Ernesto "Che" Guevara : a psychobiographical study
- Authors: Kolesky, Candice
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Guevara, Che, 1928-1967 , Psychology -- Biographical methods
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9864 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1512 , Guevara, Che, 1928-1967 , Psychology -- Biographical methods
- Description: Psychobiography is a qualitative approach to exploring and understanding the life story of an individual through the lens of psychological theory. The application of theory is typically done on the finished lives of well-known or enigmatic people. This study explores and describes the psychological development across the lifespan of Ernesto “Che” Guevara, by applying the Individual Psychology of Alfred Adler. Che Guevara was an Argentine Marxist revolutionary, physician, author, guerrilla leader, and major figure of the Cuban Revolution. Since his death, his image has become a symbol for revolution within popular culture. Extensive data has been examined in this work to ensure an accurate description of Guevara’s life. Alexander’s model of identifying salient themes was used to analyze the data within a conceptual framework derived from the theory. Guevara was fiercely loyal to his cause, at the expense of the lives of many Cuban citizens as well as his own family, whom he spent little time with. He justified this with his firmly held belief that the end justified the means and that he was always fighting for the greater good. He quite literally dedicated his life to his cause, which is the reason that he has become a modern day symbol for revolution. It is however unfortunate that this came at such a great personal expense.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Kolesky, Candice
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Guevara, Che, 1928-1967 , Psychology -- Biographical methods
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9864 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1512 , Guevara, Che, 1928-1967 , Psychology -- Biographical methods
- Description: Psychobiography is a qualitative approach to exploring and understanding the life story of an individual through the lens of psychological theory. The application of theory is typically done on the finished lives of well-known or enigmatic people. This study explores and describes the psychological development across the lifespan of Ernesto “Che” Guevara, by applying the Individual Psychology of Alfred Adler. Che Guevara was an Argentine Marxist revolutionary, physician, author, guerrilla leader, and major figure of the Cuban Revolution. Since his death, his image has become a symbol for revolution within popular culture. Extensive data has been examined in this work to ensure an accurate description of Guevara’s life. Alexander’s model of identifying salient themes was used to analyze the data within a conceptual framework derived from the theory. Guevara was fiercely loyal to his cause, at the expense of the lives of many Cuban citizens as well as his own family, whom he spent little time with. He justified this with his firmly held belief that the end justified the means and that he was always fighting for the greater good. He quite literally dedicated his life to his cause, which is the reason that he has become a modern day symbol for revolution. It is however unfortunate that this came at such a great personal expense.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Establishing a framework for an integrated, holistic, community based educational support structure
- Authors: Pieterse, Glynis
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Curriculum planning -- South Africa , Competency-based education -- South Africa , Inclusive education -- South Africa , Teachers -- Training of -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DEd
- Identifier: vital:9510 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1158 , Curriculum planning -- South Africa , Competency-based education -- South Africa , Inclusive education -- South Africa , Teachers -- Training of -- South Africa
- Description: The restructuring of South African education, after the country’s first non-racial democratic elections in 1994, coincided, with the development of inclusive education in international education. The implementation of inclusive education, internationally, was guided by the Salamanca Statement of 1994 and the international “Education for All” movement. Education White Paper 6 (2001), serves as the blueprint for implementing inclusive education in South Africa. This investigation argues that the successful implementation of the inclusive education system is dependent on the development of an effective, quality education support structure. Such an educational support structure is one that should reflect a holistic, integrated and community based approach to support. Based on this presupposition, the primary research aim of this investigation was the establishment of a framework for a holistic, integrated, community based education support structure to do justice to learners with mainly external barriers to learning (LSEN) and educators finding themselves in an inclusive classroom in Nelson Mandela Metropole and surrounding areas. In order to understand how such a framework can be established, the following guiding secondary research questions were posed: • What was the international perspective on the implementation of inclusive education? • What was the nature of educational provisioning for learners with barriers to learning (LSEN) before 1994, and the implementation of inclusive education policies thereafter? • What were the practical implications of implementing Education White Paper 6 (Department of Education, 2001) for the support roles of education support providers in South African schools? • What is the support challenges facing learners and educators within inclusive classrooms in Nelson Mandela Metropole and surrounding areas? • What support structures are currently available at the different levels of the education system? This investigation was completed from a phenomenological perspective. A constructivist approach to data collection and data analysis was followed, as the investigator did not attempt to prove or disprove theory, but rather to understand the phenomena under investigation from the viewpoint of participants. iv The sample, selected by means of non-probability purposive and theoretical sampling techniques, included 120 educators from 85 different schools in Nelson Mandela Metropole and surrounding areas. In addition, 4 education officials, 4 members of community organisations and 2 teacher union representatives were selected to the sample. Through the process of data analysis, accomplished through the principles inherent to grounded theory, two themes and sub-themes were identified. The investigator presented a discussion on the two themes and sub-themes. This discussion was followed by a proposal for the establishment of a framework for a holistic, integrated, community based educational support structure. The investigation was completed by recommendations related to the primary and secondary research questions. The investigation concluded that the implementation of inclusive education is severely hampered by strong exclusionary factors that are principally related to socio-economic backlogs that have not been successfully addressed by the current government.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Pieterse, Glynis
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Curriculum planning -- South Africa , Competency-based education -- South Africa , Inclusive education -- South Africa , Teachers -- Training of -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DEd
- Identifier: vital:9510 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1158 , Curriculum planning -- South Africa , Competency-based education -- South Africa , Inclusive education -- South Africa , Teachers -- Training of -- South Africa
- Description: The restructuring of South African education, after the country’s first non-racial democratic elections in 1994, coincided, with the development of inclusive education in international education. The implementation of inclusive education, internationally, was guided by the Salamanca Statement of 1994 and the international “Education for All” movement. Education White Paper 6 (2001), serves as the blueprint for implementing inclusive education in South Africa. This investigation argues that the successful implementation of the inclusive education system is dependent on the development of an effective, quality education support structure. Such an educational support structure is one that should reflect a holistic, integrated and community based approach to support. Based on this presupposition, the primary research aim of this investigation was the establishment of a framework for a holistic, integrated, community based education support structure to do justice to learners with mainly external barriers to learning (LSEN) and educators finding themselves in an inclusive classroom in Nelson Mandela Metropole and surrounding areas. In order to understand how such a framework can be established, the following guiding secondary research questions were posed: • What was the international perspective on the implementation of inclusive education? • What was the nature of educational provisioning for learners with barriers to learning (LSEN) before 1994, and the implementation of inclusive education policies thereafter? • What were the practical implications of implementing Education White Paper 6 (Department of Education, 2001) for the support roles of education support providers in South African schools? • What is the support challenges facing learners and educators within inclusive classrooms in Nelson Mandela Metropole and surrounding areas? • What support structures are currently available at the different levels of the education system? This investigation was completed from a phenomenological perspective. A constructivist approach to data collection and data analysis was followed, as the investigator did not attempt to prove or disprove theory, but rather to understand the phenomena under investigation from the viewpoint of participants. iv The sample, selected by means of non-probability purposive and theoretical sampling techniques, included 120 educators from 85 different schools in Nelson Mandela Metropole and surrounding areas. In addition, 4 education officials, 4 members of community organisations and 2 teacher union representatives were selected to the sample. Through the process of data analysis, accomplished through the principles inherent to grounded theory, two themes and sub-themes were identified. The investigator presented a discussion on the two themes and sub-themes. This discussion was followed by a proposal for the establishment of a framework for a holistic, integrated, community based educational support structure. The investigation was completed by recommendations related to the primary and secondary research questions. The investigation concluded that the implementation of inclusive education is severely hampered by strong exclusionary factors that are principally related to socio-economic backlogs that have not been successfully addressed by the current government.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Estuarine use by spotted grunter Pomadasys commersonnii in a South African estuary, as determined by acoustic telemetry
- Childs, Amber-Robyn, Cowley, Paul D, Næsje, T F, Booth, Anthony J, Potts, Warren M, Thorstad, Eva B, Økland, F
- Authors: Childs, Amber-Robyn , Cowley, Paul D , Næsje, T F , Booth, Anthony J , Potts, Warren M , Thorstad, Eva B , Økland, F
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124428 , vital:35612 , https://doi.org/10.2989/A JMS.2008.30.1.12.462
- Description: Estuaries are important in the life history and the maintenance of the diversity of coastal fish species because of their function as nursery areas for juveniles as well as feeding grounds for adults (Cyrus 1991). The dependence of many fish species on estuaries is well documented (e.g. Wallace et al. 1984, Lenanton and Potter 1987, Blaber et al. 1989, Whitfield 1990, Hoss and Thayer 1993). Spotted grunter Pomadasys commersonnii (Haemulidae) (Lacepède 1801) is an estuarine-dependent species which spawns in the KwaZulu-Natal inshore coastal waters, between August and December (Wallace 1975b, Wallace and van der Elst 1975, Harris and Cyrus 1997, 1999). The eggs and larvae are transported southwards by the Agulhas Current, and juveniles between 20 mm and 50 mm TL recruit into the KwaZulu-Natal and south-eastern Cape estuaries (Wallace and van der Elst 1975, Whitfield 1990). Juvenile spotted grunter make use of the abundant food resources in estuaries, where they grow rapidly and remain for a period of 1–3 years (Wallace and Schleyer 1979, Day et al. 1981). Upon attaining sexual maturity (at between 300 mm and 400 mm TL), they return to the marine environment (Wallace 1975b). Some adults, however, return to estuaries to feed and to regain condition after spawning (Wallace 1975b, Whitfield 1994). The return of post-spawning fish coincides with increased catches by fishers in estuaries between July and January. These events are known as ‘grunter runs’ (Wallace 1975a, Marais and Baird 1980, Marais 1988, Pradervand and Baird 2002). It is suggested that adults spend up to several months in estuaries, before moving back to sea where they undergo gonadal development and ultimately spawn (Wallace 1975b, Wallace and van der Elst 1975). It is believed that adult fish also enter estuaries in a prespawning state to gain condition en route to their spawning grounds in KwaZulu-Natal (Webb 2002).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Childs, Amber-Robyn , Cowley, Paul D , Næsje, T F , Booth, Anthony J , Potts, Warren M , Thorstad, Eva B , Økland, F
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124428 , vital:35612 , https://doi.org/10.2989/A JMS.2008.30.1.12.462
- Description: Estuaries are important in the life history and the maintenance of the diversity of coastal fish species because of their function as nursery areas for juveniles as well as feeding grounds for adults (Cyrus 1991). The dependence of many fish species on estuaries is well documented (e.g. Wallace et al. 1984, Lenanton and Potter 1987, Blaber et al. 1989, Whitfield 1990, Hoss and Thayer 1993). Spotted grunter Pomadasys commersonnii (Haemulidae) (Lacepède 1801) is an estuarine-dependent species which spawns in the KwaZulu-Natal inshore coastal waters, between August and December (Wallace 1975b, Wallace and van der Elst 1975, Harris and Cyrus 1997, 1999). The eggs and larvae are transported southwards by the Agulhas Current, and juveniles between 20 mm and 50 mm TL recruit into the KwaZulu-Natal and south-eastern Cape estuaries (Wallace and van der Elst 1975, Whitfield 1990). Juvenile spotted grunter make use of the abundant food resources in estuaries, where they grow rapidly and remain for a period of 1–3 years (Wallace and Schleyer 1979, Day et al. 1981). Upon attaining sexual maturity (at between 300 mm and 400 mm TL), they return to the marine environment (Wallace 1975b). Some adults, however, return to estuaries to feed and to regain condition after spawning (Wallace 1975b, Whitfield 1994). The return of post-spawning fish coincides with increased catches by fishers in estuaries between July and January. These events are known as ‘grunter runs’ (Wallace 1975a, Marais and Baird 1980, Marais 1988, Pradervand and Baird 2002). It is suggested that adults spend up to several months in estuaries, before moving back to sea where they undergo gonadal development and ultimately spawn (Wallace 1975b, Wallace and van der Elst 1975). It is believed that adult fish also enter estuaries in a prespawning state to gain condition en route to their spawning grounds in KwaZulu-Natal (Webb 2002).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Ethics-oriented learning in environmental education workplaces: An activity theory approach
- Authors: Olvitt, Lausanne L
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/370961 , vital:66398 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/122874"
- Description: In the context of increasing national and global environmental challenges and their implications for the working world, new ethics and practices are being introduced into workplaces that take better account of socio-ecological relations. Little is understood, however, about the nature of ethics-oriented workplace learning. Drawing on Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT), which enables historically and contextually situated relational perspectives to emerge, this paper explores contradictions in the activity systems of two young environmental education learner-practitioners struggling to engage with the ethical dimensions of their professional work and the professional development course they are studying. The study focuses in particular on the environmental values and ethics component of their course – a year-long Learnership in Environmental Education, Training and Development Practices (EETDP). The paper reflects how tensions and contradictions within and between the interacting activity systems of the workplace, the course, and its regulating qualifications authority influence the teaching and learning of the environmental ethics component of the course. Ethics-oriented teaching and learning processes are found to be strongly influenced by the ‘rules’ and ‘mediating tools’ of these interacting systems, but these are often at odds with the ethical perspectives, socio-cultural context and skills of the ‘subject’ and ‘community’. These systemic contradictions can be more fully understood when their cultural and historical origins are made explicit. The analytical process has led to a more nuanced understanding of ethics-oriented teaching and learning in a workplace-based course, and has revealed several areas needing more careful research (particularly the area of environmental discourses) and the explicit and implicit language of ethics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Olvitt, Lausanne L
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/370961 , vital:66398 , xlink:href="https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajee/article/view/122874"
- Description: In the context of increasing national and global environmental challenges and their implications for the working world, new ethics and practices are being introduced into workplaces that take better account of socio-ecological relations. Little is understood, however, about the nature of ethics-oriented workplace learning. Drawing on Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT), which enables historically and contextually situated relational perspectives to emerge, this paper explores contradictions in the activity systems of two young environmental education learner-practitioners struggling to engage with the ethical dimensions of their professional work and the professional development course they are studying. The study focuses in particular on the environmental values and ethics component of their course – a year-long Learnership in Environmental Education, Training and Development Practices (EETDP). The paper reflects how tensions and contradictions within and between the interacting activity systems of the workplace, the course, and its regulating qualifications authority influence the teaching and learning of the environmental ethics component of the course. Ethics-oriented teaching and learning processes are found to be strongly influenced by the ‘rules’ and ‘mediating tools’ of these interacting systems, but these are often at odds with the ethical perspectives, socio-cultural context and skills of the ‘subject’ and ‘community’. These systemic contradictions can be more fully understood when their cultural and historical origins are made explicit. The analytical process has led to a more nuanced understanding of ethics-oriented teaching and learning in a workplace-based course, and has revealed several areas needing more careful research (particularly the area of environmental discourses) and the explicit and implicit language of ethics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Evaluating the impact of public participation on the formulation and implementation of the Integrated Development Plan: the case of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (2004-2008)
- Authors: Mqulwana, Nimrod Mbuyiseli
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: City planning -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Civic improvement -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Regional planning -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Political participation -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Local government -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Community development -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11638 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001247 , City planning -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Civic improvement -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Regional planning -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Political participation -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Local government -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Community development -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: Local Government has a critical role to play in rebuilding local communities and environments as the basis for a democratic, integrated prosperous and truly non-racial society and this is enshrined in Chapter 7 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act 108 of 1996. The key focus area of this research study is the evaluation of the impact of Public Participation on the formulation and implementation of the Integrated Development Plan in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality for the period 2004 – 2008. This research study has two aims that are related to public participation in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and they are: - To evaluate the impact of public participation in the Integrated Development Plan in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and whether public participation is seen as a vehicle to enhance policy formulation and implementation or not especially with respect to community ownership of the Integrated Development Plan. To provide strategies/mechanisms to remedy the situation. The research study is people focused and the methodogical approach that is used in this investigation is qualitative and quantitative. The target groups for this research is the Community residing in the jurisdiction area of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Metro Councillors and Municipal Officials.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Mqulwana, Nimrod Mbuyiseli
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: City planning -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Civic improvement -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Regional planning -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Political participation -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Local government -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Community development -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11638 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001247 , City planning -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Civic improvement -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Regional planning -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Political participation -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Local government -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Community development -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: Local Government has a critical role to play in rebuilding local communities and environments as the basis for a democratic, integrated prosperous and truly non-racial society and this is enshrined in Chapter 7 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act 108 of 1996. The key focus area of this research study is the evaluation of the impact of Public Participation on the formulation and implementation of the Integrated Development Plan in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality for the period 2004 – 2008. This research study has two aims that are related to public participation in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and they are: - To evaluate the impact of public participation in the Integrated Development Plan in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and whether public participation is seen as a vehicle to enhance policy formulation and implementation or not especially with respect to community ownership of the Integrated Development Plan. To provide strategies/mechanisms to remedy the situation. The research study is people focused and the methodogical approach that is used in this investigation is qualitative and quantitative. The target groups for this research is the Community residing in the jurisdiction area of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Metro Councillors and Municipal Officials.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Evaluation and management of cover crop species and their effects on weed dynamics, soil fertility and maize (Zea mays L.) productivity under irrigation in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Murungu, Farayi Solomon
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Crops -- South Africa , Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil percolation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil permeability -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Corn -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil fertility -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Crop Science)
- Identifier: vital:11866 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/335 , Crops -- South Africa , Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil percolation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil permeability -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Corn -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil fertility -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The current interest in conservation agriculture (CA) technologies is a result of the need to reduce excessive land degradation in most crop producing areas as well as to enhance sustainable food production. Cover crops that are usually grown under CA to provide soil cover, may offer secondary benefits, depending on the farming system. The concept of growing cover crops is a relatively new phenomenon to smallholder farmers. Production of large biomass yields and weed suppression from cover crops were major challenges affecting success and uptake of CA technologies by smallholder irrigation farmers. Coupled with this, low soil fertility limit maize productivity and reduce water use efficiency on smallholder irrigation schemes in what is largely a water strained agro-ecology in South Africa. While cover cropping can increase maize productivity, benefits of different types of mulch are not well understood, leading to challenges in selecting the most appropriate cover crop species to grow in the Eastern Cape Province (EC) of South Africa (SA) which has a warm temperate climate. With respect to any new technology, smallholder farmers are more interested in the economic benefits. Cover crops have been defined as leguminous or non-leguminous plants used for ground cover in various temporal and special configurations used in crop or animal production systems. The purpose of these cover crops is to improve on or more of the following: soil erosion, availability and cycling of N, P, K, Ca and other nutrients, soil moisture and water infiltration, and weed or pest control (Eilitta et al., 2004).. Improvement of animal or human diet may be additional goals. This definition accommodates diverse systems which may include intercrop and sole-cropping systems. In the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, a government initiative has promoted the growing of winter cover crops in smallholder irrigation schemes (Allwood, 2006). In other parts of Africa, legume food crops have been simultaneously grown with cereal staples to improve both soil cover and human diet (Eilitta et al., 2004). Winter experiments were undertaken in 2007 and 2008 to evaluate biomass accumulation, C and N uptake, weed suppression and response to fertilization. Winter cover crops planted included; oats (Avena sativa), grazing vetch (Vicia dasycarpa), faba bean (Vicia faba), forage peas (Pisum sativum) and lupin (Lupinus angustifolius). After cover crops were terminated, the effects of residues on weeds, fertility, moisture conservation and maize productivity were undertaken in the 2007/08 and 2008/09 summer seasons. Field studies were also done in the 2007/08 and 2008/09 summer seasons to investigate effects of strip intercropping patterns (3:2; 4:2; and 6:2 patterns) of maize (cv. PAN 6479) with mucuna (Mucuna pruriens) or sunnhemp (Crotalaria juncea) on maize productivity and summer cover crop biomass production. In a separate experiment effects of relay intercropping sunnhemp, mucuna and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) on biomass accumulation and maize productivity were investigated. Decomposition, N and P release from both winter cover crops and summer cover crops were also assessed in laboratory incubation experiments. Oats, grazing vetch and forage peas cover crops produced mean dry mass of 13873 kg/ha, 8945.5 kg/ha and 11073 kg/ha, respectively, while lupin had the lowest dry mass of 1226 kg/ha over the two seasons. Oats responded to fertilization while, there was little or no response from the other winter cover crops. Oats and grazing vetch also reduced weed density by 90 % and 80 % respectively while lupin only reduced weed density by 23 % in relation to the control plots. Nitrogen uptake was 254 kg N/ha for oats while it was 346 kg N /ha for grazing vetch. In the subsequent summer season, grazing vetch and forage pea residues significantly (P < 0.01) improved soil inorganic N. Oat and grazing vetch residues significantly (P < 0.05) reduced weed dry masss and weed species diversity compared to plots with lupin residues and the control. Lack of maize fertilization tended to reduce maize yields but not for maize grown on grazing vetch residues. From an economic perspective, grazing vetch resulted in the highest returns. Decomposition of winter cover crops was much faster for grazing vetch followed by forage peas and lastly oats. Oats had 40 % ash free dry mass remaining after 124 days while grazing vetch and forage peas had 7 % and 16 % respectively. Maximum net mineralized N and P were greater for grazing vetch (84.8 mg N/kg; 3.6 mg P/kg) compared to forage peas (66.3 mg N/kg; 2.7 mg P/ha) and oats (13.7 mg N/kg; 2.8 mg P/kg). In the strip intercropping trials, sunnhemp achieved the highest biomass yield of 4576 kg/ha in the 3:2 pattern while mucuna achieved 1897 kg/ha for the same strip pattern. The 3:2 strip intercropping pattern slightly depressed yields, however, yield reduction was more pronounced in the first season where water stress was experienced. Growing maize on previous cover crop strips failed to increase maize productivity probably due to weed growth during the fallow reducing mineral N in these strips. Decomposition was faster in sunnhemp leaves and mucuna compared to sunnhemp stems. Sunnhemp stems had about 65 % of ash free dry mass remaining after the end of the experiment at 132 days while just over 10 % of mucuna and sunnhemp leaves still remained. Mucuna mineralized 60 mg N/kg and 3.2 mg P/kg and sunnhemp mineralized 45 mg N/kg and 3.5 mg P/kg. Relay intercropping did not significantly (P > 0.05) affect maize biomass and grain yield. Sorghum experienced the largest drop in biomass when relay-intercropped with maize. Mucuna resulted in the highest N uptake (271 kg N/ha) in sole cropping while sorghum had the lowest (88 kg N/ha). Grazing vetch results in high biomass yields with minimal fertilizer application in a warm-temperate climate. Grazing vetch mulch is also the most cost effective mulch for better early weed control, improving soil mineral N status, water conservation and ultimately enhanced maize productivity in smallholder irrigation maize-based systems. The 3:2 pattern maximizes summer cover crop biomass yields compared to the 6:2 and 4:2 patterns. However, the 3:2 pattern may slightly depress yields in a water stressed environment. Relay intercropping mucuna, sunnhemp and sorghum into a maize crop at 42 days after maize sowing has no effect on maize productivity while cover crop biomass yields are low. Having a long winter fallow period after maize harvesting, a common practice in the study area, reduces the positive impact of legume cover crops on soil mineral N. Results suggest that winter cover crops may result in weed control, soil fertility and maize yield improvement benefits while a long fallow period may cancel-out these benefits for summer cover crops. Grazing vetch is a cost effective cover crop that produces high maize yields with minimal fertilizer input. Maize growing on oat mulch requires more fertilizer application than crops growing on grazing vetch mulch. Conservation agriculture systems in which summer cover crops are grown alongside the maize crop with a long winter fallow period do not produce the intended CA benefits.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Murungu, Farayi Solomon
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Crops -- South Africa , Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil percolation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil permeability -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Corn -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil fertility -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD (Crop Science)
- Identifier: vital:11866 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/335 , Crops -- South Africa , Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil percolation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil permeability -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Corn -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Soil fertility -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The current interest in conservation agriculture (CA) technologies is a result of the need to reduce excessive land degradation in most crop producing areas as well as to enhance sustainable food production. Cover crops that are usually grown under CA to provide soil cover, may offer secondary benefits, depending on the farming system. The concept of growing cover crops is a relatively new phenomenon to smallholder farmers. Production of large biomass yields and weed suppression from cover crops were major challenges affecting success and uptake of CA technologies by smallholder irrigation farmers. Coupled with this, low soil fertility limit maize productivity and reduce water use efficiency on smallholder irrigation schemes in what is largely a water strained agro-ecology in South Africa. While cover cropping can increase maize productivity, benefits of different types of mulch are not well understood, leading to challenges in selecting the most appropriate cover crop species to grow in the Eastern Cape Province (EC) of South Africa (SA) which has a warm temperate climate. With respect to any new technology, smallholder farmers are more interested in the economic benefits. Cover crops have been defined as leguminous or non-leguminous plants used for ground cover in various temporal and special configurations used in crop or animal production systems. The purpose of these cover crops is to improve on or more of the following: soil erosion, availability and cycling of N, P, K, Ca and other nutrients, soil moisture and water infiltration, and weed or pest control (Eilitta et al., 2004).. Improvement of animal or human diet may be additional goals. This definition accommodates diverse systems which may include intercrop and sole-cropping systems. In the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, a government initiative has promoted the growing of winter cover crops in smallholder irrigation schemes (Allwood, 2006). In other parts of Africa, legume food crops have been simultaneously grown with cereal staples to improve both soil cover and human diet (Eilitta et al., 2004). Winter experiments were undertaken in 2007 and 2008 to evaluate biomass accumulation, C and N uptake, weed suppression and response to fertilization. Winter cover crops planted included; oats (Avena sativa), grazing vetch (Vicia dasycarpa), faba bean (Vicia faba), forage peas (Pisum sativum) and lupin (Lupinus angustifolius). After cover crops were terminated, the effects of residues on weeds, fertility, moisture conservation and maize productivity were undertaken in the 2007/08 and 2008/09 summer seasons. Field studies were also done in the 2007/08 and 2008/09 summer seasons to investigate effects of strip intercropping patterns (3:2; 4:2; and 6:2 patterns) of maize (cv. PAN 6479) with mucuna (Mucuna pruriens) or sunnhemp (Crotalaria juncea) on maize productivity and summer cover crop biomass production. In a separate experiment effects of relay intercropping sunnhemp, mucuna and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) on biomass accumulation and maize productivity were investigated. Decomposition, N and P release from both winter cover crops and summer cover crops were also assessed in laboratory incubation experiments. Oats, grazing vetch and forage peas cover crops produced mean dry mass of 13873 kg/ha, 8945.5 kg/ha and 11073 kg/ha, respectively, while lupin had the lowest dry mass of 1226 kg/ha over the two seasons. Oats responded to fertilization while, there was little or no response from the other winter cover crops. Oats and grazing vetch also reduced weed density by 90 % and 80 % respectively while lupin only reduced weed density by 23 % in relation to the control plots. Nitrogen uptake was 254 kg N/ha for oats while it was 346 kg N /ha for grazing vetch. In the subsequent summer season, grazing vetch and forage pea residues significantly (P < 0.01) improved soil inorganic N. Oat and grazing vetch residues significantly (P < 0.05) reduced weed dry masss and weed species diversity compared to plots with lupin residues and the control. Lack of maize fertilization tended to reduce maize yields but not for maize grown on grazing vetch residues. From an economic perspective, grazing vetch resulted in the highest returns. Decomposition of winter cover crops was much faster for grazing vetch followed by forage peas and lastly oats. Oats had 40 % ash free dry mass remaining after 124 days while grazing vetch and forage peas had 7 % and 16 % respectively. Maximum net mineralized N and P were greater for grazing vetch (84.8 mg N/kg; 3.6 mg P/kg) compared to forage peas (66.3 mg N/kg; 2.7 mg P/ha) and oats (13.7 mg N/kg; 2.8 mg P/kg). In the strip intercropping trials, sunnhemp achieved the highest biomass yield of 4576 kg/ha in the 3:2 pattern while mucuna achieved 1897 kg/ha for the same strip pattern. The 3:2 strip intercropping pattern slightly depressed yields, however, yield reduction was more pronounced in the first season where water stress was experienced. Growing maize on previous cover crop strips failed to increase maize productivity probably due to weed growth during the fallow reducing mineral N in these strips. Decomposition was faster in sunnhemp leaves and mucuna compared to sunnhemp stems. Sunnhemp stems had about 65 % of ash free dry mass remaining after the end of the experiment at 132 days while just over 10 % of mucuna and sunnhemp leaves still remained. Mucuna mineralized 60 mg N/kg and 3.2 mg P/kg and sunnhemp mineralized 45 mg N/kg and 3.5 mg P/kg. Relay intercropping did not significantly (P > 0.05) affect maize biomass and grain yield. Sorghum experienced the largest drop in biomass when relay-intercropped with maize. Mucuna resulted in the highest N uptake (271 kg N/ha) in sole cropping while sorghum had the lowest (88 kg N/ha). Grazing vetch results in high biomass yields with minimal fertilizer application in a warm-temperate climate. Grazing vetch mulch is also the most cost effective mulch for better early weed control, improving soil mineral N status, water conservation and ultimately enhanced maize productivity in smallholder irrigation maize-based systems. The 3:2 pattern maximizes summer cover crop biomass yields compared to the 6:2 and 4:2 patterns. However, the 3:2 pattern may slightly depress yields in a water stressed environment. Relay intercropping mucuna, sunnhemp and sorghum into a maize crop at 42 days after maize sowing has no effect on maize productivity while cover crop biomass yields are low. Having a long winter fallow period after maize harvesting, a common practice in the study area, reduces the positive impact of legume cover crops on soil mineral N. Results suggest that winter cover crops may result in weed control, soil fertility and maize yield improvement benefits while a long fallow period may cancel-out these benefits for summer cover crops. Grazing vetch is a cost effective cover crop that produces high maize yields with minimal fertilizer input. Maize growing on oat mulch requires more fertilizer application than crops growing on grazing vetch mulch. Conservation agriculture systems in which summer cover crops are grown alongside the maize crop with a long winter fallow period do not produce the intended CA benefits.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Evaluation of cover crop species for biomass production, weed suppression and maize yields under irrigation in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Musunda, Bothwell Zvidzai
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Cover crops , Biomass energy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , No-tillage , Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Weeds
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Crop Science)
- Identifier: vital:11867 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/347 , Cover crops , Biomass energy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , No-tillage , Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Weeds
- Description: Achieving high biomass yields of cover crops has been a challenge to the success of Conservation Agriculture (CA) practices in the Eastern Cape (EC). A study was conducted to evaluate strategies for optimizing cover crop biomass production. Trials were carried out to screen summer and winter cover crops, as well as evaluate intercropping patterns and planting dates for biomass, weed suppression and subsequent maize yield under irrigation. Four summer legume cover crop species were evaluated under a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) design. The cover crops were fertilized with 13.34 kg ha-1 of N, 20 kg ha-1 P and 26.66 kg ha-1 K. In the 2008/09 summer season a maize crop was superimposed on the 2007/08 screening trial under no-till. The crop was fertilized with 60 kg ha-1 of N. An intercropping trial was conducted over two seasons as a way of investigating the best way of incorporating cover crops into farmers cropping systems. This was done bearing in mind the limitation of resources such as land. The trial evaluated 3 factors laid as a 2 x 2 x 3 factorial arranged in a split-plot design. The main factor was cover crop planting date (planting at maize planting or 2 weeks after maize planting). The sub plot factor was intercropping pattern (strip intercropping and between row intercropping). A trial was also conducted to evaluate the effect of planting date (End of April and mid May) and four winter legume cover crop species on cover crop biomass, weed suppression and maize grain yield. The experiment was laid out as a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated 3 times. In the subsequent summer season a maize crop was superimposed on the winter trial to test the residual effects of the cover crop species. Another study was conducted to evaluate winter cereal cover crop species for biomass accumulation, weed suppression and subsequent maize grain yield. The cover crops as well as a weedy fallow control plot treatments were laid out as a Randomised Complete Block Design replicated 3 times. In the subsequent summer season a maize crop was superimposed on the site under no-till to evaluate the residual effect of the cover crops on maize. The results showed sunhemp, cowpea and lablab as the best cover crops with high biomass and weed suppression whilst mucuna was the least. Sunhemp consistently yielded higher cover biomass averaging 11200 kg ha-1 over the two seasons whilst mucuna had a consistently lowest average biomass yield of 4050 kg ha-1. These cover crops were above the critical 6 t ha-1 for effective weed suppression. There was a significant (p<0.01) relationship of cover crop dry weight and weed dry weight in both seasons. Subsequent maize grain yield was significantly higher in the sunhemp plots (64.2 %) than the weedy fallow plot. Mucuna, lablab and cowpea had maize grain yield increases of 16.6%, 33% and 43.2% respectively. Intercropping cover crops at maize planting yielded higher cover crop dry weights than a delay in intercropping cover crops. A delay in intercropping resulted in significantly higher average maize grain yield of 4700 kg ha-1 compared to intercropping at maize planting (3800 kg ha-1) and sole maize (4300 kg ha-1) over the two seasons. Strip intercropping also yielded higher (5000 kg ha- 1) average maize grain yield compared to row intercropping (3600 kg ha-1) and sole maize (4300 kg ha-1). There was a significant (p<0.05) relationship between cover crop dry weight in the 2007/08 season and maize grain yield in the 2008/09 season. Early planting grazing vetch gave the highest biomass yield of 8100 kg ha-1 whilst early planted red clover had the lowest biomass of 635 kg ha-1. Low weed dry weights were also obtained from the early planted grazing vetch as opposed to the other treatments. There was a significant (p<0.001) relationship of cover crop dry weight and weed dry weight. In the subsequent 2008/09 summer season early planted grazing vetch had the highest maize yield of 7500 kg ha-1 which was 56.3 % more than the weedy fallow plot had 4800 kg ha-1. The weedy fallow plot also had high weed infestation than the cover crop plots. There were significant (p<0.01) relationships between cover crop dry weight and maize grain yield, winter weed dry weight and maize grain yield and summer weed dry weight and maize grain yield. The results also showed triticale (13900 kg ha-1) as the best winter cover crop for biomass production. Italian ryegrass (6500 kg ha-1) produced the least amount of biomass. In The subsequent maize crop white oats gave highest maize grain yield (6369 kg ha-1) which was 33 % more than the weedy fallow plot (4784 kg ha- 1). There were also significant (p< 0.01) relationships of maize grain yield and winter weed dry weight, maize grain yield and summer growing weeds. The various studies demonstrated that there is opportunity for high biomass production under small scale farmers irrigated conditions using cover crops both in winter and summer. Best bet cover crops were sunhemp, cowpea and lablab for summer and triticale, white oats, barley, Italian ryegrass and grazing vetch for winter. Cover crops can also be incorporated into farmers cropping systems as sole crops or intercrops within the maize based cropping systems. Strip intercropping can be used by farmers as a way of introducing cover crops. Critical to achievement of high biomass is the time of planting cover crops with high biomass when planting is done early. A 2 week delay in strip intercropping cover crop into maize can be used as a way of incorporating cover crops into farmers cropping systems with minimal maize yield reduction.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Musunda, Bothwell Zvidzai
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Cover crops , Biomass energy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , No-tillage , Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Weeds
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc Agric (Crop Science)
- Identifier: vital:11867 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/347 , Cover crops , Biomass energy -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , No-tillage , Conservation of natural resources -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural systems -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Weeds
- Description: Achieving high biomass yields of cover crops has been a challenge to the success of Conservation Agriculture (CA) practices in the Eastern Cape (EC). A study was conducted to evaluate strategies for optimizing cover crop biomass production. Trials were carried out to screen summer and winter cover crops, as well as evaluate intercropping patterns and planting dates for biomass, weed suppression and subsequent maize yield under irrigation. Four summer legume cover crop species were evaluated under a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) design. The cover crops were fertilized with 13.34 kg ha-1 of N, 20 kg ha-1 P and 26.66 kg ha-1 K. In the 2008/09 summer season a maize crop was superimposed on the 2007/08 screening trial under no-till. The crop was fertilized with 60 kg ha-1 of N. An intercropping trial was conducted over two seasons as a way of investigating the best way of incorporating cover crops into farmers cropping systems. This was done bearing in mind the limitation of resources such as land. The trial evaluated 3 factors laid as a 2 x 2 x 3 factorial arranged in a split-plot design. The main factor was cover crop planting date (planting at maize planting or 2 weeks after maize planting). The sub plot factor was intercropping pattern (strip intercropping and between row intercropping). A trial was also conducted to evaluate the effect of planting date (End of April and mid May) and four winter legume cover crop species on cover crop biomass, weed suppression and maize grain yield. The experiment was laid out as a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated 3 times. In the subsequent summer season a maize crop was superimposed on the winter trial to test the residual effects of the cover crop species. Another study was conducted to evaluate winter cereal cover crop species for biomass accumulation, weed suppression and subsequent maize grain yield. The cover crops as well as a weedy fallow control plot treatments were laid out as a Randomised Complete Block Design replicated 3 times. In the subsequent summer season a maize crop was superimposed on the site under no-till to evaluate the residual effect of the cover crops on maize. The results showed sunhemp, cowpea and lablab as the best cover crops with high biomass and weed suppression whilst mucuna was the least. Sunhemp consistently yielded higher cover biomass averaging 11200 kg ha-1 over the two seasons whilst mucuna had a consistently lowest average biomass yield of 4050 kg ha-1. These cover crops were above the critical 6 t ha-1 for effective weed suppression. There was a significant (p<0.01) relationship of cover crop dry weight and weed dry weight in both seasons. Subsequent maize grain yield was significantly higher in the sunhemp plots (64.2 %) than the weedy fallow plot. Mucuna, lablab and cowpea had maize grain yield increases of 16.6%, 33% and 43.2% respectively. Intercropping cover crops at maize planting yielded higher cover crop dry weights than a delay in intercropping cover crops. A delay in intercropping resulted in significantly higher average maize grain yield of 4700 kg ha-1 compared to intercropping at maize planting (3800 kg ha-1) and sole maize (4300 kg ha-1) over the two seasons. Strip intercropping also yielded higher (5000 kg ha- 1) average maize grain yield compared to row intercropping (3600 kg ha-1) and sole maize (4300 kg ha-1). There was a significant (p<0.05) relationship between cover crop dry weight in the 2007/08 season and maize grain yield in the 2008/09 season. Early planting grazing vetch gave the highest biomass yield of 8100 kg ha-1 whilst early planted red clover had the lowest biomass of 635 kg ha-1. Low weed dry weights were also obtained from the early planted grazing vetch as opposed to the other treatments. There was a significant (p<0.001) relationship of cover crop dry weight and weed dry weight. In the subsequent 2008/09 summer season early planted grazing vetch had the highest maize yield of 7500 kg ha-1 which was 56.3 % more than the weedy fallow plot had 4800 kg ha-1. The weedy fallow plot also had high weed infestation than the cover crop plots. There were significant (p<0.01) relationships between cover crop dry weight and maize grain yield, winter weed dry weight and maize grain yield and summer weed dry weight and maize grain yield. The results also showed triticale (13900 kg ha-1) as the best winter cover crop for biomass production. Italian ryegrass (6500 kg ha-1) produced the least amount of biomass. In The subsequent maize crop white oats gave highest maize grain yield (6369 kg ha-1) which was 33 % more than the weedy fallow plot (4784 kg ha- 1). There were also significant (p< 0.01) relationships of maize grain yield and winter weed dry weight, maize grain yield and summer growing weeds. The various studies demonstrated that there is opportunity for high biomass production under small scale farmers irrigated conditions using cover crops both in winter and summer. Best bet cover crops were sunhemp, cowpea and lablab for summer and triticale, white oats, barley, Italian ryegrass and grazing vetch for winter. Cover crops can also be incorporated into farmers cropping systems as sole crops or intercrops within the maize based cropping systems. Strip intercropping can be used by farmers as a way of introducing cover crops. Critical to achievement of high biomass is the time of planting cover crops with high biomass when planting is done early. A 2 week delay in strip intercropping cover crop into maize can be used as a way of incorporating cover crops into farmers cropping systems with minimal maize yield reduction.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Evaluation of water service rendering in the Amathole District Municipality
- Authors: Mqolo, Abner Zamindawo
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water-supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal water supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water-supply, Rural -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11639 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001248 , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water-supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal water supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water-supply, Rural -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The rural areas of Amathole district municipality continue to experience difficulty in accessing water services. The people experience problems despite the fact that the Amathole district municipality, since 2003 has been made a water service authority in its municipal area, which consists of eight local municipalities, namely; Mnquma, Mbashe, Nkonkobe, Amahlathi, Great Kei, Ngqushwa, Nxuba, and Buffalo City. With the water service authority powers devolved from national government to the district municipalities the intention was to speed service delivery. This study investigates the causes of the delays in water service delivery experienced in rural areas of this district municipality. The Buffalo City local municipality is excluded in the study because Buffalo City has as well been given the responsibility of being the water service authority in its municipal area. This study used the questionnaires as data collection tool, and it was distributed to these respondents; chief officials, councilors, and citizens. Due to vastness of the target population sampling was used to reduce the bulkiness of the data. The questionnaire content is based on the phases of the systems theory to see if the policy making processes of the Amathole district municipality are carried out in accordance with the systems theory. The study has found that the citizens are not adequately involved in all the policy processes including the policy analysis and evaluation. This has been found to be a contributory factor in the ineffectiveness of the municipality water service delivery.The spheres of government that operate in silos compromised policy analysis and evaluation of the municipality, and disjuncture of the delivery programs of the spheres and state enterprises caused a huge service delivery challenges for this municipality. The study has confirmed that the Amathole district municipality is experiencing problems, delays, and challenges that make it to be ineffective as a water service authority.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Mqolo, Abner Zamindawo
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water-supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal water supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water-supply, Rural -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11639 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1001248 , Municipal government -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water-supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Municipal water supply -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Water-supply, Rural -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The rural areas of Amathole district municipality continue to experience difficulty in accessing water services. The people experience problems despite the fact that the Amathole district municipality, since 2003 has been made a water service authority in its municipal area, which consists of eight local municipalities, namely; Mnquma, Mbashe, Nkonkobe, Amahlathi, Great Kei, Ngqushwa, Nxuba, and Buffalo City. With the water service authority powers devolved from national government to the district municipalities the intention was to speed service delivery. This study investigates the causes of the delays in water service delivery experienced in rural areas of this district municipality. The Buffalo City local municipality is excluded in the study because Buffalo City has as well been given the responsibility of being the water service authority in its municipal area. This study used the questionnaires as data collection tool, and it was distributed to these respondents; chief officials, councilors, and citizens. Due to vastness of the target population sampling was used to reduce the bulkiness of the data. The questionnaire content is based on the phases of the systems theory to see if the policy making processes of the Amathole district municipality are carried out in accordance with the systems theory. The study has found that the citizens are not adequately involved in all the policy processes including the policy analysis and evaluation. This has been found to be a contributory factor in the ineffectiveness of the municipality water service delivery.The spheres of government that operate in silos compromised policy analysis and evaluation of the municipality, and disjuncture of the delivery programs of the spheres and state enterprises caused a huge service delivery challenges for this municipality. The study has confirmed that the Amathole district municipality is experiencing problems, delays, and challenges that make it to be ineffective as a water service authority.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Exploratory study on empowering rural communities of O.R Tambo District with special reference to Mqanduli
- Authors: Mbelu, Ntandokazi Busisa
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Rural development Rural population Social services, Rural South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Sw
- Identifier: vital:18479 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1009453
- Description: The aim of the study was to explore development of rural communities in the Mqanduli Administrative Area. The exploratory study was further conducted to examine delivery of service to these rural communities. One of the objectives was to empower rural communities for purposes of improving their daily living standards and also to bring about social change.In determining the sample size, forty (40) respondents were selected from Mqanduli Administrative Area. Out of the forty (40) respondents, thirty (30) respondents were selected from the Mqanduli community members, five (5) were O.R.Tambo District Municipality stakeholders and the other five (5) were Social workers from Mqanduli Administrative Area. The instrument utilized to collect data was a questionnaire. Data was analysed using the quantitative and qualitative measure. The outcome of the study indicates that the majority of rural communities in the Mqanduli Administrative Area were in dire need of empowerment which will enable these disadvantaged communities towards development and social change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Mbelu, Ntandokazi Busisa
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Rural development Rural population Social services, Rural South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Sw
- Identifier: vital:18479 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1009453
- Description: The aim of the study was to explore development of rural communities in the Mqanduli Administrative Area. The exploratory study was further conducted to examine delivery of service to these rural communities. One of the objectives was to empower rural communities for purposes of improving their daily living standards and also to bring about social change.In determining the sample size, forty (40) respondents were selected from Mqanduli Administrative Area. Out of the forty (40) respondents, thirty (30) respondents were selected from the Mqanduli community members, five (5) were O.R.Tambo District Municipality stakeholders and the other five (5) were Social workers from Mqanduli Administrative Area. The instrument utilized to collect data was a questionnaire. Data was analysed using the quantitative and qualitative measure. The outcome of the study indicates that the majority of rural communities in the Mqanduli Administrative Area were in dire need of empowerment which will enable these disadvantaged communities towards development and social change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Exploring and expanding learning processes in sustainable agriculture workplace contexts
- Authors: Mukute, Mutizwa
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Sustainable agriculture -- Africa, Southern Sustainable development -- Study and teaching -- Africa, Southern Permaculture -- Zimbabwe Organic farming -- South Africa Farmers -- Social conditions -- Africa, Southern Farmers -- Economic conditions -- Africa, Southern Farmers -- Training of -- Africa, Southern
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1539 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003421
- Description: The focus of this study is to explore and expand farmer learning processes in sustainable agriculture workplace contexts. It examines change oriented learning processes in the context of three sustainable agriculture practices. The study begins by discussing the history and emergence of environmental discourses and approaches; sustainable agriculture; and the histories of three kinds of sustainable agriculture practices: Permaculture, Organic Farming and Machobane Farming System. It also traces the evolution of agricultural extension approaches within the wider context of education for sustainable development. The main focus of the study is an exploration of how farmer learning can be mediated through an expansive learning process. The study methodology surfaces some of the contradictions in sustainable agriculture and learning activity systems that farmers encounter in learning and practising sustainable agriculture. It uses these contradictions as sources of expansive learning in and between the respective activity systems of farmers, sustainable agriculture facilitators, agricultural extension workers (conventional) and organic entrepreneurs. As shown in the study, the expansive learning processes result in the modelling, implementation and reviewing of solutions to contradictions being faced in the learning and practice of sustainable agriculture. The study also proposes a number of tools that can be adapted and used by development farmers and agricultural trainers to examine and expand learning as well as build farmer agency. The study was conducted in three case study sites in Lesotho, South Africa and Zimbabwe. In Zimbabwe the study is located in Hwedza district in the St Margaret Primary School and community that learn, practise and facilitate the learning of Permaculture within the Schools and Colleges Permaculture Programme (SCOPE). The second study site is in South Africa: Durban urban and peri-urban areas where a community of organic farmers, facilitators and entrepreneurs coordinate the marketing of their produce through Isidore Farm and Earth Mother Organic and support each other to learn and practise organic farming. The third study site is based in the Mafeteng and Mohale‟s Hoek districts of Lesotho where the focus was on farmers who learn and practise the Machobane Farming System (MFS) and are supported in this by the Rural Self Development Association (RSDA) and the Machobane Agricultural Development Foundation (MADF). Drawing on three sensitising concepts of dialectics, reflexivity and agency, the study worked with Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) underpinned by critical realism to reveal how farmer learning is mediated and expanded. The theory of practice/habitus also provided a useful theoretical lens with which to examine data generated. Using a two-phased, multiple embedded case study approach, the study worked within the broad framework of social learning. It used semi-structured individual and group interviews, observations and document analysis to explore learning processes and generate „mirror‟ data. This data was then used in Change Laboratory Workshops, within the Developmental Work Research methodology, where double stimulation and focus group discussions contributed to expanding learning processes. Drawing on critical realism the study used inductive, abductive and retroductive modes of inference to analyse data in each case study as well as across case studies. The findings of the study reveal that farmer learning is influenced by both intrinsic motives, such as identity, and extrinsic motives which are primarily associated with economic, ecological and health benefits. Farmers learn through scaffolding and mediating tools that link everyday and scientific knowledge. They also learn from fellow farmers through observation, practising and experimentation. Some of the issues that were raised in connection with farmer learning processes are: language; time to learn, practice and appropriate concepts; time to improve the natural resource base while at the same time improving income generation; and responses to climate change. The study also found that farmer learning and practice of sustainable agriculture in the case studies investigated, is influenced by past and current agricultural and educational policies; societal values and attitudes; social and cultural backgrounds; work affordances and gender relations; quality of training offered; poverty; and, HIV and AIDS. In the second phase of the study, which built on the problematic situations being encountered by research participants (sustainable agriculture farmers, sustainable agriculture facilitators, extension workers, and organic marketers) to surface contradictions, the main finding was that the expansive learning process has potential to enhance farmer learning and practice of sustainable agriculture. It does this by mobilising distributed cognition among participants as well as their preparedness to act. Through the expansive learning processes in each case study, research participants were able to question their practices, surface contradictions, model solutions and implement them, and thus build individual, collective and relational agency reflexively. Observation of this required micro-analysis of agentive talk and reflective talk. The study contributes in-depth insight into participatory research and learning processes, especially within the context of people-centred learning and innovation in the agricultural development arena. It provides empirical and explanatory insight into how change oriented social learning can emerge and be expanded in Education for Sustainable Development, explaining learning and change relationships in three sustainable agricultural practices. It also provides learning and extension tools to work with contradictions that arise from intentionality, experience, context and history in farming and training activity systems. Its key contribution lies in providing in-depth insight into mobilisation of human agency and reflexivity in change oriented sustainable agriculture learning and development, processes that are critical for responding to contemporary socio-ecological issues and risks.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Mukute, Mutizwa
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Sustainable agriculture -- Africa, Southern Sustainable development -- Study and teaching -- Africa, Southern Permaculture -- Zimbabwe Organic farming -- South Africa Farmers -- Social conditions -- Africa, Southern Farmers -- Economic conditions -- Africa, Southern Farmers -- Training of -- Africa, Southern
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:1539 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003421
- Description: The focus of this study is to explore and expand farmer learning processes in sustainable agriculture workplace contexts. It examines change oriented learning processes in the context of three sustainable agriculture practices. The study begins by discussing the history and emergence of environmental discourses and approaches; sustainable agriculture; and the histories of three kinds of sustainable agriculture practices: Permaculture, Organic Farming and Machobane Farming System. It also traces the evolution of agricultural extension approaches within the wider context of education for sustainable development. The main focus of the study is an exploration of how farmer learning can be mediated through an expansive learning process. The study methodology surfaces some of the contradictions in sustainable agriculture and learning activity systems that farmers encounter in learning and practising sustainable agriculture. It uses these contradictions as sources of expansive learning in and between the respective activity systems of farmers, sustainable agriculture facilitators, agricultural extension workers (conventional) and organic entrepreneurs. As shown in the study, the expansive learning processes result in the modelling, implementation and reviewing of solutions to contradictions being faced in the learning and practice of sustainable agriculture. The study also proposes a number of tools that can be adapted and used by development farmers and agricultural trainers to examine and expand learning as well as build farmer agency. The study was conducted in three case study sites in Lesotho, South Africa and Zimbabwe. In Zimbabwe the study is located in Hwedza district in the St Margaret Primary School and community that learn, practise and facilitate the learning of Permaculture within the Schools and Colleges Permaculture Programme (SCOPE). The second study site is in South Africa: Durban urban and peri-urban areas where a community of organic farmers, facilitators and entrepreneurs coordinate the marketing of their produce through Isidore Farm and Earth Mother Organic and support each other to learn and practise organic farming. The third study site is based in the Mafeteng and Mohale‟s Hoek districts of Lesotho where the focus was on farmers who learn and practise the Machobane Farming System (MFS) and are supported in this by the Rural Self Development Association (RSDA) and the Machobane Agricultural Development Foundation (MADF). Drawing on three sensitising concepts of dialectics, reflexivity and agency, the study worked with Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) underpinned by critical realism to reveal how farmer learning is mediated and expanded. The theory of practice/habitus also provided a useful theoretical lens with which to examine data generated. Using a two-phased, multiple embedded case study approach, the study worked within the broad framework of social learning. It used semi-structured individual and group interviews, observations and document analysis to explore learning processes and generate „mirror‟ data. This data was then used in Change Laboratory Workshops, within the Developmental Work Research methodology, where double stimulation and focus group discussions contributed to expanding learning processes. Drawing on critical realism the study used inductive, abductive and retroductive modes of inference to analyse data in each case study as well as across case studies. The findings of the study reveal that farmer learning is influenced by both intrinsic motives, such as identity, and extrinsic motives which are primarily associated with economic, ecological and health benefits. Farmers learn through scaffolding and mediating tools that link everyday and scientific knowledge. They also learn from fellow farmers through observation, practising and experimentation. Some of the issues that were raised in connection with farmer learning processes are: language; time to learn, practice and appropriate concepts; time to improve the natural resource base while at the same time improving income generation; and responses to climate change. The study also found that farmer learning and practice of sustainable agriculture in the case studies investigated, is influenced by past and current agricultural and educational policies; societal values and attitudes; social and cultural backgrounds; work affordances and gender relations; quality of training offered; poverty; and, HIV and AIDS. In the second phase of the study, which built on the problematic situations being encountered by research participants (sustainable agriculture farmers, sustainable agriculture facilitators, extension workers, and organic marketers) to surface contradictions, the main finding was that the expansive learning process has potential to enhance farmer learning and practice of sustainable agriculture. It does this by mobilising distributed cognition among participants as well as their preparedness to act. Through the expansive learning processes in each case study, research participants were able to question their practices, surface contradictions, model solutions and implement them, and thus build individual, collective and relational agency reflexively. Observation of this required micro-analysis of agentive talk and reflective talk. The study contributes in-depth insight into participatory research and learning processes, especially within the context of people-centred learning and innovation in the agricultural development arena. It provides empirical and explanatory insight into how change oriented social learning can emerge and be expanded in Education for Sustainable Development, explaining learning and change relationships in three sustainable agricultural practices. It also provides learning and extension tools to work with contradictions that arise from intentionality, experience, context and history in farming and training activity systems. Its key contribution lies in providing in-depth insight into mobilisation of human agency and reflexivity in change oriented sustainable agriculture learning and development, processes that are critical for responding to contemporary socio-ecological issues and risks.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Exploring the use of interactive teaching and learning strategies in HIV and AIDS education
- Authors: May, Melissa
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa -- Prevention , AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9480 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1510 , AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa -- Prevention , AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Education -- South Africa
- Description: Schools play a major role in shaping the attitudes, opinions and behaviour of young people and so are ideal environments for teaching the social, as well as biological aspects of HIV and AIDS. However, literature indicates that learners are displaying “AIDS fatigue” and may be resistant to teaching around HIV and AIDS. In order to enhance learner engagement and learning, there is therefore a need for teachers to employ interactive teaching and learning strategies that are interactive, inexpensive and fun. This dissertation outlines the research design of an investigation into how such strategies can be used in HIV and AIDS prevention education. An action research design was made use of in this study and the manner in which several teachers presented HIV and AIDS education to his/her learners was initially observed. In addition, qualitative interviews were used to determine the teachers‟ need for development in this regard. Based on the findings of the problem identification step, teachers were introduced to active teaching and learning strategies and supported to implement them. Evaluation and refinement of the strategies, developmental workshops and training followed, which in turn lead to recommendations and the formulation of guidelines to influence teacher education with regard to HIV and AIDS prevention education.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: May, Melissa
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa -- Prevention , AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:9480 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1510 , AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa -- Prevention , AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Education -- South Africa
- Description: Schools play a major role in shaping the attitudes, opinions and behaviour of young people and so are ideal environments for teaching the social, as well as biological aspects of HIV and AIDS. However, literature indicates that learners are displaying “AIDS fatigue” and may be resistant to teaching around HIV and AIDS. In order to enhance learner engagement and learning, there is therefore a need for teachers to employ interactive teaching and learning strategies that are interactive, inexpensive and fun. This dissertation outlines the research design of an investigation into how such strategies can be used in HIV and AIDS prevention education. An action research design was made use of in this study and the manner in which several teachers presented HIV and AIDS education to his/her learners was initially observed. In addition, qualitative interviews were used to determine the teachers‟ need for development in this regard. Based on the findings of the problem identification step, teachers were introduced to active teaching and learning strategies and supported to implement them. Evaluation and refinement of the strategies, developmental workshops and training followed, which in turn lead to recommendations and the formulation of guidelines to influence teacher education with regard to HIV and AIDS prevention education.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Facilitating customer retention in hotels in the Garden Route
- Authors: Slabbert, Gabriel Johannes
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Hospitality industry -- South Africa -- Garden Route , Customer relations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8613 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1552 , Hospitality industry -- South Africa -- Garden Route , Customer relations
- Description: Over the past few decades, customer satisfaction, customer retention and policies and procedures to sustain the above mentioned, have earned great amount of lip service. The importance of satisfied customer percentage have been emphasized by theories even longer before the best advised companies have done so. It is only recently, on the eve of the Soccer World cup 2010 that the issue has been narrowed down to truly hard relationships and one hard question: “Will the guest visiting the hospitality establishment frequent the hotel?” Two vital financial catalysts were used as basis for customer retention. The first is that of old customer’s costs much less than acquisition of new ones and the profit generated from the retained customer must therefore handsomely exceed the harvest reaped from the new clientele. Retaining customers have become an intangible asset in the sense that their value demonstrates the return that is won by successful efforts to satisfy the customers so greatly that they and their custom literally and figuratively stays with you. South Africa has lured even the loneliest traveller to the scenic beauty that is cradled by the country and its surroundings. When taking the former into consideration, South African businesses have enjoyed an increased appreciation and application of Business Management and its accompanying principles. The hospitality industry should therefore embrace the business management principles with specific emphasis on Total Quality Management (TQM); providing managers with the capacity to think strategically about the organisation, its business position, how it can gain sustainable competitive advantage and how its business management strategy can be implemented and executed successfully. The latter forms the basis for ensuring the smooth running of operations and ultimately, ensuring guests have a wonderful experience at the particular establishment. There is a strong belief that lodging facilities in the Garden Route area has experienced low customer retention due to a lack of comprehensive implementation of Total Quality Management principles which impedes on the establishments to reach their optimum profit levels. It is for this reason that this thesis will argue the importance of the systematic client retention as a strategic mandate in today’s service markets. Commercial reality demand long and lasting relationships that are beneficial to both the hospitality related establishment and their customers. The hypothesis used is the application of Total Quality Management as a Business Management Strategy which will facilitate customer retention in hospitality related industries such as hotels situated in the Garden Route area. Research shows that service expectations of customers and potential customers have escalated. Hospitality businesses found that implementation of quality processes to be a vital competitive component. However, many hotels are still struggling to reach a real understanding of what is meant by TQM. The research data indicates that 93 percent of hotels in the Garden Route do not follow a TQM program although all the hotels were familiar with the concept. This might be the reason why most hotels neglect customer retention activities. The literature reviewed in chapter two considers the customer retention activities evaluated in the questionnaire as important to retain guests. Hotels in the Garden Route do not perform these activities to the extent of success. Hotel managers thus know what to do in order to retain guests but the problem is quite simple, they do not always implement the necessary strategies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Slabbert, Gabriel Johannes
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Hospitality industry -- South Africa -- Garden Route , Customer relations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8613 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1552 , Hospitality industry -- South Africa -- Garden Route , Customer relations
- Description: Over the past few decades, customer satisfaction, customer retention and policies and procedures to sustain the above mentioned, have earned great amount of lip service. The importance of satisfied customer percentage have been emphasized by theories even longer before the best advised companies have done so. It is only recently, on the eve of the Soccer World cup 2010 that the issue has been narrowed down to truly hard relationships and one hard question: “Will the guest visiting the hospitality establishment frequent the hotel?” Two vital financial catalysts were used as basis for customer retention. The first is that of old customer’s costs much less than acquisition of new ones and the profit generated from the retained customer must therefore handsomely exceed the harvest reaped from the new clientele. Retaining customers have become an intangible asset in the sense that their value demonstrates the return that is won by successful efforts to satisfy the customers so greatly that they and their custom literally and figuratively stays with you. South Africa has lured even the loneliest traveller to the scenic beauty that is cradled by the country and its surroundings. When taking the former into consideration, South African businesses have enjoyed an increased appreciation and application of Business Management and its accompanying principles. The hospitality industry should therefore embrace the business management principles with specific emphasis on Total Quality Management (TQM); providing managers with the capacity to think strategically about the organisation, its business position, how it can gain sustainable competitive advantage and how its business management strategy can be implemented and executed successfully. The latter forms the basis for ensuring the smooth running of operations and ultimately, ensuring guests have a wonderful experience at the particular establishment. There is a strong belief that lodging facilities in the Garden Route area has experienced low customer retention due to a lack of comprehensive implementation of Total Quality Management principles which impedes on the establishments to reach their optimum profit levels. It is for this reason that this thesis will argue the importance of the systematic client retention as a strategic mandate in today’s service markets. Commercial reality demand long and lasting relationships that are beneficial to both the hospitality related establishment and their customers. The hypothesis used is the application of Total Quality Management as a Business Management Strategy which will facilitate customer retention in hospitality related industries such as hotels situated in the Garden Route area. Research shows that service expectations of customers and potential customers have escalated. Hospitality businesses found that implementation of quality processes to be a vital competitive component. However, many hotels are still struggling to reach a real understanding of what is meant by TQM. The research data indicates that 93 percent of hotels in the Garden Route do not follow a TQM program although all the hotels were familiar with the concept. This might be the reason why most hotels neglect customer retention activities. The literature reviewed in chapter two considers the customer retention activities evaluated in the questionnaire as important to retain guests. Hotels in the Garden Route do not perform these activities to the extent of success. Hotel managers thus know what to do in order to retain guests but the problem is quite simple, they do not always implement the necessary strategies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Factors affecting information technology implementation in the mobile telecommunications industry: a family business case
- Authors: De Jong, Piet
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Mobile communication systems -- Technological innovations , Family-owned business enterprises -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8629 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1486 , Mobile communication systems -- Technological innovations , Family-owned business enterprises -- South Africa
- Description: This treatise investigates how information technology (I.T.) enables growth in a family business (the firm) in Port Elizabeth. The firm operates in the mobile telecommunications sector. The objective of the study is to gain a deeper understanding on why family businesses adopt information technology in their firm by means of a case study. The firm found its technology (or lack thereof) completely out-dated compared to the competition and customer demands. The future of the firm was in jeopardy. The study starts with a literature review of the following three topics which form part of the scope of the research: 1. Family businesses; 2. Influence of I.T. as a driver of growth in business; and 3. An introduction into the mobile telecommunications industry. Data are collected through structured interviews with family members involved in the business. The data are consequently linked to the theory and provides insight as to what the drivers are for I.T. adoption and the required core competencies or critical success factors of the firm. Although it might seem trivial for a small family business to adopt information technology, the research concludes that I.T. is critical for continuous growth and survival of this family business. Conversely due to a lack of internal skills the firm is heavily reliant upon outside consultants for advice, implementation and support. Recommendations which are of particular interest to family businesses in a similar environment are: • Embrace technology early, utilise I.T. solutions to grow and enhance current competitive advantage, do not see I.T. as a competitive advantage alone (Pavlou & Sawy, 2006); • If information expertise is not present within the company it is advisable to invest in that expertise through recruitment, training, partnership, or outsourcing; • Ensure software meets specification / is effective enough – this can be achieved by frequent releases cycles with small changes instead of infrequent release cycles with many big changes; • Engage the consultants in a partnership by i.e. providing a profit share – this will ensure that the consultants are committed to the cause and will also ensure that their involvement is also in their own best interest; • Choose local consultants who are easily accessible – build relationships and focus on trust; • Create lock-in (Amit & Zott, 2001), provide tools free-ofcharge for customers, this will make switching to competitor more difficult; • Automate as much as possible, enable standard work practices, routinize; • Be ready to adjust the organisational structure or relinquish control (Bruquea & Moyanob, 2007)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: De Jong, Piet
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Mobile communication systems -- Technological innovations , Family-owned business enterprises -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8629 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1486 , Mobile communication systems -- Technological innovations , Family-owned business enterprises -- South Africa
- Description: This treatise investigates how information technology (I.T.) enables growth in a family business (the firm) in Port Elizabeth. The firm operates in the mobile telecommunications sector. The objective of the study is to gain a deeper understanding on why family businesses adopt information technology in their firm by means of a case study. The firm found its technology (or lack thereof) completely out-dated compared to the competition and customer demands. The future of the firm was in jeopardy. The study starts with a literature review of the following three topics which form part of the scope of the research: 1. Family businesses; 2. Influence of I.T. as a driver of growth in business; and 3. An introduction into the mobile telecommunications industry. Data are collected through structured interviews with family members involved in the business. The data are consequently linked to the theory and provides insight as to what the drivers are for I.T. adoption and the required core competencies or critical success factors of the firm. Although it might seem trivial for a small family business to adopt information technology, the research concludes that I.T. is critical for continuous growth and survival of this family business. Conversely due to a lack of internal skills the firm is heavily reliant upon outside consultants for advice, implementation and support. Recommendations which are of particular interest to family businesses in a similar environment are: • Embrace technology early, utilise I.T. solutions to grow and enhance current competitive advantage, do not see I.T. as a competitive advantage alone (Pavlou & Sawy, 2006); • If information expertise is not present within the company it is advisable to invest in that expertise through recruitment, training, partnership, or outsourcing; • Ensure software meets specification / is effective enough – this can be achieved by frequent releases cycles with small changes instead of infrequent release cycles with many big changes; • Engage the consultants in a partnership by i.e. providing a profit share – this will ensure that the consultants are committed to the cause and will also ensure that their involvement is also in their own best interest; • Choose local consultants who are easily accessible – build relationships and focus on trust; • Create lock-in (Amit & Zott, 2001), provide tools free-ofcharge for customers, this will make switching to competitor more difficult; • Automate as much as possible, enable standard work practices, routinize; • Be ready to adjust the organisational structure or relinquish control (Bruquea & Moyanob, 2007)
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Factors affecting recapture rates of raggedtooth sharks Carcharias taurus tagged off the east coast of South Africa
- Dicken, Matthew L, Booth, Anthony J, Smale, Malcolm J
- Authors: Dicken, Matthew L , Booth, Anthony J , Smale, Malcolm J
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124493 , vital:35618 , https://doi.10.2989/AJMS.2009.31.3.9.997
- Description: Understanding differences in the recapture rate between different tags (A-, B- and C-types), capture methods (rock-and-surf anglers, scientific divers and Natal Sharks Board protection nets) and life-history stages (juvenile and adult) is critical in evaluating the results obtained from cooperative tagging programmes (CTPs). A generalised linear modelling approach, using a log-linear model, was used to determine significant differences in the probability of recapture between these various factors using data from the Oceanographic Research Institute and Port Elizabeth Museum CTPs. Between 1984 and 2004, a total of 3 385 raggedtooth sharks Carcharias taurus was tagged by volunteers from both programmes along the east coast of South Africa. A likelihood ratio test indicated significant differences in the probability of recapture between A- and C-type and B- and C-type tags (p < 0.01), between different capture methods (p < 0.05) and between juvenile and adult sharks (p < 0.01). A comparison of recapture rates between members of the CTPs also indicated a marked variability in the performance of individual taggers. The study highlights important data-quality issues inherent in large CTPs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Dicken, Matthew L , Booth, Anthony J , Smale, Malcolm J
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/124493 , vital:35618 , https://doi.10.2989/AJMS.2009.31.3.9.997
- Description: Understanding differences in the recapture rate between different tags (A-, B- and C-types), capture methods (rock-and-surf anglers, scientific divers and Natal Sharks Board protection nets) and life-history stages (juvenile and adult) is critical in evaluating the results obtained from cooperative tagging programmes (CTPs). A generalised linear modelling approach, using a log-linear model, was used to determine significant differences in the probability of recapture between these various factors using data from the Oceanographic Research Institute and Port Elizabeth Museum CTPs. Between 1984 and 2004, a total of 3 385 raggedtooth sharks Carcharias taurus was tagged by volunteers from both programmes along the east coast of South Africa. A likelihood ratio test indicated significant differences in the probability of recapture between A- and C-type and B- and C-type tags (p < 0.01), between different capture methods (p < 0.05) and between juvenile and adult sharks (p < 0.01). A comparison of recapture rates between members of the CTPs also indicated a marked variability in the performance of individual taggers. The study highlights important data-quality issues inherent in large CTPs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Fairness of a dismissal from a contractural and administrative law perspective
- Authors: Voultsos, Leon
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Employees -- Dismissal of -- South Africa , Unfair labor practices -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10217 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1288 , Employees -- Dismissal of -- South Africa , Unfair labor practices -- South Africa
- Description: Section 157 of the LRA provides for the nature and extent of the Labour Courts jurisdiction. This provision has been subjected to extensive interpretation by the Judiciary and the various interpretations of the courts have not been entirely consistent. Specific mention is made of the relevance and applicability of section 157(1) and (2) of the LRA regarding the overlap between administrative law and contractual law into labour law. Reference will be made to case law specifically dealing with cases concerning the jurisdiction of the civil courts and labour courts where cases concerning employment and labour matters were brought either in terms of the PAJA or on the basis of contract law. The question arose whether matters which appear to be quintessential labour matters but simultaneously also capable of being entertained on the basis of the PAJA or in terms of contract law are matters which, generally, in terms of section 157(1) of the LRA fall within the exclusive preserve of the Labour Court or, in terms of section 157(2) of the LRA, fall within the concurrent jurisdiction of the High Court and the Labour Court. The discussion which follows will also include reference to the current legal position pertaining to the prohibition of public sector employees from pressing their claims relating to employment or labour matters in the civil courts on the basis of the PAJA as decided in the Chirwa v Transnet Ltd (2008) 2 BLLR 97 (CC) and; the impact thereof on employees pressing claims pertaining to employment and labour matters in the civil courts on the basis of contract law. In addition the similarity of considerations which are common to both administrative law and contract law regarding the “overlap” of each into labour law will be considered and discussed. In the light of the discussion which follows agreement will be expressed with certain decisions of the High Court and the SCA where civil courts were held to retain jurisdiction to entertain common law contractual claims concerning labour and iv employment matters as opposed to restricting all employment and labour matters to the forums established under the LRA and to claims and remedies which are provided for by the LRA.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Voultsos, Leon
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Employees -- Dismissal of -- South Africa , Unfair labor practices -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10217 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1288 , Employees -- Dismissal of -- South Africa , Unfair labor practices -- South Africa
- Description: Section 157 of the LRA provides for the nature and extent of the Labour Courts jurisdiction. This provision has been subjected to extensive interpretation by the Judiciary and the various interpretations of the courts have not been entirely consistent. Specific mention is made of the relevance and applicability of section 157(1) and (2) of the LRA regarding the overlap between administrative law and contractual law into labour law. Reference will be made to case law specifically dealing with cases concerning the jurisdiction of the civil courts and labour courts where cases concerning employment and labour matters were brought either in terms of the PAJA or on the basis of contract law. The question arose whether matters which appear to be quintessential labour matters but simultaneously also capable of being entertained on the basis of the PAJA or in terms of contract law are matters which, generally, in terms of section 157(1) of the LRA fall within the exclusive preserve of the Labour Court or, in terms of section 157(2) of the LRA, fall within the concurrent jurisdiction of the High Court and the Labour Court. The discussion which follows will also include reference to the current legal position pertaining to the prohibition of public sector employees from pressing their claims relating to employment or labour matters in the civil courts on the basis of the PAJA as decided in the Chirwa v Transnet Ltd (2008) 2 BLLR 97 (CC) and; the impact thereof on employees pressing claims pertaining to employment and labour matters in the civil courts on the basis of contract law. In addition the similarity of considerations which are common to both administrative law and contract law regarding the “overlap” of each into labour law will be considered and discussed. In the light of the discussion which follows agreement will be expressed with certain decisions of the High Court and the SCA where civil courts were held to retain jurisdiction to entertain common law contractual claims concerning labour and iv employment matters as opposed to restricting all employment and labour matters to the forums established under the LRA and to claims and remedies which are provided for by the LRA.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Farm wages and working conditions in the Albany District, 1957-2008
- Authors: Roberts, Tamaryn Jean
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Agricultural laborers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural wages -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural laborers -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- South Africa , Agricultural laborers -- Protection -- South Africa , Agricultural laws and legislation -- South Africa , Labour laws and legislation -- South Africa , Labour economics -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:978 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002712
- Description: Agriculture is a major employer of labour in South Africa with about 8.8% of the total labour force directly involved in agricultural production (StatsSA, 2007a). Farm wages and working conditions in the Albany district were researched in 1957 by Roberts (1958) and 1977 by Antrobus (1984). Research in 2008, involving face-to-face interviews of a sample survey of 40 Albany farmers, was undertaken to update the situation facing farm labourers and allowed for comparisons with the work previously done. Farm workers were governed by common law until 1994 when the government intervened with legislation. The introduction of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (1997) for farm workers, amended in 2002 to include minimum wage legislation, and the Extension of Security of Tenure Act (ESTA) of 1997 impacted the supply and demand of farm workers. Other impacts have been due to the Albany district experiencing an increase in the establishment of Private Game Reserves and game-tourism with a simultaneous decline in conventional farming. It was concluded from the survey conducted that minimum wage legislation decreased the demand for regular and increased the demand for casual labour, which incur lower costs including transaction costs, than their regular counterparts. The ESTA of 1997 contributed to a decreased number of farm residents, which had spin-off affects on the supply of labour. Farmers experienced a simultaneous price-cost squeeze, which furthermore decreased the demand for labour. Studying the working and living conditions showed that farm workers had limited access to educational and recreational facilities which negatively impacted the supply of labour.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Roberts, Tamaryn Jean
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Agricultural laborers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural wages -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural laborers -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- South Africa , Agricultural laborers -- Protection -- South Africa , Agricultural laws and legislation -- South Africa , Labour laws and legislation -- South Africa , Labour economics -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:978 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002712
- Description: Agriculture is a major employer of labour in South Africa with about 8.8% of the total labour force directly involved in agricultural production (StatsSA, 2007a). Farm wages and working conditions in the Albany district were researched in 1957 by Roberts (1958) and 1977 by Antrobus (1984). Research in 2008, involving face-to-face interviews of a sample survey of 40 Albany farmers, was undertaken to update the situation facing farm labourers and allowed for comparisons with the work previously done. Farm workers were governed by common law until 1994 when the government intervened with legislation. The introduction of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (1997) for farm workers, amended in 2002 to include minimum wage legislation, and the Extension of Security of Tenure Act (ESTA) of 1997 impacted the supply and demand of farm workers. Other impacts have been due to the Albany district experiencing an increase in the establishment of Private Game Reserves and game-tourism with a simultaneous decline in conventional farming. It was concluded from the survey conducted that minimum wage legislation decreased the demand for regular and increased the demand for casual labour, which incur lower costs including transaction costs, than their regular counterparts. The ESTA of 1997 contributed to a decreased number of farm residents, which had spin-off affects on the supply of labour. Farmers experienced a simultaneous price-cost squeeze, which furthermore decreased the demand for labour. Studying the working and living conditions showed that farm workers had limited access to educational and recreational facilities which negatively impacted the supply of labour.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Firming up the foundations: reflections on verifying the quotations in a historical dictionary, with reference to "A Dictionary of South African English on Historical Principles"
- Authors: Hicks, Sheila
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:7012 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013240
- Description: A Dictionary of South African English on Historical Principles (DSAEHist) is rooted in quotation evidence. It contains just over 8 000 South African English entries, with about 45 000 citations to support those words included as headwords in the dictionary. Using the legacy electronic format in which DSAEHist was typeset, the Dictionary Unit for South African English embarked on a digitising process of DSAEHist, during which it became clear that the quotations would benefit from a full review involving the verification of all quotations against their original sources. This article examines the evolution of the quotation verification project from its beginnings as an entirely manual exercise to its current use of software developed for the purpose. Some of the project’s achievements, such as antedatings and primary source identification, are highlighted, and challenges, such as unverifiable quotations and sometimes highly convoluted research paths, are described. In addition to this, the article looks at the necessarily systematic nature of quotation handling and the main types of considerations determining methodology (for example, lexicographic, bibliographic and typographic requirements).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Hicks, Sheila
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: Text
- Identifier: vital:7012 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013240
- Description: A Dictionary of South African English on Historical Principles (DSAEHist) is rooted in quotation evidence. It contains just over 8 000 South African English entries, with about 45 000 citations to support those words included as headwords in the dictionary. Using the legacy electronic format in which DSAEHist was typeset, the Dictionary Unit for South African English embarked on a digitising process of DSAEHist, during which it became clear that the quotations would benefit from a full review involving the verification of all quotations against their original sources. This article examines the evolution of the quotation verification project from its beginnings as an entirely manual exercise to its current use of software developed for the purpose. Some of the project’s achievements, such as antedatings and primary source identification, are highlighted, and challenges, such as unverifiable quotations and sometimes highly convoluted research paths, are described. In addition to this, the article looks at the necessarily systematic nature of quotation handling and the main types of considerations determining methodology (for example, lexicographic, bibliographic and typographic requirements).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
First oceanographic survey of the entire continental shelf adjacent to the northern Agulhas Current
- Lutjeharms, Johan R E, Durgadoo, Jonathan V, Schapira, Mathilde, McQuaid, Christopher D
- Authors: Lutjeharms, Johan R E , Durgadoo, Jonathan V , Schapira, Mathilde , McQuaid, Christopher D
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6867 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011499 , http://www.sajs.co.za/index.php/SAJS/article/view/410
- Description: [from introduction] The Agulhas Current is by far the largest western boundary current of the southern hemisphere1 and carries about 70 × 106 m3/s of seawater past the eastern shores of South Africa.2 Being more than 2000 m deep, it follows the continental shelf edge quite closely. Its northern part, all the way downstream to Algoa Bay, has a very stable trajectory whereas the southern part meanders widely to either side of a mean geographical location,3 in the process creating shear edge eddies and attendant plumes of warm surface water over the shelf.4 However, the direct influence of the Agulhas Current on the waters and ecosystems of the adjacent shelf of South Africa remains largely unknown.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Lutjeharms, Johan R E , Durgadoo, Jonathan V , Schapira, Mathilde , McQuaid, Christopher D
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6867 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011499 , http://www.sajs.co.za/index.php/SAJS/article/view/410
- Description: [from introduction] The Agulhas Current is by far the largest western boundary current of the southern hemisphere1 and carries about 70 × 106 m3/s of seawater past the eastern shores of South Africa.2 Being more than 2000 m deep, it follows the continental shelf edge quite closely. Its northern part, all the way downstream to Algoa Bay, has a very stable trajectory whereas the southern part meanders widely to either side of a mean geographical location,3 in the process creating shear edge eddies and attendant plumes of warm surface water over the shelf.4 However, the direct influence of the Agulhas Current on the waters and ecosystems of the adjacent shelf of South Africa remains largely unknown.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Formulation and evaluation of captopril loaded polymethacrylate and hydroxypropyl methycellulose microcapsules
- Khamanga, Sandile Maswazi Malungelo
- Authors: Khamanga, Sandile Maswazi Malungelo
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Hypertension -- Treatment , Hypertension -- Chemotherapy , Angiotensin converting enzyme -- Inhibitors , Hypotensive agents -- Development , Pharmacokinetics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3860 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013443
- Description: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are some of the most commonly prescribed medications for hypertension. They are cited in many papers as the treatment most often recommended by guidelines and favoured over other antihypertensive drugs as first-line agents especially when other high-risk conditions are present, such as diabetic nephropathy. The development of captopril (CPT) was amongst the earliest successes of the revolutionary concept of structure-based drug design. Due to its relatively poor pharmacokinetic profile or short half-life of about 1 hour, the formulation of sustained-release microcapsule dosage form is useful to improve patient compliance and to achieve predictable and optimized therapeutic plasma concentrations. Currently, CPT is mainly administered in tablet form. One of the difficulties of CPT formulation has been reported to be its instability in aqueous solutions. CPT is characterized by a lack of a strong chromophore and, therefore, not able to absorb at the more useful UV–Vis region of the spectrum. For this reason, an accurate, simple, reproducible, and sensitive HPLC-ECD method was developed and validated for the determination of CPT in dosage forms. The method was successfully applied for the determination of CPT in commercial and developed formulations. Possible drug-excipient and excipient-excipient interactions were investigated prior to formulating CPT microcapsules because successful formulation of a stable and effective solid dosage form depends on careful selection of excipients. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used for the identification and purity testing of CPT and excipients. The studies revealed no thermal changes during stress testing of binary and whole mixtures which indicate absence of solid state interactions. There were no shifts, appearance and disappearance in the endothermic or exothermic peaks and on the change of other associated enthalpy values on thermal curves obtained with DSC method. Characteristic peaks for common functional groups in the FT-IR were present in all the mixtures indicating the absence of incompatibility. The techniques used in this study can be said to have been efficient in the characterization and evaluation of the drug and excipients. The technique of microencapsulation by oil-in-oil was used to prepare CPT microcapsules. The effects of polymer molecular weight, homogenizing speed on the particle size, flow properties, morphology, surface properties and release characteristics of the prepared CPT microcapsules were examined. In order to decrease the complexity of the analysis and reduce cost response surface methodology using best polynomial equations was successfully used to quantify the effect of the formulation variables and develop an optimized formulation thereby minimizing the number of experimental trials. There was a burst effect during the first stage of dissolution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results indicated that the initial burst effect observed in drug release could be attributed to dissolution of CPT crystals present at the surface or embedded in the superficial layer of the matrix. During the preparation of microcapsules, the drug might have been trapped near the surface of the microcapsules and or might have diffused quickly through the porous surface. The release kinetics of CPT from most formulations followed Fickian diffusion mechanism. SEM photographs showed that diffusion took place through pores at the surface of the microcapsules. The Kopcha model diffusion and erosion terms showed predominance of diffusion relative to swelling or erosion throughout the entire test period. Drug release mechanism was also confirmed by Makoid-Banakar and Korsmeyer-Peppas models exponents which further support diffusion release mechanism in most formulations. The models postulate that the total of drug release is a summation of a couple of mechanisms; burst release, relaxation induced controlled-release and diffusional release. Inspection of the 2D contour and 3D response surfaces allowed the determination of the geometrical nature of the surfaces and further providing results about the interaction of the different variables used in central composite design (CCD). The wide variation indicated that the factor combinations resulted in different drug release rates. Lagrange, canonical and mathematical modelling were used to determine the nature of the stationery point of the models. This represented the optimal variables or stationery points where there is interaction in the experimental space. It is difficult to understand the shape of a fitted response by mere inspection of the algebraic polynomial when there are many independent variables in the model. Canonical and Lagrange analyses facilitated the interpretation of the surface plots after a mathematical transformation of the original variables into new variables. In conclusion, these results suggest the potential application of Eudragit® / Methocel® microcapsules as suitable sustained-release drug delivery system for CPT.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Khamanga, Sandile Maswazi Malungelo
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Hypertension -- Treatment , Hypertension -- Chemotherapy , Angiotensin converting enzyme -- Inhibitors , Hypotensive agents -- Development , Pharmacokinetics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3860 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013443
- Description: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are some of the most commonly prescribed medications for hypertension. They are cited in many papers as the treatment most often recommended by guidelines and favoured over other antihypertensive drugs as first-line agents especially when other high-risk conditions are present, such as diabetic nephropathy. The development of captopril (CPT) was amongst the earliest successes of the revolutionary concept of structure-based drug design. Due to its relatively poor pharmacokinetic profile or short half-life of about 1 hour, the formulation of sustained-release microcapsule dosage form is useful to improve patient compliance and to achieve predictable and optimized therapeutic plasma concentrations. Currently, CPT is mainly administered in tablet form. One of the difficulties of CPT formulation has been reported to be its instability in aqueous solutions. CPT is characterized by a lack of a strong chromophore and, therefore, not able to absorb at the more useful UV–Vis region of the spectrum. For this reason, an accurate, simple, reproducible, and sensitive HPLC-ECD method was developed and validated for the determination of CPT in dosage forms. The method was successfully applied for the determination of CPT in commercial and developed formulations. Possible drug-excipient and excipient-excipient interactions were investigated prior to formulating CPT microcapsules because successful formulation of a stable and effective solid dosage form depends on careful selection of excipients. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used for the identification and purity testing of CPT and excipients. The studies revealed no thermal changes during stress testing of binary and whole mixtures which indicate absence of solid state interactions. There were no shifts, appearance and disappearance in the endothermic or exothermic peaks and on the change of other associated enthalpy values on thermal curves obtained with DSC method. Characteristic peaks for common functional groups in the FT-IR were present in all the mixtures indicating the absence of incompatibility. The techniques used in this study can be said to have been efficient in the characterization and evaluation of the drug and excipients. The technique of microencapsulation by oil-in-oil was used to prepare CPT microcapsules. The effects of polymer molecular weight, homogenizing speed on the particle size, flow properties, morphology, surface properties and release characteristics of the prepared CPT microcapsules were examined. In order to decrease the complexity of the analysis and reduce cost response surface methodology using best polynomial equations was successfully used to quantify the effect of the formulation variables and develop an optimized formulation thereby minimizing the number of experimental trials. There was a burst effect during the first stage of dissolution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results indicated that the initial burst effect observed in drug release could be attributed to dissolution of CPT crystals present at the surface or embedded in the superficial layer of the matrix. During the preparation of microcapsules, the drug might have been trapped near the surface of the microcapsules and or might have diffused quickly through the porous surface. The release kinetics of CPT from most formulations followed Fickian diffusion mechanism. SEM photographs showed that diffusion took place through pores at the surface of the microcapsules. The Kopcha model diffusion and erosion terms showed predominance of diffusion relative to swelling or erosion throughout the entire test period. Drug release mechanism was also confirmed by Makoid-Banakar and Korsmeyer-Peppas models exponents which further support diffusion release mechanism in most formulations. The models postulate that the total of drug release is a summation of a couple of mechanisms; burst release, relaxation induced controlled-release and diffusional release. Inspection of the 2D contour and 3D response surfaces allowed the determination of the geometrical nature of the surfaces and further providing results about the interaction of the different variables used in central composite design (CCD). The wide variation indicated that the factor combinations resulted in different drug release rates. Lagrange, canonical and mathematical modelling were used to determine the nature of the stationery point of the models. This represented the optimal variables or stationery points where there is interaction in the experimental space. It is difficult to understand the shape of a fitted response by mere inspection of the algebraic polynomial when there are many independent variables in the model. Canonical and Lagrange analyses facilitated the interpretation of the surface plots after a mathematical transformation of the original variables into new variables. In conclusion, these results suggest the potential application of Eudragit® / Methocel® microcapsules as suitable sustained-release drug delivery system for CPT.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Framework for local government to implement integrated water resource management linked to water service delivery
- Haigh, Eliria H, Fox, Helen E, Davies-Coleman, Heather D
- Authors: Haigh, Eliria H , Fox, Helen E , Davies-Coleman, Heather D
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:7097 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012440
- Description: The Water Services Act (No. 8 of 1997) of South Africa states that water service delivery is the responsibility of local government as Water Services Authorities. The principal legal responsibility is to complete a Water Services Development Plan (WSDP) every 5 years with annual review. The WSDP encapsulates all the responsibilities and tasks required in water service delivery. However, it does not spell out local government’s role in water resource protection or its responsibilities as far as integrated water resource management is concerned. It is well known in South Africa that there is a challenging level of inadequate capacity in technical and administrative skills in local government to adequately fulfil water service delivery. This paper highlights the consequences of this incapacity for municipalities and their difficulties in fulfilling their responsibilities as service providers. A framework is provided within which improvements can be brought about, with guidance on how to engage in the practice of integrated water resource management (IWRM) in the context of the legal framework for water services. The additional tasks and changes required to practise IWRM are set in the context of the WSDP. The framework provides a guide for a municipality to first accomplish an adequate WSDP, and then to gradually implement IWRM. A discussion on the skills needed to accomplish, firstly, a comprehensive WSDP, and secondly, IWRM, is included.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Haigh, Eliria H , Fox, Helen E , Davies-Coleman, Heather D
- Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:7097 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012440
- Description: The Water Services Act (No. 8 of 1997) of South Africa states that water service delivery is the responsibility of local government as Water Services Authorities. The principal legal responsibility is to complete a Water Services Development Plan (WSDP) every 5 years with annual review. The WSDP encapsulates all the responsibilities and tasks required in water service delivery. However, it does not spell out local government’s role in water resource protection or its responsibilities as far as integrated water resource management is concerned. It is well known in South Africa that there is a challenging level of inadequate capacity in technical and administrative skills in local government to adequately fulfil water service delivery. This paper highlights the consequences of this incapacity for municipalities and their difficulties in fulfilling their responsibilities as service providers. A framework is provided within which improvements can be brought about, with guidance on how to engage in the practice of integrated water resource management (IWRM) in the context of the legal framework for water services. The additional tasks and changes required to practise IWRM are set in the context of the WSDP. The framework provides a guide for a municipality to first accomplish an adequate WSDP, and then to gradually implement IWRM. A discussion on the skills needed to accomplish, firstly, a comprehensive WSDP, and secondly, IWRM, is included.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010