultural studies
- Description: The globalisation of economies and trade growth have made it necessary for international companies to communicate with consumers of different languages and cultures, since a major objective is to sell a standardised product to consumers with linguistic and cultural backgrounds which are different from those to which the manufacturers are accustomed. Once brought to a foreign country, the sales of a product must be promoted by way of advertising. To begin with, the method of advertising depends on the kind of product to be marketed. In addition, persuasive texts, which are characteristic of the language of advertising, not only employ particular pragmatic strategies, but are based on the values and cultural traditions of the relevant society. In different cultures different signs, symbols, names and customs will be used in different situations. In the case of the translation or localisation of advertisements, a translator must be very sensitive to the loss and gain of cultural elements. These could include objects, historical references, customs and habits that are unique to the source culture and not present in the target culture. The main focus of the research is on the culture-specific elements in advertising texts and their depiction in translation. This treatise investigates certain aspects of translation theory (such as theories of equivalence, Skopos theory and other similar theories) to form a basis for conducting this study and then adapts them to the process of translation. In addition, two main opposite techniques known as standardisation or localisation of the advertising message are discussed. The number of source texts (original) and target texts (localised) are examined closely to reveal any misrepresentations and to identify the method of translation applicable in each case.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The role of higher education in society: valuing higher education
- Authors: Badat, Saleem
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Conference paper , text
- Identifier: vital:7122 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006571
- Description: From the introduction: Arthur E. Levine, President of the Teachers College of Columbia University, writes that "In the early years of the Industrial Revolution, the Yale Report of 1828 asked whether the needs of a changing society required either major or minor changes in higher education. The report concluded that it had asked the wrong question. The right question was, What is the purpose of higher education?" Levine goes on to add that questions related to higher education “have their deepest roots in that fundamental question” and that “faced with a society in motion, we must not only ask that question again, but must actively pursue answers, if our colleges and universities are to retain their vitality in a dramatically different world”. I propose to speak about three issues: the first is about our changing world; the second is about the three purposes of higher education; the third is about what I consider to be the five key roles of higher education. Finally, I want to conclude by making some observations on the sometimes unrealistic expectations of higher education. , HERS‐SA Academy 2009, University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business, Waterfront, Cape Town, 14 September 2009. Stagnant universities are expensive and ineffectual monuments to a status quo which is more likely to be a status quo ante, yesterday’s world preserved in aspic (Ralf Dahrendorf, 2000:106‐7)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Badat, Saleem
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: Conference paper , text
- Identifier: vital:7122 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006571
- Description: From the introduction: Arthur E. Levine, President of the Teachers College of Columbia University, writes that "In the early years of the Industrial Revolution, the Yale Report of 1828 asked whether the needs of a changing society required either major or minor changes in higher education. The report concluded that it had asked the wrong question. The right question was, What is the purpose of higher education?" Levine goes on to add that questions related to higher education “have their deepest roots in that fundamental question” and that “faced with a society in motion, we must not only ask that question again, but must actively pursue answers, if our colleges and universities are to retain their vitality in a dramatically different world”. I propose to speak about three issues: the first is about our changing world; the second is about the three purposes of higher education; the third is about what I consider to be the five key roles of higher education. Finally, I want to conclude by making some observations on the sometimes unrealistic expectations of higher education. , HERS‐SA Academy 2009, University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business, Waterfront, Cape Town, 14 September 2009. Stagnant universities are expensive and ineffectual monuments to a status quo which is more likely to be a status quo ante, yesterday’s world preserved in aspic (Ralf Dahrendorf, 2000:106‐7)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The role of leadership in a successful rural secondary school in Namibia: a case study
- Authors: Sinvula, Leonard Masene
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Education and Training Sector Improvement Programme (Namibia) Educational leadership -- Namibia -- Case studies School management and organization -- Namibia -- Case studies Education, Secondary -- Namibia -- Case studies Rural schools -- Namibia -- Case studies Education and state -- Namibia -- Case studies Education -- Parent participation -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1872 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004925
- Description: The primary purpose of this qualitative case study research was to examine the role of leadership in a successful rural secondary school in Namibia. In Namibia, the Education and Training Sector Improvement Programme (ESTIP) was initiated to provide, amongst other things, effective leadership in education. In addition, the Ministry developed a policy on the National Standards and Performance Indicators for Schools in Namibia to complement the objectives of ETSIP. The policy emphasizes leadership practices in schools such as professional competence, commitment, ability to direct, inspire and motivate interpersonal relationships and teams. The study drew on leadership theories and findings from related studies to make sense of the role played by leadership in this particular rural school in Namibia. The study uses the interpretive orientation as the methodology for investigating the leadership's role. This is in line with my attempt to determine stakeholder's experiences and perceptions of the leadership in the school. I collected data from three sources: semi-structured interviews, observation and document analysis. The findings of this study suggest that the leadership had a significant influence on the school's success. In particular it emerged that the school leadership played an instructional role to ensure there was effective teaching and learning and that they encouraged teamwork extensively in leading the school. The leadership provided internal support structures as well as external networking to garner support for the school from the wider community. The study has also revealed that there are challenges facing this rural school's leadership in terms of poor parental involvement. Challenges such as lack of parental commitment to the school, illiteracy among adults and a communication breakdown between the school and its parents are still rife. The school leadership addresses this challenge by participating in village meetings and utilizing them as a platform to discuss school matters with parents. Further research on this topic would be useful, including such institutions as rural primary schools, private schools and colleges in the Caprivi Region, as very little research has been done on leadership roles in schools in the rural areas of Namibia.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Sinvula, Leonard Masene
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Education and Training Sector Improvement Programme (Namibia) Educational leadership -- Namibia -- Case studies School management and organization -- Namibia -- Case studies Education, Secondary -- Namibia -- Case studies Rural schools -- Namibia -- Case studies Education and state -- Namibia -- Case studies Education -- Parent participation -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1872 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004925
- Description: The primary purpose of this qualitative case study research was to examine the role of leadership in a successful rural secondary school in Namibia. In Namibia, the Education and Training Sector Improvement Programme (ESTIP) was initiated to provide, amongst other things, effective leadership in education. In addition, the Ministry developed a policy on the National Standards and Performance Indicators for Schools in Namibia to complement the objectives of ETSIP. The policy emphasizes leadership practices in schools such as professional competence, commitment, ability to direct, inspire and motivate interpersonal relationships and teams. The study drew on leadership theories and findings from related studies to make sense of the role played by leadership in this particular rural school in Namibia. The study uses the interpretive orientation as the methodology for investigating the leadership's role. This is in line with my attempt to determine stakeholder's experiences and perceptions of the leadership in the school. I collected data from three sources: semi-structured interviews, observation and document analysis. The findings of this study suggest that the leadership had a significant influence on the school's success. In particular it emerged that the school leadership played an instructional role to ensure there was effective teaching and learning and that they encouraged teamwork extensively in leading the school. The leadership provided internal support structures as well as external networking to garner support for the school from the wider community. The study has also revealed that there are challenges facing this rural school's leadership in terms of poor parental involvement. Challenges such as lack of parental commitment to the school, illiteracy among adults and a communication breakdown between the school and its parents are still rife. The school leadership addresses this challenge by participating in village meetings and utilizing them as a platform to discuss school matters with parents. Further research on this topic would be useful, including such institutions as rural primary schools, private schools and colleges in the Caprivi Region, as very little research has been done on leadership roles in schools in the rural areas of Namibia.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The role of performance management in the motivation of employees : a case study
- Authors: Zwane, Themba Lambert
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Performance -- Management , Employees -- Rating of -- South Africa , Employee motivation -- South Africa , Performance standards -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8595 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1090 , Performance -- Management , Employees -- Rating of -- South Africa , Employee motivation -- South Africa , Performance standards -- South Africa
- Description: After a review of the literature relevant to performance management systems both over time and across different types of organizations, this thesis confines its research To a case study of the Role of Performance Management in The Motivation of Employees in an organization. Important insight was gained into the relative importance of the performance management practices to promote desired employee outcomes. In view thereof that a discussion of performance in organizations is incomplete without reference to the construct of organizational culture, this study also provided propositions to prompt further research on the role of performance management in reinforcing a high performance organizational culture. Insightful conclusions were drawn from the results obtained and recommendations are made for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Zwane, Themba Lambert
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Performance -- Management , Employees -- Rating of -- South Africa , Employee motivation -- South Africa , Performance standards -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8595 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1090 , Performance -- Management , Employees -- Rating of -- South Africa , Employee motivation -- South Africa , Performance standards -- South Africa
- Description: After a review of the literature relevant to performance management systems both over time and across different types of organizations, this thesis confines its research To a case study of the Role of Performance Management in The Motivation of Employees in an organization. Important insight was gained into the relative importance of the performance management practices to promote desired employee outcomes. In view thereof that a discussion of performance in organizations is incomplete without reference to the construct of organizational culture, this study also provided propositions to prompt further research on the role of performance management in reinforcing a high performance organizational culture. Insightful conclusions were drawn from the results obtained and recommendations are made for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The role of property rights to land and water resources in smallholder development: the case of Kat River Valley
- Authors: Rantlo, Montoeli
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human rights -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Right of property -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rivers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land tenure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11189 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/386 , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human rights -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Right of property -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rivers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land tenure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Property rights are social institutions that define and delimit the range of privileges granted to individuals of specific resources, such as land and water. They are the authority to determine different forms of control over resources thus determining the use, benefits and costs resulting from resource use. That is, they clearly specify who can use the resources, who can capture the benefits from the resources, and who should incur costs of any socially harmful impact resulting from the use of a resource. In order to be efficient property rights must be clearly defined by the administering institution whether formal or informal and must be accepted, understood and respected by all the involved individuals and should be enforceable. These institutions influence the behaviour of individuals hence the impact on economic performance and development. The thesis has attempted to determine how the situation of property rights to land and water affects the development of smallholders in the Kat River Valley. Data was collected from 96 households who were selected using random sampling. To capture data, a questionnaire was administered through face-to-face interviews. Institutional analysis and ANOVA were used for descriptive analysis to describe the property rights situation, security of property rights and the impact of property rights on the development of smallholder farming. The results show that individual land rights holders have secure rights to land and water resources while communal smallholders and farmers on the invaded state land have insecure rights to land and water resources. The results from institutional analysis show that the situation of property rights negatively affects development of all smallholder farmers in the Kat River Valley. There are various institutional factors that negatively affect development of smallholder farmers in the Kat River Valley. Based on the research findings, some policy recommendations are made. These include consideration of the local context and strengthening of the protection of property rights.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Rantlo, Montoeli
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human rights -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Right of property -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rivers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land tenure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Agricultural Economics)
- Identifier: vital:11189 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/386 , Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Human rights -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Right of property -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sustainable development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Rivers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land tenure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Land use -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Property rights are social institutions that define and delimit the range of privileges granted to individuals of specific resources, such as land and water. They are the authority to determine different forms of control over resources thus determining the use, benefits and costs resulting from resource use. That is, they clearly specify who can use the resources, who can capture the benefits from the resources, and who should incur costs of any socially harmful impact resulting from the use of a resource. In order to be efficient property rights must be clearly defined by the administering institution whether formal or informal and must be accepted, understood and respected by all the involved individuals and should be enforceable. These institutions influence the behaviour of individuals hence the impact on economic performance and development. The thesis has attempted to determine how the situation of property rights to land and water affects the development of smallholders in the Kat River Valley. Data was collected from 96 households who were selected using random sampling. To capture data, a questionnaire was administered through face-to-face interviews. Institutional analysis and ANOVA were used for descriptive analysis to describe the property rights situation, security of property rights and the impact of property rights on the development of smallholder farming. The results show that individual land rights holders have secure rights to land and water resources while communal smallholders and farmers on the invaded state land have insecure rights to land and water resources. The results from institutional analysis show that the situation of property rights negatively affects development of all smallholder farmers in the Kat River Valley. There are various institutional factors that negatively affect development of smallholder farmers in the Kat River Valley. Based on the research findings, some policy recommendations are made. These include consideration of the local context and strengthening of the protection of property rights.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The role of reasonableness in the review of labour arbitration awards
- Authors: Botma, Carli Helena
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Arbitration and award -- South Africa , Arbitration, Industrial -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10194 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1035 , Arbitration and award -- South Africa , Arbitration, Industrial -- South Africa
- Description: The Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 in section 145 and the Arbitration Act 42 of 1965 in section 33 uses wording very similar to one another to specifically enable the labour court to review CCMA and private arbitration awards respectively. As a result, labour arbitration award reviews are regarded as part of the family of special statutory reviews; the implication of such a classification being that the situation specific statutory provision(s) and the jurisprudential principles developed thereunder are applicable rather than those applicable to reviews in general. When the common purpose of the review procedure is then read with the legislature’s objective of quickly and finally resolving labour disputes at arbitration level as well as the limited grounds for review as provided for in the LRA and the AA, indications are that the labour courts’ review powers should be restrictively interpreted. However, because the making of CCMA arbitration awards also constitutes administrative action, the review thereof is also influenced by the constitutional right to just administrative action and reasonableness in particular. This does however not mean that applicants on review can rely directly on section 33 of the Final Constitution or on the broader grounds of section 6 of the PAJA to review CCMA arbitration awards on the basis of unreasonableness. Section 145 of the LRA constitutes administrative action legislation within the specialised labour law sphere and reasonableness is not a ground mentioned therein. A constitutionally consistent interpretation of section 145 however has the effect that reasonableness suffuses the statutory defined grounds for review; a state of affairs that does not threaten the restrictive scope of CCMA arbitration award reviews. In terms thereof, courts on review must establish whether the decision, alleged to have been reached by the commissioner as a result of the occurrence of one or more of the section 145 grounds for review, is one that a reasonable decision-maker could not reach. This interpretation accords far better with the legislature’s specific objectives pertaining to labour arbitration award reviews and the permissible range of reasonableness further ensures that awards are not easily interfered with on review. When a court is then called upon to determine whether or not a decision is reviewable in terms of section 145, it is entitled to have regard to both the award and the record of the proceedings. If, after such scrutiny, the court is of the opinion that the decision was arrived at as a result of the occurrence of a defect as contemplated by section 145 of the LRA, the decision should be reviewed and set aside irrespective of the fact that the outcome can be sustained by other reasons also identifiable from the record; the focus of review always being on the commissioner’s process of reasoning and the way in which he arrived at his findings rather than the outcome of the process. A court should however be mindful of the fact that erroneous reasons for findings per se are not reviewable grounds, but at best serve as evidence of a reviewable ground that will in conjunction with other considerations have to be sufficiently compelling to justify an inference that the decision is unreasonable. In the case of jurisdictional reviews, the reasonableness standard is also applicable because the focus is on the commissioner’s subjective reasons for his findings rather than the jurisdictional fact’s objective existence. A court on review can accordingly set aside a decision following upon the non-observance of a jurisdictional fact if the commissioner, in deciding that the jurisdictional fact existed, committed one or more of the section 145 grounds for review. In the case of private arbitration awards, applicants seeking a review must do so on the grounds recognised in section 33 of the AA and reasonableness is not one of them. This is however not the only reason why these awards are also not subject to the scrutiny of the reasonableness test on review. The other reason relates to the fact that the issuing of private arbitration awards does not constitute administrative action. The disputing parties can also not by agreement incorporate the reasonableness standard into private arbitration award reviews conducted by the labour court. Such parties are however entitled to establish a private appeal or private review body in their arbitration agreement, clothing it with the powers that they wish to confer upon it, including the ability to review an award subject to the reasonableness standard. , Abstract
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Botma, Carli Helena
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Arbitration and award -- South Africa , Arbitration, Industrial -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10194 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1035 , Arbitration and award -- South Africa , Arbitration, Industrial -- South Africa
- Description: The Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 in section 145 and the Arbitration Act 42 of 1965 in section 33 uses wording very similar to one another to specifically enable the labour court to review CCMA and private arbitration awards respectively. As a result, labour arbitration award reviews are regarded as part of the family of special statutory reviews; the implication of such a classification being that the situation specific statutory provision(s) and the jurisprudential principles developed thereunder are applicable rather than those applicable to reviews in general. When the common purpose of the review procedure is then read with the legislature’s objective of quickly and finally resolving labour disputes at arbitration level as well as the limited grounds for review as provided for in the LRA and the AA, indications are that the labour courts’ review powers should be restrictively interpreted. However, because the making of CCMA arbitration awards also constitutes administrative action, the review thereof is also influenced by the constitutional right to just administrative action and reasonableness in particular. This does however not mean that applicants on review can rely directly on section 33 of the Final Constitution or on the broader grounds of section 6 of the PAJA to review CCMA arbitration awards on the basis of unreasonableness. Section 145 of the LRA constitutes administrative action legislation within the specialised labour law sphere and reasonableness is not a ground mentioned therein. A constitutionally consistent interpretation of section 145 however has the effect that reasonableness suffuses the statutory defined grounds for review; a state of affairs that does not threaten the restrictive scope of CCMA arbitration award reviews. In terms thereof, courts on review must establish whether the decision, alleged to have been reached by the commissioner as a result of the occurrence of one or more of the section 145 grounds for review, is one that a reasonable decision-maker could not reach. This interpretation accords far better with the legislature’s specific objectives pertaining to labour arbitration award reviews and the permissible range of reasonableness further ensures that awards are not easily interfered with on review. When a court is then called upon to determine whether or not a decision is reviewable in terms of section 145, it is entitled to have regard to both the award and the record of the proceedings. If, after such scrutiny, the court is of the opinion that the decision was arrived at as a result of the occurrence of a defect as contemplated by section 145 of the LRA, the decision should be reviewed and set aside irrespective of the fact that the outcome can be sustained by other reasons also identifiable from the record; the focus of review always being on the commissioner’s process of reasoning and the way in which he arrived at his findings rather than the outcome of the process. A court should however be mindful of the fact that erroneous reasons for findings per se are not reviewable grounds, but at best serve as evidence of a reviewable ground that will in conjunction with other considerations have to be sufficiently compelling to justify an inference that the decision is unreasonable. In the case of jurisdictional reviews, the reasonableness standard is also applicable because the focus is on the commissioner’s subjective reasons for his findings rather than the jurisdictional fact’s objective existence. A court on review can accordingly set aside a decision following upon the non-observance of a jurisdictional fact if the commissioner, in deciding that the jurisdictional fact existed, committed one or more of the section 145 grounds for review. In the case of private arbitration awards, applicants seeking a review must do so on the grounds recognised in section 33 of the AA and reasonableness is not one of them. This is however not the only reason why these awards are also not subject to the scrutiny of the reasonableness test on review. The other reason relates to the fact that the issuing of private arbitration awards does not constitute administrative action. The disputing parties can also not by agreement incorporate the reasonableness standard into private arbitration award reviews conducted by the labour court. Such parties are however entitled to establish a private appeal or private review body in their arbitration agreement, clothing it with the powers that they wish to confer upon it, including the ability to review an award subject to the reasonableness standard. , Abstract
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The role of school management teams in selected Northern areas schools in Port Elizabeth in creating a culture of discipline and order
- Authors: Oosthuizen, Lizette Clarise
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: School discipline -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Classroom management , School management teams
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9524 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/983 , School discipline -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Classroom management , School management teams
- Description: Good discipline is one of the key characteristics of an effective school and is a vital prerequisite for a culture of learning and teaching at any school. Despite the requirement that every public school should have a code of conduct and other disciplinary policies to ensure a disciplined environment of teaching and learning, there is a perception that learner discipline at certain schools in the Northern areas of Port Elizabeth is busy eroding the fabric of effective school management. As an educator and more specifically a member of the school management team (SMT) at a Northern areas high school, I elected to investigate the role of SMTs in managing discipline at selected schools in the Northern areas of Port Elizabeth. The research question, which formed the basis of my research, was: What is the role played by SMTs of specific schools in the Northern areas of Port Elizabeth in creating a culture of discipline and order? By investigating how these SMTs cope with the challenge of managing learners’ ill-discipline, I was hoping to provide SMTs with possible solutions and/or guidelines for future use by SMTs facing similar challenges. This study chose the interpretive paradigm in which to conduct its investigation, as the aim was to understand how SMTs experience the phenomenon of school discipline at selected schools in the Northern areas of Port Elizabeth. This was done by means of qualitative research methods, which allowed me to listen to and share the experiences of SMT members in the participating schools. The sample of this investigation comprised of the SMTs of four schools in the Northern areas – three high schools and one primary school. Data were collected by getting the viewpoints of the participants by means of questionnaires as well as individual and group interviews. This data were then analyzed by highlighting significant themes resulting in the formulation of emerging themes, namely: a decline in discipline, socio-economic factors, classroom planning and school management and discipline practices. These four themes were then sub-divided into two categories each and thereafter the experiences of the participants were described in rich, thick detail. The main findings of this research focused on school discipline being the responsibility of all the relevant stakeholders of a school; finding solutions to the discipline problems should be a collective effort of SMT, educators and parents; the Department of Education (DoE) should increase its efforts to assist schools to manage discipline problems more effectively in order to create a culture of discipline and order. The findings of this study resulted in specific recommendations being formulated, e.g. the development of learners’ self-discipline should be high on the priority list of any school, educators need to be trained in effective alternatives to corporal punishment, and parents need to set standards of acceptable behaviour for their children at home, which will automatically spill over to the school. The conclusions from this research are that SMTs need to work as a team and in collaboration with other educators and parents to effectively manage discipline at their respective schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Oosthuizen, Lizette Clarise
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: School discipline -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Classroom management , School management teams
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9524 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/983 , School discipline -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Classroom management , School management teams
- Description: Good discipline is one of the key characteristics of an effective school and is a vital prerequisite for a culture of learning and teaching at any school. Despite the requirement that every public school should have a code of conduct and other disciplinary policies to ensure a disciplined environment of teaching and learning, there is a perception that learner discipline at certain schools in the Northern areas of Port Elizabeth is busy eroding the fabric of effective school management. As an educator and more specifically a member of the school management team (SMT) at a Northern areas high school, I elected to investigate the role of SMTs in managing discipline at selected schools in the Northern areas of Port Elizabeth. The research question, which formed the basis of my research, was: What is the role played by SMTs of specific schools in the Northern areas of Port Elizabeth in creating a culture of discipline and order? By investigating how these SMTs cope with the challenge of managing learners’ ill-discipline, I was hoping to provide SMTs with possible solutions and/or guidelines for future use by SMTs facing similar challenges. This study chose the interpretive paradigm in which to conduct its investigation, as the aim was to understand how SMTs experience the phenomenon of school discipline at selected schools in the Northern areas of Port Elizabeth. This was done by means of qualitative research methods, which allowed me to listen to and share the experiences of SMT members in the participating schools. The sample of this investigation comprised of the SMTs of four schools in the Northern areas – three high schools and one primary school. Data were collected by getting the viewpoints of the participants by means of questionnaires as well as individual and group interviews. This data were then analyzed by highlighting significant themes resulting in the formulation of emerging themes, namely: a decline in discipline, socio-economic factors, classroom planning and school management and discipline practices. These four themes were then sub-divided into two categories each and thereafter the experiences of the participants were described in rich, thick detail. The main findings of this research focused on school discipline being the responsibility of all the relevant stakeholders of a school; finding solutions to the discipline problems should be a collective effort of SMT, educators and parents; the Department of Education (DoE) should increase its efforts to assist schools to manage discipline problems more effectively in order to create a culture of discipline and order. The findings of this study resulted in specific recommendations being formulated, e.g. the development of learners’ self-discipline should be high on the priority list of any school, educators need to be trained in effective alternatives to corporal punishment, and parents need to set standards of acceptable behaviour for their children at home, which will automatically spill over to the school. The conclusions from this research are that SMTs need to work as a team and in collaboration with other educators and parents to effectively manage discipline at their respective schools.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The role of school management teams in the implementation and maintenance of inclusive education
- Authors: Geduld, Deidre Chante
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Inclusive education -- South Africa , Special education -- South Africa , School management teams -- South Africa , Mainstreaming in education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9470 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/956 , Inclusive education -- South Africa , Special education -- South Africa , School management teams -- South Africa , Mainstreaming in education -- South Africa
- Description: Inclusion is about the organizational change within schools to improve the educational system for all learners. It means changes in the curriculum, changes in how teachers teach and how learners learn, as well as changes in how learners with and without special needs interact with and relate to one another. The quality of leadership makes a significant difference to educator participation in accommodating all learners. However, for this we as educators must ensure that we are fully capable of delivering this service irrespective how old we are or what our qualification levels are. It is my objective to understand the role the school management team plays in facilitating the process of changes, as change cannot be forced and the fear of change must be acknowledged and faced. The qualitative research paradigm and more specifically the participatory action research approach, which is, applied research that treats knowledge as a form of power and designates with the line between research and social action particularly assisted me in answering my research question. xiv used to describe school management team members’ understanding and experiences pertaining to inclusive education and why they are procrastinating. After data analysis of the first step was concluded, the research established that the participant educators were not in favour of inclusive education and for that reason perceived it negatively. Educators are not enthusiastic about inclusivity. Step 2 was the action plan of my research study on which the school management team members decided collective as a method to restructure their thinking towards an implementation programme for inclusive education for their school. The researcher also reflected on the limitations inherent to this study and presented guidelines and recommendations for implementing and maintaining inclusive education.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Geduld, Deidre Chante
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Inclusive education -- South Africa , Special education -- South Africa , School management teams -- South Africa , Mainstreaming in education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9470 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/956 , Inclusive education -- South Africa , Special education -- South Africa , School management teams -- South Africa , Mainstreaming in education -- South Africa
- Description: Inclusion is about the organizational change within schools to improve the educational system for all learners. It means changes in the curriculum, changes in how teachers teach and how learners learn, as well as changes in how learners with and without special needs interact with and relate to one another. The quality of leadership makes a significant difference to educator participation in accommodating all learners. However, for this we as educators must ensure that we are fully capable of delivering this service irrespective how old we are or what our qualification levels are. It is my objective to understand the role the school management team plays in facilitating the process of changes, as change cannot be forced and the fear of change must be acknowledged and faced. The qualitative research paradigm and more specifically the participatory action research approach, which is, applied research that treats knowledge as a form of power and designates with the line between research and social action particularly assisted me in answering my research question. xiv used to describe school management team members’ understanding and experiences pertaining to inclusive education and why they are procrastinating. After data analysis of the first step was concluded, the research established that the participant educators were not in favour of inclusive education and for that reason perceived it negatively. Educators are not enthusiastic about inclusivity. Step 2 was the action plan of my research study on which the school management team members decided collective as a method to restructure their thinking towards an implementation programme for inclusive education for their school. The researcher also reflected on the limitations inherent to this study and presented guidelines and recommendations for implementing and maintaining inclusive education.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The role of strategic supply chain management in liquor retail
- Authors: Oppong, George
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Business logistics -- South Africa , Physical distribution of goods -- Management , Retail trade -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8723 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/895 , Business logistics -- South Africa , Physical distribution of goods -- Management , Retail trade -- South Africa
- Description: The underlying objective of this research was to assess the extent to which an efficient supply chain can help retail businesses; particularly liquor businesses to manage their business risks. The case study firm for the research was Big Daddy’s Group, one of the leading independent liquor distribution and retailing firms in South Africa. In order to achieve the objective of the research, a review of relevant literature was done. It began with literature review of retailing in general, highlighting on the major roles they play and the modern trends in the industry. Afterwards the literature was narrowed down to liquor retailing. This was done to ascertain the unique characteristics of that aspect of retailing including the regulations guiding the industry and the specific business risks in that business. The final part of the literature review was on specific concepts and management models such as value chain, supply chain as well as business risk and its management. The literature highlighted the means by which the retailer creates value for the customer and the inherent risks in the industry. There was the indication of supply chain being a key component of the value creating activities (value chain) of the business, and serving as a tool in mitigating possible risks. The literature provided the theoretical proposition (hypothesis) for the assessment of the case study findings from the Big Daddy’s Group. The data collection exercise was done by means of a questionnaire complimented by personal interview. Due to the nature of the firm, in terms of structure and operations, two persons, with considerable insight into the business, the director and the sales/area manager were interviewed for the exercise. The questions posed were categorised into seven key areas of retail operations such as product range, imports, customer awareness, marketing and advertising, supply chain and human resource. The findings were compared with the theoretical propositions developed in the literature review, and the pattern matching logic technique was used to determine the existence or not of any similar predictions or differences. The risks identified in the findings were analysed with the logic of an efficient supply chain as the mitigating tool. The conclusion was that supply chain management is key to the value creation activities and hence the survival of the business. The recommendation therefore is that the retailer should ensure the efficient management of the supply chain network since it has the potential to reduce the inherent risks in their operations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Oppong, George
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Business logistics -- South Africa , Physical distribution of goods -- Management , Retail trade -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8723 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/895 , Business logistics -- South Africa , Physical distribution of goods -- Management , Retail trade -- South Africa
- Description: The underlying objective of this research was to assess the extent to which an efficient supply chain can help retail businesses; particularly liquor businesses to manage their business risks. The case study firm for the research was Big Daddy’s Group, one of the leading independent liquor distribution and retailing firms in South Africa. In order to achieve the objective of the research, a review of relevant literature was done. It began with literature review of retailing in general, highlighting on the major roles they play and the modern trends in the industry. Afterwards the literature was narrowed down to liquor retailing. This was done to ascertain the unique characteristics of that aspect of retailing including the regulations guiding the industry and the specific business risks in that business. The final part of the literature review was on specific concepts and management models such as value chain, supply chain as well as business risk and its management. The literature highlighted the means by which the retailer creates value for the customer and the inherent risks in the industry. There was the indication of supply chain being a key component of the value creating activities (value chain) of the business, and serving as a tool in mitigating possible risks. The literature provided the theoretical proposition (hypothesis) for the assessment of the case study findings from the Big Daddy’s Group. The data collection exercise was done by means of a questionnaire complimented by personal interview. Due to the nature of the firm, in terms of structure and operations, two persons, with considerable insight into the business, the director and the sales/area manager were interviewed for the exercise. The questions posed were categorised into seven key areas of retail operations such as product range, imports, customer awareness, marketing and advertising, supply chain and human resource. The findings were compared with the theoretical propositions developed in the literature review, and the pattern matching logic technique was used to determine the existence or not of any similar predictions or differences. The risks identified in the findings were analysed with the logic of an efficient supply chain as the mitigating tool. The conclusion was that supply chain management is key to the value creation activities and hence the survival of the business. The recommendation therefore is that the retailer should ensure the efficient management of the supply chain network since it has the potential to reduce the inherent risks in their operations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The role of the instrumental principle in economic explanations
- Authors: Hoffmann, Nimi
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Consumer behaviour Utility theory -- Economic aspects Economics -- Sociological aspects Marginal utility
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2712 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002842
- Description: Economic explanations tend to view individuals as acting to satisfy their preferences, so that when given a choice between goods, individuals choose those goods which have greater utility for them – they choose those goods which they believe can best satisfy their preferences in the circumstances at hand. In this thesis, I investigate how utility theory works when it is used to explain behaviour. In theory, utility is a positive concept. It is intended to describe and explain an individual’s behaviour without judging or justifying it. It also seems to be regarded as non-hypothetical, for it explains an individual’s behaviour in terms of preferences which need not be shared by others, but may be wholly particular to her. This implies a distinctive way of approaching people’s behaviour as isolated from and immune to the judgements of a community, for utility cannot be used as a common standard by which we judge an individual’s behaviour as better or worse, appropriate or inappropriate. I argue that this theoretical treatment of utility is substantially different from the practice of using utility to explain behaviour. In the first place, when utility is used to explain behaviour as preference-guided, it treats this behaviour as rational action. An explanation of rational action is, however, necessarily governed by the instrumental principle. This principle is normative – it stipulates the correct relation between a person’s means and her ends, rather than simply describing an existing relation. The principle is also non-hypothetical – our commitment to the principle does not rely on the possession of particular ends, but on having ends in general. The instrumental principle therefore acts as a common standard for reasoning about how to act, so that when we explain an agent’s behaviour as rational action, we expect that her action will conform to standards that we all share in virtue of having ends. Thus, I contend, in order to explain the rational actions of an individual, marginal utility necessarily appeals to the judgements of a community.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Hoffmann, Nimi
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Consumer behaviour Utility theory -- Economic aspects Economics -- Sociological aspects Marginal utility
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2712 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002842
- Description: Economic explanations tend to view individuals as acting to satisfy their preferences, so that when given a choice between goods, individuals choose those goods which have greater utility for them – they choose those goods which they believe can best satisfy their preferences in the circumstances at hand. In this thesis, I investigate how utility theory works when it is used to explain behaviour. In theory, utility is a positive concept. It is intended to describe and explain an individual’s behaviour without judging or justifying it. It also seems to be regarded as non-hypothetical, for it explains an individual’s behaviour in terms of preferences which need not be shared by others, but may be wholly particular to her. This implies a distinctive way of approaching people’s behaviour as isolated from and immune to the judgements of a community, for utility cannot be used as a common standard by which we judge an individual’s behaviour as better or worse, appropriate or inappropriate. I argue that this theoretical treatment of utility is substantially different from the practice of using utility to explain behaviour. In the first place, when utility is used to explain behaviour as preference-guided, it treats this behaviour as rational action. An explanation of rational action is, however, necessarily governed by the instrumental principle. This principle is normative – it stipulates the correct relation between a person’s means and her ends, rather than simply describing an existing relation. The principle is also non-hypothetical – our commitment to the principle does not rely on the possession of particular ends, but on having ends in general. The instrumental principle therefore acts as a common standard for reasoning about how to act, so that when we explain an agent’s behaviour as rational action, we expect that her action will conform to standards that we all share in virtue of having ends. Thus, I contend, in order to explain the rational actions of an individual, marginal utility necessarily appeals to the judgements of a community.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The role of the private radio stations in promoting participatory democracry in Lesotho : the case of Moafrika FM, Catholic FM, Peoples's choice FM and Harvest FM
- Ramakhula, Abeloang Ramakhula
- Authors: Ramakhula, Abeloang Ramakhula
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Radio in politics , Radio broadcasting -- Political aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8399 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/859 , Radio in politics , Radio broadcasting -- Political aspects
- Description: This study is an exploratory assessment of the role of private radio stations in promoting participatory democracy in Lesotho. It seeks to describe the current situation of the role of radio in the country, including levels of rural development programming and community participation. There are eight private radio stations operating in the country. The emergence of the liberalised airwaves created an opportunity for people to have access to information, hence promotion of participatory democracy, though problem of freedom of expression and speech and absence of media policy hinders positive effective participation in issues affecting both journalists and society. The study will use a survey within the purposely selected media professionals to assess how citizens obtain and use information to make informed political choices as well as to measure the influence of private radio stations on political knowledge, attitudes and behavior. The field research will take place in the capital Maseru, where all the private radio stations are based. This will enable the researcher to draw inferences about the role of private radio stations and participatory democracy in Lesotho. The study explores changes that have occurred following the emergence of liberalisation of the radio airwaves in Lesotho from 1994, from almost a century of state owned and dominated national radio station. The central argument in this study is to establish if liberalisation of the airwaves in particular has a significant impact on the democratisation process in the country. Given the country’s limited literacy rate and historic role of broadcast media in Lesotho as a source of all major official information, private radio stations occupies a central role of mobilising and debating issues of national concern. The study, therefore, concludes that the emergence of the private radio stations in Lesotho has increased community participation in political and current affairs. The coverage of radio in the country and its pluralistic character suggest that the private radio stations will remain a crucial broadcast medium of communication in Lesotho, especially for the rural people whose access to television and print are inaccessible.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Ramakhula, Abeloang Ramakhula
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Radio in politics , Radio broadcasting -- Political aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8399 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/859 , Radio in politics , Radio broadcasting -- Political aspects
- Description: This study is an exploratory assessment of the role of private radio stations in promoting participatory democracy in Lesotho. It seeks to describe the current situation of the role of radio in the country, including levels of rural development programming and community participation. There are eight private radio stations operating in the country. The emergence of the liberalised airwaves created an opportunity for people to have access to information, hence promotion of participatory democracy, though problem of freedom of expression and speech and absence of media policy hinders positive effective participation in issues affecting both journalists and society. The study will use a survey within the purposely selected media professionals to assess how citizens obtain and use information to make informed political choices as well as to measure the influence of private radio stations on political knowledge, attitudes and behavior. The field research will take place in the capital Maseru, where all the private radio stations are based. This will enable the researcher to draw inferences about the role of private radio stations and participatory democracy in Lesotho. The study explores changes that have occurred following the emergence of liberalisation of the radio airwaves in Lesotho from 1994, from almost a century of state owned and dominated national radio station. The central argument in this study is to establish if liberalisation of the airwaves in particular has a significant impact on the democratisation process in the country. Given the country’s limited literacy rate and historic role of broadcast media in Lesotho as a source of all major official information, private radio stations occupies a central role of mobilising and debating issues of national concern. The study, therefore, concludes that the emergence of the private radio stations in Lesotho has increased community participation in political and current affairs. The coverage of radio in the country and its pluralistic character suggest that the private radio stations will remain a crucial broadcast medium of communication in Lesotho, especially for the rural people whose access to television and print are inaccessible.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The role of the ward committees as an interface between local government and community: a case study of Makana Municipality
- Authors: Stuurman, Sonwabo Happyboy
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Makana Municipality Local government -- South Africa -- Case studies Local government -- South Africa -- Citizen participation Community development -- South Africa -- Case studies Political participation -- South Africa -- Case studies Democracy -- South Africa South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994- South Africa -- Politics and government -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3292 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003080
- Description: The Ward Committee System was introduced in South Africa in 2001 as a tool to bring government closer to the people and to enhance participatory democracy. The Makana Municipality adopted the system in 2002. Previous research on local government indicates that these structures have not been effective due to the lack of resources to sustain them. This study was interested in furthering such research, using the Makana Municipality as a case study during which unstructured, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with Ward Councillors, Ward Committee Members and Grade 12 learners. The aim of the research was to investigate whether the ward committees did indeed promote the notion of participatory democracy and to what extent grass roots development has been enhanced by this structure of local government. The findings from both the respondents and the observations indicate that, in addition to the lack of resources, the underutilization of the Ward Committee System is a result of the effect of opposing political affiliations within the ward committee system, affiliations that undermine the goal of collaborative decision-making. Whereas the ward committee system is a positive idea, the findings suggest that the government is not supporting these structures by failing to equip the ward committee members with necessary capacities and skills. Therefore, if municipalities are committed to bridging the gap between local government and the community, and are keen to enhance participatory democracy, then capacity building of the ward committees and respect for their role during the decision-making process need to be taken seriously. At present, ward committee members are not influential and active in the decision-making process. In addition, the youth as prospective future ward committee members seemed disillusioned with the notion of participatory democracy, and instead have adopted the mentality that nepotism and corruption, as displayed by those in power, is the only way of governance. This research suggests that the ward committee system, intended to bring government closer to the people, may in fact not only alienate government from the people, but also the people from each other.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Stuurman, Sonwabo Happyboy
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Makana Municipality Local government -- South Africa -- Case studies Local government -- South Africa -- Citizen participation Community development -- South Africa -- Case studies Political participation -- South Africa -- Case studies Democracy -- South Africa South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994- South Africa -- Politics and government -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3292 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003080
- Description: The Ward Committee System was introduced in South Africa in 2001 as a tool to bring government closer to the people and to enhance participatory democracy. The Makana Municipality adopted the system in 2002. Previous research on local government indicates that these structures have not been effective due to the lack of resources to sustain them. This study was interested in furthering such research, using the Makana Municipality as a case study during which unstructured, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with Ward Councillors, Ward Committee Members and Grade 12 learners. The aim of the research was to investigate whether the ward committees did indeed promote the notion of participatory democracy and to what extent grass roots development has been enhanced by this structure of local government. The findings from both the respondents and the observations indicate that, in addition to the lack of resources, the underutilization of the Ward Committee System is a result of the effect of opposing political affiliations within the ward committee system, affiliations that undermine the goal of collaborative decision-making. Whereas the ward committee system is a positive idea, the findings suggest that the government is not supporting these structures by failing to equip the ward committee members with necessary capacities and skills. Therefore, if municipalities are committed to bridging the gap between local government and the community, and are keen to enhance participatory democracy, then capacity building of the ward committees and respect for their role during the decision-making process need to be taken seriously. At present, ward committee members are not influential and active in the decision-making process. In addition, the youth as prospective future ward committee members seemed disillusioned with the notion of participatory democracy, and instead have adopted the mentality that nepotism and corruption, as displayed by those in power, is the only way of governance. This research suggests that the ward committee system, intended to bring government closer to the people, may in fact not only alienate government from the people, but also the people from each other.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009